Disneyland is an absolutely magical place to visit and everyone wants to make the most out of their time in the happiest place in the world, and that includes knowing where to eat at Disneyland.
You want every detail to be amazing, and what’s more important than having a happy belly to make the rest of the trip great?
But how do you know which are the best Disneyland restaurants and worth a visit while you’re at the park?
The Disneyland restaurants are numerous and it can be a bit overwhelming to try and decide where you want to eat, especially if you only have a short time in the park.
That is why we have come up with this list to show you the best places to eat at Disneyland.
Our list does include both the Disneyland and California Adventure parks as well as Downtown Disney and the dining options at the hotels – so even if you don’t have a park ticket you can still enjoy some magical Disney cuisine.
We have also highlighted a few of the worst restaurants to eat at so you can avoid having a disappointing dining experience while you are at Disneyland.
The best Disneyland restaurants, as well as Disneyland California in general, can get very busy so take a look at our Disneyland crowd calendar here so you know what to expect when you visit.
Best Disneyland Restaurants
Red Rose Taverne
Inspired by the tale of Beauty and the Beast, the Red Rose Taverne is among the very best places to eat at Disneyland California.
Located in a quiet corner of Fantasyland, not only is the interior absolutely stunning but the food is utterly beautiful!
Designed to transport you to the little provincial town that Belle so wishes to leave, this quaint restaurant is one of the options you should consider as it is the best table service at Disneyland California you’ll ever experience.
The low lighting and dark wooden furnishings really create a magnificent atmosphere in which to enjoy some fantastic cuisine, inspired by the French.
Open for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner, the menu holds host to a wonderful selection of dining options, all with a slight French twist.
Choices include the Beast’s Breakfast Burger or the Chicken Sandwich a la Lumiere, to more classic French meals such as the Slow-cooked Beef Poutine, a firm favorite that is definitely worth a try.
The Red Rose Taverne also serves a delicious Grey Stuff Gateau, straight out of ‘Be Our Guest’ and it’s true what they say – it is delicious!
If you think the Grey Stuff is better at Disneyland, you may want to check out our comparison of Disneyland vs Disney World before you choose what park to go to.
Alien Pizza Planet
Pizza Planet is well-known to all Disney fans, some variation of its truck or logo appears in every single Disney-Pixar movie!
So what could be better than experiencing the real thing when you’re eating at Disneyland?
Alien Pizza Planet is in Tomorrowland and is based around the aliens in Toy Story as Toy Story is where Pizza Planet first appears in Disney movies.
It’s super spacious inside and the food is amazing to boot, making this place one of the restaurants that has the best quick service at Disneyland California in our eyes!
You can help yourself to a serving of pasta or slice of pizza and head to the counter to pay.
This makes it a quick place to grab something good to eat and be off again pretty shortly. You also have the option of ordering a full pizza that will be made to order for you to collect.
There are also salads available if you’re looking for a less carb-loaded meal, and they have some cool desserts like the alien macaroon.
But whatever dining at Disneyland option you choose, it’s sure to be out of this world!
River Belle Terrace
River Belle Terrace can be found in Frontierland, right on the banks of the Rivers of America.
It’s a charming Disneyland restaurant offering proper southern hospitality with great views out across the park.
As one of the best table service restaurants at Disneyland California, we recommend that you make a reservation before you head to River Belle Terrace.
The inside is befitting any southern belle with its pastel shades and white furniture and chandeliers.
It’s a very calming space and really lights up with the sun streaming through the many windows.
River Belle Terrace also serves magnificent American cuisine making it one of the best places to eat in Disneyland.
The Burnt Ends Grilled Cheese is absolutely phenomenal as well as the mac & cheese that they offer.
It’s a real American treat with great food and great views. Absolutely do not miss this one.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
Docking Bay 7 is a must-visit for all Star Wars fans!
Galaxy’s Edge is a completely immersive environment even those who aren’t huge fans of the franchise will be absolutely blown away.
Docking Bay 7 is no different, and it has some of the best food at Disneyland.
You will genuinely feel like you are eating on another planet – and that planet makes delicious food!
Following on from the incredible design of everything in Galaxy’s Edge, Docking Bay 7 is designed to look and feel like a working cargo bay – even offering to seat inside open cargo containers.
The breakfast menu is severely limited but the Pot Roast available for lunch and dinner is a real winner!
