Okay... so what are everyone's favorite sit down table service spots? and why?

[LovesTimone]

So it will be a party of 4 including - 1 kiddo he will be 7 at the time of our trip.

We are pretty much up for anything... We would like one character meal, maybe one nice adult meal, DH is requesting a nice steak some where, would Downtown Disney be a better spot for this?

Which QS options are your must do's each time?

And last but not least..

Favorite snacks or dessert in the parks...

Oops one more - favorite spot for an Adult beverage?


Thanks so much

 

[Malcon10t]

Sit down steak dinner? Walk off resort to Flemings (corner Disneyland Drive and Katella). Or Morton's (next door to Hilton.)

We like Carthay Lounge, but a lot of people don't because it is more tapas type food. Drinks are very good and real adult beverages and not just the sweet, picture drinks elsewhere.

We also enjoy UVA in DTD and Tortilla Jo's.

QS - French Market and Rancho in DL and the Wharf area for DCA.

 

[Steven G]

I like Carnation Cafe, and Cafe Orleans as my go to's.
Carthay Circle is nice, but expensive.
Lamplight Lounge is always fun, and they have both quick and table service with different menus.

The corn dog trolley on main street is my favorite quick snack/meal.

the character meals are different now because of Covid, my favorite there would still be storyteller's.

I like the cozy cones in cars land for various snacks as well in DCA.

I would have suggested Steakhouse 55 in DLH, but that closed down. I don't think there is a good steak house remaining on property that I have tried.

 

[cruisehopeful]

We are pretty much up for anything... We would like one character meal, maybe one nice adult meal, DH is requesting a nice steak some where, would Downtown Disney be a better spot for this?

Based on other posts (I haven't had this meal), I would suggest the character breakfast at Storyteller's or Plaza Inn. For a nice adult meal, Carthay Circle. If your husband is serious about a good steak, you need to go off site. There are lots of steak restaurants within a mile of the resort.

Which QS options are your must do's each time?

My kids like corn dogs. I like Rancho del Zocalo for a taco salad. I like to sit at Hungry Bear, so I end up eating there, but the food is only adequate at best. I just like to sit there when I eat. The menu changes often at Paradise Garden Grill, but there are times when I get something good there.

Favorite snacks or dessert in the parks...

My kids like churros. I like the peanut butter sweet treat from the bakeries.

Oops one more - favorite spot for an Adult beverage?

Favorite spot for atmosphere is Trader Sam's. Favorite spot for a good drink is Hearthstone Lodge.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I really like Tropical Hideaway for snacks. The raspberry dole whip was my favorite the last time I went. I'm also a big fan of churros. I had one from the Buzz Lightyear cart (not because I have special attachment to that cart. I was hungry and the cart was right there). Flo's V8 is great for atmosphere and the food is good too. The portions are huge so you could easily share something. The Mickey Ice-Cream bars from the carts are a classic and my friend loved the Olaf bar she had the last time we went.

 

[gelatoni fan]

For steak, I agree that Flemings or Morton's would be a better choice than anything on Disney property. Otherwise, Lamplight Lounge in California Adventure would be my recommendation for in-park table service.

For character dining, I recommend Storyteller's over Plaza Inn. The reason is because the characters in Storyteller's wear outfits that are rarely seen in the parks while the characters in Plaza Inn wear their common outfits. So if you meet Minnie in Toontown, she'll be wearing the same thing that she wears at the Plaza Inn breakfast.

On the Disneyland side, Plaza Inn for the fried chicken is a default quick service if I can't decide what to eat. Flo's on the DCA side used to be my default but that's changing to the sandwiches at Pym's. But if I have time, I actually prefer going to Earl of Sandwich over any of places in the parks. It's on the far side of Downtown Disney but you can take the monorail from Tomorrowland which is one more ride you can check off your list.

For dessert, dole whip floats. You can get it with other flavors or bacon on top at Tropical Hideaway. I also like the mickey mouse ice cream sandwiches.

For an adult beverage, I assume you mean as a separate activity and not just ordering cocktails with your meal at Lamplight Lounge or something like that. In that case, I recommend going to Olga's Cantina. It can be a bit complicated getting a spot sometimes but I think it's the most unique place to get a drink. But if you prefer to drink on your non-park day, Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel would probably be the place. These places also have some non-alcoholic drinks for the kid but I think the Cantina will be more fun for the kid.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

In addition to the recs for Flemings and Mortons, look at The Ranch on Ball Rd. (about 10 minutes drive from the parks). The Ranch has very good food, a very good wine list, and the saloon next door has live music and dancing.

