Favorite Restaurant in DTD?

[DancingQueen]

We have most of our lunch/dinner options picked out for our trip in June. But we wanted to eat at least one meal in Downtown Disney.

What are your favorite restaurants, and why?

TIA!

 

[mystic_path]

DEFINATELY DEFINATLY 2 of my favs....

1) The Rainforest Cafe because of the really cool atmosphere. Its like your in a rainforest and they have actual rain forest thunder storms, animated robotic animals and the food is fabulous and I found that the service was really great.

2) ESPN Sports bar. The food was ok I found, but I found it was especially great for the guys and they even have a sports arcade/play area for the family. That was loads of fun.

 

[DisneyPhreak]

2 different answers, but both agree with mystic.


My kids favorite was Rainforest, even tho we have one around here. Just more his type of atmosphere, and food was decent but not great.

My fave is ESPN Zone. Again, food was OK, nothing spectacular, but atmosphere was awesome, especially during NFL games...that was my Disneyland!!

 

[Another^Dimension]

Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen...

Good food, good music, good atmosphere, good take out!

 

[GoofyBaby]

I love Naples, Ralph Brennan's, Tortilla Joes & La Brea Bakery - had great meals at all four last week! But my favorite out of the four is Naples. It's a must do for me every time!

 

[disneycruise_obessed]

okay
1) my favorite above all is ESPN zone. i personally love their food. however unless you are a major sports family and like a REALLY loud atmosphere request to sit on the right side of the restaurant, where the main dining area is, because the left side where the bar is has these huge teliveisons all playing different sports, and if a team scores a point the whole room goes up in screams, causing a major headache. also if you stay for dessert, then you should try their ice cream cookie sundae. its the most amazing dessert i have ever cconsumed. if you plan on going there be sure to go midweek, because after 5 o' clock on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, the wait will be insanely long

2) I really enjoyed the Jazz Kitchen. they had wonderful food, and a really nice atmosphere. however, in the morning try and get a reservation for whichever time you want to eat, because they get booked up really fast. Also, this is one place where dessert is like a must, because they have such a wide, fntastic variety of desserts

3) Naples is very good. If you enjoy pizza then i would go here. they also apparently have very good pasta dishes, however i dont eat pasta so i wouldnt know. some weeknights in the upstairs dining area they have a clown come to make balloon figures, which is fun for younger, and some olger kids. if youre in a rush the adjoining Napolini is very good too. they sell pizza by the slice to go.

4) Now i know you were talking about lunch/dinner, but i recommend trying a breakfast at labrea bakery. they have wonderful croissants, eggs, juices, breakfast meats and much more. its a must do breakfast for my family every trip.



also, rainforest cafe, although the atmosphere is cool, not one member of my family enjoyed the food. i have two sisters who were 5 and 9, and i was 12, and not one of us could find anything on the menu we would eat. also if you are traveling with younger kids, the restaurant occasionally has thunderstorms which could frighten them. however its possible their menu has changed and their cooking has improved, so if you do go to rainforest cafe i do hope you have a much better experience then i

 

[DancingQueen]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations! They are much appreciated. It gives me lots to think about.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Rainforest Cafe is our favorite. The food is good and love the atmosphere! We eat there once every trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

We love Rainforest Cafe, and cannot not miss it when we go to Disneyland. We have also enjoyed Naples and Tortilla Joes. I love to sit outside at Naples on the nights Drew Tetrick is playing his beautiful violin music. He is always right outside that restaurant when he is playing at DTD. This year we will try out Ralph Brennans at long last based on the good reviews I have read here on the dis and my brother's recommendation from his previous DL trips.

 

[lulubelle]

Another vote for the Jazz Kitchen. But we are adults with one grown child. I don't know if little ones would like it so much. The atmosphere, music and food are wonderful. We also like the House of Blues and Rainforest Cafe. Catal is a hit or miss and we did not care for Naples, but I agree that the take out window is good - we got a giant piece of pizza with a Diet Coke for about five bucks.

 

[DancingQueen]

Thank you again everyone for the suggestions!

I think we've decided on Rainforest Cafe. I like that they have quite a variety of food on their menu. And I know my kids will like the atmosphere.

All the restaurant recommendations sound really good though. Too bad we don't have enough time to try them all. Maybe next year.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Thank you again everyone for the suggestions!

I think we've decided on Rainforest Cafe. I like that they have quite a variety of food on their menu. And I know my kids will like the atmosphere.

All the restaurant recommendations sound really good though. Too bad we don't have enough time to try them all. Maybe next year.

good choice also, this is not dinner suggestion but wetzel pretzel is the bomb and they have great frozen cherry lemonade thats a little bit cheaper than what you get at DL