Every once in a while, a game-changing new Walt Disney World restaurant comes along. A dining option that offers an ambitious menu, fun atmosphere, cool characters, delicious food, reasonable prices, or some combination thereof. “Every once in a while” actually understates the frequency with which this happens.
While it may not seem like it in light of menu changes and reduced portion sizes, our position is that Walt Disney World has been in a bona fide restaurant renaissance for the last 5+ years. Our List of the 25 Best Restaurants at Walt Disney World in 2025, includes several spots that have debuted since 2018. And honestly, it could include even more. Look no further than the additions at Gran Destino Tower, Riviera Resort, Disney Springs, and beyond.
One such recent restaurant is Steakhouse 71 in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is instead represented on that list by California Grill. I’ve made my thoughts on both options very clear–Steakhouse 71 is a go-to spot of mine on Magic Kingdom days, whereas California Grill is coasting on its legacy. I’ve daydreamed about the two restaurants switching spots, in which case we’d dine at Steakhouse 71 even more–and it’d be a shoo in for the ‘best of’ list. While that kinda-sorta did happen briefly once, Walt Disney World has a new restaurant that scratches this exact itch for me.
My dream has finally been realized with the new Wailulu Bar & Grill in the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
This family-friendly bar and grill features an all-day menu for lunch and dinner, with specialty coffee as well as grab and go items (mostly pastries) available at breakfast. It’s located just off of the new Cove Pool, and offers exceptional ambiance thanks to all of the water features (real and artificial) surrounding it.
Wailulu Bar & Grill gets its name from the Hawaiian words wai (meaning “water”) and lulu (meaning “calm”). Fittingly, this charming spot boasts breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Across the water, you can spot Cinderella Castle and other park icons poking above the treeline at Magic Kingdom.
Note that Wailulu Bar & Grill does not offer Advance Dining Reservations, but instead utilizes the Walk-Up Waitlist feature in the My Disney Experience app. It also offers Mobile Order To-Go. This is going to be polarizing with planners, but I prefer this approach as someone who is more spontaneous. If it offered ADRs, Wailulu Bar & Grill would probably be as impossible to book as the Space 220 Lounge or GEO-82 Spaceship Earth Bar.
For those dining as the sun goes down, Wailulu Bar & Grill features fantastic firework views from Magic Kingdom. It’s a great place to catch Happily Ever After, which I’ve done twice now.
I cannot wait to see the perimeter pyro during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or even the special Independence Day or New Year’s Eve shows. Oh, and don’t forget the Electrical Water Pageant, which is also visible from Wailulu Bar & Grill!
Here are those views from our tables (this review is from two different meals at Wailulu Bar & Grill, so two slightly different vantages):
These views alone might be all that’s necessary to sell you on Wailulu Bar & Grill. Even without the rooftop location of California Grill, this is one of the best fireworks view restaurants in all of Walt Disney World.
It has just enough elevation over the beach directly in front of the restaurant, giving you the perfect perspective on Happily Ever After. The best tables for fireworks viewing are, without a doubt, the beachfront booths. But I sat at a ‘second row’ table, and that perspective was likewise fantastic. Pretty much every table outside has a good view.
The restaurant’s interior is adorned with Polynesian-inspired artwork—much of which was crafted by recycled materials and reclaimed fishing nets. Fish swim overhead once you walk inside. You’ll even find a Manta Ray swimming overhead in the far corner.
Wailulu Bar & Grill has a wide variety of seating–tables & chairs, longer padded benches, and a bar (hence the name).
The inside is small, offering a single curved room with windows on one side and a wall with artwork on the other side. I love the stained-glass looking wall pictured above, which alones the restaurant and gives it a moody vibe. (This turns off during fireworks, so reflections are no issue!)
There are also plants dotting the interior, which connects the restaurant to nature, giving it a great indoor-outdoor vibe. I would’ve appreciated if this were taken a step further with some bifold doors to truly open the restaurant to the beach, but that probably wasn’t possible with the limited footprint. I have yet to dine inside Wailulu Bar & Grill, and probably never will, so I can’t speak fully to the atmosphere in the main dining room.
The reason I’m unlikely to ever dine inside Wailulu Bar & Grill is because just outside of that is one of the best restaurant seating areas in all of Walt Disney World.
