Just walking towards the Frontera Cocina restaurant, you can smell the amazing Mexican flavours tempting your nose.
Outside there are string lights gaily floating over the patio, and bright lights showing through the many windows. The water of Disney Springs is right next to the patio, bubbling along.
Inside the doors of Frontera Cocina you will find an open kitchen, high ceilings, windows with lovely views, beautiful glass light fixtures and a dramatic shiny glass tile mosaic of a sun.
About Frontera Cocina
Frontera Cocina Mexicana by chef Rick Bayless focuses on the cuisine of southern and central Mexico.
This is not your typical Mexican-American restaurant, nor is it Tex-Mex. Here you’ll find bright flavours and deconstructed dishes you can put together with a bit of meat, a smidgen of beans, salsas on the side, and fresh tortillas instead of a heavy, fried, cheese-covered main dish.
When Bayless learned he could work with the group that runs the restaurants at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, that “sealed the deal” as they needed a local operating partner and this would give them the support they needed.
The Drinks at Frontera Cocina
You won’t find any sweet and sour mixes here. Margaritas are made with fresh juices.
There’s an entire menu of creative cocktails or a pitcher of sangria, if the margaritas don’t catch your eye. And you can order flights of tequila.
Frontera Cocina also has some different non-alcoholic beverages, like a hibiscus tea.
La Cava Avocado Margarita
I fell in love with this special avocado margarita at La Cava, a small bar in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot. As you can probably tell, I drank it quickly.
Frontera Cocina makes the La Cava margarita. It’s made with Mi Campo blanco (white) tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado and lime juice. They dip the glass into a hibiscus salt for a flavour punch on the rim. The margarita is served frozen.
The Food at Frontera Cocina
Bacon Guacamole & Chips
Accompanied by smoky chipotle and hearty salsas. The Bacon Guacamole is prepared with tomatillos (green tomatoes) and cilantro, crumbled on top is Nueske bacon and minced red onions. They sprinkle it with toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
The tortilla chips come to the table warm.
This was so good we finished it all in very little time, moaning as we ate each guacamole-covered chip.
Cochinita Pibil
Cochinita Pibil is a signature dish of the Yucatan.
It’s pork marinated in achiote paste (usually made with ground annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, oregano, cloves, and garlic).
The roast is cooked slowly, served with pickled onions and a very spicy habanero salsa.
The meat is fork-tender, separating easily with a gentle nudge.
Don’t Pass Up the Desserts
With the tempting appetizers and good size entrees, leaving room for dessert can be problematic. Do try to plan ahead and keep yourself some space for dessert.
Coconut Lime Cuatro Leches
The famous Mexican “tres leches” (three milk) cake is made into a “cuatro leches” (four milk) cake at Frontera Cocina with the addition of coconut milk.
This is a sponge cake soaked with four milks, topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut, and lime zest.
Honestly, this might be the best part of the meal. The flavour is out of this world. A sweetness from the cake, the tart of the lime, and the creaminess of the milk and whipped cream combine to make a heavenly dessert.
Hours and Discounts
Open daily 11am to 11pm.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders save 10%, Tables in Wonderland discount is 20%, and Walt Disney World Cast Members save 30% before 4pm.
Here are some other places to try at Disney Springs and some great places at Walt Disney World.
Enjoyed April, 2018.
Frontera Cocina Mexicana at Disney Springs
1604 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
+1 407-560-9197
