The BOATHOUSE Should Be On Your Disney Springs Must-Do List

Disney Springs is the proud home of a long list of quality restaurants. There’s one restaurant here that has big bragging rights above the others. The BOATHOUSE just sailed to number two of the top 100 highest grossing independent restaurants in the country. That’s big news, and it’s interesting that the only other restaurant from Orlando to make the list is also at Disney Springs: Paddlefish.

Just four years ago, The BOATHOUSE ranked as 61 of 100 on this same list, from Restaurant Business. This may seem like quite the climb, and it is, but keep in mind The BOATHOUSE opened in Spring 2015. So what makes The BOATHOUSE so special? It’s a lot of things actually.

The location of The BOATHOUSE is hard to beat. As you might expect from a seafood restaurant with such a reputation, it is right on the water, with a beautiful, nautical theme that starts at the exterior and is carried throughout. While it has every opportunity to be a stuffy yacht club atmosphere that would only make Mr. Howell of Gilligan’s Island feel comfortable, it is actually quite approachable. A long bar welcomes guests at the entrance to a large dining area with maritime décor. Some interior tables have views of the lake, but it is the outdoor dining right on the water that is ideal for the relaxing feeling that only waterside dining can offer. Further out on the water is the Dockside Bar.

The menu at The BOATHOUSE is, of course, dominated by fresh, delectable seafood. However, you’d be remiss to overlook the incredible steaks here. Anything with lobster or shrimp are sure hits.  The BOATHOUSE has the only oyster bar in Disney Springs, with a good selection of mollusks, shrimp, and crab. Personally, I have dined here a number of times and have not been disappointed, ever. A craft cocktail is a fantastic way to start a dining experience here, but the desserts will no doubt steal the show.

Dining here can get expensive, as is the case at any quality restaurant. When compared to the average check of other restaurants on the list of Top 100 Highest Grossing Independent Restaurants, the cost is not that high. Dining here for lunch can also help out your budget. Disney Vacation Club and Annual Passholders do receive a discount.

From over 500,000 surveys in recent years, our readers give The BOATHOUSE a 93% thumbs up rating. And among our readers it is ranked number 12 out of 103 table service restaurants at Walt Disney World. The quality of the food and drinks carries this high rating, but so does the service and the atmosphere. If you’re unsure about where to dine at Disney Springs and seafood or steak is what you’re after, it’s tough to beat The BOATHOUSE.

Have you dined at The BOATHOUSE before? What did you think of it?