Disney World Fans Disagree About Our Favorite Restaurant, But Here’s Why We Still Love It

We have several go-to Walt Disney World restaurants where we eat regularly for fun when not doing “research.” These come up a lot in various posts, including Geyser Point, Three Bridges, Wailulu Bar & Grill, Bar Riva, Toledo, and other entries on our list of the Best Restaurants at Walt Disney World.

The table service restaurant at which we dine most frequently that is not a lounge is probably Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Since introducing its current family-style menu, we’ve done several standalone posts on Sebastian’s Bistro, singing its praises and enthusiastically endorsing it as an alternative over ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Although it’s definitely not #1 overall, Sebastian’s Bistro has become our favorite table service restaurant when voting with our wallets thanks to its unparalleled bang for buck.

The menu has only seen minor changes since we last reviewed Sebastian’s Bistro, but we felt it was nevertheless worth revisiting for a few reasons. First, because the policies have changed, as have the prices and its popularity. Second, because 3 years is a long time in the current era of Walt Disney World dining, especially as supplier, portion, and quality changes are common.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, because I cannot think of any other Walt Disney World restaurant where we’ve heard as much disagreement with our own opinions as Sebastian’s Bistro. This is bound to happen with any restaurant that develops a cult following or gets too popular, as backlash to that is inevitable. But in this case, the critics seem to have reasonable complaints, and aren’t just reflexively hating the popular thing.

This has been evident via reader comments to our past posts praising Sebastian’s Bistro. One of this site’s biggest assets is a healthy and constructive comments section, with readers unafraid to share thoughtful feedback and engage in respectful disagreement. This spirit of open discourse has been alive and well when it comes to Sebastian’s Bistro. What follows is a partial selection of reader reactions to Sebastian’s Bistro from the last year-plus.

‘Ohana Over Sebastian’s Bistro, Per DTB Readers

Mike offered a strong verdict on Sebastian’s Bistro vs. Ohana, in favor of the latter:

Sebastian’s was definitely cheaper but in terms of our meal we all vastly preferred Ohana and were ok paying the higher price as we thought that meal was much better. Both places gave us about the same amount initially and neither place gave anyone a hard time asking for more. At Sebastian’s my whole party loved the bread and salad but after that no one was too excited about anything, whereas at Ohana everyone loved everything they had.

Alyssa came down on the same side of the ‘Ohana vs. Sebastian’s Bistro debate:

Has the menu at Sebastian’s Bistro changed recently? We ate there a few years ago and the food was just awful and so overpriced. Yes, ‘Ohana is overpriced too, but the food is good so we don’t mind

After praising Bar Riva and Banana Cabana, Janet shared rather harsh criticism of Sebastian’s Bistro:

Sabastian’s Bistro is where we differ – and differ greatly. We ate there a couple of years ago and it was the worst meal I’ve had on WDW property and it’s not even close. Service was horrendous, easily the worst we’ve experienced at WDW. The food was so bland and the steak was so chewy it was inedible. The salad was good (loved the dressing) and the dessert is very good. But as you mentioned you can get the bread pudding at Banana Cabana. I won’t be back to Sebastian’s ever again. It was simply that awful. We aren’t particularly picky and were very much looking forward to eating there. We were shocked at how bad it turned out to be

Emily offered a similar endorsement of the lounges, but not the restaurant:

Agree with almost everything. The exception is Sebastian’s Bistro. I was so looking forward to eating there after reading your reviews and reviews from other people. I have to say, it was the worst meal I’ve ever had in a restaurant anywhere, not just at Disney. From food to service it was awful. I would never go back, even if it were free. Their only saving grace was the dessert, it definitely did rival the bread pudding at Ohana. I love both of the quick service options at Riviera, I’ve never had a bad meal at either. And Banana Cabana is a fun spot, the cast members are great! We try to make a trip over to the BBBB each stay. But no Sebastian’s!

As did Aurora, who also took issue with the blandness of the faux-Caribbean cuisine:

Sorry but Bar Riva is the only one I’d bother with. The problem I have with Banana Cabana (and Sebastian’s to an even greater extent) is that I was born and grew up in a Caribbean hood, and I’m not spending finite Disney vacation stomach space on bland and dumbed down mass appeal versions of food I can get at home for less than half the price. It might sound harsh but if you’ve been raised on the real thing the Disney stuff is truly pitiful. None of it is seasoned enough.

