If you are headed to California, your dining options in Anaheim are far fewer than in Orlando. At 2 parks, a more compact shopping district, and 3 hotels, it just makes sense. It also should be noted that, while there are growing Disney Dining California options inside the parks, the food, overall, inside the gates, is not as fantastic as at the Florida Parks. Having said that, there are still some signature dining experiences you will not want to miss.
Heading this list is Napa Rose. This fine dining experience in the Grand Californian offers a true California Dining Experience. Meals infused with the flavors of California and an extensive wine cellar are served in a beautiful Mission Architecture setting. If you want to kick back, relax, and really indulge, Napa Rose is your place!
Disneyland
The original Disney Park, sadly comes with some of the original Disney dining choices. While your kids might enjoy the Hungry Bear, you won’t find a lot of great dining choices at the big eateries. Many of the large quick service eateries including French Market and Alien Pizza Planet serve relatively “normal” theme park fare including an array of pizza, burgers, and chicken fingers.
The park has a small selection of sit down eateries including Plaza Inn which offers Character Dining. Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square offers an enjoyable atmosphere in an indoor terrace overlooking the beginning of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
The fun part of Disneyland is not the large meals, but finding those light bites hidden around the park. Every corner of Disneyland is chock full of small eateries offering a limited menu. Check out Bengal Barbeque for skewers – a good option for those on a high protein diet. Over in New Orleans Square, stop by Royal Street Veranda for clam chowder in a bread bowl. And of course there’s Dole Whip. Located next to the Tiki Room, the Tiki Juice Bar always has a sizable line for this iconic Disney frozen treat.
The best advice I can give on dining at Disneyland is to enjoy the small offerings and then head to Disney Springs for a nice sit down meal at one of the many eateries.
California Adventure
Disneyland’s new neighbor offers upgraded meal options throughout the park. Yes, you can enjoy hot dogs at Award Wieners or drop in at Smokejumper’s Grill for burgers. Or you can head over to Paradise Pier and sample some flavors of California from Mexican to Chinese Food. Boudin Bakery offers clam chowder in one of their signature sourdough bread bowls. Ghiradelli’s Chocolate, another transplant from San Francisco, offers ice cream treats that are truly decadent.
If you’re hungry for breakfast, head over to Flo’s Diner in Cars Land. Fun breakfast choices blend the flavors of the Southwestern US with traditional breakfast dishes.
Where California Adventure differs from Disneyland in dining is – Alcohol. You can enjoy a glass of California wine with your meal at Wine Country Trattoria. This lovely indoor-outdoor setting sits above the hustle and bustle of the park. Ask to sit on the patio unless the weather is inclement – which, for us Californians is anytime the temperature dips below 65!
Carthay Circle Restaurant also offers lovely meals in a quiet setting. The restaurant is housed in a replica of the famous Carthay Circle Theater where Disney Premiered Snow White at the original theater in 1937.
Our new favorite, though, is Lamplight Lounge. Hovering over Paradise Bay, this fun watering hole offers unique appetizers and light bites and a good beer list, excellent mixed drinks, and a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages. All of this is wrapped in Pixar! Everywhere you turn at Lamplight Lounge, you’ll come across movie props, posters, and other reminders of these beautiful films. And don’t miss the opportunity of heading to the restroom. Trust me on this one.
Downtown Disney
Walt always said Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world. Nowhere is this more apparent than Downtown Disney Dining. Since its opening in the early 2000’s, dining around Downtown Disney has morphed more times than I can remember. Let’s take a quick look at some of the options awaiting your tastebuds in Anaheim.
Topping our list is Ballast Point Brewing. They have a relatively wide menu and an excellent selection of their own brews. Some of your old standards can be found as well. In nice weather, the windows slide open and the entire restaurant becomes an open air environment. They have a lovely rooftop patio as well.
Another favorite is Catal. This Mediterranean Restaurant has a wonderful menu and offers second floor balcony patio seating along with indoor tables.
Jazz Kitchen offers a taste into the creole cooking of the south while via Napoli immerses diners in Italian cuisine. Tortilla Joes offers both a quick service and table service Mexican Food. Wrapping up the list are a small selection of quick service eateries offering salads, sandwiches, and breakfast offerings.
Whatever you desire for a meal, it can be found around the resort. Just check menu options. Surely something will catch your eye.