Palo holds a special place in the hearts of many Disney Cruise guests, and it's easy to see why. With its mouthwatering menu featuring an array of northern Italian cuisine, succulent steaks, irresistible desserts and fine wines, Palo has earned a stellar reputation. If you're just starting your Disney Cruise research, you won't get far before you hear the buzz about Palo. Palo is an adult-exclusive restaurant available on all Disney Cruise ships. In this post, we'll go over the basics and share our personal experiences at Palo Steakhouse aboard the Disney Wish. Let's dig in!
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FAQs
- How much does Palo cost on a Disney cruise? Palo and Palo Steakhouse cost $55 per person for brunch or dinner, plus alcoholic beverages and gratuity.
- How to book Palo on a Disney cruise? You can reserve Palo through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or on the Disney Cruise Line website once your booking window opens, based on your Castaway Club membership level.
- Is Palo worth it? We think so, but it really depends! On a 3-night sailing, you may prefer to experience all the Rotational Dining restaurants. On 4-night or longer sailings, many guests feel Palo is a worthwhile splurge for an elevated adult-exclusive experience.
Palo Disney Cruise Restaurant Overview
Palo is an upscale adult-exclusive restaurant that can be found on every ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Aboard Wish Class ships, it is known as Palo Steakhouse. Palo is renowned for its luxurious atmosphere and superb Italian cuisine. Did you know that "Palo" is the Italian word for the long poles used by the gondoliers in the Venice canals?
The restaurant is open for dinner every night, and brunch is also available. It also offers a very exclusive (and hard to snag) pre-dinner tasting event, Prima Notte at Palo. It is only offered on the first night of any sailing and is complete with wine pairings.
Almost all of your dining options are included in your cruise package; however, Palo and Palo Steakhouse are an additional fee. Currently, dinner and brunch are $55 per person, plus beverages. Disney Cruise Line automatically adds an 18% gratuity to your stateroom account. Disney Cruise Line will charge the price of your meal, drinks and an 18 percent gratuity to your stateroom account. You have the option of adding an additional tip (which goes directly to your server). We recommend tipping at least 20 percent.
To learn more about Disney cruise tipping etiquette, hop on over to this post.
Advance reservations are required. Palo reservations are super popular, so you will want to book your reservation as soon as possible. Reservations can be made on the Disney Cruise Line website and the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Just how far in advance can you book reservations? That depends on your Castaway Club membership stats. We've got all the deets here! Platinum and Pearl members receive one complimentary Palo dining experience per sailing for each adult (18+) in the stateroom.
If you weren't able to snag a Palo reservation before your sail date, don't worry! Plans change all the time, and folks adjust or cancel their Palo reservations.
There's definitely hope! On our last Disney Wish sailing, Leap and I decided to book a Palo reservation at the very last minute. Since we waited so long, there were no reservations available. But ... we hustled to Guest Services once we boarded the ship and the fantastic Disney crew members added us to a waitlist. To our surprise, we received a call on the second night informing us of availability. Disney magic!
So, if dining at Palo is high on your list, keep trying right up until your sail date and check in with Guest Services once onboard. #worthit
To complement the upscale dining experience, there is a dress code. We would describe the dress code as "elegant casual." Formal attire is not required, but guests are encouraged to dress up a bit more than they would for a casual dinner.
For men, dress slacks with a collared shirt or a polo will work. Some guests opt to wear a jacket, although it is not mandatory. Women typically wear dresses, skirts or dressy pants paired with a blouse or a nice top. Jeans, shorts, swimwear, tank tops and flip-flops are not permitted. (Shorts are permitted for brunch.)
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Theming and Ambience
The interior of Palo exudes luxury. Additionally, there are floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to take in all those ocean views. If ocean views are a priority, we recommend booking your Palo reservation for brunch or an early dinner. Once the sun goes down, it's not as easy to see the ocean as the interior lights reflect off the glass.
Aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the restaurant is decorated in warm wine and gold tones. The vibe is elegant, and the semi-circular shape creates an intimate setting. There's an on-site kitchen where you can watch as the expert culinary team crafts your meal.
On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships, you'll be greeted by art pieces adorning the walls. The wood paneling and elegant gold embellishments radiate warmth and charm.
While you wait for your table, head to the Meridian bar and enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail. And if the weather permits, consider dining al fresco on the outdoor teak deck.
The Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are home to Palo Steakhouse. Palo Steakhouse, which builds on the traditional Palo experience but places a stronger emphasis on premium steak cuts.
Palo Steakhouse incorporates theming inspired by Cogsworth from "Beauty and the Beast," with rich woods, metallic accents and subtle clockwork details. The steak menu includes prime and specialty wagyu selections. While traditional Palo offers northern Italian cuisine with steak as an option, Palo Steakhouse elevates steak to the centerpiece while still offering signature Italian dishes and the iconic chocolate soufflé.