 

[ttintagel]

Favorite TS - Liberty Tree Tavern is a must-do every trip, although I haven’t been too excited about the latest menu changes I’ve read about. We like the atmosphere, we’ve never been disappointed with the food, and it’s our tradition. Kona Café is a favorite for breakfast because they have the best coffee on property.

Favorite QS - either Columbia Harbour House or Sunshine Seasons, because they both have always had interesting vegetarian choices.

Favorite snack - either the classic pineapple Dole Whip or the Citrus Swirl at Sunshine Tree Terrace, but I think I heard they’ve been substituting an orange Dole Whip for it? Hopefully that’s temporary.

Adult beverage - well, as I’m an adult, everything I drink is an adult beverage. So probably the Kona press pot coffee I mentioned earlier.

 

[Epicnemesis]

I don’t really order steaks at restaurants because I make better steaks. That said, while it’s been years, I loved the pork chop I got at Napa rose and their steaks did look good.

Favorite table service restaurant would have to be blue bayou but not for the food. I love getting a waterside table there (you can request it and wait longer but I legit wouldn’t go without it.)

We did story tellers for brunch back when the world was normal and loved the character dining there. When more personal interactions are back and they can sign books again we are going to do Minnie’s breakfast. They apparently have a lot of characters there, and sometimes rarer characters than you would find in other places.

Favorite snack goes to caramel popcorn when it’s fresh in DCA.

Favorite Dessert varies depending on seasonal offerings but for permanent fixtures I would have to go with the warm cookie sundae at Golden Horseshoe or the brownie sundae at Ghirardelli’s.

Favorite quick service is a bread bowl at the wharf/birria tacos at the wharf in DCA (usually share both so you can dip the sour dough in the consume and see how quickly you can stop your heart.)
Stage Door in DL for quick service. Corn dogs come with fries there.

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here...

Oh Thanks so much... got out my notebook and I'm jotting all this down...

I went back to my folder from when just DH and I went to Disneyland... its been almost 10 years...

We did eat at Blue bayou, which is inside POTC.. right? and from my notes we liked it... and we ate breakfast some place at Downtown Disney La Brea Bakery... I think that's the correct name... I wrote down breakfast croissant, and french toast... and I put a star by it...
We did a character buffet and for some reason I did not jot down which one..... I did add in my notebook good options, and well stocked and it got a star by it as well...

Are there any true buffet opened...or are they served family style?

We have EOS at Disney Springs, which is a pretty solid choice, and the price point is fair. We do like the breakfast sandwiches, and the holiday turkey with all the fixin' on it...

 

[Kittyblue]

Favorite places for adult beverages and snacks are Carthay Circle Lounge and the lobby at Grand Californian. We’d snag a couch and order drinks and appetizers from the bar for the adults and pick up some more kid friendly snacks from the qs by the pool, can’t recall the name.

Inside DL our favorites are French Market because they have live music (or used to, not sure about currently) and Hungry Bear because I like the location by the water.

 

[Disney0010]

Strictly speaking of DL…….. We enjoy table service locations to escape the busy crowds. Not a fan of QS unless we’re forced. Below……my two cents……..

Lunch - Carnation Cafe. Good food and service.
Lunch - Trader Sams. Great atmosphere with good food and service. Should try at least once.

Both CC and TS offer typical Disney food. Notice that I refer to the food as good but not great but IMHO Disney just doesn’t do great food.

Dinner - Carthay Circle - Beautiful upstairs seating. Nice and relaxing. Again, good food and service but a little on the pricey side for the quality.
Dinner - DCA Lamplight Lounge - Good food but service can be slow but overall a nice escape from the crazy park crowds.

The DD restaurants are average at best IMHO. We have dined at Brennan’s three times and decided that we do not enjoy the food. I think they toned down the spice compared to New Orleans style food. UVA is not bad for a pre dinner cocktail and Catal is good. Try dining on the balcony.

Adult Beverage - GCH Hearthstone Lounge.

 

[JavaDuck]

Which QS options are your must do's each time?

Corn Dog Castle in DCA. I recommend the Hot-Link Corn Dog!

