What to Actually Order at The Cake Bake Shop on Disney's BoardWalk

Published June 26, 2026 · Updated September 9, 2026

The Cake Bake Shop on Disney’s BoardWalk is arguably the most talked-about dining addition to Walt Disney World in recent years. Between the stunning, glittering interior and the sky-high price tags, it’s a polarizing spot. But make no mistake: the food here is genuinely good, provided you know exactly how to navigate the sprawling menu.

If you are paying a premium for a meal outside the theme parks, you want to make sure it delivers. As a rule of thumb, dining at the resort hotels near the parks is almost always far better than the quick-service options inside the parks—especially compared to Magic Kingdom, which notoriously struggles with its food lineup, leaving guests far better off taking the monorail or boat to a nearby resort to eat.

Here is the insider’s guide on what to actually order at The Cake Bake Shop, what you can safely skip, and how to score a table without the stress.

The Strategy: Bakery vs. Sit-Down Dining

The Cake Bake Shop is split into two halves: the quick-service Bakery side and the full table-service Restaurant side.

The Bakery Side: If your only goal is to try one of their famous, towering slices of cake or grab a coffee, do not book a dining reservation. The Bakery side serves all the signature sweets, pastries, and drinks to go. You can take your slice out onto the BoardWalk and enjoy the ambiance without paying for a full sit-down meal.

The Restaurant Side: You book this for the atmosphere. The dining room is covered in crystal chandeliers, faux roses, and French doors. It feels like eating inside a life-sized music box. This is where you go for a luxurious lunch, an afternoon tea experience, or a hearty dinner.

The Smart Move: If you want a full meal, book the restaurant. If you just want dessert, use the Bakery side and enjoy your cake while strolling toward EPCOT’s International Gateway.

What to Order: The Savory Standouts

If you are sitting down for a meal, the savory menu is surprisingly robust. It’s upscale comfort food with massive portions.

The Crab Cakes These are frequently cited as the best crab cakes on Disney property. They are almost entirely lump crab meat with very little filler, pan-seared to a perfect crisp. Yes, they are pricey, but this is one appetizer where you actually get what you pay for.

The Truffle Pommes Frites Do not skip the fries. They are consistently crispy, heavily seasoned with truffle oil and parmesan, and served with a garlic aioli that you will want to dip everything into. They are easily shareable for the table.

The Chicken Salads (or the Three-Tiered Afternoon Tea) The Cake Bake Shop excels at elevated lunch staples. Their chicken salad is a fan favorite. If you want the full atmospheric experience, look into their afternoon tea service (which must be booked in advance). It comes with finger sandwiches, scones, and miniature desserts, making it the perfect midday break if you are escaping the heat of EPCOT.

What to Order: The Desserts

The cakes here are massive. A single slice is easily enough for two (or even three) people to share after a heavy meal.

Gwendolyn’s Famous Earl’s Court Chocolate Cake This is the signature item for a reason. It is incredibly dense, rich, and features multiple layers of chocolate cake and fudge frosting. If you are a chocolate purist, this is the only thing you need to order.

The Raspberry Champagne Cake If you want something lighter and fruitier, this is the move. The champagne buttercream is airy, and the raspberry filling cuts through the sweetness perfectly. It’s visually stunning and less heavy than the chocolate options.

The Lemon Blueberry Cake A fantastic, tart option that feels perfectly suited for a hot Florida afternoon. The blueberries are fresh, and the lemon curd adds a sharp, acidic bite that balances the frosting.

What to Skip

The Basic Salads and Sandwiches While good, you are paying a massive premium for standard country club fare. If you are going to spend the money at The Cake Bake Shop, spend it on the standout signature items (like the crab cakes or the decadent desserts) rather than a simple turkey club or a basic house salad.

Forcing a Full Meal if You Only Want Sweets I cannot emphasize this enough: do not book a table just to order two slices of cake and two waters. The dining room is meant for a full, leisurely meal. If you just want the sugar rush, the Bakery side is right there and saves you time and gratuity.

How to Get a Table (and When to Go)

Because it is located right on the BoardWalk, The Cake Bake Shop is incredibly convenient if you are staying at the Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, or spending the day at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.

It is highly popular, and Advance Dining Reservations can disappear quickly at the 60-day mark.

This is where SupaPark comes in. If you can’t grab a table for your preferred time, don’t waste your vacation refreshing the Disney app. Use SupaPark’s live Drop Watch feature. The moment a family cancels their hard-to-get reservation, SupaPark catches it and pings you instantly. You tap the alert, and you grab the table directly in My Disney Experience before anyone else even sees it.

The Best Time to Visit: Mid-afternoon (around 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM) is the sweet spot. It’s the perfect time to leave EPCOT when the crowds and heat are at their worst. You get to sit in a beautiful, air-conditioned room, eat some incredible truffle fries, and split a giant piece of cake before heading back into the park for the evening.

Go deeper — the full guides: The Insider’s Guide to EPCOT’s Regal Eagle Smokehouse: What to Eat, Skip, and Share · The Insider’s Menu and Booking Guide to California Grill · The Insider Guide to Vegetarian Dining in EPCOT’s World Showcase

SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

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