Which restaurants at DL/CA have the best theming?

[lmhall2000]

We love that Disney touch on design and feel...we've booked Carnation Cafe for our first meal, need a recommendation for Dinner and lunch on our other three days...we'll probably only do 3 reservations then rely on counter service the other days...I read the descriptions but need traveler's opinions Our kids are 18-22...but still 8-12 when they go to Disney This is their first trip (they'll remember, the went at 4,2,1) to DL and we're staying off site, we usually always stay onsite at WDW so we love being immersed in it, but I figured I'd rather save $300 a night and spend it on cool restaurants/memorabilia Thanks!!

 

[cruisehopeful]

BLue Bayou has a nice atmosphere because it is inside the Pirate's ride.
Currently, there is a fun quick service in Fantasyland called Red Rose Tavern. It is themed for Beauty and the Beast.
Carthay Circle in DCA has a very upscale theme with some Snow White touches, but it doesn't look Snow White if they don't tell you specifically which parts are nods to Snow White.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Blue Bayou is my go to restaurant.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Disneyland -- Definitely Blue Bayou. Also Red Rose Tavern, assuming you'll be there while it's still Red Rose Tavern for the Beauty and the Beast theming.

DCA -- Ariel's has the best theming in my opinion; it's really well-done. For quick-serve, Cozy Cone is fun. And Flo's V8 is also fun ... although the theming is more 50s and less Disney per se.

And if you're anywhere near the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam's has some of the best theming in the parks, kinda Jungle Book.

 

[HydroGuy]

We love that Disney touch on design and feel...we've booked Carnation Cafe for our first meal, need a recommendation for Dinner and lunch on our other three days...we'll probably only do 3 reservations then rely on counter service the other days...I read the descriptions but need traveler's opinions Our kids are 18-22...but still 8-12 when they go to Disney This is their first trip (they'll remember, the went at 4,2,1) to DL and we're staying off site, we usually always stay onsite at WDW so we love being immersed in it, but I figured I'd rather save $300 a night and spend it on cool restaurants/memorabilia Thanks!!

I wish DLR would create more dining with stronger theming like WDW. So don't get your hopes too high. The other posts here pretty much sum it up. Blue Bayou is probably the best. At DCA there is nothing all that great IMO. I agree Flo's V8 is a good option for theming although it is CS. Ariel's Grotto has been hit or miss for us. The theming is good for sure. The food has been inconsistent. And Trader Sam's and Tangaroa Terrace at the DLH is very fun and well done!

 

[Abbey1]

Disneyland definitely doesn't have as many awesomely themed restaurants as WDW. Blue Bayou would be the best, in my opinion. I feel pretty 'meh' about their food, but the ambiance more than makes up for it. We also really enjoy eating outside in Cars Land at night, particularly at Flo's. The Golden Horseshoe is also more themed than other restaurants, I suppose. It's themed like a saloon and has live music.

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

In Disneyland I would have to say the Blue Bayou. It's incredible inside. However the food sucks. We had a large party and each one of our meals was cold, and 3 of us had hairs in our dinner. We wont be going back, but we are glad we had the experience as the theme is really cool, especially if you can get a seat by the water so you can watch all the boats going past.

I also like the Golden Horseshoe. You feel like you are in an old western saloon. I love going in there when the Laughing Stock Company is performing. There is nothing funnier than Sally May, a man dressed up as an ugly redneck woman coming up on stage looking for 3 blindfolded gentlemen who don't know what she looks like to compete and win her heart.

As for DCA I love the Wine Country Trattoria. You really get that Italian feel and if you time it right you can ask to sit out on the patio over looking the roadway and watch the Pixar Play Parade as it goes past.

 

[bardays]

Disneyland -- Definitely Blue Bayou. Also Red Rose Tavern, assuming you'll be there while it's still Red Rose Tavern for the Beauty and the Beast theming.

DCA -- Ariel's has the best theming in my opinion; it's really well-done. For quick-serve, Cozy Cone is fun. And Flo's V8 is also fun ... although the theming is more 50s and less Disney per se.

And if you're anywhere near the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam's has some of the best theming in the parks, kinda Jungle Book.

Ditto with Trader Sams. So fun!
Does anyone know when the Red Rose is leaving? Missed it last time!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Like all the others, we love BB for the atmosphere. The food is all right, a bit rich, but the portions are generous and easy to share. That way we don't end up feeling overly stuffed after our meal. (By the way, we've eaten there many times and never found hair in our food. If we did, the food would be sent right back and the manager alerted ASAP.) Plaza Inn isn't exactly themed, but the decor is quaint and the CMs (especially the older ones) are charming. We like the patio at Rancho del Zocalo. Again, it is charming with all the terracotta and lanterns. It is fun to watch BTMRR while eating. In DCA, we really enjoy CCR, lounge or upstairs. The building is based on the theatre where "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" debuted, so it has an old Hollywood theme. If you visit during a Dapper Day weekend, all the guests in Dapper wear really add to the ambience. If you're lucky, Five & Dime will be performing right outside when you exit, continuing the theme. Cozy Cones is fun for snacks, then for watching the neon lights light up Rte. 66 to "Life Could Be a Dream/Shboom" -- now that's theming!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Ditto with Trader Sams. So fun!
Does anyone know when the Red Rose is leaving? Missed it last time!

No, and I haven't heard that they've announced a date.

 

[Satchmo128]

For counter service, Rancho del Zocalo is one of my favorites in Disneyland park. Food is yummy and it is a nice, central location near so much of Frontierland, New Orleans Square, and Adventureland.

 

[gillep]

Disneyland -- Definitely Blue Bayou. Also Red Rose Tavern, assuming you'll be there while it's still Red Rose Tavern for the Beauty and the Beast theming.

DCA -- Ariel's has the best theming in my opinion; it's really well-done. For quick-serve, Cozy Cone is fun. And Flo's V8 is also fun ... although the theming is more 50s and less Disney per se.

And if you're anywhere near the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam's has some of the best theming in the parks, kinda Jungle Book.

This, although personally I prefer the food at most of the counter service restaurants to any of the table service ones. I also think that Carthay Circle is really beautiful inside, and the food has always been very good (we enjoy this restaurant for the WOC package).

 

[Rabb it]

Best theming, hmm..

Disneyland: Blue Bayou by a long shot, then maybe Café Orleans, I go to Café Orleans more often, the price is much more reasonable.

DCA: Even though it's quick service I LOVE Flo's V8 Café Carthay Circle is the nicest restaurant in DCA, but like Blue Bayou it's expensive.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Blue Bayou far and away. Relaxing, food is good, waterside is a +. was very disappointed in BOG in WDW, big hype, luke warm food and ma major zoo. Could not figure out why.

 

[goooof1]

Yep, Blue Bayou is "iconic".... you are IN the ride!!! Never had a bad meal there.....always good food for us!
Plaza Inn as mentioned previously has great atmosphere as well. It's a character breakfast buffet and then counter service for lunch and dinner....just very well done: classic Disneyland.

 

[disneydadazut2]

Another vote for The Golden Horseshoe. The best theming experience is eating a churro, walking around Frontierland, or eating a Matterhorn Macaroon walking down MainStreet