When you’re in search of the perfect eating places at Disneyland and California Journey, plus standouts within the motels and Downtown Disney, this listing has you lined. 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 willpower of “finest” based mostly upon our meals high quality, worth, and theme–with an emphasis on meals high quality. This isn’t crowd-sourced or aggregated, however as a substitute covers eating places at which the 2 of us have really dined at Disneyland Resort throughout the final yr.
This final half is vital–that this listing is present for 2023. We eat at Disneyland about as soon as per week, doing every little thing from snack spots to dessert events and every little thing in between. If there’s one factor locals and Magic Key Passholders who dine at Disneyland frequently will let you know, it’s that lots has modified…
Consequently, there are a number of entries in direction of the highest of our listing that you just received’t discover beneficial by different assets which might be a number of years previous. These aren’t precisely secrets and techniques or hidden gems amongst Disneyland diehards, however are widespread omissions on outdated planning assets.
Equally, there are conspicuous and “controversial” snubs that really don’t make this listing. When you haven’t visited Disneyland in a couple of years, you could be shocked that–for instance–Flo’s V8 Cafe, Bengal BBQ, and some others don’t make the lower. Nevertheless, this for superb motive: 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 consequently.
Briefly, this listing seeks to supply all kinds of sensible suggestions–and the locations we choose and dined at frequently ourselves. We view all of you as buddies (these of you we like) or household (a few of you could be a ache, however at the least you don’t have us arrange new printers), so we figured we would as nicely share this with you, too. Simply don’t ask for methodology or an evidence past what’s given–that is extra of a intestine feeling than an analytical evaluation.
With that mentioned, every part does supply some rationalization to offer you perception into our considering for every set of suggestions. Plus, some options the place related, making the listing a tad longer than 23 suggestions. Right here goes nothing…
Little Crimson Wagon & Corn Canine Fort – It would appear to be a little bit of a stretch to incorporate two (2) stands focusing on corn canine, however it’s not when the ‘canine are this good. Little Crimson Wagon’s corn canine is the gold normal and Corn Canine Fort’s cheese stick is a responsible pleasure that’s likewise worthy of inclusion.
Take pleasure in one in late morning by grabbing a bench dealing with Sleeping Magnificence Fort and decompressing after racing round Fantasyland doing rides or within the night proper as World of Coloration begins. It’s a blissful expertise!
Paradise Backyard Grill – The true cameleon of Disney California Journey eating, Paradise Backyard Grill has gone from gentle and wholesome fare to a menu that adjustments with the seasons. Completely overhauled for Lunar New Yr, Competition of the Holidays, and different occasions–plus a BBQ summer season menu–Paradise Backyard Grill is sort of a pageant market sales space in counter service type (and portion sizes).
Paradise Backyard Grill scores factors for comparatively creative & customizable decisions, stable portion sizes, and prime quality meals. Past that, we love eating within the outside seating space below the popcorn lights, listening to the dwell 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 Journey. Particularly, hearty parts, cheap 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 really 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 Journey proper now.
Harbour Galley – This unassuming little dockside window positioned alongside the Rivers of America as you head in direction of Critter Nation will catch you abruptly. It doesn’t appear to be a lot, however it has a stunning sturdy menu with bread bowls, lobster gadgets, and salads.
Whereas 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 selection) and stroll over to the again of the higher terrace at Hungry Bear Restaurant and revel in a serene meal overlooking the water, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Jolly Vacation Bakery & Cafe – Nothing on the everlasting menu right here actually wows me, however Jolly Vacation Bakery is reliably good and we eat right here typically consequently. A number of of the gadgets on the lunch and dinner menus at Jolly Vacation are secure decisions, and the varied types of grilled cheese are a delight.
Past that, Jolly Vacation at all times appears to have a seasonal dish that delivers. If you add the perfect picks of baked items of any restaurant in Disneyland, Jolly Vacation turns into top-of-the-line total eating choices within the park.
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante – One of many many Disneyland eating places that’s technically a counter service restaurant, however has meals which might be virtually desk service high quality. The costs at Rancho replicate that, as many choices listed below are priced barely above what you’d discover at a mean counter service restaurant. Nevertheless, 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 evening, this may very well be an amazing place for an inexpensive date evening at Disneyland! When you actually need to lower your expenses, break up one of many platters together with your date. Or not. Relies upon upon how your date feels about being taken out for quick meals and sharing a meal.
Award Wieners – When you realized something from our listing of 10 Issues We’ll By no means Do Once more at Disneyland, it’s that we don’t undergo fools who slander Award Wieners. That publish garnered over 50 feedback, however none of them have been “yeah, I completely agree that Award Wieners is underrated.” However 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 widespread with vacationers regardless of mediocre meat medleys served on plain buns and with baggage of generic Lay’s potato chips.
