This post is sponsored by Get Away Today and if you aren’t booking your next trip to Disneyland with them, you are doing it wrong! Get Away Today made this trip so incredibly easy- all reservations were made over the phone and they did everything in preparation for our Disneyland vacation from booking the hotel to getting our park hopper tickets (which were sent directly to our phones). They had every last detail nailed including friendly email reminders leading up to our trip, convenient instructions on hotel check-in and ticket redemption, and how to get the most out of our trip to Disneyland. We wouldn’t do a trip to Disneyland any other way!
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Disneyland restaurants, featuring the best Disneyland food from low-key food carts to upscale dining in both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. With over 100 different dining options between the two parks, we spent an entire week in Disneyland to go all out and find out what the best Disneyland restaurants were so we could share them with you.
It’s super important to note that none of these decisions are based on fan favorites or nostalgia. The recommendations provided here are solely based on the quality of the food (make sure to read our disclaimer below). As we navigated our way through dozens of Disneyland restaurants and California Adventure restaurants, we always ordered the most signature or popular menu items, allowing each restaurant to put its “best foot” forward by serving the shining star on their menu. None of our meals were comped and everything was paid for to ensure no biased reviews, thoughts, or opinions.
Something important to keep in mind- yes, the food at Disneyland is expensive. Even just dining solo you’ll be amazed at how everything adds up so quickly. We recommend looking at the Disneyland dining experience similar to how you view a night at the ballpark or a meal at the airport- it is what it is and if you’re budgeting for your family to enjoy Disneyland food while you’re in the park, plan ahead!
The Disneyland App: A Must Have
The Happiest Disclaimer On Earth
Eating at Disneyland won’t compare to the places you ate at on your most recent trip New York City, or even some of your go-to restaurants that you love in your hometown. And in truth, most of the food at Disneyland is mediocre at best. But it is indeed the happiest place on earth and whether you’re a regular park goer or a once-in-a-lifetime customer, almost everyone will inevitably make the trek to Disneyland to experience the magic for themselves. So with a little recalibration and some theme-park expectations, we’re here to help you get the most out of your Disneyland restaurant experience and share our top recommendations from the dozens of offerings.
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10. Bengal Barbecue: Safari Skewer
Located in Adventureland and right across from Tarzan‘s Treehouse and Indiana Jones Adventure, The Bengal Barbecue is one of our favorite Disneyland restaurants because it’s quick- *especially* if you use the app to pre-order! We like to come here for an easy snack because they offer lots of different simple menu items (cue: the skewers), and our favorite of them all is the Safari Skewer, made of bacon-wrapped asparagus. It’s nice to enjoy something that’s green while you’re eating in Disneyland- even if it is wrapped in bacon.
Bengal Barbecue
9. River Belle Terrace: Monkey Bread
Blink an eye and you’ll walk past this Disneyland restaurant, the River Belle Terrace in Frontierland, which is just beside the Stage Door Cafe and to the left of the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance when facing. This restaurant serves southern fare from spare ribs to pulled pork sandwiches, but what you’re really here for is the monkey bread! Disneyland Park will switch this classic up from time to time (pictured is a special cookie butter monkey bread), but classic or not, we love this dessert for its soft Bread coated with Cinnamon Sugar, served warm and finished with Caramel, Vanilla Bean Chantilly and Candied Pecans. It’s the perfect carby cinnamony dessert- share with a friend if you’re feeling generous.
River Belle Terrace
8. Flo’s V-8 Cafe: Ramone’s Low and Slow Club (DCA)
Aside from how straight up adorable this restaurant is (especially for Cars lovers!) you’re going to love eating at Flo’s V8 Cafe for a no-frills breakfast or lunch. If you’re glancing at the lunch menu, don’t underestimate Ramone’s Low & Slow Club sandwich. After eating among a sea of Disneyland restaurants that serve more deep fried options than you can imagine, this turkey sandwich is a breath of fresh air. Turkey Breast with crispy bacon, avocado-bacon mayo, lettuce, and tomato on toasted white bread with steak fries. You can order this one ahead of time with you Disneyland app!
Flo’s V8 Cafe
7. Cafe Orleans: Pommes Frites & Monte Cristo Sandwich
Cafe Orleans is a very beloved Disneyland Restaurant and while there are so many different things you can order here, you’re coming here for the pommes frites! These are the best french fries in the entire park and we love the way they serve them- tossed with parmesan and garlic, and served with a delicious cajun spice rémoulade on the side. It’s the perfect salty snack during a day at Disneyland or the perfect companion to the ultimate decadent sandwich that you can find here also, the Monte Cristo! If you’re looking for something cheesy, deep-fried, and sweet all at the same time, this sandwich is for you. The beignets on the menu might sound tempting but we recommend you save your beignet fix for the Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (more on this on our post on the 10 Best Restaurants Near Disneyland), which is located in downtown Disney and serves beignets that are miles ahead of any beignet you can find inside both parks.