This is basically a mirror image of the indoor space, with a row of tables by the window and booths closer to the water. In addition to having the better view, the booths also have moody reflecting pools behind them (if you’re wondering why the fireworks are ‘doubled’ in the photos above, that’s the reason).
If such a thing exists, these booths are E-Ticket restaurant seats. I’ve never bought a Lightning Lane Single Pass, but if Walt Disney World sold one for these puppies, I’d give it some serious thought. (Scratch that–don’t get any ideas, Disney.)
My pro tip if you’re seated in a booth is to opt for the end. In the middle, you’ll find yourself constantly turning around trying to catch glimpses of Seven Seas Lagoon, the passing monorail, fireworks, and so forth. The ends offer pretty much straight-on views of all those things.
As with the interior of the restaurant, the outdoor seating area of Wailulu Bar & Grill has a curvature. This gives the space a bit more personality and is a lovely little effect for what’s otherwise a fairly straightforward restaurant that lets the views do the talking.
If you watch a lot of HGTV (I’m sorry) or other home improvement shows, you probably know that “bringing the outside in” is a big trend and mostly superficial catchphrase. However, it’s incredibly apt for Wailulu Bar & Grill. They might as well have called this Seven Seas Lagoon Saloon, because that’s essentially what it is.
It’s worth underscoring how lovely the ambiance is in the outdoor seating area at Wailulu Bar & Grill. The vibes, as the kids say, are immaculate. It’s not just seeing the monorail, watercraft, fireworks and so forth.
You can also hear the whistle of the Walt Disney World Railroad and the horn of the Ferryboat. You feel the crisp breeze coming off the water. Even the warm glow of Main Street in the distance adds to the experience. The only thing missing that would really put Wailulu Bar & Grill over the top is tiki torches, but those are conspicuous omissions from all around the Island Tower.
Suffice to say, the kinetic energy of this restaurant is off the charts, as you’re truly “immersed” in Seven Seas Lagoon. There’s no other restaurant at Walt Disney World that compares. California Grill is too far removed from the action, ‘Ohana and Narcoossee’s are entirely indoors, as is every other location that comes to mind. Basically, Wailulu is to Seven Seas Lagoon what Geyser Point is to Bay Lake.
With that out of the way, let’s turn to the food at Wailulu Bar & Grill…
Ahi Tuna Crisps ($17) – Marinated Ahi Tuna, Crispy Fried Wontons, Avocado Crema, Sriracha-Aïoli, Soy Glaze
Let’s start with the starters, and the very first entry on the list: the Ahi Tuna Crisps. If you’re visiting with a group and looking for a shareable appetizer, this is it. In fact, the Ahi Tuna Crisps might be the only–or at least the optimal–shareable appetizer, because everything else seems more geared towards 1-2 people.
The Ahi Tuna Crisps is a home run–you might say it’s an ‘ohana of flavors working together in harmony. These crisps are thin and airy, but with a delightful soy glaze that gives them a tasty and substantial quality. The tuna is fresh and delicious. The drizzle of sriracha-aioli and the soy glaze complement each other, while the dots of avocado crema are refreshing. Thinly-sliced peppers and green onions offer a light kick and more texture.
There are a lot of offsetting or complementary flavors in the Ahi Tuna Crisps, and the dish just works. It reminds me of a fancier version of the iconic Pulled Pork Nachos served over at Capt. Cook’s in the Great Ceremonial House at the Polynesian. This appetizer is worth it, and highly recommended.
Teriyaki Chicken Sliders ($19) – Kimchi Slaw, Sweet Bun served with Mac Salad or Sweet Potato Fries
We’ll start the entrees with the sliders, which are a bit on the large side. Walt Disney World used to serve three smaller sliders in dishes like this, but has moved to two pretty much across the board (or at least at the spots I dine). Combined, these are still roughly the size of one normal sandwich.
The flavor of the teriyaki is fairly mild and the chicken is tender. The kimchi slaw is light on the characteristic sour and spiciness of that, and more like a regular slaw–but it does add a bit of crunch and ever-so-slight kick. All in all, a fine entree if you’re looking for something safe.
As with many of the entrees, you’re given a choice between mac salad or sweet potato fries.
These fries don’t reinvent the wheel. If you’ve had sweet potato fries before, you’ve had the equivalent of these. They’re adeptly prepared (as you’d hope–a restaurant that cannot do fries has bigger problems) and taste like sweet potato fries. Not sure what else to say.
