This Cookes of Dublin review covers everything from the Annual Passholder discounts to the “bready” burger buns. Is it the best quick-service at Disney Springs? In this Cookes of Dublin review, we cover the Dubliner Burger and the Fish & Chips.
So, there you are. You’ve just spent three hours wandering through the World of Disney store, dodging strollers like a professional stunt driver, and contemplating if you actually need a seventh spirit jersey. Your stomach is growling with intensity, and you realize you forgot the golden rule of Walt Disney World: if you don’t book your lunch two months in advance, you aren’t getting a table.
As you wander toward The Landing at Disney Springs, a sign catches your eye: Cookes of Dublin. Your brain, currently clouded by low blood sugar and the Florida humidity, screams, “COOKIES!” You envision a warm, gooey, chocolate-chip paradise. You imagine yourself bypassing the legendary queue at Gideon’s Bakehouse nearby and strolling into a secret Irish cookie heaven. In case you are wondering, many people think this as they go by Cookes of Dublin. For example, we heard it numerous times while doing this Cookes of Dublin review.
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you enjoy dipping a fried cod in milk, you’re going to be disappointed. Cookes of Dublin is not, in fact, a bakery. It is the quick-service younger sibling of the iconic Raglan Road Irish Pub. It’s the place you go when you want Irish comfort food but don’t have the three hours required to wait for a table to watch a man in a vest do a high-speed jig.
Cookes of Dublin Review: A High-Stakes Game of Musical Chairs
Dining at Disney Springs without an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) can feel like being a contestant on a survival reality show. Cookes of Dublin offers a break, but it comes with a catch: limited seating.
When you walk in, the vibe is “fast-casual meets Victorian pub.” It’s charming, but it’s small. Finding a table here is a sport. We sadly recommend the “Vulture Maneuver,” hovering awkwardly near a family that looks like they are down to their last three fries until they leave.
Once you’ve secured your territory, the service model is actually quite impressive. Unlike most fast-food joints where you’re left to forage for your own plastic forks like a woodland creature, Cookes of Dublin has a touch of class. You grab your own self-serve soda, but a cast member actually brings the food to your table. They aso bring the napkins and utensils to you. However, the condiments are already waiting on the table, staring at you, ready for duty. It’s a hybrid service style that makes you feel slightly more important than you actually are while eating out of a cardboard box.
The $4.75 Soda Scare
Before we get to the food, we have to address the liquid gold. Soft drinks here are $4.75. Now, for those of you who haven’t visited Walt Disney World recently, that price might cause a minor heart palpitation. For the price of three sodas, you could probably buy a very nice gift.
The silver lining? They are self-serve refills. If you can manage to drink four gallons of Coke Zero Sugar during your meal, you might actually break even against the Disney markup. It’s a challenge, but we believe in you.
Cookes of Dublin Review: The Dubliner Burger
We decided to put the Dubliner Burger ($17.99) to the ultimate test in this Cookes of Dublin review. This isn’t your standard “I found this in a theme park cafeteria” burger. Cookes of Dublin is clearly trying to do something different here. This burger features a unique bun and a variety of toppings that aim for “gourmet Irish” rather than “standard American.” The menu description reads, “Sirloin Burger, Dubliner Cheese, Garlic Mayonnaise, Tomato Relish.”
However, our first bite was… an experience. It was exceptionally “bready.“ In a move of pure betrayal, the burger patty actually slid away from the bun during the first bite, leaving us munching on a mouthful of carbs and greens. It was like the patty was trying to escape back to Ireland.
The Breakdown:
- The Bun: Actually quite nice. High quality and sturdy.
- The Toppings: The greens and other components are a “wonderful attempt” to elevate the burger, but the texture might be a hurdle for some. If you’re a “meat and cheese only” kind of person, this might feel like you’re eating a salad that accidentally touched a cow.
- The Patty: Here’s the rub. On the day of our visit, the patty felt a bit overwhelmed by its surroundings. It was smaller than we remembered from previous visits. It’s a solid burger, but the meat-to-toppings ratio is currently favoring the toppings.
The Great Burger War: Cookes vs. D-Luxe Burger
If you sit in the outdoor seating area at Cookes of Dublin, you can actually see the signage for D-Luxe Burger across the way at Disney Springs. It’s like a Shakespearean drama of competing beef.
The comparison is inevitable. If D-Luxe is the “polished, high-tech Marvel movie” of burgers, Cookes of Dublin is the “indie Irish film.”
- Preparation: D-Luxe generally has a better patty preparation and a more “burger-forward” flavor.
- Value: Here is where Cookes wins. The Dubliner Burger comes with steak fries included in the $17.99 price. At D-Luxe, the burgers might be slightly cheaper, but fries are an extra cost. By the time you add a side of fries at D-Luxe, you’re paying more than you would at Cookes.
- The “Chips”: At Cookes, you are getting steak fries. They aren’t the thin, salty shoestring fries you find at most Disney locations. They are thick, hearty, and a “nice change from same old Disney fries.” They are reliable, filling, and do the job of soaking up that $5 soda quite well.
Fish & Chips: The Reliable Classic
If you aren’t feeling the burger, the Fish & Chips ($17.99) is the flagship of the fleet. You get one large piece of breaded fish that looks like it could double as a surfboard. Is it expensive? Yes. But let’s look at the Orlando “Fish & Chips Index”:
- Epcot (Yorkshire County Fish Shop): Roughly $15.
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Roughly $20.
- Cookes of Dublin at Disney Springs: $17.99.
At this price point, it’s high, but it’s just Orlando-area theme park priced. The quality is consistently good, the fish is flaky, and it’s also a safe bet for picky eaters who find the Dubliner Burger’s greens a bit too adventurous.
The Annual Passholder Struggle at Disney Springs
A quick note for our fellow plastic-card carriers: the annual passholder discount at Cookes of Dublin is a bit finicky. It’s generally only available during the week, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday or after 3:00 p.m., prepare to pay full price for your Irish feast. It’s a small detail, but when you’re paying $5 for a Sprite, every cent counts.
Cookes of Dublin Review: Is It Worth the Trip?
Disney Springs can be overwhelming. Between the parking, the crowds, and the sheer number of places to eat, it’s easy to get decision paralysis. Cookes of Dublin is a “solid option.” It’s not the cheapest meal at Disney Springs, and it certainly won’t satisfy your cookie cravings. Still, it offers a unique flavor profile that breaks up the monotony of standard theme park food at Disney Springs.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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