If you’re craving Old Hollywood glamour in the middle of a theme park, this is where you’ll find it.

The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios isn’t just another table-service restaurant — it’s an experience designed to feel worlds away from ride queues and crowds. With its classic atmosphere and iconic menu staples, it’s been a longtime favorite for us (and many of you) looking to elevate your park day. But is it worth carving out the time? Let’s talk about it!

Atmosphere

Stepping into The Hollywood Brown Derby feels like leaving the bustle of Hollywood Boulevard behind and entering a calmer, more refined corner of the park. The lighting is warm and subdued, the pace noticeably slower, and the overall vibe leans elegant without ever feeling stuffy. It’s the kind of place where conversations naturally quiet down, and you instantly feel encouraged to linger rather than rush through a meal.

The interior design is rich with Old Hollywood charm, from dark wood accents and crisp white tablecloths to framed caricatures of classic Hollywood stars lining the walls. These caricatures aren’t just decorative — they add personality and history to the space, giving guests something to explore while waiting for their meal. The dining rooms feel intimate and thoughtfully arranged, offering a welcome sense of privacy compared to many of the more open, high-energy restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Brown Derby is how effortlessly it balances theme with comfort. It doesn’t rely on loud music or over-the-top decor to make an impression. Instead, it creates an atmosphere that feels timeless and grown-up, making it especially popular for date nights, celebrations, or anyone craving a quieter dining experience during a busy park day. It’s a reminder that Disney dining can be immersive in subtle ways, and sometimes, that restraint is exactly what makes a restaurant stand out.

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

The menu at The Hollywood Brown Derby strikes a balance between classic American sophistication and playful nods to Hollywood glam, offering dishes that feel elevated without being overly pretentious. It’s the kind of menu that rewards taking your time, reading through each option, and maybe even debating with your tablemates over what sounds the best (yes, even before dessert.)

You’ll find a range of appetizers that set the tone right away — think flavorful bites that are as thoughtful as they are satisfying. Salads and appetizers often lean into fresh ingredients with well-balanced flavors, like a citrusy grapefruit salad with avocado and greens or a beautifully executed crab cake that feels refined but not fussy.

When it comes to entrees, The Brown Derby doesn’t shy away from quality proteins. Steaks and seafood take center stage, often paired with classic accompaniments given a slightly modern twist. A seared filet or a perfectly cooked salmon doesn’t feel out of place here; it feels expected, in the best way. But the menu also offers comfort with a refined palate, like a rich pasta or a hearty poultry dish that pairs beautifully with sides that are thoughtfully seasoned and plated.

Overall, the menu feels like a destination in itself. Sophisticated enough for a date night or special occasion, but approachable enough to enjoy on a relaxed park day. Portions are generous without being overwhelming, flavors are layered without being confusing, and there’s a clear sense of intention behind each dish.

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Drinks

Editor’s Note: Some of these menu items are currently unavailable. Between our reporter’s review and the writing of this post, Disney changed up the menu. However, we may see these items return in the future, and this gives you a glimpse at the quality this restaurant serves.

To drink, we picked up the Margarita Flight for $18.50. This is made of three samplings of margaritas offered in Classic, Blood Orange, and Pomegranate flavors. Considering just one of these full-size would cost you around $20 to order individually, we consider it one of the best deals on the menu at this restaurant.

The Classic Margarita is very lime-forward, and it tastes like the most classic of the three — like something you could whip up in your own kitchen, but this one is very solid.

As for the Pomegranate Margarita, it tastes unmistakably of pomegranate. It’s tangy and fruity, and we loved the sugar rim, because it helped cut through the tang a bit.

Finally, we had the Blood Orange Margarita, which is also very citrusy, but it sits more in the back of your throat. The tang, however, is more on the tip of your tongue.

We think this is, again, a great deal, especially if you’re dining with others and you all want to be able to give them a little try.

Eats

We started out with the Bread Service, which is complimentary with your meal. The butter itself is unsalted, but it’s got some sea salt flakes on the top to give it a little more flavor. It’s smooth, light, and doesn’t taste artificial, which we appreciate.

The rolls were better than the last time we had them — these were able to be pulled apart very easily, and were very soft. They’re just your standard bread, no additional seasonings or additions added, but we were happy with it!

For our appetizer, we started out with the Sake-braised Pork Belly for $18. This is made with Apple-Ginger Purée, Shiitake Mushrooms, Tasso Ham, and Shiso. This one is currently not available. 

The pork belly was incredibly tender — it was like it melted as soon as you took a bite. The sake braise added this subtle sweetness to the meat with a slight crisp in some places, and the umami paired so well with the apple-ginger puree, which really helped cut through the richness (we actually would have loved some more! We don’t even remember minding the earthiness of the mushrooms because it was mixed with the smoky bits of the tasso ham, and that fresh pop of shiso made those bites feel balanced and an intentional addition to bring it all together.

