When you’re in search of the most effective eating places at Disneyland and California Journey, plus standouts within the resorts and Downtown Disney, this checklist 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 checklist relies 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 12 months.
This final half is essential–that this checklist is present for 2023. We eat at Disneyland about as soon as per week, doing all the things from snack spots to dessert events and all the things in between. If there’s one factor locals and Magic Key Passholders who dine at Disneyland often will inform you, it’s that rather a lot has modified…
Consequently, there are a number of entries in direction of the highest of our checklist that you just gained’t discover beneficial by different sources which are a number of years outdated.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aren’t precisely secrets and techniques or hidden gems amongst Disneyland diehards, however are frequent omissions on outdated planning sources.
Equally, there are conspicuous and “controversial” snubs that truly don’t make this checklist. When you haven’t visited Disneyland in just a few years, you is perhaps stunned that–for instance–Flo’s V8 Cafe, Bengal BBQ, and some others don’t make the lower. Nonetheless, 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 in consequence.
Briefly, this checklist seeks to supply all kinds of sensible suggestions–and the locations we favor and dined at often ourselves. We view all of you as pals (these of you we like) or household (a few of you is usually a ache, however no less than you don’t have us arrange new printers), so we figured we would as properly share this with you, too. Simply 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 mentioned, every part does supply some rationalization to present you perception into our pondering for every set of suggestions. Plus, some alternate options the place related, making the checklist a tad longer than 23 suggestions. Right here goes nothing…
Little Pink Wagon & Corn Canine Fortress – It would appear to be a little bit of a stretch to incorporate two (2) stands focusing on corn canine, but it surely’s not when the ‘canine are this good. Little Pink Wagon’s corn canine is the gold normal and Corn Canine Fortress’s cheese stick is a responsible pleasure that’s likewise worthy of inclusion.
Get pleasure from one in late morning by grabbing a bench dealing with Sleeping Magnificence Fortress and decompressing after racing round Fantasyland doing rides or within the night proper as World of Shade begins. It’s a blissful expertise!
Paradise Backyard Grill – The true cameleon of Disney California Journey eating, Paradise Backyard Grill has gone from mild and wholesome fare to a menu that modifications with the seasons. Completely overhauled for Lunar New 12 months, Competition of the Holidays, and different occasions–plus a BBQ summer time menu–Paradise Backyard Grill is sort of a competition market sales space in counter service kind (and portion sizes).
Paradise Backyard Grill scores factors for comparatively ingenious & customizable decisions, stable portion sizes, and prime quality meals. Past that, we love eating within the out of doors 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 Journey. Specifically, hearty parts, affordable high quality, respectable selection, and stable worth for cash.
Then the brand new menu occurred just a few years in the past, including a wonderful QuesaBirria and different avenue tacos. We ate each dish on the time, however I actually couldn’t inform you 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 unbelievable 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 situated alongside the Rivers of America as you head in direction of Critter Nation will catch you unexpectedly. It doesn’t appear to be a lot, but it surely has a shocking 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 advice right here is to take your order (if accessible, 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 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 in consequence. A number of of the gadgets on the lunch and dinner menus at Jolly Vacation are protected 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. Whenever you add the most effective choices of baked items of any restaurant in Disneyland, Jolly Vacation turns into top-of-the-line general 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 are nearly desk service high quality. The costs at Rancho mirror that, as many choices listed below are priced barely above what you’d discover at a median counter service restaurant. Nonetheless, the standard and portion measurement 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 a terrific place for an inexpensive date night time at Disneyland! When you actually wish 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 discovered something from our checklist 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 submit garnered over 50 feedback, however none of them have been “yeah, I completely agree that Award Wieners is underrated.” However it’s!!!
I make a degree of telling each Disneyland fan I do know that I really like Award Wieners, and invariably should 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 luggage of generic Lay’s potato chips.
Nonetheless, that stopped being the case a number of years in the past. High quality was upgraded throughout the board and ingenious 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 title, and is deserving of a serious award. I’m not kidding!
Docking Bay 7 Meals & Cargo – This huge counter service restaurant in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has excessive costs–however no larger than Plaza Inn or Rancho del Zocalo. Extra to the purpose, it has an sturdy menu with scrumptious choices matching these excessive value factors in high quality.
On a cool day, the small courtyard of almost-hidden out of doors seating is your only option. As for menu decisions, our prime decide is the Felucian Backyard Unfold, which is a superb possibility even for non-vegans. We’re additionally massive followers of the seasonal menu choices, and the Chilly Brew Black Caf is the most effective espresso drink at Disneyland. Sadly, the menu is smaller than it was once, but it surely nonetheless packs a punch!
Goofy’s Kitchen – The flagship character meal in California is situated within the restaurant of the identical title at Disneyland Resort. That is my favourite character breakfast at Disneyland Resort, and my prime advice for households who need the most effective steadiness of a enjoyable expertise and a enjoyable meal.
Usually, Disney characters usually are not often 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 really goofy breakfast pizzas, starting from peanut butter and jelly to banana’s foster (they’re so significantly better than they could sound). Character interactions are additionally typically fairly good.
