The Boathouse — Restaurant in Lake Buena Vista

From the moment you step into The Boathouse, you're transported to a vibrant, nautical paradise that perfectly blends upscale dining with the fun and energy of Disney Springs. This restaurant truly offers an experience, not just a meal, and it's one we won't soon forget.

Atmosphere & Ambiance: The location is absolutely stunning, right on the water with breathtaking views of Lake Buena Vista. Whether you're seated indoors amidst the stylish, maritime-themed decor or outdoors on the expansive patio, you're guaranteed a fantastic setting. We opted for an outdoor table and were treated to beautiful sunset views and the occasional Amphicar splashing into the lake – a truly unique Disney touch! The lively atmosphere was contagious, making it a perfect spot for a special occasion or a memorable night out.

Food & Drinks: The menu is a seafood lover's dream, but there's also plenty to entice those who prefer other options. We started with the Oysters on the Half Shell, which were incredibly fresh and briny – a perfect palate opener. For our main courses, I indulged in the Filet Mignon Oscar, and it was cooked to absolute perfection – tender, juicy, and the crab and béarnaise sauce were decadent. My dining companion raved about the Cedar Plank Salmon, praising its flavorful seasoning and perfectly flaky texture.

The drink menu is equally impressive. Their handcrafted cocktails are creative and delicious. I highly recommend trying one of their signature drinks – the Duck Duck Razz was a refreshing and fruity delight. They also have an extensive wine list and a good selection of beers.

Service: The service we received was impeccable. Our server was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They offered helpful recommendations and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal without being intrusive. The entire staff seemed genuinely happy to be there, which added to the overall positive vibe.

Overall Impression: The Boathouse is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination. The combination of the stunning waterfront location, delicious food, exceptional service, and unique touches like the Amphicars makes it a truly unforgettable dining experience. While it's definitely on the pricier side, the quality of the food and the overall experience justify the cost.

Highly Recommended For: Special occasions (anniversaries, birthdays) Romantic dinners with stunning views Seafood enthusiasts Anyone looking for a memorable and upscale dining experience at Disney Springs

Tips for your visit: Make a reservation well in advance, especially if you want a specific seating location (like an outdoor table). Consider arriving a bit early to enjoy the atmosphere and maybe grab a drink at the bar. Keep an eye out for the Amphicars! They are a fun and unique sight.

We can't wait to return to The Boathouse on our next visit to Disney Springs! It's definitely a...

Having lunch at The Boathouse has been on my bucket list for a while. However, it didn’t quite live up to its expectations.

Despite a 1:45pm reservation, we didn’t get seated until 2:15pm. After asking the hostess if our table would be ready soon, she let us know that we were on the waitlist. We had to walk around and wait for a text. In my opinion, a reservation is much different from being on a waitlist and I was shocked to have waited 30 additional minutes for 2 people.

The inside and outside are beautiful and the atmosphere is fun. I thought it was decorated beautifully and really fit the theme. The tables are very close together, so tell the hostess ahead of time if you need more room for accessibility. Our chairs were bumped into many times while we ate because of this issue. We also loved the gift shop and it’s a great place to wander around while you wait for your table.

The menu had lots of options and features a variety of price points. I ordered the lobster bisque ($9) and caesar salad ($11) while my fiancé ordered the cheeseburger ($19.50). Before our food came out, we were first given 4 rolls which have a cinnamon sugar glaze on top. I found that these were way too sweet, but I know many people enjoy them. My fiancé loved his burger and his fries were great. I really liked the lobster bisque, but it was only a small cup, not a bowl. Surprisingly, there are no chunks of lobster, it’s a very smooth broth. I was disappointed by the side salad as it was warm and soggy. The croutons were great and seemed to be homemade.

Our server was fantastic and very kind! He was on top of everything and checked in on us frequently. The Boathouse is testing a new payment option for guests using a QR code. Please note, this was just rolled out in early May and the servers are still adjusting to the change. He let us know that often times the payment doesn’t show up on their end and they have to check in on their tables to see if they successfully used the QR code or if the need a bill. However, it was very easy to use and you can select your tip based on either % or $.

Overall, it was a great experience with a few things we would like to see improved. For anyone interested in going, get there early and join the waitlist. If you make a reservation, you still need to check in with the hostess and they will text you when...

Excellent quality seafood in a bustling restaurant. Their steaks are amazing as well. This is a Gibson restaurant, typically found in Chicago. So they know their steaks. We come here almost every time we visit Orlando. It's my top 3 in the Disney bubble.

Must orders are duck duck raz, oysters, seared ahi tuna!!

Brunch has the cinnamon rolls and dueling live pianists. Very good atmosphere.

If you want an excellent whimsical drink 🍸 order the duck duck raz. It comes with a squeaky duck. One is enough... if you order 2, you may not be walking straight. Don't let its size and appearance fool you.

The clam strips perfectly breaded! We order 2. The kids even love them.

The oysters are high quality and a must!! We get the lucky ducks. They have others with different briny preferences.

The seared tuna is seared rare and is the best tuna you will have. It's spicy and savory. Fresh tasting. It is never frozen and completely fresh. Pricey and doesn't come with a side, but for us totally worth it.

The kids meals are a generous portion served on a blue cardboard car.

Unlimited cinnamon glazed breads for lunch. Soft and sweet and can fill you up if you aren't paying attention. Dinner has regular rolls, but you can ask for a side of the cinnamon sauce to go with it.

Get a reservation. Rarely do they take walk ins! Outdoor seating is available and fun to watch the car boats and the volvano erupt from rain forest cafe.

This is a respectable and amazing company. We usually eat at their sister Italian restaurant in Chicago called Quartino. Anyways, this company fed their employees during covid when they forced lockdowns. They took care of their people. Great company to support. Kudos...