Editor’s Note: The Pork Shank is no longer available at Gaston’s Tavern.
While visiting the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland in Walt Disney World last week, I knew I had to pay a visit to the new Gaston’s Tavern!
This tribute to the mighty Gaston from Disney’s animated Beauty and the Beast features everything you’d expect, from a rustic atmosphere to antler-ific decor from top to bottom.
While it’s not getting as much attention as the new table-service restaurant, Be Our Guest Restaurant, in New Fantasyland, it’s not to be passed over. Debuting brand new, unique eats, Gaston’s is a must-do on your next Magic Kingdom visit…
Atmosphere
While it’s a counter-service joint offering mostly snacks along with the newly introduced Pork Shank, Gaston’s showcases some unique dining areas once you grab your grub.
If you turn to your right after getting your food, you’ll find a main dining room complete with a giant portrait of Gaston. The room sports wooden tables and stools, a massive fireplace, and even Gaston’s giant chair, which is perfect for pictures.
Over in the corner is this great little seating area that’s separated a bit from everything else. This circular spot is crowned with a chandelier of antlers, of course!
If you turn to your left after getting your food, you’ll find a smaller dining room. This one also holds plenty of wooden tables and stools for seating, and also features a dart game — in progress — between Gaston and his sidekick, LeFou!
While small, Gaston’s tavern offers quite a bit of indoor seating for what currently functions as a snack stand. My guess is that the menu will grow as New Fantasyland gets larger.
But even thought there’s lots of seating, it can still get crowded during busy times. Visit when Gaston’s first opens to have the option to sit anywhere you’d like.
Eats
Like I said, the menu at Gaston’s is still small, featuring primarily snack items like apples and caramel, and a chocolate croissant (you ARE in France, after all). But the introduction of the brand new LeFou’s Brew and the giant Pork Shank mean this will still be a draw for visitors new and old.
When you’re at Gaston’s, be sure to check out the themeing around the menus. I love the errant arrows and pewter steins!
But let’s get down to the eating, shall we?
PORK SHANK
The brand new pork shank will definitely be a popular item here. Currently compared to many to the legendary turkey leg, there are definitely similarities. The pork shank is a giant stick of fatty meat, after all. 😉
And it is quite large, though not as big as the turkey leg. (In my shank, the bone took up most of the room.)
Flavor is as expected — salty and meaty — with the meat cooked so tender that it was falling off the bone. And the shank was pretty fatty as well. You’re not going to convince yourself that this is a healthy option, but if you’re a carnivore this is definitely going to hit the spot!
I’d definitely be up for having another one, but I might share it!
LEFOU’S BREW
LeFou’s Brew is a newly introduced, non-alcoholic beverage that’s perfect for the whole family.
The “brew” is a no-sugar added frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow. Named after Gaston’s sidekick, the beverage is topped with an all-natural passion fruit-mango foam. (And if you’re a Disneylander, this is indeed the same stuff as Red’s Apple Freeze at Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure!)
Personally, I loved this stuff. But I’ve heard lots of positive and negative comments from other guests. It seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it concoction, so be sure to let us know what YOU thought of it in the comments section below!
CINNAMON ROLL
The beloved Cinnamon Rolls that you’ve become addicted to at Main Street Bakery can now be found at Gaston’s Tavern…with a twist.
Here, the rolls have a slightly maple flavor, so be prepared!
Overall, I liked the roll, but it was a bit dry — the same complaint I have with the Main Street Bakery version. If you want to see which comes out on top, check out our Gaston’s Tavern versus Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll Throw Down!
HOT COCOA
On my visit, Gaston’s was offering a specialty offering — Hot Cocoa! This came in the souvenir Gaston’s Tavern mug, though I could have gotten it without the mug for cheaper, I think.
The cocoa was pretty standard, but with the generous topping of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder it sure did look gorgeous! And it really hit the spot on a chilly morning…
Overall
I really do think that Gaston’s is well worth visiting. The decor is fun, the food is unique and interesting, and the atmosphere is cozy — it’s like nothing else on Disney property!
I can’t wait to hear what you think about Gaston’s!
Have you been to Gaston’s Tavern, or are you thinking about visiting? Let us know what menu item you look forward to trying in the comments below!
Spoonful of Sugar says
I was secretly hoping that Gaston’s would be the new home of something akin to Figaro Fries or at least a take on the fresh potato chips with toppings that were at Friar’s Nook for awhile; it would have definately fit the bill for “pub grub” at the tavern! I am excited to see the new offerings though and as a lover of all things BtB I’m sure this will become a favorite place to unwind in the Enchanted Forest.