Plaza Inn – The wonderful 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, but it surely’s fairly spectacular year-round. Sarah shouldn’t be an enormous fan of Plaza Inn, however I feel 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, but it surely’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 long-lasting 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 additionally costlier than its predecessor. We likewise love the “good brunch” at Lamplight Lunch, which has a slew of standouts. With regards to 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 expertise that makes you’re 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 checklist must-do, however principally for the ambiance inside Pirates of the Caribbean and less-so for the meals. That modified with the newest 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 bold 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 bold. 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 checklist, however we made the editorial determination to omit it attributable to Blue Bayou masking a lot of the identical floor and being a better option. Maybe that was a mistake and we should always swap out Harbour Galley for Cafe Orleans…)
Dealer Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – The right strategy to cap off a night within the parks is at the most effective bar in all of Disneyland Resort, Dealer Sam’s. That is the best and most enjoyable bar in Disneyland, with an intimate location that’s full of 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 just a few pals. Dealer Sam’s shares a kitchen with Tangaroa Terrace, so all the things from that menu can be accessible right here. It’s simply too dangerous that doesn’t embrace the breakfast choices–a late night time of Uh-Oas paired with Japanese Fluffy Pancakes sounds fairly good!
Pacific Wharf Cafe – This unassuming deli is all about BREAD: pudding and bowls.
Severely, that’s it. Pacific Wharf Cafe makes the checklist wholly on the premise of its bread bowls (significantly the mac & cheese) and rotating choice of seasonal bread pudding, which is among the many finest desserts at Disneyland.
Fortunate Fortune Cookery – With every of its three major eating places represented, it must be apparent by now that Pacific Wharf is the place to do a counter service lunch at Disney California Journey. You may take a divide and conquer method, 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 an incredibly good instance of the sort of delicacies. Unassuming as it’d look, it’s bursting with taste and, for my part, is the most effective 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 Hen. No single entree in Pacific Wharf is pretty much as good because the QuesaBirria, however that is the most effective general restaurant–beating each Cocina Cucamonga and Pacific Wharf Cafe. You may’t go fallacious with something right here.
Pym’s Kitchen – Talking of well-rounded eating places at Disney California Journey, we now have Pym’s Take a look at Kitchen. This can be a lot 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.
The place Pym’s Take a look at Kitchen really excels is in sweets. Each in entree (Ever-expanding Cinna-Pym Toast for breakfast; PB3 Very good 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 through the years, you may sit down inside Carnation Cafe, peruse the menu, and suppose that this may’ve been the identical expertise company had again in 1955. (Properly, 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 Principal Avenue to its traditional menu of consolation meals delicacies. My favorites are the Fried Pickles, Parmesan Toasted Patty Soften, and Hen Fried Hen. However ask a unique Disneyland fan for his or her picks and also you’re prone 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 one downside? They aren’t waking up early sufficient, and are praising the fallacious meal in consequence. Lunch and dinner listed below are fantastic; higher than many counter service eating places within the parks, however inferior to Disneyland Resort’s counterpart within the Grand Californian.
The place Tangaroa Terrace really shines is breakfast. That menu is significantly stacked, with actually each single entry other than the boring American Breakfast being a standout. My private favourite is the Avocado Toast, which is the most effective model of this dish I’ve had anyplace and one among my favourite dishes at Disneyland Resort. Japanese Fluffy Pancakes and Tangaroa Toast are additionally winners!
Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes – That is sure to be an unpopular opinion given the perpetual strains, however I feel that Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes is overrated. These lengthy strains are a results of the photogenic CrazyShakes and the dearth of higher alternate 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 checklist, 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 favor to give attention to in-park or resort choices for this checklist.)
Napa Rose – Broadly considered the final word Disneyland foodie expertise–no less than, of these open to most of the people–Napa Rose is an all-star that may stand shoulder to shoulder with actual world fantastic eating institutions in Orange County. We’ve dined at Napa Rose numerous occasions, doing all the things 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. Nonetheless, its standing had fallen barely pre-closure and considerably since reopening. Maybe we’ve simply been unfortunate, however I’d now relatively dine on the subsequent restaurant on this checklist–together with two others in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort–over Napa Rose. It’s nonetheless worthy of inclusion and advice, 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 Finest 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 really elite eating places at Disneyland Resort. There are plenty of nice issues to eat within the parks and resorts, however only a few that qualify as fantastic eating that might go head-to-head with the most effective 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 a terrific meal, you can’t go fallacious with Carthay Circle Restaurant. The menu remains to be missing as in comparison with pre-closure, but it surely has a lot of its swagger again, and is once more extremely beneficial.
Hearthstone Lounge – This foyer bar is one among three totally different eating places that make the checklist at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort (4 in the event you depend every of the subsequent two entries individually), and it’s our latest favourite. The menu right here was overhauled just a few 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 bold 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 time and again is the recognition of Hearthstone Lounge, which will be fairly busy on weekends and evenings. Go early or late and order something–even the “fundamentals” are surprisingly bold!
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 a terrific 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 places. GCH Craftsman Bar is the poolside lounge and GCH Craftsman Grill is the adjoining counter service restaurant. The menus and the meals are equivalent, and are available from the identical shared kitchen. If potential, we suggest GCH Craftsman Bar for the relaxed ambiance, with daytime daylight dotting the setting. The low-key lighting supplied by the Arts & Crafts lanterns and popcorn lighting can 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 checklist, however we’d be remiss if we didn’t no less than 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 checklist dinner for its historical past and exclusivity. Since that’s not potential for many guests, we’d as a substitute suggest Carthay Circle Restaurant or the Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose as two superior alternate 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 resorts in our Anaheim Resort Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
What would make your checklist of the highest 23 eating places at Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Downtown Disney, and the Lodges of Disneyland Resort? Any apparent standouts we’ve snubbed? What about eating places that made our checklist that don’t belong? Any manner 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 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!
