Restaurant Recommendations at DL Parks and Downtown Disney

[Tink316]

Looking for some great restaurant recommendations for our upcoming trip to Disneyland! This will be our first time there, so we're not very familiar with the parks or the dining options. We’ll have one day in each park, plus some time to explore Downtown Disney.

We’re open to all types of food, so any must-try spots or personal favorites would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance!

 

[tlovesdis]

Lamplight Lounge in DCA is our favorite!

 

[BrianL]

Looking for some great restaurant recommendations for our upcoming trip to Disneyland! This will be our first time there, so we're not very familiar with the parks or the dining options. We’ll have one day in each park, plus some time to explore Downtown Disney.

We’re open to all types of food, so any must-try spots or personal favorites would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance!

If you've been to WDW, there are significantly fewer table service options in park, but counter service is generally a bit better (though WDW has made gains in that area). My favorites are anything with the sourdough bread form Aunt Cass Cafe and Award Weiners at DCA. At DL, I like the Bao buns from the Tropical Hideaway. I have eaten at Cafe Orleans many times and it makes for a nice lunch. It's table service, and has some similar items to Blue Bayou, though a bit less expensive.

 

[Nonsuch]

I recommend Paseo in DTD, an new fine dining mexican restaurant.
The same company operates both Centrico (outdoor table service) and Tiendita (counter service)

 

[KimberMama]

We found Black Tap in DTD a surprisingly good restaurant, with options for our plant-based and meat eating family members, and the general consensus among the meat eaters was that the burgers were better than in the parks. Cafe Orleans is usually pretty good, and I do like Blue Bayou when we can get a reservation. Breakfast at Red Rose Tavern was better than Carnation Cafe, which was surprising (but I find Carnation to be one of the restaurants with declining quality post C19). Plaza Inn has decent fried chicken, and I appreciate how they work with food allergies. We haven’t really eaten at DCA in awhile, last time it was so busy we just got corn dogs. Oh, we did eat at Lamplight, it was pretty good, and Carthay (main dining room) was okay but we decided we probably wouldn’t eat there again, our meal at BB was much better.

 

[LKing]

How many people in your group? And what ages?

Carthay Circle and Napa Rose are the white linen restaurants. While you can dress in park attire, they have a more formal feel and a longer dining experience.

Blue Bayou is very popular for the ambiance. Some love the food. Some think it is just okay.

If you are going to watch Fantasmic, I would try to book a Fantasmic dining package. You can select from Blue Bayou ($$$), River Belle Terrace ($$) or Rancho del Zocalo ($). Fantasmic show seating is similar for all so choose the restaurant with the menu and budget that works for you. If you watch the first Fantasmic show from dining package seating, you can also watch fireworks immediately after from the same seat.

I'll second Paseo. It is one of our favorites. It is a bit eclectic so look at the menu first.

I also like the restaurants in San Fransokyo - Cocina Cucamonga, Lucky Fortune Cookery and Aunt Cass Cafe.

Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree just opened five days ago. We had a nice meal there. Reviews are a bit hit and miss. I'm sure the restaurant will work out the bugs.

There is a thread where people share photos and reviews of food. https://www.disboards.com/threads/my-disneyland-dining-reviews-with-pictures.1253888/page-245

 

[DizMe]

In DTD, I like Ballast Point. They have good variety and I love their burgers. I also like being up on the rooftop patio and sampling their beers!

 

[NVDISFamily]

Blue Bayou for lunch with a water side table would be my recommendation for a must do meal if you are looking for an experience. We thought the food was great.

Guilty pleasure snacks - Chili Cone Queso (Cars Land - this is very heavy and likely very bad for you but tasty), Churro (also at Car's land cones - best dip in the park with the caramel sauce), Corn Dog Castle (both the regular and spicy options are great - my kids and @MrsNVDISFamily love both), The Garlic Bread (Edelweiss Snacks).

Hidden Gem - Grand Cal's Craftsman Grill. Quick service sister/cousin of the Craftsman bar. Same menu/kitchen but quick service. Inside and AC plus access to a freestyle machine to hydrate/caffeine yourself into bliss. One of better pizzas on property, nachos are great (huge portion to share). Don't skip on the chocolate/resses/peanut butter blonde thing they have in the grab and go section. One of the best treats in the park and I have to sneak in there and get one for each trip. It's easy to access this place from inside DCA and It's better than most for quality/$.

Best QS/Snack option - Ronto Roasters and Docking Bay 7. I usually mobile order Ronto and we take it into Docking Bay where I get some more goodies. Don't sleep on the Ronto-Less Wrap. Likely the BEST thing that you can get at DLR that is not at WDW. My family and I love meat but we can't stop eating this thing. It's delicious (does have a little spice).

Notable Mentions - Birria Grilled Cheese @ Jolly Holiday. Churro Toffee (yea it's amazing). Likely could go on and double or triple this list. I'd say overall food game at DLR is better than WDW but more focused on the QS side of things.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

We've had the Jolly Holiday Combo every single trip we have done!