In case you’re in search of the most productive eating places at Disneyland and California Journey, plus standouts within the accommodations and Downtown Disney, this record has you lined. It ranks our absolute favorites, together with each counter and desk carrier eating, bars & lounges, persona foods, themed eating, and extra.
This record is in keeping with our subjective choice of “supreme” founded upon our meals high quality, price, and theme–with an emphasis on meals high quality. This isn’t crowd-sourced or aggregated, however as an alternative covers eating places at which the 2 folks have in fact dined at Disneyland Hotel inside the final 12 months.
This final phase is essential–that this record is present for 2023. We devour at Disneyland about as soon as every week, doing the entirety from snack spots to dessert events and the entirety in between. If there’s something locals and Magic Key Passholders who dine at Disneyland frequently will inform you, it’s that so much has modified…
Because of this, there are a number of entries in opposition to the highest of our record that you simply received’t in finding really useful by means of different sources which might be a number of years previous. Those aren’t precisely secrets and techniques or hidden gemstones amongst Disneyland diehards, however are not unusual omissions on out of date making plans sources.
In a similar way, there are conspicuous and “debatable” snubs that in fact don’t make this record. In case you haven’t visited Disneyland in a couple of years, you may well be shocked that–for instance–Flo’s V8 Cafe, Bengal BBQ, and a couple of others don’t make the reduce. Then again, this for superb explanation why: they aren’t that nice anymore!
Now, that isn’t to mention you shouldn’t prevent by means of a few of the ones spots–you’ll nonetheless frequently in finding us sitting at the again porch at Flo’s round nightfall–simply that some Disneyland and DCA eating places are sufferers of their very own good fortune and feature dumbed-down menus consequently.
In brief, this record seeks to supply all kinds of sensible suggestions–and the puts we desire and dined at frequently ourselves. We view all of you as buddies (the ones of you we love) or circle of relatives (a few of you’ll be able to be a ache, however no less than you don’t have us arrange new printers), so we figured we may as nicely percentage this with you, too. Simply don’t ask for method or a proof past what’s given–that is extra of a intestine feeling than an analytical research.
With that mentioned, each and every phase does be offering some clarification to come up with perception into our pondering for each and every set of suggestions. Plus, some possible choices the place related, making the record a tad longer than 23 suggestions. Right here is going not anything…
Little Pink Wagon & Corn Canine Fortress – It will look like slightly of a stretch to incorporate two (2) stands focusing on corn canines, but it surely’s now not when the ‘canines are this nice. Little Pink Wagon’s corn canine is the gold same old and Corn Canine Fortress’s cheese stick is a accountable excitement that’s likewise worthy of inclusion.
Revel in one in past due morning by means of grabbing a bench dealing with Napping Good looks Fortress and decompressing after racing round Fantasyland doing rides or within the night proper as International of Colour begins. It’s a glad revel in!
Paradise Lawn Grill – The real cameleon of Disney California Journey eating, Paradise Lawn Grill has long gone from gentle and wholesome fare to a menu that adjustments with the seasons. Utterly overhauled for Lunar New 12 months, Competition of the Vacations, and different occasions–plus a BBQ summer season menu–Paradise Lawn Grill is sort of a pageant market sales space in counter carrier shape (and portion sizes).
Paradise Lawn Grill rankings issues for moderately creative & customizable possible choices, forged portion sizes, and top quality meals. Past that, we adore eating within the outside seating house underneath the popcorn lighting fixtures, paying attention to the reside band carry out and observing the leisure and actions within the surrounding house.
Cocina Cucamonga – We’ve lengthy felt that Cocina Cucamonga had sufficient going for it that quietly put the counter carrier Mexican grill within the peak 5 eating places at Disney California Journey. Particularly, hearty parts, cheap high quality, first rate selection, and forged price for cash.
Then the brand new menu came about a couple of years in the past, including a very good QuesaBirria and different side road tacos. We ate each dish on the time, however I truthfully couldn’t inform you anything else about the remainder of the road tacos as a result of I’ve been hopelessly hooked on the QuesaBirria ever since. Even by means of actual international requirements, it’s a in point of fact fantastic model of this crunchy, tacky, and greasy indulgence. That’s actually pronouncing one thing since Orange County has top-tier taco stands. I’d pass so far as to mention that is my favourite in-park counter carrier entree at Disney California Journey at the moment.
Harbour Galley – This unassuming little dockside window positioned alongside the Rivers of The united states as you head in opposition to Critter Nation will catch you by means of marvel. It doesn’t look like a lot, but it surely has a shocking sturdy menu with bread bowls, lobster pieces, and salads.
