Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Restaurant Guide (All 4 Options)

If you have an upcoming visit planned or are considering a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, you might wonder what dining options are available at the resort. Yes, Mickey waffles are available for breakfast. But you might feel a carb overload by day three or four and want something different. So you can walk down to the neighboring French Quarter and trade those waffles for Mickey-shaped beignets. (I’m kidding, kind of.)

In all seriousness, Port Orleans Riverside has several dining options. Between the resort’s quick service food court, lounge, pool bar, and table service dining option, there’s usually something for everyone. Below, we’ll preview these resort restaurants and a few items we’ve tried to date. Additionally, we’ll go over how to get those beignets and the convenience of taking a water taxi from the resort to Disney Springs for dining.

The Riverside Mill Restaurant at Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Restaurant List

Here is a list of the restaurants at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort:

Riverside Mill Food Court (Quick Service)
River Roost (Lounge)
Muddy Rivers (Pool Bar)
Boatwright’s Dining Hall (Table Service)

Port Orleans Riverside is one of the larger moderate resorts at Disney World. However, considering the resort’s size, it doesn’t have nearly the number of dining options as one might expect. Thankfully, Riverside is within walking distance of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, where a few more dining options are available. Between the resorts you should have plenty to choose. But, if not, you can take a boat from either Disney Port Orleans Resort to Disney Springs, where you’ll find a tremendous number of dining options.

the bridge that connects the resort to the central lobby and restaurants at Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Riverside Mill Food Court

Riverside Mill is the primary quick-service dining location at Port Orleans Riverside. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food court is down the hall from the resort’s lobby. If you’re coming from the resort side, you’ll run into a separate exterior entrance close to the water wheel.

Location: Resort Lobby
Hours: 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Disney: Current Menu with Prices

The Riverside Mill Food Court entrance at Port Orleans Riverside, a blue building with metal roof.

Riverside Mill is designed to mimic an old-fashioned Southern mill paying tribute to the era when steamboats sailed the Mississippi River. A large cotton press runs through the center of the food court’s ceiling. Outside, a massive water wheel churns along.

a red working water wheel in front of a blue building

Below, we’ve listed some of the items that were available during our last stay. Menu items (and prices) change from time to time. We’ve provided a link to the current online menu for each option, or you can always preview menus in the My Disney Experience app.

Here are a few typical breakfast items:

Bounty Breakfast Platter
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwich
Ham and Cheese Omelet
Pancakes with Berry Compote
Plant-based Mickey Frittata
Overnight Oats
Kids’ Meals

For lunch or dinner, the menu includes:

Jambalaya
Bayou Amber Ale Burger
Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger
House Seasoned Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Chicken Strips
Roasted Salmon Dinner
Honey Barbecued Pork Sandwich
Macaroni and Cheese
Shrimp and Grits
Various Sandwiches, Pizza, Pasta, and Salads
Plant-based options
Kids’ Meals

*Menu items are subject to change. Check the link to the menu above on Disney’s site or in the My Disney Experience app for current menu items with prices.

Kids’ meals typically come with a choice of two sides and a drink. For example, you can usually choose two of the following: fresh fruit, fries, mac and cheese, or seasonal vegetables. Sometimes, I order a kids’ meal and order a double side of fries. They also come with a choice of a small Dasani bottled water, small lowfat milk, or a fountain beverage.

During our last stay, I tried the shrimp and grits. This was a huge serving that I recommend sharing. You might ask for an extra plate or bowl when you pick up your order. My only complaint about the dish was that it was a little too garlicky for my taste. But since these grits are prepared to order, you could ask the cook not to add so much garlic.

a bowl of shrimp and grits from a restaurant at Port Orleans Riverside

Riverside Mill has a reasonable number of grab-and-go items. However, most grocery or pantry items can be found in the resort’s gift shop, Fulton’s General Store. Rapid Fill mugs are also available at Riverside’s counter service. They are good for the length of your stay at any refillable mug station at any Disney Resort.

an area with resort refillable mugs at Port Orleans Riverside — Prices and designs are subject to change.

Riverside Mill Food Court has indoor and outdoor seating. If the weather is nice enough, you might enjoy a meal outdoors. The views of the surrounding Riverside Resort are stunning. For more information about the food court, we have a separate article that provides detailed photos of all the items available on our last stay.

tables and chairs in the food court at Port Orleans Riverside

River Roost Lounge

River Roost Lounge is a cozy spot immediately off the lobby of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. They serve a variety of appetizers, cocktails, beers, bourbons, and wines.

Location: Resort Lobby
Hours: 5:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.
Disney: Current Menu with Prices

the entrance to River Roost at Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Inside, you’ll find a common dining area with tables and chairs.

the dining area inside River Roost lounge at Port Orleans Riverside

A handsome bar is also available if you prefer to sit there.

the bar with bar stools at Port Orleans Riverside

On our last visit, the following appetizers were available:

Loaded Potato Puffs
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Bayou Wings
Charcuterie Board
Mardi Gras Fritters (Pimento Cheese)

the appetizer menu at Port Orleans Riverside River Roost Lounge — Menu items and prices are subject to change. These photos provide an example of what to expect.

