The Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is about to reopen following a multi-month renovation. The award-winning signature restaurant, renowned for its seasonally sourced menu and extensive wine collection, is now debuting a reimagined dining experience as it reopens its doors for its 25th anniversary.
We had the opportunity to experience the renovated space and menu ahead of the restaurant’s reopening, and we will share our experience with you. They really pulled out all of the stops to make this restaurant an even more special and unforgettable experience. At Mickey Visit, we share all of the latest Disney news, like a Space Mountain ride closure added to the refurb calendar, and a new Disney Visa Card launching with a $600 Disney Gift Card bonus.
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Napa Rose Reopening After Multi-Month Renovation
We had a lovely evening at the Grand Californian’s Napa Rose, experiencing the redesigned restaurant and updated menu, as part of a media preview hosted by Disney. The restaurant will reopen on February 6, 2026, with a reimagined dining experience led by Chef Andrew Sutton and Executive Chef Clint Chin.
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Nicholas Hockman, the general manager of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, mentioned something that stuck with me, and I think it sets the scene nicely for the rest of this review. He talked about how, when he was first starting out in the role, he was told that Napa Rose is often a guest’s first experience in the fine dining world. They wanted to protect this special experience by making the restaurant feel refined and elegant, but still welcoming and not intimidating.
I think that the renovation, combined with the incredibly warm and knowledgeable Cast Members at the restaurant, accomplishes this perfectly. I had not been to Napa Rose in quite a few years and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I instantly felt at ease in the beautiful atmosphere and warmth of Disney hospitality.
It was clear to me immediately upon entering the redesigned space that this was going to be a wonderful evening. If you are apprehensive about venturing into the world of fine dining, the Napa Rose is the perfect introduction.
100% of the Napa Rose Cast Members returned following its nine-month closure. This is a true testament to the love that the Cast Members have for this special dining experience.
We were fortunate to have Wendy as our server, who has been with the restaurant for 25 years since its opening. She is a perfect example of how the Cast Members here exude warmth, care, and deep knowledge of the restaurant and its offerings.
I highly recommend asking for her as your server. She really made this a wonderful experience for us and expertly paired each course with wines that perfectly complemented each dish.
Napa Rose Newly Renovated Space
The space draws inspiration from the Northern Californian Arts and Crafts tradition, with details that pay homage to the colors and textures of the Napa Valley region.
In the main dining room, guests can enjoy a four-course tasting menu, where they can select from multiple options for each course. In this dining area, you’ll find design details like a beautiful chandelier modeled after the Mission Vine, wooden columns with metal bands, evoking the essence of wine barrels, and a mural that highlights the vineyards of Napa Valley.
The space incorporates warm woods, cork, stone, and leather, along with architectural references to wine barrels and vineyard structures, creating a warm and interesting atmosphere.
For a special experience, guests can enjoy their meal at the Chef’s Counter, which allows up to 18 guests to dine with views of the exhibition kitchen. Guests can book seats online at NapaRose.com. Part of this renovation was the expansion of these counters, where guests can watch the culinary team at work.
The newly-renovated bar and lounge offers a new bar, cozy seating areas, and a new fireplace, with alfresco dining on the newly renovated outdoor patio. In the lounge, guests can enjoy a separate à la carte menu featuring small plates alongside offerings like caviar service, seafood preparations, and charcuterie, designed to pair with the wine and cocktail programs.
Here is a look at the bar area. Reservations are not required for the bar and lounge, and walk-ins are subject to availability.
Guests can also book the newly renovated private dining room, which accommodates up to 16 guests in a space that evokes the feeling of a wine cellar. Guests can contact the restaurant directly for booking.
We did not see the patio during the preview, but as part of the renovation, it has been enhanced with two new fireplaces.
Review of Napa Rose Refreshed Menu
As part of the evening, we got to try some of the items on the new menu that included a selection from each course of the seasonal prix fixe dining menu.
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They have also reimagined the cocktail menu to emphasize the kitchen’s seasonal, ingredient-driven philosophy. Nearly all of the components of these cocktails are prepared in-house, including tinctures, syrups, cordials, infused spirits, and garnishes.
Each cocktail on the menu draws inspiration from California history, agriculture, and regional landmarks. There are some really interesting and unique drinks in here. Here is a glimpse of it!
And, of course, Napa Rose boasts one of the most extensive wine programs in the region, housing more than 13,000 bottles across approximately 1,500 labels. This collection includes iconic producers and rare selections typically found only in private cellars.
Let’s get into our thoughts on the foods we tried. We had an amuse-bouche, three courses, an entrée, and dessert.
The amuse-bouche was a Signature Mushroom Cappuccino. This was the first taste of what was to be a wonderful meal. The foam on top was savory and flavorful, and the broth beneath had a rich mushroom flavor. This is meant to be sipped, then you spoon the mushrooms out at the end. It was a good way to warm up the palate and probably my unexpected favorite dish of the evening.
For our first course, we had the Sauteéd Seasonal Fish with lobster toast and lemon bubble. I took one bite and said, “Wow.” This was light, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The fish was the perfect level of tenderness.
For our second course, we had the American Wagyu N.Y. This is thinly sliced medium rare, with a grape mustardo. The wagyu was milder in flavor and complemented perfectly by the vegetables. All of the flavors were extremely harmonious. I was scraping the bottom of my plate for every last bite with this one.
For our third course, we had the Sorpesine Pasta, which has a California Crab broth and Pacific Uni. The pasta had a creamy, savory broth, with tender pieces of crab meat. Our great waitress, Wendy, paired this with a Chardonnay that was perfectly crisp and complementary to the dish.
For our entrées, we had the Sustainable Fish of the Day, which was a Swordfish with ancient grains, black lentils, and hikaji. It was delicious and tender, with a delicious and savory puree underneath. My boyfriend is not a lover of fish, but he said that this was one of the best-tasting things he’s eaten, against any other cut of meat. He said that he would eat fish every day if it were prepared with such skill as this. A high compliment!
We also had the Roasted Boneless Colorado Rack of Lamb, which came with a dried fig-orange gremolata. The lamb was perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned, juicy, and tender. It had a nice crust on it and delicious demi-glace.
For dessert, we had the Elevated and Reminiscent Valhrona Chocolate Bar with a hazelnut praline. This was a chocolate-hazelnut cannoli with lots of exciting elements that worked well together. We would almost consider this the fine dining version of a candy bar, and something I would gladly eat again and again. Without a doubt, this was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had!
Chef Andrew Sutton shared, “Reopening Napa Rose feels deeply personal. We took the time to do this thoughtfully – honoring the story of the space while allowing the restaurant to evolve into who we are today. We’re working at the strongest level we ever have, with a menu and wine program shaped by craftsmanship, seasonality, and a broader international perspective. Our focus has always been on cooking with intention and delivering a dining experience worth of Napa Rose’s place in California’s culinary landscape.”
The updated Napa Rose offers an incredible dining experience and a thoughtfully renovated space that is perfect for an intimate, upscale evening. We very much enjoyed our experience here. Though pricey, it is definitely worth considering dining here if you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to splurge on some top-tier dining.
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