Best place for dinner around Disneyland

[itscoldhere]

OK guys, I need some help on finding a good place for dinner around Disneyland. NOT in Disneyland. My Uncle who lives around that area wants to come and take us to dinner while we are there, but we don't really want to venture too far away from the park, as we will be heading back there when we are done with dinner. They don't care for Tony Romas either. I think someone has mentioned the Napa Rose in the Disneyland Motel. Is that any good? What kind of food? We would have our kids (ages 6 and 4) with us also. Anything good in downtown Disney? My uncle cannot figure out why we really don't want to leave Disneyland for much time, he seems to think we will be burnt out by then. NOT!!!! So I am trying to make everybody happy here by taking the time go to dinner with him but not venturing too far away from Disneyland so that when we are done, we can get back to it! Money is the not a problem (he is paying). Do I need reservations on any of the restaurants you mention? Thanks for any help.

 

[jemilah]

Oh soo many choices. I love Down town disney for dinner ........rainforest cafe, ESPN zone, Jazz kitchen all are great and family friendly!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I would pick Storytellers over Napa Rose if I had my kids with me (which I always do) Not that they aren't good in restaurants, it's just that I don't think I would enjoy it to it's full potential! You could also do the Jazz Kitchen in DTD or Steakhouse 55 in Disneyland Hotel. All of these your uncle can do without park admission!

If he really puches going offsite, I like Claim Jumper the best and there's also a Red Robin Nearby down Harbor!

Andrea

And no I wouldn't be burnt out either, I can never tear myself away!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Tony Roma's is right across the cross walk. OOPPS sorry, I didn't see that you didn't care for Tony Roma's.

 

[itscoldhere]

I would pick Storytellers over Napa Rose if I had my kids with me (which I always do) Not that they aren't good in restaurants, it's just that I don't think I would enjoy it to it's full potential! You could also do the Jazz Kitchen in DTD or Steakhouse 55 in Disneyland Hotel. All of these your uncle can do without park admission!

If he really puches going offsite, I like Claim Jumper the best and there's also a Red Robin Nearby down Harbor!

Andrea

And no I wouldn't be burnt out either, I can never tear myself away!

Thanks for the info - is Storytellers in the Disneyland Motel as well? Where is the Steakhouse 55? I personally would love to go to Claim Jumper. I was told that one existed down there, but I never new where? Is it within walking distance? Where is it located? I think I need something within walking distance as we will have two little ones with us and we don't have a rental car and we would not all fit in their car.

 

[colbybug]

What about Mimi's? It is right across the street on Harbor and to the left a little bit....not too far of a walk, family friendly, HUGE portions, not too expensive and did I mention, YUMMY?!!

Kathy

 

[MATTERHORN]

Thanks for the info - is Storytellers in the Disneyland Motel as well? Where is the Steakhouse 55? I personally would love to go to Claim Jumper. I was told that one existed down there, but I never new where? Is it within walking distance? Where is it located? I think I need something within walking distance as we will have two little ones with us and we don't have a rental car and we would not all fit in their car.

Okay, well Claim Jumper is out then, it's about 8 miles away, you'd have to take a cab! Steakhouse 55 is in the Disneyland Hotel, along with Hook's Pointe which is also good. Both are a little pricey, but like you said, no worries there! It's easy to walk down there and your uncle won't have to deal with all the theme park business!!

Oh Storyteller's Cafe is in the Grand Californian on property, it's actually closer to the parks than the DL hotel. I would recommend making a PS for either place if you plan to visit them!!

Here are the menus in case you are interested.

Steakhouse 55: Don't pay attention to the name, it just changed after many many years!
http://dlresortinfo.com/disneylandhotelrestaurants/granvilles/granvilleadult.html

Storytellers Cafe:
http://dlresortinfo.com/grandcalifornianrestaurants/storytellers/storydinneradult.html

Or they have a buffet option at Storyteller's Cafe:
http://dlresortinfo.com/grandcalifornianrestaurants/storytellers/storytellerbuffet.html

 

[honeymom]

Napa Rose is also at the Grand Californian. While it is the most upscale disneyland restaurant, we saw plenty of tables with kids at them (ours were in kids club). After all, it is Disney.

The upstairs dining room at Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen in Downtown disney served us a meal that was just as good, maybe better, than what we ate at Napa Rose.

the food is okay at Rainforest Cafe, but many kids love it. Mine love it now, hoever at age 4, the animals and fake thunderstorms used to scare them.

 

[Skroops]

We had a great time at Goofys' Kitchen at the DL hotel. We also had a fun meal at Buca di Beppo (outside our hotel) family style Italian food, and I also noticed a Mortons' Steak house on Harbor.

Good luck!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Napa Rose is also at the Grand Californian. While it is the most upscale disneyland restaurant, we saw plenty of tables with kids at them (ours were in kids club). After all, it is Disney.

OP, I agree it is perfectly acceptable to take kids there if that is where you want to go. It's just not my choice to go spend $100+ for 2 adults when I have the kiddos with me and probably won't eat it while it's hot. But mine are still pretty young so it may work out better for you!


Andrea

 

[BCV23]

Money is the not a problem (he is paying).

This made me laugh. I hope he feels the same way.

 

[itscoldhere]

This made me laugh. I hope he feels the same way.

From what I have been told it is. I have been told he likes to "flash" his dough, so I say flash away!!

Thank you everybody for the suggestions.

 

[BCV23]

From what I have been told it is. I have been told he likes to "flash" his dough, so I say flash away!!

Thank you everybody for the suggestions.

Have fun! And it is cold here too! Can't wait for a bit of California sun!

 

[yeartolate]

Try this

http://www.anaheimwhitehouse.com/

 

[itscoldhere]

Is Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Motel? Also, is the dinner they serve a character meal? If that is the case, I know my kids would like to go to that.

 

[mickeysgal]

What about Mimi's? It is right across the street on Harbor and to the left a little bit....not too far of a walk, family friendly, HUGE portions, not too expensive and did I mention, YUMMY?!!

Kathy

Another vote for Mimi's Cafe. We were pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. We ended up eating there twice it was so good. Very reasonable prices and a good variety of food.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Is Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Motel? Also, is the dinner they serve a character meal? If that is the case, I know my kids would like to go to that.

Goofy's Kitchen is at the DL Hotel and it is a character meal. I didn't mention it because your uncle sounds "not disneyish" so I wasn't sure if he'd be willing to pay for that one!!! It is a buffet meal!


Andrea

 

[Wendi2000]

If you want to stay onsite but outside of the parks, I would suggest Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel, Yamabuki at the Paradise Pier Hotel, or Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian.

I have heard good things about ESPN Zone and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD as well.

If you want to leave DLR but stay within walking distance, I would recommend Mimi's. Just cross Harbor outside of DLR and go left.

 

[tinker&belle]

What does everyone think of Catal? I ate there at while I was at a conference in Anaheim a few years ago, and we are thinking of returning. (Not sure about this one for kids for the OP though, I don't remember seeing children there, but we were upstairs)

 

[honeymom]

What does everyone think of Catal? I ate there at while I was at a conference in Anaheim a few years ago, and we are thinking of returning. (Not sure about this one for kids for the OP though, I don't remember seeing children there, but we were upstairs)

We haven't tried Catal yet. However, when we used to live in LA we had tried Patina, another Joachim Spichal restaurant. It was undoubtedly one of the best meals of our lives. The only thing that has kept us out of Catal is the menu - I just never really see anything that I'm in the mood for. But, if the menu looks appealing, I would venture to guess that it is outstanding food. Spichal is a world reknowned chef and not the sort to do anything wrong.