UPDATED: November 2, 2026

The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a masterpiece of fine dining and has been recognized by the Michelin Guide.

It’s been a top-notch location since the early days of Disney World (albeit under two different names, as it was originally known as The Top of the World), and continues to earn awards and honors for its innovative chefs, market-inspired menus, and incredible quality.

It’s especially nice to book an Advance Dining Reservation so you’ll be there during Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular. Seeing the fireworks show from your perch atop the Contemporary Resort is memorable.

You won’t soon forget the gorgeous view, nightly fireworks from your seat or deck, and delicious food .

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The Meal at California Grill

This signature dining restaurant operates on a prix-fixe meal where you’ll pay a predetermined price (plus any upgrades and drinks) for your meal:

• The cost for adults here is $99,
• Children ages 3-9 are $45.
• There is also a deluxe wine pairing for an additional $78 per person.

Tax and Gratuity are extra.

You can taste the quality in the ingredients of the food, and the flavors are different than what you might expect, but almost always delicious.

The ingredients are top-tier, and the flavors are all on point. You can really taste the care that the chefs put into this meal!

One of the more exciting (and for some, disappointing) aspects of dining at California Grill is its ever-changing menu. The intent is to adapt to local availability of ingredients — seasonality, in other words.

It means the dishes on the menu are always high-quality and seriously fresh. And that’s why we keep going back — because there’s always something new (and thankfully always a couple of old favorites, though they might look a little different).

Service: Table Service and Bar Top; Signature Dining

Type of Food: American, California focus

Location: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World

Disney Dining Plan: No

The California Grill Menu

Bread Service

• Sourdough Bread

Market Inspirations (Choose One)

• • Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli — Organic Mixed Mushroom Ragoût, Tomato-Fennel Broth, California Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Surf & Turf Roll — Wagyu Beef, Soft-shell Crab, Yuzu-Avocado Purée, Soy Gel
• Dungeness Crab Salad — Gem Lettuces, Seasonal Fruit, Rye Crisp, Shaved Fennel, Tarragon, Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette, Mustard Aïoli
• Seasonal Flatbread — Chef-inspired Creation featuring Seasonal Ingredients (Rotisserie Chicken Flatbread, Pepperoni Pizza, Chili-Coffee Rubbed Pork Flatbread)

• Fire-Roasted Artichoke Flatbread — White Bean Purée, Ramp Aïoli, Lemon Zest, Artichokes, Arugula, California Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Spicy Kazan Roll — Blue Crab, Ebi Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Fireball Sauce
• Hearth-steamed Saffron Mussels — Charred Leeks, Chorizo, Potato Confit, Persillade

Chef’s Journey (Choose One)

• Cioppino — White Fish, Clams, Shrimp, Calamari, Mussels, Crispy Garlic Chips, Sourdough Crouton
• Grilled Pork Tenderloin — Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta, Roasted Pork Belly, Aged Balsamic Organic Mushrooms, Zinfandel Glaze

• Oak-grilled Filet of Beef — Roasted Garlic Potato Purée, Seasonal Vegetables, Cabernet-Veal Demi

• Seared Lamb Rack — Herb-Ricotta Gnudi, Fava Beans, Chimichurri, Root Spinach, Tomato Ragù, Red Wine Jus
• Seared Market Fish — Wax Beans, Ancient Grains, English Peas, Marcona Almond, Meyer Lemon-Caper Butter Sauce
• Wagyu Strip Loin — Corn, Beef Tallow-Herb Fingerling Potatoes, Grilled Green Garlic, Salsa Macha (Available for additional surcharge of $47)

• Pan-roasted Carrot Gnocchi — Toasted Pistachios, Agave-Citrus-glazed Baby Carrots, Pesto Sauce, Carrot Hummus

Chef’s Journey Enhancements

• Tiger Prawns — Tomato Butter, Mandarin Vinaigrette, $22
• Lobster Tail — Vanilla Bean Butter-poached, Tarragon, Fines Herb, $28
• Scallops — Creamy Seasonal Risotto, $20

Sweet Creations (Choose One)

• Celebration of Citrus — Meyer Lemon, Olive Oil-Poppy Seed Cake, Blood Orange Gel, Yuzu Curd
• Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée — Seasonal Fruit

Kids’ Appetizers (a la carte)

• Chicken Noodle Soup — House-made Chicken Broth, Shells, Vegetables
• Caesar Salad — Tomato Confit, Bacon, Croutons, Caesar Dressing

Kids’ Entrees (choose one)

• Grilled Steak
• Grilled Citrus-glazed Chicken
• Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon
• House-made Shells & Cheese
• Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Kids’ Selections (choose two)

• Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
• Steamed Green Beans
• Goat Cheese Polenta
• Brown Rice or White Basmati Rice
• Steamed Green Beans or Broccolini

Kids’ Dessert Selections

• Fresh Fruit
• Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich — Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream
• PB&J — Peanut Butter Mousse, Raspberry-Strawberry Jelly, Milk Chocolate Cookie Crunch

Beverages

Includes Tea Selections, Full Bar (featuring Premium Spirits, Beer, Hard Cider, Wines, and Signature Cocktails)

• Blackberry Sour

• Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini

• Innis & Gunn

• Sonoma Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned

 

Official Disney Menu

The Atmosphere at California Grill

The inside of this restaurant just feels a little ritzy with the white tablecloths and the floor-to-ceiling windows. It definitely makes your dinner seem special!

