Disneyland Dining options

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I've been to WDW several times and one of the highlights of our trip is dining. Since the kids have been begging to go to Disneyland, I've been looking into all aspects. It seems we'd be very disappointed with the dining options. It looks like Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 would be our best bets, but is there anything we're missing? Our favorite spots in WDW are Le Cellier, Bistro de Paris, Boma, Flying Fish, California Grill, and Artist Point, so we pretty much like any cuisine as long as its good The kids especially love trying new food so we are open to anything. Thanks

 

[skiingfast]

The biggest difference is DLR doesn't have the number of options that WDW does by a lot. And also not the variety since it doesn't have the international variety of Epcot or AK.

The nice thing is DTD is right next to the parks instead of on the egde of the resort as is the case in WDW where it's the longest bus ride to get to and from.

You might want to consider Catal and Raplh Brennans in DTD.

I do enjoy the food in Blue Bayou greatly, and it also has great ambiance but some people are hyper critical of the food for price there.

 

[deej696]

Fellow WDW vet and I've just returned from DL. We did the chefs counter at Napa Rose, and it was a phenomenal experience. I would compare the restaurant in general to a combination of Artist Point and California Grill at WDW, minus the view. We did Steakhouse 55 on a previous visit a few years back and I was not very impressed.

 

[makthompson]

At the Blue Bayou, you really pay for the ambiance there. If you've never been I would definitely recommend. We always went there, but have decided not to go there for our next trip as it looks like they've taken the Prime Rib off the menu, however they may change the menu in different seasons..not sure about that though.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

While dining is not the same at DL as it is at WDW, there are lots of places to get a good meal. It is just different. I felt the same way as you when we planned our first trip to DL in 2009. Most dining in the Parks is outside, which is far different than WDW, so when it rains, a lot of the dining options close.

Places that we have enjoyed at DL are:

Carnation Cafe, in DL, great potato soup.
Naples (in Downtown Disney) - fabulous pizza (eat there every trip now)
Storytellers Cafe, in the Grand Californian (buffet or order off menu) great atmosphere
Hungry Bear, in DL, delicious sweet potato fries
Ariels Grotto upstairs bar, always get the lobster nachos and white sangria for lunch.

While it is not the same as WDW, and you don't need to plan ahead or plan your day around your meals like WDW, I think you will still enjoy your meals at the DL Resort.

 

[cmwade77]

Ok, so here are some good options for you:
Disneyland Hotel:

• Steakhouse 55
• Goofy's Kitchen (it's a character buffet, but the food is usually pretty good)
• Tangaroa Terrace (This is a counter service, but is amazingly good)
• Trader Sam's (This is a bar that also serves some food and non alcoholic drinks)

Paradise Pier Hotel:

• PCH Grill (I recommend dinner, the food is a good and reasonably priced compared to many other table service options. Reservations are rarely, if ever needed at Dinner time here as an added bonus).

Grand Californian:

• Story Teller's Cafe (I recommend the buffet for the best value).
• Napa Rose (This is very expensive though and honestly, I have never eaten here).
• White Water Snacks (Again, counter service, but the food and prices are good).

Disneyland:

• Carnation Cafe
• Cafe Orleans
• Blue Bayou (Only do this if you prefer atmosphere over quality of food and service)
• Celebration Ranch (Or whatever the current name is - it is the BBQ buffet near Big Thunder and is also really good)
• Hungry Bear (Counter Service with a great new menu)
• Village Haus (Counter Service with a great new menu)

California Adventure:

• Wine Country Trattoria (not for the WOC menu)
• Ariel's Grotto (WOC menu is the best option here, but it does have character lunches which are also good)
• Taste Pilot's Grill (Counter service that is decent)
• The new food options in Paradise Pier (almost like a mini food courtover there) are great counter service options.

Downtown Disney:

• Boudin Bakery
• Naples Pizzeria
• House of Blues (Food is good, but service is terrible).

There are also many good options at GardenWalk and there is usually a free shuttle that leaves from where all of the hotel shuttles run.

 

[NicholsFam]

We really liked the new restaurants at California Adventure over by the Jumping Jellyfish ride.

Also, we like the soup in bread bowls at the sourdough place on a cold day.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Some additional thoughts. It's La Brea bakery in DtD, not Boudin. La Brea is one of those places where I have often been disappointed by the food. I don't know if the food just isn't that great or if I'm just expecting better for the price.

Boudin sourdough bread is made inside Disney California Adventure and is delicious. I highly recommend a soup (they have salad too) bread bowl there, you can get the filling on the side if you don't want your bread to get all soggy or even just a loaf of bread with butter. This is served at the counter service place the Pacific Wharf Bakery.

Has anyone mentioned Jazz Kitchen in DtD? This is one of our family's lunch or brunch favorites. If you have sports fans in your group, there's ESPNZone in DtD.

Steakhouse 55 in the DLH isn't as well-known for its breakfast, but they serve a really good one if you're looking for a good sit-down place in the morning that doesn't have characters.

 

[larina]

On our recent trip, we had great experiences at Napa Rose (we had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner here!), The PCH Grill (we did the character breakfast buffet on Christmas morning and had a dinner here as well), and Storytellers. We like to eat in the food court area of California Adventure (we find the food MUCH better in CA than in DL!) at least once, usually twice. We all get different things there, which is kind of fun. The only dining we did in Disneyland this trip was Minnie's buffet at The Plaza Inn. It is a great character experience, and the food is decent, but it isn't as good as Storytellers.

 

[abwdreaming]

On Christmas Day we had preferred seating for Lunch at the Thunder Ranch BBQ in Frontier Land. It was our first time eating there and we were all very happy with the quality of the food, all you can eat BBQ. The ribs were tender and falling off the bone, the chicken was juicy, beans, corn on the cob, cornbread and coleslaw were all surprisingly delicious. For everything we got the price was good compared to other park restaurants. The included musical show was fun. We did not do dessert (too full) and just wanted churros later.