Best Places to eat in DL & DCA?

[Doug Lewis]

My wife, 5 year old daughter, and 5 month old daughter (and me) are taking an impromptu visit it Disneyland next month for two days (May 19 & 20).

I haven't been to Disneyland since I was 5 (we are WDW people usually, but my wife has a work convention there). What are the MUST TRY places in both parks? Character dining is optional, we are more worried about good food and good atmosphere. We just want to experience all things Disneyland during our two days. Obviously, we love all things Disney.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[figment_jii]

What kinds of food do you and your family like?

To see some of what might be available, check out the Disneyland Dining Review thread (start with the most recent and work backwards).

The most iconic dining location in Disneyland is probably the Blue Bayou. The restaurant is located inside the PotC attraction building and you'll see boats floating by as you dine (think like San Angel Inn at Epcot - but with a New Orleans inspired menu). I like the food, but it does get somewhat mixed reviews. In terms of TS locations, I also really like the River Belle Terrace (ribs, plus a good view of NOS if you dine outside), Cafe Orleans (gumbo and pomme frites and a good view of NOS) and Carnation Cafe (fried pickles and meatloaf and a view of Main Street if you dine outside) inside DL. Over in DCA, I've had pretty good luck lately with Wine Country Tattoria (Italian and a view of some of DCA if you have a patio edge table). For counter service, I really like the Plaza Inn (Fried Chicken!) and French Market (sometimes the Royal Street Bachelors perform) in DL. Flo's V-8 Cafe (some tables have a view of either Carsland or RSR) is pretty good in DCA.

 

[HydroGuy]

What kinds of food do you and your family like?

To see some of what might be available, check out the Disneyland Dining Review thread (start with the most recent and work backwards).

The most iconic dining location in Disneyland is probably the Blue Bayou. The restaurant is located inside the PotC attraction building and you'll see boats floating by as you dine (think like San Angel Inn at Epcot - but with a New Orleans inspired menu). I like the food, but it does get somewhat mixed reviews. In terms of TS locations, I also really like the River Belle Terrace (ribs, plus a good view of NOS if you dine outside), Cafe Orleans (gumbo and pomme frites and a good view of NOS) and Carnation Cafe (fried pickles and meatloaf and a view of Main Street if you dine outside) inside DL. Over in DCA, I've had pretty good luck lately with Wine Country Tattoria (Italian and a view of some of DCA if you have a patio edge table). For counter service, I really like the Plaza Inn (Fried Chicken!) and French Market (sometimes the Royal Street Bachelors perform) in DL. Flo's V-8 Cafe (some tables have a view of either Carsland or RSR) is pretty good in DCA.

I second a vote for Flo's V-8. Your 5 year old will like that. Heck, everyone will like it. Food is counter service but pretty decent. Get a table outside near RSR.

I have not tried the new Rose Tavern at DL. One of the young ladies I work with ate there last week and liked it.

I would try either Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans at DL.

 

[HydroGuy]

I second a vote for Flo's V-8. Your 5 year old will like that. Heck, everyone will like it. Food is counter service but pretty decent. Get a table outside near RSR.

I have not tried the new Rose Tavern at DL. One of the young ladies I work with ate there last week and liked it.

I would try either Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans at DL.

Also, places we like around DLR in general:

DL
Plaza Inn (I like the salad - others like the PP rave about the fried chicken)
Jolly Holiday Bakery (great sandwiches)
Blue Bayou
Cafe Orleans

DCA
Flo's V-8 Cafe
Pacific Wharf Cafe

Hotels and DTD
Steakhouse 55 (our new favorite)
RainForest Cafe
Tortilla Jo's

Also see "What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

 

[aidansmother]

Carnation in DL is a must stop for our family, something about the atmosphere, and we always dine outside. Jolly Holiday just has a great selection, so we always stop for a snack or lunch. Cafe Orleans, eating pomme frites, gumbo and beignets while people watching is a lovely break. We tried the Rose Tavern and I really liked the atmosphere inside, but it was pretty noisy. I like how it was decorated and the food was pretty tasty.

Steakhouse 55 had delicious food, but it's not in the park, it's in the Disneyland Hotel, which might be a deal breaker for some.

We ate at Wine Country in DCA on our last trip and the food was good and the view was nice. My son likes to hit the wharf area for a bread bowl and Ghiradelli for a snack when we are in DCA.

 

[Jerryp49]

Blue Bayou is great but very expensive . For characters try Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian for breakfast . Here is a link with menus and prices for the whole resort :

http://allears.net/dlr/dining/

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

My fave is Carnation cafe. But I don't think DLR has the best food overall. We've tried the Mexican food in DL and DCA and I didn't like either one but I know some people love it. In DCA, the place in the hangar next to Soarin (sorry the name escapes me) has a pretty good chicken burger. I do like Tortilla Jos in DTD, so we try to go there atleast once. I need to try more places on our next trip

 

[cinderelly828]

DH and I really like Bengal BBQ in Adventureland. It's CS, relatively cheap, and delicious. The skewers are more of a heavy snack. We also love the Plaza Inn fried chicken. Cafe Orleans gumbo is super tasty too!

 

[agamble]

Our favorite CS places are Rancho Del Zocalo in DL and Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA.

 

[disneychrista]

My go places are:

Disneyland
Carnation Cafe - fried pickles (the best I have ever tried) & baked potato soup
Plaza Inn - Fried Chicken. I tried it for the first time last year and it quickly made it to my go to list.

DCA
Hot Dog Castle - Hot Link Corn Dog

Downtown Disney
Earl of Sandwich - Holiday Turkey Sandwich

 

[smartlabelprint]

Blue bayou
Plaza inn
French market

Boardwalk pizza & pasta

 

[Sun_soakin]

Carthay circle and storytellers are our favorite TS. Pacific wharf or harbor galley for clam chowder. We also usually eat at rancho zocalo.
I see them mentioned a lot, but my family doesn't like carnation cafe or cafe orleans (and we've tried pretty much everything on the menus).

 

[MacMama0930]

One of my favorites is at Cozy Cone Motel in Carsland. You can choose from Mac and Cheese or Chili (something else, too?) in a hand held bread cone. It's perfectly themed and easy to walk around with. It's more of a snack for some people but I treat it as a meal. So yummy!

 

[cruisehopeful]

we are more worried about good food and good atmosphere

With that in mind, I suggest Carthay circle. You should make a reservation for lunch or dinner.