Great Disneyland restaurants

[FlynnRiderSwitch]

Hello all, planning our first Disneyland trip next year and wanted some recommendations of great restaurants for dinner. We are pescatarians. Thanks!

 

[buzzandzurg]

You should post this on the Disneyland forum but can’t go wrong with Storytellers at the Grand Californian. It’s a buffet unless you don’t like that. There is good salmon at Wine County Trattoria in California Adventure as well. If you like pizza Naples is basically the same as Via Napoli in Epcot and the salads are good. Just a few options.

 

[purple figment]

You'll get more responses if you post your question on the Disneyland board. This board is for restaurants at Disney World.

 

[FlynnRiderSwitch]

You should post this on the Disneyland forum but can’t go wrong with Storytellers at the Grand Californian. It’s a buffet unless you don’t like that. There is good salmon at Wine County Trattoria in California Adventure as well. If you like pizza Naples is basically the same as Via Napoli in Epcot and the salads are good. Just a few options.

 

[FlynnRiderSwitch]

Oops, still learning about DISboards, I will check out the Disneyland sections. Thanks for the restaurant tips!

 

[LKing]

There are vegetarian options at just about every restaurant in the park. Most of the time, the "fish of the day" or "market fish" is salmon.

Can you tell me what you are looking for in a "great" restaurant? I would say that Napa Rose in the GCH is the nicest restaurant, followed closely by Carthay Circle in DCA.

Blue Bayou is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean and has great ambiance. The food is higher end. My experience has been hit and miss with the quality. Don't get me wrong, it is always good, but it isn't always superb. At Disneyland, Fantasmic does not have a designated sitting area. Blue Bayou is one of the three restaurants offering a "Fantasmic dining package." The package gives you access to waterfront seats (sitting on the ground) for the show.

Lamplight Lounge in DCA is another Disboard favorite. The food is good, but I think a lot of the popularity is because of the drinks. Not sure.

Are you open to Downtown Disney restaurants as well? If so, I would check out Paseo (or Centrico- same owner, different vibes) and Din Tai Fung.

 

[irlandaise]

Blue Bayou is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean and has a great ambiance. The food is higher end. My experience has been hit and miss with the quality. Don't get me wrong, it is always good, but it isn't always superb.

I always recommend the BB to Disneyland newcomers. You just can't beat the setting.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Hello all, planning our first Disneyland trip next year and wanted some recommendations of great restaurants for dinner. We are pescatarians. Thanks!

Do you have any favorite cuisines or other food preferences? I'll give some general recommendations, but am happy to follow-up for specific ones.

I agree with other posters that Napa Rose and Cathay are the "nicest" in terms of the experience and food quality. Blue Bayou is also a great option since the ambiance is amazing...but the food is just reliably okay. I haven't had anything I would send back, but it's not something I dream about afterward.

For taste alone, definitely try Cocina Cucuamonga for (edited since I realized you are pescitarian)...the potato tacos.

My last recommendation is Craftsman Grill, or Craftsman Bar at GCH (one is quick service and one is poolside bar seating). Their pizzas are fabulous and we also love the burgers, nachos and poke bowl. Even if you aren't staying at GCH, it's a quick visit if you're in DCA. We have never had a bad meal here and the CMs are so sweet and accommodating. My DH was vegan for a while and they made us an amazing dairy and meat free pizza.

 

[irlandaise]

FRS, I'm going to drift into counter-service territory here, which may not meet your definition of "great restaurants." But Disneyland has some food areas run by classic California companies that I'm sure you'd enjoy.

I'm thinking specifically of Aunt Cass Café in DCA, which is operated by the Boudin sourdough company from San Francisco. Their clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is excellent, and you could ask them to leave off the bacon bits.

Right nearby is the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. Yes, authentic Ghirardelli chocolate from San Francisco! Their hot fudge sundaes are scrumptious. They have lots of other sundae options, too, plus shakes and other beverages.

 

[StarlitNight05]

FRS, I'm going to drift into counter-service territory here, which may not meet your definition of "great restaurants." But Disneyland has some food areas run by classic California companies that I'm sure you'd enjoy.

