- California Grill has been open for 50 years, and the restaurant has excellent service.
- As an Orlando local, it's one of my favorite places to eat for special occasions.
I've lived no further than 15 minutes from Disney World since 2017.
As a foodie, there are always new places to explore around the parks. But there are some restaurants I come back to time and again.
Located at the top of Disney's Contemporary Resort, California Grill has amazing views and great food. It's a perfect place to dine for a special occasion.
The bread service is legendary, so make sure to ask for more
The basket of bread is warm as it hits your table. It looks unassuming enough, but after countless trips to California Grill, I know it's the star of the show.
The thick, pillowy squares of focaccia are served with a side of olive oil. The bread is soft and light on the inside, with a golden crust on top and a sprinkle of herbs and flaky salt. Inside, there are marinated tomatoes filled with a rich, acidic flavor.
In my opinion, the breast service makes for one of the best bites on Disney World property. It's also free, so ask for seconds (and thirds).
We knew we were in for a real treat within the first few bites of our appetizers
When I dined at California Grill, the restaurant was offering a special three-course prix-fixe dinner for $89 for adults and $39 for children ages 3 to 9. I went with other people, so I was also able to try some of their dishes.
I love that there was a wide variety of appetizers to choose from for the first course. From hand-rolled sushi and hand-made wontons to pizza and soup, there's something for everyone.
I tried two starters during my dining experience — the braised beef short-rib wontons and the house-made artisanal-style duck à l'orange pizza.
The wontons were thin and chewy on the outside, and the beef was tender and decadent.
The duck was prepared two ways on the pizza: duck prosciutto and duck confit. It was an interesting twist on the iconic '70s dish, and it was such a fun start to this experience.
I hardly ever eat pork, so I'm glad I trusted our server
I rarely order pork at restaurants, but I'm a sucker for anything with a story. Our server let us know that the cast-iron-grilled pork tenderloin has made it through decades of menu updates, and when he said it was the most popular dish every night, I knew I had to give it a go.
The pork was incredibly juicy. Paired with the fatty pork belly and creamy goat-cheese polenta, each bite was perfection.
I usually find pork to be too thick and dry. But these filets were easy to cut through and super tender.
I'd easily order it again over the filet mignon, which is also delicious.
We got to watch fireworks while we enjoyed dessert
California Grill is surrounded by glass windows and has multiple observation decks that let you view Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks.
Whether you stay inside to eat your meal or take a break to watch the fireworks, dessert is always better with this view.
If there's a crème brûlée on the menu, I'm ordering it, and California Grill is no exception. Although the dish was good, I thought the sugar on top wasn't thick enough. I really missed that iconic crunch.
Unexpectedly, my favorite dessert was the cherry-pistachio chocolate torte. It was decadent and had a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. The candied pistachios added an incredible crunchy texture, and the fruity cherry sauce rounded out the dish. It's no longer on the menu, but I hope the restaurant brings it back.
If you're celebrating a birthday or any other special occasion, don't miss out on the confetti cake.
It's a completely elevated take on a simple classic, and it's the best bite to end this sweet dining experience with.
We loved our meal at California Grill
My party of four spent $356 before tax, tip, or alcohol, and we're all eagerly awaiting our next trip
California Grill certainly isn't one of the most affordable places to eat on Disney property, but it's stood the test of time with well-prepared, creative food. All of the servers seemed passionate about the restaurant and the food, which made the dining experience feel even more luxurious.
In my opinion, California Grill is a can't-miss when it comes to signature dining experiences for special occasions.