Where is the best steak, sushi and dining alfresco? Here are some “insider tips” on Disneyland Resort dining:
Most uniquely themed dining locations: Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park offers guests table-service dining with gastro-pub cuisine, displaying “insider” Pixar stories throughout the restaurant. Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park allows diners to observe passing boats from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Blue Bayou is the only dining establishment that looks into a dark ride attraction at Disneyland Resort.
Best place to combine dining with entertainment: Splitsville Luxury Lanes at the Downtown Disney District offers a unique combination of dining, drinks, bowling and live musical entertainment 365 days a year.
Places to find the most photo-worthy treats: Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff and Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park; Jolly Holiday Bakery Café at Disneyland Park; Marceline’s Confectionery at Downtown Disney.
Most romantic dinner spot: It’s a toss-up between Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and a corner table at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.
Favorite spots for outdoor dining: The terrace at Wine Country Trattoria, the patio at Carthay Circle Restaurant and the back patio at Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land, all at Disney California Adventure Park; Carnation Café on Main Street, U.S.A., the front porch of Plaza Inn and River Belle Terrace (where we’re told Walt Disney used to have breakfast on Sunday mornings), all in Disneyland Park; Uva Bar, Downtown Disney District.
How to order kosher meals: Kosher meals are available at most table-service and select quick-service restaurants at the Disneyland Resort. A 24-hour notice is required, and the meals are purchased from an outside vendor. Guests may call (714) 781-3463 to request Kosher meals. Guests also may bring their own preferred kosher products.
Fill ‘er up: Popular self-serve, buffet-style restaurants include breakfast at Plaza Inn, Disneyland Park; Goofy’s Kitchen (brunch and dinner), Disneyland Hotel; and Donald Duck’s Seaside breakfast at Disney’s PCH Grill, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel; and Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast at Storytellers Café, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Where is Mickey Mouse? Best place to find the Big Cheese is Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast buffet at Storytellers Café, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Best steak dinner: Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel (the generous bone-in rib-eye is a hands-down favorite), or the grilled Creekstone Farms “Prime” New York at Napa Rose.
Best places for a cup of coffee: The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel; Starbucks at Market House on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park, and at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe at Disney California Adventure Park.
Best vegetarian: All table-service restaurants offer vegetarian choices, but for creations with the season’s freshest ingredients, guests may try Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar at Downtown Disney District, or Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Tops for families: Gather round the table for breakfast or dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, where the Disney characters will have you dancing, or Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park, with twinkling lights and a magical ambience. Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa spurs family conversation with beautiful wall murals that depict tall tales set in the Golden State’s early days.
Grown-ups’ night out: For an evening without the kids, favorites include Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Steakhouse 55, at Disneyland Hotel.
Best place to grab a quick sandwich: Cozy Cone Motel, Disney California Adventure Park; Jolly Holiday Bakery Café and Hungry Bear in Disneyland Park.
Best snack spot: Tiki Juice Bar for a Dole Whip frozen treat at Disneyland Park; Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream at Disney California Adventure Park.
Outstanding wine list: Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers a selection of 80 wines by the glass from an award-winning list of more than 450 international wines (80 percent Californian) and a 17,000-bottle cellar.
Best lounges: Steakhouse 55 or Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, both at the Disneyland Hotel; Napa Rose or Hearthstone Lounge, both at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel& Spa; the outdoor patio and bar of Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier or the lounge downstairs at Carthay Circle Restaurant, both at Disney California Adventure Park.
How to save time while dining: Guests may use the mobile ordering feature through the Disneyland app to order food and beverage from select quick-service restaurants in both parks. Mobile ordering allows guests to choose a participating location, select an arrival time window for pickup, choose items and place an order. When guests arrive at the chosen location during their arrival time window, they simply hit “I’m here” and food will be prepared.
