Don’t Miss Hearthstone Lounge – A Hidden Gem at Disneyland’s Grand Californian

[JJZMgailey]

With recent refurbishment dates announced for the two table-service restaurants at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa, I feel like it’s the perfect time to share a lovely dining experience I had on my recent trip to Disneyland Resort.

I stayed at the Grand Californian this time. The weather was a bit chilly during my trip, and on one of the nights, I decided to stay in and explore the resort instead of heading out to the Downtown Disney District or one of the theme parks for dinner. Believe it or not, I’ve never dined at Hearthstone Lounge. In fact, I made it a mission to find and experience it this time because I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it. You can find it tucked in the corner of the lobby just after you pass the giant fireplace.

Follow this link to read the rest of my article https://www.wdwinfo.com/disneylandc...-hidden-gem-at-disneylands-grand-californian/

 

[OKW Lover]

We enjoy the Hearthstone Lounge every time we stay at the Grand Californian.

 

[DizMe]

I love the Hearthstone Lounge!! Thank you for your wonderful report. We had the French onion soup in December and it was, as you said, fabulous!

I also like the little nook with its own fireplace, but there are Lounge employees who sometimes need to use the door (that leads outside) and it can usher in quite a chill breeze, depending on when you go.

 

[Louis63]

I hear good things about this place, however my experience was not good, service was poor, food was cold, overall not a good experience

 

[irlandaise]

I hear good things about this place, however my experience was not good, service was poor, food was cold, overall not a good experience

Sorry to hear that, Louis.

A friend and I had dinner there a few months ago and we both thought the food was excellent.

 

[bakofarmgirl]

we love it and always go once at least! nanette is the best hands down, she always takes such great care of us. with the newer menu we also love the french onion soup and the truffle mac

 

[maleficent55]

We LOVE the Heartstone Lounge! The French onion soup is so good, and it’s cozy

RIP the garlic twisty knots

 

[bakofarmgirl]

We LOVE the Heartstone Lounge! The French onion soup is so good, and it’s cozy

RIP the garlic twisty knots

thats for sure those were so good!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I hear good things about this place, however my experience was not good, service was poor, food was cold, overall not a good experience

Oh good. I thought I was going to have to be the first to say it. I had to send my food back to the shock of my friends. I NEVER do that but it was actually inedible (it was the Short Rib Lasagna and it was just a flavorless, mushy consistency all the way through).

Skipped dinner altogether and went straight to the Cookie Butter Creme Brûlée to end things on a high note.

 

[CoachBeard]

I miss when it was truly a hidden gem where I could walk in there during the late afternoon for a quick drink and a rest. Now it is always busy!

 

[LKing]

Hearthstone has had several different chefs and menus over the past few years. Some of the chefs/menus were excellent. Some were not. For a period, there was a huge drop in the quality of items that had been on the menu for years. When we commented about it to our wait staff, we were told that it was because they had a new chef. More recently, it seems to have gotten better again.

Hearthstone used to be a bar with a few food options. They are slowly expanding the dining menu. This month I've seen a huge increase in content creators posting about Hearthstone which makes me think they are increasing their marketing efforts. I hope that doesn't mean that the quality will be impacted.

 

[DizMe]

Hearthstone has had several different chefs and menus over the past few years. Some of the chefs/menus were excellent. Some were not. For a period, there was a huge drop in the quality of items that had been on the menu for years. When we commented about it to our wait staff, we were told that it was because they had a new chef. More recently, it seems to have gotten better again.

Hearthstone used to be a bar with a few food options. They are slowly expanding the dining menu. This month I've seen a huge increase in content creators posting about Hearthstone which makes me think they are increasing their marketing efforts. I hope that doesn't mean that the quality will be impacted.

Oh, I don't really like the sound of that. It used to be that they kept busy but it wasn't too hard to get in without a reservation. The last couple of times I went, it was much more crowded. This could be explained by it being the holidays for one and that there was a big crowd due to a cheer competition or something on the other occasion.

I liked it when they had good bar-type food but for a while, the food options were expanded yet not that great IMO for the price point. I like it now but I do hope it doesn't stop being a fairly easy walk-up option. I generally stay at GCH and like being able to pop in when it suits what we're doing at the time.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Hearthstone seems super busy these days, but on my last trip a few weeks ago I was able to pop in and grab a drink to go. The line was super short and only took a few minutes. The CM behind the bar, Jeremy, was awesome. Super friendly and definitely a skilled bartender! My Manhattan was perfect and he even had me test it to make sure. It really was a great way to end the night!

 

[DizMe]

Hearthstone seems super busy these days, but on my last trip a few weeks ago I was able to pop in and grab a drink to go. The line was super short and only took a few minutes. The CM behind the bar, Jeremy, was awesome. Super friendly and definitely a skilled bartender! My Manhattan was perfect and he even had me test it to make sure. It really was a great way to end the night!

I'm going to watch for Jeremy on my next trip (in a few weeks). Maybe I'll order a Manhattan and take a big swig before I decide it's not quite right

 

[StarlitNight05]

I'm going to watch for Jeremy on my next trip (in a few weeks). Maybe I'll order a Manhattan and take a big swig before I decide it's not quite right

Lol good idea!

Hope you have a good trip. Oh and make sure to take a ride on Soarin if you're a fan of the California version. It always puts a smile on my face!

 

[grokdis]

Our last visit to Hearthstone was a couple of years ago, 2022? The quality of food and drinks (cocktails) were consistently low enough (after giving it a couple of tries during that visit) that we refrained from going there in the two years that followed... However Jan 2025 we were back and gave it a shot and it was outstanding, I don't know what changed but I will definitely be hitting it up again this year.

 

[CoachBeard]

Hearthstone seems super busy these days, but on my last trip a few weeks ago I was able to pop in and grab a drink to go. The line was super short and only took a few minutes. The CM behind the bar, Jeremy, was awesome. Super friendly and definitely a skilled bartender! My Manhattan was perfect and he even had me test it to make sure. It really was a great way to end the night!

Jeremy is awesome! He knows his whiskey!

 

[NVDISFamily]

We very much liked our meal here during our quick couples trip to DLR a few months ago. The Charcuterie board was a real treat and will likely be a must do during most future trips to DLR.

 

[DizMe]

We very much liked our meal here during our quick couples trip to DLR a few months ago. The Charcuterie board was a real treat and will likely be a must do during most future trips to DLR.

I didn't realize they had a charcuterie board!! I love this. Thanks for the heads-up, as I'll be there soon!

 

[monkeypat83]

I didn't realize they had a charcuterie board!! I love this. Thanks for the heads-up, as I'll be there soon!

I shared the charcuterie board with my dad and we each had a bowl of the French onion soup and it was the perfect amount of food.