Summer House on the Lake Disney Springs: Ultimate Menu Review & Reservations

Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Mauricio Vite

Looking for a solid dining spot at Disney World? Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs delivers on almost every front. I recently had lunch there and I’m breaking down everything you need to know—the hits, the misses, and whether you should add it to your Disney itinerary.

This isn’t your typical theme park restaurant. Summer House sits in The Landing area of Disney Springs, right on the water, and brings California coastal vibes to Central Florida. If you’re tired of burgers and chicken tenders, this place offers a refreshing change of pace for both Americans and international visitors looking for quality dining options. This is your Ultimate Guide and a Review for Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs

About Summer House on the Lake: Location & Setting

Summer House on the Lake operates as a partner restaurant in Disney Springs, which means it’s not actually owned by Disney. You’ll find it in the West Side section of Disney Springs, right on the waterfront. The restaurant’s aesthetic screams California coast—think bright whites, natural wood, and plenty of windows letting in that Florida sunshine.

But the real draw is the terrace. The outdoor seating area overlooks the water and creates this breezy, almost vacation-within-a-vacation atmosphere. The space is airy and open, which I appreciated after spending mornings in crowded attractions. Because it’s a partner restaurant rather than Disney-operated, the décor feels more sophisticated and the whole vibe skews adult-friendly without being stuffy.

What We Ordered for Lunch at Summer House

I went in hungry and ready to try several dishes. We ordered a mix of their popular items: the famous Jalapeño Bread, two different pastas, the Steak Frites, and finished with cookies from their bakery counter. Going to be honest upfront—most of it was excellent, but one dish completely missed the mark. Here’s the breakdown.

Jalapeño Bread: The Must-Try Signature Dish

Start with this. Seriously, don’t skip it. The Jalapeño Bread at Summer House is basically their version of cornbread, but calling it cornbread feels like an understatement. It comes out warm, with jalapeños baked right into the bread, giving it this subtle kick that builds as you eat. The texture is spot-on—slightly dense like proper cornbread should be, but not heavy.

But here’s what makes it special: the butter. They serve it with this incredible compound butter that I’m still thinking about. It melts into the warm bread and somehow makes the jalapeño flavor pop even more without overwhelming anything. Sweet, savory, a little heat—it all works together perfectly. If you’re sharing with a group, order at least two because everyone at your table will want seconds.

Rigatoni alla Vodka: Creamy and Flavorful Pasta

The Rigatoni alla Vodka was our first pasta choice and it delivered exactly what you’d want from this classic dish. The tomato cream sauce coated every piece of pasta—thick and rich without being heavy. You could taste the vodka’s subtle bite cutting through the creaminess, which kept the dish from feeling too indulgent. The rigatoni itself was cooked properly, with that slight firmness in the center that makes pasta satisfying to eat.

Portion-wise, it’s substantial. We split it between two people as part of a larger meal, but one person could easily make it their main course. If you’re someone who plays it safe with pasta orders, this is your dish. It’s familiar, well-executed, and hard to criticize.

Orecchiette with Sausage: A Miss on the Menu

This is where things went wrong. The Orecchiette with Sausage comes with butternut squash, broccolini, and parmesan—sounds good on paper. In reality, it was our least favorite thing we ate. The salt level was out of control. From the first bite, it was overwhelming, and the sausage wasn’t just well-seasoned—it was aggressively salty to the point where it killed any other flavors in the dish.

The sausage completely dominated everything else. The butternut squash and broccolini were supposed to balance out the meat, but they didn’t stand a chance. We mentioned it to our server, and to Summer House’s credit, they immediately offered to replace it or take it off the bill. We opted for the refund since we were already full from everything else. I’d recommend skipping this one entirely.

Steak Frites: Outstanding Flavor with a Small Portion Issue

The Steak Frites at Summer House earned its reputation. The steak itself was cooked beautifully—medium-rare as ordered, with a nice crust on the outside and that perfect pink center. The seasoning was simple but effective, letting the meat quality speak for itself. The fries deserve their own mention too—crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and legitimately some of the best fries I’ve had at Disney World.

Here’s my one complaint: the ratio was off. The plate came loaded with fries but the steak portion felt smaller than expected. For a dish called Steak Frites, I wanted the steak to be the star, not a supporting player to the potatoes. That criticism aside, the flavors were outstanding across the board. The quality is there, just set your expectations for a fries-forward dish rather than a steak-forward one.

The Famous Cookie Shop at Summer House

Summer House has a bakery counter attached to the restaurant, and their cookies have developed a serious following. I didn’t order anything from the regular dessert menu because I’d heard too much about these cookies to pass them up. The cookie shop sits right near the entrance, and you can smell them before you see them—that warm, just-baked aroma that makes willpower impossible. They display all the cookies behind glass, and each one is roughly the size of your hand.

I went with the Chocolate Chip Cookie, which is apparently their most popular option. The cookie was still warm, with crispy edges that had caramelized just right and a center that stayed soft and almost gooey. The chocolate chips were generous and the balance was perfect. You can grab these to go, which makes them perfect for walking around Disney Springs afterward. Fair warning: one cookie could easily serve two people. The cookie shop is one of those things that could easily be a gimmick, but it’s legitimately worth stopping for whether you eat at the restaurant or not.

How to Make Reservations at Summer House on the Lake

Booking Summer House is a bit different from typical Disney World restaurants because it’s a partner location, not Disney-owned. Your first option is the My Disney Experience app—even though Summer House isn’t a Disney restaurant, it still shows up in the app’s dining section. The second option is OpenTable, and this is huge because sometimes one platform will show availability when the other doesn’t. My advice: check both platforms, especially if you’re trying to book during busy seasons.

Try to book at least a few weeks out if you can, particularly for dinner. Lunch tends to have better availability, especially on weekdays. Walk-ups are technically possible, but I wouldn’t count on it unless you’re visiting during an off-peak time. Because it’s not a Disney restaurant, the cancellation policies might differ slightly depending on which platform you book through, so just read the fine print when you reserve.

Final Thoughts: Is Summer House on the Lake Worth Visiting?

Short answer: yes, absolutely. Summer House on the Lake nails the things that matter most. The location and terrace seating create this relaxed atmosphere that feels special without trying too hard. The food, with one notable exception, ranged from really good to excellent. That Jalapeño Bread alone justifies the visit, and the Steak Frites and Rigatoni alla Vodka both delivered on flavor. Even with the Orecchiette disaster, the restaurant handled it professionally and made it right.

I’d specifically recommend Summer House for anyone looking for quality dining options in Disney Springs that feel a step above typical theme park food. The vibe skews more sophisticated than family-casual, but it’s not so formal that you need to dress up. And those cookies—don’t sleep on the cookie shop. If you’re planning a day at Disney Springs or want a proper meal outside the parks, Summer House on the Lake deserves a spot on your list. Book ahead, order the Jalapeño Bread immediately, grab a cookie on your way out, and enjoy the view from the terrace.

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