Lunch At Satu'li Canteen in Pandora: The World Of Avatar

Deep in the Valley of Mo'ara guests hungry from their intergalactic journey will find a place to rest and refuel their bodies at the Satu'li Canteen. "Owned and operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), Satu'li Canteen supplies travelers all the comforts of home - courtesy of a unique, fast-casual menu that's been crafted from Pandora's natural abundance."


Satu'li Exterior Entrance With Seating
Satu'li Canteen Menu Highlights Board


From the outside the Satu'li Canteen building sits in low profile amongst the natural Pandoran landscape. Don't let its subtle profile fool you though, it's a trick of the eye due to the massive mountains of the Valley you've just walked through. Satu'li Canteen is indeed a large space, with soaring ceilings, that's been converted from an RDA mess hall. Clever visitors will notice the interesting juxposition of the stark industrial military Quonset-hut structure now decorated with Na'vi art and cultural items from organic materials. This is a trait that echos throughout the Valley, and guests are given the unique opportunity to explore the exotic place.

Outside along the trail guests will find a menu board that details some of the more inspired dishes available at Satu'li Canteen. To get in to the restaurant simply proceed beneath the somewhat cave-like curve of the hut that has been turned into a breezy outdoor dining space. Glass doors invite you inside to find a meal and cool place to rest.


Satu'li Low Profile Roofline
Interesting Exterior Lantern Shades
Shaded Exterior Seating



Inside you will be immediately met with artistic details that rise high above you. The beaded Na'vi art weaves its way through the space like an intricate web of dreams. Tribal music of the Na'vi plays wafts through the space, which can admittedly get a little loud in some sections. Half walls that look like they were sculpted from waves of mud separate the room into smaller dinning areas. This detail goes a long way to make the cavernous space feel more intimate and friendly.

Large tables that break up the room from seating for small groups have tent signs on them that declare the big tables "reserved for parties of six or more." As someone who often travels with a party of six or more, I really appreciated this detail. It can be difficult for big groups to find seating together.


Organic Na'vi Beaded Art Stretches High Above
The Interior Is Artistic And Organic


Guests will find the queue for ordering on the left hand side of the building. For a counter service restaurant I was pretty impressed with the details of the queue space, there's quite a bit of thought in design here with an overall attraction-like feeling to the queue. Artistic details continue to meld the feeling of the abandoned RDA space as guests travel through the right side queue, with business propaganda from Alpha Centari Expeditions, and native Na'vi touches. You can even read framed letters from the ACE Executives and happy travelers on the walls while you wait your turn. An ACE Guide standing at the front of the queue will even direct you to the appropriate number to stand on for ordering. From that point it's pretty straight forward.

It's worth noting that Satu'li Canteen offers Mobile Ordering and guests that are coming in to pick up orders that have already been placed should stick to the left hand side of the queue.


Na'vi Details In The Queue
Details From Alpha Centauri Expeditions
Well Organized Ordering Queue
Full Menu Boards And Pick-up Windows


The basis of Satu'li Canteen's food offering are healthy, natural whole foods from the "Pandoran wilderness." Guests create their own dish by choosing from a number of whole food grains, veggies, proteins, and sauces that are brought together in one bowl to make a meal. This straightforward way for creating your meal is popular for its ease of customization, especially for guests who are dining with specific dietary needs. In addition to the standard selections of non-alcoholic beverages, there are several fun themed alcoholic beverages on the menu at Satu'li Canteen too. These include the the Pandoran Sunrise, the Dreamwalker Sangria, Hawkes' Grog Ale, and Mo'ara High Country Ale. While waiting at the pick-up window we couldn't help but snap a picture of the adorable taps for the specialty brews.

Since I was on the Disney Dining Plan, I choose the Dreamwalker Sangria as my beverage of choice. It has a pretty blue color, and comes garnished with three grapes to give the idea of a Mickey Mouse icon. Sadly that is where the pleasantries ended. Dreamwalker Sangria tasted like nothing more than blue Powerade mixed with white wine. It was horrible. So much so that a cast member who was wiping tables down nearby noticed me recoil and push it aside. She advised me that I could return the beverage to the counter for something else or a refund. The cast members at Satu'li were friendly and attentive.


Clever Taps For Local Brews
My Full Lunch Order


I am a huge fan of Bao, and I was super excited to see them on this menu in their traditional shape, with a unique filling. I had been waiting to try the Cheeseburger Steamed Pods for a year after Pandora had opened. These turned out to be a great example of why I shouldn't get too excited when I see something I love on a Disney menu. The Cheeseburger Steamed Pod is stuffed with Ground Beef, Ketchup, Mustard, Pickle and Cheddar Cheese. Packed full of things I love this should have been a home run for me. Meh - they were OK. None of the flavors really stood out to me, and the filling was a little dry.

Luckily, the sides really stepped up to the plate with full flavor. Served with Vegetable Slaw with Boba Balls, and Vegetable Chips I would have been pretty happy with just a plate of the sides. The slaw (which is also included in the bowl dishes) was exceptionally good. The veg was nice and crunchy with a fresh tangy dressing that has just bit of kick, and mango bursting bubbles for a touch a fruit. Next were the mixed vegetable chips that included: russet potato, blue potato, and sweet potato. The chips seemed like they may be made in house. They were light and crispy, with just the right amount of seasoning and just a kiss of heat on the end. I don't usually like sweet potato things, but these chips were fantastic.


Cheeseburger Pods And Slaw
Cheeseburger Pods Cross Section


For dessert I ordered the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse, and it was lovely. The brightly colored dish is not only pleasing to the eyes in its design, but has a great flavor combination. A soft blueberry vanilla flavor infused into a velvety smooth mousse is topped with dome of passionfruit curd and a dollop of whipped cream. The Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse itself was a bit too sweet on its own for my taste, but the passion fruit curd and a streak of tart fruit sauce on the plate adds just the right brightness to balance it out.


Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse
Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse Cross Section


My overall impression of Satu'li Canteen was favorable, even though I wasn't thrilled with the main part of what I had ordered, it wasn't bad. The food bowls on the plates of surrounding tables looked interesting enough to make me consider it again on my next trip to Pandora. Not to mention I would happily by bags of those chips to munch on around the Park.

If you would like to read another review including some of the other dishes being served at Satu'li Canteen, be sure to head on over to the DFB for FULL Review: The New Satu'li Canteen in Animal Kingdom's Pandora - The World of AVATAR. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to save the image below to your Disney Pinterest Board!


Have Lunch At Pandora's Satu'li Canteen