First Look at New Menu for Reopening of Turf Club, Disney World’s Top Sleeper Restaurant!
Walt Disney World has officially revealed the reopening date of Turf Club Bar & Grill, along with a first look at new dishes, desserts, and drinks coming to the underrated-est table service restaurant at Saratoga Springs Resort. Here’s a rundown of the new menu with food photos, reopening details, and our commentary.
Turf Club Bar & Grill is probably the Walt Disney World resort restaurant that even diehard fans are least-likely to have dined at. Unless you’re a DVC Member who owns at Saratoga Springs (or a golfer), there’s a high likelihood you’ve never eaten here. It might be a different story with DTB readers since we’ve drawn a lot of attention to it over the years, but we’d hazard a guess that this is the Disney restaurant that Walt Disney World fans are least likely to have even heard of in the first place.
There’s also a reason why Turf Club is one of the top picks on our list of Underrated Table Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World for 2026, and our Saratoga Springs vs. Old Key West comparison called it criminally underrated. We’re big fans of what you might call the sleepiest restaurant or hiddenest gem of Walt Disney World. Still workshopping superlatives, but the point is that Turf Club is flying so far under the radar that it’s basically cruising on land.
Even Disney agrees with our assessment! Walt Disney World’s website also calls Turf Club a “hidden gem,” one of only three restaurants to earn that distinction. Alongside Olivia’s Cafe and Grand Floridian Cafe; I’d agree with all three, although I personally prefer underrated for Grand Floridian Cafe, since it’s not-so-hidden.
According to Walt Disney World, Turf Club is an “intimate venue [that] recalls a romantic and bygone era.” Disney invites guests to “head on through to the restaurant, where dim lighting and wood-paneled walls create a sophisticated, gentlemanly ambience.” “Be transported to turn-of-the-century Upstate New York as you browse vintage equestrian memorabilia: photos of jockeys and their horses, antique riding gear and racing articles of yesteryear.”
That’s about to change, as this refurbishment marks the most significant attention Turf Club has received in years. Perhaps ever? It’s likely to be a top to bottom interior overhaul that’ll qualify as restaurant reimagining in addition to the refreshed menu.
Turf Club Bar & Grill Reopening Date
The phased refurbishment of Turf Club was originally slated to start in mid-March. It was then pushed back to late April, and then finally to early May, which is when work actually started.
Fast forward to August 31st, and the Turf Club Lounge reopened with a fresh look and a new menu. The Turf Club Lounge is already open from 4 pm to 11 pm nightly, with indoor and outdoor seating right outside the main restaurant.
On the same date that the lounge reopened, the Turf Club Bar & Grill restaurant closed for its refurbishment. Walt Disney World has now officially announced that Turf Club Bar & Grill will reopen on September 30, 2026.
Not really “new news” here, as the official WDW calendar had hours for the restaurant side of Turf Club posted starting September 30, 2026. The restaurant also started accepting Advance Dining Reservations for that date and all thereafter, minus Mondays and Tuesdays, when it’s closed. Nevertheless, it’s nice to have official confirmation, especially since this is a tight turnaround and there was always the possibility of a delay.
