Located along the waterfront promenade at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, The Cake Bake Shop is an upscale bakery and table-service restaurant that brought a new level of elegance and luxury dining to the BoardWalk area when it opened in 2024. Created by restaurateur and baker Gwendolyn Rogers, the venue replaced the longtime ESPN Club space and quickly became one of the most visually distinctive dining locations at Walt Disney World.
The restaurant is known immediately for its lavish design. The exterior features soft pastel colors, gold accents, and sparkling lighting that set it apart from the surrounding BoardWalk architecture while still complementing the area’s turn-of-the-century Atlantic City inspiration. Inside, the atmosphere is intentionally extravagant, filled with crystal chandeliers, floral arrangements, marble surfaces, and ornate decorative details. The result feels more like a grand tea room or luxury patisserie than a traditional theme park restaurant.
The Cake Bake Shop operates as both a bakery and a full-service dining experience. The bakery side offers elaborate cakes, pastries, cookies, macarons, cheesecakes, and other desserts displayed in detailed glass cases that function almost like edible artwork. Many of the cakes are towering multi-layer creations decorated with intricate frosting, edible glitter, or floral accents, making them as visually impressive as they are indulgent. Signature slices can be purchased individually, allowing guests to sample the bakery without committing to a full cake.
The restaurant menu expands beyond desserts with a selection of brunch, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea offerings. Guests can find dishes such as quiche, sandwiches, salads, pasta, steak, seafood, and comfort-food-inspired entrées elevated with upscale presentation. Afternoon tea service is a major highlight, featuring tiered trays of pastries, finger sandwiches, scones, and specialty teas served in an elegant setting that reinforces the venue’s refined atmosphere.
One of the defining characteristics of The Cake Bake Shop is its attention to presentation and experience. Nearly every aspect of the venue-from the plating to the décor-is designed to feel celebratory and photogenic. This has made it particularly popular for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions, as well as for guests looking for a more luxurious dining environment within Walt Disney World.
Its location on Disney’s BoardWalk also contributes to its appeal. Positioned near Crescent Lake and within walking distance of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it serves as both a destination restaurant and a convenient stop for resort guests and park visitors. Large windows and outdoor seating areas provide scenic views of the BoardWalk promenade, especially beautiful in the evening when the area is illuminated with lights and entertainment.