We had the charcuterie platter. This spread contained several unique items, such as pickled veggies, grilled pita wedges, smoked sausage, and candied Cajun pecans. Those pecans were yummy!

a charcuterie board with crackers, meat, pickled items, cheese, and pecans

River Roost Lounge offers live entertainment from musician and comedian Yehaa Bob Jackson on Wednesday through Saturday nights from 8:30 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. It is the perfect place to unwind after a long day at the parks or enjoy a drink before or after dinner. But no matter when you visit, you’ll be in good spirits!

the stage where a performer sings on select nights at Port Orleans Riverside

Muddy Rivers

Muddy Rivers is the quick-service pool bar at Port Orleans Riverside. The bar has a large covered deck that wraps around it. Guests can enjoy river or pool views while sipping their drinks.

Location: Ol’ Man Island Pool
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (late hours vary)
Disney: Current Menu with Prices

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar at Port Orleans Riverside

The menu features a few classic cocktails, beer, wine, and other drinks you might find on the Bayou. They include:

Hurricane
All that Jazz
Gata-Melon Juice
Front Porch Freeze
Nola Cola

the pool bar menu at Ol' Man Island — Menu items and prices are subject to change. These photos provide an example of what to expect.

As of this update, a few of the menu items include:

Cajun Chicken Salad
Roasted Turkey and Pimento Cheese Wrap
Hot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
Pretzel with Cheese Sauce

This location formerly offered kids’ meals, but they were no longer available as of our last visit. Regarding dining at the pool, I recommend placing a mobile order at Riverside Mill. You can pick it up and bring it back to the pool. It’s only a short walk away from the feature pool, Ol’ Man Island.

a menu that lists poolside bites at the Port Orleans Riverside pool — Menu items and prices are subject to change. These photos provide an example of what to expect.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall

Boatwright’s Dining Hall is the table service restaurant at Port Orleans Riverside. It is open nightly from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., and reservations are strongly recommended.

Location: Resort Lobby
Hours: 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Disney: Current Menu with Prices

the entrance to Boatwright's Dinner Hall at Port Orleans Riverside

The restaurant serves up traditional flavors of the Louisiana Bayou, with a menu that includes the following:

Taste of the Bayou
Boatwright’s Harvest Jambalaya
Crispy Cajun Chicken
Blackened Prime Rib
Deep South Shrimp and Grits
Blackened Salmon
Harvest Red Beans and Rice
Low Country Seafood Boil

Their famous all-you-care-to enjoy platter features “Hickory-smoked Pork Ribs, Crispy Cajun Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Barbecued Beef Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Roasted Corn with Cajun Butter, and Seasonal Vegetables.” Dessert options have recently changed:

Banana Cream Pie Cheesecake
Praline-Bourbon Bread Pudding
Pecan Pie Tart
Café au Lait Pot de Crème

Boatwright's Dining Hall advertisement poster — Gluten and Allergy-Friendly menus are available at Boatwright’s.

Restaurants Near Port Orleans Riverside

In addition to the restaurants we’ve discussed at Port Orleans Riverside, you’ll want to be aware of other dining options nearby. For starters, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is only a short walk or boat ride from Port Orleans French Quarter.

Sassagoula Floatworks is the primary counter service at the French Quarter. We tend to favor the dining options here slightly more than Riverside Mill Food Court. However, besides a few entree items, both food courts have similarities.

the interior dining room at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

As promised, I wanted to mention that beignets are available at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe, which is in the lobby of Port Orleans French Quarter. It sits adjacent to the resort’s quick service. This location serves beignets all day. (Don’t forget to order your favorite flavor of dipping sauce—we love the chocolate ganache!) Better yet, you might enjoy their latest beignet entree for lunch or dinner. Don’t be surprised if you find a line!

One factor that makes Riverside so desirable is the option to take the boat from Riverside to Disney Springs. It’s a scenic ride down the Sassagoula River, and the dining options at Disney Springs are endless. When you arrive at Disney Springs, you’re dropped off at The Marketplace boat dock. Make sure you know where you’re headed for dining reservations.

the water taxi at Port Orleans Riverside

You’ll also want reservations for any table service restaurants at Disney Springs. Unfortunately, the venue is often crowded, and it can be challenging to find available seating at popular restaurants.

Tip: Use the OpenTable app or website to make reservations for Disney Springs. This site has much more availability than My Disney Experience.

Several restaurant owners at Disney Springs have won James Beard awards, making the dining scene even more desirable. These restaurants will have excellent options, and we recommend choosing whatever you’re most interested in having. Here are a few that we’ve enjoyed to date:

Jaleo Review (Chef Jose Andres)
Frontera Cocina Review (Chef Rick Bayless)
Morimoto Asia Review (Chef Masaharu Morimoto)
Homecomin’ Review (Chef Art Smith)
Wolf Gang Puck Bar and Grill at Disney Springs Review

Thigh High Chicken Biscuits at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'

Additionally, there’s Terralina Crafted Italian (Chef Tony Mantuano). Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to eat there yet, but it’s on our list. If you’re looking for quick service, you might enjoy D-Luxe Burger or Blaze Pizza. These are a few of our favorite budget-friendly options. Again, these are just a few options. We have a complete guide to the best restaurants at the venue.

a view of Disney Springs sitting across the lake

Final Thoughts on Dining at Port Orleans Riverside

Port Orleans Riverside is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a great moderate resort with access to plenty of dining options. However, you will have to travel to get to some of them.

For more information on the resort, all of our related articles are listed in a resort guide: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Or you might enjoy these individual reviews:

Additionally, you might like to browse a few of our other resort dining guides. Some of our favorites include:

Have you been to Port Orleans Riverside? If so, what did you think of the dining options? Let us know in the comments.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Restaurant Guide (All 4 Options)