Whilst the hidden seating house in the back of Harbour Galley is a lovely reprieve from the crowds, our advice this is to take your order (if to be had, the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl is our #1 selection) and stroll over to the again of the higher terrace at Hungry Endure Eating place and revel in a serene meal overlooking the water, and Superstar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Jolly Vacation Bakery & Cafe – Not anything at the everlasting menu right here actually wows me, however Jolly Vacation Bakery is reliably nice and we devour right here ceaselessly consequently. A number of of the pieces at the lunch and dinner menus at Jolly Vacation are protected possible choices, and the quite a lot of sorts of grilled cheese are a satisfaction.
Past that, Jolly Vacation all the time turns out to have a seasonal dish that delivers. While you upload the most productive choices of baked items of any eating place in Disneyland, Jolly Vacation turns into some of the supreme total eating choices within the park.
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante – Probably the most many Disneyland eating places that’s technically a counter carrier eating place, however has foods which might be nearly desk carrier high quality. The costs at Rancho replicate that, as many choices listed here are priced relatively above what you’d in finding at a mean counter carrier eating place. Then again, the standard and portion measurement greater than explains why the dishes are priced the place they’re.
Upload to that very spectacular atmosphere in a venue this is (dare we are saying) romantically lit at evening, this generally is a good spot for an inexpensive date evening at Disneyland! In case you actually wish to lower your expenses, cut up some of the platters together with your date. Or now not. Is dependent upon how your date feels about being taken out for speedy meals and sharing a meal.
Award Wieners – In case you discovered anything else from our record of 10 Issues We’ll By no means Do Once more at Disneyland, it’s that we don’t endure fools who slander Award Wieners. That put up 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 like Award Wieners, and invariably have to elucidate that It’s not that i am kidding. The Disneyland dieharders’ disdain for Award Wieners is partly comprehensible. The walk-up window was once insanely well-liked by vacationers regardless of mediocre meat medleys served on undeniable buns and with luggage of generic Lay’s potato chips.
Then again, that stopped being the case a number of years in the past. High quality used to be upgraded around 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 stepped forward significantly. Filmstrip fries are top-notch, too. Award Wieners now lives as much as its title, and is deserving of a big award. It’s not that i am kidding!
Docking Bay 7 Meals & Shipment – This huge counter carrier eating place in Superstar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has prime costs–however no upper than Plaza Inn or Rancho del Zocalo. Extra to the purpose, it has an sturdy menu with scrumptious choices matching the ones prime value issues in high quality.
On a groovy day, the small courtyard of almost-hidden outside seating is the best choice. As for menu possible choices, our peak select is the Felucian Lawn Unfold, which is a brilliant choice even for non-vegans. We’re additionally large fanatics of the seasonal menu choices, and the Chilly Brew Black Caf is the most productive espresso drink at Disneyland. Unfortunately, the menu is smaller than it was once, but it surely nonetheless packs a punch!
Goofy’s Kitchen – The flagship persona meal in California is positioned within the eating place of the similar title at Disneyland Resort. That is my favourite persona breakfast at Disneyland Hotel, and my peak advice for households who need the most productive stability of a amusing revel in and a amusing meal.
Generally, Disney characters don’t seem to be referred to as professional cooks (taking a look at you, Mr. Mouse!), however Goofy is shockingly professional within the kitchen. The menu here’s a exhibit of his culinary chops, with sudden highlights together with some in point of fact goofy breakfast pizzas, starting from peanut butter and jelly to banana’s foster (they’re such a lot higher than they may sound). Personality interactions also are in most cases lovely nice.
Plaza Inn – The wonderful fried hen is Plaza Inn’s declare to status, and in contrast to some Disneyland meals, this hen in fact lives as much as the hype. The fried hen is extra addictive than nicotine and extra scrumptious than bacon ice cream.
All the way through the vacations, the menu will get even higher with the Xmas Log (typically) added, but it surely’s lovely impressive year-round. Sarah isn’t a large fan of Plaza Inn, however I believe maximum guests to Disneyland will love this position. The one problem is that the pricing has gotten completely out of hand in the previous couple of years, but it surely’s nonetheless an all-star eatery.
Lamplight Living room – For many of its lifestyles, Lamplight Living room used to be Cove Bar, an bizarre open-air front room overlooking Paradise Bay. Its declare to status on the time used to be the long-lasting Lobster Nachos, in conjunction with a rotating solid of small bites and colourful beverages. We leave out Cove Bar.
We additionally love Lamplight Living room. The menu is larger and bolder…but in addition costlier than its predecessor. We likewise love the “sensible brunch” at Lamplight Lunch, which has a slew of standouts. In the case of lunch and dinner, there’s something you must completely order right here: the ones aforementioned Lobster Nachos. Our assessment of those from a number of years in the past stays true to at the present time: “a zen-like revel in that makes you are feeling like there are little angels massaging your flavor buds and tickling your abdomen…a non secular revel in.”
