Dining at the Disneyland Resort is just as important as the attractions and entertainment! I don’t always like to take the time to have a nice sit down meal, but when I do there are certain restaurants I like to eat at.
Here’s my top 10 table service restaurants at the Disneyland Resort:
10. Tortilla Jo’s
Located in the Downtown Disney District, this Mexican restaurant offers authentic south-of-the-border specialties in a vibrant setting. This casual dining spot has familiar favorites like tacos, burritos and fajitas as well as citrus-braised pork carnitas, marinated hanger steak ranchera, and chili-rubbed chicken a la plancha for the more adventurous. Two of my favorite things about this restaurant: fresh guacamole made tableside and the fresh handmade tortillas.
9. Steakhouse 55
Enjoy a tender, juicy steak at this restaurant located in the Disneyland Hotel. If steak isn’t your thing, don’t worry, they have other exceptional entrees like coldwater lobster tail, pan-roasted double chicken breast and fava bean & rye crusted king salmon. Choose from a great selection of sides that include the “loaded” baked potato, sautéed French green beans and truffled macaroni & cheese. Do yourself a favor and order the signature 24-layer chocolate cake for dessert!
8. Storytellers Café
Enjoy a unique character breakfast or a bountiful lunch/dinner at this restaurant located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The breakfast buffet includes home-style breakfast specialties like made-to-order omelets, Mickey waffles, and fresh baked goods. Lunch and dinner offerings include signature charred Nebraska corn chowder, “sticky” spare ribs with Napa Cabbage Slaw, and “robusto” flatbread with chorizo de Bilbao and romesco. A cozy fireplace makes this casual eatery feel warm and welcoming.
7. Ariel’s Grotto
The best character dining for the princess-lover is at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney California Adventure. The Disney Princess parade happens during breakfast and lunch. Breakfast offerings include fresh berry Belgian waffles, an egg-avocado-bacon breakfast croissant or a delicious egg white frittata. At lunch you will find fire-roasted corn cakes, pan-roasted chicken breast, and sautéed shrimp and angel hair pasta. Dinner features the fresh catch of the day, grilled lobster tail with honey-whiskey barbecue tri-tip and more.
6. Blue Bayou Restaurant
This classic restaurant is known best for it’s unique atmosphere. It’s located inside the Pirate’s of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland! Watch guests float by as you enjoy your pan-seared citrus-marinated chicken breast or Royal Street seafood jambalaya. The Monte Cristo sandwich is also a favorite here. Be sure to save room for the mouthwatering crème brulée.
5. Goofy’s Kitchen
Another location for character dining is Goofy’s Kitchen, located at the Disneyland Hotel. The breakfast and dinner buffets feature 5 food stations. In the morning you can choose from Mickey Mouse waffles and pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, and eggs Benedict just to name a few. At dinner pile your plate high with succulent meats from the carving station, the fresh catch of the day, seasonal vegetables, chilled tossed salads and more!
4. Carthay Circle Restaurant
This signature restaurant is known for the house biscuits: fried and stuffed with white cheddar, bacon and jalapeño and served with apricot honey butter. My mouth is watering already! Lunch-only options include the Carthay 8-oz Angus Burger, Trofie pasta with smoked chicken, and Moroccan lamb meatballs. At dinner try the sesame soy-glazed Skuna Bay salmon with black rice stir-fry or savory grilled Angus New York steak.
3. Napa Rose
Napa Rose is an elegant restaurant located in the beautiful Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Open for dinner only, the Napa Rose offers upscale farm-to-table fare. Some of the entrées include: grilled fish of the day with seafood cassoulet, breast of duck with coastal mushrooms and black mission figs, and a pan-roasted Angus beef filet mignon served alongside fennel puree and Sonoma mushrooms. Be sure to have their expert sommeliers recommend the perfect wine pairing to compliment your meal.
2. Café Orleans
This New Orleans Square eatery offers savory soups, sandwiches, salads, and crepes. The favorite Monte Cristo sandwich is also served here. It’s a battered turkey, ham and Swiss treat dusted with powdered sugar and served with berry purée and is truly a slice of heaven. Other choices include hearty New Orleans gumbo, the “Crescent City” salad with blackened chicken or salmon and the seasonal crêpe. Don’t forget to try the delicious Mickey beignets served with fruit coulis and vanilla bean crème anglaise. Yum!
1. Carnation Café
My number 1 restaurant is located on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland and serves some of Walt’s favorite dishes. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Be sure to try Chef Oscar’s choice for breakfast: the all-American breakfast of 2 eggs any style, potatoes, toast and your choice of hickory-smoked bacon or chicken-apple sausage links. For lunch or dinner, honor Walt’s memory by having the homemade meatloaf and chicken-fried chicken. My favorite is the legendary loaded baked potato soup-to die for!
Note: All of these restaurants accept reservations. Be sure to make reservations in advance because a lot of these places fill up fast. You can make advanced dining reservations up to 60 days out.
What’s your favorite table service restaurant at the Disneyland Resort? Did I miss any?
For more information about dining at the Disneyland Resort or to start planning your next magical adventure, email me at sarasolberg@worldofmagictravel.com or follow me on Facebook.
Goofy’s is a Buffet not a table service?