Ideas about where to Dine at Disneyland?

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

We are going to Disneyland the first week of September and although I know that it isn't known for its restaurants like WDW is, are there any recommendations of places to definitely stop at? We haven't been back for five years...

What are your must stop places? The exception being Club 33. Not lucky enough to have any connections or my own membership.

Thank in advance for any tips!

 

[Pakey]

I dined at both Club 33 and Napa Rose a few months ago and I actually thought the food was better at Napa Rose.

You are going to have better luck posting this on the Disneyland boards here.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I highly recommend having any meal, but especially breakfast, at the Carnation Café.

 

[theprettydisneynerd]

i would have to say that the blue bayou is a fantastic place for lunch and dinner. it is a big hit in my family, although it could be a little pricey...

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Thanks everyone! I have never been to Napa Rose but will definitely try it out. Can't wait!!

 

[theprettydisneynerd]

oh and one more thing: the space pizza place right outside space mountain. they have salad, pasta, and amazing pizza!

 

[vettegirl]

I love BB the most of any Disney restaurant, the atmosphere is so amazing inside POTC. I also like the French Market and Taste Pilots Grill for CS in DCA. I have never dined at Napa Rose, but it's suppose to be very good.

 

[sophie832]

oh and one more thing: the space pizza place right outside space mountain. they have salad, pasta, and amazing pizza!

Pizza Port. The DH swears by their fettucini alfredo...same one you get at Plaza Inn, except cheaper and somehow slightly better. I like their salads a lot. Very reasonably priced, good CS dining.

I've eaten pretty much everywhere at the DL Resort. Blue Bayou is more about the experience than the food (you get to eat right inside the PotC ride!), but if you're going to go, go for lunch. You can get the Monte Cristo, which is a signature dish, and the prices are much better than dinner. The French Market, which is also located in New Orleans Square, has some nice dishes...not TS, but still good food.

If you're heading to DCA, Ariel's Grotto has character dining for lunch (currently, they're not having characters at dinner because of WoC). It's pricey, but we like the food. Plus, the princesses are always a hit with children.

I wish I could afford Napa Rose, since I hear it's really good. We like Storyteller's Cafe, which is the other TS restaurant in the Grand Californian. I know they do a character breakfast, but we usually go for lunch or dinner.

This thread will prob. get moved to the DL boards.

 

[Mousemom]

In DD we love House of Blues and Rain Forest Cafe. There is also a counter service cajun restaurant in DD that is really good. In the park we like POTC restaurant. Try to get a table by the water. There is a princess luncheon in California Adventure that we did w/my neice that was fun as well.

 

[cyndisun]

I can't say it enough...GO TO NAPA ROSE! It is one of our favorite restaurants in California (and we are from SF, so we have sampled our fair share).

Seriously, I would try a tasting menu if they have one. Be adventurous!

Blue Bayou is fun for the ambiance, but the food is just eh.

Wine Country Trattoria in DCA is great too. And Ralph Brennan's in DTD.

Have fun!

 

[pixarmom]

Although I know this thread may be moved to the DL boards, it would be nice if it could stay here. I've read so much about how dining differs at WDW and DL - one of our favorite things about WDW is the food, and I understand food is not a priority at DL. So it would be nice to hear from WDW vets who have been to DL on this one.

I can't speak from personal experience, but after researching on allears.net, here and on the DL boards, this is what we chose for our August DL visit: dinner at Storytellers, lunch at Carnation Cafe, dinner at Blue Bayou, breakfast at Storytellers and lunch at Wine Country. At one point, we also had dinner at Celebration Roundup but ended up canceling because of our two "Disney adults" and me - the three of us won't eat nearly enough to justify the cost (which is OK if they have characters, like at WDW's Garden Grill, but Celebration Roundup does not.)

So I would also appreciate suggestions!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Thanks everyone! The trip is a month out now so I am just figuring out what day to do what. We will be there from Friday to Tuesday for the Disneyland Half Marathon so fitting everything in while getting enough time off my feet for the race is a bit challenging. But, definitely a lot easier than if I was at WDW! Thanks again for the suggestions!!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Another vote for Napa Rose. We did the tasting menu, which at the time was only about 80$. For the quantity and quality of the food, it was a real bargain.