Favorite snacks or dessert in the parks...

Raspberry Macaron from Jolly Holiday Bakery in DL
We get at least one every trip.

Celestial-sized Candy Bar from Pym's Kitchen in DCA
It is huge and easily could serve 4 people. Though 2 of us finished it off last time.

Oops one more - favorite spot for an Adult beverage?

Trader Sam's near the Disneyland Hotel or Lamplight Lounge.

 

[julesann]

Favorite TS - Liberty Tree Tavern is a must-do every trip, although I haven’t been too excited about the latest menu changes I’ve read about. We like the atmosphere, we’ve never been disappointed with the food, and it’s our tradition. Kona Café is a favorite for breakfast because they have the best coffee on property.

Favorite QS - either Columbia Harbour House or Sunshine Seasons, because they both have always had interesting vegetarian choices.

Favorite snack - either the classic pineapple Dole Whip or the Citrus Swirl at Sunshine Tree Terrace, but I think I heard they’ve been substituting an orange Dole Whip for it? Hopefully that’s temporary.

Adult beverage - well, as I’m an adult, everything I drink is an adult beverage. So probably the Kona press pot coffee I mentioned earlier.

These are DW places, the OP is asking about DL.

 

[avalon451]

Funny, nobody’s mentioned Blue Bayou yet. It’s a source of a lot of debate because while the atmosphere is cool, the food can be hit-or-miss. Some people love it and it’s a must-do every trip, some people say it’s a ripoff. I’m in the former group, l love it. But I always try for first lunch seating so I can sit waterside with no wait. Reservations are gone in minutes, whenever they drop, and that’s only recently gotten fairly consistent again (60 days out, at 3 a.m. PST ).

 

[Drewski77]

Strictly speaking of DL…….. We enjoy table service locations to escape the busy crowds. Not a fan of QS unless we’re forced. Below……my two cents……..

Lunch - Carnation Cafe. Good food and service.
Lunch - Trader Sams. Great atmosphere with good food and service. Should try at least once.

Both CC and TS offer typical Disney food. Notice that I refer to the food as good but not great but IMHO Disney just doesn’t do great food.

Dinner - Carthay Circle - Beautiful upstairs seating. Nice and relaxing. Again, good food and service but a little on the pricey side for the quality.
Dinner - DCA Lamplight Lounge - Good food but service can be slow but overall a nice escape from the crazy park crowds.

The DD restaurants are average at best IMHO. We have dined at Brennan’s three times and decided that we do not enjoy the food. I think they toned down the spice compared to New Orleans style food. UVA is not bad for a pre dinner cocktail and Catal is good. Try dining on the balcony.

Adult Beverage - GCH Hearthstone Lounge.

We’ve never eaten at Carthay Circle but grab a reservation for next weekend.

Do you find it much better than Wine Country Trattoria?

Thanks!

 

[Disney0010]

Drewski77 wrote:

“We’ve never eaten at Carthay Circle but grab a reservation for next weekend.

Do you find it much better than Wine Country Trattoria?

Thanks!”

Yes. Much nicer surroundings to begin with and the food was a step up. My only complaint which is a small one. I ordered a vodka martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. Very disappointing. The stuffed olives were from a jar and tasted horrible. Other than that we really enjoyed our meal. Service was great. Take time to look at all of the photos in the restaurant. Some really great photos.

 

[Drewski77]

Drewski77 wrote:

“We’ve never eaten at Carthay Circle but grab a reservation for next weekend.

Do you find it much better than Wine Country Trattoria?

Thanks!”

Yes. Much nicer surroundings to begin with and the food was a step up. My only complaint which is a small one. I ordered a vodka martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. Very disappointing. The stuffed olives were from a jar and tasted horrible. Other than that we really enjoyed our meal. Service was great. Take time to look at all of the photos in the restaurant. Some really great photos.

Appreciate the feedback and sounds like a great option for us!

 

[goodshepherd]

lamplight lounge for lunch was truly chill by the water, no pressure to keep moving. just chillout and take as long as you want.
and the food was unique and they have mixed drinks.

for me thats a big winner

i have to say its the most relaxing sit down dining we have had there lol

(maybe its the mixed drink talking?)

 

[goodshepherd]

blue bayou is a great experience yah, but we always feel busy there i guess lol.

we ordered the mickey addon cake too there, and that was a win.

always get a table by the water too.