There is a lot of hustle and bustle in Walt Disney World!

From rushing out the door to get a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group, or perhaps rope-dropping at Magic Kingdom to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, there is a lot of running around on a Disney vacation! And sometimes, it’s nice to sit back and relax at a slow-paced resort with a good meal!

Enter, Old Key West. This laid-back island resort is the original Disney Vacation Club property, and it’s themed to one of the world’s most relaxing destinations: Key West! While Old Key West is a DVC resort, anyone can stay there (space available), and more importantly (for our purposes), anyone can eat there! Old Key West is home to a few underrated gems — such as the hole-in-the-wall Gurgling Suitcase or the delightfully quaint Olivia’s Cafe! That’s where we slowed down and had lunch recently — read on for our full review and to see why Olivia’s is a great under-the-radar spot for a relaxing meal!

Atmosphere:

Olivia’s Cafe is across from the main lobby at Old Key West.

It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and while reservations are accepted, they aren’t usually necessary.

Upon entering Olivia’s you’ll notice there’s a ton of photos on the wall! These are actually guests and DVC members who call Old Key West home. People would send Christmas cards and photos to their Disney family, and Olivia’s started putting them up to proudly display their patrons. However, the wall is definitely full so no promises that yours will be hung up if you send a photo in.

Olivia’s Cafe has a simple yet eclectic seaside design. The main colors of the restaurant are blues and teals, and along the walls you’ll see boat gear such as oars and nets.

We just love the mermaid! You’ll also see photographs of old lighthouses, seashells, and other ocean-related decor.

Even the ceiling fans are tropical. Just look at those awesome palm leaf blades!

Seating at Olivia’s is divided into tables and booths. Considering this isn’t an ultra-busy restaurant, if you have a preference, it can likely be honored.

Once you get seated, it’s time to sink into the Southern comfort, and dig into the menu!

Eats:

Olivia’s Cafe is quality comfort food, often with a tropical twist.

Patrons can choose from conch chowder, crab cakes, shrimp dishes, and more! Seafood and comfort food lovers alike should be able to find something to their liking.

In the past, we’ve loved their iconic and very popular Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken. If you’re a fried chicken fan, this is an excellent choice!

But on this day, we were in the mood for something a little different, that still had an Old Key West twist. Our eyes immediately went to the Duval Street Burger.

A juicy burger AND shrimp? Color us intrigued!

The Duval Street Burger is a beef burger topped with grilled shrimp, pepper jack cheese, avocado, and pico de gallo on a pineapple-coconut roll. It comes with homemade chips (as shown), but if you ask nicely you may be able to swap for another side.

On top of the burger, were several shrimps that were perfectly cooked and flavorful! There was also pico de gallo and avocado, both of which were fresh and added a nice brightness to the big patty.

We loved the choice of pepper jack cheese, as well! It added a slight bit of heat that elevated the burger and balanced the sweetness of the bun. And speaking of the bun — it was the best part of this burger! Honestly, I want all burgers and sandwiches forever to come on a pineapple coconut bun. It was chewy and delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Overall, this was a very tasty burger! It had unique and fresh ingredients…and I can’t stop dreaming about this bun. I’d absolutely order this again! Additionally, the housemade chips were a great side! They were crunchy and flavorful, yet not overwhelmingly salty.

After such a tasty and flavorful lunch, it was time for dessert! What else?

While there were several things that caught our eye, we had to get the Key Lime Tart. When in Old Key West, am I right?

The Key Lime Tart is one of Olivia’s signature desserts, and is a twist on Key West’s iconic dessert, Key Lime Pie.

This tart comes with a toasted whipped topping, graham cracker crust, and mango and raspberry sauces. 

This dessert is a delight! The tart center is light and tangy, and the toasted topping added the perfect creaminess! There’s even a slight crunch from the graham cracker. Both sauces were sweet and added just the right compliment to the Key Lime.

Plus this thing is pretty sizable, making it the perfect dessert to share.

Overall:

Once again, Olivia’s Cafe is a solid and underrated choice for lunch. It’s where tropical flavors meet comfort food, and everything we tried was fresh and delicious. Plus, the atmosphere is laid back and relaxing making for a breezy, enjoyable meal.

While it may not be worth ditching a park reservation to trek to Old Key West, if you have a slow resort day or are staying at the resort, you may want to work a meal at Olivia’s into your schedule. In our experience, you won’t regret it.

Want to learn more about dining at Old Key West? Check out this DFB Guide Video!

 

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel!

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Have you eaten at Olivia’s Cafe? Let us know in the comments!