Why You Should Head for Raglan Road Orlando

Just because you’re coming to America and the heart of Florida, you can still count on a great pint and a good craic when you visit Walt Disney World, courtesy of Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant.

This award-winning venue at the centre of the Disney Springs dining, shopping and entertainment district might just be the best-kept secret in the House of Mouse.

Actually, “secret” might be a bit strong for somewhere that has been a big hit since it opened in 2005 but, if you’re new to Orlando or you tend to give Disney Springs a miss, you’re definitely missing out if you don’t have Raglan Road on your radar for a memorable lunch or a lively evening out.

A Top OpenTable choice

You don’t just have to take our word for it either. When the US restaurant reservation system OpenTable announced its Top 100 Most Popular Restaurants of 2022, Raglan Road was one of just 10 Florida venues to feature in that elite level as well as one of 2023’s Top 100 Brunch Choices in the country (alongside such luminaries as the historic Columbia restaurant in Tampa and swanky Latitudes in Key West).

No other Disney restaurant made the top 100.

There are also more than half a million restaurants in America, so to be rated in the Top 100 by the people who matter most – the people who visit them – is quite an achievement.

As if that isn’t recommendation enough, Orlando Magazine voted it the Best Live Music Entertainment in 2020 as well as an Editor’s Choice Award for best theme park restaurant.

What makes Raglan Road special?

In short, not only does it provide excellent food and drinks, but it also features authentic Irish entertainment and a genuine welcoming vibe that make it a real joy to experience.

We must admit to initially being a touch sceptical of this newcomer, as Irish bars are pretty common in America and often consist of just putting an Irish flag on the wall and serving Guinness and fish and chips.

But you could immediately see that Raglan Road was different, both in its size and style, but also, and more importantly, its devotion to authenticity and culinary prowess.

Along with Irish owners John Cooke and Paul Nolan – who had already created a winning formula with their Fine Nine Irishmen restaurant in Las Vegas – came executive chef Kevin Dundon, arguably Ireland’s most prominent and creative culinary wizard, a celebrity chef, TV personality and author of prodigious proportions.

It is a guaranteed stand-out at most times of the year, but it ramps up its offerings to even higher levels for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebration and its signature Great Irish Hooley for the Labor Day weekend each September.

This is also the place to come for special events like Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and the Christmas/New Year period, for both the atmosphere AND the food.

Raglan Road In recent times

Mark O’Neill took over as exec chef in 2019, but that direct-from-Dublin verve and flavour has remained front and centre as the twin pillars of restaurant reliability, taking the best of the gastro-pub ethos and giving it true Irish spirit.

Cooke and Nolan continue to visit regularly and ensure their original ethos is maintained in both the kitchen and the live entertainment, and they periodically changed things up with special events, tastings and new menu items that continue to hit the spot for flavour and value.

As a result, Raglan Road remains as fresh and inviting as it was back in 2005, and O’Neill’s extra twists and additions have provided plenty of tasty treats, like his Salmon Run on the weekend Brunch menu, the eye-catching Board of Beauty appetiser and his outrageously delicious version of Shepherd’s Pie, with a smoked mash potato element.

Rachael Conroy, originally from Tullamore, County Offaly, took over as general manager recently – the first woman to take charge of the venue – having joined the team in 2017, and she also ensures things uphold the necessary degree of Irish vibe and Disney quality.

And that is the key to the restaurant’s ongoing popularity, especially for visitors from Back Home. The venue boasts faithful pub style while still providing the slick reliability of an American hostelry. The entertainment is unwaveringly characteristic of the Emerald Isle, and the food is comfortingly familiar while also being nicely different and even avant garde.

The recipe for success at Raglan Road

With its two outdoor bars, two extensive indoor ones, main entertainment hall, two adjacent dining rooms (all beautifully fitted with genuine furnishings and bar fixtures from Ireland) and the fast-food option of classic fish-and-chippie Cooke’s of Dublin, this is a real adventure in Orlando dining, and one that keeps us coming back again and again.

The Weekend Brunch is another highlights, offering yet another creative menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 3pm, with more clever twists on standards like chicken wings, boxty potato cake and eggs benedict, as well as a huge Full Irish breakfast platter and their signature Bread & Butter Pudding.

Of course, all this plays neatly into Orlando’s growing status for providing great food as well as world class theme parks.

Only last year, there were no fewer than 24 local restaurants that picked up various honours from the prestigious Michelin Guide for the first time, while the city also boasts multiple chefs to be featured in the national James Beard Awards for exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts.

It is a never-ending catalogue of delectable dining that has helped to elevate Orlando into the front rank of restaurant choices nationwide – as evidenced by the latest OpenTable listings – and it offers a never-ending and palate-pleasing parade for our UK visitors.

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