Steakhouse 71 is the newest restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and opened as part of the Resort’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations. Named after the year both Walt Disney World and the Contemporary Resort opened, Steakhouse 71 takes the place of the popular Wave Restaurant. We have now visited Steakhouse 71 for dinner on a couple of occasions, and we consider it one of the best value restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Of course, “best value” is a matter of opinion, and with entrees averaging around $35, this isn’t a cheap meal. However, Steakhouse 71 is probably the closest venue to a Disney Signature Restaurant without paying for the vastly inflated practices. As an example, at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, you will be paying around $55 or two dining credits for a similar entree. When it returns, The Disney Dining Plan is where the value of Steakhouse 71 is fully realized, as it will cost just one credit compared to two at Signature Locations.
Our review focuses on dinner at Steakhouse 71, but the restaurant is also open for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is waiter-served, and entrees include steak and eggs, omelets, eggs benedict, and pancakes. Most entrees are under $20, which is good value if paying out of pocket but not if you are using the Disney Dining Plan. Lunch consists of a lighter selection of dishes compared to dinner and includes burgers, steaks, and sandwiches. Lunch dishes are much cheaper than dinner, so guests using the Dining Plan wanting the best value should book a Dinner Reservation. Steakhouse 71 is very popular, and Advance Dining Reservations do book up fairly early.
In addition, there is the Steakhouse 71 Lounge serving drinks and smaller bites.
Whether visiting Steakhouse 71 is a good decision really does depend on whether you like steak. If you don’t like steak, the choices are fairly limited, and even more so if you have a dietary need. Like most Walt Disney World Restaurants since reopening, menus are fairly short, and there are limited options for guests with food allergies and intolerances. If you are vegetarian or vegan, the only option served is a Vegetable Wellington, which isn’t suitable for guests with several common allergies, including gluten.
A mix of starters is available, including salads, crab cakes, and French onion soup. French onion soup must be one of the most common dishes served at Walt Disney World; I have lost count of the number of times I have seen it on a menu. However, my personal recommendation is the Steakhouse 71 Onion Rings.
Assuming you are having a steak, and I couldn’t really understand why you would visit Steakhouse 71 if you weren’t, you have a choice of one side and one sauce. Au Gratin Potatoes are my recommendation for a side, but there isn’t enough to share. You will inevitably purchase additional sides to have vegetables with your meal. There are seven sauces to choose from, or you can pay extra to have a light of all seven sauces.
Steakhouse 71 does do steaks very well, in my opinion, but online reviews are very mixed. Our experiences have been good, but reports of poor service and incorrectly cooked steaks appear fairly common.
Desserts are fairly limited, and it is very likely you might not have space for one, but the Creme Brulee was very good.
I think Steakhouse 71 is an excellent addition to the Walt Disney World Dining Circuit. However, if you don’t like steak or have dietary requirements, it probably isn’t for you. When the Disney Dining Plan returns in 2024, it will be one of the most popular venues to book.
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Our Guide to Walt Disney World is a fantastic place to start your research for a Walt Disney World Vacation.
To learn more about Dining at Walt Disney, visit our Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.
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