Nevertheless, that stopped being the case a number of years in the past. High quality was upgraded throughout the board and creative new canine have been added, together with a rotating and impressive 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 identify, and is deserving of a serious award. I’m not kidding!
Docking Bay 7 Meals & Cargo – This massive counter service restaurant in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has excessive costs–however no greater than Plaza Inn or Rancho del Zocalo. Extra 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 only option. As for menu decisions, our prime choose is the Felucian Backyard Unfold, which is a good possibility even for non-vegans. We’re additionally large followers of the seasonal menu choices, and the Chilly Brew Black Caf is the perfect espresso drink at Disneyland. Sadly, the menu is smaller than it was once, however it nonetheless packs a punch!
Goofy’s Kitchen – The flagship character meal in California is positioned within the restaurant of the identical identify at Disneyland Resort. That is my favourite character breakfast at Disneyland Resort, and my prime suggestion for households who need the perfect stability of a enjoyable expertise and a enjoyable meal.
Usually, Disney characters should not often known as expert cooks ( 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 significantly better than they may sound). Character interactions are additionally usually fairly good.
Plaza Inn – The fantastic fried hen is Plaza Inn’s declare to fame, and in contrast to some Disneyland meals, this hen really lives as much as the hype. The fried hen is extra addictive than nicotine and extra scrumptious than bacon ice cream.
Throughout the holidays, the menu will get even higher with the Yuletide Log (often) added, however it’s fairly spectacular year-round. Sarah isn’t a giant fan of Plaza Inn, however I believe most guests to Disneyland will love this place. The one draw back is that the pricing has gotten completely out of hand in the previous few years, however it’s nonetheless an all-star eatery.
Lamplight Lounge – For many of its existence, Lamplight Lounge was Cove Bar, an unusual open-air lounge overlooking Paradise Bay. Its declare to fame on the time was the enduring Lobster Nachos, together with a rotating forged of small bites and colourful drinks. We miss Cove Bar.
We additionally love Lamplight Lounge. The menu is greater and bolder…but in addition dearer than its predecessor. We likewise love the “sensible brunch” at Lamplight Lunch, which has a slew of standouts. Relating to lunch and dinner, there’s one factor it is best to completely order right here: these aforementioned Lobster Nachos. Our overview of those from a number of years in the past stays true to this present day: “a zen-like expertise that makes you are feeling like there are little angels massaging your style buds and tickling your abdomen…a spiritual expertise.”
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 finest dishes in-park at Disneyland Resort in a very long time.
Two of those have been way more formidable than something we’ve ever had at Blue Bayou, and left us desirous 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 various if Blue Bayou is unavailable or a bit too costly. Cafe Orleans is worthy of inclusion on this listing, however we made the editorial determination to omit it on account of Blue Bayou protecting a lot of the identical floor and being a more sensible choice. Maybe that was a mistake and we must always swap out Harbour Galley for Cafe Orleans…)
Dealer Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – The right option to cap off a night within the parks is at the perfect bar in all of Disneyland Resort, Dealer Sam’s. That is the good and most enjoyable bar in Disneyland, with an intimate location that’s filled with an astonishing quantity of element, interactive parts, and a few implausible drinks.
A few of these drinks embrace 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 buddies. Dealer Sam’s shares a kitchen with Tangaroa Terrace, so every little thing from that menu can also be out there right here. It’s simply too dangerous that doesn’t embrace the breakfast choices–a late evening of Uh-Oas paired with Japanese Fluffy Pancakes sounds fairly good!
Pacific Wharf Cafe – This unassuming deli is all about BREAD: pudding and bowls.
Critically, that’s it. Pacific Wharf Cafe makes the listing wholly on the idea of its bread bowls (significantly the mac & cheese) and rotating number of seasonal bread pudding, which is among the many finest desserts at Disneyland.
Fortunate Fortune Cookery – With every of its three foremost eating places represented, it needs to be apparent by now that Pacific Wharf is the place to do a counter service lunch at Disney California Journey. You possibly can take a divide and conquer strategy, with a spread of choices from bread to tacos.
And now, Asian fusion. The mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors is widespread in Southern California, and the Beef Bulgogi Burrito with Garlic-flavored Chips is a surprisingly good instance of such a delicacies. Unassuming as it’d look, it’s bursting with taste and, for my part, is the perfect burrito at Disneyland Resort.
The menu has a variety of different choices, from a good ramen to an unexpectedly scrumptious plant-based Bánh Mì to a surprisingly spicy Spicy Szechuan Rooster. No single entree in Pacific Wharf is pretty much as good because the QuesaBirria, however that is the perfect total restaurant–beating each Cocina Cucamonga and Pacific Wharf Cafe. You possibly can’t go flawed with something right here.
