Toppolinos Or California Grill?

[Mojanko]

Can anyone who has been to both Toppolinos and California Grill for dinner talk a little about their comparison of the two experiences? Can you speak to the quality of food, quality of service, overall experience, and perceived value when comparing the two dining options? Our family of seven is getting together in late summer and we are trying to do one really nice meal together. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Tough one -- they are both amazing! I would probably give Topolino's the very slight edge on food but CG the very slight edge on view/overall experience. Honestly you can't go wrong with either one. My choice would probably be the one I'm staying more conveniently to.

 

[rick1zoo2]

Have been to both actually on the same trip in August 2020. And have been back to Topolinos a few times since, the most recent being February 2021. Although both are very good, I prefer Topolinos. The service is outstanding. The server we had at California Grill seemed more interested in other guests that I think were regulars, made us feel like we didn't belong there. The server either showed up at the wrong times, or the infamous "take that when you are ready" and disappearing when paying the check. The atmosphere seemed stuffy and pretentious. I remember the food being good, but not outstanding.

At Topolinos, the staff made it felt more like we were welcome there, the tables more spread out (even before pandemic), service was outstanding. The food was excellent - the Sole Meunière has to be one of the best dishes we have had at Disney. Just an overall enjoyable experience.

Both ended up being about the same cost, but for value, Topolinos wins out to me. We have been back to Topolinos several times and have reservations for our next trip in June.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Tough one -- they are both amazing! I would probably give Topolino's the very slight edge on food but CG the very slight edge on view/overall experience. Honestly you can't go wrong with either one. My choice would probably be the one I'm staying more conveniently to.

This pretty much sums it up. The two best restaurants on property(not counting DS) in my opinion.

ADRs are tough to get right now and a table of 7 makes it even harder. You may just have to go for which one you can get.

If I had never been to either, I would do CG fist simply for the view, since both have amazing food(for a theme park).

 

[Marthasor]

We've been to both and Cali Grill is a step above Topolino's, IMHO. The whole experience at Cali Grill feels special from being whisked up in a private elevator to the stunning view of MK. The food is good, not great, IMHO, but that goes for Topolino's as well. Topolino's was nice, but the view isn't spectacular, IMHO and it felt more casual than Cali Grill.

 

[MomOTwins]

We had a less than stellar experience at Topolino's at dinner for our anniversary (loved it for brunch, but obviously a different experience). Have always had a superb dinner at California Grill.

In terms of ambiance, I feel like Topolino's is very dependent on where your table is. We were far from the windows and so had no real view since the restaurant is a big square shape. At Cali Grill, because it has more of a narrow strip of tables curved around the the windows, the view is much better even when you are not right up against the windows. Also not as much as to see out the windows--at Cali Grill, you see the castle and lagoon, at Topolino's the nearest windows to us just looked toward some disney springs area hotels.

We started with the olives and ricotta, thinking that while both sounded simple, they might be done really well. Bad ideas. Nothing extraordinary about the olives, except the price, and the fact that none of them were the types of olives you'd actually find at the riviera. The ricotta was just bland.

Service was extremely slow. Water not refilled despite heat in august and server was nowhere to be found to request more. Waited so long for the check, I just told my husband and kids to leave and go back to the room while I waited to pay as the kids were getting bored/antsy. Still waited a very long time after being the only person at the table, holding my disney visa in my hand.

I was really excited for the "classic sole meuniere" at Topolinos because I've been to the French Riviera many times as a child (I grew up overseas) and it was always my favorite dish., but it came out very dry/overcooked, and the sauce was extremely salty and overwhelmed rather than complimented the dish. The side of "petite potatoes" was very greasy and served with the skins on, which is not authentic--they'd always be served peeled with a little olive oil in France.

Obviously, experiences vary, but it was really disappointing. I will chalk some of it up to growing pains being a new restaurant, especially since we went August last year not long after reopening. But we were also at Cali grill on the same trip and it was as perfect as always--likely because it had more experienced staff (our server had worked there for decades). I will probably give it one second chance but at the price, will give it a couple of years to iron out the kinks first.

 

[CJGamer]

They are both excellent- and 2 of my favorite. I did both of them last year, and we are going again this summer and I have reservations for both.
That said- California Grill for my needs is a bit more "flexible". You can just go there for sushi if you want that. Or a Pizza and an App. Or a big full dinner. Last time we did apps and desert only.
Topolino's is more your standard dinner type place- or- what I'm doing this year is a late (11:20) breakfast that will be brunch for us- and a 2nd reservation another night at 9pm for just desert (love that chocolate desert).
If you want a big dinner- I'd rather have Topolino's, but for any other type of dinner- California Grill.
To each their own though- as both of these places have excellent food, great views, and good service.

 

[gharter]

Tough choice
We were at both 2 weeks ago.
Topolinos had really good food. We had a window table, so a beautiful view. First time there and will go back.
We've been to California Grill multiple times and it was once again the star meal of our trip. As good as Topolinos was, CG was better in every aspect.
Will definitely go back to both on our next trip. I would try and work the evening meal to do both. If you can't do that, I would do Topolinos if you have never been there as it is very good and worth trying. Otherwise, I would pick CG.
You can't go wrong with either.

 

[wdwobsessed]

That’s a tough one. I’ve eaten at both. Last trip Topolino’s won out (we only had time to do one of the two). The sole is amazing. I dream about that dish.

That being said Cali Grill is also amazing! You can’t go wrong.
I do feel service at Topolino’s is a little more “warm”

 

[lorimay]

I say both are great and whichever one you are able to grab first, grab it.

 

[Eastern]

I was thinking about CG but I looked at the current menu: $17 for a salad, $54 for scallops and $9 for a cup of tea. Add $15 for one cocktail and you're at ~$120 pp with tax and 18% tip. And I picked midrange items. I think I'm out! It's good but I really don't think it's that good.

 

[Dug720]

I'm thinking about trying Topolino's in July. Cali Grill is too sushi and seafood heavy for me.