There are times in our Disney travel that we want to take a breather from theme parks, but still want to feel like we’re in that Disney bubble, and it’s fun to sit back, relax, and enjoy a great meal without the harried pace that dining inside of the theme parks can provide. Wolfgang Puck Cafe Orlando in Disney Springs is one of those spots: perfect for a date night any night of the week. Delicious, signature recipes and beautiful views were exactly what we needed on our last visit to Central Florida.
When I hear the name Wolfgang Puck brought up in conversation, every word is always so positive. Chef Puck, born in Austria, has made his mark on the world compliments of his amazingly delicious recipes and flamboyant attitude towards cooking. I took on a love of cooking and baking in high school and have followed his career since, so you can imagine my delight when I learned of Wolfgang Puck Cafe in the Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World. Offering both casual and signature dining in a laid back atmosphere, the restaurant is my idea of a great date night destination.
The Dining Room
Wolfgang Puck Cafe has two sections: the downstairs area has a super casual vibe and would be a fun spot to dine and have cocktails with friends, but if you’re looking for a more intimate place to dine (think date night), The Dining Room is perfect. Located on the second level of the restaurant, floor to ceiling windows offer gorgeous views of the lake.
The restaurant’s vibe is neither stuffy nor overly swanky, but a great melding of upscale dining with a casual atmosphere. And the dress code allows for casual wear as well- although it is classy enough to offer the chance to get dressed up and not look out of place. LOVE those kind of restaurants!
Dining at Wolfgang Puck Cafe Orlando
If you’re looking for a fun menu that’s filled with signature recipes and classics, this is the place to visit. The menu is not overwhelming, happily. I’ve been to restaurants where it’s like a book with so many options you have no idea what to pick, but that’s not the case at Wolfgang Puck Cafe. It has something for everyone and, from the sushi rolls to the Miso Glazed Salmon and Pan Roasted Chicken, the hardest part for us was deciding which looked the most delicious. A simple Apple Salad is not-so-simple, but instead packed with layered flavors including two types of cheese, golden raisins, and a sherry vinaigrette. For exact ingredients on all of the meals, check out the full menu.
If you’re ever in a pinch on what to order, ask the wait staff. This is exactly what we did (I was curious to know what the most popular meal was so I could give it a try). Our waitress’s response? Crispy Pork Schnitzel! The dish basically sticks with the traditional recipe, but to give it a Wolfgang Puck flair, a side of Austrian Potato Salad (think more savory than sweet and a delicious accompaniment to the thinly sliced pork loin) and a cherry tomato salad gave the meal texture and taste. The schnitzel needed no more seasoning than a squeeze of lemon and was perfect for a dinner option.
Mr. Locke loves to try the not-so-common menu options, so his choice was the Roasted Duck Breast. Ricotta gnocci and wild mushrooms in a huckleberry reduction gave the meat a sweet and savory flair. His vote? Two thumbs up.
The restaurant has a giant Sushi Bar that gets rave reviews from the staff and guests so we had to try a couple of rolls. The Dining Room’s menu offers sashimi and nigiri rolls, but we’re not super huge fans of those particular styles so we asked our waitress if we could try the sushi made in the lower level. With a happy, “Of course!”, she brought a Dancing Roll (cooked eel) and Tempura Shrimp roll to the table. Oohs and aahs ensued and Mr. Locke, a sushi connoisseur, called the rolls “solid” and tasty.
Save Room for Dessert!
If there’s one thing we always do in our travels, it’s to save room for dessert. We’ve both got a sweet tooth and trying the freshly-made desserts only made sense. Unable to commit to sharing only one, we ordered the Vanilla Creme Brulee and Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake.
The Creme Brulee was exactly what you’d expect it to be: a delicious, crunchy top with a smooth and creamy vanilla custard underneath. The Dining Room’s flair was to add pieces of shortbread and fresh berries to the top. With a sprinkle of powdered sugar and so photo-worthy, the dessert is rich and flavorful- and perfect for any time of year.
Let’s talk chocolate cake for a minute. When I think of my perfect style of chocolate cake it’s always super sense and rich and offered with a side of vanilla ice cream. Well done, Chef Puck. Well done.
And, of course, there’s always The Dining Room’s signature cocktails and wine list. Mr. Locke tried a beautiful glass of red (complimented the roasted duck perfectly), but I truly have to mention the wine list. Not only are the wines laid our beautifully, they’re categorized into fun “interesting” classes. If you have any questions about which wine goes with which entree or dessert, don’t hesitate for a second to ask the wait staff. They are highly knowledgeable and know what they’re talking about.
In a Nutshell
We enjoyed every second of our dining experience at Wolfgang Puck Cafe and The Dining Room. I would recommend it as a fabulous date night spot in a heartbeat.
Here’s the scoop and additional details:
- Wolfgang Puck Cafe is located at Disney Springs near the West Side Dock. There’s plenty of free parking in the multi-level parking garage as well.
- You definitely don’t need a Disney Dining Plan to dine at The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Cafe, but if you are the restaurant is considered a Fine/Signature Dining Restaurant and is two table service credits.
- Don’t hesitate to ask your server for recommendations. We were on the fence as to what entrees to order, but a quick description from our waitress and we were sold.
A huge thank you to Wolfgang Puck Cafe for hosting me and my family on our recent visit. I was not asked to state a particular point of view and all opinions are my own!
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