Summer House on the Lake is one of the newest additions to Disney Springs, having breezed into Orlando in December 2023.
Located in the West Side of Disney Springs, this bright, relaxed California-inspired restaurant brings a fresh, modern dining experience to the lakeside promenade – and we were lucky enough to grab what might just be the best seat in the house.
Summer House photos: Dining California-style
From the moment you step inside, Summer House on the Lake feels like a breath of fresh air. The interiors are light and airy, with natural materials like stripped wood, whitewashed surfaces, and wicker adding to the relaxed, beachy vibe. There’s a modern coastal elegance that makes it feel worlds away from the bustling crowds just a few steps outside.
It also adjoins the Summer House Bakery – a tempting walk-up counter serving a line-up of gourmet cookies that will absolutely test your willpower if you arrive hungry!
The best table at Disney Springs?
We were amazed to be seated at what must be one of the most scenic spots in Disney Springs – a round table on a little platform over the lake, complete with a parasol. It felt private and peaceful, with incredible views of the water and the wider Disney Springs area. If you’re booking, consider asking for an outdoor lakefront table – especially if you’re visiting at sunset.
We dined at around 5pm, and would definitely recommend going early if you’d like to enjoy a calmer experience before the evening rush. Disney Springs can become very busy later in the day, particularly at weekends.
If you can (and weather permits), ask to be seated on the covered terrace area. You’re afforded a tranquil waterside view and can watch the boats coming to and fro from the Port Orleans resorts. Magical!
Getting there from the parks – is there a dress code at Summer House?
If you’re heading to Summer House straight from a Disney theme park (and this applies to all Springs restaurants), it’s important to know that buses do not run directly from the parks to Disney Springs.
You’ll need to transfer at a Disney Resort Hotel, which can add time to your journey. Be sure to leave plenty of time before your reservation – especially if you’re relying on Disney transport. Sadly, we did not leave quite enough time to change before our reservation and took our seats at our perfect table a little hotter and stickier than we’d have preferred!
Luckily, there’s not a dress code at Summer House on the Lake and you are fine to show up in your theme park clothes, although keep in mind most of the people around us were in smart-casual attire, so you might prefer to do the same.
Summer House on the Lake menu: Fresh, fun, and huge
The California-inspired menu is extensive – which is great, but also a little overwhelming. Expect lots of fresh, vibrant ingredients and playful twists on American favourites.
Starters
- Signature Guacamole: This was a hit. Served with warm tortilla chips and a trio of salsas — pico de gallo, charred tomato salsa and habanero verde — our favourite was definitely the charred tomato, which had a fantastic smoky depth. We couldn’t stop dipping!
Mains – pizzas, tacos and miso glazed salmon
- Crispy Fish Tacos: Light, crispy and full of flavour. A great warm-weather dish with lots of fresh herbs and shredded veggies that doesn’t weigh you down. I particularly loved the light tempura batter on the fish, which was so crispy and airy… delicious!
- Fish and Chips (Grouper): An American twist on a British classic. While grouper lacks the richness of cod or haddock, it was still tasty. The vinegar fries were a fun touch — but be warned, the portion is generous.
- Shaved Mushroom Pizza: Topped with gruyère, caramelised onion, truffle, rosemary, scallions, parsley and parmesan cream – a flavour-packed combination. However, my mum found the richness a bit samey by the end, which can sometimes happen with truffle-heavy dishes and the base wasn’t as crispy as on pizzas we enjoyed elsewhere.
- Miso glazed salmon: Served with a broccoli salad and a sesame-miso butter. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a delicious miso kick. This was another lovely, light dish – which was just as well, as we needed a bit of room to face those desserts…!
Desserts
- Frozen Key Lime Pie: One of the largest desserts we saw during our trip! Topped with a mountain of sweet cream, this was frozen, which made it stand out from the usual Key Lime offerings. Delicious and refreshing, if a bit indulgent after a big meal.
Summer House on the Lake cookies
We may have mentioned it once or twice – Summer House on the Lake is pretty famous for its cookie bar.
You can either order these from the bar itself, which adjoins the front of the restaurant, or have them brought to your table for dessert.
We opted for the latter and these are the cookies we chose:
- Bakery Cookie (M&Ms): Dense, chewy and colourful. A perfect grab-and-go treat for younger diners or cookie lovers.
- Bakery Cookie (Sea Salt Chocolate Chip): Another tasty, chewy cookie with a sprinkling of salt on the top. You can get the cookies to takeaway if you are too full after your meal.
Want to see the full Summer House on the Lake menu? You can browse it here.
Is Summer House on the Lake worth it?
We’d definitely recommend Summer House on the Lake – especially for its atmosphere and setting. The food is fresh and fun, and the overall experience is laid-back and family-friendly while still feeling stylish and modern.
A few tips:
- Go early (around 5pm) if you prefer a quieter dining atmosphere.
- Consider sharing dishes – some of the portion sizes are large!
- It’s hard to resist the cookie bar – just try not to fill up before your dinner!
- Ask for a lakeview table if you’re booking in advance.
- Definitely consider reserving a table in advance – Walt Disney World restaurants get booked up. Remember, you have a 60-day window in advance of your stay to make dining reservations.
Is Summer House on the Lake on the Disney Dining Plan?
No. Summer House on the Lake does not currently accept the Disney Dining Plan, so you’ll need to pay for your meal separately.
That said, dining here is a lovely experience so if you’re not on the full dining plan – or have space for an extra table-service meal, we’d recommend it.
Love Disney dining reviews?
If you enjoyed this post, we have a review of The Boathouse at Disney Springs – another waterfront favourite – or read our full feature on Six Restaurants We Love at Disney Springs.
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