Restaurant Recommendations

[jerzeystar09]

We are going in December for our honeymoon and about time to start doing dining. We will be there a Thursday-Monday. We already plan on doing the World of Color dessert party, but haven’t really decided on anything else. What restaurants do you recommend? QS & TS suggestions welcome. Any specific snacks as well?

 

[BrianL]

I'm a big fan of Cafe Orleans for a nice, casual sit-down at a lower price than Blue Bayou. Then again, if you want to spring for Blue Bayou, I won't stop you! You might consider a Fantasmic! dining package as well and you can do either Blue Bayou or River Belle Terrace, the latter of which I have tried and really enjoyed.

For counter service, I really like French Market or a corn dog from Little Red Wagon. At DCA, The Pacific Wharf Cafe smells like heaven and I have recently discovered that Award Wieners is kind of amazing.

Honestly, DLR has tons of great food options, and just thinking about it is putting a damper on my upcoming WDW trip.

 

[wowsmom]

I love Napa Rose for special occasions. I've never done the chef's counter but even at the regular tables the service and food are amazing.

 

[Chickinvic]

Snacks = tigger tails. Yummy! I like Blue Bayou (waterside table) for a nice meal. Have fun! PS - one of our favourite cheap meals is the holiday sandwich at Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney lol.

 

[jfk4]

I'd second the vote for the Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinner. If you do decide to do this, start trying to book it 30 days out; reservations typically don't last long. Many, many people swear by the Napa Rose. but the food is too fancy for my tastes.

QS places I like include the Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel; Craftsman Grill at Grand Californian (although apparently service has gotten incredibly slow recently); Rancho del Zocalo; French Quarter Restaurant; and the Plaza Inn.

Other than that, I don't have a specific favorite restaurant so much as favorites menu items from a number of places:

• Chicken dinner from the Plaza Inn
• Beef poutine from the Red Rose Tavern (the poutine from Tangaroa Terrace is good too)
• Chicken nachos from the GCH Craftsman Grill
• Pommes frites and Monte Cristo sandwich from Cafe Orleans
• Rancho del Zocalo's enchiladas
• Pasta at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
• Breakfast bread pudding at Flo's V8 Cafe

 

[Lm3js]

These are our dinner go-tos.

Inside Park:
Splurge: Carthay Circle
Most Romantic: Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle
Notable mentions:
Lamplighter (good food/drinks)
Wine Country Trattoria (moderate price, decent food, good wine list)
Cafe Orleans (decent menu, neat atmosphere)

Downtown Disney
Splurge: Napa Rose
Most Romantic: Napa Rose or Ralph Brennans with live Jazz
Notable mentions:
StoryTellers (decent buffet/food)
Trader Sams (go for a drinks before dinner as a date)
Uva Bar (neat atmosphere but don't love the food)
Tortilla Jos (food and drinks good, sit upstairs outside)
Ballast Point - love their beer; have not been to this location

For Lunch - we like Plaza Inn, Red Rose Tavern, Rancho del Zocolo, Corn Dog Castle (if you like CD) and Paradise Garden Grill (though menu keeps changing)

 

[BrandonH]

I love having the Dole Whip while I'm enjoying the Enchanted Tiki Room show and pre-show.

 

[violina]

My husband and I tried Napa Rose last year and loved it. So we dragged some friends for a pre-wedding celebration this year and they loved it. It's definitely one of my spots for our upcoming trip. I will admit though, it's a bit of splurge outside of the park. Additionally my friends and husband love Steakhouse 55, though admittedly, it's not really a preferred spot for myself (great food, but I personally prefer more of a vegetarian option).

Other ones I'd recommend is Blue Bayou (especially if you haven't been; if you have, then Cafe Orleans might be another option in lieu of that). Carthay Circle is another in park favourite of mine and my friends.

 

[MillauFr]

Go to Napa Rose. Ask for server Rodney. He works Mon thru Thurs

 

[cruisehopeful]

Carthay Circle is our go to for a special meal. You need to make a reservation.

Breakfast at Carnation Cafe is good. They have a really good eggs benedict.

As far as snacks goes, there's too many to suggest without knowing your preferences. I could tell you they have the best popcorn in the world, but if you don't like popcorn, you probably wouldn't like it. I do suggest steering away from the colorful things. It seems like the more artificial color they use to make stuff look pretty, the less it tastes like anything.

Hot beignets from the Mint Julep counter are good. I generally don't like donuts much, but they are good because they are served warm/hot and it's kind of fun to share.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Go to Napa Rose. Ask for server Rodney. He works Mon thru Thurs

I had Rodney as my server there this past January. He was fantastic, and the meal was one of the best I have ever had, anywhere.