BTW this is my first post here, but have thouroughly enjoyed reading the blog for about a year now. Thanks for all the info you provide and the passion you bring to dining in disney! It helps to ease the time between trips=)
Diane says
I’m sure the pork shank is tasty, but doesn’t it seem like this place has a bit of an mealtime identity crisis? The menu is so limited that I can’t really decide if it’s a breakfast place, lunch place, or snack stand. A pork shank is definitely a meal in itself, but if it’s lunchtime and not everyone in your family wants to wield a shank, what are they supposed to eat? A cinnamon roll does not a lunch make…usually. Do you think they’ll add a couple of savory items to the menu to make it a more viable place for families to get a variety of things (sandwiches, salad, etc.)?
Pudge the Fish says
Its nice to finally see a good picture of the pork shank. While I have read a lot about them I have not seen any up close photos. Probably because the fat appears to overwhelm the meat, lol.
Amanda says
I tried La Fou’s brew and enjoyed it. I did find it very sweet and hard to finish. With 2 people this drink would be perfrect.
Prof. Brainard says
It does seem odd that a tavern owned by Gaston, a man who is burly and brawny and assuredly carnivorous, would have such a limited selection of roasted meats. Does anyone really think Gaston could retain his self-respect if he served things like mixed vegetable cup, sliced apple, and Middle Eastern bean dip? He would be a laughing stock in the village. Gaston needs to chuck those vegetable nubbins out back into the pigsty and flesh out that menu!
Joshua says
I had the opportunity of dining here last month and while the pork shank was too overwhelming for me, I loved Lefou’s Brew. I eagerly anticipate the day when they add “five dozen eggs” to the menu.
V No Privacy says
Is there potential for marrow in the shank bone? That would make it extra compelling for my mother . . . .
Sherri Erwin says
I have seen the pork shank and it looks delicious and got a rave review from my fellow traveler. As for the Lefou’s Brew, I was skeptical. Apple juice, marshmallow? I love marshmallow, but I feared it would be too sweet. Happy to report that it was sweet, but not sickly sweet, and oddly refreshing. I really like it. I will be having it again.
Lisa says
I tried LeFous’s Brew and loved it! I opted for a regular (non-souvenir) cup because I really don’t need another cup cluttering up my kitchen cabinets. The brew was tasty, not overly sweet, and refreshing (it was 80 degrees and sunny and humid when I was there last week). I enjoyed the foam on top. I would have tried a cinnamon roll had I not already been stuffed from breakfast.
Tamara says
We absolutely loved the pub-like atmosphere at Gaston’s Tavern. The attention to detail is outstanding, and we plan to make this a regular stop on our trips to WDW. It does seem like the menu has a bit of an identiy crisis….I hope it will eventually be reworked with pub grub instead of the mish-mosh of things they have now. We did indulge in some LeFou’s Brew and throughly enjoyed it! It was delicious and refreshing – not overly sweet.
Denise says
My daughter loved Lefou’s Brew but I didn’t like it – to me it tasted like the scent of an air freshener I would use in my house. I sort of didn’t feel well after having a few sips. I liked the atmosphere in Gaston’s tavern!
Taffy says
I was at Gaston’s Tavern at the end of November with my mother and husband. The Tavern is remarkable, it’s exactly like the movie. I loved it. As for the Pork shank, I was not so in love with it, neither were my husband and mother, we thew it away. It was fatty and wasn’t seasoned well. I was hoping for more meat options like chicken or turkey leg, maybe some steak sandwich. The cinnamon buns were good. I would recommend them. I would have liked to see Cream Puffs since it’s set in France or a Napoleon.
Summer says
Sipped on a LeFou’s brew while waiting 35 minutes in line to lunch at Be Our Guest the day after Thanksgiving…I loved the “brew”. It was definitely sweet, but I’m a sugar lover so it was right up my alley. Hopefully next time I’ll have more time to have a seat in the tavern and take in all the details. It’s a great spot! I definitely want to try the pork shank.
Victoria says
While in WDW the first week of December, my husband and I went to Gaston’s Tavern twice. We only ordered LeFou’s Brew. I looooved it. I got it in a Belle cup the first time and then just a regular cup. I don’t think it’s too sweet – just right for me.
But the second time I was there I did see a family with two kids, one was a preteen the other probably 7 or so, and neither of them liked the brew. They took it back and got the hot cocoa instead.
The theming is wonderful but I was expecting a bigger place. I felt like there weren’t enough tables for those busy days in the Magic Kingdom. But there were outside tables…I just wouldn’t want to sit at one of those in August. 😉
Peter says
We loved LeFou’s Brew and, in comparison, hated Butterbeer at WWoHP for its sickly sweetness. We thought it would be the other way around!
