Hollywood Brown Derby
Step into old Hollywood elegance with signature dining, classic cuisine and timeless atmosphere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
✨ The Magic & Mayhem Must-Knows
Location: Hollywood Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Best for: Guests looking for a signature dining experience, fans of the old Hollywood atmosphere and an upscale but comfy feel inside the park
The Scene: Classic Hollywood glamour with dark wood, caricatures and vintage details inspired by the original Brown Derby.
Must-try: Everyone will say the Cobb Salad and grapefruit cake, which are fine, but I loved the decadent chocolate cake.
Would we return?: With repeat visitors or on a smaller trip; we usually end up at one of the “Disney-er” options at Studios; I’d also absolutely pop in here during Dapper Day
Despite being absolutely obsessed with the original theming of Hollywood Studios, we had never made it to the signature gem fashioned after the original Brown Derby in Hollywood. So, while on the inaugural Women, Wine and Walt weekend hosted by our travel agency, Story Time Travel, Sarah from Sweet Li’l You and I decided to waltz into the Hollywood Brown Derby while the ladies were off on some unstructured touring.
The Scene
Although a signature restaurant, being located inside a park, the atmosphere is very relaxed and park attire is de rigeur. Good thing because it was surface of the sun hot that day, and I would’ve been aflame had I had on anything more formal than the shorts and shoulder-baring top I was sporting.
To my delight and expectation, the restaurant has an old Hollywood aura, and I was soaking up every bit of it in my victory rolls just waiting for someone to bring the telephone to my table so I could accept my next starring role.
Lights are mellow offering the perfect respite from a day of park trekking. Rich, dark colors abound and walls filled with caricatures are the perfect compliment.
Entrance
Waiting area
Waiting area
Waiting area
Dining room
My agent gave me an advance!
We definitely miss the atmosphere characters at the Brown Derby.
Caricatures
Dining room
The Menu
While offerings change seasonally, a few signature favorites remain, including the famous Cobb Salad based on the recipe created by Bob Cobb, owner of the historic California Brown Derby. The menu also includes thoughtfully prepared entrees, specialty desserts and a cocktail list that fits perfectly with the restaurant’s old Hollywood atmosphere.
Be sure to save room for dessert — the Grapefruit Cake is a longtime Brown Derby favorite and one of the most recognizable dishes on the menu.
Menu
Dinner Rolls with Salted Butter
Cobb Salad
Filet Mignon
Kids’ grilled beef filet
Kids’ mac and cheese
Decadent Chocolate Cake
Grapefruit Cake
Birthday Grapefruit Cake
Our Take
The Hollywood Brown Derby was exactly the vibe I hoped it would be. The old Hollywood atmosphere, rich details and relaxed signature dining experience fit perfectly with the version of Hollywood Studios I love.
That said, it isn’t always the easiest fit for our usual touring crew. With a larger group and kids eager to keep moving, a longer signature meal isn’t always where we want to spend our park time.
I would absolutely come back for a smaller group, a grown-up meal or a special occasion. And honestly? Dapper Day would be the perfect excuse to spend extra time here taking in every detail and staging photo shoots in quiet corners between courses.
The food is solid, the atmosphere is fantastic and it feels like a natural extension of Hollywood Studios. We do miss the atmosphere characters that used to wander through the dining room, though. They added an extra layer of fun and really helped bring the experience to life.
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