I have a love/hate relationship with Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room, and I’m currently in love. Blissful, British-y love.
Atmosphere
This tidy little pub and dining room set on prime World Showcase Lagoon real estate really does approximate a pub you’d find in the UK today. Although I’m not sure they have pub quizzes…which they should have. Does anyone know if the Rose and Crown has pub quizzes?
View from Pub into Dining Room
The site is split between the pub, which sits on the street-side of the building, and the dining room, which sits on the lagoon side of the building. The two have separate entrances; to head into the pub, use one of the front doors on the street-side of the building. To check-in for a table in the dining room, look for the check-in desk next to the pub, by the patio.
Check-In Desk for the Dining Room
The pub is open to anyone, anytime. While you’re there, head over to the bar to see if Carl is heading up the team that day. He’s an incredible person with a great story…and a ‘gator-wrestler to boot!
View of the Pub and Bar
Rose and Crown's Famous Carl
Hang around to check out the decor, or stop by in time to catch the Hat Lady’s act! (I hear you can win a free drink during her Disney Trivia shows!)
Pub Decor
The Hat Lady Performance Area
UK Pavilion Performance Times
While the pub does serve a small selection of appetizers, you can also always head over to the Yorkshire County Fish Shop next door for some fish and chips!
In the dining room (reservations aren’t required, but they are recommended), dark woods, stained glass, and old (looking) windows with wooden casings set the stage. The feel is casual and boisterous — it’s a fun place too dine and the food is simple, but delicious.
Dining Room Seating Area
Rose and Crown Stained Glass
Ceiling Moulding
More Rose and Crown Seating
Wrapped around the outside of the dining room is a huge patio, which practically doubles the seating area of the restaurant and also offers some fantastic fireworks views in the evening. (Click here for more in-depth info on the best ways to secure one of these viewing spots for your evening meal.) Patio seating is first-come, first-served; if you’d like to sit on the patio, be sure to request it when you check-in for seating.
View from Inside Dining Room Out to Patio
Side Patio
Front Patio with View of World Showcase Lagoon
While guests seated inside the dining room might be able to spill out onto the patio for the fireworks show, there’s usually not enough room for everyone out there without getting in the way of the patio-seated guests. Great fireworks viewing is overwhelmingly a request, and only a small percentage of guests will actually get lucky on any given evening.
Eats and Drinks
Being as authentic a pub as possible in Disney World means including some standards from over the pond on tap:
On Tap
You’ll also find some interesting whiskeys and blends on the menu:
Whiskey Pours
Pub Blends
As always, for links to full, updated menus along with info about the restaurant and discounts, check out our Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room page in our Disney World Table Service Restaurants Guide.
Because I (and various family members) have had a few meals at Rose and Crown since I started this blog, I’m able to give you quite a round-up of food photos! While the quality of Rose and Crown has varied significantly over the past 10-12 years (there was a period of about 5 years when I wouldn’t even eat there because it had gone so far downhill), the kitchen seemed to be in better working order on my last few visits over the past two years. The food is better than it has been, and I now trust that if I make a reservation at Rose and Crown, I’ll be happy with my meal. That’s a bit of a disclaimer, however, because I do only dine there once or twice a year, so quality could be fluctuating again. Would love to hear your experiences in the comments section.
Beginning with appetizers, my favorites are the Rose and Crown Meat and Cheese Selection For Two and the delectable potato and leek soup. The former is an incredible array of meats, cheeses, pastry, sausage, gherkins, onions, chutneys, and more. If you’re a cheese plate fan (and you know I am), order this.
Cheese and Meat For Two
The soup is made with a quart of heavy cream, and you can TASTE it! This dish is so rich, I’ve met my match. I usually can’t stomach a full bowl, but the cup always leaves me wanting more.
potato and leek soup
If apps aren’t for you, start your meal with the delicious bread and butter at the R&C:
Bread and Butter
Then move on to the entrees! I usually have a hard time choosing between the Bangers and Mash and the Burger. Bangers and Mash is one of my favorite British classic meals — how can you go wrong with sausage and potatoes? The shallot gravy is thick and savory — a perfect accompaniment.
