There are DOZENS of places to eat in Disney Springs, so how do you know which one to choose? We’ve checked out every single restaurant in the shopping, entertainment, and dining complex, from the snack stands to the quick-service spots to the fanciest sit-down places.
If you’re looking for an upscale casual table-service meal, then we’ve got you covered. We recently revisited Jaleo at Disney Springs to see if this award-winning spot is still worth it!
Background
Jaleo by José Andrés is located on the West Side in Disney Springs, near Splitsville and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew. Its owner, Chef José Andrés, was named “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation and one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in both 2012 and 2018.
But what’s it like dining here?
Atmosphere
Disney Springs is home to the biggest Jaleo location, with two stories of dining space. There is plenty of seating with a combination of booths and tables, as well as a bar area. Each table comes set with plates, cloth napkins, silverware, and wine glasses.
You can also request a table on their outdoor terrace for great views of Disney Springs from the second floor.
The menu here is home to a variety of Spanish-inspired small and shareable tapas, as well as traditional paellas cooked over a wood fire. Jaleo offers everything from vegetables and seafood to soups and salads.
Now, let’s get into what we ate!
Food & Drinks
To drink, we got the Margarita Donostiarra for $18. This is made with Chile de Arbol-infused tequila, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, lime, laurel, piparra brine, and sherry salt.
This drink was very spicy. We could only taste the chile-infused tequila in here, and that was it, which was really surprising because we were hoping for the other flavors!
For our food, first up, we grabbed the Pimientos del piquillo rellenos con queso Caña de cabra for $14
. This is seared piquillo peppers filled with goat cheese.
The seared piquillo peppers tasted a lot like bell peppers with a slight sweetness. The goat cheese inside was mouth-puckeringly sour on its own, but the peppers evened it out when eaten together. This was the most adventurous thing we tried today, but it was a hit!
Then, we picked up the Buñuelos de bacalao for $15. This is fried cod and potato fritters served with honey alioli.
These Buñuelos had a very crunchy exterior with a soft inside, similar to a conch fritter. The fish flavor was very subtle, and the honey alioli was sweet-tasting and super creamy.
Next up was the Patatas bravas for $15. These are fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and alioli. It’s marked on the menu as a Jaleo favorite, so we had high hopes!
These potatoes are soft on the inside with a slightly crunchy exterior from frying. The garlic alioli complements the spiced tomato sauce the potatoes sit in, which adds creaminess to cut the acidic tomato sauce.
And for dessert, we got the Flan al estilo tradicional de mamá Marisa con espuma de crema catalana for $12. This is a classic Spanish custard with ‘espuma’ of Catalan cream.
This flan is José Andrés’ mother’s recipe, so we had high hopes for this one, too. The flan is super smooth and creamy, and it’s absolutely covered in caramel. The house-made whipped cream is made with vanilla bean and orange zest, which added some brightness that made it super unique. This is a new must-get!
Magic or Tragic?
This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…
- You want Spanish food. Jaleo serves authentic Spanish cuisine straight from the chef’s family kitchen. They have actually been named one of the best Spanish restaurants in Florida!
- You want something adventurous but still familiar. Jaleo offers adventurous Spanish dishes along with dishes reminiscent of familiar Mexican and American cuisines in an authentic Spanish style.
- You want an upscale casual table-service experience. Jaleo offers upscale and award-winning food in a casual environment. It’s the best of both worlds if you want a dining experience in theme park attire.
You should skip this Disney World spot if…
- If you’re in a hurry. This meal was LONG. It takes 45 minutes just for the paella, and it may take you a while to eat if you’re ordering multiple courses.
- If you’re on a budget. If you’re on a tight vacation dining budget, Jaleo is on the pricier end. Consider visiting the attached quick-service spot Pepe for Spanish cuisine at a lower price.
- You’re a picky eater. You’ll need a more adventurous palate to enjoy Jaleo — this isn’t a chicken fingers and burgers kind of place.
Jaleo Restaurant
Menus: Dinner, Children’s Lunch/Dinner, Lunch…