We recently snuck away for a few days to visit Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. (You can read a review of this Disney Vacation Club property HERE.) When traveling, enjoying some great meals is a must do for us. We researched and found out that there are a couple dining options right on the property to include a table service restaurant, quick service market, and a couple of bars/lounges. We made sure to sample a few different offerings at each spot and are ready to report back. Get ready to read on and possibly drool a bit over these menus…
Table Service Restaurant: Wind & Waves Grill
Wind & Waves Grill is located within the Main Inn building. Serving Breakfast and Dinner daily, you can make reservations as well as walk-in (at least while we were there in the slower season.) The restaurant combines a clean modern look (think bright white trim, bold blue chairs and mosaic tile) with vintage nautical elements such as drift wood and sailing artwork. The airy room seats a good amount of people but is still small enough to feel intimate especially with the open kitchen towards the back. The latest menu was created within the 6-9 months and features many mouth watering dishes inspired by the south and the sea.
TIP: If you have any allergies or dietary concerns let your server know, Disney takes care of this amazing well. During out visit we received personalized attention from Chef Anthony who created the menu and knows the ingredients inside and out. He made sure to craft dishes for Julie that were safe and delicious.
We loved this wall that featured a vintage inspired map.
Breakfast Menu (Click to Enlarge)
Drink Menu (Click to Enlarge)
Dinner Menu (Click to Enlarge)
Breakfast
Chicken & (Mickey) Waffles: A large (Mickey shaped!) waffle topped with southern fried chicken strips with spicy powdered sugar and strawberry infused syrup.
When in Disney, one must have Mickey Waffles. We loved at this restaurant traditional waffles were given a southern flare by adding fried chicken. This meal had a great sweet and savory balance. The chicken being smaller tender pieces were easier to eat with the waffle and the syrup had a nice flavor. Andrew also ordered a side of home fries which were good and crispy with just the right amount of seasoning.
Nutella Stuffed French Toast: Challah bread layered with nutella and fresh bananas then topped with sea salted walnuts. Accompanied with bacon or sausage.
We aren’t ones to typically eat a carb heavy breakfast but we couldn’t pass this dish up. French toast got a major upgrade by layering in gooey hazelnut chocolate, fresh fruit and crunchy nuts. The bacon was fairly standard and nothing special. But the rest of the meal was Oh. So. Good.
Dinner
Bread Service: Mini cornbread and Hawaiian sweet rolls served with pink and black sea salt.
It was fun having these breads instead of just typical dinner rolls. The flavored salt butter made them even better!
French Onion Soup: Beef broth and caramelized onions with ciabatta toast and Gruyere cheese.
This soup was pretty darn good, you could tell it was made in house. Although we prefer a darker and richer broth, the cheese on top was amazing.
Wood Roasted Pork Belly: with apple cider glaze, baked beans and kale coleslaw
This meat was very tender and flavorful. The accompaniments were really good too: the beans had a nice sweetness and the coleslaw had a unique addition of kale (Julie loved, Andrew did not)
Bread service: cornbread and Hawaiian rolls.
Pork belly appetizer.
French onion soup appetizer.
Key West shrimp boil dinner.
Crab Cakes: 2 lump meat cakes served with roasted celery roumelade, romain hearts, grape tomatoes and citrus Vinaigrette
Being from Maryland (home of the best crab cakes) Julie always questions Andrew ordering them out of state. But honestly these were awesome! Lots of crab, light on filler, and the flavor was amazing. The sauce was delicious, we wish we had ordered more.
Fish and Chips Starter: lager battered cod with citrus tartar sauce
Everyone loves fish & chips, it was great being able to order a mini size. The batter was a good flavor and consistency and everything was nice and crispy. The citrus tarter was too citrusy for us, next time we would substitute for the sauce from the crab cakes instead.
Short rib pot roast dinner (split for two).
Crab cake starter.
Fish & chips starter.
Signature turtle dessert.
Key West Shrimp Boil: with andouille Sausage, fingerling Potatoes, corn cob, Old Bay and garlic butter
Wanting to try something with a local flair we ordered the shrimp boil. It was a great combo with the shrimp and somewhat spicy sausage. Everything was coated in the seasoning and garlic butter which was delicious, we recommend keeping a piece of bread to soak up some of the extra!
Short Rib Pot Roast: with truffle mashed potatoes, honey glazed baby carrots, haricot verses and cabernet gravy
While we really loved everything, this dish stood out as the best of the best. The pot roast was so tender and the sauce decadent. The potatoes were smooth and rich. Andrew doesn’t even really like vegetables and he was in love with the carrots. Seriously order this meal.
The Signature Turtle Sundae: Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Chocolate Truffle, Candied Pecan Brittle
We typically like to save our calories for fun Disney treats during the day but we couldn’t resist ordering this Turtle inspired delight. We were surprised at the size and could not finish it. While all of the layers were delicious, the ice cream was our favorite. And how can you resist the cute little chocolate turtle on top? Julie named him Toby and took him home in a carry out box, only to end up eating him the next day (sorry Toby, when made of chocolate you have no hope of surviving.)
