I consider the Hollywood Brown Derby the fanciest restaurant out of the options at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. This upscale signature dining restaurant serves American cuisine old Hollywood style. Hollywood Brown Derby is themed to the Golden Age of Hollywood and is an authentic replica of the famous Brown Derby.
Hollywood Brown Derby Quick Breakdown
- Service: Table-Service
- Type of Food: Italian, Vegetarian-Friendly, Allergy Options
- Price: $$$
- Location: Hollywood Studios
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 2 Credits
- Discounts: Annual Passholder, DVC, Tables in Wonderland
- Features: Reservations, Alcohol
- Good For: Casual Dining
- Menu: Official Disney Dinner Menu
A Tour Around Hollywood Brown Derby
You can find the Brown Derby right before you head into the Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. It's located on the right of the entrance and wraps into Sunset Boulvard. It does feature both indoor and outdoor dining.
Take note of the exterior since this dining spot is made to look like real Brown Derby restaurants in California. The Brown Derby was a gathering spot to be seen of Hollywood film makers back in the day and of course that fits right into the Hollywood Studios theme.
Once you enter the main lobby you will be greeted by the hostess stand. Here you can check-in for your meal, or ask for any special requests. While they tend to push all open availability to the My Disney Experience app you can also check in here to see if you can snag a last-minute dining reservation.
Fun Fact: You may be wondering about the caricature in black and white that you see plastered all over the walls of the restaurant. This is actually something that is recreated from the real Brown Derby in Calirfornia. The restuarant would have caricature artists who would sketch their famous diners and then add them to the walls of the Brown Derby.
Out in the main lobby don't miss the guest book! While you can't sign it they have it open for you to see some of the famous celebrities who have dined at the Hollywood Studios Brown Derby and signed it! It's always open to a different page when we drop in so even if your not eating here it could be a fun surprised to see.
Hollywood Brown Derby Dishes
The following are a few of the dishes we have tried from their menu at Brown Derby.
Brown Derby Cobb Salad
The famous Brown Derby Cobb salad follows the “recipe” created by Bob Cobb, owner of the original Brown Derby when he was raiding the fridge late one night to prepare a dish for a celebrity. The Famous Cobb Salad comes with Finely Chopped Greens, Turkey Breast, Bacon, Egg, Tomatoes, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Avocado, Chives, and Cobb Dressing.
This is my favorite menu item to order here because it is delicious and super affordable. Pictured above is the appetizer portion. This is more than enough food, especially when combined with the complimentary bread. It doesn't overfill you so you can still fit in dessert later.
Crab Cake
I was hoping for it to be more lump crab meat versus' this more shredded texture I got. It was pretty good but I would probably skip this appetizer next time.
Bell & Evans Chicken Breast
My husband really enjoyed this dish. The chicken was nice and tender and full of flavor. It was a stuffed chicken served on top of a mashed potato.
Charred Filet of Beef
Filet is always a good bet to go with at Disney restaurants. It was cooked perfectly and the sauce was the perfect pairing. The filet was a Charred Filet of Beef with Mushroom, White Truffle-Potato Croquette, Jumbo Green and White Asparagus, Toy Box Tomato, Rainbow Carrot, Watercress Salad, Bacon and Sweet Onion Jam, Bin 27 Port Wine Reduction.
Filet Mignon with Walt Disney's Roast Beef Hash
This is a special dish for the 50th celebration and I must say it has