You will not be disappointed as this is one of the restaurants at Disneyland California that will have you feeling out of this world!
Even if the names on the menu fit with the theme of the restaurant, you’ll truly feel like you’re in a galaxy far far away.
But if you are looking to get on Rise of the Resistance while you are here, we encourage you to check out our breakdown of the Disneyland height requirements.
Hungry Bear Restaurant
Located in the heart of Critter Country, Hungry Bear is one of the best restaurants in Disneyland.
Set on a slightly elevated platform, Hungry Bear affords some beautiful views across the Rivers of America.
Watch the boats sail past while you enjoy cook-out-style burgers in a supremely tranquil location.
There is also a seating area downstairs so you can stay in the shade on those hot Californian days.
It also means there is plenty of seating, so you are sure to be able to grab a table.
Hungry Bear is a great place to have a relaxing sit down while you eat some of the best Disneyland food in the park.
They cook up some absolutely fantastic burgers and the fries are perfect.
You can place a mobile order here so you can have to take a break and sit and watch the river pass by as you wait for your food to be cooked.
The burgers are cooked to perfection with a proper wilderness feel and the Honey-Spiced Chicken Sandwich has a real kick to it.
Cafe Orleans
Eating at Café Orleans is like stepping back in time, and is one of the best restaurants at Disneyland.
Not only is the food classic New Orleans-style, evoking the flavors of the 1920s, but the inside is decorated with vintage Disney artifacts from when Walt created the park.
It’s a real treat to be surrounded by so many fascinating relics from the beginning of Disneyland whilst eating in one of the best restaurants in Disneyland.
There is also a fantastic outdoor eating area with adorable parasols to keep you cool in the sun.
It does get very busy at Café Orleans though, so reservations are recommended.
If you visit Café Orleans, we urge you to try the Monte Cristo sandwich, a staple favorite at Café Orleans, and with us too.
It is a deep-fried, cheesy masterpiece and one of the reasons this is one of the best places to eat in Disneyland California.
The beignets are also incredible but messy to eat so be prepared!
Bengal Barbecue
Opposite the entrances to the Indiana Jones and Jungle Cruise rides, Bengal Barbecue is a great place to enjoy an adventurous quick meal.
Surrounded by jungle and tiki-inspired decorations, Bengal Barbecue boasts some of the best food at Disneyland.
Become immersed in jungle culture as you sample what Bengal Barbecue has to offer the hungry adventurer.
On the menu is a selection of jungle skewers of differing spiciness and meats so there are lots of great options to try and taste, and a few vegetarian options as well.
It’s also very reasonably priced for dining at Disneyland so you can sample a few different options on the jungle menu without breaking the bank.
The pomegranate piranha lemonade is also a great option on the menu and really quenches even the thirstiest of adventurers.
Speaking of great options, check out our tips for how to buy discount Disneyland tickets!
Worst Disneyland Restaurants
Galactic Grill
Galactic Grill is, sadly, not one of the best Disneyland restaurants.
This Disneyland quick service restaurant can be found in Tomorrowland and is best to be avoided when you are looking for the best places to eat at Disneyland California.
While there is plenty of seating and is generally a quick option that does offer mobile ordering, the food here is subpar at best.
More often than not, the food here is served cold and comes out incredibly greasy.
Clearly, this is not up to the same standard as many of the other Disneyland restaurants and does not do well on our Disneyland restaurants ranked list.
This is especially true as there are now much better Star Wars-themed restaurants available inside Galaxy’s Edge that offer more variety and faster service.
We can’t recommend avoiding this location enough if you are looking for the best Disneyland restaurants.
Best Disney California Adventure Restaurants
Flo’s V8 Café
Flo’s V8 Café is by far our favorite Disney California Adventure restaurant and tops our list of best Disneyland restaurants.
It is a Route 66-inspired diner selling incredible food in a very stunning space.
We recommend going to Flo’s around dusk when all the neon lights of Cars Land all turn on, illuminating the place and creating an amazing atmosphere.
Dining at Flo’s you get to feel part of Cars as you eat your food on the gas station forecourt.
Despite advertising coolant and oil, Flo’s actually sells great quality American comfort food to its human visitors.
Flo’s Famous Fried Chicken is a good way for anyone to refuel and is among the many great choices on the menu for dining at Disneyland California.
The classic shakes are also incredible, the added “Road Gravel” makes it all the better!