This is just a sampling of the criticism levied at Sebastian’s Bistro, not a comprehensive rundown of complaints. It’s also unrepresentative of reader reactions as a whole. I’m focused on where readers disagree with our assessment of Sebastian’s Bistro, since that’s a divergent viewpoint and it’s nice to have a variety of opinions represented. There’s really no need to recite the praise, as that’s precisely the perspective that this review will bring to the table.

Now let’s move on to cover what’s changed since our last review of Sebastian’s Bistro…

Sebastian’s Bistro Is Now All You Can Eat

When it first debuted as a family-style feast, Sebastian’s Bistro was not all you can eat. That gradually changed, unofficially at first, with servers sometimes asking whether you needed anything else. We had that happen from time to time in the first few years.

The upside of it not being all you can eat was that you could take home leftovers if you did not request any ‘refills.’ This was a fantastic middle ground, one that reduced food waste and offered more value in the (likely!) event that you didn’t want seconds.

Unlike other family-style restaurants that specify they’re all-you-care-to-enjoy, there is no such indication with Sebastian’s Bistro in Walt Disney World’s official resources. However, we triple-checked with Cast Members at Caribbean Beach and Sebastian’s Bistro is, officially, all-you-care-to-enjoy.

The downside of this is no leftovers. I specifically asked about this, and whether it would be possible even if I didn’t request any seconds during my most recent meal. It is not.

The only exception to this is that you can take the dessert to go. I ended up doing this just to see how it would work, logistically (the ice cream and bread pudding are packaged separately), but would not recommend it.

Ironically enough, the dessert is the one thing that you really want to enjoy the second it’s served. I ended up just walking over to Centertown Market and just eating it a few minutes after leaving the restaurant.

Sebastian’s Bistro Is More Popular

On countless occasions, we’ve highly recommended Sebastian’s Bistro as a ‘hidden gem’ alternative to ‘Ohana at the Polynesian. Advance Dining Reservations are easier, the food is better, price is lower, and it’s a more laid-back experience. Definitely not better than ‘Ohana in every way, but more relaxed and less chaotic, among other things.

Slowly but surely, word has gotten out about Sebastian’s Bistro and it has developed its own fan-following. The restaurant still isn’t even on the level of ‘Ohana, but it went from having abundant ADRs and empty tables to filling up. It’s now not uncommon to find no availability or only options right around 4 pm or closing, and a crowd of guests outside waiting to be seated.

For my most recent meal, the only same-day availability was late. I arrived 15 minutes early to avoid a storm, which in hindsight was a mistake. I ended up as the very last guest of the night to be seated, approximately 40 minutes after my ADR time. This was an anomaly to some extent, and we’ve had past issues with restaurants all around Walt Disney World overbooking and doing similarly, but never at Sebastian’s Bistro.

On the plus side, the restaurant completely cleared out by the end of my meal, but I should’ve just done the 9:15 pm seating. There’s a reason we favor the first or last seatings and avoid the dinner rush whenever possible (everywhere, not just Sebastian’s Bistro), and it’s exactly this type of delay to be seated. Lesson learned on that.

Sebastian’s Bistro Price Increases

Sebastian’s Bistro has had an interesting pricing trajectory. When it first returned, the cost was $29 per adult and $17 per child, which was an absolute steal.

After 3 years of price increases, it hit $38 per adult and $20 per child in 2023. That was a massive increase in percentage terms; among the biggest in all of Walt Disney World in only the span of only a little over 2 years.

Thankfully, Sebastian’s Bistro did not go up in price in 2024 or 2025. With the recent 2026 price increases, Sebastian’s Bistro went up another $1 on each, and now costs $39 per adult and $21 per child.

That’s not bad at all, but the question is what, if any, changes Disney made in the kitchen to keep Sebastian’s Bistro prices unchanged for 2 years during a time of rampant food inflation and rising labor costs.

Sebastian’s Bistro Setting

Although the name and marquee might suggest otherwise, Sebastian’s Bistro is not Walt Disney World’s Little Mermaid restaurant. It’s more like the ‘Under the Sea’ rooms, which are inspired by the movie as opposed to being overtly themed to it.

