Food Guide to Disneyland & California Adventure.
Awkward but necessary food selfie. Flo’s V8 Cafe.
I’ll start by saying this… this is not an all encompassing food tour of Disney. I know many of you will likely have more places to add to my shortlist. What I will say is this, after a few times around the block at Disneyland over the years. These are my tried and tested classics I usually frequent while in town. Plus, my learned experiences with food and having a toddler at Disneyland.
Tortilla Jo’s, Downtown Disney: This place is a must for our family when we’re in town. The tableside quac is a must. They pull up a cart filled with all the amazing add-ins and avocado of your dreams and make it fresh at your table. It’s well worth the $15 you pay + tip for the experience. And naturally, we down it in mere minutes. Highly recommend this spot for a night out when you’re not dining in the parks.
Naples Ristorante E Bar, Downtown Disney: Lovely little Italian joint if you’re in the mood for pizza or pasta and the line at Tortilla Jo’s is too long.
The Golden Horseshoe, Frontierland Disneyland: This place is great for a lunch or dinner out in the park. They have a rotating cast that pops up on stage from time to time to perform some piano classics and jigs, classic old western vibes. I usually get the chicken tenders and fries, complete with BBQ dipping sauce to boot! New added plus in the parks. Most kids meals come with a applesauce pouch and a mandarin orange.
Bengal Barbecue, Adventureland Disneyland: These BBQ skewers are droolworthy. Plus it feels like you’re eating a real ‘normal’ meal while dining at the park. I’d recommend trying several of the meat skewers to share as a family and get a vegetable skewer too, always nice to pack in some veggie’s where you can especially while at Disneyland. The rice plate and hummus trio are always a nice side to go with your choice of meats. Don’t forget your pineapple spear either! So juicy and delicious.
Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Disneyland: This was quite the surprise dining location for us. The food was quite good, albeit small portions for what you pay. I got the Trandoshan-style Pasta with Braised Bantha, real good. We got LBB the Itorian Garden Patty Bun, which is a plant-based Bao bun situation with roasted carrots. Worth a stop if you’re in this neck of the woods.
Redrose Tavern, Fantasyland Disneyland: Open for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. All I have to say is Tots.We snagged a small mix of things here from pizza to Patty Melt Potato Bites. Great location too close to all the rides in Fantasyland!
Tiki Juice Bar, Adventureland Disneyland: DOLEWHIP PEOPLE!!!! I’m obsessed. It’s a dairy free treat that will go down in history as one of the best parts about Disneyland. Grab one, or three while you’re there!
Wine Country Trattoria, DCA: Did I mention DCA serves alcohol? Well, it does, and after a long day at the parks, it’s a great treat to savor on the pier. We like to make a pitstop here for wine before finding your next meal on the pier.
Pacific Whaf’s Café, DCA: These breadbowls are soooooo delish. If you’re there in the fall/winter, grab a soup or mac & cheese in one of these dough balls of glory and sit back and relax. I usually get the Asian Chicken Salad in the bowl for a mildly healthy option. We’ve also tried the Turkey Pesto Club, and layered on a few sides of fruit or Cuties for LBB.
Rita’s Baja Blenders, DCA: Who doesn’t love a Marg? This is a great spot if it’s particularly hot out to enjoy a nice cold icey margarita. Explore one of the specialty flavors, you can’t go wrong!
Ghiradelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop, DCA: Ok… one thing that I have had to totally cut out of my diet no matter how naughty I’m being is ice cream. Dairy is typically not my friend, but the combo of sugar and dairy is just a gut bomb waiting to happen. So.. with that being said, you’d think I’d have to skip this decadent treasure in DCA. You’re wrong! They have a dairy free chocolate sundae that is. to. die. for. You wouldn’t even believe that it’s dairy free!
Flo’s V8 Cafe, DCA: We knew we had to eat here when we saw the name. It’s typical diner fare with a twist. We got a few ka-cheeseburger’s but drooled a little when we saw a Flo’s Famous Fried Chicken plate walk by. It’s also a nice spot to eat outside, you get a great view of the Roadsters as they cruise by.
Señor Buzz Churros, DCA: There are plenty of spots to grab a churro in Disney. So just find your favorite pit stop and grab a warm doughy sugar stick. I’m drooling just thinking about it.
Next time I’m in town I’d love to try the the Carthay Circle Restaurant in DCA. We just haven’t had the chance to sit down for a ‘fine dining’ experience while at the parks. Plus, it’s a bit more pricey than most other options, so we typically pass. I’ve also been very tempted by the Blue Bayou Restaurant at times in Disneyland, but again, we’ve usually been in too big of a rush to have a full sit down experience. All in all, you won’t go hungry while at the parks, and with the new Mobile Order process via the Disney app, you’ll never have to wait longer than necessary to grab a bite to eat. Bon Appetit!
