Does Paddlefish Have a Dress Code in Disney World?

Paddlefish is a seafood restaurant at Disney Springs that is in a classic Disney location!

Paddlefish

This restaurant is located ON a replica river steamboat. That’s right — you may *think* you’re dining on a boat at Paddlefish, but it’s actually a building designed by Disney Imagineers and constructed on a concrete foundation that’s submerged under the water.

While Paddlefish is a new-ish restaurant at Disney World, this “ship” was named the Empress Lilly and christened in 1977 by its namesake, Walt’s widow Lillian Disney. From the 70s until the mid-90s, the Empress Lilly was host to three restaurants and a jazz bar.

In 1996, the location became Fulton’s Crab House, under the management of an outside company — Levy Restaurants. And in 2017, as Downtown Disney transformed into Disney Springs, Levy Restaurants re-opened the space as Paddlefish — now with a modern vibe that better fits the re-imagined shopping and dining complex.

Paddlefish

The culinary focus is on fresh seafood, chops, and steaks in a sleek, modern setting. The new space makes the most of its location on Village Lake with views of both the water and Disney Springs, which are especially enjoyable for guests seated on the rooftop lounge. The surroundings do scream “dressy date night,” so you might be wondering if Paddlefish has a dress code.

The bar at Paddlefish

Paddlefish actually does NOT have any dress code. From our experience, you will see people in all sorts of attire here, from shorts, t-shirts and Minnie ears, to collared shirts and sundresses. So relax, and wear whatever vacation attire you are most comfortable in while enjoying DFB faves here, such as the crab cake and crab-topped fries, and do not overlook their burger topped with pimento cheese and house-made pickles.

Crab Fries

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