There are nods to the eponymous crab via art in the restaurant, but it’s all very subtle and understated. Sebastian’s Bistro is more a lightly-themed modern island-inspired restaurant than anything else. You might even argue that it’s under-themed and lacking in charm and character.

The design is chic and generic, paying lip service to theme without really much of substance. I think its understated appearance is part of the reason why Sebastian’s Bistro hasn’t really resonated and most Walt Disney World fans haven’t ever dined here. It lacks a compelling hook. 

The atmosphere at Sebastian’s Bistro has grown on me. Although the design is thematically minimalist, the large windows provide an airy sensibility and offer big views of the water during daylight hours. At night, you can see the Skyliner gliding past, or even the fireworks at EPCOT off in the distance from the right table.

The plush chairs, artistic flourishes in the overhead beams, and splashes of color throughout the art and other decor give it just enough personality to work. Sebastian’s Bistro has a good vibe thanks to all of that plus the music, Cast Members, and more.

Back when it opened, we predicted that Walt Disney World fans would eventually warm to Sebastian’s Bistro, and it would enjoy the same cult following as Sanaa or Olivia’s Cafe in another decade (so 2029). It’s not there yet, but it’s certainly closer than when it reopened. Just give it time.

Food at Sebastian’s Bistro

The family-style dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro starts with the Spice Necklace Salad: Mixed Greens with Spiced Candied Pumpkin Seeds, Tropical Fruit, and Radish with Key Lime Dressing.

As far as salads go, this is fantastic. Most salads served at family-style restaurants are afterthoughts; obligatory filler to begin each meal. This is more ambitious and on par with what you could order at an a la carte table service restaurant. There’s a lot of variety to the toppings, and the key lime dressing gives it a sweet and tart quality.

Alongside the salad is the Buttery House-baked Pull-Apart Rolls with Guava Butter and Caramelized Onion Jam. For a brief period, these were also served with a Mickey Mouse-head shaped cheese crisp, which is a nice aesthetic enhancement to the meal, but edibly underwhelming. That’s now gone, which is fine by me.

The Pull-Apart Rolls are already a new-classic Walt Disney World starter, and are every bit as good as they’ve always been. The rolls themselves are buttery and flaky and amazing, and paired with the guava butter, they’re next level.

Next up are the Entrée Sides: Cilantro Rice and Beans, Seasonal Vegetables, and Sweet Plantains.

This is a variation on the original Entrée Sides, which were served with Vegetable Curry. Sarah loved the Vegetable Curry, as it contained a healthy amount of fresh vegetables, with a mild and shockingly refreshing curry flavor.

Although I love the plantains, this does strike me as a downgrade. That’s doubly true given how heavy the side is with cauliflower, a vegetable that some might argue is not fit for human consumption. By contrast, the broccolini included before was quite good.

I’m not going to shower the Cilantro Rice and Beans with praise, but it’s very good for what it is. With this now being all you can eat, though, I’m less concerned about the sides being any good. Don’t get me wrong, I hate food waste, but when it’s cauliflower in question, “wasting” isn’t exactly the right word.

Alongside the sides is the main event: meats. The Island Feast Entrée platter consists of Oven-roasted Citrus Chicken with Caribbean Barbecue Sauce, Slow-roasted Mojo Pork with Mango Sambal, Grilled Chili-rubbed Beef with Chimichurri, and Baked Fish with Tomato Salsa and Spiced Butter.

These sauces have shifted around, and they’re all served on the side, anyway, so you can mix and match as you so desire.

We’ll start with the Oven-roasted Citrus Chicken. I still have no complaints here–the chicken was perfectly-prepared, with crisp skin with a good rub of spices giving way to juicy meat underneath. The chicken is not citrus-forward, but it’s sufficient to enhance the meat’s flavor.

The Caribbean BBQ sauce adds a bit of sweetness, but it’s fairly mild (and still delicious) without any sauce. This dish was only so-so the last time we dined at Sebastian’s Bistro, and I found it to be better during my more recent meal.

Next up, the Chili-rubbed Beef with Chimichurri. As always, this meat tastes delicious. It’s a bit on the chewy side, so I can understand those complaints, but the flavor and preparation make up for that.

The Chili-rubbed Beef is flavorful, and the Chimichurri is the perfect accompaniment to take that to the next level. This is on par with the best ‘buffet meats’ that you’ll find at any carving station, even if it’s not quite standalone entree quality (even for a mid-tier table service restaurant).

