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Palo Brunch Menu – Is it Worth It [Updated 2023]

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The Palo Brunch Menu is available on all of the Disney ships. 

Palo is the adult-only restaurant that serves Brunch on sea days, as well as serving Dinner every night of your cruise.

What is available on the Palo Brunch Menu?

Read on to find out all that Palo Menu offers together with pictures and reviews of the food available.

Also, this Palo review is now fully updated for the changes since sailings began again in 2021.

Disney Palo Brunch Menu

disney palo menu

Palo is available on all of the Disney ships. It has also been announced that Palo Steakhouse will be on the new Disney Wish.

You have to be 18 or over to eat in Palo and there is an additional charge of $50 which is charged to your stateroom account.

Note that for the Australia and New Zealand sailings the charge for Palo Brunch is $60. This is because the tip of 20% is included in the rate.

Even though there is an upcharge I think that it is more than worth it. The quality of the food and the service at Palo are extremely high.

And you certainly will not be going hungry!

 

Prior to 2021, there were two elements to the Palo Brunch:

  • The Buffet Table
  • The Menu
Idisneycruisepalodinner

In the past, many guests didn’t even realize, prior to their first visit to Palo, that there was a menu available. The emphasis was very much on the Buffet Table.

However, this has now changed since the Disney ships began sailing again in 2021.

Not only was there a price increase for Palo Brunch and Dinner from $40 to $45 and then to $50 each, but the highly popular Brunch Buffet Table is now gone.

Guests now choose from the Palo Brunch Menu. This has largely stayed the same, except for the addition of the Anti Pasti and Dessert sections.

The Palo Brunch Menu is changed from time to time. and the last major change to the cooked menu was in September 2016.

disneycruisepalomenu

It used to be that the hot entree items were displayed so you could see what you would be ordering.

This was either out on the open kitchen in the Disney Wonder and Magic, or on a buffet table on the Dream and Fantasy.

They do not do this anymore and really I don’t miss that feature. It always seemed a little strange and unnecessary.

 

Disney Palo Brunch Menu 2021

This is the menu as it used to be:

palobrunchmenu

This part is still exactly the same, but there are additional items:

The Disney Palo Menu 2023

disney palo brunch 2022 menu
The new Palo Menu for 2023

Palo Brunch Menu Antipasti Selection

Alaskan King Crab Legs, Jonah Crab Claws, Lemon Marinated Shrimp, Marinated Green Lip Mussels, Spiced Ahi Tuna served with Meyer Lemon, Saffron Aioli, and Cocktail Sauce.

Sliced Prociutto, Sliced Coppa, Sliced Bresaola, Salame Gentile, Marinated Cerignola Olives, Roasted Garlic, Caciotta al tarufo, Parmesan Reggiano amd Sweet Pepperdew.

Palo Brunch Menu Dessert Selection

disney cruise palo desert menu
  • Warm Amaretto Chocolate Fondant Served with Espresso Gelato
  • Limoncello Almond Torte with Citrus Salad. Kataifi Pastry and Clotted Creme
  • Raspberry Chocolate Crunch Tart with Bittersweet Ganache, fresh Raspberries, and Whipped Cream
  • Traditional Tiramisu with Coffee
  • 5 Layered Pistachio Cake – layers of Pistachio Chiffon and Drak Chocolate Truffle, brushed with Raspberry Paste.
  • Vanilla Berry Panna Cotta served with Strawberry Basil Sorbet.

If you want to see a Palo Brunch Review from 2019 click here.

How Has Palo Brunch Changed?

Disney Palo Restaurant
Disney Wonder Palo Open Kitchen

I sailed on the Disney Wonder in April 2022 and experienced it for the first time since the buffet was no longer available.

This is now the antipasti seafood selection:

disney palo antipasti
Disney Palo Seafood Antipasti

Was I disappointed? Yes. Very.

The thing I used to enjoy was the buffet. The other items on the menu were for me, secondary to the buffet.

You are still offered a complementary glass of Proseco

palobruchdrinks

The bread service is still very tempting!

palo brunch bread
Bread Selection Served at Palo Brunch

Here is the part of the menu which hasn’t changed.

Disney Palo Brunch Soup

disneypalorestaurant

The first section is Soup, with a choice of

  • Heirloom Tomato and Basil Soup
  • Celery Soup

For me, morning seems a slightly strange time to be ordering soup!

Waffles and Pancakes

disneypalobrunchmenu
Palo Brunch 2019

Whilst most of the main dishes seemed to be the same standard, I was disappointed in the Mickey Waffle as it just wasn’t as well cooked or presented.

palo brunch mickey pancake 2022
Palo Brunch Mickey Waffle 2022

This is more like the traditional brunch fare.

  • Strawberry Waffles
  • Apple Cinnamon Waffles
  • Buttermilk Pancakes
  • Blueberry Pancakes

All are served with Whipped Cream and Berries. Of course, the waffles are Mickey Waffles!

Disney Palo Eggs Menu

disneypalobrunchreview

This is a very traditional brunch menu:

  • Eggs Benedict
  • Eggs on Toasted Muffin
  • Eggs Florentine
  • Cheese and Ham Frittata
  • Zucchini Frittata
  • Three Cheese Omelet
  • Tomato and Onion Omelet
disneywonderpalomenu

This is the Tomato and Red Onion Omelet. It has a really good flavor and was perfectly cooked.

Palo Brunch Pizzas

disneypalobrunchordinner
  • Calzone filled with Proscuitto, Basil, Bell Peppers, and Mozzarella Cheese
  • Flatbreads – Margherita, Goat Cheese, and Sun-dried Tomato or Spicy Italian Sausage

I admit that I have never sampled one of the Palo Flatbreads or the Calzone. It just seems a little much when combined with the buffet.

Palo Brunch Entree Menu

disneycruisepalo

The design of Palo is different on the Classic Ships compared to the Dream Class.

The Classic Disney Wonder and Magic have an open kitchen for Palo. The Disney Dream and Fantasy do not have an open kitchen.

Personally, I like being able to see the chefs prepare the food.

  • Rollatini Melanzane
  • Pennette Pasta
  • Artichoke Ravioli
  • Roasted Red Snapper Filet
  • Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
  • Lasagna Bolognaise
  • Veal Saltimbocca
  • Grilled Cut Sirloin Steak

I don’t eat meat, so I usually choose the Artichoke Ravioli. This is one of my favorite dishes at Palo.

disneypaloravioli

I have also tried the Roasted Red Snapper Filet. It was just OK and I wished that I had ordered my usual Artichoke Ravioli.

palo brunch entree

There used to be a special on the Palo Menu.

On the last cruise in 2019, it was a soft-boiled egg in breadcrumbs that was deep-fried. The Hollandaise Sauce was amazing. I really enjoyed this as it was a great combination of flavors.

However, no special items were offered in 2023.

There used to be a chocolate dessert that was always brought to the table at the end of the meal. However, this doesn’t seem to be available on the menu now.

disneypalofood

You used to choose from a selection of desserts at the buffet table.

This has been replaced by a dessert menu.

disney cruise palo desert menu

This was the Raspberry Chocolate Crunch Tart

palo brunch dessert

The Vanilla Berry Panna Cotta was delicious but I didn’t particularly like the Strawberry Basil Sorbet.

palo brunch 2022

Palo Brunch Drinks

disneycruisepalowine

The cost of the Palo Brunch includes a complimentary glass of Sparkling Wine or a Mimosa. There is a full bar available for an additional cost.

The Palo Brunch menu also shows:

  • Palo Bloody Mary $10.50
  • Bellini $5.00

Soda, coffee, and tea are also included. The coffee is so much better in Palo than in the rotational dining restaurants and Cabanas.

disneypalodrinks

If you order tea you are offered a selection in this very attractively presented box.

Palo Brunch Buffet Items

I wondered whether to leave this section in, because of the 2021 changes to the Palo Brunch. This buffet is no longer available.

However, I am still hopeful that one day this part of the Palo Brunch will return, So I decided to leave this part of the article so that you could see what it was like.