Us enjoying the Wind & Waves Grill one evening.
Check out these cool light fixtures and ceiling!
Overall Thoughts
We absolutely loved the Wind & Waves Grill. When we planned our trip we wanted to come here once to check it out. Between the menu being so good and the location being convenient we didn’t feel the need to venture of property and were quite happy to come back a couple times during our stay. Chef Anthony and team create high quality dishes, the service was attentive, and the ambiance was relaxing and quiet. If you stay at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort you must make sure to dine here!
TIP: Wind & Waves Grill is also able to do carry out orders. So if you wanted an alternative to the quick service market, keep that in mind!
Quick Service Restaurant: Wind & Waves Market
Wind & Waves Market is located close to the table service restaurant but is out facing the pool. Open from 8am-10pm daily this is a great spot to stop by for any quick meal or snack. Another thing that impressed us was the amount of grocery type items available. We had picked up groceries near Orlando on our way in and didn’t need any, but noticed the market had a full produce cooler, meats and cheeses, snacks, and even a wide selection of allergy friendly items as well.
TIP: If you will be spending a few days here (especially pool side) consider getting a refillable resort mug for your stay. There was a wide selection of beverages to include coffee (hot and iced!), soda, tea, powerade, etc.
The refillable mugs are the same as WDW resorts.
The baked goods were out of control.
A case of fresh produce available.
Plenty of snacks to include Mickey Krispy treats!
Breakfast Menu (Click to enlarge)
Lunch/Dinner Menu 1 (Click to enlarge)
Lunch/Dinner Menu 2 (Click to enlarge)
Breakfast
Breakfast Flatbread with Egg, Bacon & Cheddar
The breakfast menu was not very robust but did include a couple breakfast sandwiches and many pastry type items. We chose to share a flatbread since it was so large. It was tasty and a good value for both of us. We also ordered a croissant, because when on vacation, why not?
Breakfast flatbread, croissant and refillable coffee.
Lunch
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Honey Mustard with Fries
Tuna Salad Croissant
Create Your Own Salad
Kid’s Chicken Nugget and Fries Sand Bucket
The same menu is offered for lunch and dinner. It was similar to most Disney quick service locations. They have hot and cold sandwiches as well as a few other items. Everything was pretty good and pretty much what you would expect for a casual dining experience. The create your own salad was impressive. You could add whatever you wanted in the case for only $10.99. We even snacked on a kid’s meal one day that comes in a cute sand pail that we brought home for our niece. By the way the fries taste even more amazing when bought as a post bar snack!e
Chicken sandwich with friends, tuna croissant sandwich and half of the create your own salad.
The create your own salad bar.
Kids chicken fingers meal.
Snacks
We loved being able to buy some Disney treats while at Vero Beach. The Market had Mickey Rice Krispy treats, ice cream bars and baked goods, as well as packaged treats. You could also find more park branded goodies in the main lobby gift shop. One of our favorites during this hot weather trip were definitely Dole Whips.
TIP: You can make your own Alcoholic Dole Whip. Simply purchase a Dole Whip from the Market and then go right next door and order a shot of Rum for a float.
Things always taste better when Mickey shaped!
Disney Dole Whip + The Beach = Perfection
Bars & Lounges: Wind & Waves Bar & The Green Cabin Room
The Wind & Waves Bar is an open air location located right next to the market and the pool. They serve a wide variety of resort style drinks (in plastic cups for pool consumption). They also serve hand dipped ice cream and milkshakes. They do have a food menu listed but it seems to be most likely quick service food from next door. There is plenty of comfy seating and umbrellas next to this bar as well.
The Green Cabin Room is located on the second floor of the main lobby. The interior has an old pub feel with the dark wood and leather, and had some old fashioned nautical accents as well. The best part of this bar is the outdoor balcony overlooking the ocean. There were some small plates on the menu here, we tended to go after dinner so ended up not try anything.
The inside of the drink menu at the Wind & Waves Bar. (Click to enlarge)
Drinks
There was a main drink menu at both bars and some seemed similar to what we have had on Disney property before. There were many tropical drinks, frozen beverages and some fun colorful libations. We tried an assortment during our trip an highly recommend some of these favorites:
Rum Swizzle
Watermelon Margarita
Blue Glowtini
Frozé
Pina Colava
Godiva Chocolate Martini
A Frozé and Mudslide.
Blue Glow-tini and Rum Swizzle.
An evening view from The Green Cabin Room balcony.
Since Walt Disney World has reopened we have been able to visit the parks several times. (Curious about what the parks are like? Check out our article: Walt Disney World After COVID Reopening Part 1: Visiting the Parks) Recently we decided to try a resort stay as well to see how that experience compares to “normal” as well. We booked a visit to Disney’s Polynesian resort and spent some time at the Grand Floridian next door too. There were quite a few notable changes with new safety measures and social distancing guidelines in place. So read on for all the details of what to expect when staying on property in a world adjusted for COVID…