Along with this, Walt Disney World has released a sneak peek at the refreshed menu. Let’s dig in:
Turf Club New Menu: Appetizers
Here’s a rundown of the dishes served up at Turf Club Lounge, via the updated menu that’s been shared by Walt Disney World:
- Crispy Chicken Wings served with choice of buffalo or garlic-Parmesan sauce, blue cheese, and celery
- Sweet-and-Spicy Brussels Sprouts with a piquant agave glaze, and crispy Vidalia onions (Plant-based)
- French Onion Soup: Savory sherry beef broth, melted fontina, and Gruyère
- Wedge Salad with bacon, buttermilk-chive ranch dressing, pickled red onions, tomatoes, and marigold garnish from The Land Pavilion at EPCOT
- Golden-fried Calamari with Shishito Peppers with toasted sesame aïoli and sweet chili-lime sauce
- Lemon Butter Shrimp with sun-dried tomatoes, feta, capers, and toasted bread
Next up, the main courses at the new-look Turf Club Bar & Grill…
Turf Club New Menu: Entrees
- Slow-roasted Prime Rib with a baked potato with butter, sour cream, chives, seasonal vegetables, au jus, and horseradish sauce
- Smoked Salmon-wrapped Halibut with seasonal risotto, citrus beurre blanc, and nasturtium garnish from The Land Pavilion at EPCOT
- Braised Pork Shank with New York cheddar grits and bacon-bourbon glaze
- Spinach and Mushroom Linguini: Mushroom “cream” sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and basil-tofu “ricotta” (Plant-based)
- Char-grilled Butcher’s Steak with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and house-made steak sauce
- Turf Club Burger with applewood-smoked bacon, New York white cheddar, house-made pickles, onion straws, lettuce, and tomato served with seasoned waffle fries
- Corn Flake-breaded Fried Chicken and Waffle with roasted jalapeño maple syrup and candied bacon butter
- Pappardelle Shrimp Pasta: Shrimp, asparagus, and truffle sauce
Finishing up the meal, we have desserts…
Turf Club New Menu: Desserts
- Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake: Hazelnut mousse, and berry sauce
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake: Strawberry sauce, and graham crumb
- Salted Caramel Pot de Crème: Vanilla bean panna cotta, pecan crunch, and citrus shortbread
- Apple Tart: Caramel sauce, streusel, and “gelato” (Plant-based)
As of right now, you can still see the old menu for Turf Club Bar & Grill here if you want to compare or contrast.
Honestly, new menu probably oversells the changes. What Turf Club received was a menu refresh, updating several dishes, while replacing others. It’s definitely not a top-to-bottom overhaul, but frankly, one wasn’t needed. Even though it’s under-the-radar, Turf Club has a small-but-loyal following. The “old” menu was not the problem, anyway.
The biggest changes are a trio of entrees. The Bourbon-Apple Glazed Pork Chop has been replaced by the Braised Pork Shank, Char-grill New York Strip Steak has been swapped for the Char-grilled Butcher’s Steak, and Tempura-fried Hen of the Wood Mushroom is gone in favor of Spinach and Mushroom Linguini. Turf Club’s Pork Chop was really good, but I’m not one to argue with Port Shank. The jury is still out on the other changes for me.
Technically, the dessert menu has been totally revamped, but if you look closely, most of the new dishes are pretty much 1:1 replacements over similar items there before. For instance, the Salted Caramel Pot de Creme replaces Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée. Obviously different, but not a dramatic departure.
Finally, a rundown of the new drink menus presented without commentary…
Turf Club Cocktails
- The Saratoga Cocktail: Michter’s Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, Courvoisier VS Cognac, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, and The Bitter Truth Decanter Bitters
- Winner’s Circle Margarita: Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier liqueur, lime, and agave
- New York Sour: Widow Jane Bourbon, Disaranno Originale liqueur, sweet-and-sour, and Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot
- Blood Orange Margarita: Lunazul Añejo Tequila, Cointreau liqueur, lime juice, and blood orange sour
- Piña CoLAVA: Bacardí Raspberry rum blended with flavors of coconut, pineapple, and raspberry purée
- New York Old Fashioned: Hudson Bright Lights Big Bourbon, demerara, and Angostura bitters
- Grandstand Martini: Grey Goose Vodka, Dolin Dry Vermouth, olive brine, and blue cheese olives
- Mint Julep: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon muddled with fresh mint and agave nectar
- Pineapple Mule: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Hella Cocktail Co. ginger bitters, pineapple juice, ginger beer, and mint
- Chocolate Martini: Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Bols de Crème de Cacao White Liqueur, and Frangelico Liqueur
