Hollywood Brown Derby Review: Is Disney’s Hollywood Studios Signature Restaurant Worth It?
Is Hollywood Brown Derby worth the splurge? Read my honest review of Disney’s Hollywood Studios signature restaurant, including the filet, chocolate cake, prices, and tips.
Hollywood Brown Derby was actually the last table service restaurant I had left to try at Hollywood Studios.
I don’t know why I waited so long.
Seriously. I should’ve eaten here years ago.
I had heard people rave about it forever, but every trip there was always somewhere else I wanted to eat more. This time I finally decided, “Okay…let’s see what all the fuss is about.”
Turns out…
The fuss is justified.
Now before anyone starts typing a comment…
Yes. I know I didn’t order the Cobb Salad.
I know that’s the thing to get here.
Here’s the problem. I wanted steak.
I was there for dinner, and I just wasn’t in a salad mood. If they would’ve let me order a little side Cobb Salad, I absolutely would’ve done that. But they don’t. It’s basically your entrée.
So…I skipped it.
Instead I ordered the shrimp cocktail, the filet, and the chocolate cake.
No regrets.
Actually…that’s a lie.
My only regret is that I didn’t come here sooner.
Quick Snapshot
| Restaurant | Hollywood Brown Derby |
|---|---|
| Location | Hollywood Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios |
| Cuisine | Signature American |
| Price | $$$ |
| Dining Plan | 1 Table Service Credit (when available) |
| Characters | No |
| Reservations | Highly Recommended |
| Mobile Check-In | Yes |
| Best For | Adults, date nights, steak lovers, a relaxing break from the park |
| Food Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) |
| Ambiance Rating | ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5) |
First Impressions
One thing I noticed almost immediately was how peaceful it felt.
Hollywood Studios can be…a lot.
Everybody’s running to rides. Music is playing everywhere. People are checking Lightning Lanes every thirty seconds.
Then you walk into Brown Derby and everything kind of slows down.
It’s quiet.
Not silent. Just…calm.
The restaurant isn’t super themed the way someplace like Topolino’s or Tiffins is. It’s more classy than immersive. Lots of dark wood, white tablecloths, old Hollywood photos and caricatures on the walls.
I actually spent a ridiculous amount of time looking at all those caricatures.
There are so many of them.
Every time I thought I’d seen them all, I’d notice another wall covered in famous faces.
The service matched the atmosphere, too. Nobody rushed me, which I always appreciate when I’m eating by myself.
Speaking of…
This ended up being one of my favorite solo meals I’ve ever had at Disney.
Not because I was alone.
Because I wasn’t.
Well…sort of.
The couple sitting next to me and I started chatting a little during dinner, which is honestly one of those things that seems to happen at Disney more than anywhere else.
Then dessert came.
Y’all.
This slice of chocolate cake was HUGE.
There was absolutely no chance I was finishing it by myself.
So I asked if they wanted some.
And they did.
It sounds kind of funny now that I’m typing it out…but it also feels very Disney somehow. One minute you’re sitting next to complete strangers, and the next minute you’re all sharing chocolate cake and talking about your favorite rides.
I don’t know.
Maybe that’s just Disney magic.
Or maybe it was just really good chocolate cake.
Either way…it made me smile.
The Menu & Dining Experience
I’ll be honest…I had absolutely no idea what I was going to order.
The Cobb Salad is the thing here. Everybody knows that. It’s probably the one menu item that gets talked about more than anything else at Brown Derby.
I looked at it.
I considered it.
And then I thought…
“I really don’t want a salad for dinner.”
😂
I know. I know.
If you’re reading this because you’re trying to decide whether to order the Cobb Salad, I am probably the wrong person to ask.
Maybe next trip.
Instead I decided to order what actually sounded good to me, and I’m really glad I did because I don’t feel like I settled at all.
Shrimp Cocktail
I started with the shrimp cocktail.
First of all…those shrimp were bigger than I expected.
Second…they were cooked perfectly.
I feel like shrimp is one of those things that’s really easy to mess up. Half the time it’s rubbery or watery or just kind of forgettable.
These weren’t.
I also wasn’t expecting the avocado mousse underneath, but it worked. It made the whole appetizer feel a little more interesting without trying too hard to be fancy.
By the time I finished it I was already thinking, “Okay…this place is living up to its reputation.”
Main Course– Steak, of course
Then the steak came out.
And honestly?
That steak was fantastic.
I know that sounds like a boring description, but sometimes “fantastic” is just the right word.
It was tender… and flavorful.
There was a really nice crust on the outside.
And it was cooked exactly the way I ordered it.
Nothing on the plate felt like filler. The potatoes were great. The sauce was great. I just kept eating.
I don’t think I left a bite. And the hidden Mickey was a nice touch too!
Then…
Dessert
So here’s the funny part.
I was eating by myself.
Not because I wanted to be antisocial or anything. My friend just wasn’t interested in spending that much on dinner, which was completely understandable. Brown Derby isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s the most expensive table service restaurant in Hollywood Studios.
I didn’t mind, though.
I actually kind of like solo Disney meals every once in a while.
You notice more…. people-watch a little.