Bangers and Mash
And while you wouldn’t expect the burger to be a favorite, this one is delicious. Served at lunch only, with bacon, cheddar, and house-made malted ketchup, it’s easily one of the best burgers in World Showcase. Plus, you get some delicious English chips along with it!
Rose and Crown Burger
Chips
My husband’s favorite part of Rose and Crown is the Sunday Roast dinner, served with Yorkshire Pudding, Roasted Potatoes, seasonal Vegetable, and Shallot Gravy. The Yorkshire Pudding is his downfall on this one, but he raves about the beef as well. Remember, this one’s only served from the dinner menu!
Sunday Roast Dinner
Another favorite is the Cottage Pie — Ground Beef with Onions, Carrots, and Green Peas topped with Duchess Potatoes. There’s a long history between my family and the Rose and Crown Cottage Pie, so it’s usually on the table when my parents are visiting at the same time we are!
Cottage Pie
Cottage Pie Inside
If you still have room for dessert, the Sticky Toffee Pudding is a standard British delight. This version is delicious, though I’m always wanting more custard! While this dessert isn’t the sweetest thing on the menu, the rich custard and toffee are an excellent ending to any meal.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, try the Lemon Pie. Heavy on the meringue and light on the lemon, this will give you a nice, sweet taste without the heavy, “can’t-move” feeling that a lot of super decadent desserts often impart.
Lemon Pie
If no-sugar-added is what you prefer, the Fruit Trifle is a good option. While this isn’t nearly as sweet as other desserts, it’s a refreshing dish — and quite large as well!
No Sugar Added Fruit Trifle
Overall
As I mentioned above, my love/hate relationship with Rose and Crown is largely due to some inconsistencies in quality over the past dozen years or so. For a while there I couldn’t trust this restaurant to make a decent meal, but lately I’ve been feeling the tide turn and I’ve been generally impressed with the food quality.
I’d like to hear your thoughts if you’ve been recently (or in the past) — the good, the bad, and the ugly! Let me know in the comments section below!
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My mouth is watering for the Sticky Toffee Pudding!!
We ate here and really enjoyed it. We had one of those hard to get patio spots and enjoyed Illuminations while eating dessert.
I am little disappointed that I could not fit this location in for our trip next month.
Love the Fish and Chips they sell next door, so two summers ago when we went for free dining, we booked the Rose and Crown. Let me tell you—cheese plate, fish and chips and beer do not mix on a hot August day! Everything was delicious, but we felt sick for the rest of the night!
I still do dream about that cheese plate though….
We’ve eaten there a few times and have always had a good meal. However, I can’t say that the service was always great (sometimes we had to endure a long wait just to get our food).
My husband and I ate there in June 2008 during our honeymoon and we loved it! I can still taste that sticky toffee pudding! Our server was so sweet and she was so excited that we’d just gotten married. She was adorable!
I need loved my solo meal there last March. I haven’t been able to get back since.
Oh that cheese plate…I love that cheese plate. I can’t wait to get back there soon. We actually had to hunt down some British food here just so we could have some proper sausages like they have there.
We LOVE R&C! I had my first meal there as a solo and had the cheese plate and that onion jam is CRACK! My fav drink is a Welsh Dragon. The other meal I have had there was about a year ago, when I had to take my husband. We shared the soup, cheese plate and bangers and mash and loved it all. This is a great place!
Thanks so much or the great review!
I really can’t remember the last time I ate there but seen as though I work in a pub in Yorkshire I don’t suppose it matters! The pictures all look lovely but the Yorkshire puddings look like frozen ones which is disappointing. My Yorkshire puds are enormous, and next time I stay at mams house in Kissimmee you’re more than welcome to come and sample them AJ! I’ll tweet you a pic next time I make some!
I’m a sucker for English and Irish pubs. I first ate there in 1986 and it was great. My wife and I ate there often in the late 80’s and early 90’s but seemed to have passed it by in the last 10 years. They used to do a great leg of lamb and maybe when that came off I lost enthusiasm. It seems to have had a lot of negative reviews lately but your review shows why most angry reviews shouldn’t be trusted. Once again, this is a beautiful restaurant that deserves the good fare they seem to serving,
BTW your pics are so good it makes me jealous.
