Your #1 restaurant must do

[gypsy_at_heart]

I’m going to Disneyland for the SWGE opening in June (I’ll be there the 19th-23rd) and my parents are joining me for a few days as a Father’s Day gift for my dad.

We visited DL a lot when I was young, but none of us been back in quite a few (15 ish average between all of us) years.

I want to take them for a nice meal while we’re there and I wanted to get some opinions on where we should go.

I would like to avoid blue bayou as we’ve ate there many times in the past and would like to try something else.

Ideas? What’s your #1 must do?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Carnation Cafe for very classic American, homey-feeling food. Cafe Orleans if you find that menu more appealing! Those are our fav in park places for table service.

I also recommend drinks at the Cathay Lounge at some point! Fun & yummy. Personally, we don’t like the restaurant but love the drinks at the lounge.

 

[BadPinkTink]

my go to restaurant is Blue Bayou, oops lol. Ive been going to Disneyland every year since 2010 and each year I try to eat at different restaurants. So far these are where I have eaten at

Disneyland
Jolly Holiday
Plaza
Rancho del Zocalo
Bengal Barbecue
Alien Pizza Planet
Daisys Diner


DCA
Cozy Cone Motel
Flos V8
Wine Country Tratoria
Pacific Warf

Hotels
Storytellers Cafe

 

[HydroGuy]

After BB nothing really stands out for me in the parks. Cafe Orleans at DL and Wine Country Trattoria at DCA is what i would choose after BB.

I would say if you are willing to look outside the parks, my personal favorite is SteakHouse 55 at the DLH. Napa Rose (GCH) gets the fine cuisine stars, but SH55 is better IMO.

For casual dining my only "must do" every trip is Tortilla Jo's in DTD.

 

[midnight star]

For sit downs: Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, Blue Bayou, Carthay

 

[nikerbokers]

Carthay Circle is my favorite in park restaurant hands down. I don't think you can go wrong here especially since it seems there are no kids in your party. If you can't get reservations, try to get in the lounge for some small bites and amazing cocktails.

 

[tasha99]

Carthay Circle is great and well themed. I also like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen a lot (esp their shrimp and grits). Napa Rose also, though sometimes it can be a little too precious for me.

 

[Whistlebee]

I really really enjoy lunch on the patio at Wine Country Trattoria. The patio provides such a nice relaxing atmosphere. We always have good food and good service.

 

[Abbey1]

My must-do in Disneyland is Cafe Orleans. In DCA, it was always Cove Bar. We haven’t been since it changed over to Lamplight Lounge last year, but can’t wait to try it when we visit in October. Both would be good places to take your parents during your visit, I think.

 

[alvernon90]

For casual dining my only "must do" every trip is Tortilla Jo's in DTD.

Second this as a casual dining option. Food is surprisingly good, and you can soothe the pain of the crowds and heat with wading pool-sized margaritas.

The only thing that would top it as a must-do for me is lunch at Trader Sam's, but it's not really a "must" because if we can't get a table inside then we don't bother. (Also, I haven't been since the Tangaroa Terrace revamp so I don't know what the menu looks like these days, but it used to be very unique and tasty.)

 

[julesann]

Well I guess that depends on what you mean by a "nice meal". For me, I'd say this would be Carthay Circle, Napa Rose or SH 55. Or you could go to the more casual Ralph Brennan's, WCT, Cafe Orleans or Lamplighter.

 

[DizMe]

Honestly? I don't have any must-do restaurants at DLR. The ones I prefer have already been mentioned: Carthay (love the outdoor balcony seating), Napa Rose, though I usually find the staff stuffy, which puzzles me because I'm friendly and dress & tip well. Is it because it's my sister and me? We often are totally ignored, then rushed. At Napa Rose I generally opt for the lounge rather than the restaurant (I like the pub-type menu unless I'm going for a special dinner). Jazz Kitchen in DTD used to be my favorite but they totally messed that up by changing the double-chocolate bread pudding to actual bread pudding instead of a souffle, without the double chocolate in little pitchers! Ugh. That was my favorite! I'm not a huge fan of SH55; had a birthday dinner there in January and it was ok but not fabulous for the price, and now they no longer have the 24-layer cake. Love Trader Sam's, both inside and out.

Edited to add that I love SH55 for breakfast! That's a great time to go. We also enjoyed the afternoon tea.

 

[SD33]

Napa Rose. The Chef's Counter if you can afford it. It's spendy but so worth it, and would make a great celebration spot for your dad. We've done it twice now and the meal is usually about 3 hours long and about 5-6 courses of food prepared uniquely for you. We always do it on the night we get into town before we hit the parks the next day.

If not that, I second what other have said about Carthay Circle. Great ambiance and great food. Same price range as Blue Bayou but slightly better food. And you can get a craft cocktail there!

 

[Insaneinthemombrain]

I am going to third Tortilla Jo’s in DTD. We go once a trip for the tableside guacamole alone. (They do have other great food there but the tableside guac is the best and a must do imo)

The blue bayou fantasmic dining package is something we will do once a trip from now on and I would recommend doing at least once in your life (even if the bb itself has grown stale to you). The river belle terrace fantasmic dining package where you watch from your table is on our bucket list for next time.

We also have lamplight lounge during WOC on our bucket list.

Jolly holiday is the only other “must do”. Especially now that they took the donut cart away and are selling the donuts there. I recommend the toasted cheese and tomato soup combo and a raspberry Mickey macaron and a Matterhorn macaroon!

 

[sweethannah]

Honestly? I don't have any must-do restaurants at DLR. The ones I prefer have already been mentioned: Carthay (love the outdoor balcony seating), Napa Rose, though I usually find the staff stuffy, which puzzles me because I'm friendly and dress & tip well. Is it because it's my sister and me? We often are totally ignored, then rushed. At Napa Rose I generally opt for the lounge rather than the restaurant (I like the pub-type menu unless I'm going for a special dinner). Jazz Kitchen in DTD used to be my favorite but they totally messed that up by changing the double-chocolate bread pudding to actual bread pudding instead of a souffle, without the double chocolate in little pitchers! Ugh. That was my favorite! I'm not a huge fan of SH55; had a birthday dinner there in January and it was ok but not fabulous for the price, and now they no longer have the 24-layer cake. Love Trader Sam's, both inside and out.

Edited to add that I love SH55 for breakfast! That's a great time to go. We also enjoyed the afternoon tea.

Umm... not to interrupt this thread but I cant overlook this important piece of information. When did this travesty take place? This was one of our traditional ' must do's'

 

[HydroGuy]

Umm... not to interrupt this thread but I cant overlook this important piece of information. When did this travesty take place? This was one of our traditional ' must do's'

Just in the last few weeks. There was a thread on it if you want to search.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am going to third Tortilla Jo’s in DTD. We go once a trip for the tableside guacamole alone. (They do have other great food there but the tableside guac is the best and a must do imo)

Totally agree!

 

[Diszona]

It isn't in the parks but I would recommend Steakhouse 55 for a nice Father's Day dinner.

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

Thank you everyone!

I had my dad look at some menus from your recommended places, with prices whited out so he couldn’t tell me I’m spending too much money on him

We’re going with steakhouse 55 - he was sold on the fact that he can have prime rib AND lobster Mac and cheese. But he did put in that he still wants to go to lamplight lounge for those lobster nachos though

 

[MillauFr]

Napa Rose