We also grabbed one of the enhancements that was on the menu at the time, though unfortunately, it’s since been removed. These were the Crispy Green Beans for $10. This dish is AJ’s favorite here!

These were very aromatic, you can smell the truffle oil and garlic aioli right when it comes to your table. However, the breading on these was fantastic — so perfectly crispy and tasty. The flavors all go so well together and don’t clash in the slightest, which is quite impressive! We hope these will come back to the menu soon, that’s for sure.

Then we turned our attention to the heart of our visit — the newest items on the menu. First up to try was the Half Roasted Chicken for $41. It’s made with White Bean Purée, Braised Cipollini Onion, Butter-poached Carrot, Roasted Mushroom, and Mustard Sauce.

Not only is the chicken itself beautifully seasoned and cooked, but the other additions on the plate really help elevate the dish as a whole. The white bean puree and mustard sauce is where a lot of the zing came from, and we loved it. At first, we thought there was too much gravy on the plate, but then we realized it was a wonderful way to give some extra flavor to each bite of chicken. It’s inventive, more exciting, and tastier than just your normal chicken, and that’s a win in our book!

We also grabbed the Vegetable Lentil Pie for $33. It’s made of Merlot-braised Black Lentil, Truffled Mashed Potato, Glazed Root Vegetables, and marked as a plant-based dish. This is also currently unavailable.

The truffle mashed potatoes are really the star here. They’ve got a great saltier taste to them, and the truffle aftertaste will leave the best impression on you. The lentils themselves also had a great texture and flavor. The glazed vegetables helped to break through the earthy taste of the majority of the rest of the dish, as they have a natural sweetness to them. We think people who typically have to get plant-based options will really be impressed!

Before throwing in the napkin on dinner, we couldn’t walk away without ordering dessert. So, naturally, we decided on the Decadent Chocolate Cake for $14. It’s made of Towering Chocolate Cake, Dark Chocolate Mousse, and Whipped Ganache.

We don’t think we’ve ever tasted richer, decadent, soft cake in our whole lives! We really loved the addition of the raspberry, and if we had a complaint, or more of a request, it would be to have a little more of it throughout the cake. We don’t recommend taking it on by yourself unless you’re REALLY hungry, due to the size, so we would say to share!

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You’re looking for the best quality food (and cocktails) of the park. This is the restaurant to book if you don’t mind splurging a little extra to cater to your upscale palate. Hollywood Brown Derby definitely pays extra careful attention to using finer ingredients and well-curated flavor pairings, making this far from your typical theme park meal.
• You’re on the hunt for old Hollywood vibes. If you miss the MGM Studios days — where the golden age of Hollywood was more of this park’s central focus — Hollywood Brown Derby will make you feel like you’re walking the red carpet again, thanks to the celebrity caricatures on the walls, brown derby-style light fixtures, and warm-tinted/maroon-and-gold color schemes
• You love variety. It’s a rarity to see the exact same Hollywood Brown Derby menu twice. While some staples of the restaurant stick around — like the Famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake — most of the other appetizers, entrees, desserts, and cocktail specials switch out seasonally to keep things fresh and unique.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You’re traveling with kiddos. No Mickey Mouse. No bright-and-bold colorful sets. No car-shaped tables.
  While kiddos are more than welcome to dine here with their parents and guardians, they might not be too thrilled about the prospect of sitting around a classy restaurant for the next hour as the exciting/ever-immersive Hollywood Studios day passes them by.
• You miss the chicken tenders (aka, you’re a pickier eater). Hey, picky eaters aren’t just kids, you know. If you’d much rather save your money and stomach space for an affordable basket of chicken tenders instead of paying extra for a meat dish with herbs, dressings, and side options that you don’t think you’ll fancy, you’re better off skipping the dining reservations and sticking with Hollywood Studios’ quick services — like Backlot Express — instead.
• You’re using the Disney Dining Plan. If you’re using the standard Disney Dining Plan, a meal at Hollywood Brown Derby won’t just cost one table service credit. It’ll cost two. And if you’re not planning on ordering the highest-priced entree — or a nice cocktail to accompany your meal — while you’re here, then spending two table service credits on this place is going to be a whole lot pricier than just paying for it out of pocket.

Overall

This is a DFB favorite for good reason, and it’s very rare that anything disappoints us when we visit. It’s expensive, sure, so we think it’s a great spot for a special occasion, or a spot you visit if you’ve saved up for it, or are okay with the higher cost. The food is certainly worth it, we feel, but that bill at the end of the meal may catch you off guard if you’re not prepared!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!