REVIEW: NEW Menu Items Just Hit This Underrated Disney World Hotel Restaurant

We’ve been to every restaurant in Disney World, but that doesn’t mean we’re done with dining reviews! Restaurants are constantly changing up their menus, and even when they’ve got the same classics, we return frequently to see if the quality remains.

Recently, we made a trip to Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside. It had some big menu switch-ups, and we’re here to judge if it should be on your must-try list.

Background

Boatwright’s Dining Hall is the table service restaurant at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside. Dining reservations are available for this spot, but they’re not always necessary.

It’s located in the main building of the resort, and you’ll need to go indoors to check in with the host’s stand or check in through the My Disney Experience app if you have a reservation.

Here’s what you need to know about dining at this restaurant.

Atmosphere

The theme of the restaurant is boat making, and you’ll see that throughout the decor. Boat parts and tools are hanging from the walls and ceiling.

The restaurant is split up into two levels and a few different rooms to give it a cozier workshop vibe. It’s a little darker in here, and the atmosphere feels relaxed and casual.

When it comes to the menu, you can find all kinds of Southern hospitality! This restaurant serves up Cajun-style bites. Disney’s website specifically details Louisiana-style cooking.

But enough about that, what are we eating?!

Food & Drinks

Much of the menu has changed, so we’re trying some of the key new items on this visit, starting with the Shrimp Pappardelle for $28. It’s made with Roasted Garlic-Chardonnay Cream Sauce, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Spinach.

The first thing we noticed about this was that these shrimp were pretty big! They were nice and meaty, but there were only 5 of them. The sauce was more of a basic cream sauce. There were strong garlic notes, but that was really the only flavor we pulled from the sauce. Luckily, the sun-dried tomatoes came through and added a nice tanginess when you had a bite of them.

The spinach added some necessary green, but not much flavor. The noodles were a bit soft, and we would say slightly overcooked. If you’re looking for a seafood pasta, this wasn’t a bad option! We would give this a 7 out of 10.

There are three new sides on the menu, or what Boatwright’s calls “enhancements.” The first is Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp for $10. 

These shrimp offered a smokey hearty flavor thanks to the cooking method. The chimichurri was spicy, bright, and zesty to match that bright green color. There wasn’t a ton of sauce, and they were a bit difficult to eat in our opinion. They were a little messy when taking them off the skewer with the sauce on top. The shrimp were nice and meaty, though, which we appreciated for the price. These are getting 6.5 out of 10 for us! 

Next, we tried the Spiced Smoked Gouda Potatoes for $5.50.

Before we ordered these, a Cast Member raved about them, and we TOTALLY understand why! The wedges were rolled in spices, so they were super flavorful and even had a bit of heat. They’re covered in the most delicious sauce. The Gouda had a wonderful smoked flavor while being slightly earthy and nutty. If you’re a cheese and potato person, these were spectacular. They’re getting a solid 9.5 out of 10!

And finally, there were the Bacon and Cheddar Loaded Mashed Potatoes for $6. Lots of shrimp and potatoes so far!

This felt like something that our Grandmas would make during Christmas time. The potatoes were mashed but still had some of the peel in them, which we enjoy, but not everyone will. They were super creamy and chunky with lots of garlic and butter. The baked cheese offers a lovely crust on top that you can tear into each bite. They were topped with sour cream, bacon, and chives, which added a savory textural element that we loved. These earned our 10 out of 10 rating. 

Of course, we couldn’t leave without a bit of dessert! There are two new treats to try. The first is the Peanut Butter Pie for $9. It’s topped with Chocolate Cookie Crumbs and Chantilly Cream.

This was incredible! It had a thin cookie crust on the bottom, and then the center was a mousse-like texture. It was coated with Oreo crumbs and candied nuts. There was an amazing crunchy texture thanks to the elements on the outside, which paired beautifully with the light, whipped mouse on the outside. The peanut butter filling was a light, whipped texture with a slightly salty element. The salted caramel on the side pushed it over the top to be an interesting, delicious dessert. It earned our second 10 out of 10.

And we ended the meal with the Bourbon Chocolate Cake for $12. It’s made with Milk Chocolate Mousse and Dark Chocolate Ganache.

The dark chocolate ganache was heavenly if that’s fair to save. It was a thick, flavorful layer that we really appreciated. The milk chocolate mousse was light and fluffy. You do get a bit of the bourbon flavor in the cake, which is also light and fluffy. It was delicious, but not an overall standout. For such a tall cake, we think it needed to be a bit denser to hold its shape, but even that’s a small complaint. This gets a 7.5 out of 10 for us!

So what were our thoughts?

Magic or Tragic?

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You’re looking for an underrated restaurant
• You want unique and tasty flavors
• Or you need a last-minute reservation with amazing service

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• Have to go out of your way for it
• You want more interesting seafood options
• Or you have picky eaters in your group

This spot remains a hidden gem for us! The service was incredible, and these new dishes will have us returning time and time again. Both potato dishes are the savory standouts, and the Peanut Butter Pie will have us daydreaming for weeks.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments.

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