Palo Steakhouse is tucked away in the aft on Deck 12 on the Wish Class ships. It is adjacent to Enchanté, another adult-exclusive restaurant onboard. Guests can access both restaurants via a beautiful corridor that leads to The Rose. The Rose is an upscale lounge that offers a wide selection of fine wines, liquors and small plates curated by the Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement.
Palo Disney Cruise Menu
The dinner menu includes two options: a prix fixe menu or à la carte items. The prix fixe menu offers a four-course meal that includes an antipasti (appetizer), insalata (salad), il second (main course) and dolce (dessert).
Currently, the price is $55 per person. There's also the option to add a wine pairing for an additional cost. This is a bit of a price jump, but worth it if you enjoy tasting new wines.
For the prix fixe menu, you'll choose one from each course:
- Antipasta — Fritto di Calamari e Gamberi or Buffalo Mozzarella
- Insalata — Mesclun Salad or Baby Arugula
- Il Secondo — Penne Pasta, Pan Seared Salmon, Roasted Chicken or Angus Beef Tenderloin
- Dolce — Chocolate Soufflé or Limoncello Tart
The à la carte menu includes the items in the prix fixe list, but with a few more options. Starters include Ciuppin or a White Bean Soup. Savory pasta are introduced, alongside Jumbo Scallops, Grilled Yellowfin Tuna and Osso Buco as main dishes.
Two vegetarian options are available — Grilled Portobello Mushroom and a Saffron dish. There's also a Parmesan-Crusted Rack of Lamb and a Porterhouse Steak, accompanied by a selection of delectable sides such as Pan-Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Cavatappi (mac and cheese) and Grilled Asparagus, among others.
Palo Steakhouse follows suit and has the same menu pricing — prix fixe or à la carte. The prix fixe menu is $55 per person and you'll choose one appetizer, salad, main course and dessert.
Prix Fixe Palo Steakhouse menu options:
- Antipasta — Fritto di Calamari e Gamberi or Heirloom Tomato, Burrata Mozzarella Caprese
- Insalata — Crisp Romaine Hearts or Baby Arugula
- Il Secondo — Penne Pasta, Pan Seared Salmon, Roasted Chicken or Angus Beef Tenderloin
- Dolce — Chocolate Soufflé or Palo's Tiramisu
If you decide to leap for the à la carte menu, you'll find several additional options. Some of those include the antipasto tray, Puy Lentil and Cotechino Soup, Soft Potato Gnocchi and savory pizza and pasta options. The main courses include Piquant Dover Sole and a Veal Rib Chop.
As the "steakhouse" part suggests, there are extensive steak options, including both choice and prime-cut steaks. The choice cuts are a 6-oz Angus Beef Tenderloin and a Cowboy Rib Eye steak. The prime cuts include an 8-oz Tenderloin and a 12-oz New York Sirloin. There are even three varieties of wagyu — the Japanese Strip Loin, Snake River Black Loin or the Snake River Black Tenderloin.
The dessert menu has so many yummy choices. The list includes the iconic Chocolate Soufflé, the Amaretto Soufflé, Palo's Tiramisù, the 14k Chocolate, Lychee Panna Cotta, 6-Layer Carrot Cake, Italian Ricotta Cheesecake and a selection of gelatos. Just be sure to save some room!
Our Palo Steakhouse Experience on the Disney Wish
On our last Disney cruise, we ate at Palo for dinner. We started with drinks at The Rose and I finally got to experience the Mrs. Tea cocktail. The Mrs. Tea is served in a glass teapot, reminiscent of Mrs. Potts from "Beauty and the Beast." It's made with SelvaRey White, Belvedere Pear & Ginger, Pique Passion Fruit Green Tea and Moët Imperial Rosé. The bubbly made it light and refreshing.
Once seated, we were presented with physical menus. Leap decided to try the prix fixe menu, while I opted for the à la carte menu. I mean, we just had to try out both.
Our server went over the menu and guided us through wine recommendations. I was still finishing up my Mrs. Tea, which I was allowed to bring with me to the table. Leap and I both decided to order a glass of wine. Wine is available by the glass or bottle. There is a corking fee if you'd like to save your bottle of wine for later. I tried the Bramito del Cervo Antinori and Leap ordered the Classico Chianti.
Shortly after, a bread basket arrived at our table. Palo makes the bread fresh from handmade dough. We loved the herbed pesto coating!
Before our appetizers arrived, the chef surprised us with a gift — a fried gnocco served in a mushroom sauce and topped with parmesan cheese. Even though it was just a single bite, it was a preview of what was in store for us in the following courses.
