Recommendations for Dining

[ms.daisy]

Hi! I am going to Disneyland for the first time in October. We will be there for 4 nights, but one night we are going to the Halloween Party. I want to choose 3 sit down meals for the other nights. What restaurants do you all recommend for sit down dinners as a 1st time visitor. I have park hopper so location does not matter!

Side note: I plan to do character dining for breakfast 2 of the days.

Thanks so much!

 

[irlandaise]

The traditional recommendation for first-time visitors is Blue Bayou. Although not everyone finds the food worth the price, you can't beat the atmosphere: it's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean building, with a view of the boats as they drift through the bayou on their way to the pirate areas. There's soft banjo music coming from a bayou resident sitting on his porch, and it's always nighttime, so the fireflies are out. Just lovely!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Carthay Circle is a great place for a very nice meal. The menu changes seasonally. You can book it and then cancel when the menu comes out if you don't like it.

 

[BrianL]

I've always liked Cafe Orleans - good food, and a bit cheaper than Blue Bayou. That said, I don't think you can go wrong wiuth Blue Bayou or Carthay Circle.

I know you asked for sit-down palces, but if you're getting any quick service, I recommend the sourdough bread at Aunt Cass Cafe or the bao buns from the tropical hideaway, which are good for a meal or a snack. Award Wieners is also a favorite of mine.

 

[disneychrista]

If you plan to watch Fantasmic you should try for the Cafe Orleans dining package or even the PREMIUM Riverbelle Terrace dining where you sit on the patio and stay to watch the show from your table. It may not be the closest view of the show, but nothing beats not having to sit on the ground or stand for 2 hours to watch the show.

Another suggestion is to skip dinner one evening and book the World of Color Dessert Party so you get an actual seat for WoC. It comes with a box of cheeses, meats and crackers plus a variety of desserts. For me this would be perfect for a late light dinner.

 

[DontSpamMe]

For reservation restaurants, Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle (not lounge), Lamplight Lounge (around sunset for cool views) or Napa Rose if it's open when you are there.

Non reservation restaurants: Plaza Inn.

I've had great meals at each of these at one time or another.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Lamplight Lounge (DCA), Carnation Cafe (DL), and Din Tai Fung (DTD).

 

[wench]

Our 3 favorite table service at the resort all happen to be in DL. Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans & Carnation Cafe.

Whoops, I almost forgot Din Tai Fung in Downtown Disney. It’s also really really good.

 

[ms.daisy]

The traditional recommendation for first-time visitors is Blue Bayou. Although not everyone finds the food worth the price, you can't beat the atmosphere: it's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean building, with a view of the boats as they drift through the bayou on their way to the pirate areas. There's soft banjo music coming from a bayou resident sitting on his porch, and it's always nighttime, so the fireflies are out. Just lovely!

Thank you! I definitely think this will have to be on my list!

 

[ms.daisy]

I've always liked Cafe Orleans - good food, and a bit cheaper than Blue Bayou. That said, I don't think you can go wrong wiuth Blue Bayou or Carthay Circle.

I know you asked for sit-down palces, but if you're getting any quick service, I recommend the sourdough bread at Aunt Cass Cafe or the bao buns from the tropical hideaway, which are good for a meal or a snack. Award Wieners is also a favorite of mine.

Thank you! I’m sure we will be doing quick service as well so thanks for the recommendations!

 

[ms.daisy]

If you plan to watch Fantasmic you should try for the Cafe Orleans dining package or even the PREMIUM Riverbelle Terrace dining where you sit on the patio and stay to watch the show from your table. It may not be the closest view of the show, but nothing beats not having to sit on the ground or stand for 2 hours to watch the show.

Another suggestion is to skip dinner one evening and book the World of Color Dessert Party so you get an actual seat for WoC. It comes with a box of cheeses, meats and crackers plus a variety of desserts. For me this would be perfect for a late light dinner.

Thanks - I definitely might do one of those options!

 

[ms.daisy]

Carthay Circle is a great place for a very nice meal. The menu changes seasonally. You can book it and then cancel when the menu comes out if you don't like it.

Thank you!

Lamplight Lounge (DCA), Carnation Cafe (DL), and Din Tai Fung (DTD).

Thank you!

Our 3 favorite table service at the resort all happen to be in DL. Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans & Carnation Cafe.

Whoops, I almost forgot Din Tai Fung in Downtown Disney. It’s also really really good.

Thank you! A Downtown Disney restaurant might be good to throw in the mix!

 

[Pluto468]

I'd do Blue Bayou for one of them. The food was great when I went in June, and the ambience is wonderful.

I like @disneychrista's idea about doing the River Belle Terrace Fantasmic dinner. It's a fun way to watch the show and an overall good experience. I've done that twice.

For another meal I'd do Plaza Inn even though you don't need a reservation.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Good to know: most of the people visiting DLR are local, so most of the restaurants are fast casual, quick serve style. Compared to WDW, there are fewer sit down restaurants and they feature smaller menus. You’ll also notice that the portion sizes are smaller at DLR.

That said, the menus are far more diverse, so if you enjoy trying new things, you’ll love it.

 

[disneychrista]

Good to know: most of the people visiting DLR are local, so most of the restaurants are fast casual, quick serve style. Compared to WDW, there are fewer sit down restaurants and they feature smaller menus. You’ll also notice that the portion sizes are smaller at DLR.

That said, the menus are far more diverse, so if you enjoy trying new things, you’ll love it.

You'd think the average tourist would rather not spend the extra time on sit down dining as it takes up valuable park time. Where a local who visits the park much more often wouldn't mind taking 60-90 minutes dining at a table service restaurant.

 

[irlandaise]

You'd think the average tourist would rather not spend the extra time on sit down dining as it takes up valuable park time. Where a local who visits the park much more often wouldn't mind taking 60-90 minutes dining at a table service restaurant.

Maybe more that locals just need a bit of food to tide them over until they get home for dinner. And if they want a sit-down dinner, they'll know about many other options than at Disneyland (and probably cheaper for the same quality of food).

 

[disneychrista]

Maybe more that locals just need a bit of food to tide them over until they get home for dinner. And if they want a sit-down dinner, they'll know about many other options that at Disneyland (and probably cheaper for the same quality of food).

Very possible. It can see it both ways.

 

[tlovesdis]

Lamplight, Din Tai Fung and Carnation Cafe!

 

[LAS2AMS]

You'd think the average tourist would rather not spend the extra time on sit down dining as it takes up valuable park time. Where a local who visits the park much more often wouldn't mind taking 60-90 minutes dining at a table service restaurant.

Completion. There’s too many local high quality restaurants offering higher quality food, better ambiance and an overall superior dining experience - at the same price point as DLR.

How many out-of-town people on here Din Tai Fungi as their best dining experience? I doubt many of them realize it’s a local chain restaurant, and none of them would even bother to go there if it were across the street from DLR.

I’m surprised Disney never tried using a third party restraint at DCA again…

 

[irlandaise]

I’m surprised Disney never tried using a third party restraint at DCA again…

What does that mean? And what did they do at DCA previously?