Short Rib Loco Moco ($33) – Shiitake Mushroom Gravy, Crispy Rice Cake, Fried Egg
The Short Rib Loco Moco is the most expensive entree on the menu. However, it’s significantly cheaper than the short rib served over at Kona Cafe for dinner or most meaty entrees on the dinner menu at Steakhouse 71. But this is more of a hybrid dish, a mashup of breakfast and dinner. So it’s all a matter of perspective.
The Short Rib Loco Moco consists of a slab of meat atop a base of crisp rice cakes. It may not be much to look at, but the meat here is tender and tasty, with a melt in your mouth quality. It’s juicy and has just the right amount of fattiness for flavor–absolutely fantastic.
The meat gets a big assist from the shiitake mushroom gravy, which has a rich and deep umami flavor. If there’s any single component that defines this dish, it’s probably the shiitake mushroom gravy.
The fried egg on mine didn’t really move the needle a whole lot. The idea is that the yolk drips down when cut, making for an even juicier and more flavorful dish. Mine was more of a garnish than anything. An incredibly fancy garnish, given current egg prices. Still tasted great on its own.
Another highlight here is the crispy fried rice cakes. These are essentially pan-fried cubes that offer a crunchy exterior that gives way to soft rice on the inside. The fried component is fantastic, and there’s plenty of that delicious shiitake mushroom gravy for the rice to soak up.
All in all, the Short Rib Loco Moco is highly recommended if you’re looking for a meatier meal. The price is high for an entree at this type of restaurant, but after a week at Walt Disney World, you may be desensitized to costs by this point. Still cheaper than anything at Cali Grill!
Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl ($26) – Sushi-style Rice, Pickled Cucumbers, Vegetables, Spicy Poke Sauce, Macadamia Nuts with Ahi Tuna
One of the menu staples at Wailulu Bar & Grill is the Poke Bowl. In addition to Ahi Tuna, there are options with Grilled Teriyaki Chicken or Tofu, either of which are $4 less expensive than this.
This is a generous portion, and incredibly well-rounded. I was surprised and impressed that it wasn’t mostly “filler” (rice) with a light scattering of ahi tuna and vegetables. Instead, you get a hearty helping of ahi tuna–more than was on the crisps from the appetizer section.
The fish is again tasty, albeit with a mild and semi-sweet flavor that can get lost among a sea of other ingredients. By itself, the tuna is tasty, with a meaty and crisp quality. It also works really well in a poke bowl like this, drizzled with sauce and surrounded by vegetables. Speaking of which, those are all good–I’m a big fan of edamame and avocado, so it was nice to have hearty helpings of both.
Although she’s yet to dine here, the Poke Bowl will without a doubt be Sarah’s top pick at Wailulu Bar & Grill. I’m just not yet sure whether she’ll order the Ahi Tuna or Grilled Teriyaki Chicken. Either way, the Poke Bowl is yet another highly recommended entree.
Wayfinder Burger ($23) – Two Pressed Patties, American Cheese, Onion Jam, Volcano Sauce, Sweet Bun served with Mac Salad or Sweet Potato Fries
Last but not least, we arrive at the Wayfinder Burger, which continues my quest to discover the best burger at Walt Disney World, like Captain Cook on his exploration to–you know what, scratch that, bad example. Mission accomplished, as I too have discovered something that was already there with the Wayfinder Burger–another amazing, best-of burger at Walt Disney World.
This smash burger is reminiscent of the Stack Burger over at Steakhouse 71 (pictured above), with the biggest differences being the buns, lack of pork belly on the Wayfinder Burger, and different sauces and accompaniments.
For reference, the Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger is one of my top 3 burgers at Walt Disney World. Maybe #1. It’s a greasy diner burger, perfected. I’d liken it to a higher end version of Shack Shake’s ShackBurger, but with the amount of cheese you’d get at In-N-Out plus pork belly to top it all off.
It’s hard to say whether the Wayfinder Burger improves on all of that, but it does present a new twist on that familiar formula. The bun is soft and sweet, like a King’s Hawaiian Roll. That is playfully countered by the Volcano Sauce, which gives it a slight kick, but still nothing unapproachable–especially when further offset by that onion jam.
Then there are the fresh patties, which are addictively delicious. These are very similar to those on the Stack Burger at Steakhouse 71. It’s hard to separate the pork belly from the flavor profile, but I wouldn’t be surprised if these use very similar patties.
