Sebastian’s Bistro may not have the obsessive fan following or convenient location of ‘Ohana at Polynesian Village, but this island-inspired family-style restaurant at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort cooks up one heckuva good dinner deal that’s well worth the effort to get there. Oh, and most importantly, it’s tasty, too!
Not sure if you should take your tastebuds to the tropics and make the trek to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort for dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro? Read on for our take on one of Walt Disney World’s most underrated restaurants. (If you couldn’t already tell, we liked it – a lot.)
Sebastian’s Bistro, Disney World’s Best-Kept Dinner Secret
When it comes to the best dining at Disney World, The Most Magical Place on Earth has its fair share of contenders. From impressive, in-park favorites like Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom to hotel eateries like Animal Kingdom Lodge’s African-inspired Boma to delicious Disney Springs restaurants like Raglan Road Irish Pub, there’s something to suit everyone, no matter where you are or where you’re staying.
But, there’s another thing these restaurants have in common. They can each be downright expensive, especially if you want a complete multi-course meal. Thankfully, that surprisingly isn’t the case with Sebastian’s Bistro.
In fact, you could almost feed two people for what it would cost for one person at the likes of Boma, ‘Ohana and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Best of all, despite the price difference, everything tastes just as good – or better, if we’re talking about the battle of the bread puddings.
So, what’s holding folks back from eating at Sebastian’s Bistro if it isn’t the price or food? Blame it on the restaurant’s rather remote location.
Getting to Sebastian’s
Disney Caribbean Beach Resort isn’t exactly what we’d call convenient to get to. Although officially part of the Epcot & Hollywood Studios Resort Area, the moderate resort isn’t within walking distance from the theme parks like other nearby hotels. Instead, you’ll need to either drive, take the bus or ride the Skyliner to get there.
Still, even with the help of the Disney Skyliner, which has a station at the resort, traveling to this hotel restaurant can be a lengthy endeavor, as the wait times to get on can be long at times. As a result, some would rather skip the hassle altogether and eat somewhere else. However, as long as you plan your meal accordingly and no how to get there, we think the trek is well worth it.
Unless you’re planning to drive to the resort, make your reservation for a day when you’ll be hanging out at Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so you can take advantage of the Disney Skyliner. Just be sure to account for the walk from Caribbean Beach’s Skyliner Station to Old Port Royale where the restaurant is located.
For everyone else, you’ll need to use the Disney bus system (or a Minnie Van, if you want to splurge). Depending on where you’re coming from and the time of day, the trip can take quite a while. So, be sure to plan accordingly. Once you’re there, wait to get off until the second bus stop at Old Port Royale.
Sebastian’s Bistro is only open for dinner on Thursday through Monday, with service from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Due to the restaurant’s slightly out-of-the-way location, reservations are typically pretty easy to come by. And should you not be able to secure a table ahead of time, wait times for a walk-up reservation usually aren’t too bad.
Laidback, Island-Inspired Elegance with a Splash of Under the Sea Fun
Located just a short walk from the lobby in Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Sebastian’s Bistro sits next to the Fuentes del Morro Pool and Banana Cabana lounge and overlooks Barefoot Bay, the resort’s onsite lake.
This picture-perfect view sets the scene as you enter the restaurant, hinting at its aquatic inspirations. Inside, the eatery feels bright, airy and welcoming. Unlike many of Disney World’s other restaurants, Sebastian’s Bistro isn’t aggressively themed. For some expecting a design à la The Little Mermaid, this will be disappointing. For others, however, it serves as the perfect pixie dust palate cleanser.
With its white walls, wainscoting and exposed beams, the restaurant is evocative of an understatedly chic beach cottage. Meanwhile, vibrant pops of turquoise and aqua nod to the bistro’s eponymous crustacean, as well as a few pieces of art starring the crab himself.
Is the space especially memorable? Not exactly. That said, after the sensory overload of the theme parks, the more stripped-down design of Sebastian’s Bistro can be a welcome departure.
Bright, Tropical Flavors the Whole Family Can Share
Since reopening following its pandemic closure, like some other restaurants at Disney World, Sebastian’s Bistro has exclusively served a prix fixe, family-style menu. For the uninitiated, this means that several dishes are brought out for the table to share, just like you would at home.
While this has been to the detriment of some Disney dining options, that definitely isn’t the case here. At Sebastian’s Bistro, diners enjoy the restaurant’s Taste of the Caribbean tasting menu – plant-based alternatives are also available for all the vegetarians and vegans out there.
