Overview:
Raglan Road is actually the name of an Irish song which combines Patrick Kavanagh’s poem “Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away” with the traditional Irish tune “The Dawning of the Day.” Since it was first recorded in the 1960s, “Raglan Road” has become an extremely popular song and has been performed by many famous Irish singers, including Van Morrison and Bono. With a name based on an Irish song, it comes as no surprise that Irish music is a theme carried throughout the restaurant. Equally as interesting as the origin of the restaurant’s name is the resume of its head chef, who has cooked for many famous celebrities, most notably Queen Elizabeth and U2. Raglan Road offers a true, authentic Irish experience rather than one that is idealized or cliché (you will not find any shamrocks or leprechauns here) and even the restaurant’s logo is based on a traditional Irish motif. The logo is a symbol is known as a triskele, composed of three interlocking spirals representing the ancient Celtic concept of the interrelation between earth, water, and sky. This is but one example of the level of authenticity prevalent throughout the restaurant.
Atmosphere:
As soon as you step inside Raglan Road you feel as though you have been transported to Ireland thanks to a level of detail and authenticity you expect from restaurants at Disney World (although it should be noted that Raglan Road is not owned by Disney but is a third-party establishment). One of the most notable features when you enter is the massive bar, which is 130 years old and was actually transported to Florida from Ireland.
The antique quality of the bar helps set the tone for the rest of the restaurant’s old-world feel. Although the main dining room is a large, open space, it has a rather dark and intimate feel due to its stained glass windows and dark-wood tables, chairs, and floor.
At the center of this main dining area is a raised platform used at night by the step dancer and along one of the walls by the fireplace is a small stage where the live band performs.
Off to the sides of the central dining area are two additional dining rooms. Although these rooms have windows that allow for more natural light, the wood-paneled walls help maintain the cozy, pub-like feel throughout the restaurant.
For those of you that like to dine al fresco, Raglan Road does offer an outside seating area as well, although you do not really get the same authentic Irish experience as you do when eating inside.
Overall, the restaurant has a very casual, laid-back feel, but this does not come at the expense of great details in the décor. The prevailing theme that is carried throughout the restaurant is Irish music, with the walls adorned with paintings, portraits, and pictures of various Irish bands and singers. Adding to the authenticity are large glass cabinets filled with a plethora of musical memorabilia ranging from records to sheet music to fiddles, banjos, and other instruments. While this musical theming is not over the top, there is just enough to give the restaurant a cohesive feel and also gives it’s a more immersive quality.
It should be noted that depending on what time of day you choose to dine at Raglan Road you will encounter a different type of atmosphere. If you are looking for a more quiet meal I would definitely recommend going for lunch as you can normally walk in without having a reservation and have the restaurant largely to yourself. Dinner offers a louder and much more raucous, party-like atmosphere, especially with the live entertainment and the bar packed with patrons. If dining here with children lunch would definitely be the way to go, while dinner offers a good alternative for adults who want to have a night out on their own.
The Menu:
It should be noted that Raglan Road features a different menu for both lunch and dinner and while there are some items that are found on both, there are others that are exclusive to either one or the other. In general, the lunch menu is cheaper (even with items found on both the lunch and dinner menu) and offers more in the way of lighter offerings such as salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
Appetizers on the lunch and dinner menu are largely similar. Some of the highlights are the Scallop Forest, battered scallops served with a citrus lime dipping sauce and sweet chili jam, and the Dalkey Duo Sausages, which are lightly battered and served with mustard. Other appetizers include the Calamari City, which comes with mixed tempura vegetables and a spicy remoulade, as well as the Sweet & Spicy Guinness Glazed Wings tossed in a Guinness barbeque sauce and served with an herb ranch dressing.
The lunch menu features a wide array of salads to choose from, such as the Smoked Salmon Salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette with pickled cucumbers and chive dressing, the Warm Goat Cheese Salad served with berry compote and walnuts, the Citrus Salmon Salad topped with toasted almonds and a herb citrus dressing, and the Cashel Bleu Cheese Salad with caramelized pecans, fresh raspberries, crispy prosciutto, and tomatoes with mixed greens and a raspberry vinaigrette. The sandwich selections are equally as diverse ranging from a Prosciutto & Chicken Sandwich, served with Dubliner cheese, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli, to a Lobster Club with a lobster and avocado salad, crispy prosciutto, watercress, and citrus herb mayonnaise, and even an Irish Meatball Sandwich featuring Guinness meatballs in a red wine tomato sauce with Parmesan cheese. My server also noted that the Fada Burger with tomato chutney, Irish bacon, and Dubliner cheddar cheese was one of the more popular items on the lunch menu.
Just recently the lunch menu was expanded to include new Stone Breads (freshly baked flatbreads) and there are several to choose from. The Sliced Banger is topped with Guinness and onion infused pork sausage, caramelized red onion, grape tomatoes and Dubliner cheese while the Peppers & Goat Cheese features roasted baby peppers, goat cheese, and grape tomatoes. There is also the Salmon & Goat Cheese, which includes salmon, goats cheese, grape tomatoes, chive dressing, and watercress, as well as the Irish Bacon & Cabbage with honey and whiskey-glazed Irish bacon, sautéed cabbage, Dubliner cheddar cheese, and diced fried tomatoes.
For those looking for something a little more substantial than a salad, sandwich, or flatbread, the lunch menu also includes several traditional Irish favorites such as Sheppard’s Pie, Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mashed, Irish Stew, and Chicken & Wild Mushroom Pie. It should be noted that all of these items are also featured on the dinner menu but are more expensive.
