Gluten-Free Dining at Sebastian's Bistro (Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort)

Tucked away behind the main lobby of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Sebastian’s Bistro offers a relaxed escape with beautiful waterfront views. From the restaurant, you can see Disney’s Riviera Resort and watch the Skyliner glide overhead, adding a little extra Disney magic to the atmosphere.

With its bright, airy design, tropical touches, and cozy yet modern feel, Sebastian’s Bistro perfectly complements the laid-back Caribbean theming of the resort. (We’ll dive into the décor details in the next section!)

This was mine and Mr. Garlic’s second visit—our first was before I switched to a gluten-free diet. Since we loved the experience back then, we wanted to return and see how well they handle allergy-friendly dining. Spoiler alert: Sebastian’s Bistro still holds its spot as one of our favorite resort dining locations!

Atmosphere & Ambiance:

walkway and palm tree caribbean beach resort disney

Nestled behind the main lobby of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Sebastian’s Bistro offers a tropical retreat that feels both modern and cozy. The walkway to the restaurant follows the water’s edge, lined with swaying palm trees and lush tropical plants, setting the tone for a relaxed, beachside escape.

The exterior architecture is reminiscent of a colorful beach house, with bright green, blue, yellow, and pink accents adding to its island charm. Just to the right of the entrance, an open-air bar invites guests to unwind, complete with bench swing seating around the edges—perfect for soaking in the laid-back Caribbean vibes.

Inside, the dining room feels both intimate and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering gorgeous water views. On a clear evening, guests can even catch glimpses of the EPCOT fireworks in the distance. Though the restaurant itself is dimly lit, the decor is bright and modern, featuring subtle tropical elements that give it a romantic, upscale feel without feeling stuffy.

As for seating, both booths and padded chairs are available, and I’ve tried both. Even with back and hip issues, I found the seating comfortable enough for an extended meal—a big plus in my book! The tables are well-spaced, allowing for easy movement and a sense of privacy—you’re close enough to enjoy the ambiance but not so close that you feel like you're part of someone else’s conversation.

On this visit, we were seated right against the wall with a window view overlooking Disney’s Riviera Resort—a peaceful and scenic spot, especially on a foggy night, when the water took on an almost dreamlike quality.

Service & Experience:

One of the perks of dining at Sebastian’s Bistro is that it tends to be less crowded than many other Disney resort restaurants. I was able to secure a reservation just a couple of days in advance through the My Disney Experience app without any trouble.

Our reservation was for 7:00 PM, but since Disney dining allows guests to check in up to 20 minutes early (note: this is the case for all Disney dining reservations, including the parks), we stopped by the hostess stand right outside the restaurant a bit ahead of time. She let us know our table would be ready in just a few minutes. I figured I had enough time to run to the nearby restroom, but before I even got there, I received a text letting me know our table was ready—talk about efficiency!

Since I had marked my gluten allergy when making the reservation in the app, our server was already aware and immediately walked us through how the restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions. Sebastian’s Bistro operates on a family-style, all-you-can-eat format, where everyone pays a set price ($39 per person as of January 2025) and enjoys a spread of bread, meats, sides, and dessert served on large platters for the table to share.

Find the current Sebastian's Bistro Menu here.

The great thing about this setup is that it’s highly adaptable for dietary needs. The restaurant even offers a fully vegetarian/vegan version of the meal. But in our gluten-allergy case, my partner received the regular bread and dessert, while I was given a separate allergy-friendly version. For the meats and sides, we were served only gluten-free options, which were prepared in a dedicated kitchen space to ensure they were safe for me to eat.

The service was fantastic—our server was knowledgeable, patient, and understanding, taking the time to answer all of my questions without rushing us. On top of that, they had a fun and welcoming attitude, making the entire experience feel even more relaxed and enjoyable.

Food & Drinks:

Drinks

To start the meal, I ordered the Caribbean Sangria (Opici Family Selection Sangria topped with Barbancourt Pango Rhum – $15.00). Unfortunately, this one wasn’t a favorite. Unlike most sangrias, it lacked any noticeable wine flavor and instead tasted more like watered-down tropical Kool-Aid—a bit sweeter than expected and lacking depth. Not terrible, just not something I’d order again.

Later in the meal, I decided to try the Caribbean Mai Tai (Bacardí Superior Rum, Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), and Lime Juice – $16.50), and it was fantastic. The balance of boozy warmth, tangy tropical flavors, and a subtle hint of almond made it smooth and perfectly sippable—not too sweet, just the right amount of richness. I loved it so much, I ended up ordering two more! This is the kind of drink I’ll be dreaming about for a long time.

Starters

The meal at Sebastian’s Bistro begins with Buttery House-Baked Pull-Apart Rolls (served with Guava Butter and Caramelized Onion Jam) and the Spice Necklace Salad (Mixed Greens with Spiced Candied Pumpkin Seeds, Tropical Fruit, and Radish with Key Lime Dressing).

Since the meal is served family-style, my partner received the regular rolls, while I was given a gluten-free version clearly marked with an allergy marker. I asked if they were pre-packaged, and our server confirmed that they were Udi’s dinner rolls—the same brand used at Jersey Mike’s for their gluten-free bread. The texture isn’t my favorite (a little dry and gritty), but the flavor was quite nice, especially when slathered with the guava butter and onion jam. I even saved one to use as a sandwich roll when the meats arrived!

