If you’re on the lookout for the very best eating places at Disneyland and California Adventure, plus standouts within the accommodations and Downtown Disney, this listing has you coated. It ranks our absolute favorites, together with each counter and desk service eating, bars & lounges, character meals, themed eating, and extra.
This listing is predicated on our subjective dedication of “best” based mostly upon our meals high quality, worth, and theme–with an emphasis on meals high quality. This will not be crowd-sourced or aggregated, however as a substitute covers eating places at which the 2 of us have truly dined at Disneyland Resort inside the final 12 months.
This final half is vital–that this listing is present for 2023. We eat at Disneyland about as soon as per week, doing every thing from snack spots to dessert events and every thing in between. If there’s one factor locals and Magic Key Passholders who dine at Disneyland repeatedly will let you know, it’s that so much has modified…
Consequently, there are a number of entries in the direction of the highest of our listing that you just gained’t discover beneficial by different assets which can be a number of years outdated. These aren’t precisely secrets and techniques or hidden gems amongst Disneyland diehards, however are frequent omissions on outdated planning assets.
Similarly, there are conspicuous and “controversial” snubs that really don’t make this listing. If you haven’t visited Disneyland in a couple of years, you is perhaps stunned that–for instance–Flo’s V8 Cafe, Bengal BBQ, and some others don’t make the minimize. However, this for excellent purpose: they aren’t that good anymore!
Now, that isn’t to say you shouldn’t cease by a few of these spots–you’ll nonetheless generally discover us sitting on the again porch at Flo’s round nightfall–simply that some Disneyland and DCA eating places are victims of their very own success and have dumbed-down menus because of this.
In brief, this listing seeks to supply all kinds of sensible suggestions–and the locations we want and dined at repeatedly ourselves. We view all of you as mates (these of you we like) or household (a few of you generally is a ache, however a minimum of you don’t have us arrange new printers), so we figured we’d as nicely share this with you, too. Just don’t ask for methodology or a proof past what’s given–that is extra of a intestine feeling than an analytical evaluation.
With that stated, every part does provide some clarification to offer you perception into our pondering for every set of suggestions. Plus, some options the place related, making the listing a tad longer than 23 suggestions. Here goes nothing…
Little Red Wagon & Corn Dog Castle – It would possibly seem to be a little bit of a stretch to incorporate two (2) stands focusing on corn canines, nevertheless it’s not when the ‘dogs are this good. Little Red Wagon’s corn canine is the gold customary and Corn Dog Castle’s cheese stick is a responsible pleasure that’s likewise worthy of inclusion.
Enjoy one in late morning by grabbing a bench going through Sleeping Beauty Castle and decompressing after racing round Fantasyland doing rides or within the night proper as World of Color begins. It’s a blissful expertise!
Paradise Garden Grill – The true cameleon of Disney California Adventure eating, Paradise Garden Grill has gone from mild and wholesome fare to a menu that adjustments with the seasons. Totally overhauled for Lunar New Year, Festival of the Holidays, and different occasions–plus a BBQ summer season menu–Paradise Garden Grill is sort of a competition market sales space in counter service type (and portion sizes).
Paradise Garden Grill scores factors for comparatively creative & customizable decisions, stable portion sizes, and top quality meals. Beyond that, we love eating within the outside seating space below the popcorn lights, listening to the stay band carry out and watching the leisure and actions within the surrounding space.
Cocina Cucamonga – We’ve lengthy felt that Cocina Cucamonga had sufficient going for it that quietly put the counter service Mexican grill within the prime 5 eating places at Disney California Adventure. Namely, hearty parts, affordable high quality, first rate selection, and stable worth for cash.
Then the brand new menu occurred a couple of years in the past, including a superb QuesaBirria and different avenue tacos. We ate each dish on the time, however I truthfully couldn’t let you know something about the remainder of the road tacos as a result of I’ve been hopelessly hooked on the QuesaBirria ever since. Even by actual world requirements, it’s a very unimaginable model of this crunchy, tacky, and greasy indulgence. That’s actually saying one thing since Orange County has top-tier taco stands. I’d go so far as to say that is my favourite in-park counter service entree at Disney California Adventure proper now.
Harbour Galley – This unassuming little dockside window positioned alongside the Rivers of America as you head in the direction of Critter Country will catch you unexpectedly. It doesn’t seem to be a lot, nevertheless it has a stunning sturdy menu with bread bowls, lobster objects, and salads.
While the hidden seating space behind Harbour Galley is a pleasant reprieve from the crowds, our suggestion right here is to take your order (if out there, the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl is our #1 alternative) and stroll over to the again of the higher terrace at Hungry Bear Restaurant and luxuriate in a serene meal overlooking the water, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe – Nothing on the everlasting menu right here actually wows me, however Jolly Holiday Bakery is reliably good and we eat right here usually because of this. Several of the objects on the lunch and dinner menus at Jolly Holiday are protected decisions, and the varied types of grilled cheese are a delight.