Plus, there’s an open kitchen, so be sure to peek over there as the chefs make their magic.

And of course, you get a spectacular view of Magic Kingdom out of those windows. The view is what really makes this restaurant (and subsequently your meal) feel extra special.

Come fireworks time, you can get an amazing view of Magic Kingdom’s nighttime show out the windows!

Reviews

February 2025: REVIEW: Disney World Just Changed Its Iconic Goat Cheese Ravioli…But We Have GOOD NEWS!
June 2023: The 2 BEST Things on the Menu at California Grill in Disney World
April 2023: FULL REVIEW of the NEW Menu at California Grill Restaurant in Disney World
June 2022: Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Menu CHANGES Impact Disney’s California Grill — Join Us As We Try Them
October 2021: Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Heading to California Grill During Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? It’s Gonna COST You!
July 2020: Review! Is California Grill In Disney World STILL Worth It — Even Without Fireworks?!
September 2018: Review: California Grill at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort
September 2016: Guest Review: Brunch at the Top at California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort
August 2016: Disney Food Blog Review: California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
June 2015: Disney Food Blog Review: California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort
September 2013: Full Review: The NEW California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
November 2011: Disney Food Blog Review: California Grill Review

Nosh or Not

You should run 🏃 over to California Grill if…

• Want a fireworks-view dinner that feels like an event. Perched atop Disney’s Contemporary, California Grill dims the lights and pipes in the music during Happily Ever After—and diners can step onto the outdoor decks for the show. Dined earlier? Bring your same-day receipt back for fireworks access.
• Craving chef-driven California cuisine. It’s a polished, 3-course prix fixe: appetizer, entrée, dessert—think staples like Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, oak-fired meats, seasonal seafood, and fan-favorite rolls like the Spicy Kazan
• Celebrating something special. This is signature dining with a view, a serious wine program, and classic cocktails—ideal for anniversaries and “we finally got a sitter” nights.

You should skip ⏭ California Grill if…

• Maybe skip it if you’re watching the budget (or the clock). It’s a leisurely, premium experience—great for lingering, not for a quick cheap bite before the monorail.
• Counting on the Disney Dining Plan. As of now, Dining Plan meals aren’t accepted at California Grill or its lounge.
• Coming straight from the pool. There’s a suggested dress code (smart-casual; no swimwear). Enforcement varies, but plan for “nice resort casual,” and you’ll fit the room.

Important Information

• Regardless of reservation time, guests of the California Grill are welcome to use the restaurant’s outdoor viewing areas to watch Magic Kingdom’s fireworks on the evening they are scheduled to dine at the restaurant. (We like to dine during the sunset, then come back to see fireworks later that evening!) Find times for the nighttime spectacular on the My Disney Experience app, or by inquiring at California Grill.
• If you choose an earlier dining time, just be certain to hold on to your receipt and arrive back at the 2nd floor check-in to be let back up to the restaurant before the fireworks start that night.
• Guests are served meals at the bar on a first-come, first-served basis, so you CAN get a delicious Cali Grill meal without a reservation. Simply show up at the podium on the Contemporary Resort’s second floor and let them know you’d like to dine at the lounge.
• See the Mobile Dine Walk-up Waitlist.
• You can utilize Mobile Check-In for your reservation.
• Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members should inquire about a discount.
• There is a dress code for California Grill, since it is a signature restaurant. Specifically, Disney says that “Guests are expected to dress accordingly in attire that respects the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic. Clothing should be clean, neat, and in good condition. Please no swimwear.”
• Guests check in for the California Grill on the second floor of the Contemporary and are escorted to the 15th-floor restaurant by private elevator.
• Celebration at the Top: Sip, Savor, Sparkle is a special event offered on select evenings that takes place in the restaurant’s private Sonoma Room and Napa Room. You can find details on this extra-ticket event here.

Famous Dishes: The menu at California Grill changes seasonally; however, here are some of our favorites: Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini, Sonoma Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned, Bread Service, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, Sushi and Sashimi, Oak-grilled Filet of Beef, Wagyu Strip Loin, Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Disney Food Blog Posts Mentioning California Grill

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Almost 70 New Food and Drinks Came To Disney World This Week!

See ALL of the dining options at Disney’s Contemporary Resort HERE!

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