Blue Bayou Eating place – For the longest time, our point of view on Blue Bayou used to be that it used to be a Disneyland bucket record must-do, however most commonly for the ambience inside of Pirates of the Caribbean and less-so for the meals. That modified with the newest menu replace, all through which we had the supreme dishes in-park at Disneyland Hotel in a very long time.
Two of those have been way more bold than anything else we’ve ever had at Blue Bayou, and left us in need of to take a look at the remainder of the menu. Between the ones and the reliably nice (albeit overpriced) Monte Cristo, we now extremely suggest Blue Bayou Eating place to all Disneyland guests and now not simply ceremony of passage first-timers. Let’s hope the kitchen assists in keeping the standard up and the menu this bold. It makes Blue Bayou a top-tier eating place at Disneyland for each setting and delicacies!
(Honorable point out right here to Cafe Orleans, which is a forged choice if Blue Bayou is unavailable or slightly too dear. Cafe Orleans is worthy of inclusion in this record, however we made the editorial determination to put out of your mind it because of Blue Bayou overlaying a lot of the similar flooring and being a better option. Possibly that used to be a mistake and we must switch out Harbour Galley for Cafe Orleans…)
Dealer Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – The very best method to cap off a night within the parks is at the most productive bar in all of Disneyland Hotel, Dealer Sam’s. That is the good and most exciting bar in Disneyland, with an intimate location this is filled with an astonishing quantity of element, interactive parts, and a few improbable beverages.
A few of these beverages come with the Krakatoa Punch, HippopotoMai-Tai, Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, Shipwreck at the Rocks, and the Uh Oa!, which is intended to be shared amongst a couple of buddies. Dealer Sam’s stocks a kitchen with Tangaroa Terrace, so the entirety from that menu may be to be had right here. It’s simply too dangerous that doesn’t come with the breakfast choices–a past due evening of Uh-Oas paired with Jap Fluffy Pancakes sounds lovely best!
Pacific Wharf Cafe – This unassuming deli is all about BREAD: pudding and bowls.
Severely, that’s it. Pacific Wharf Cafe makes the record wholly at the foundation of its bread bowls (specifically the mac & cheese) and rotating number of seasonal bread pudding, which is without doubt one of the supreme cakes at Disneyland.
Fortunate Fortune Cookery – With each and every of its 3 primary eating places represented, it must be glaring by means of now that Pacific Wharf is the position to do a counter carrier lunch at Disney California Journey. You’ll take a divide and triumph over manner, with a variety of choices from bread to tacos.
And now, Asian fusion. The mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors is fashionable in Southern California, and the Red meat Bulgogi Burrito with Garlic-flavored Chips is an incredibly nice instance of this sort of delicacies. Unassuming as it could glance, it’s bursting with taste and, personally, is the most productive burrito at Disneyland Hotel.
The menu has a variety of different choices, from a tight ramen to an impulsively scrumptious plant-based Bánh Mì to an incredibly highly spiced Highly spiced Szechuan Rooster. No unmarried entree in Pacific Wharf is as nice because the QuesaBirria, however that is the most productive total eating place–beating each Cocina Cucamonga and Pacific Wharf Cafe. You’ll’t pass improper with anything else right here.
Pym’s Kitchen – Talking of well-rounded eating places at Disney California Journey, we now have Pym’s Check Kitchen. This can be a lot like Avengers Campus as a complete: some flashes of excellence hobbled by means of asymmetric execution. The adaptation with this Wonder eating place is that its core thought is exceptional, and there are some nice menu choices a number of the dangerous or simplest ok.
The place Pym’s Check Kitchen in point of fact excels is in goodies. 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-Spoil CANDY Bar). Past that, it’s a amusing spot to snatch a meal, see the “Pym Debris” develop and shrink inventions with meals science, and do a little folks tremendous hero observing.
Carnation Cafe – Despite the fact that it’s modified slightly through the years, it’s essential to sit down down inside of Carnation Cafe, peruse the menu, and suppose that this may’ve been the similar revel in visitors had again in 1955. (Neatly, you would need to forget about the costs, as the ones have modified greater than just a little!)
The purpose is that Carnation Cafe is a Disneyland establishment, from its environment on Primary Boulevard to its vintage menu of convenience 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 selections and also you’re more likely to get an inventory consisting of the Fried Pickles, plus two other entrees.
Tangaroa Terrace – Disneyland fanatics are beginning to get up and acknowledge the distinction of Tangaroa Terrace. The one drawback? They aren’t waking up early sufficient, and are praising the improper meal consequently. Lunch and dinner listed here are positive; higher than many counter carrier eating places within the parks, however inferior to Disneyland Resort’s counterpart within the Grand Californian.
The place Tangaroa Terrace in point of fact shines is breakfast. That menu is critically stacked, with actually each unmarried access excluding the dull American Breakfast being a standout. My non-public favourite is the Avocado Toast, which is the most productive model of this dish I’ve had any place and one in all my favourite dishes at Disneyland Hotel. Jap Fluffy Pancakes and Tangaroa Toast also are winners!
Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes – That is certain to be an unpopular opinion given the perpetual traces, however I believe that Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes is hyped up. The ones lengthy traces are a results of the photogenic CrazyShakes and the loss of higher possible choices in Downtown Disney, which regardless of being a eating district, simplest has a handful of profitable eating places (for now).
With that mentioned, “hyped up” isn’t the similar as “dangerous” and that’s why Black Faucet makes the record, edging out different standouts in Downtown Disney, together with Catal, Napolini Pizzeria and Naples Ristorante. (We wouldn’t hesitate to devour at any of the ones, however I’d desire to concentrate on in-park or resort choices for this record.)
Napa Rose – Extensively considered without equal Disneyland foodie revel in–no less than, of the ones open to most of the people–Napa Rose is an all-star that may stand shoulder to shoulder with actual international positive eating institutions in Orange County. We’ve dined at Napa Rose numerous occasions, doing the entirety from Thanksgiving dinner to the superlative Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose.
For the longest time, we thought to be Napa Rose to be the second-best Disney eating place at which we’ve dined, in the back of simplest Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney International. Then again, its standing had fallen relatively pre-closure and considerably since reopening. Possibly we’ve simply been unfortunate, however I’d now reasonably dine on the subsequent eating place in this record–in conjunction with two others in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort–over Napa Rose. It’s nonetheless worthy of inclusion and advice, however now not what it as soon as used to be, in our view.
Carthay Circle Eating place – This one score extremely shouldn’t come as an enormous marvel, for the reason that we named it the Absolute best Eating place in Disney California Journey. We’ll take {that a} step additional–this is without doubt one of the supreme in-park eating places any place, and amongst a trio of in point of fact elite eating places at Disneyland Hotel. There are numerous good stuff to devour within the parks and motels, however only a few that qualify as positive eating that would pass head-to-head with the most productive of Southern California’s actual international 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 perfect meal, you can’t pass improper with Carthay Circle Eating place. The menu remains to be missing as in comparison to pre-closure, but it surely has a lot of its swagger again, and is once more extremely really useful.
Hearthstone Living room – This foyer bar is one in all 3 other eating places that make the record at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort (4 in case you rely each and every of the following two entries one by one), and it’s our latest favourite. The menu right here used to be overhauled a couple of months in the past, and continues being perfected.
Those tweaks have paid off. Hearthstone Living room has long gone from having super beverages and nice bar meals to being destination-worthy eating. The menu is bold and engaging, with even the apparently easy and easy salads and sandwiches that includes novel twists. The one factor preventing us from consuming right here over and over again is the recognition of Hearthstone Living room, which can also be relatively busy on weekends and evenings. Move early or past due and order anything else–even the “fundamentals” are strangely bold!
GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill – We devour at those two spots greater than any place else at Disneyland Hotel. The GCH eating choices are our go-to selections after we’re consuming someplace at Disneyland for us reasonably than for the sake of researching a brand new menu or revisiting eating places to taste-test high quality.
There’s such a lot at the shared menu that we completely love. The nachos are a perfect shared starter (and even an entree), however burger is improbable, and the quesadilla is basically impressive. Then there’s the Woodland 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 outside in this very deep menu, which is good-to-great from peak to backside.
Technically, those are two places. GCH Craftsman Bar is the poolside front room and GCH Craftsman Grill is the adjoining counter carrier eating place. The menus and the meals are an identical, and are available from the similar shared kitchen. If conceivable, we advise GCH Craftsman Bar for the comfortable atmosphere, with sunlight hours daylight dotting the environment. The low-key lights supplied by means of the Arts & Crafts lanterns and popcorn lights may be relatively great. If you’ll be able to’t get a reservation, the meals at GCH Craftsman Grill is each bit as nice.
BONUS: Membership 33 – For glaring causes, the club membership at Disneyland doesn’t make the primary record, however we’d be remiss if we didn’t no less than point out Membership 33, because it is some of the peak 20 or so eating places.
For Disneyland diehards, Membership 33 is without equal bucket record dinner for its historical past and exclusivity. Since that’s now not conceivable for many guests, we’d as an alternative suggest Carthay Circle Eating place or the Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose as two awesome possible choices.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Pointers for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Resort Critiques & Scores. For the place to devour, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Critiques. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll fortify your travel, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In any case, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal towns!
Your Ideas
What would make your record of the highest 23 eating places at Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Downtown Disney, and the Resorts of Disneyland Hotel? Any glaring standouts we’ve snubbed? What about eating places that made our record that don’t belong? Any method you’d exchange the kinds or possible choices? Do you settle or disagree with our possible choices? Any questions we will be able to let you resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