If your looking for something spectacular but a little less expensive, Blue Bayou is amazing too. The atmosphere there can't be beat. But, being in the MK, there is no alcohol available her, if you would be interested in that.

 

[TDC Nala]

Although I know this thread may be moved to the DL boards, it would be nice if it could stay here.

Sorry - but as it is a Disneyland question, it will likely get more attention and more traffic on the Disneyland board.

 

[solpo]

As an Ex-Californian, I used to spend a lot of time at DL. That being said, my last trip there was 12/08...

In the parks, I'm a fan of Taste Pilots Grill (DCA) and French Market (DL) for CS. I agree with Carnation Cafe for breakfast. If you can afford to lose a chunk of a morning, it's really nice to sit there and watch Main Street come to life. Blue Bayou's as good as everyone says (subtract 2 points for food, but add 4 points for ambiance/location). I'm also a fan of Cafe Orleans. Although I haven't tried the Monte Cristo, I've had pretty good stuff there otherwise.

For DD, the pizza joint (run by Patina) is very good, albeit a bit pricey for pizza. I'm a GIGANTIC fan of Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, although the service has never been better than mediocre when I've been there. It's worth it for the food, though. I also had a good time at Goofy's Kitchen (I think that's what it's called) at the DL Hotel for an early character dinner.

Finally, if you're going off property, don't miss the Bacon-Cheddar Potato Wedges (get the sour cream with them!) at the Jack in the Box on Harbor. Jack in the Box is a west coast higher-end (don't flame me!) fast food chain, and has great munchies.

Have a great time at DL/DCA!

 

[reynmagsmom]

Our family loves Cafe Orleans, great food and even better service, The gumbo is excellent as well as the famous Monte Cristo and the Bengiets!! We have not tried Napa Rose yet but may include it for our next trip in Oct.

 

[Tommy_B]

There is no "have to" eat place for me in Disneyland, it all depends on the mood.

In Disneyland my most favorite places consistently are Rancho del Zocalo & Big Thunder BBQ (essentially one place, with different sets of lines), French Market and Blue Bayou. Sometimes though, we just love to get a simple meal at Hungry Bear and go sit as far back as we can on the Rivers of America and just enjoy.

DCA, no favorites, we just tend to rotate and what ever strikes us. The Boudin Bakery clam chowder bowls are great on cool winter days.

In Downtown Disney Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is our fave, followed by House of Blues (especially Sunday Gospel Brunch), ESPN Zone and Napa Rose.

Off property are Roy's, McCormick & Schmick's, Bubba Gumps, PF Chang's, Mimi's and Marri's Pizza and Pasta.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Finally, if you're going off property, don't miss the Bacon-Cheddar Potato Wedges (get the sour cream with them!) at the Jack in the Box on Harbor. Jack in the Box is a west coast higher-end (don't flame me!) fast food chain, and has great munchies.

Have a great time at DL/DCA!

I am from AZ, so I love Jack in the Box. Not sure about higher end - but I guess they have a lot more variety than they used to. I will try the Potato Wedges they do sound delicious and bad for you! The closest one to Atlanta is in Tennessee and you can bet whenever we drive north, we stop there!! Yum! We have to stop at Del Taco - my Mom's favorite.

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

I love Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe. Goofy's Kitchen is my favorite character meal. I've heard from many people that Blue Bayou is a must, but I haven't been there yet. We have a lunch PS for our Sept. trip this year though. Celebration BBQ is supposed to have really good all you can eat BBQ, and while there is no longer characters there, there is fun entertainment. The fried chicken at the Plaza Inn is great, but not a must for me personally. The pasta at Pizza Port is really good, and we eat there every trip. However, the pizza has really gone down hill in my opinion. I think it's terrible and my 9 year old wouldn't even eat it. We ended up ordering a pasta to share.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am from AZ, so I love Jack in the Box. Not sure about higher end - but I guess they have a lot more variety than they used to. I will try the Potato Wedges they do sound delicious and bad for you! The closest one to Atlanta is in Tennessee and you can bet whenever we drive north, we stop there!! Yum! We have to stop at Del Taco - my Mom's favorite.

not to hijack...but we love DEL TACO..have one right down the street from us. Jack is on every corner here...not our fav.


In DL - love the Blue Bayou and I would say that is one place that is a "must do" because of the fact is in the Pirates ride and the ambience can't be beat by any disney restaurant (Mexico at Epcot is very very close)