Disneyland Restaurants - Prettiest Views?

[Golden Rose]

I know this sounds like a silly question, but which of the restaurants throughout DL/DCA have the prettiest views. For our upcoming trip, we are letting everyone choose a restaurant, so we're doing Ariel's Grotto for DD, Goofy's Kitchen for DS, Napa Rose (without the kids) and Blue Bayou for me and DH... and my DM requested the restaurant with the prettiest view.

For a reference point, her favorite restaurant at WDW is the California Grill. Great food, gorgeous views. I told her I don't think there is anything comparable at DL, but I figured there has to be something she would enjoy.

So, which restaurants have nice views? Preferably with good food, too. (Table service only.)

 

[jazzkitten]

I think the best table service restaurant with a great view is Ariel's Grotto (outdoor patio). You get the view of the lake with Paradise Pier and Mickey's Fun Wheel.

Other restaurants to consider (although not all are table service):

Carthay Circle patio - if you go during time of the parade, you get a nice view of it from above

Hungry Bear Restaurant - sit by the edge near the water. Mark Twain Riverboat passes by

Flo's Cafe - sit inside ( on the side where restrooms are) near window. Great people-watching spot with Motown oldies playing

Paradise Garden Cafe - pleasant seating area with nice Jazz Band playing while you eat

Rancho Del Zocalo at night - not much of a view, but great ambiance at night with colorful lanterns strung above

 

[BadRomance]

Maybe Jazz kitchen (downtown disney) on the upstairs balcony? I've heard you can watch the fireworks from there?

 

[dragonflycurls]

It'scounter service but the hungry bear by the water is a great view!

 

[Zbugz]

I think the best table service restaurant with a great view is Ariel's Grotto (outdoor patio). You get the view of the lake with Paradise Pier and Mickey's Fun Wheel.

Other restaurants to consider (although not all are table service):

Carthay Circle patio - if you go during time of the parade, you get a nice view of it from above

Hungry Bear Restaurant - sit by the edge near the water. Mark Twain Riverboat passes by

Flo's Cafe - sit inside ( on the side where restrooms are) near window. Great people-watching spot with Motown oldies playing

Paradise Garden Cafe - pleasant seating area with nice Jazz Band playing while you eat

Rancho Del Zocalo at night - not much of a view, but great ambiance at night with colorful lanterns strung above

I agree with this list 100%. Blue Bayou is another with a lovely view, albeit indoors.

 

[kitayama]

Flo's Cafe - sit inside ( on the side where restrooms are) near window. Great people-watching spot with Motown oldies playing

I like sitting in Flo's near the Piston Cups and thinking about my favorite line from any Disney movie... Mater stating "Doc did what in his cup!"
You also get a nice view of the street there as well.

I also like the upstairs patio of the Mexican restaurant in Downtown Disney. Watching the House of Blues and the people by the small fountain is quite relaxing (just don't look to the left of the House of Blues,) I always also have great service there; they go out of their way to help!

 

[Nonsuch]

... and my DM requested the restaurant with the prettiest view.

Upstairs at Wine Country Trattoria in DCA has a nice view
Make an advance reservation (of course), but also check in early and request a second floor table with a view
Both a full menu and a more limited WOC menu (with fastpasses) are available.
There is also an upstairs wine bar.

front of restaurant:

view from second floor:

 

[kitayama]

I agree with this list 100%. Blue Bayou is another with a lovely view, albeit indoors.

That is a great indoor view!!!
Quite a romantic setting.

 

[gerilyne]

The ones that I have enjoyed the view were Hungry Bear by the water (we liked it so much we ate there twice in one trip), Flo's if you can get a table that is close to RSR with a view of the Cadillac Mountain Range. We also liked Ralph Brennan's in DTD on the outdoor patio now for the pretty view but for the people watching.

 

[ShaunaM]

...the outside tables at night at Flo's off kind of to the side where you can watch
Radio Spring's racers.

We like River Belle Terrace for Breakfast before the park gets busy, if you can allow your imagination to wonder.. Sidewalks are still wet and shiny and there is an eerie calm in the quiet...

"A Sentimental Favorite
One of the original eateries at Disneyland Park, dating back to its opening in 1955, the River Belle Terrace was where Walt Disney could be found having breakfast on innumerable Sunday mornings. To this day, it remains a popular breakfast stop for many a Guest, boasting quite possibly the most scenic Rivers of America vistas in the park"

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/river-belle-terrace/

 

[crystal1313]

I like BB and wine country trattoria as previously mentioned. Flo's is awesome too but is counter service.

 

[Golden Rose]

We're already planning on eating at Ariel's Grotto and Blue Bayou. I'm glad there are nice views at both. Do the princesses come outside to the patio tables at Ariel's?

DM does not like to stand in line for food - counter service really isn't an option.