For our appetizers, Leap selected the Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Mozzarella Caprese. I ordered the Agnolotti from the pasta menu, featuring butternut squash, buffalo mozzarella, amaretti, sage-brown butter and basil. Both dishes delivered freshness and flavor, but the Agnolotti melted in my mouth. The sage-brown butter was super tasty.
Next up were the salads. We settled on one of each option. Leap really enjoyed the Crisp Romaine. I tried the Baby Arugula. The ingredients were simple, but high-quality. Both salads were fresh and bright.
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At this point, we're both reminding each other to save room! It's on to the main course ...
Leap chose the classic 6 oz Grilled Choice Angus Beef Tenderloin with pancetta, truffle potatoes, spinach and Barolo. The smile on his face as he savored every bite of his steak was priceless. As expected, he polished off every last morsel! Following our server's recommendation, I opted for the Osso Buco, featuring a center-cut veal shank slow-roasted in Barolo Wine, served with Gremolata and Milanese Risotto.
This dish was a delight! There were so many flavors and it was very, very rich. I was a little nervous about trying the bone marrow, but it was actually very good, but again, extremely rich.
Finally, it was time for dessert! The Chocolate Soufflé is highly praised by Disney Cruise fans, so it was the obvious choice. It was served with Madagascan Vanilla Bean Gelato, Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla Anglaise. We also ordered the Amaretto Soufflé for comparison, which came with Hazelnut Gelato and Vanilla Anglaise.
The server brought both soufflés straight out of the oven and showed us how to make a hole in each soufflé and pour in the Vanilla Anglaise and chocolate sauce. Then we topped them with gelato, which melted over the soufflés. Both were SO YUMMY!
To finish the meal, the waiter served us a complimentary palate cleanser — a mini cocktail made of sorbet, champagne and vodka (there is a nonalcoholic version available as well). This was refreshing and a fun way to wrap up our experience.
Overall, we both thought our entire Palo experience was superb! (When can we go again?)
Palo Disney Cruise Restaurant Brunch
As we previously mentioned, Palo is also open for brunch on all the Disney Cruise ships. The cost is $55 per person and is all-you-care-to-enjoy. It also includes a complimentary mimosa or Prosecco and fresh pastries.
The starters include antipasti selections such as the seafood plate and the meat and cheese plate. A scrumptious array of omelets, frittatas, poached eggs, pancakes and Mickey waffles is available. But don't froget to try out the pizzas! Both the Goat Cheese with Sun-Dried Tomato and Grape and Gorgonzola Cheese Pizzas are our delicious. For even more variety, there are lunch options such as Mushroom Ravioli, Sirloin Steak, Parmesan Roasted Chicken Breast and Lasagna Bolognese.
Many might argue that brunch is the superior Palo meal, but we frogs don't discriminate! Every meal we've had at Palo has been top-notch and we'll let your taste buds decide. Don't forget to hop back and let us know what you think.
Final Thoughts
So is Palo worth it?
Well, that depends on several factors such as your dining preferences, budget and timeframe. Since the already frogtastic Rotational Dining restaurants are included in your cruise price, you might wonder if a meal at Palo is necessary. For us, it's definitely not necessary, but a great option if you have a longer cruise and are looking for variety or a fancier dining experience.
Even though it's an extra expense, we think the $55 for a gourmet meal of this caliber is a pretty sweet deal. Of course, you'll want to take into consideration that drinks and gratuities will be an additional expense. If you have a 3-night itinerary, you'd have to decide if missing one of the Rotational Dining rooms is worth it. However, if you scheduled it just right, you could technically eat at Palo and at one of the rotational dining rooms on the same night — this is a no-judgment zone (and yes, we're guilty)!
Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide.
Dining at Palo is a great option if:
- You have a longer cruise itinerary and you're looking for an additional dining option.
- You want a meal with elevated food options just for the adults. Palo is an adult-exclusive restaurant, perfect for a date night!
- You're looking for an upscale dining experience and want to dress for the occasion. (So fancy!)
- You're OK with splurging on the additional cost.
You'll want to pass on Palo if:
- It's not in your budget.
- You can't break away from the kiddos.
- You have a shorter cruise itinerary and don't want to skip one of the Rotational Dining restaurants.
- It doesn't fit in with your schedule. Hey, there's a lot to see and do on a Disney cruise!
Overall, we personally loved our Palo Steakhouse experience. The food was outstanding and our service was impeccable. We're counting down the days until our next Disney cruise just so we can dine at Palo again. Until then, you can find me dreaming about that chocolate souffle. Still have questions? Ask away in the comments below!
Related: Your Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Food
Related: Disney Cruise Gratuities — Everything You Need to Know About Tipping
Hoppy planning!