Sometimes you end up talking to Cast Members a little more.
Apparently…you also end up making friends with the people at the next table.
By the time dessert came out I’d been chatting with the couple beside me off and on throughout dinner.
Then my chocolate cake arrived.
Y’all.
It was enormous.
Like…”who exactly is supposed to eat this?” enormous.
I looked at it for about five seconds before I laughed and asked my new Disney friends if they wanted to help me.
They did.
And honestly, that’s probably what I’ll remember most about this meal.
Not the steak.
Not even the cake.
Just the fact that Disney is one of those weird places where complete strangers can spend an hour talking about vacations and favorite attractions, share dessert together, and then head off in different directions like old friends.
That just doesn’t happen very many places.
Service & Atmosphere
The whole dinner just felt…easy.
Nobody rushed me.
Nobody hovered over the table every two minutes asking if everything was okay.
My server was attentive, but it never felt forced.
As for the restaurant itself, I really liked it.
It’s classy without feeling stuffy.
The celebrity caricatures are fun to look at, the lighting is warm, and it has this old Hollywood feel that I don’t think Hollywood Studios really captures anywhere else.
It reminded me a little bit of an old supper club. Not exactly a jazz club because it’s much bigger than that, but it has that same relaxed atmosphere where you’re expected to slow down instead of inhaling your food and running to the next ride.
One thing that’s nice is that you don’t have to commit to the full signature dining experience if you don’t want to.
Brown Derby also has a lounge outside with its own menu, and if you can grab a walk-up spot, that’s a great way to experience the restaurant for a little less money.
And if you’re planning on seeing Fantasmic anyway, Brown Derby is one of the restaurants that offers a Fantasmic Dining Package. I didn’t do that this time because I had other plans for the evening, but it’s definitely something I’d consider on a future trip.
Final Thoughts: Is Hollywood Brown Derby Worth It?
For me…absolutely.
I walked in expecting a nice dinner.
I walked out wondering why I had waited so many trips to finally eat here.
Everything I ordered was genuinely good. The shrimp cocktail was fresh, the filet was one of the better steaks I’ve had in a Disney park, and the chocolate cake…well…it was good enough that complete strangers were happy to help me finish it.
Honestly, I think that’s what I’ll remember most about this meal.
Yes, the food was excellent.
But I’ll also remember sitting there talking with people I’d never met before, sharing a giant piece of chocolate cake, and realizing (once again) that Disney is just kind of a different place. That sort of thing doesn’t happen very often in the real world, but somehow it feels completely normal there.
Would I come back?
Without even thinking about it.
I still want to try the famous Cobb Salad someday, mostly because now I’m curious what all the hype is about. But if I walked in tomorrow and ordered the exact same meal again, I’d be perfectly happy.
If you’re trying to decide whether Hollywood Brown Derby is worth the splurge, I’d say yes—especially if you’re looking for one really nice meal during your Hollywood Studios day. It’s a chance to slow down, escape the crowds for a while, and enjoy a meal that actually feels special.
And if a giant slice of chocolate cake happens to help you make a few new Disney friends…
Well, that’s just a bonus.
One thing I didn’t realize before this trip is that you don’t necessarily have to commit to the full restaurant experience. If you’re curious about Hollywood Brown Derby but aren’t ready to spend that much on dinner, take a look at the Brown Derby Lounge instead. It has its own menu, there’s a walk-up waitlist, and it’s a nice way to experience the restaurant without making it one of the biggest dining splurges of your vacation.
Looking for More Disney World Table Service Reviews?
If you’re still deciding where to eat during your Disney vacation, I’ve been working my way through many of Walt Disney World’s table service restaurants—from character meals and hidden gems to signature dining experiences like this one.
You can browse my complete Disney World Table Service Dining Guide to compare restaurants by park, resort, cuisine, and budget, or check out some of my other detailed dining reviews below.
More Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurant Reviews
If you’re still trying to decide where to eat at Hollywood Studios, I’ve also reviewed several of the park’s other table service restaurants. They all have a completely different vibe, so it’s really more about what kind of meal you’re looking for.
50’s Prime Time Café Review – Comfort food, retro TV nostalgia, and Cast Members who may or may not tell you to keep your elbows off the table.
Hollywood & Vine Review – Character dining with a buffet that’s better than I expected.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Review – Family-style barbecue inside Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Review – One of Disney World’s most unique dining experiences, complete with classic cars and vintage movie clips.
Looking for a Great Disney Steak?
One thing I’ve noticed after trying more of Disney World’s signature restaurants is that Disney actually does steaks really well.
The filet at Hollywood Brown Derby was honestly one of my favorites, but it’s definitely not the only great steak I’ve had at Walt Disney World.
If you’re trying to decide where to splurge on a steak dinner, I’d also recommend checking out:
- Topolino’s Terrace Dinner Review – Another fantastic filet in one of my favorite signature dining experiences at Disney World.
- Le Cellier Steakhouse Review – Famous for its steaks and one of EPCOT’s hardest reservations to get.
There are also a couple of other Disney restaurants that have excellent reputations for steak, even though I haven’t eaten at them yet. Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club are both consistently recommended by Disney food fans and are high on my list for future trips.
