Savvy Orlandoans know how to experience Disney local style, from taking advantage of happy hour deals to checking out the live music scene and planning for the occasional date night splurge. Today we’re offering up a new experience for locals: a DIY Disney Springs brunch crawl to taste some of this tourist hotspot’s best brunch offerings. Follow our tips and recommendations for an epic brunch day with your love or your best pals.
A little planning goes a long way, so research brunch menus and choose 2-3 stops specializing in varying cuisines to diversify your feast. To ensure you don’t overstuff yourself, share a single dish at the majority of your stops. Oh and keep the rest of your day clear; you're going to want a nap and stretchy pants after your crawl.
Keep reading for our recommended route and dishes plus a list of more Disney Springs eateries offering brunch.
Stop 1: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Known for moonshine libations and Southern cuisine, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ delivers the ultimate comfort food brunch. Think house-made doughnuts, hearty farm breakfast dishes and, my personal favorite, fried chicken and doughnuts. As an added bonus, brunch starts bright and early at 9am allowing you to get a jump start on your crawl.
Once you take a bite of crispy fried chicken and sugar doughnut bits smothered in syrup, you’ll never go back to chicken and waffles again. While on the pricier side, this dish is totally shareable. Other notable dishes include the Hush Puppy Benedict with pimento hollandaise and the Short Rib Hash.
Pair your indulgent plate with a brunch cocktail like the boozy Florida-inspired Florida Crush made with Tito’s, muddled orange and strawberries, agave syrup and fresh-squeezed OJ. The Moonshine Mash was our server’s personal favorite, made with watermelon-infused moonshine, fresh watermelon, lime and simple syrup.
Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-1pm. Peek at the full menu here.
Stop 2: Wine Bar George
Step into Wine Bar George and you’ll totally forget you’re at Disney Springs. This stylish wine bar and eatery, owned and operated by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, serves up a delectable menu to pair with selections from the top-notch wine list any day of the week. But visit on the weekend to indulge in the Wine Country Brunch.
The savory burrata (on the regular menu) gets a tasty upgrade for brunch in the form of heavenly bacon and fresh avocado. Balance out this selection with the melt-in-your-mouth French toast, soft brioche topped with creamy mascarpone, fresh berries and drizzles of caramel sauce. A selection of starters is also available, along with Wine Bar George’s famous cheese and charcuterie boards.
While I’d normally advise ordering a glass of wine, nothing pairs better with brunch than the wine bar’s lineup of signature frozen concoctions. From frosé and the pineapple Dole Whip Frozcato Mimosa to the newer Friezling made with Riesling, vodka and Dole Whip Lime, you can't go wrong. George, if you’re reading this, we’d like to put in a request for a wine flight of Frosé, Friezling and the Frozcato Mimosa please…
If you need an energy boost, opt for the Wake Up Call cocktail made with Espresso-Infused Barsol Pisco and Caffè Borghetti Espresso Liqueur.
Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am-2pm. Check out the full menu and cue the stomach grumbles.
Stop 3: Raglan Road Irish Pub
Raglan Road is an iconic Disney Springs establishment that’s been around since the Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island days of the past. The authentic Irish pub is known for its lively atmosphere, great eats, daily live entertainment and super-friendly servers (shout out to our server, Stephany!). Irish dancers perform at regular intervals to entertain you while you wait for your food and libations, with talented musicians performing Irish tunes in between. Whether you shut the place down at night with a Guinness in hand or arrive early for brunch, it’s a can’t-miss destination.
The Rollicking Raglan Brunch fun really takes off at noon, when the pub's talented Irish dancers and live musicians take the stage.
Nosh on filling and shareable dishes like the Full Irish breakfast or the Pork Hash Tagged. The latter is comprised of succulent bites of braised pork belly, scallions and potato hash and topped with fried eggs. Select lunch items are also available.
Pair your eats with a brunch concoction like the bubbly Strawberry Fields Mimosa made with Prosecco, or a creamy Bailey’s milkshake.
Tip: Arrive by 11:30am to stake out a good table before the music begins. This is a popular hangout!
Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-3pm. Tease your taste buds while you review the full menu here.
The following Disney Springs restaurants also serve brunch:
- House of Blues Orlando: Bayou Brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-1pm and Gospel Brunch Sundays at 10:30am
- STK Orlando: Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3pm
- Maria and Enzo’s: Sundays from 10am-1:30pm
- Paddlefish: Sundays from 11:30am-4pm
- Terralina Crafted Italian: Sundays from 11:30am-3pm
Know of a Disney Springs brunch we missed? Let us know your favorite spot in the comments.
Disclosure: Wine Bar George and Raglan Road offered a meal at no cost to the writer.
About the Author/Photographer:
Stephanie Patterson is a talented professional food and travel photographer and writer with a passion for creativity, the beach and great eats. When she’s not taking photos or writing, you can find her exploring the state for her Florida travel blog, Travel Taste Click. Find her online at www.spattersonphotography.com and www.traveltasteclick.com.
All photos by Stephanie Patterson and Arlene Laboy