Diane @ DixieJulep says
I am not a big fan of sweet drinks, so I was prepared not to like LeFou’s Brew, but I actually found it nice and refreshing. My husband, son and I all split one, and that was the perfect amount for us (so we could save room for other treats later!)
Personally, I liked seeing so many healthy snacks on the menu, but I agree that some more main-course fare would also be welcome.
We were very impressed by all the cute details in the decor. The Imagineers did not disappoint with the new expansion, that’s for sure!
Jason Maxwell says
I liked the stein over at Sleepy Hollow better. Same stein but instead of Gaston it has pictures of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman.
Sara S says
Oh how I want one of those Gaston mugs! I love it even if the drink doesn’t appeal to me. I agree with the other poster that said that Figaro fries would have been a great addition. The theming is incredible, I can’t wait to see it but that’s going to be a long time off unfortunately!
Keith says
Wow, that must be some powerful brew….it made Denise lose her ability to feel :^)
Tristen says
My husband and I just got back from our latest Disney trip and stopped at Gaston’s a couple of times. He loved the pork shank (so did I, but had only a few bites from his) and LaFou’s Brew. I was surprised at how much I liked the brew, but I love passionfruit and the flavors went so well together. It’s Disney’s “butterbeer”, for sure. We won’t be going back for a coupe of years, so I hope the menu grows, and I look forward to my next LaFou’s!
bzebelle says
My daughter (13) and I tried the brew last week and didn’t really like it. Of course Im really not a apple juice fan and that was all it tasted like to me. We both loved the decor of the tavern! Actually, got my daughter to take a picture in Gaston’s chair.
kirsty says
In October we were lucky enough to see fantasyland on a preview day. All 7 of us loved the brew! I didn’t think it was too sweet and it was very refreshing on a hot day!
Megan says
We visited Gaston’s Tavern during a sneak preview. We waited in line to get in, and waited for a seat. It was about 90 degrees, so the LaFou’s Brew, while delicious, was a little too sweet to quench our thirst. I can’t wait to go back again, when it will be more refreshing and less warm outside. The decor and theming inside is great, and worth a look just for that.
Ashley says
My husband and I visited gaston’s tavern on December 10th. The atmosphere was so amazing! We loved gaston’s personal items such as his chair, the dartboard, portrait, etc. We ordered the cinnamon bun and lafou’s brew to share. The brew was such an odd mixture, at first you tasted the marshmallows then it was apple. Wow, it was a crazy drink but oddly good. My husband loved it. This is definitely a place to stop of your trip!
Cathy says
We stopped a Gaston’s Tavern on Dec 18. All four of us got the brew, which we all liked very much, but could have shared as it was alot of brew. DS18 got the chocolate crossaint which he absolutely loved, and since he didn’t share he must have enjoyed it.
Andrew says
Lefous Brew: apple juice concentrate snow cone. Nearly undrinkable.
Kelsey says
We were just here this last weekend — when we came before it was newly opened and had a line out the door! I checked back to this review to see whether others had similar taste for the meat.
I am NOT a turkey leg fan, and would have to say the same for the pork. It was super fatty — my husband’s first bite int he dimly lit tavern was a big hunk of fat. First bite made him gag, and it pretty much went downhill from there. It looked really gross — and in my opinion tasted really “gamey” or “piggy”. I like plain, nicely cooked meat — but the meat just didn’t taste good to me. Near the bone it got this really dark color, with a brown-grey film on the meat where it meets the bone. I’m sure its all fine to eat, but definitely good reason to eat in low light! Blech! We threw more than half of it away.
I’d LOVE to see some kind of egg dish here! Pickled eggs, perhaps? Or a scotch egg of some sort? Egg salad sandwich would also be delish — and provide a vegetarian lunch option. They could call it a 1/12 dozen egg sandwich.
LeFou’s brew was tasty, though. I agree with some of the commenters that it was not too sweet. All of that said, my husband and I REALLY wished we could wash that shank down with a cold beer!!! 🙁
Sandy says
I tried the “famous Cinnamon Roll” but was greatly disappointed. It was really dry, almost stale. The frosting flavor was good and the portion was huge, but the roll itself lacked gooey texture, even though it was served warm, and I threw most of it out.
Justin says
Did you get to keep the mugs from the tavern?
AJ says
Justin — Yes!
Brooke says
Justin — Yes, they’re souvenir mugs.
erskine longshaw says
I am looking forward to the return of Gaston’s roast pork shanks or at least the publishing of the recipe so that we, the disappointed may attempt to reproduce Gaston’s roast pork shanks. Thanks.
Doreen says
The Cinnamon roll is NOTHING like the one in the Main Street Bakery. So disappointed.
Jack Latham says
Who is the moron that thought removing the pork shank was a good idea? That person needs to be fired!