- Espresso Martini: Grainger’s Deluxe Organic Vanilla Vodka, Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Bols White Crème de Cacao Liqueur, and espresso
- Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red
Beer & Hard Seltzer
Pale Lager
- Stella Artois
- Michelob Ultra
Amber Lager
- Blue Point Toasted
- Yuengling Traditional
Wheat & Wit
- Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
India Pale Ale
- Cigar City Jai Alai
- Crooked Can High Stepper
- Sixpoint Brewery Bengali
Seasonal
- Samuel Adams Seasonal
Hard Seltzer
- High Noon Pineapple Vodka
Non-Alcoholic
- Athletic Brewing Co Upside Dawn Golden
Wine
Sparkling
- Maschio Prosecco
- Empire Estate ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Brut
White
- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
- Chalk Hill Chardonnay
- Scarpetta Pinot Grigio
- Hillick & Hobba Estate Dry Riesling
Rosé
- House of Brown
Red
- MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir
- Don Miguel Gascón Malbec
- Michael Mondavi Family Emblem
- Simi Cabernet Sauvignon
- Francis Ford Coppola Diamond
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Enchanted Grove Lime Splash: Minute Maid Limeade paired with the revitalizing flavors of cucumber and mint
- Enchanting Ember Lemonade: Minute maid Premium Lemonade, strawberry, and hot honey
Coffee
Featuring freshly brewed Joffrey’s coffee
- Regular or Decaf
- Double Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Caffè Latte
- Peru Alto Mayo Protected Forest Coffee Roasted by Joffrey’s Coffee ~ Press Pot
What follows are our original thoughts about what the overhaul of Turf Club restaurant could entail…
When we last reviewed Turf Club Bar & Grill, I described it as transporting guests to a mid-1980s country club, complete with rich woods, green-and-blue plaid carpet with gold swirls, and stained glass panels. The words “retro” and “old school” were used to describe the interior design in a non-derogatory way.
There is something intimate and cozy and calming about the aesthetic that you just don’t get in a lot of modern Walt Disney World designs (I don’t want to use the word “soulless” to describe those, but you’re welcome to do so). It’s not the pinnacle of themed design, but it’s cozy and comfortable.
Even so, there’s also no denying that Turf Club is stuck in a very specific, bygone era. The restaurant dates back to 2004, when Saratoga Springs Resort opened, and as far as I know, it’s never had a significant refurbishment until 2026.
Twenty-two years is a long time. If Disney were going to give any resort restaurant a makeover, Turf Club would be near the top of the list based purely on age. And although I find the current interior charming, there’s little denying that an update here is needed.
Consequently, I’m pretty bullish (horseish?) on the reimagining of Turf Club Bar & Grill. As for what’s likely to change, look no further than SSR as a whole. (Or, for that matter, the recently reopened Turf Club Lounge.)
Expect Disney to retain the equestrian theme but give it a modern, elevated take. Less “1980s country club” and more contemporary, with nods to horse racing history, along with a few overt and obscure Disney character references. Updates the color palette, refreshes the finishes, modernizations the lighting, etc.
I’m slightly surprised that Walt Disney World didn’t take this opportunity to change the name. “Bar & Grill” suggests something more adult than it actually is, and having both a lounge and a bar at the same venue invites confusion. My preferred pick would lean into both Disney and horses: “Horace’s Enchanted Equine Eatery” (I cannot resist a good alliteration). That’s probably a bit much, though, so perhaps Horace’s Restaurant or even Turf Club Restaurant would be more straightforward
This refurbishment won’t impact the overwhelmingly majority of Walt Disney World guests for the exact reason mentioned above. Turf Club has never been a must-do dining destination. It’s not within walking distance of a park, it’s not on the monorail or Skyliner, and it’s not in a “destination” resort.
Unless you’re staying at Saratoga Springs or deliberately seeking out a quiet, off-the-beaten-path dinner option, you’ve probably never considered eating here. As we’ve written before, Turf Club is most likely to be one of the restaurants that even Walt Disney World diehards have never even heard of.
For DVC members who stay at Saratoga Springs regularly, this refurbishment is worth noting. Or for anyone who savors not-quite-old-school early aughts Walt Disney World and wants to experience the original interior before what’s likely to be transformative changes. The good news is that SSR is a short walk from Disney Springs, and that unlocks a world of options; maybe give STK a try for the exact opposite experience of Turf Club while still enjoying a steakhouse.
