Summary
Experience Dining at Disneyland
When he launched Disneyland in 1955, Walt Disney forever changed the experience of going to an amusement park. Over the years, Disneyland has transformed into a destination resort with hotels, a shopping district, and an array of restaurants. While many visitors opt for conventional fast food found at typical amusement parks, they are inevitably missing out on exquisite dining options available at this California resort, which can surely enhance their visits and vacations.
Top 10 Best Table-Service Restaurants
Identifying the best dining establishments can pose a challenge due to the numerous great choices. However, travel journalists specializing in coverage of California theme parks provided insight on their top picks. Their selections are compiled into a list ranking the favored table-service and quick-service restaurants as well as commendable desserts and snacks.
- The Top 10 Best Disneyland Table-Service Restaurants
- The Top 10 Best Disneyland Casual and Quick-Service Restaurants
- The Top 10 Best Disneyland Snacks and Desserts
Top Quick-Service Restaurants
The consensus among our panel showcased 24 different quick-service eateries. While the top five emerged clearly, a few other notable locations worth highlighting include:
- Corn Dog Castle at Disney California Adventure – Renowned for their distinctly American corn dogs, this restaurant received high acclaim despite fewer judges mentioning it.
- Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park – A favorite for hearty meals such as pot roast. One judge expressed their love for the Plaza Inn’s signature fried chicken, calling it the best park lunch for years.
Best Desserts and Snacks
The diverse selection of sweets and quick bites available at Disneyland also impressed our evaluators. A total of 41 delectable treats were represented. Among them, some noteworthy mentions that exemplary choices worthy of recognition are:
- Pommes Frites at Cafe Orleans – These fries are favored for their delicious flavor, but the heavy garlic content is a downside for those averse to strong tastes.
- Pot Pies at Flo’s V8 Cafe – Despite their unconventional appearance, these individual pies are a delicious option, particularly the apple-cheddar variation.
Panel of Travel Writers
A heartfelt thank you to the panel of travel writers who contributed to this survey, sharing their recommendations and insights on the best dining options:
- Robb Alvey, Theme Park Review: Table-service: Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria; Quick-service: Bengal Barbecue.
- Doug Barnes, The Season Pass Podcast: Table-service: Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen; Quick-service: Flo’s V8 Cafe.
- Laura Gilbreath, AllEars: Table-service: Napa Rose; Quick-service: Pacific Wharf Cafe.
- Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times: Table-service: Carthay Circle Restaurant; Quick-service: Flo’s V8 Cafe.
- Lou Mongello, WDW Radio: Table-service: Blue Bayou; Quick-service: Cozy Cone Motel.
- Robert Niles, ThemeParkInsider.com: Table-service: Carthay Circle Restaurant; Quick-service: Flo’s V8 Cafe.
- Dusty Sage, MiceChat.com: Table-service: Carthay Circle Restaurant; Quick-service: Flo’s V8 Cafe.
- Rick West, Theme Park Adventure: Table-service: Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen; Quick-service: Tangaroa Terrace.
- AJ Wolfe, Disney Food Blog: Table-service: Steakhouse 55; Quick-service: Plaza Inn.