I'm thinking specifically of Aunt Cass Café in DCA, which is operated by the Boudin sourdough company from San Francisco. Their clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is excellent, and you could ask them to leave off the bacon bits.

Right nearby is the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. Yes, authentic Ghirardelli chocolate from San Francisco! Their hot fudge sundaes are scrumptious. They have lots of other sundae options, too, plus shakes and other beverages.

This is a great recommendation. I take Boudin for granted since we have one nearby. But yes, their sourdough is amazing!!!

 

[LKing]

I agree that it seems like Boudin is everywhere in CA. To me, Ghirardelli feels the same way.

 

[Pluto468]

Blue Bayou for a nice sit-down meal. For counter service I like Jolly Holiday, Plaza Inn and Red Rose tavern.

Lucky Fortune Cookery at DCA

 

[irlandaise]

I agree that it seems like Boudin is everywhere in CA. To me, Ghirardelli feels the same way.

Yes, Californians are fortunate to have access to both companies. Ghirardelli actually has a few other stores across the country; I was just checking that and realized I'd forgotten about the one at WDW.

 

[foolish_mortals]

A lot of great recommendations already so I don't have much to add other than the following.

Whatever option you choose, check the menu about a week before you arrive. Most of them change regularly with the seasons and special events.

In park restaurants have a small menu, think less than 6 options for your main. There is usually one option for fish and one or two for vegetarian and vegan for the appetizers and mains.

Being a year out things can change a lot. So definitely keep an eye on menus, especially if your party prefers certain fish over other or is particular about flavors.

 

[FlynnRiderSwitch]

There are vegetarian options at just about every restaurant in the park. Most of the time, the "fish of the day" or "market fish" is salmon.

Can you tell me what you are looking for in a "great" restaurant? I would say that Napa Rose in the GCH is the nicest restaurant, followed closely by Carthay Circle in DCA.

Blue Bayou is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean and has great ambiance. The food is higher end. My experience has been hit and miss with the quality. Don't get me wrong, it is always good, but it isn't always superb. At Disneyland, Fantasmic does not have a designated sitting area. Blue Bayou is one of the three restaurants offering a "Fantasmic dining package." The package gives you access to waterfront seats (sitting on the ground) for the show.

Lamplight Lounge in DCA is another Disboard favorite. The food is good, but I think a lot of the popularity is because of the drinks. Not sure.

Are you open to Downtown Disney restaurants as well? If so, I would check out Paseo (or Centrico- same owner, different vibes) and Din Tai Fung.

Thank you for the tips! Our favorite Disneyworld (area) restaurant is Il Mulino but we all love seafood too. I will checkout these restaurants.

 

[LKing]

Thank you for the tips! Our favorite Disneyworld (area) restaurant is Il Mulino but we all love seafood too. I will checkout these restaurants.

I know DLR inside and out, but I know NOTHING about WDW.

It has been close to 15 year since I was last at WDW. I'm planning a trip for 2025 so I'll put Il Mulino on my list! Thanks!

 

[wabbott]

This is our favorite Disneyland restaurant. We think it as good or better than anything in WDW.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/carthay-circle-restaurant/ Carthay Circle Restaurant

 

[BriannaRuth]

As far as food quality, my favorite is Napa Rose, especially the Chef's Table if you're into that kind of thing. But the one restaurant we never miss is Blue Bayou. As others have said, food can be hit or miss, but we love the setting inside Pirates of the Caribbean *if* you get a waterside table. I've only been to DW twice -- we went to San Angel Inn there, thinking the ambience would be like Blue Bayou. I was very disappointed! Oh, we never miss Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel, either, but I think there's one at DW that's similar if you've already been there.

 

[maleficent55]

I can't recommend The Blue Bayou enough. It's a do not miss for sure, nothing beats the ambiance, history...smell of the pirates of the caribbean, definitely one that will transport you!
I have had one dinner there was wasn't good, but maybe luck has been on my side and it's been good otherwise. That time my prime rib was undercooked (undercooked=raw and it wasn't until I turned my phones flashlight on to really see what was happening, since it's so dark in there, that i realized...) Accidents happen, mistakes are made, I will always go back. There is nothing else like it.

I also love the Jolly Holiday Bakery (grilled cheese and tomato soup combo!) and Red Rose Tavern.