Pym’s Kitchen – Talking of well-rounded eating places at Disney California Journey, now we have Pym’s Check Kitchen. This can be a lot like Avengers Campus as a complete: 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.
The place Pym’s Check Kitchen actually excels is in sweets. Each in entree (Ever-expanding Cinna-Pym Toast for breakfast; PB3 Excellent Sandwich for lunch or dinner) and dessert (Celestial-sized Sweet Bar: Choco-Smash CANDY Bar). Past 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 – Though it’s modified a bit over time, you can sit down inside Carnation Cafe, peruse the menu, and suppose that this would possibly’ve been the identical expertise company had again in 1955. (Effectively, you would need to ignore the costs, as these have modified greater than only a bit!)
The purpose is that Carnation Cafe is a Disneyland establishment, from its setting on Predominant Avenue to its basic menu of consolation meals delicacies. My favorites are the Fried Pickles, Parmesan Toasted Patty Soften, and Rooster Fried Rooster. However ask a unique Disneyland fan for his or her picks and also you’re more likely to get a listing consisting of the Fried Pickles, plus two completely different entrees.
Tangaroa Terrace – Disneyland followers are beginning to get up and acknowledge the excellence of Tangaroa Terrace. The one downside? They aren’t waking up early sufficient, and are praising the flawed meal consequently. Lunch and dinner listed below are high-quality; higher than many counter service eating places within the parks, however not so good as Disneyland Resort’s counterpart within the Grand Californian.
The place Tangaroa Terrace actually shines is breakfast. That menu is critically stacked, with actually each single entry apart from the boring American Breakfast being a standout. My private favourite is the Avocado Toast, which is the perfect model of this dish I’ve had anyplace and one in all my favourite dishes at Disneyland Resort. Japanese Fluffy Pancakes and Tangaroa Toast are additionally winners!
Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes – That is certain to be an unpopular opinion given the perpetual strains, however I believe that Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes is overrated. These lengthy strains are a results of the photogenic CrazyShakes and the shortage 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 mentioned, “overrated” isn’t the identical as “dangerous” and that’s why Black Faucet 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 choose to concentrate on in-park or lodge choices for this listing.)
Napa Rose – Extensively thought to be the final word Disneyland foodie expertise–at the least, of these open to most of the people–Napa Rose is an all-star that may stand shoulder to shoulder with actual world high-quality eating institutions in Orange County. We’ve dined at Napa Rose numerous instances, doing every little thing from Thanksgiving dinner to the superlative Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose.
For the longest time, we thought-about Napa Rose to be the second-best Disney restaurant at which we’ve dined, behind solely Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, its standing had fallen barely pre-closure and considerably since reopening. Maybe we’ve simply been unfortunate, however I’d now quite dine on the subsequent restaurant on this listing–together with two others in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort–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 Greatest Restaurant in Disney California Journey. We’ll take {that a} step additional–this is without doubt one of the finest 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 high-quality eating that might go head-to-head with the perfect of Southern California’s actual world culinary scene.
Whether or not you’re a Disney diehard who appreciates the historical past of Walt Disney or just an off-the-cuff visitor in search of an amazing meal, you can’t go flawed with Carthay Circle Restaurant. The menu remains to be missing as in comparison with pre-closure, however it has a lot of its swagger again, and is once more extremely beneficial.
Hearthstone Lounge – This foyer bar is one in all three completely different eating places that make the listing at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort (4 if you happen to 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 one factor stopping us from consuming right here many times is the recognition of Hearthstone Lounge, which could be fairly busy on weekends and evenings. Go early or late and order something–even the “fundamentals” 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 quite 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 amazing shared starter (and even an entree), however burger is implausible, 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 anything 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 similar, and are available from the identical shared kitchen. If doable, 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. When you can’t get a reservation, the meals at GCH Craftsman Grill is each bit pretty much as good.
BONUS: Membership 33 – For apparent causes, the membership membership at Disneyland doesn’t make the primary listing, however we’d be remiss if we didn’t at the least point out Membership 33, because it is one of many prime 20 or so eating places.
For Disneyland diehards, Membership 33 is the final word bucket listing dinner for its historical past and exclusivity. Since that’s not doable 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 Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site motels in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. 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 Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
What would make your listing of the highest 23 eating places at Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Downtown Disney, and the Motels of Disneyland Resort? Any apparent standouts we’ve snubbed? What about eating places that made our listing that don’t belong? Any approach you’d change the classes or decisions? Do you agree or disagree with our decisions? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!