Beyond that, Jolly Holiday at all times appears to have a seasonal dish that delivers. When you add the very best alternatives of baked items of any restaurant in Disneyland, Jolly Holiday turns into top-of-the-line general eating choices within the park.
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante – One of the numerous Disneyland eating places that’s technically a counter service restaurant, however has meals which can be virtually desk service high quality. The costs at Rancho replicate that, as many choices listed here are priced barely above what you’d discover at a mean counter service restaurant. However, the standard and portion dimension greater than explains why the dishes are priced the place they’re.
Add to that very spectacular ambiance in a venue that’s (dare we are saying) romantically lit at night time, this might be an important place for an inexpensive date night time at Disneyland! If you actually need to get monetary savings, break up one of many platters along with your date. Or not. Depends upon how your date feels about being taken out for quick meals and sharing a meal.
Award Wieners – If you realized something from our listing of 10 Things We’ll Never Do Again at Disneyland, it’s that we don’t endure fools who slander Award Wieners. That submit garnered over 50 feedback, however none of them have been “yeah, I totally agree that Award Wieners is underrated.” But it’s!!!
I make some extent of telling each Disneyland fan I do know that I really like Award Wieners, and invariably must make clear that I’m not kidding. The Disneyland dieharders’ disdain for Award Wieners is partially comprehensible. The walk-up window was once insanely well-liked with vacationers regardless of mediocre meat medleys served on plain buns and with baggage of generic Lay’s potato chips.
However, that stopped being the case a number of years in the past. Quality was upgraded throughout the board and creative new canines have been added, together with a rotating and bold slew of seasonal choices. The all-beef meat, toppings, and buns have all improved significantly. Filmstrip fries are top-notch, too. Award Wieners now lives as much as its title, and is deserving of a significant award. I’m not kidding!
Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo – This giant counter service restaurant in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has excessive costs–however no increased than Plaza Inn or Rancho del Zocalo. More to the purpose, it has an sturdy menu with scrumptious choices matching these excessive worth factors in high quality.
On a cool day, the small courtyard of almost-hidden outside seating is your best choice. As for menu decisions, our prime choose is the Felucian Garden Spread, which is a good possibility even for non-vegans. We’re additionally large followers of the seasonal menu choices, and the Cold Brew Black Caf is the very best espresso drink at Disneyland. Sadly, the menu is smaller than it was once, nevertheless it nonetheless packs a punch!
Goofy’s Kitchen – The flagship character meal in California is positioned within the restaurant of the identical title at Disneyland Hotel. This is my favourite character breakfast at Disneyland Resort, and my prime suggestion for households who need the very best stability of a enjoyable expertise and a enjoyable meal.
Normally, Disney characters aren’t generally known as expert cooks (taking a look at you, Mr. Mouse!), however Goofy is shockingly expert within the kitchen. The menu here’s a showcase of his culinary chops, with surprising highlights together with some actually goofy breakfast pizzas, starting from peanut butter and jelly to banana’s foster (they’re so a lot better than they may sound). Character interactions are additionally usually fairly good.
Plaza Inn – The wonderful fried hen is Plaza Inn’s declare to fame, and in contrast to some Disneyland meals, this hen truly lives as much as the hype. The fried hen is extra addictive than nicotine and extra scrumptious than bacon ice cream.
During the vacations, the menu will get even higher with the Yule Log added, nevertheless it’s fairly spectacular year-round. Sarah will not be a giant fan of Plaza Inn, however I feel most guests to Disneyland will love this place. The solely draw back is that the pricing has gotten completely out of hand in the previous couple of years, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an all-star eatery.
Lamplight Lounge – For most of its existence, Lamplight Lounge was Cove Bar, an strange open-air lounge overlooking Paradise Bay. Its declare to fame on the time was the enduring Lobster Nachos, together with a rotating solid of small bites and colourful drinks. We miss Cove Bar.
We additionally love Lamplight Lounge. The menu is greater and bolder…but additionally costlier than its predecessor. We likewise love the “brilliant brunch” at Lamplight Lunch, which has a slew of standouts. When it involves lunch and dinner, there’s one factor it is best to completely order right here: these aforementioned Lobster Nachos. Our evaluation of those from a number of years in the past stays true to this present day: “a zen-like experience that makes you feel like there are little angels massaging your taste buds and tickling your stomach…a religious experience.”
Blue Bayou Restaurant – For the longest time, our perspective on Blue Bayou was that it was a Disneyland bucket listing must-do, however largely for the ambiance inside Pirates of the Caribbean and less-so for the meals. That modified with the most recent menu replace, throughout which we had the greatest dishes in-park at Disneyland Resort in a very long time.
