Where to eat?

[margot31]

So we are finally planning our first DL trip and I know nothing about DL....give me WDW and I could pick places. What are your favorite places to eat at DL?

 

[DharmaLou]

Depends what kind of food you're looking for. For one thing, DLR churros are a million times better than WDW

 

[margot31]

Depends what kind of food you're looking for. For one thing, DLR churros are a million times better than WDW

I am open to hear about anything.

 

[LKing]

Ages of people in your party? Are you looking for sit down restaurants that require reservations? If so, look at Blue Bayou in DLR and Lamplight Lounge in DCA. Carthay Circle and Napa Rose are two other nice (pricey) restaurants.

 

[margot31]

Ages of people in your party? Are you looking for sit down restaurants that require reservations? If so, look at Blue Bayou in DLR and Lamplight Lounge in DCA. Carthay Circle and Napa Rose are two other nice (pricey) restaurants.

Ages will be 40/40/9/7....we are open to any ideas. Like I said I have never been to DL...give me WDW and being gone for a few years I already have a list of places to eat but not going to WDW.

 

[Kit Jackson]

What do you like at WDW or in general? If we know what you like we can give better recommendations.

 

[Tinkaboo]

You must have Mickey beignets at Mint Julep! The only place you can get them at WDW is Port Or leans FrenchQuarter. These are the best treat in the park (yep, I’m a churro hater).

Also, although the food is expensive and can range from down right delicious to incredibly horrible, you must eat at Blue Bayou at least once for the experience. its an awesome experience sitting bayou side (make sure you request a waterside table and YES,you are willing to wait because they will ask) and watching the boats go by in Pirates.

Contrary to WDW, most all counter service is good and varied.

Fried chicken dinner at Plaza Inn is delicious, too.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Ages will be 40/40/9/7....we are open to any ideas. Like I said I have never been to DL...give me WDW and being gone for a few years I already have a list of places to eat but not going to WDW.

If they have any interest in Cars, eating at Flo's V8 Cafe in Carsland would be exciting for the kids (let's face it, and the adults!). We like to sit outside and watch the cars go by at Radiator Springs Racers. It's pretty fun! The food is counter service and is also pretty decent.

My favorite for quality and taste is the Craftsman Grill at GCH (also counter service). It gives you an excuse/chance to stroll through the lobby too, which is lovely. We like the pizza and nachos there. Both are shareable too, which is nice. It's just a hop skip and jump away from DCA (there is an entrance to the hotel from the park).

ETA: to be clear, anyone can visit the GCH lobby, I just meant that it gives you even more of a reason to!

 

[margot31]

What do you like at WDW or in general? If we know what you like we can give better recommendations.

Literally I am open to anything. The only reason why I would say a certain restaurant at WDW would be more of the atmosphere like 50's prime time cafe. Take the kids now that they are older and they might get a good giggle out of that place. The skipper canteen restaurant in magic kingdom for the steak salad if they still have that. Or the beast castle but again for the atmosphere.

 

[LKing]

In DCA, we like the San Fransokyo area (Lucky Fortune Cookery, Aunt Cass bread bowls and the birria tacos at Cocina Cucamonga) Personally, I don't care for the food at Flo's or Crazy Cone, but my kids love it. We like GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill as a breather to get away from the crowds.

In DL, Rancho del Zolcalo and Bengal BBQ are popular. We also like Tiana's Palace and Cafe Orleans. I think the begniets at the Jazz Kitchen in DTD are much better than the ones in the park.

What dates/season will you be going? Disney's California resorts often have seasonal specialties.

 

[ahhhshmatthew]

From an adult mindset, my wife and I very much enjoy GCH Craftsman Grill. It's located in the Grand Californian which is a quick walk from the parks; extremely underrated and typically has good ADR availability. Have never had a bad meal here. We also enjoy Lamplight Lounge - if you like Pixar movies, well worth an ADR, as it is entirely decorated in Pixar history, brand, etc. The food menu is somewhat limited for choice, but the food is good and the cocktails are fantastic. Trader Sam's is of course known for its drinks, but we also really enjoy the apps there at Disneyland Hotel.

 

[margot31]

In DCA, we like the San Fransokyo area (Lucky Fortune Cookery, Aunt Cass bread bowls and the birria tacos at Cocina Cucamonga) Personally, I don't care for the food at Flo's or Crazy Cone, but my kids love it. We like GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill as a breather to get away from the crowds.

In DL, Rancho del Zolcalo and Bengal BBQ are popular. We also like Tiana's Palace and Cafe Orleans. I think the begniets at the Jazz Kitchen in DTD are much better than the ones in the park.

What dates/season will you be going? Disney's California resorts often have seasonal specialties.

We are going to go in the last week of Sept or the first week of Oct only cause kids are out of school those two weeks. I don't like to pull them out of school if I don't have to.

 

[StarlitNight05]

We are going to go in the last week of Sept or the first week of Oct only cause kids are out of school those two weeks. I don't like to pull them out of school if I don't have to.

I'd try for the last week of September if possible. Halloween is a very popular/busy season at DLR. The closer it gets to Halloween, the worse the crowds seem to be (in my experience).

 

[margot31]

I'd try for the last week of September if possible. Halloween is a very popular/busy season at DLR. The closer it gets to Halloween, the worse the crowds seem to be (in my experience).

We are aiming for the last week of Sept as I hear it gets worse at DL compared to WDW.

 

[Aladora]

Ages will be 40/40/9/7....we are open to any ideas. Like I said I have never been to DL...give me WDW and being gone for a few years I already have a list of places to eat but not going to WDW.

So, for food our favourite places are Napa Rose and Carthay Circle. We took our son to eat at the Napa Rose Chef’s Counter for the first time when he was 13 or so but he is an adventurous eater and the meal is a few hours long so it might not be the best option with the ages of your kids. The regular dining room at Napa Rose is really good, imo. Carthay is really lovely as well.

For atmosphere you cannot beat Blue Bayou, there is really nothing like being able to eat inside PotC!

For non- reservation meals I would go for Plaza Inn and their fried chicken for sure! When our son was under 16, we would get one adult meal to split between me, DH, and DS and we would not leave hungry. (Full disclosure, we are Canadian and find US portions are really big)

We also enjoy Wine County, although some people are not as thrilled with the food there.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Hungry Bear restaurant right next to Splash Mountain has been a family favorite for over 30 years. We eat there every trip. Their burgers and fries are good. If you want a fancy sit down dinner, the Blue Bayou is nice. Last summer I had the rib eye steak and it was outstanding. But keep in mind, if you want to eat there you have to make reservations 4 months in advance.

 

[starry_solo]

Quick Service or Table Service?

I'm sure everyone has favorite places they like to eat at.

Disneyland
Plaza Inn for their fried chicken (lunch or dinner) is great. Their salmon is also good.
Alien Pizza Planet is OK for pasta (pizza, not so much).
Rancho del Zocalo for Mexican food.

DCA
Flo's V8 Cafe
San Fransokyo area (they have Asian food and regular American food)
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta is good too (for their salads).