Yeah, the quality has been very upsy-downsie. That seems to be a sad mantra at many WDW restaurants over the past few years… but anyway. I sort of feel that the fish and chips stand just has it all over the R&C when it comes to a lunch choice. The high turnover at the stand means the food is almost always nice and fresh. Get your order then wander down the little path to the left of the Pub. You’ll get great food and enjoy great view of the rest of the WS.
I should note that sometimes this area is closed off. In that case I would suggest the spot just off the middle of the bridge by the International Gateway. Should all else fails the mini English Garden can be a good place to eat as well. I don’t recommend going all the way into France. It gets crowded there.
Ahh, this is why I love this blog: Britishy.
Also, the food.
I’ve never had a bad meal here. On our honeymoon we had the most spectacular view of Illuminations. The service was amazing. It was one of the best experiences of the trip. A long time ago I had a cottage pie sampler, do they still have that? I don’t remember it from when I last went two years ago.
My wife and I have eaten here a couple of times this past year. We’ve tried the fish and chips, vegetarian shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, apple and stilton salad, and the scotch egg. We’ve been happy with everything so far and will definitely go back.
I like Rose & Crown. I do wish they would bring back the vegetable curry they had about 2 years ago though. Also, an expanded selection of beers would be nice. For example, a more traditional ale would be nice. As for fireworks viewing, I have sat on the patio, but they also have a small reserved standing area near the lagoon for those dining inside.
I would have to say some of this food at the Rose and Crown is pretty close to what we had back home in the UK. This is probably the closest thing to actual Bangers and Mash (don’t get me started on the horrible take over at Raglan Road), but not actually spot on.
If you ever happen to find any pictures of the Fish from the Rose and Crown, I’d love to see them!
I do indeed like how they wrap the chips up in the fake newspaper, as that is a nice touch.
I’m guessing they still keep the American drinking rules (Age 21) as opposed to the real rules of the UK, oh well. Do you happen to know if the Beer at the bar is full strength or just the cheap 3:2 stuff?
Great post! Oh, I’m a fan of the Rose & Crown – especially for lunch. I know, I know, it runs counter to the seating strategies for IlllumiNations, but there’s something especially relaxing about the patio for a late lunch. And I’ve always enjoy the interaction with the cast members there. You’re spot on – R&C SHOULD have pub quizzes, if they don’t already.
Favorites…oh, the cheese plate, oh yes. When in the house of the Mouse, one should nibble on some cheese. I’m a veggie, so miss the curry dish. I do love the Apple & Stilton salad, which is quite satisfying as an entry for me, esp. with the cheese plate and a cup of soup. The veggie shepherd’s pie, though? I could take it or leave it.
I also drink beer – my husband does, so it’s one of the draws for R&C, along with the fish & chips – but a good Welsh Dragon is a delight. And I actually prefer the trifle to the sticky pudding, which is unusual for me.
@Josh – yes the USA drinking rules still apply… I went to R&C with my fiance’s family last year, and his 18 year-old sister tried to convince the barman that should could have a beer as we were in ‘England’! 😉
I really enjoyed my meal here – I had a ‘lamb two ways’ dish, while the rest of the group had fish&chips or sausage & mash. The pub is very authentic looking & I always find the UK CM’s to be very friendly and cheerful!
Rose and Crown has always been a family favorite with us. I do have one “bone” to pick, however. The cottage pie ingredients have apparently changed over the years. Originally, it was ground beef, mashed potatoes and cheese (my favorite). Then the beef was replaced with lamb (passable). The last time I got the pie it was a gooey stew-like concoction. Not good! It’s definitely a beer stop though!
One last thought on the Rose and Crown. What happened to the Charles Dickens Christmas dinner they used to have? It was super!
The last time I was there they only had Shepard’s Pie which is lamb. I had the Cottage Pie there once and was dying to have it again but it was gone. I don’t eat lamb so tried the pot roast instead. I had it at lunch so it isn’t just for dinner. It was very good as was the potato leek soup. I do wish they had a bigger pub area. It would be so much fun to sit in the pub and enjoy a drink but the few tables are hard to snag and there are no seats around the bar or bar tables.