How difficult is it to get the outdoor patio tables with views at Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria? Looking at menus, I think those are the ones most likely to appeal to her that we haven't already booked.

 

[jazzkitten]

I believe the princesses only are guaranteed to come around during the character breakfast at Ariel's. I don't see why they wouldn't make their way outside. One time we got lucky as we were sitting outside for lunch. The princesses, Jasmin, Cinderella, and a couple others came by and signed my cast! I think this is rare though.

I don't think it's that difficult to get a table with a good view at CC or WCT, but you might have to wait longer . I would call ahead to make the reservation (instead of making it online) and requesting a view table and also mention it to the host when you check in.

 

[Golden Rose]

Thanks for all the advice!

We are doing Ariel's for breakfast. DD is 3, and princess obsessed. We figured it was the easiest way to guarantee her princesses. I guess I'll check when we get there if all the princesses will make the rounds outside, and ask for outdoor seating if they do.

It looks like requesting outdoor seating is going to be the way to go. How are the temperatures right now in the morning and evening?

 

[SammiL]

Upstairs at Wine Country Trattoria in DCA has a nice view Make an advance reservation (of course), but also check in early and request a second floor table with a view Both a full menu and a more limited WOC menu (with fastpasses) are available. There is also an upstairs wine bar. front of restaurant: view from second floor:

This is my favorite place for a pretty view of carsland at night!

 

[pixiewings71]

We're already planning on eating at Ariel's Grotto and Blue Bayou. I'm glad there are nice views at both. Do the princesses come outside to the patio tables at Ariel's?

DM does not like to stand in line for food - counter service really isn't an option.

How difficult is it to get the outdoor patio tables with views at Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria? Looking at menus, I think those are the ones most likely to appeal to her that we haven't already booked.

WCT has plenty of outdoor seating, That was where we were seated, on the patio, it was really nice. I don't know about Carthay, we have been seated inside while dining there.
Yes, the Princesses come around to all tables, inside and out.
For the best view at BB ask for waterside seating, you may be told it will be a very long wait but it really shouldn't be too bad at all.
When requesting certain types of seating you do need to make that request at the restaurant when checking in, they may make a note when you mention it while calling but IME it is rare that they do so. I've had better luck simply asking upon check in.

I believe the princesses only are guaranteed to come around during the character breakfast at Ariel's. I don't see why they wouldn't make their way outside. One time we got lucky as we were sitting outside for lunch. The princesses, Jasmin, Cinderella, and a couple others came by and signed my cast! I think this is rare though.

I don't think it's that difficult to get a table with a good view at CC or WCT, but you might have to wait longer . I would call ahead to make the reservation (instead of making it online) and requesting a view table and also mention it to the host when you check in.

The Princesses at AG come around for breakfast and lunch, dinner there is WoC dining and instead of Princesses you get priority fastpasses to see the show. The Princesses always come visit diners seated on the patio as well, it is not rare at all. We used to ask to sit outside in nicer weather as the prices were a bit less, I'm not sure if that is still the case or not though. We also asked to sit there because those were open tables and not reserved so we could be seated faster.

Personally my two favorite views in DLR are at CS places, not TS, RiverBelle Terrace where you can see the Rivers of America and Hungry Bear where you can also see the Rivers, I prefer the lower level of the HB and I try to sit in the back, I've seen many interesting things back in that corner. Of course BB is amazing, I love the bayou itself.

 

[Midnightred]

I say let MIL sit while you order the food for her because the best view is at Flo's, sitting outside, watching the cars race by. She can enjoy the view while you are getting the food. That view is pure magic. We're from the desert, and we kept commenting, wow they really made it look like a real desert! And with the sun going down, it was incredible.

Midnightred

 

[tiffjoy]

I say let MIL sit while you order the food for her because the best view is at Flo's, sitting outside, watching the cars race by. She can enjoy the view while you are getting the food. That view is pure magic. We're from the desert, and we kept commenting, wow they really made it look like a real desert! And with the sun going down, it was incredible. Midnightred

We really like the patio area of Flo's as well, and the food is such a nice change of pace for CS. We go at least once every trip. It's become our favorite CS at DCA.

I usually go sit and get our kiddos settled while DH gets the food, so you could let MIL do that. We have never found it to be crowded, even at busy times, on the patio. There's usually many open tables back there. It's the inside areas that fill up.

 

[700]

Can't believe no ones said the patio at New Orleans Cafe. We love sitting outside and people watching. You'll sometimes see princess Tiana or the Jazz band will be playing nearby. Fantastic atmosphere and the food is great (especially the beignets!!!)

 

[spacemermaid]

It's not table service (but the food is table service quality, IM0...stuff like turkey and roast beef dinners served on real, not paper, plates), but Flo's in Carsland has an AMAZING view, especially at night. You can see RSR from the patio or from a couple of places inside. The dining room itself is pretty cool-looking, as well.