California Grill


Description from PassPorter's Walt Disney World Guidebook:

High atop the Contemporary, overlooking the Magic Kingdom, California Grill pours fine wines and serves seasonally-inspired California cuisine. Current offerings include starters of a charcuterie board, artisan tacos, sushi, and goat cheese ravioli. Entrées include the ever-popular oak-fired filet of beef, seared scallops with duck confit, ostrich filet, and seafood ramen with a Maine lobster tail. Guests sit at stand-alone tables, at the sushi bar, or at one of the two solid teak tables that seat 10 guests each. The noise can be deafening, but the fireworks bursting over Cinderella Castle are spectacular. The menu changes weekly, but count on inventive dishes. When available, the peaceful Wine Room has the same menu, and you may see Epcot’s IllumiNations. Dress code is “business casual” (see 5242). Note: Diners check in on the second floor of the Contemporary and are escorted up to the 15th floor when their table is ready. Only guests who have a reservation may watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the observation deck beside the restaurant (if you finish your meal before the fireworks, you may show your receipt at the podium to enter the observation deck). You can enjoy a special Sunday brunch here—"Brunch at the Top." The brunch starts off with a signature cocktail for the adults, and an assortment of house-made breakfast pastries for all (think caramel apple monkey bread, Tillamook cheddar biscuits, and cranberry pecan scones), then you go to the show kitchen for small tastes such as house smoked orange honey ham and California rolls with jumbo lump crabmeat, then it's back to your table for your entrée choice, such as sweet potato pancakes or marble potato hash. Top if off with a mini-desserts bar. Brunch cost is $80/$48 ages 3–11. You can also book a special fireworks party where you can "sip, savor, and sparkle" drinks and small plates prior to viewing the fireworks from a private observation deck reserved for guests of this event. Guests will enjoy small plates including sushi and flatbreads prior to the fireworks and desserts following the fireworks. The fireworks party cost is $99 per person (not including tax and gratuity), complimentary valet parking is included.

Get a full copy of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook here.
Breakfast Average: $100
Dinner Average: $105

Breakfast Hours: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Sunday only)
Dinner Hours: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Seating: Indoor only at tables and chairs, full booths, half booths

PassPorter's Ratings for California Grill
Author Jennifer Marx's Rating:
8/10
Author Dave Marx's Rating:
8/10

Readers Rating:
7.8/10

Overall:
Quality: Value:
Service: Magic:
Your Age:
Your Social Group:
I would definitely eat at this eatery again!
I think this eatery is good choice on the Disney Dining Plan!
Comments On Your Rating:


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What PassPorter Readers Think of California Grill (3 comments):

Ask for Billy (server) - excellent signature dining. Love the Filet and got great pictures of the fireworks from observation deck. They will time your meal so you can step away and watch without coming back to cold food.
Bruhaha gave this a rating of 8 on 06/30/2016 at 11:51:12 pm EDT

Food is excellent. This restaurant is always mentioned as a great place to watch MK fireworks but in my opinion there is way too much glare from the inside on the windows to really enjoy the fireworks. Outside viewing is much better.
Gingerk gave this a rating of 8 on 06/30/2016 at 2:55:54 pm EDT

One of our most favorite! What stands out here is not just that the food is great...but that they will bend over backwards to actually fix exactly what you want. The menu is a starting point...but talk with your server and they (along with the chefs) will make magic. We were seated near the cooking area...fascinating ballet of activity. Then...there's the view...and if you're timing works out, watching Wishes from your table or step outside to watch on the observation deck. Great place for special occasions...let them know if there are birthdays or anniversaries. Highly recommend you do this at least once!
RandyF1979 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/25/2016 at 10:17:52 pm EDT



Type: Table
Cuisine: American
Noise Factor: Very noisy

Dress Code: Business casual

Annual Pass Discount: No
DVC Member Discount: No
Disney Visa Discount: No
Tables in Wonderland Discount: Yes

Reservations: Accepted at this restaurant for breakfast and dinner.

Tip: You can make reservations at this eatery up to 180 days in advance (or, if you are a Walt Disney World resort hotel guest, up to 180 days + 10 days from your check-in date). To find out the exact date and time you can make reservations at this eatery, add it as an activity to a trip itinerary in PassPorter's Disney Trip Planner Tools.

Explore other eateries at Disney's Contemporary Resort:
  • California Grill
  • Chef Mickey's
  • The Wave ... of American Flavors
  • Contempo Cafe
  • Contemporary Grounds
  • Cove Bar
  • Outer Rim
  • California Grill Lounge
  • The Wave Lounge
  • The Sand Bar
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