The Boathouse named the 2nd best independent restaurant of 2025

[crazy4wdw]

https://mickeyblog.com/2025/12/10/t...e-second-best-independent-restaurant-of-2025/

 

[lowlight]

I have read so many good things about the Boathouse that I was shocked when our $250 dinner this past visit was one of the worst I’ve had at Disney Springs. Bad service, environment so noisy you can’t hear your table talk, and the food was meh. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, since it was jam packed and $51 million in sales is a lot.

 

[Obrfmly1]

I have read so many good things about the Boathouse that I was shocked when our $250 dinner this past visit was one of the worst I’ve had at Disney Springs. Bad service, environment so noisy you can’t hear your table talk, and the food was meh. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, since it was jam packed and $51 million in sales is a lot.

We had a similar experience a few years ago but are debating if we should try it again this year because we have heard so many good things.

 

[suzannews]

I have read so many good things about the Boathouse that I was shocked when our $250 dinner this past visit was one of the worst I’ve had at Disney Springs. Bad service, environment so noisy you can’t hear your table talk, and the food was meh. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, since it was jam packed and $51 million in sales is a lot.

We ate there in September. I got the club which I did not enjoy with slimey turkey but my huband got a burger and said it was excellent and the other couple we were with both had some type of fish and both said they were great. We plan to go back and I'll get the filet.

 

[lowlight]

We ate there in September. I got the club which I did not enjoy with slimey turkey but my huband got a burger and said it was excellent and the other couple we were with both had some type of fish and both said they were great. We plan to go back and I'll get the filet.

I think if it were lunch, I would have given it another try. This was dinner, and it was a very thin ribeye (I'm used to 1.5 inch thick at "steakhouses"), and a bad set of crab cakes that were mushy and flavorless. Too much money for that. Rolls were very good though, but not baked in house so...

 

[reddog21]

No one in our family eats seafood, so about 95% of the menu wasn’t an option for us, but there were still a few things to choose from. My wife tried the club and wasn’t impressed. Like another person mentioned, it seemed more like deli turkey than real turkey, and for the price, I wouldn’t expect something that felt like a Subway sandwich. My sons and I had the burger, which was good with no complaints but again it's a burger kind of hard to screw it up. The best part of the meal was the rolls, which probably isn’t the strongest recommendation. I don’t hate it or love it—it’s just fine.

For us, it’s one of those places we choose if we need a last-minute reservation and it’s the best option available, but we don’t make a special effort to go there. With that being said it's a good restaurant for Disney Springs.

 

[SusanDK]

We had a good brunch there a month ago, but my biggest gripe about most restaurants is the insanely large portion sizes. I ordered the avocado toast which came with two slices of whole grain toast, one whole avocado and two eggs. Honestly, one slice of toast, half an avocado and one egg would have been more than enough.

It was my first visit so didn't know it was big enough to share, but sharing isn't always an option depending on who one is dining with. I couldn't take half home because it was a warm day and we were going to be at the Springs for a while longer and then not going directly home.

Of course, this 'complaint' isn't exclusive to the Boathouse. I find it to be an issue at many (most) dining out places.

 

[vakamalua]

Not a fan--food is meh, too loud, inattentive service.

 

[zackiedawg]

Also a non-seafood eater myself - I've gone to Boathouse with friends or groups and just manage to find the few non-seafood options on the menu. Pretty much everyone else loves the place and I think maybe the seafood is very good - the non-seafood entries are hit-or-miss. I've had the NY steak there and it was generally good - not spectacular, but cooked and seasoned properly at least. Once I had a chopped salad which was OK - I didn't like the Club. I think you're much better off there if you are a seafood person.

 

[SusanDK]

Following up to my previous comment about massive portion sizes, if I went again, I would either order the carpaccio or the filet mignon sliders. Both are listed as starters but look like plenty of food, especially considering the unlimited bread that is provided. Both of those selections would also be good for the non-seafood eaters that several mention above.

We had a great server, very attentive, even on a super busy day. It was loud and very crowded, but we had gone specifically to see the dueling pianos so it was expected.

 

[Smugpugmug]

a bad set of crab cakes that were mushy and flavorless.

I'm glad my server told me not to order them when I went. He saw I was from Maryland and immediately said, yeah do NOT get the crab cakes.

I honestly find Boathouse kind of mid but I'm in the minority on that seeing how much money they made this year. I agree with other comments that it's super loud and noisy inside. Couldn't even hear the other people at my table.

 

[disneyseniors]

We have been to the Boathouse several times over the years before covid. We always had great service and the food was delicious. I wonder if things have changed in their kitchen since covid?
It was our one restaurant we always went to for dinner and were never disappointed.

 

[lowlight]

I'm glad my server told me not to order them when I went. He saw I was from Maryland and immediately said, yeah do NOT get the crab cakes.

Yeah that’s like getting NY pizza in Naples Florida if you’re from Brooklyn. It’s funny cause we thought we were playing it safe. A primarily seafood restaurant owned by a steakhouse seems like a good place to get seafood and steak, and those items were heavily recommended on vlogs, blogs, and forums. I will agree with you that it must just be us, because they are wildly successful. I have a relative that loves boxed yellow cake with canned frosting for their birthday. We’ve gotten them cakes from award winning bakers and made our own from scratch and they didn’t like them, so it goes to show that tastes vary drastically.

Homecoming’ is the best restaurant we’ve been to at Disney Springs, and it’s one of the few food places we look forward to every visit. We went there the day after Boathouse and it was just night and day. Not too loud, great service, tasty food, and we’ve eaten there at least a dozen times and the manager has stopped by our table every single time. They know what they are doing.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I’m also not a fan. It is one of the worst meals we have had at WDW.