Throughout the meal, guests tuck into shareable platters of dishes made with ingredients that taste like they’re fresh from a Caribbean market, each singing with the flavors of the islands, from salad dressed with zippy key lime to a trio of savory, island-style meats (or “meats”) to an indulgent, piña colada-inspired (minus the rum) bread pudding.
Although not technically a buffet, you certainly won’t go hungry at Sebastian’s Bistro. Not only are there several dishes included in your meal, but the shareable servings are also sizeable, offering plenty of food for everyone.
Plus, though you can’t enjoy bottomless helpings of everything on your table, you are welcome to ask for seconds of your two favorite items. If you’re anything like us, it’s more than enough food, and an astonishingly good value for the meal’s $29-per-adult price tag. Don’t be surprised if you even end up with leftovers.
Here’s everything on the menu at this family-friendly restaurant with tropical flair at Disney:
Sebastian’s Bistro Menu
From the first shmear of guava-infused butter on a warm roll to the last bite of the restaurant’s decadent bread pudding studded with pineapple and coconut, your tastebuds are treated to a fiesta of fresh tropical flavors. Best of all, as a family-style restaurant with a prix fixe menu, you get to sample almost everything that’s on offer.
Diners choose between the standard Taste of the Caribbean Menu or, for vegans and vegetarians, the Plant-based Taste of the Caribbean Menu. Each is available for $29 per adult and $17 per child, not including tax or gratuity. Remember, although your table will be sharing everything, this isn’t bottomless. However, if desired, you can request second helpings of up to two dishes of your choosing.
Like many Disney World restaurants, a meal at Sebastian’s Bistro starts with bread service. Buttery House-baked Pull-apart Rolls are served with two different spreads, including creamy Guava Butter and a sweet-meets-savory Caramelized Onion Jam. A plant-based Guava Butter is available for those dining from the plant-based Sebastian’s Bistro menu.
Next, it’s time to get your vegetables. Both the regular and plant-based menus also come with The Spice Necklace Salad. Sweet and tangy, this light and fresh appetizer comes with mixed greens and kale topped with spiced candied pumpkin seed, a mix of tropical fruit and watermelon radish, and drizzled with a key lime dressing.
Once you’ve had your fill of bread and salad, we’re on to the main course: three meats or “meats” served with a selection of sides. The regular menu features Oven-roasted Citrus Chicken, Slow-cooked Mojo Pork with Mango Sambal and Grilled Chili-rubbed Beef with Mojito Relish.
Plant-based eaters, meanwhile, dine on Impossible Kabob, Fried Jerk Tofu and Impossible Sausage. Both trios of proteins also come with a variety of side dishes, including Vegetable Curry, Grilled Seasonal Vegetables (when we went, it was Broccolini) and Cilantro Rice and Beans.
Finally, we hope you saved room for dessert because, trust us, you won’t want to miss it. Both menu options end with Our Celebrated House-made Coconut Pineapple Bread Pudding, which is crowned with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Vegetarians and vegans can even enjoy their slice with plant-based caramel sauce and a pseudo-ice cream made with vanilla rice milk.
Looking for something to wash it all down with? While beverages like soft drinks and coffee are included with your meal, Sebastian’s Bistro also has an expansive drink menu. Kiddos will feel grown up sipping on a Flounder Colada of Reason, a booze-free take on a piña colada with a creamsicle twist.
And for all the adults wanting a pick-me-up after a long day in the park, a wide array of alcoholic drinks are available, such as wine, beer (including some selections from countries in the Caribbean), cider, sangria and hard seltzer.
Or, taste the tropics and try one of the restaurant’s fruity specialty cocktails, sip on a Flight of Caribbean Rums or use your favorite for a Create-Your-Own Rum Old Fashioned with your choice of bitters, from classics like angostura to more unique options like chocolate, black walnut, pimento and rhubarb.
Sebastian’s Bistro Review – How’s the Food and Is It Worth It?
Now, the questions you’ve all been waiting so patiently for: “how did it taste?” and, more importantly, “would we go back?” In short, delicious, and absolutely. This was my first time going to Sebastian’s Bistro and, let me tell you, after reading what was on the menu, I was excited.
Luckily, despite my high expectations, I wasn’t disappointed. While the dining room doesn’t exactly scream Disney – heck, it barely even whispers it – I didn’t think that was a bad thing.
