The Cake Bake Shop opened at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn in late 2024 and was immediately scrutinized for its high prices. This certainly raised an eyebrow when Disney prices are already known for being exorbitant. While I have walked by Cake Bake and admired the restaurant’s beautiful glow and even perused the bakery shop, I avoided actually dining there because of the “$22 cake slices”. After trying dinner recently, I only wish I had tried The Cake Bake Shop sooner! The ambiance is stunning and peaceful plus, the food is all plentiful and delicious.
It’s no secret The Cake Bake Shop is beautiful. It feels like a dreamy place for a princess tea or a ladies who lunch type get together. I’ve walked by at Christmastime and have seen the twinkling lights and festive trees but had no idea the restaurant also decorates for the other seasons. As someone who loves fall, seeing the autumnal decorations was the best surprise! Especially since Disney World only decorates Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs for the fall/ Halloween season.
The fall decor includes gold leaf garland and pumpkins throughout the restaurant. Cake Bake also has its classic twinkle lights that give the entire space a warm glow. The lighting, large windows overlooking the Boardwalk, and plush seating makes the restaurant feel both elegant and inviting. Most notable of all, this is one of the quietest Disney World restaurants I’ve ever been to. Not because it wasn’t crowded but the acoustics, table arrangements, and service made it feel like an occasion worth enjoying.
The Cake Bake Shop has a distinct menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a very impressive cocktail and cake menu. Each menu also rotates seasonally.
Apple Tiki Smash – Appleton Estate rum, Calvados brandy, apple cider, allspice, cinnamon, and lemon – $22
One of the seasonal cocktails, the Apple Tiki Smash, has all the flavors of fall from the warmth of the brandy, sweet apple, and plenty of spice. This rum gives it a tiki drink feel and is the best fall cocktail I’ve ever had. It wouldn’t be Cake Bake without a pretty garnish like these cinnamon, glitter apples and cinnamon sticks.
Gumbo Poutine – chicken andouille gumbo, pomme frites, and cheese curds – $26
The Gumbo Poutine was insanely flavorful and a massive portion. We easily split it amongst a table of 6 or it could be a filling entree. The gumbo is the real deal and you can ask for a side of Crystal hot sauce. Cake Bake founder and chef Gwendolyn Rogers was born in New Orleans and it shows – this is the best gumbo you’ll find at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. The cheese curds melt from the warm gumbo and there’s plenty of both, making every bite perfect.
Lemon Caesar Salade – romaine, homemade croutons, lemon Caesar dressing, parmesan, served with a toasted French baguette – $25 (add breaded chicken for $11)
The salad is well tossed and the dressing is loaded with garlic flavor. The added chicken is similar to a chicken piccata which is also on the menu – tender with the right proportion of crispy breading. And yet again the salad is so large, it would be great to split (with or without the protein) alongside an item like the Gumbo Poutine.
Grilled Salmon Sandwich – grilled salmon, basil aioli, and fresh basil on a brioche bun, served with arugula salad – $36
The salmon filet could be served without the bun and still be a dinner-sized portion. It’s perfectly cooked, with each bite being melt in your mouth good. Combined with the basil aioli and soft brioche bun, this is a must for anyone who loves salmon. The addition of the arugula salad adds just enough light freshness to an otherwise rich sandwich.
New Orleans Shrimp Po’boy – Gambino’s French bread, remoulade, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, Crystal hot sauce, served with pommes frites – $36
Being from South Mississippi, my family grew up with plenty of options for shrimp po’boys and ones that are way less than $30. However, seeing it’s made with Gambino’s French bread from New Orleans, we had to try it. The portion size on this is twice as large as most po’boys – and the first we’ve not been able to finish. The shrimp are tender, well fried, and the remoulade is perfect. Combine all of that with fluffy French bread, and it’s a stellar shrimp po’boy. Splitting the po’boy with a cup of gumbo would be the perfect meal.
Classic Burger – certified Angus beef, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, Tilamook cheddar, served with pommes frites – $31
This is a serious burger – perfectly cooked to order, an impressive beef blend, and a soft bun. The shoestring fries are overflowing, crisp, and seriously addictive. The classic burger is a great option for someone skeptical of the prices and the menu.
Roasted Salmon Filet – fresh Atlantic salmon filet finished with a lemon dill creme fraiche, served with fingerling potatoes and roasted asparagus – $43
Another large salmon filet, even bigger than the one on the sandwich. The lemon dill creme fraiche is delicious and the tender salmon has a nice sear on the outside. The fingerling potatoes are well-seasoned and the asparagus has a fresh crunch. Filling and light for when you want a “real” meal at Disney.
Children’s Buttered Cavatappi Noodles – buttered cavatappi, parmesan, served with mixed berries or a French baguette – $14
The kids menu has a range of everything – PB&J, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders but also more elevated options like salmon sliders and a French ham & gruyere sandwich. All of these options come with a side of mixed berries, French fries, or a baguette. The best part? It’s all dusted in edible glitter. The Cake Bake Shop has their own characters including Brûlée the dragon who’s responsible for dusting the restaurant with magical glitter and wishes. You can spot Brûlée perched inside the restaurant and in the bakery shop next door.
Did you even come to Cake Bake if you didn’t order a slice of cake? There are plenty of other dessert options but I had to know what the infamous $22 cake slices are all about. Plus, if you’re going to pay that much, you might as well sit-down in a beautiful restaurant and enjoy it. Since I love all things fall, the limited edition Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Cake immediately called out to me.
Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Cake – pumpkin ginger cake, cinnamon sugar, cream cheese filling, vanilla buttercream, and crystalized ginger – $22
There’s no photo that does this cake justice. It’s 6 layers, loaded with frosting, and easily shareable amongst 4 or more people. It’s also one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. The pumpkin cake is moist, dense, full of spice flavor, and has hidden pieces of candied ginger. The cake has an abundance of both cream cheese and buttercream frosting. The cinnamon sugar in-between the layers is the most surprising of all and would make for an amazing cinnamon roll.
No trip to Cake Bake is complete without visiting the bakery next door. You can get cake slices, pastries, and other desserts to-go but after my experience dining int he restaurant, I would always opt to dine-in. You can also walk-up and enjoy the large (and beautiful bar) inside the restaurant for a slice of cake, a Black Swan espresso martini, or anything from the full menu.
If you’re like me, you’ll want your whole aesthetic to look like Cake Bake after dining there. There is so much unique branded merch you can even shop online via QR code at your table. If you have the pleasure of enjoying a dish with glitter, you’ll surely want to take home a Brûlée of your own. He’s available as a plush, plush bag charm, Christmas ornament, and on apparel like a pastel sweatshirt.
The Cake Bake Shop is one of the best Disney dining experiences I’ve had in a longtime. On top of that, I truly believe the prices are justified. If the portion sizes were smaller, the menu would be no more expensive than a restaurant like Steakhouse 71. My recommendation would be to split a few items so you get to try more and maximize your budget. Otherwise, you’re likely to take a to-go box back to your resort.
Cake Bake is the perfect restaurant for a birthday or seasonal celebration. You can make advance dining reservations on both My Disney Experience and OpenTable.
I’m already looking forward to trying lunch during the holiday season. If you’re curious about the Cake Bake Shop, this is your sign to try it! You’ll only regret not trying it sooner.
