Lunch Time Suggestions

[Carole]

We're going to Disneyland for the first time in over 30 years for 4 days. Visited Disney World every year for the past 10 years or so and really enjoy trying the different restaurants. Please give me your top 3 recommendations for table service during the lunch hours and your top item at the restaurant. I need to make reservations now. Thanks!!

 

[disneychrista]

Disneyland - Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou, Big Thunder BBQ (these are the only options). My choice - Carnation Cafe

Disney California Adventure - Ariels Grotto, Carthay Circle Restaurant, Wine Country Trattoria, Cove Bar (again the only options) - Haven't tried any of them.

 

[Malcon10t]

Table Service in Disneyland - Cafe Orleans.
In DCA - Cove Bar.

That said, we tend to do cafeteria style for lunch. Pizza Port is great, as is French Market. In DCA, we head to the pacific wharf area.

 

[closetmickey]

Love the salmon sandwich at Cafe Orleans in Disneyland!

 

[goooof1]

Cafe Orleans: Monte Cristo sandwich and pomme frites.....MORE than enough for two adults!

 

[BriannaRuth]

We rarely do table service at DL for lunch because of the time factor. But when we do, our first choice is Blue Bayou, where I always get the Monte Cristo and DH gets the gumbo. We also like Café Orleans -- and I concur with goooof1's recommendation of splitting a Monte Cristo and pomme frites there.

My favorite place for lunch at DL is actually Hungry Bear, which is counter service. Sit downstairs. Fried green tomato sandwich is really good, as is the chicken salad with watermelon.

At DCA, Cove Bar is my favorite hands-down for table service lunch. I know a lot of people like the lobster nachos there, but I've never had them. We get the BBQ chicken pizza or the sliders.

 

[Jennafoo]

I am DYING to go to DLR. I have a trip planned late October, but don't want to wait.

Since I live in SF, I'm seriously thinking of flying down one morning, and flying back that night!

I was thinking Labor Day Monday, since I will buy a Deluxe AP and that day doesn't appear to be blocked.

How busy will it be?

I thought about doing the Welcome to Disneyland tour so I can at least get a few open FPs to ride in the afternoon when things get busy, and I know they do priority seating to Aladdin.

The earliest flight would arrive around 8:30 (SNA) and the latest flight leaves at 7:55. I assume I'd need to leave the park at 5:30 or 6.

What do you guys think? Have I lost my mind??

 

[Jennafoo]

So sorry to hijack your thread! I am sick, and didn't realize I was replying to your post until it was too late. Sorry! (Hopefully the moderators will clean that up, because I'm really interested in the recommendations - it will help me decide too!)

 

[SplashMo]

I like to do Blue Bayou on the first full day in DL. French Market that was mentioned has healthy food but is CS. Pizza Port in dl is also CS but is inside and air conditioned. In DCA taste pilots grill is CS but air conditioned.

 

[Baxhappyplace]

We are here now. Just had lunch for the first time at Cafe Orleans. Monte cristo, pomme frites, gumbo soup and beignets for us all to share. Yum! Love this place! Last year we ate at the Blue Bayou and also got the monte cristo sandwich. Both great places to eat at.

 

[SMD]

I was thinking Labor Day Monday, since I will buy a Deluxe AP and that day doesn't appear to be blocked.

How busy will it be?

Extremely busy. Besides being a holiday weekend, it's marathon weekend. People will stay the extra day.

 

[MinnieMom13]

1. Café Orleans (Monte Christo and beignets)
2. Blue Bayou (still the Monte Christo, but this time with crème brulee)
3. Wine Country Trattoria (chicken panini)

 

[the donut]

1. Uva (Downtown Disney) - Lamb burger
2. Naples (Downtown Disney) - Any pizza, affettati misti (salume plate)
3. Carthay Circle (DCA) - Citrus grilled shrimp (favorite used to be the shrimp wrapped in bacon which isn't on the menu anymore, sigh)

I believe you don't really lose much time going to downtown disney to eat since faster service makes up for that 5 minute walk to get over there. Though we're big believers in the leisurely lunch after a no-nonsense morning starting at early entry or rope drop.

 

[LisaPenz]

If you are going to stay in the Park — I suggest Blue Bayou for atmospheric dinning.

If you are able to dine just right outside the Park in Downtown Disney, I highly recommend House Of Blues (the Voodoo Shrimp are incredible!). If you are looking for something a little quicker, a fav of mine is La Brea Bakery, right outside the Park gates! I always order their very filling and tasty sandwiches on fresh baked bread that come with either fruit salad or garden salad.

 

[Carole]

Thanks everyone! I may just opt for counter service.

 

[JandD75]

I really recommend counter service. My favorites are:
1) Harbour Galley
2) Bengal Barbecue
3) French Market

The last few times we've eaten at Blue Bayou, the food didn't seem worth the price. Prices at Cafe Orleans have also gone up. The three restaurants above have a nice variety.

 

[tiffjoy]

As a WDW vet, if recommend you check out the great CS options at DLR. It's one of the "pluses" over WDW.

Our favorites include French Market, Flo's (the theming!!! And such different kinds of food) and Hungry Bear.

Of all the TS options, I like Storytellers. Especially for lunch, it's a nice break from the parks.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

We're going to Disneyland for the first time in over 30 years for 4 days. Visited Disney World every year for the past 10 years or so and really enjoy trying the different restaurants. Please give me your top 3 recommendations for table service during the lunch hours and your top item at the restaurant. I need to make reservations now. Thanks!!

Don't freak out about making Priority Seating reservations for every day (what WDW calls ADRs). They're much easier to get at DLR, and Counter Service is much better at DLR than at WDW so most visitors rely on CS peppered with a few TS reservations.

That said, for TS we love Cafe Orleans and like Blue Bayou at DL. But I'd also strongly suggest CS options Hungry Bear and French Market in DL and Flo's in DCA.

 

[2tinkerbell]

One on the best places we had lunch was White Water Snacks. We left DCA and walked through GC. It was quiet and peaceful while every place we thought to eat in the parks was noisy and crowded. Last time we were at White Water Snacks, it was a little more busy, but, it was still better than in the parks.

 

[julesann]

Table Service in Disneyland - Cafe Orleans.
In DCA - Cove Bar.