I can't brag on Disneyland's food options enough. They have so much to offer that I guarantee there's something for everyone. Similar to the Disney World post, I'll break the options down by meal type.
First, let's discuss breakfast. There's been a lot of talk about Starbucks lately so this is probably the best place in this post to tell you where you can get it: Market House on Main Street in Disneyland; Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe on Buena Vista Street in California Adventure; and the Starbucks location in Downtown Disney. No matter which destination you prioritize, you'll be able to sit and enjoy a coffee concoction or take it on the go! La Brea Bakery Cafe in Downtown Disney is also a popular morning destination because of their wide variety of breakfast and brunch options. If you're staying near Disneyland resort, you can also enjoy the perks of IHOP, Denny's, and McDonald's near the pedestrian entrance.
Lunch opens up quite a few more options and the list grows when you add both quick-service and casual dining restaurants to it. I usually prefer to eat lunch in the park and then enjoy dinner at Downtown Disney for a nice early-evening break. My favorite stop in Disneyland is Cafe Orleans located in New Orleans Square. The specialty item at this restaurant is the Monte Cristo sandwich - it sounds a little weird, but just try it and I bet you'll be hooked!
Clockwise from top: Salmon sandwich with sweet potato fries, braised beef crepe, and monte cristo sandwich
The Blue Bayou Restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride also serves the monte cristo sandwich - but at a higher price. Your best bet for trying this Disneyland classic is to order it at Cafe Orleans and then splurge on Blue Bayou for the next meal if you like it.
On the other side of the spectrum, California Adventure offers what many people consider to be the BEST corn dog ever! And what better placement of a corn dog shop than on Paradise Pier! Corn Dog Castle serves up hand-battered and fried corn dogs, as well as a hot-link corn dog and a cheddar cheese stick. Each delicious item arrives piping hot with chips or apple slices; at under $8, you've got yourself quite an affordable - and tasty! - meal.
(photo courtesy of Disney Food Blog)
The lunch possibilities are endless so I'll run through a short list of famous options for each park. Disneyland: fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country, stuffed baked potatoes at Harbour Galley in Critter Country, and fried chicken at Plaza Inn located on Main Street, U.S.A.. California Adventure: Turkey Dip at Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land, Burrito Sonora from Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill on Pacific Wharf, and hot dogs/hot links/sausages from Award Wieners in Hollywood Land. Downtown Disney: sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich are so good that there is usually a line out the door! Check this place out for a break from the parks.
Dinner is as special at Disneyland as it is at Disney World. You have the option to pick a World of Color dining package for access to a special reserved standing area for the show: the restaurants that participate in this package deal are Wine Country Trattoria, Ariel's Grotto, and Carthay Circle Restaurant. I've only eaten at Ariel's Grotto but I've heard fantastic things about the other two options. Ariel's Grotto was nothing special. The service was awful, the decor is outdated and, frankly, a little dirty. The food, though, was pretty good. It's probably the cheapest option for the World of Color package but I think I'll pay more for better service at one of the other restaurants next time.
Fire roasted corn cakes from Ariel's Grotto
Dessert trio at Ariel's Grotto: creme brulee, s'more truffle, and chocolate-dipped strawberry
To be clear, you are able to eat at these restaurants even if you don't make a World of Color package reservation so feel free to try them out before paying the higher price of the package. Disneyland also has new dining packages for the Fantasmic! show. You can reserve a grab & go time from Aladdin's Oasis online - then show up the day of your visit and get your meal PLUS FastPass before the show. Reservation times are between noon and 7pm. It is important to note that the meals from Aladdin's Oasis are picnic-style with a choice of three entrees for adults and three entrees for children. This is a relatively new option at Disneyland so the jury is still out. Fantasmic! also offers other dining packages paired with Blue Bayou Restaurant and River Belle Terrace. These options are similar to those offered for World of Color and are also new; I plan to participate for my December trip and will report back with my review.
If you don't want a show package, feel free to try out the buffet at Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue in Frontierland or leave the parks and relax in Downtown Disney. My favorite dining spot is Rainforest Cafe but House of Blues, Tortilla Jo's, and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen are also great choices!
The restaurants in Downtown Disney often have parent companies that offer email coupons and reward programs. Head over to Rainforest Cafe's Landry's Select Club to earn a $25 welcome reward, a $25 reward for every $250 spent, and a $25 birthday reward (good at all Landry's restaurants) and check out Patina Group to sign up for exclusive email offers for Tortilla Jo's, Catal Restaurant, Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, and UVA Bar and Cafe - all located in Downtown Disney. Feel free to browse the other options, too, because this is an easy way to save money on your meals!
Finally, we've reached the snack options. You can't walk more than 10-20 feet without running into a snack cart at Disneyland. Popcorn, pretzels, and ice cream adorn the sidewalks and beckon to passersby. In addition to my favorite snack (the iconic Dole Whip), there are a couple of items at Disneyland that you won't want to miss. The New Orleans Mint Julep and Mickey Beignets are both fantastic options from the Mint Julep Bar located next to French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square.
New Orleans Mint Julep
The Fantasy Funnel Cake from Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland, ice cream and chocolate concoctions at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop on Pacific Wharf, and fruit smoothies from Schmoozies in Hollywood Land are also visitor favorites. Also, if you have visited Disney World and enjoyed LeFou's Brew, then you shouldn't miss Red's Apple Freeze from the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land. It's almost an identical drink!
If you're hoping to enjoy alcoholic beverages on your trip, you'll have more luck in California Adventure than Disneyland (for the record, the ONLY place you can order alcohol inside the classic park is in the exclusive Club 33 - which is not open to the public and requires a membership + $10,000 annual fee). You can purchase adult beverages at the following locations in California Adventure: Flo's V8 Cafe, Carthay Circle Lounge at Carthay Circle Restaurant, Alfresco Tasting Terrace and Mendocino Terrace at Wine Country Trattoria, Bayside Brews, and the Cove Bar at Ariel's Grotto. Also, the nightly Mad T Party in California Adventure offers alcoholic drinks coupled with live music, games, and costumed characters amidst a glow of neon colors.
My mom showing off the glowing ice cube in her beverage
That's it for Disneyland food - I hope I've made you hungry! Feel free to share your favorites with me so I can try them on my next trip!
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