Looking for something fun to do while on the road? Check out our list of coolest things to do in Disneyland California!
Cozy Cone Motel
Also located within Cars Land, Cozy Cone Motel is one of the best places to eat at Disneyland California.
This adorable restaurant is a series of enormous traffic cones that provide a variety of tasty food for guests and their parties.
Unlikely to be driven into by any haphazard driver, the different cones each provide a different food – ranging from ice cream cones to mac and cheese cones.
Cozy Cone Motel is a real novelty and it’s a great place to take amazing pictures, plus it is where you will find some of the best Disneyland food.
The queues for the different cones can get quite long though so plan accordingly when heading over to this Disneyland restaurant.
There are five different cones that makeup Cozy Cone Motel.
Cone 1 sells churros, Cone 2 is where you can find ice cream, and Cone 3 serves chili or mac and cheese in bread cones which are very tasty!
Cone 4 has pretzel bites and bagel twists on offer and Cone 5 is home to popcorn.
Even though it is mostly snack foods, it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re looking for the best dining in Disneyland California Adventure.
Award Wieners
This Disneyland California Adventure restaurant wins a place on this list largely for its fun name and great hotdog flavors.
Located in Hollywood Land of California Adventure, Award Wieners serves up a wide variety of hotdogs in a “supporting roll”.
It’s located on the main street of Hollywood Land so there isn’t a great deal of room for the queue so beware of that when you’re in line as it can become quite crowded on the sidewalk there.
Award Wieners does accept mobile ordering though, so you can avoid the queue altogether if you do that.
The mobile order feature makes this the best quick service at Disneyland California; speed and quality of food.
There is a range of different hotdogs available, known as the Stars of the Show on the menu, so you can find ones to suit all tastes.
There is even a plant-based Philly Dog so vegetarians are catered for.
The fry toppers are also a great way to add a little something extra to that supporting cast – the BBQ crunch topper is particularly good!
If you are looking around for where to eat at Disneyland, then this is one of the best Disneyland restaurants you’ll find.
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Carthay Circle Restaurant is one of the fancier restaurants in Disneyland and offers the best table service at Disneyland California.
That being said, it is also one of the best Disneyland restaurants overall.
Enter the Golden Age of Hollywood in a restaurant that is an exquisitely detailed large-scale reproduction of the Carthay Circle Theatre – one of the most famous movie houses in Hollywood.
For movie buffs, this is a great way to experience the now demolished theatre and enjoy fantastic contemporary dining at the same time.
The menu has a great range of meals to tempt you, all impeccably cooked and sustainably sourced, this has some of the best food at Disneyland.
The signature fried biscuits are a fantastic starter to any main course and are thoroughly recommended.
The lunch and dinner menus do differ and both offer superb selections so check the menu before you go to avoid disappointment – however, no matter what meal you have there it is definitely one of the best Disneyland restaurants.
Worst Disney California Adventure Restaurants
Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
Located in Paradise Gardens Park, Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is a hard pass from us.
In good faith, we cannot say this is one of the best Disneyland restaurants, and we recommend checking out other dining options on our list rather than go here.
Its location is one of the only bonuses regarding this Disneyland restaurant because Paradise Gardens Park is home to the mariachi bands and the musical celebration of Coco.
These make for a pleasant dining experience however the food at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta does not even have the best Disneyland food!
There is a choice between pasta, pizza, or salad at this restaurant but the options within these categories are very limited and not of the best quality.
This restaurant is not known for its allergy-friendly options and struggles to change a lot of its dishes to be more accommodating to those struggling with food sensitivities.
The restaurant strives to be Italian with a Californian twist but mostly fails to be either cuisine.
There are much better options elsewhere in the park and you can still use the seating area in order to enjoy the music.
Best Downtown Disney Restaurants
Tortilla Jo’s and Taqueria
Lifting its sombrero to you from the heart of Downtown Disney, Tortilla Jo’s offers phenomenal Mexican cuisine in a bright and spacious cantina, making it one of the best Disneyland California restaurants to try.
Spread over two floors with balcony seating, there is plenty of space to enjoy beautiful Mexican food accompanied by live music throughout the evening.
You can have your guacamole made tableside exactly how you like it and enjoy it with a range of south-of-the-border foods.
It can get very busy so reservations of recommended, especially further into the evening. If you are dining at Disneyland, this is one you can breeze over to when you need to.