Ultimately, I’m optimistic despite my nostalgia and sentimentality for the charmingly old school dining room. This refurbishment to Turf Club is welcome and arguably overdue. Even with old school Pizza Huts making a comeback, there’s something to be said for updating the interior to make it feel fresh and modern while enhancing the equestrian theme and “Disneyfying” the space just a bit.
Hopefully, the project team manages to thread the needle on the design to maintain its appeal among old school fans and a newer generation of guests. At worst, we lose a dated-but-charming restaurant and get back something generic. At best, we get a refreshed Turf Club that introduces a new generation of guests to one of Walt Disney World’s better-kept secrets.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of Turf Club’s updated menu? Did you like the old school vibe of the restaurant interior, or do you think it was too dated? Optimistic or upset about this refurbishment? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
SSR is our home resort and we ate there when we stayed. We would not make a special trip when not staying there, like we do every trip with Oliva’s, but it fit the bill. What we really appreciate is the makeover to the Turf Bar. Before it looked like an abandoned rec room. It has more utility now and looks more welcoming, so looking forward visiting both the bar and grill parts…but if I am being honest, it won’t likely be until our next stay on SSR property.
My wife and I did a couple’s Walt Disney World trip way back in 2007. We got the Dining Plan as part of our package at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The dining plan was still pretty new and it was a good deal back then! I made a lot of reservations, but there was one night I didn’t have a reservation. I asked the concierge at AKL if there was any availability on-property and she pulled up Turf Club. I had heard of Saratoga Springs, but not the restaurant. I had a car on that trip, so we wheeled over and gave it a try.
You know, I was not at all impressed with Saratoga Springs, but by golly, we really liked the Turf Club! There were very few people at that restaurant when we visited. Based on what I just read in your article, Turf Club was just three years old at the time. Over the years I have recommended it to people visiting Walt Disney World, but I always just get a blank stare. Thank you for your enthusiastic recommendation. I will definitely go back during my next WDW trip.
Menu seems fine. I doubt I would ever get around to that resort however.
I live very close to Saratoga Springs, NY and we spend a lot of time there… the reason we’ve never stayed or gone into WDW’s Saratoga Springs Resort. After this review, I’m going to make reservations for when we’re back early next year. Thank you, Tom as always, for opening our eyes to the hidden gems!
The Turf Club as a restaurant has been there since the 70s, and I remember eating there then as a kid since my dad was a golfer. We are excited to see the refurbishment. The Lounge area looks so much better! It actually looks like a nice lounge instead of a space for leftover furniture and a pool table. Glad to see the menu is just a slight refresh.
I know your emphasis tends to be on the meat, but you haven’t pointed out several changes that as a former chef I see as significant:
The scallops are gone, replaced by shrimp.
Some more upscale sides have been replaced by cheaper sides such as grits and waffles. (Those may be favorites locally, but don’t play as well for a broader audience.)
As far as the decor, we have had a sneak peak and the carpet is a big improvement over what was there.
Thanks for calling attention to that!
This is definitely part of a bigger-picture “skimpflation” trend we’ve seen at many Walt Disney World restaurants, as they look to cut costs amid inflation.
Turf Club! We found this on our first family trip to WDW in 2017 when staying at SSR. We loved it so much we went twice during that visit and we went back on a subsequent visit when we stayed off site and had a rental car. Now, we have an upcoming trip planned and are staying at SSR again. I already have Turf Club booked, even though it is doubtful whether reservations are even necessary.
We always liked the ambiance. We are from Wisconsin and big fans of supper clubs. Although, I agree it does give more “country club” vibes than supper club. So, fingers crossed they kept the dark and cozy feel. Great food. My husband and daughter LOVE prime rib and rank this in their top 3.
Tom, I think you’ll find our family debate amusing. This will be our first short trip to WDW. We know we can’t do it all and plan to focus on MK and Epcot. I was debating going to Jollywood nights on our arrival day so we could get time in at HS, but that is also the night we plan on going to Turf Club. One of the hardest parts of planning a Disney trip is not overscheduling. Too many fun experiences to be had! But I think a relaxing pace and Turf Club are going to win out this time. TBD…
What do you think, Tom?!