It’s now my #1 meat at Sebastian’s Bistro. I would’ve been fine paying $39 for unlimited Pull-Apart Rolls, Chili-Rubbed Beef with Chimichurri, and Bread Pudding.

Next up, the Baked Fish with Tomato Salsa and Spiced Butter. The fish is mild, flaky, and moist. The Tomato Salsa is a recent addition, and a welcome one. This isn’t good enough to be a standalone entree at a table service restaurant, but it adds nice variety here.

Finally, the Slow-roasted Mojo Pork. If anything has gone downhill since Sebastian’s Bistro reopened, it’s the Mojo Pork. This used to be my favorite of the meats, with a perfect preparation of high quality meat unlike anything served elsewhere at Walt Disney World. It’s still better than garden variety pulled pork, but barely.

When comparing Sebastian’s Bistro to buffets or other family-style feasts, you’d be hard-pressed to find four meats that are as good or better than these. That includes ‘Ohana, and several other restaurants that cost considerably more. When evaluating Sebastian’s Bistro, it’s important to compare it not to traditional table service, but other all you can eat establishments.

After all, these are inherently ‘quantity over quality’ venues. If you have a small appetite, you’re almost always going to be better off going somewhere with an a la carte menu.

Dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro ends with the Celebrated House-made Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is better than the bread pudding at ‘Ohana. I just want to reiterate that, as first impressions often lead to hyperbole that later comes back to reality.

To be sure, both are fantastic. If there’s a Walt Disney World Mount Rushmore of desserts, a case can be made that both of them belong up there. Now, it’d be weird to make a Mount Rushmore of desserts in the first place, and even odder to have two slots dedicated to bread pudding. I’m just not sure how well rock could convey the essence of bread pudding, but I guess we’ll find out.

Anyway, you get the point. This is like someone took the recipe for that iconic bread pudding and dialed it up to 11 with a little coconut and a lot of pineapple. This Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding has all of the great qualities of the ‘Ohana dish, plus better top texture.

It’s rich, it’s decadent, it’s creamy, it’s sweet, and it’s so much more. What makes this bread pudding so good is hard to put into words, but once it hits your mouth…it’s pure Disney culinary magic!

One thing I would note is that the Celebrated House-made Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream can be ordered next door at Banana Cabana.

The Bread Pudding is one of the few things that can consistently be ordered off-menu from Sebastian’s Bistro when dining at Banana Cabana. (Last time I got it in mid-2026, it was $10.) You can sometimes have success with the Pull-Apart Rolls, but not always.

Ultimately, the family-style feast at Sebastian’s Bistro has seen its quality decline slightly since 2021 as its price has increased. Simply put, this is not the bargain that it once was, and it’s easy to see why some fans have been disappointed by Sebastian’s Bistro, especially in light of our effusive praise.

Whereas Sebastian’s Bistro was once an absolute no-brainer over ‘Ohana, offering higher quality and more delicious dishes from top to bottom and at a lower price, the gap has definitely closed. ‘Ohana is still $26 more expensive ($65 vs. $39 as of late 2026), but a compelling argument could be made that the family-style feast there is better on balance.

Although some fans might make that argument, I am not one of them. I’ll still take the family feast at Sebastian’s Bistro over ‘Ohana, and an equally compelling case could be made that Sebastian’s Bistro now being AYCE excuses the decreased cuisine quality to a certain extent.

‘Ohana wins in terms of atmosphere and theme, as well as sentimentality and nostalgia. Those are some potentially strong selling points, especially for lifelong Walt Disney World fans. Whether they’re enough to justify a $26 per person price difference is debatable.

The fact that we eat at Sebastian’s multiple times per year for fun, and only return to ‘Ohana when necessary for refreshed review purposes, should tell you exactly where we stand. Sebastian’s Bistro still beats ‘Ohana, and even if it’s no longer the hidden gem bargain that it once was, it remains one of our favorite Walt Disney World restaurants and we still highly recommend it.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Have you done the family-style feast at Sebastian’s Bistro? If you did it back when it first debuted and again more recently, do you think the value proposition or quality has worsened or improved? Thoughts on the cuisine? Do you prefer all you can eat or single servings plus leftovers? Where do you stand in the Sebastian’s Bistro vs. ‘Ohana debate? Agree or disagree with our review? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!