 

[CharleneTheDM]

I went about three weeks ago with my boyfriend (now fiance!).
We did Napa Rose's Chef's Counter---it was a splurge, but well worth it! It was neat to watch the kitchen work seamlessly, every single dish was amazing and it was just a neat, romantic experience.
We also did a lunch (nice sit-down break at DCA) at Carthay Circle. It's old Hollywood glam, really classy and nice space.

If you're catching Fantasmic, go for the Blue Bayou package! Nothing beats its atomosphere!

We did the Dessert Package for WOC for the first time too and it was totally the way to go. The dessert plate was yummy (very generous portion, definitely have a light dinner that night) and the servers were attentive and drinks were yummy!

I hope you guys have a fantastic time!

 

[tasha99]

Our favorites:

Napa Rose-- We've done the chef's table, which was excellent. They assign seats, so ask to sit with the view you want (we like to sit in the middle with a view of both food and dessert prep. ) We've also eaten years and years ago in the restaurant, and more recently at the lounge. I liked the lounge--a little more space, but the menu might have been abbreviated (we just had dessert).

Carthay Circle-- Best restaurant in California Adventure. Really cool atmosphere and good food.

Blue Bayou-- Our favorite n Disneyland. We get an 11:30 lunch reservation to get waterfront seats. Food is good but we go for the atmosphere.

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen--Actually my favorite of the bunch, especially when there's live music. Love the shrimp and grits and the soup trio.

Trader Sams-- According to my kids, it's not that hard to get a table after midnight.

 

[Babystitch]

Congrats on your honeymoon!! Everybody has made really good suggestions. Mine is not as fancy, but when I got married, I really, seriously, had no money. We barely scraped enough together to go to Disneyland and we were like 'well, we will eat a lot of churros and pretzels and that should work'! (haha). But it started to rain like crazy, so we ducked into Rancho del Zocalo. At night, with the lights, it is seriously (in my opinion) the coziest place in Disneyland. We popped for a taco salad and split it and it was one of the best dinners I've ever had (sidenote: the menu has since expanded!).

So, you never know where magic can happen! It is your honeymoon.. I say just wander all over, try everything, and enjoy every bite of it!

 

[DizMe]

Go to Napa Rose. Ask for server Rodney. He works Mon thru Thurs

May I ask what the protocol is for asking for a specific server? Do you ask at the time you make the reservation, when you get to the restaurant, or...?

 

[MillauFr]

May I ask what the protocol is for asking for a specific server? Do you ask at the time you make the reservation, when you get to the restaurant, or...?

I ask when I get to the restaurant

 

[osu2k1]

Napa Rose would be great for doing a "celebration" of your marriage! It's very nice and fancy.
Blue Bayou is overrated, go to Cafe Orleans in DL.
We did the Wine Country Trattoria in DCA when we were on our honeymoon (2004) and it was nice.
Earl of Sandwich is great for a reasonable cost lunch and the food is tasty!
Everyone loves UVA for drinks...
Carnation Cafe' is a fave for Breakfast.
Congrats!!!!!

 

[jerzeystar09]

I went about three weeks ago with my boyfriend (now fiance!).
We did Napa Rose's Chef's Counter---it was a splurge, but well worth it! It was neat to watch the kitchen work seamlessly, every single dish was amazing and it was just a neat, romantic experience.
We also did a lunch (nice sit-down break at DCA) at Carthay Circle. It's old Hollywood glam, really classy and nice space.

If you're catching Fantasmic, go for the Blue Bayou package! Nothing beats its atomosphere!

We did the Dessert Package for WOC for the first time too and it was totally the way to go. The dessert plate was yummy (very generous portion, definitely have a light dinner that night) and the servers were attentive and drinks were yummy!

I hope you guys have a fantastic time!

We are looking at the Dessert Party as we love the one they have for Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom. Does this party provide actual seats? I’ve heard there are no actual seats or bleachers for WOC and Fantasmic

 

[cruisehopeful]

Does this party provide actual seats? I’ve heard there are no actual seats or bleachers for WOC and Fantasmic

The Dessert Party has a table and chairs. You will have a seat if you purchase dessert party.

You can get a table and chairs for Fantasmic, but you have to book the dinner at Riverbelle Terrace by calling in and saying that you want the reserved seating at the restaurant for the duration of the show. It is not the best view, though.

 

[Drfate102]

We did our Honeymoon there back in 2013. our first non reception dinner as Husband and Wife was at Steakhouse 55, which has become our first night at Disneyland tradition.