Tom,
We are long time DVC members and often book a two-night stay at SSR for the proximity to the Springs. We have never considered eating at Turf Club for this very reason…restaurants in the Springs. I cannot imagine skipping Morimoto, Raglan Road, Homecomin’, Boathouse, or even Frontera Cocina or Jaleo for a Turf Club reservation. Even if tempted to try it and I do book a reservation, I can see dropping it for one of the aforementioned restaurants as soon as our trip gets closer. I do look forward to your review and, hopefully, you can entice some of us to give it a go!
Totally get that, and it’s why we stayed at SSR (our home resort!) many times before ever dining at Turf Club.
What we now appreciate about it is that it’s easier and more laid back. When we don’t feel like “going out” and dealing with Disney Springs, Turf Club is the perfect alternative.
To someone in the horse world, Turf Club has specific connotations, and it’s not “dirt” A turf course is a grass racetrack vs a dirt track, so the name and theme fits very well with the overall Saratoga Springs theme as the whole resort is based on Saratoga Springs, NY, the home of two fantastic turf tracks along with a great dirt track.
I’m hoping that they keep the feel of the upscale track club that the old interior was meant to convey. I was disappointed to see the Smoked Turkey cocktail disappear from the menu when they started the Bar & Grill renovations – that was a fantastic drink!
The name is awful. It doesn’t evoke anything to me and “Turf” doesn’t conjure up any fun pictures in my head or hark back to anything nostalgic or elegant. Hunt Club would be a better name but that would probably be as popular as the fake elephants that had to be removed from the Boardwalk Pool because they were offensive.
We took our horse-back riding, loves all things horses 10-year-old once, and the little toy horses they gave to the children were cute. Otherwise, what a waste of a concept. The food has always been good -but the vibe to me is any old boring place in mall. There’s just practically nothing Disney – and equally sad – nothing very horse-y about the place.
Updating didn’t seem as needed to me as giving it an actual theme.
Turf is just another word for dirt.
Try harder Disney.
This strikes me as rather harsh given that we haven’t seen the interior yet. Everything else Disney has done at SSR over the years has leaned more into the equestrian theme, not less. I’m cautiously optimistic the same will be true of the restaurant, especially after seeing the lounge.
With that said, I do agree with you somewhat about the name. I’d focus on the “Bar & Grill” part, which isn’t doing it any favors. While that convention worked when it opened, I’m surprised Disney didn’t move away from it. If you’ve never heard of this location, it may not sound family friendly at first.
I would’ve gone with something like “Horace’s Enchanted Equine Eatery.” Probably also not a great name, but I can’t resist a good alliteration.
Wow, I guess you’ve never been in upstate New York. Saratoga Springs is an important horse racing town – that’s racing – on a flat, oval track, with Jockey’s. Turf refers to the surface of such a race track. Hunt, on the other hand, is a cross-country escapade, ostensibly chasing a fox and accompanied by a pack of dogs. There’s not much “hunting” of this kind in the Saratoga Springs area. To name the restaurant “Hunt Club” would be completely inconsistent with the theme of the resort. We eat at the Turf Club with some regularity, because the food is very good, and the atmosphere is pretty authentic northern New York (and because we frequent SSR on many of our WDW trips, so it’s real close). So unless the name might be changed to the “Track Club” or “The Races.” It really is most appropriate as it is – and Tom is spot on with the images the place conjures. Or at least as it did before renovation; the future remains to be seen. “Horace’s Enchanted Equine Eatery?” Catchy, but not my favorite. Still, it’s better than the “Hunt Club.” At least it’s not a mismatch for the resort theme.
glad to see large ice cube in drink
I once ordered an off the menu Manhattan (was on menu then taken off) at Morimoto which they delivered with ice chips – its not a corner bar
Hmmmm….Equine Eatery sounds a bit too much like we’re going to eat the horses…I would lean into Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Eats or Jingles (the name of the horse Mary Poppins rode in the equestrian scene). Even if Mary Poppins is set in England and this is New York, they’re the same era.
Or didn’t Disney make the Secretariat film? Name it Secretariat’s Saloon.
Or basically, anything other than Turf Club.
And I agree, SSR has great themed pools and rooms, etc. But the Turf Club is sad.