Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'

✨ The Magic & Mayhem Must-Knows

Location: Disney Springs – The Landing
Best for: Comfort food cravers, Disney springs adjacent guests (on the Sassagoula or in the Springs hotels), diners just looking for solid, real food and great cocktails
Serving: Brunch, lunch and dinner
The Scene: A welcoming restaurant filled with Southern charm, comfortable seating and beautiful outdoor views of Disney Springs
Must-try: Chicken & Doughnuts (I like mine boneless…I know), Church Lady Deviled Eggs, Refillable moonshine sipper, Hummingbird Cake…I could go on. 
Would we return? Honestly, we might be there right now.

After seeing what felt like endless social media posts about the Homecomin’, I finally made a reservation during a work trip to Walt Disney World. A few teacher friends and I were attending summer professional developmeny at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista, which put us just across the street from Disney Springs. After our first day of workshops, Homecomin’ seemed like the perfect place to grab dinner.

Little did I know that first meal would become the first of many. Like…many.

We were back for lunch just a few days later, and that quickly turned into a pattern. At one point, I visited Homecomin’ four times in just a couple of months. This might be a little much for anyone, but keep in mind, I live halfway across the country, so this wasn’t exactly my neighborhood restaurant.

I apparently became enough of a regular that one of our servers asked where I worked on property because he assumed I was a Cast Member. I had to laugh. Nope. Just a girl who apparently loves southern cookin’.

During one of those visits, we also had the chance to spend some time with Chef Art Smith himself. He was incredibly gracious, humble and personable. He chatted with us about family and, once he learned we were teachers, insisted on sending a little extra love from the kitchen.

It was one of those Disney moments that sticks with you long after the meal is over.

The Scene

Homecomin’ truly feels like a homecoming. The restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere with comfortable seating, calming colors and plenty of Southern charm. It feels relaxed without feeling boring — the kind of place where you can settle in, catch up with your dining companions and not feel rushed through your meal.

Outdoor seating offers beautiful views of Disney Springs and the water, especially as the sun goes down and the lights start to sparkle.

The Food

After multiple visits to Homecomin’, I can confidently say I have yet to order something I didn’t enjoy.

The menu is filled with Southern-inspired favorites, from the famous fried chicken to barbecue, hearty sides and desserts that are basically calling your name from across the room.

The fried chicken is a signature for a reason, but don’t sleep on the sides. The biscuits and mac and cheese are absolute must-orders in our book. They are the kind of dishes that make you wonder why you ever bothered pretending you weren’t there for the carbs.

Desserts are perfection across the board, and I don’t tend to order desserts with dinner. I’ll never skip a Homecomin’ sweet. 

And then there are the drinks.

I’m not usually someone who orders cocktails with dinner, but Homecomin’ has turned me into someone who wants to work my way through the drink list. Their moonshine cocktails are a fun part of the experience, and if you’re looking for a drink stop without committing to a full meal, you can also grab a spot at the bar.

The sippers are a fun option if you want a souvenir glass and the chance to enjoy refill options during your visit. Yes…moonshine refills.

(tap photos to enlarge)