Two of those have been much more formidable than something we’ve ever had at Blue Bayou, and left us eager to strive the remainder of the menu. Between these and the reliably good (albeit overpriced) Monte Cristo, we now extremely suggest Blue Bayou Restaurant to all Disneyland guests and not simply ceremony of passage first-timers. Let’s hope the kitchen retains the standard up and the menu this formidable. It makes Blue Bayou a top-tier restaurant at Disneyland for each ambiance and delicacies!
(Honorable point out right here to Cafe Orleans, which is a stable different if Blue Bayou is unavailable or a bit too costly. Cafe Orleans is worthy of inclusion on this listing, however we made the editorial resolution to omit it as a consequence of Blue Bayou protecting a lot of the identical floor and being a better option. Perhaps that was a mistake and we must always swap out Harbour Galley for Cafe Orleans…)
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – The excellent approach to cap off a night within the parks is at the very best bar in all of Disneyland Resort, Trader Sam’s. This is the best and most enjoyable bar in Disneyland, with an intimate location that’s filled with an astonishing quantity of element, interactive components, and a few improbable drinks.
Some of those drinks embody the Krakatoa Punch, HippopotoMai-Tai, Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, Shipwreck on the Rocks, and the Uh Oa!, which is supposed to be shared amongst a couple of mates. Trader Sam’s shares a kitchen with Tangaroa Terrace, so every thing from that menu can also be out there right here. It’s simply too dangerous that doesn’t embody the breakfast choices–a late night time of Uh-Oas paired with Japanese Fluffy Pancakes sounds fairly excellent!
Pacific Wharf Cafe – This unassuming deli is all about BREAD: pudding and bowls.
Seriously, that’s it. Pacific Wharf Cafe makes the listing wholly on the premise of its bread bowls (significantly the mac & cheese) and rotating choice of seasonal bread pudding, which is among the many greatest desserts at Disneyland.
Lucky Fortune Cookery – With every of its three foremost eating places represented, it ought to be apparent by now that Pacific Wharf is the place to do a counter service lunch at Disney California Adventure. You can take a divide and conquer strategy, with a variety of choices from bread to tacos.
And now, Asian fusion. The mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors is well-liked in Southern California, and the Beef Bulgogi Burrito with Garlic-flavored Chips is an incredibly good instance of this sort of delicacies. Unassuming as it would look, it’s bursting with taste and, for my part, is the very best burrito at Disneyland Resort.
The menu has a variety of different choices, from an honest ramen to an unexpectedly scrumptious plant-based Bánh Mì to a surprisingly spicy Spicy Szechuan Chicken. No single entree in Pacific Wharf is nearly as good because the QuesaBirria, however that is the very best general restaurant–beating each Cocina Cucamonga and Pacific Wharf Cafe. You can’t go mistaken with something right here.
Pym’s Kitchen – Speaking of well-rounded eating places at Disney California Adventure, we now have Pym’s Test Kitchen. This is so much like Avengers Campus as an entire: some flashes of excellence hobbled by uneven execution. The distinction with this Marvel restaurant is that its core idea is excellent, and there are some good menu choices among the many dangerous or solely okay.
Where Pym’s Test Kitchen actually excels is in sweets. Both in entree (Ever-expanding Cinna-Pym Toast for breakfast; PB3 Superb Sandwich for lunch or dinner) and dessert (Celestial-sized Candy Bar: Choco-Smash CANDY Bar). Beyond that, it’s a enjoyable spot to seize a meal, see the “Pym Particles” develop and shrink improvements with meals science, and do some individuals tremendous hero watching.
Carnation Cafe – Although it’s modified a bit over time, you would sit down inside Carnation Cafe, peruse the menu, and suppose that this would possibly’ve been the identical expertise visitors had again in 1955. (Well, you would need to ignore the costs, as these have modified greater than only a bit!)
The level is that Carnation Cafe is a Disneyland establishment, from its setting on Main Street to its basic menu of consolation meals delicacies. My favorites are the Fried Pickles, Parmesan Toasted Patty Melt, and Chicken Fried Chicken. But ask a special Disneyland fan for his or her picks and also you’re more likely to get an inventory consisting of the Fried Pickles, plus two totally different entrees.
Tangaroa Terrace – Disneyland followers are beginning to get up and acknowledge the excellence of Tangaroa Terrace. The solely drawback? They aren’t waking up early sufficient, and are praising the mistaken meal because of this. Lunch and dinner listed here are positive; higher than many counter service eating places within the parks, however inferior to Disneyland Hotel’s counterpart within the Grand Californian.