Cafe Orleans
6. Little Red Wagon: Hand-Dipped Corn Dog
Let it be known that one of the best Disneyland food items you can eat is a hand-dipped corn dog from the Little Red Wagon, situated on the right side of the Plaza Inn when facing. It isn’t fancy and by no means will it look like anything extra special from the outside, but one bite and you’ll see why this corndog is worth ordering. The golden deep-fried coating of cornmeal batter is about an inch thick and we’re not mad about it! They serve every corn dog with a side of chips or apple slices (#health), and you can wash it all down with a sugary Coca Cola. The perfect meal if you’re in a hurry and on your way in or out of the park.
Little Red Wagon
5. Tiki Juice Bar: Dole Whip
At first glance, you might think that there’s nothing too spectacular about the ever popular Dole Whip, but it will only take one bite for you to be converted to the ways of the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland. One of our favorite Disneyland restaurants is the Tiki Juice Bar solely for the fact that they serve up these golden bowls of pineapple bliss. Perfect on a hot summer day but still just as delicious even when it’s brisk and chilly. This is a great Disneyland food item that you can order pre-order online and have ready when you arrive with the Disneyland app!
Tiki Juice Bar
4. Plaza Inn: Fried Chicken
The Plaza Inn is easy to take for granted at first glace, with their underwhelming cafeteria and buffet style set up. Don’t be fooled though, The Plaza Inn is one of our favorite Disneyland restaurants solely for the fact that they serve the best fried chicken in the entire park. You’re going to love every last bite of these juicy pieces of chicken, fried to golden crispy perfection. Truth be told the sides are nothing to write home about, but if you go here for the fried chicken alone it would still be worth it.
Plaza Inn
3. Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich & Tomato Basil Soup
Three reasons why Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe is one of our favorite Disneyland restaurants: 1) The grilled cheese and tomato basil soup. If you want to enjoy something among Disneyland restaurants that’s completely satisfying and simple, this is your new go-to order. 2) The Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron! One of our absolute favorite treats in Disneyland park. The fresh berries and raspberry mousse combined with a delicate French Macaron is delicious. 3) Super easy dining experience because, you guessed it, another restaurant that allows you to pre-order your entire meal! So grab a grilled cheese sandwich, and a Mickey Macaron (word on the street is that the Matterhorn Macaroons are equally as delicious), and enjoy lunch at one of our favorite Disneyland restaurants.
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
2 . Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop: Treasure Island Warm Brownie Sundae (DCA)
If we had to pick just one sweet treat from all of the Disneyland restaurants to recommend, it would be the Treasure Island warm brownie sundae from the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop! It’s simple it’s classic and it’s so well done but you’ll come here over and over for this treat because it’s just that good. The Ghirardelli chocolate brownie is perfectly soft and warm, served alongside vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and of course your token whipped cream, diced almonds, and cherry. Located in the Pacific Wharf of Disney’s California Adventure!
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
1. Carthay Circle Restaurant (DCA)
One of the best and most memorable Disneyland restaurants you will ever eat at is the Carthay Circle Restaurant at California Adventure! They change the menu regularly but this toasted pumpkin and sage gnocchi was fantastic and undoubtedly the best thing we ate all week at both parks. The restaurant interior is absolutely beautiful and designed after the original Carthay Circle Theatre where movies like Snow White premiered. If you want to eat here make sure to get a reservation using the Disney app as early as possible- you won’t want to miss out on this Disneyland dining experience!
Carthay Circle Restaurant
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We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best Disneyland restaurants! Don’t forget to book your next trip to Disneyland with Get Away Today to get incredible rates and flawless planning for hotels, park passes, and so much more.
Si
WOW. Amazing post.now I want to visit the parks just to try some of your rec’s. My favorite that I’ve tried on this list is the hot fudge brownie. That alone is worth the trip to CA Adventure!
Brooke Eliason
Thanks so much! That hot fudge brownie sundae was really TDF.
erica
Yum! Your post makes me wish I was back in Disneyland. I normally go to Disney World and went to Disneyland for the first time. I was very impressed by the quality of food. I had always heard Disneyland had great food, but it was so much more than I expected. I really appreciated that the quick service restaurants had delicious food. The number of allergy-friendly and vegan options was also impressive and greatly appreciated.
Brooke Eliason
Thanks so much for reading Erica! I agree- Disneyland is extremely accommodating to all types of diets and dietary needs!