What The Boathouse Actually Is
The Boathouse opened in 2015 and is run by the Gibsons Restaurant Group, the same people behind some of Chicago's iconic steakhouses. The vibe is luxury marina meets laid-back Florida: vintage dream boats from the 1930s and 1950s on display throughout, a huge waterfront patio that puts you practically on the water, and an Oyster Bar where the shuckers are right there prepping everything in front of you. It's seafood market meets upscale marina, and it's one of the details that makes The Boathouse feel different from everything else at Disney Springs.
We were seated outside on a gorgeous day, blue skies, breeze coming off the water, with a perfect view of the Amphicars doing their thing. That's the kind of backdrop that makes lunch feel like an event.
The Amphicar Tours: Worth Knowing About
The Amphicars are real 1960s Amphicar Model 770s. The 770 stands for seven knots on water and 70 mph on land. The Boathouse is the only place in the world where you can take a guided Amphicar tour, and rides launch right from the dock here at Disney Springs, lasting about 20 to 25 minutes. I have always wanted to do this and it is still on the list. Even if you're just there for lunch, watching these things drive into the water from your patio table is a genuinely unique backdrop to a meal.
The Gift Shop
Worth a wander even if you're not eating. Nautical merchandise, vintage boating memorabilia, shirts, hats, ducks, and some genuinely fun themed souvenirs. Even if you're not dining, the shop is worth a quick look.
The Food: This Is Where It Redeemed Itself
They start you with insanely fluffy rolls. Seriously, these are dangerous. On the server's recommendation we ordered the filet mignon sliders with maître d' butter as an appetizer, and these were probably the best value on the menu. Very tender, and the butter on top gave them a fantastic depth of flavor. Worth ordering.
We kept it relatively light for our entree because we had plans for dessert next door: a split grilled grouper sandwich. Super fresh, perfectly cooked, and very delicious. The portions here are large and shareable, which is worth knowing when you're planning the order.
Reservations help but aren't required. We were able to get in without one, but we ate at an off-peak time on a weekday. For weekend lunches or peak dining hours, a reservation is worth making in advance. The waterfront patio is the place to be when the weather is good, so it's worth requesting if you can.
Vivoli il Gelato: The Place I'd Been Walking Past
Right across the path from The Boathouse, and completely worth the stop. The Vivoli family has been making gelato since 1929, when they opened their little milk shop in Florence, Italy. A few years later they started making gelato and it became one of the most beloved spots in the city. Their Disney Springs location opened in 2015, and somehow despite all my trips over all those years, I had never stopped. I know. A Florentine gelato shop sitting in my backyard, quietly living its best life, and I kept walking past it on my way somewhere else.
This was my first visit. Why have I been sleeping on this place.
The affogato is simple and ridiculously good. You pick your gelato, they pour a hot shot of espresso right over the top, and that first moment when it melts just slightly is genuinely excellent. Dessert and caffeine in one glass. I got the pistachio: nutty, rich, creamy, and not overly sweet. The kind of treat that immediately makes you start planning when you're coming back.
Do not walk past Vivoli il Gelato. Learn from my decade of mistakes.
The Boathouse is back on the list. The combination of The Boathouse lunch and Vivoli il Gelato for dessert is one of the better Disney Springs afternoons you can have.
The 2021 visit was off. The 2024 visit was a genuine reminder of what made us love this place in 2019. The filet mignon sliders alone are worth going back for, and the waterfront setting with the Amphicars in the background is unlike anything else at Disney Springs. Add the gelato next door and you have a pretty perfect afternoon.
Raglan Road: Come for the Show, Skip the Meal.
Another Disney Springs dining option worth knowing the honest truth about before you book.