Paddlefish is one of the very few Walt Disney World restaurants I had not yet tried, always falling off my radar in favor of tried and true options like Homecomin’ or Raglan Road when looking for something in the Disney Springs area. When those were not available for a last minute walk-up for an outdoor table, we landed at the seafood venue, located on the waterfront of the Landing section.

Determined to avoid indoor dining during the pandemic, my husband and I were thrilled when our request to be seated outside meant that we were placed on the restaurant’s rooftop, with sweeping views of Disney Springs and Saratoga Springs.

The tables were appropriately socially distant, and in a lovely touch, the hostess gave us paper envelopes to place our masks in while dining, so that we didn’t have to rest them directly on the table.

I started with a “Captain Handsome” cocktail of Cathead vodka, fresh raspberries, framboise, and thyme, which was light and refreshing on a muggy evening. My husband, Jeff, drinks Diet Coke at all times. Our server did a great job of making sure his glass was never empty.

I started with a Caesar salad, which was standard for a Caesar salad, and exactly what I was in the mood for.

Jeff ordered the more substantial Ahi Poke appetizer, billed as “sweet black soy, avocado, cucumber pickle, tortilla chips. The light dressing on the fish nicely enhanced the natural flavor. The chips were dusted with a sweet chili spice (we asked for more of those).

For entrees, Jeff opted for the Stuffed Cod (shrimp and scallop corn bread stuffing, asparagus, and red potatoes with a mustard cream sauce). The neutral fish was a willing canvas for the mustard and corn bread acid/sweet combo.

I decided on the Shrimp Pasta (linguine, Florida rock shrimp, asparagus, tomato, and crab broth). This was liberally scented with garlic and contained a generous portion of succulent rock shrimp.

Both of our entrees were on the lighter side, which was exactly what we wanted given the outdoor Florida location. (Though we did split an Ghirardelli ice cream on the way out of Disney Springs because we’re on vacation dammit.)

The food was lovely, but the view from the Paddlefish roof deck made the meal extra special. Watching the lights come on over Disney Springs felt particularly special given the COVID-era absence of evening light displays at Disney World.

Remember, if you’re having trouble finding a reservation at Paddlefish, or any WDW restaurant, the TouringPlans Reservation Finder can help you find the slot you need.

Have you dined at Paddlefish? What are your thoughts about this lesser-mentioned restaurant?

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