Click here to see the Udi's Gluten-Free Dinner Roll Packaging from their website.

gluten free dinner rolls disney sebastians bistro

The Spice Necklace Salad was a refreshing start to the meal—fresh, citrusy, and lightly crunchy, thanks to the spiced pumpkin seeds. The key lime dressing added a zesty brightness, making it a solid appetizer without feeling too heavy.

the spice necklace salad disney sebastains bistro

Main Course

The main course arrived as a large platter of meats and sides, all clearly marked with allergy markers to indicate they were gluten-free and safe for both of us. The selection included:

Oven-Roasted Chicken with Tamarind Barbecue
Slow-Cooked Mojo Pork with Mango Sambal
Chili-Rubbed Beef with Roasted Red Pepper Chimichurri
Baked Fish with Citrus Butter

For sides, we received:

Cilantro Rice and Beans
Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
Candied Plantains

sebastians bistro gluten free family style dinner

I made sure to try a little bit of everything—and loved every single bite.

The chicken was moist, well-seasoned, and flavorful.
The mojo pork was tender, rich, and perfectly spiced.
The baked fish was delicate, buttery, and had a light citrusy kick (Mr. Garlic wasn’t a fan, but he’s not a fish person).
My absolute favorite? The chili-rubbed beef. It was perfectly cooked to medium, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and packed with bold, smoky flavors.

The sides balanced the meal perfectly—starchy but light, with just the right amount of seasoning to complement the meats. The meal is all-you-care-to-enjoy, meaning you can request more of any specific item or the whole platter, but honestly, the first round comes with so much food that I’ve never had room to ask for seconds.

sebastians bistro allergy friendly meats

sebastians bistro allergy friendly side dishes

Dessert

For dessert, my partner received the House-Made Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding (served with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream). I’ve had this before going gluten-free, and it’s absolutely delicious—a warm, custardy, tropical-flavored treat.

Since a gluten-free dessert isn’t listed on the menu, I assumed I’d have to sit this course out while watching him devour his bread pudding. But to my pleasant surprise, I was brought a warm gluten-free brownie with a HUGE scoop of vanilla ice cream!

I asked the server if it was made in-house, and he let me know it was prepackaged and brought me the box to peep—Sweet Street Desserts was the brand. Honestly, I would have never guessed it wasn’t homemade. The brownie was warm, gooey, and packed with big chunks of chocolate—so good that even though I was stuffed, I couldn’t stop taking bites. Mr. Garlic (a serious chocolate lover) even said he might have liked it more than his bread pudding!

Below is an image of the packaging & a link to the Sweet Street Dessert brownie if you liked to check them out! (Not sponsored, just really good)

Overall Pros & Cons:

Pros

There’s so much to love about Sebastian’s Bistro, and after trying nearly every restaurant on Disney property, I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be my absolute favorite. Here’s why:

Relaxing yet elegant atmosphere – The beachy tropical vibes instantly transport you into vacation mode, while the bright, airy design keeps it feeling sophisticated and fresh rather than kitschy or outdated.
Scenic views – The wrap-around windows offer stunning views of the water, Disney’s Riviera Resort, the Skyliner, and even fireworks from EPCOT at the right time of night.
Convenient location – After dinner, you can hop on the Skyliner for a nightcap at EPCOT, making it a perfect start to an evening out.
A hidden gem (for now!) – This is one of the best-kept secrets at Disney. It’s not difficult to get a reservation, which is a rarity for a meal of this quality.
Comfortable seating & spacious layout – Tables are well-spaced, allowing room to move and enough privacy to enjoy your meal without overhearing every conversation around you.
Incredible value – At $39 per adult (as of Jan 2025), you get a full multi-course meal:
- Appetizers
- A variety of meats & sides
- Dessert
- All-you-care-to-enjoy servings if you want more of anything
- Honestly, for the portion sizes and quality, this meal is borderline fine-dining at a casual dining price.
Romantic setting – The soft lighting and cozy ambiance make it a great spot for date night, but it’s also welcoming for families and groups.

Cons

Honestly? Not much! The only minor downsides:

The Caribbean Sangria was disappointing (too sweet and watered-down), but my other cocktails more than made up for it.
The only real complaint? My pants were a lot tighter leaving than when I arrived. 😆

Know Before You Go:

Reservations: While not required, reservations are highly recommended and can be made in advance through:
- My Disney Experience App or Online (starting at 6 AM EST, up to 60 days in advance)
- By Phone (starting at 7 AM EST by calling 407-WDW-DINE)

Parking: Guests not staying at Caribbean Beach Resort can park for free with a restaurant reservation. Simply show your reservation and ID at the entrance gate, and the guard will direct you where to go.

Skyliner Access: There are two nearby Skyliner stations:
- One at the main entrance of Caribbean Beach Resort
- One at Riviera Resort (which is actually a bit closer to Sebastian’s and just a short walk away!)
- From this location, travel time to EPCOT is about 7 minutes, making it an easy stop before or after your meal.

Dress Code: There is no strict dress code at Sebastian’s Bistro—casual park attire is perfectly fine.

Allergy Accommodations: Sebastian’s Bistro is great with food allergies and can provide dedicated allergy-friendly meals prepared in a separate kitchen area. If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, you can note it when making your reservation in the My Disney Experience app, online, or by phone.

Final Verdict: Would I Recommend Sebastian’s Bistro?

Absolutely, yes!

If you’re looking for affordable, delicious food with beautiful views and a stress-free dining experience, this is the place for you. The wide variety of meats, sides, and starters ensures there’s something for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions. Even now as a gluten-free diner, I found the experience to be just as wonderful as before—thoughtful accommodations, flavorful dishes, and outstanding service.

Have you dined at Sebastian’s Bistro? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! What was your favorite dish? And if you’re planning a visit soon, what are you most excited to try?

Looking for more Disney dining reviews? Check out my other restaurant experiences: