Palo brunch or dinner?

[scarlett24]

We are going on our very first cruise in November. I have heard such great things about Palo, so I will try to get a reservation. I am not very much of a breakfast person and love to go out to dinner, but the brunch at Palo looks awesome. Is the brunch a buffet and you order off the menu? Does the brunch menu have selections other than breakfast food? No buffet at dinner, you just order off the menu? Do I have this right? Let me know your recommendation. Thanks so much. Mary

 

[RedSox68]

Brunch in Palo is an experience unto itself. It's my favorite "adult" thing to do onboard. First you get a "tour" of the islands and the main courses for the day, including the pizza appetizers which are all displayed near the cook station. Then you place your order for the entree(s) you want, the pizza, etc. In the meantime, you are free to visit the buffet sections as much as you would like. They have amazing food and a really nice variety. And whatever you do, don't miss the dessert island! That's worth giving up food for a week for

 

[Robin"D"]

BRUNCH!!!!

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[makaylee]

A few things I remember from the brunch menu are: a yummy fritatta sp? Chicken parm and a great veal dish. So yes there is a regular menu and it is fantastic! enjoy

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We are going on our very first cruise in November. I have heard such great things about Palo, so I will try to get a reservation. I am not very much of a breakfast person and love to go out to dinner, but the brunch at Palo looks awesome. Is the brunch a buffet and you order off the menu? Does the brunch menu have selections other than breakfast food? No buffet at dinner, you just order off the menu? Do I have this right? Let me know your recommendation. Thanks so much. Mary

It always seems when the brunch vs dinner at Palo question comes up, a majority say they prefer brunch. For us, we prefer dinner as it's more of an event or date night feel for us. We like the brunch, but only on cruises with multiple sea days. If I'm on a 4-night cruise with only 1 sea day, I don't want to waste a couple of hours of Bahamaian weather indoors at a brunch.

To answer your specific questions - the brunch does have certain items that you can order. Plus, there are some non-breakfast items (chilled -or nearly frozen -king crab legs and rock crab claws, sliced tenderloin, cheese and crackers, pizza, shrimp, etc.) The menu itself is not as extensive as dinner, but they are freshly made and good. The menu items are mostly "lunch type" items.

You are correct in that there is no buffet at dinner. I like the Beef Tenderloin Palo with a stack of au grautin potatoes. You can also get sample sizes to share. My DW and I like to share a small plate of the Pumpkin Gnocchi or Lobster Ravioli. For dessert, I have to always get the Panna Cotta (my personal favorite) as well as the souffle.

 

[drparoo]

Dinner. Why? Two words: CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

 

[jbuckent]

Being your first cruise I highly suggest you skip Palo dinner, you will miss out on the dining room experience which I think is a must for first timers. Palo dinner is great but its not great enough. We have done it twice and don't feel the need to go back ever again. Palo brunch on the other hand I suggest you do everything you can to get that reservation! If your not a big breakfast person make a later reservation for around 11:00.

 

[turbo teacher]

This will be our first cruise with DCL and we have reservations for brunch. Like the PP mentioned, we don't want to miss our evening dining rotation and we really enjoy eating as a family for dinner.

Happy Sailing!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Being your first cruise I highly suggest you skip Palo dinner, you will miss out on the dining room experience which I think is a must for first timers. Palo dinner is great but its not great enough. We have done it twice and don't feel the need to go back ever again. Palo brunch on the other hand I suggest you do everything you can to get that reservation! If your not a big breakfast person make a later reservation for around 11:00.

This will be our first cruise with DCL and we have reservations for brunch. Like the PP mentioned, we don't want to miss our evening dining rotation and we really enjoy eating as a family for dinner.

Happy Sailing!

If your cruise is 4 nights or longer, you can still make every rotational dinner menu and visit Palo for dinner. On the 4-night, you do it by scheduling Palo for pirate night. That way you don't miss any of the feature menus at the main restaurants. On the 7-nights, you have 4 extra nights to choose from and not miss the rotational menu.

 

[RedSox68]

As I said, we love brunch. But a vote for dinner is this: we did it for our anniversary and we could NEVER afford to eat at this type of restaurant off ship. For $20/pp, you cannot beat it. The food is very high end and the service is unbeatable. Plus all those windows at night with the stars and moon outside is VERY romantic

 

[KSDisneyDad]

As I said, we love brunch. But a vote for dinner is this: we did it for our anniversary and we could NEVER afford to eat at this type of restaurant off ship. For $20/pp, you cannot beat it. The food is very high end and the service is unbeatable. Plus all those windows at night with the stars and moon outside is VERY romantic

Or better yet, an early dinner watching the sun set over the ocean.

 

[Magic3forme]

Dinner!! I dont even order the chocolate souffle either! I just love the soup, pizza, etc etc.

 

[drparoo]

Dinner!! I dont even order the chocolate souffle either! I just love the soup, pizza, etc etc.

Can I have yours?

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Is the brunch dress code the same as dinner?

ETA: nevermind, it seems brunch is not available on my cruise.

 

[jbuckent]

If your cruise is 4 nights or longer, you can still make every rotational dinner menu and visit Palo for dinner. On the 4-night, you do it by scheduling Palo for pirate night. That way you don't miss any of the feature menus at the main restaurants. On the 7-nights, you have 4 extra nights to choose from and not miss the rotational menu.

You may not miss the rotational dinner but you will miss the pirate dinner.

First Disney cruise, dinners in dining room, second cruise (because I know you will have a second) go for Palo.

 

[ppony]

Dinner. Why? Two words: CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

If you can, do both! We were lucky enough to be able to do both and enjoyed both IMMENSELY!!!! if I could choose just one though???? Man, tough call!!!!! I'm not a seafood eater and so much of breakfast had seafood, BUT there was still plenty to choose from. SO MUCH!! it was teh first time I'v ever ahd eggs benedict. I had 2! I couldn't even have the fruit crepe ir pizza (can't remember) that I had wanted because I was so full from the eggs. SO GOOD! I don't wnat to choose! SO I'm not gonna! And that doesn't help you in the elast. You'd love both!

 

[DVCcruise]

Would love a more recent opinion...

 

[Ware Bears]

Brunch for us. We tried dinner for the first time last month and although the food, service, setting etc were all faultless we just felt underwhelmed. We're happy we've been but wouldn't go back. Brunch every time for us.

 

[Dug720]

I love them both and generally do them both.

That said, if it's a four night there will only be the one sea day with the option for brunch - and if for some reason that becomes a Castaway day for maintenance or the AquaDuck breaking down (both reported on another thread) no brunch for you because the crew has to work the island dining areas. Something to consider.

 

[TestingH2O]

I've only done brunch because we really enjoy our family time for dinner. I'm sure one of these days I'll get tired enough of MDR food that I'll try dinner, but for now I wouldn't want to miss that family time.

Also, they keep testing brunch in Nassau day. I wouldn't give up all hope yet.