If you’re looking for something a little speedier where reservations are not necessary, then Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria is for you.
The Taqueria attached to Tortilla Jo’s offers made-to-order burritos and tacos with amazing toppings and fillings to choose from. It’s quick and easy to make your order and then it’s ready to eat.
Mexican food at its finest in these two Disneyland restaurants.
Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes
One word: CrazyShake.
Whilst you are visiting Disneyland, it is an absolute must to try a CrazyShake from Black Tap.
With some of the best Disneyland food around, this is a dining opportunity you don’t want to miss.
The CrazyShake can be ordered from the CrazyShake Window so you don’t need to have a sit-down meal in order to get one.
However, the burgers are also incredible so if you’re looking for some good Disneyland dining, Black Tap has a lot to offer.
There is a huge selection of burgers available on the Black Tap menu and many more add-ons and extras which means you can have your burger exactly the way you want it.
And they are all delicious!
The different house sauces also add even more to the already great food and make it brilliant dining at Disneyland.
Best Disneyland Resort Hotel Restaurants
Disneyland Hotel
Goofy’s Kitchen
Goofy’s Kitchen offers family dining and buffet-style food with the chance to meet Goofy and some of his pals.
Still, this dining experience is one of the best Disneyland restaurants with a character dining experience that you will come across.
Unlike some of the other character dining experiences, Goofy and his friends are around for both breakfast and dinner so you can have a choice of a meal when thinking to visit Goofy’s Kitchen.
Both breakfast and dinner are served as buffets with five different stations offering different varieties of food.
This allows every member of your party to select exactly what they want so everyone leaves happy, especially as you get visited at your table by some of your favorite Disney characters.
Goofy’s Kitchen is a great experience for everyone and certainly one of the best restaurants at Disneyland.
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
The Sand Bar
The Sand Bar is one of the best Disneyland restaurants due to the spectacular views it gives to guests.
Located on the rooftop terrace of the Paradise Pier Hotel, The Sand Bar offers good beach-style cuisine with a panoramic view over the park as far as the eye can see.
This means you can have an incredible view of the fireworks at the same time as having a delicious meal.
The menu is a little limited but what is served is very good quality, especially the taco trio and the spaghetti burger.
This is definitely one of the best places to eat at Disneyland California.
You can also order artisan pizzas and some very nice desserts and you can eat all of these whilst lounging poolside, which is never a bad thing!
If you are looking for a place with a familiar taste but a slower feel, then The Sand Bar is the best Disneyland restaurant for you.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Napa Rose
Heralded as the most luxurious restaurant at Disneyland, Napa Rose inside the Grand Californian Hotel lives up to the hype.
When looking at Disneyland restaurants ranked, this location has the best food at Disneyland and few can argue against it.
With an award-winning chef at its disposal, Napa Rose tells the culinary tale of the Napa Valley, offering phenomenal Californian cuisine and an extensive wine list.
It is, however, phenomenally pricey so it’s worth considering your budget before making a reservation here.
Napa Rose also offers Breakfast Adventures with Disney princesses which is an incredible way for any young prince or princess to begin their day.
This includes a three-course breakfast as well as activities and the chance to meet a number of Princesses.
Both the breakfast and dinner menus offer fine-dining opportunities such as the pomegranate-glazed veal and the sautéed frog legs, making it one of the more unique opportunities for dining at Disneyland.
The food is fantastic if a little fancy!
Storytellers Café
Calling all adventurers! This is going to be one of the best Disneyland restaurants you’ll want to add to your list to visit.
The Storytellers Café is alive with the stories of California and her people as well as the stories of adventurer Mickey and his friends (during breakfast and brunch only).
Designed to reflect the grandeur of the Californian wilderness, the interior of Storytellers Café is beautiful and warm, and incredibly spacious!
The buffet is laid out with plenty of space and offers a wide selection of foods for breakfast, brunch, and dinner, so if you are wondering where to eat at Disneyland, this restaurant has you covered no matter the time of day.
As one of the best Disneyland restaurants, Storytellers Cafe will be an experience you will be talking about years after your visit is over.
Looking to stay off property instead? Then check out our list of the best Aibnbs near Disneyland!
We hope you can find some great food while you’re in Disneyland, and maybe you’ll find a favorite that’s different from ours.
Let us know where you enjoy, or don’t enjoy, eating when you’re at Disneyland down in the comments!
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