Ready to experience the relaxing vibes of summer all year round? Well, the newest restaurant at Disney Springs offers just that! Summer House on the Lake is now open on the West Side of Walt Disney World's premier shopping, dining and entertainment district. Enjoy fresh cuisine in a relaxing California-inspired location and treat yourself to mouthwatering cookies at The Cookie Bar. Here is everything to know about Summer House at Disney Springs!
Overview of Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs
Summer House on the Lake Disney Springs is located on the West Side across from AMC Theatres and Salt & Straw and near Jaleo and Splitsville. The closest parking is either the Orange Garage or surface parking (and parking is free!). If traveling via Disney bus, once dropped off, you'll want to head left and continue past the large fountain in front of AMC (follow the Aerophile blue balloon in the sky to make your way over to the West Side!).
Summer House at Disney Springs opened in December 2023 and brings a California-inspired atmosphere and cuisine. The location is very open and airy with lots of greenery — it definitely gives off beach house vibes! Immediately when you walk in on the right is the Front Porch, which offers a lot of high-top tables and is open to the outdoor patio.
The main dining room offers tons of seating (various booths and tables) with high ceilings and lots of natural light (and be sure to peep the large "YES" sign — just say yes!). The back porch offers relaxing outdoor patio seating with an amazing view of the water.
There are three bars, including one in the front and another in the back by the water. The bars are first-come, first-served.
Summer House on the Lake Reservations
Summer House on the Lake reservations are typically available 90 days in advance. As a third-party location on Disney property, you can make a reservation via OpenTable. The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch and dinner.
For groups of four or less, there is usually some day-of availability, though you'll get the most time slots booking a few days out. For larger parties, we definitely recommend booking further out in advance.
Summer House on the Lake Menu
For drinks, Summer House offers spritzes, cocktails, zero proof, wines, rosé and beer. We had the alcoholic Jalapeño Business specialty cocktail and the nonalcoholic Pineapple Kick. The Jalapeño Business was light and bubbly with a slight kick at the end. The Pineapple Kick had a strong pineapple flavor with a hint of orange and jalapeño agave.
For the main course, I enjoyed the Grilled Tequila-lime Chicken Tacos with corn tortillas, crunchy slaw, salsa verde and guacamole. The tacos were very fresh and had a burst of flavor. They do get messy quickly so I had to dive in with a fork after a while. The side sauce has a bit of a kick to it if wanting an extra flavor.
Leap had the Crispy Chicken Sandwich with avocado, buttermilk dressing, lettuce and a side of fries. This was definitely our favorite of the two — the fresh toppings complimented the chicken really well.
Bunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays and includes breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, eggs, waffles, veggies and other lunch items. A kids menu is available all day, as well as dessert. Speaking of dessert ... you'll want to save room for the Cookie Bar!
Summer House on the Lake Cookie Bar
There are lots of flavors to choose from including chocolate chip, birthday cake, ginger snap, brownie, fudge and more! Most of the cookies run about $5 each but their extra-large size makes them perfect for sharing.
We snagged the Lemon, M&M and Cookies and Cream Krispy Treat. Our favorites were the Lemon (it was like a giant lemon bar) and Krispy Treat (Rice Krispie treats on a cookie? Yes, please!). We recommend grabbing a few flavors and splitting them up among your group so everyone can try the different flavors.
Our Final Thoughts on Summer House on the Lake Disney Springs
We enjoyed visiting Summer House and think it's a much-needed, sit-down option on the West Side. The environment and cuisine felt airy and refreshing. The variety of food and drink options makes it a great choice for different palettes. We think this restaurant is great for date night, family dinner or an outing with friends. Even if not dining for a full meal, The Cookie Bar is a perfect dessert snack option.
Have you tried Summer House on the Lake before? Do you have a favorite from the Cookie Bar? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: The ~Hoppin'~ Good Guide to Visiting Disney Springs
Hoppy planning!
