What are the MUST go to restaurants in Disneyland?

[oilergirl]

What are the best restaurants to go to in Disneyland? Not necessarily ones with the best/fanciest menus...but ones that have the coolest ambiance/dining experience, etc.? I've never eaten in Disneyland before and it'll be YEARS before I can afford to go back. So which ones are MUST sees (and why)? Thank you!

 

[toby78]

You will have a lot of people tell you the Blue Bayou, the ambience is awesome, but in my opinion the food is not good like it was years ago....it's very overrated..

 

[disneychrista]

The must eats for us are:

Rancho del Zacola - Mexican Food - Frontierland by Thunder Mountain
Plaza Inn - Fried Chicken, Pasta - Pot Roast - Main Street - Main Street

Both the above have real dishes and flat ware, cool themed locations.

At DCA we have to get Bread Bowls (Vegetarian Chili) at Pacific Wharf Cafe.

 

[lcasa]

You will have a lot of people tell you the Blue Bayou, the ambience is awesome, but in my opinion the food is not good like it was years ago....it's very overrated..

I agree - great ambience, but food pricey and not that great.
Plaza Inn is really pretty - some of the antiques there were selected by Lillian Disney.
Actually DL isn't the great dining place WDW is - as much as I love it ( 20 years with an AP ). Rancho Zacalo is ok -cool decorations. The Hungry Bear isn't great food - typical burgers - but the setting next to the River is nice.
I go to the parks a lot and always stress out about where to eat!

Vineyard inn in DCA is supposed to be nice. Napa Rose is VERY nice, and very $$$ - a real 4 star restaurant - one of the best in Orange County.

 

[disneynerd420]

I'm all about Cafe Orleans. A lot of DISers agree that the monte cristo is a must.

 

[vettegirl]

I love BB, the ambiance is amazing! I also like the theme at Taste pilots grill.

 

[queenie82]

Another vote for Pacific Wharf Cafe

 

[jacs1234]

I'm from Australia so can't go to Disneyland everyday either But when we went last time, I was so glad we ate at the Blue Bayou. It was very interesting and the atmosphere was so cool.

I regret not eating at the rainforest cafe and Goofy's kitchen was a blast. We'll be doing Plaza inn this time.

 

[melbarkwith]

We loved the Rainforest Cafe. The food was pretty good (not wonderful), but the setting is just fantastic. Can't wait to go again!

 

[Pamb]

We really enjoyed Carnation Cafe when we were there and will go again at least once on our next trip. Oscar, the chef, came out and sat by my daughter last time and DH took a picture. I didn't know who he was at the time and how special it was or I would have had my picture taken too. Now I have a quest. I have a date with Oscar....he just doesn't know it yet.


If you have little girls Ariel's Grotto is a must. The look in my daughters eyes as she met Aurora was worth the price of the entire trip. The food was at best mediocre but we had excellent CM interaction we wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. They were so cute with all of my kids and the photos turned out great.

Not a restaurant but a not to miss treat is the Dole Whip by the Enchanted Tiki Room! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I think I will go review my PS now.....

 

[disneynerd420]

OOOOOOH.... I loves me a dole whip float.

 

[disneynerd420]

Two more of my must do's are ESPN zone ( I love the wings) and Plaza Inn (Their fried chicken dinner is amazing)

 

[rgDizzyland]

Here are my favorites:

1. Blue Bayou - Best for lunch, food just isn't as good as it used to be.
2. Golden Horseshoe, get some food and watch Billy Hill show. A must for every trip to Disneyland, word of warning it gets crowded!
3. Storytellers Character Breakfast in Grand Californian Hotel
4. ESPN in Downtown Disney
5. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill in DCA, tried this last trip and it turned into a favorite during the trip.
6. Taste Pilots' Grill in DCA
7. Carnation Cafe

 

[ter-moo]

Besides what everyone else has already said, we really love Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel. You go in through the conference center area which is magical (a large staircase sparkling with "pixie dust") and then go to the left. The restaurant (and the attached lounge, too) are comfortable, elegant and classy. The food is amazing, too!

 

[D. Crockett]

Blue Bayou. The ambiance and theming is worth the mediocre food.

 

[Escape2Disney]

For us it's:

Cafe Orleans - Great Ratatouille!
Carnation Cafe - Crowded, but good food.
Pacific Wharf Cafe - Their chicken salad is really good
Wine Country Trattoria - Love the veggie lasagna

 

[spacemermaid]

Another vote for Carnation Cafe...it's a classic! Be sure to try the baked potato soup

 

[LavenderPeach]

For sit down restaurants:

-Carnation Cafe, love the cinnamon roll french toast breakfast, potato soup was really good for lunch
- Wine Country Trattoria, really yummy lasagna
- Blue Bayou, haven't been here in years so I can't really comment on the food but I agree that the ambiance is really great and something everyone should try once.

For Counter Service:
- Taste Pilot's Grill, love the ribs and the full throttle fries ( burgers weren't good imo but i know some people really like them)
- Bengal BBQ, love the chicken and veggie skewers
- Riverbelle Terrace, turkey sandwiches made with real carved turkey, not deli meat and they have a bunch of toppings you can add

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Our favorites are:

Cafe Orleans (Monte Cristo and Pommes Frites)
Carnation Cafe (Loaded Baked Potato soup)
Rancho Del Zocalo (Hacienda salad)
Wine Country (Lasagna)
Rainforest Cafe (if we are with the kids - I like the Pastalaya)
Redd Rocket's Pizza Port (Chicken Fusilli)

 

[sahbushka]

Another vote for Carnation Cafe...it's a classic! Be sure to try the baked potato soup

YUMMMMMYYYY! I love Carnation Cafe's baked potato soup and I want to try almost everything else on their menu....it looks so good!!!!

I would also suggest the Golden Horseshoe for the billy show and some yummy food...the chicken strips were great!

Sarah