Where Tangaroa Terrace actually shines is breakfast. That menu is critically stacked, with actually each single entry except for the boring American Breakfast being a standout. My private favourite is the Avocado Toast, which is the very best model of this dish I’ve had anyplace and certainly one of my favourite dishes at Disneyland Resort. Japanese Fluffy Pancakes and Tangaroa Toast are additionally winners!
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes – This is certain to be an unpopular opinion given the perpetual traces, however I feel that Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is overrated. Those lengthy traces are a results of the photogenic LoopyShakes and the dearth of higher options in Downtown Disney, which regardless of being a eating district, solely has a handful of worthwhile eating places (for now).
With that stated, “overrated” isn’t the identical as “bad” and that’s why Black Tap makes the listing, edging out different standouts in Downtown Disney, together with Catal, Napolini Pizzeria and Naples Ristorante. (We wouldn’t hesitate to eat at any of these, however I’d want to concentrate on in-park or lodge choices for this listing.)
Napa Rose – Widely considered the final word Disneyland foodie expertise–a minimum of, of these open to most people–Napa Rose is an all-star that may stand shoulder to shoulder with actual world positive eating institutions in Orange County. We’ve dined at Napa Rose numerous instances, doing every thing from Thanksgiving dinner to the superlative Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose.
For the longest time, we thought of Napa Rose to be the second-best Disney restaurant at which we’ve dined, behind solely Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World. However, its standing had fallen barely pre-closure and considerably since reopening. Perhaps we’ve simply been unfortunate, however I’d now relatively dine on the subsequent restaurant on this listing–together with two others in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel–over Napa Rose. It’s nonetheless worthy of inclusion and suggestion, however not what it as soon as was, in our view.
Carthay Circle Restaurant – This one rating extremely shouldn’t come as an enormous shock, provided that we named it the Best Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. We’ll take {that a} step additional–this is without doubt one of the greatest in-park eating places anyplace, and amongst a trio of actually elite eating places at Disneyland Resort. There are a whole lot of nice issues to eat within the parks and resorts, however only a few that qualify as positive eating that might go head-to-head with the very best of Southern California’s actual world culinary scene.
Whether you’re a Disney diehard who appreciates the historical past of Walt Disney or just an off-the-cuff visitor on the lookout for an important meal, you can not go mistaken with Carthay Circle Restaurant. The menu continues to be missing as in comparison with pre-closure, nevertheless it has a lot of its swagger again, and is once more extremely beneficial.
Hearthstone Lounge – This foyer bar is certainly one of three totally different eating places that make the listing at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel (4 should you rely every of the subsequent two entries individually), and it’s our latest favourite. The menu right here was overhauled a couple of months in the past, and continues being perfected.
These tweaks have paid off. Hearthstone Lounge has gone from having nice drinks and good bar meals to being destination-worthy eating. The menu is formidable and attention-grabbing, with even the seemingly easy and easy salads and sandwiches that includes novel twists. The solely factor stopping us from consuming right here time and again is the recognition of Hearthstone Lounge, which may be fairly busy on weekends and evenings. Go early or late and order something–even the “basics” are surprisingly formidable!
GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill – We eat at these two spots greater than anyplace else at Disneyland Resort. The GCH eating choices are our go-to picks after we’re consuming someplace at Disneyland for us relatively than for the sake of researching a brand new menu or revisiting eating places to taste-test high quality.
There’s a lot on the shared menu that we completely love. The nachos are an important shared starter (and even an entree), however burger is improbable, and the quesadilla is completely spectacular. Then there’s the Forest Mushroom Pizza, which is the spotlight of the menu and what we’ve eaten greater than the rest at GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill. That simply scratches the floor on this very deep menu, which is good-to-great from prime to backside.
Technically, these are two areas. GCH Craftsman Bar is the poolside lounge and GCH Craftsman Grill is the adjoining counter service restaurant. The menus and the meals are an identical, and are available from the identical shared kitchen. If attainable, we suggest GCH Craftsman Bar for the relaxed ambiance, with daytime daylight dotting the setting. The low-key lighting offered by the Arts & Crafts lanterns and popcorn lighting can also be fairly good. If you may’t get a reservation, the meals at GCH Craftsman Grill is each bit nearly as good.
BONUS: Club 33 – For apparent causes, the membership membership at Disneyland doesn’t make the primary listing, however we’d be remiss if we didn’t a minimum of point out Club 33, because it is one of many prime 20 or so eating places.
For Disneyland diehards, Club 33 is the final word bucket listing dinner for its historical past and exclusivity. Since that’s not attainable for many guests, we’d as a substitute suggest Carthay Circle Restaurant or the Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose as two superior options.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Thoughts
What would make your listing of the highest 23 eating places at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Hotels of Disneyland Resort? Any apparent standouts we’ve snubbed? What about eating places that made our listing that don’t belong? Any method you’d change the classes or decisions? Do you agree or disagree with our decisions? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!