Between the white walls, pops of blue and turquoise in the chairs and cabinets, coral-like artwork, chandeliers that glittered like a trail of bubbles racing toward the ocean’s surface and vibrant wall art starring the restaurant’s eponymous crustacean, the space is decidedly, if unremarkably, beachy. Even with the encroaching darkness from the stormy night outside, the room felt bright and inviting, waking us up from the gloominess like a splash of cool water.
To top it all off, the food was tasty from start to finish, with a blend of colorful ingredients and fresh-from-the-islands flavors. If you’re like me and you enjoy the interplay of sweet and savory with just a dash of spice, you won’t be disappointed.
I’m a sucker for carbs and the bread service really set the tone for rest of dinner. The Buttery House-baked Pull-apart Rolls were warm and fluffy, and the pull-apart sections made it easy to maximize the spread-to-bread ratio. Both the Guava Butter and Caramelized Onion Jam offered just the right amount of sweet. (Pro Tip: If you somehow manage to not use them all, try spreading or spooning a little over your veggies during the next course.)
I love sweet salads, so The Spice Necklace Salad really hit the spot with the mix of fruit, crunchy spiced nuts and the zest of the key lime dressing. Plus, with the watermelon radish and edible flowers, it was beautiful to look at.
Next, as we got the regular Taste of the Caribbean Menu, it was time for the trio of island-inspired meats. The Slow-cooked Mojo Pork with Mango Sambal was easily my favorite. Moist and flavorful by itself, the hit of spice and mango took the meat to a whole other level. With its perfectly spiced rub, crispy skin, tender meat and a hint of citrus, the Oven-roasted Citrus Chicken was similarly delicious.
Though yummy, the Grilled Flank Steak with Mojito Relish was probably my least favorite of the bunch, specifically the relish. While the meat was cooked well, the cucumber-heavy relish lent a strangely cooling element to the dish that I didn’t particularly enjoy.
As for the sides, these were simple yet tasty. In my opinion, vegetables are always better grilled, and the broccolini only supports my argument. The Vegetable Curry was quite good, too. While the veggies were vibrant, the curry was mild, making for something different yet approachable. Lastly, the Cilantro Rice and Beans also served up solid flavors.
Then, it was time for the pièce de resistance: Our Celebrated House-made Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream. These might be fighting words for fans of ‘Ohana’s bread pudding, but the version that Sebastian’s Bistro dishes up is called “celebrated” for a reason. From the coconut and copious amounts of pineapple to the dessert’s custardy texture to the vanilla bean ice cream topped with a DIY drizzle of caramel sauce, it’s insanely delicious.
Naturally, we couldn’t come to Sebastian’s Bistro without trying something to drink. I’m a huge fan of Disney’s famous blend of passionfruit, orange and guava juices (also known as Jungle Juice, Moonshine or POG Juice, depending on where you’re eating).
So, I couldn’t miss out on the Sebastian Island Paradise, a frozen blend of the tasty, tropical trio of juices. Sweet and refreshing, it was the ideal accompaniment to the rest of my meal.
Is Sebastian’s Bistro Worth It?
Most definitely! In fact, we’d say that it’s one of Disney World’s underappreciated hidden gem restaurants. First and foremost, you can’t beat the price. Ringing in at only $29 per adult or $17 per child, this is one of the cheaper family-style restaurants at Disney World.
Add in the massive portion sizes, variety of dishes and second helpings of two of your favorites, and you’ve easily got one of the best value dinners available at Walt Disney World in terms of the sheer quantity of food.
More importantly, it tastes good, too! The flavors are fresh and vibrant, and while a few of the ingredients may be unfamiliar to some, the dishes are sure to please a variety of palates. It’s great for those wanting something outside the standard theme park fare without being too adventurous, especially for families traveling with picky eaters.
Sure, the design won’t win any awards, but it’s pleasantly beachy. Besides, you aren’t going here for the restaurant’s stylistic choices anyway. If you absolutely need an extra dose of pixie dust with your bread pudding, try to schedule your dinner around the Epcot fireworks. While you won’t get an amazing view of the show, the fireworks twinkling over the treetops in the distance are sure to add a little special something.
Have you eaten at Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort? What dishes were your favorite and, more importantly, how do you think the bread pudding compares to the one at ‘Ohana? Let us know in the comments! Then, stretch your food budget further and enjoy more tasty eats with our discount Disney World tickets.