The main emphasis of the Palo Brunch used to be the extensive selection of buffet items. There are tables set up for you to select whatever you want and as much as you want.

disneypalobuffetmenu

One of my favorite sections was the incredible selection of different cheese from around the World.

disneypalocheese

It is very difficult to know where to start if you are a cheese lover. Even more difficult to know when to stop!

palobuffet

The Seafood Section is also a favorite. The Alaskan Crab Legs are so good. If you are a fan of Ahi Tuna you are in for a treat.

Some elements of this are still available on the Anti Pasti Menu.

disneypaloseafood

The smoked salmon is also highly recommended. The salmon mousse is delicious too.

disneypaloworthit

If you like Caviar this is the place to be. The Sea Scallops are excellent too.

disneypalobrunchpicture

You may not be able to resist the amazing selection of pastries.

disneycruisepalo

The Chocolate Chip Brioche Twist is amazing.

disney palo pastries

There is a large selection of bread. Ideal to go with the cheese. The Deviled Eggs are also one of my favorites.

paloworthit

The Olives and the Marinated Mushrooms are also really good.

disneypalobrunch

Of course, you have to save room for dessert. There is so much to choose from.

disneypalobrunchfood

Fortunately, the portions are small so you don’t feel quite so guilty.

disneypalotips

How Much To Tip at Disney Palo Brunch?

disneypalophoto

The charge for Disney Palo Brunch or Dinner is $40 per person. For Brunch, this includes a complimentary glass of Champagne or a Mimosa.

A lot of people ask how much they should tip for Disney Palo Brunch.

Tips are not required at Disney Palo, they are at your discretion. However, it is customary to leave a gratuity for your Server at Palo.

The standard of service at Palo is exceptional. Your Server will not be attending to an overwhelming number of tables and so usually has time to chat as well as attend to your every request.

I would suggest that a tip of at least 18% be left for your Palo Server. As the basic cost is so reasonable this really isn’t a huge amount, so I often leave more.

However, how much to tip at Palo is entirely up to you.

Is Palo Different on Each Disney Ship?

disneypaloromantic

Palo is the same design on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. It is located on Deck 10 of the ship.

Each restaurant has enough seating for 120 guests, but I have never seen it at capacity. Of course, at the moment, it will not be anywhere near capacity.

disneypalomenupicture
Disney Palo on the Wonder

The Classic Ships have an open kitchen at the back of the restaurant, with the buffet tables arranged at the front of this.

The best tables in Palo on the Disney Wonder and Magic are on the starboard side close to the window.

You can see the ocean and even indulge in some people watching. If the sun gets too bright, just ask your server to adjust the blinds.

The Disney Fantasy and Dream are also the same design as each other. Palo is located on Deck 12 of the Classic Ships.

disneyfantasypalo
Disney Palo on the Fantasy

They are larger than the Classic ships with a seating capacity of 128 and 16 outside.

They also have fabulous views of the ocean from the window seats.

Disney Wish will have Palo as one of its restaurants. Here is a full guide to all of the Disney Wish Restaurants.

Is Disney Palo Brunch Worth It?

I so rarely ever say this about anything on a Disney Cruise, but right now I do not feel that the Disney Brunch is worth the cost.

I was fortunate as my family and I received this at no cost as we are Platinum Disney Castaway Club members.

The service is excellent and the quality of the food is very good.

However, what made the Palo brunch such a great experience for me and I think many other guests, was the buffet.

I hope it returns soon. In the meantime, I will be choosing dinner at Palo instread.

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Debbie Evangelatos

Saturday 2nd of September 2023

Palo Brunch for the Australian/NZ cruises for 2023 is $60 USD !!

Alison

Sunday 3rd of September 2023

That would include a 20% gratuity which will be automatically added for the Australia and New Zealand Cruises.

Top 10 Romantic Things To Do On A Disney Cruise - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Thursday 30th of January 2020

[…] well as the buffet tables there is a Palo Menu which has a la carte breakfast and lunch items. Usually I prefer the buffet items but there are […]