All in all, the Wayfinder Burger is easily one of the top 5 burgers at Walt Disney World. Maybe #1. I don’t make bold burger proclamations like that–further testing is going to be necessary to assess precisely where this lands on the list. That’s how the scientific process works. In the meantime, the Wayfinder Burger earns an enthusiastic endorsement.
There’s a mandate from above that I eat something healthy for everything unhealthy (think carbon credits, except I can’t buy them), so I opted for the Mac Salad as my side here. Hey, salad is salad, right?!
You’d never suspect this is a health food, because it is fantastic. The Mac Salad is made with ube, giving it a unique texture and chewiness. It’s heavy and creamy, with a mayo base and vinegar for a bit of zing. This Mac Salad lives up to the hype, and it’s something I’d order (and recommend) in an instant over the pretty pedestrian sweet potato fries.
Joking about health foods aside (because, in case it’s not clear, the mayo-heavy mac salad probably isn’t great for you), the combo I could see Sarah and I ordering going forward is the Wayfinder Burger and Poke Bowl. My gut says we’d order exactly as pictured above, and split evenly.
Along with this, we’d get the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken from the Kids’ Menu, and when our daughter invariably doesn’t eat all of that, we’d throw the remnants into the Poke Bowl (after finishing the Ahi Tuna). Best of all worlds, and an incredibly satisfying meal.
DOLE Whip Sundae ($8) – Hibiscus Meringue, Macerated Pineapple and Berries
Finally, we turn to dessert. This presentation here is undeniably stunning, making this an immediate winner for the camera and social media. With that said, something else should be immediately obvious: it’s small! (I miss the good ole days of the self-service Dole Whip machine at Capt. Cook’s.)
The accompaniments do a bit to elevate this Dole Whip Sundae, with the hibiscus meringue being crunchy and flavorful. The macerated pineapple also adds something, as do the blackberries and raspberries at the base of the ice cream.
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, this is still a Dole Whip. That sentence is meant to be open to your interpretation. I was personally a tad disappointed and hoping for further ‘elevation.’ At the same time, I’m not sure what I expected for $8. Perhaps I would’ve been happy with more soft-serve?
Ultimately, Wailulu Bar & Grill earns an easy and enthusiastic recommendation. This restaurant is yet another game-changer for Walt Disney World, belonging at or near the top of lists for best fireworks views, best bars & lounges, best burgers, best atmosphere, and more. It’s even deserving of a spot on the top 25 restaurants in all of Walt Disney World. If I had to decide where to rank it right now, I’d probably have Wailulu Bar & Grill replace California Grill. And that’s not because they’re both grills.
At the risk of stating the obvious, there are pretty big differences between California Grill and Wailulu Bar & Grill. Cuisine caliber and the purported ambitions of each make this a tough comparison (Signature Dining Experience vs. casual waterfront walk-up pool bar). But I’d argue that Wailulu Bar & Grill punches pretty far above its weight, whereas California Grill rests on its laurels and decades-old reputation.
Moreover, my perspective is that the selling point is the big views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom boasted by each. On balance, I’d rather have the less expensive meal and waterfront perspective as opposed to being held hostage (okay, dramatic hyperbole) by the pricey prix fixe meal at California Grill. To each their own on that, though, as it’s still the apples to oranges of resort-casual vs. fancier fine dining.
The bottom line is that Wailulu Bar & Grill is a restaurant that we will wholeheartedly recommend to family and friends, and it will replace California Grill as our endorsed restaurant for those wanting a Magic Kingdom or fireworks view. It’s also a spot that has already moved firmly into our regular rotation, surpassing both Geyser Point and Steakhouse 71 as a new favorite that offers the best of both of those worlds.
Wailulu Bar & Grill is so good that it almost makes us forgive Walt Disney World for building the garish monstrosity it’s housed inside. Okay okay, that’s taking the praise a bit too far. Nevertheless, we highly recommend Wailulu Bar & Grill as a must-do restaurant on your next Walt Disney World vacation.
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Your Thoughts
Have you dined at Wailulu Bar & Grill? Is it deserving of the hype and enthusiastic recommendation? Or are the comparisons to California Grill, Geyser Point, and Steakhouse 71 too much? Will you be attempting to dine at Wailulu Bar & Grill during your next Walt Disney World vacation? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? 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!