Some items that are exclusive to the dinner menu include the It's Not Bleedin' Chowder with potatoes, mussels, prawns, scallops and fresh seafood infused with white wine and cream. Other dishes featured on the dinner menu are the Serious Sirloin Steak topped with Irish whiskey glaze, drizzled with basil oil, and served with mashed potatoes and crispy fried onion strings, the Mighty Mixed Grill which includes lamb cutlet, Guinness banger, sirloin steak, black pudding, chicken drumstick, and bacon, and Kevin's Ham, which is an Irish Mist glazed loin of bacon with cabbage and an apple potato cake.
For my meal I started with the Baby Back Guinness Ribs appetizer. These were unlike any other baby back ribs that I have ever had. The distinguishing feature of the ribs themselves is that they are so light and are served slightly crispy. I can best describe it as having the same texture as you would expect from a chicken wing. They are also extremely tender and not fatty at all. What really makes the ribs is the Guinness sauce which is very light and slightly sweet in flavor. There is a definite hint of Guinness flavor but it is not overpowering; it compliments the ribs extremely well. This was actually a perfect way to start a meal because it was a fairly light appetizer, but the portion size is large enough that it could be a meal unto itself.
For my entrée I went with the Fish & Chips. Being from New England where seafood is abundant, I have tried many different versions of Fish & Chips, but I can say that the ones at Raglan Road are some of the best I have ever tasted. The batter is very light in flavor with just the slightest hint of beer so that it is noticeable but does not take away from or overpower the flavor of the fish. The fish was perfectly fried so that the batter was crispy (but not overly so) on the outside and the fish was still light and flaky on the inside. The chips (fries) were thick-cut but I would have preferred it if they had been served a little more crispy. Also, there is no need to add salt to the fries as they came served with enough salt already on them. The tartar sauce that accompanies the fish is freshly made, very creamy, and thick and rich in flavor, providing the perfect compliment to the light-tasting fish.
For dessert I wanted to try something a little different so I decided on the Bailey’s Brulee Tart, an Irish spin on the traditional crème brulee. When it was served it looked more like a slice of cheesecake than crème brulee. The custard is far thicker and a little firmer than what you would typically find in crème brulee, but it still comes topped with the traditional layer of caramelized sugar. This is a very light, smooth, and creamy dessert and while it has a slight hint of Bailey’s flavor it is not too overpowering. I am not usually a big fan of crème brulee, but I thought this dessert was very good.
No review of Raglan Road would be complete without talking about my favorite dessert in all of Disney World, Ger’s Bread & Butter Pudding. If you are a fan of bread pudding (and even if you are not) this is definitely a dessert that you need to try. It is unlike any other bread pudding that I have ever had. First of all the dessert is absolutely huge and could easily be a meal by itself. It comes served piping hot in a large coffee mug accompanied by butterscotch and vanilla sauces which you can add on top to suit you own taste. Both of the sauces compliment the flavor of the bread pudding extremely well while at the same time enhancing its flavor and adding a little sweetness to the dessert. This dessert is extremely rich and very filling, but you will definitely savor each and every bite.
Service:
In keeping with the pub-like atmosphere of the restaurant, I found the service to be very laid back and casual, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. My server was very conversational, and not just limited to offering advice about different items on the menu. I was wearing a Washington Nationals baseball cap and we struck up a conversation about baseball and Washington DC and when he found out I am a cast member we talked about what it is like working for Disney. I did notice that all the servers in the restaurant really try to push the alcohol, especially the numerous type of Irish beer they offer. This is due primarily to the pub-like nature of the restaurant. Overall, the meal progressed at a relaxed and leisurely pace, not too slow but just enough time between courses to digest your food a little. If you are looking for a quick meal, however, this may not necessarily be the best place for you.
Dining on a Budget:
If you are looking to save some money I would definitely recommend going to Raglan Road for lunch instead of dinner. As noted early, several of the items found on both the lunch and dinner menus are actually much cheaper for lunch. For example, Fish & Chips for lunch will cost you $16, but for dinner the price goes up to $19. Similar price increases can be seen with the Sheppard’s Pie ($15 for lunch and $18 for dinner) and the Irish Stew ($14 for lunch and $17 for dinner). If you are looking for a cheaper option for lunch, the Stone Breads are just $12 each but still offer a good-sized portion. Also, the Guinness Baby Back Rib appetizer is easily big enough to be an entrée and is a good value at $13. Another option would be to just get a Soup of the Day, a Mixed Green Salad, or a Caesar Salad appetizer for just $5 and save plenty of room for the Bread & Butter Pudding for dessert. The bread pudding is large enough that you would still leave the restaurant completely satisfied.
The Overall Experience:
Raglan Road has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants at Downtown Disney because it offers a dining experience that is truly authentic. Everything about the restaurant, from the pub-like atmosphere to the live entertainment at night to the traditional Irish foods found on the menu, all makes you feel as though you have been transported to Ireland. The restaurant offers everything you would expect when dining at Disney, a well detailed décor with subtle yet immersive theming, great food in terms of both quantity and quality, and extremely friendly service. I highly recommend this restaurant for everyone, but especially for those adults who may be looking for a night out on their own away from the kids. Nighttime at Raglan Road offers a fun and exciting atmosphere where adults can relax, have a good time, and enjoy a good drink and a good meal. This is also a great restaurant for anyone looking to try food that is a little different from what we are normally used to eating, a little taste of Ireland in the middle of Disney World.
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