Boatwright's Dining Hall Review

Boatwright’s Dining Hall is one of those Walt Disney World restaurants that would be easy to miss if you’re not a guest of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, but if you have the chance to dine there—don’t skip it!  Boatwright’s is located between the River Roost Lounge and the Riverside Mill Food Court in the main building at Port Orleans Riverside.  It serves breakfast and dinner and typically doesn’t require advance reservations.

On our previous trip, we had spent the day park hopping and couldn’t decide if we wanted to spend the time and energy getting to Downtown Disney for dinner.  We decided Boatwright’s was just the ticket, and had a short 5 minute wait.  Boatwright’s is larger than it seems when you are walking by—there is the dining area that you see under the partially constructed boat, but there is another lovely, quiet room tucked away in the back, with a fireplace.  We were seated in this quiet room.

The menu is full of what I would describe as bayou comfort food.  Gumbo, jambalaya, catfish, ribs, pastas, etc…While my dining partner and I pondered the choices, we were brought a basket of hot, sweet cornbread.  I love cornbread and this is some of the best I’ve ever had.  We each ordered Abita beers (popular in the South) and narrowed down our choices.  It was difficult to choose, but our server was helpful in making recommendations.  My date chose the Turbodog Barbequed Ribs, which were served with steak fries and coleslaw.  The ribs were fall off the bone tender!  He loved the Turbodog beer barbeque sauce and the steak fries were a huge hit.  I couldn’t decide between the Voodoo Chicken and the Shrimp and Grits.  Per our server’s rave review, I went with the Shrimp and Grits and I was not disappointed.  Shrimp, peppers, mushrooms and onions are served in a creamy sauce over cheddar grits.  My dining partner claimed he didn’t like grits, but I insisted he try these and let’s just say his grits opinion changed right then and there.  We were much too full for dessert, so we stopped there.

We were very pleased with our meal, maybe surprisingly so.  I truly think that Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a bit of a hidden gem.  Chances are you won’t get there if you’re staying somewhere other than Port Orleans, but you should!  It is well worth the trip.

On a side note—the lady at the table next to us ordered the Voodoo Chicken, my second choice, so I got to see it before we left and let me tell you—it looked delicious too!  She said that it was fantastic.  So, if you find yourself at Boatwright’s, good luck choosing just one delicious meal!

Jill