Jaleo by Chef José Andrés at Disney Springs holds a distinctive spot in the Disney dining landscape: it's the only Jaleo in Florida and just the fifth location nationwide. The two-story restaurant leans into warm Spanish aesthetics — red and yellow tones, a dramatic red staircase — to set the stage for an extensive tapas menu rooted in both traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine. Chef Andrés, twice named to Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People list, drew on his own childhood for some of the menu's inspiration, including the paella and rice dishes.
The menu is genuinely broad, spanning chef's tasting menus, large shareable plates, seafood, meats, cured charcuterie, cheese selections, soups, salads, and a full dessert program. On the drinks side, a $18 Margarita Donostiarra — built with chile-infused tequila, mezcal, and piparra brine — landed as a bit watery and underwhelming, so it may be worth exploring other cocktail options from the list.
The food side told a much better story. The $15 Patatas bravas — fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli — earned a strong recommendation, with the aioli's creaminess nicely balancing the sauce's acidity. The $15 fried cod and potato fritters (Buñuelos de bacalao) were compared favorably to conch fritters, with a crunchy exterior and a sweet honey aioli that didn't overpower. Seared piquillo peppers stuffed with tangy goat cheese at $14 rounded out the savory highlights, while the $12 flan — made from Chef Andrés' mother's recipe with orange zest whipped cream — was singled out as a dessert worth saving room for.
Jaleo is best suited for groups who enjoy grazing across multiple dishes and don't mind dedicating a full evening to the experience. Those traveling with picky eaters or looking for a quick meal would likely be better served elsewhere in Disney Springs. But for anyone drawn to specialty dining with a distinct culinary point of view, it makes a compelling case for a visit.
This review was originally published by the Disney Food Blog.
