Top 10 Disneyland Restaurants for Adults and Foodies

Enjoying adult Disney is easy, you just have to know where to eat!

Disneyland is not just for kids!  When you visit the Disneyland Resort, don’t have to settle for at the Hungry Bear restaurant. Disneyland is a treasure trove of great dinning experiences, you just have to know where to look! This is Tom’s Foodie Blog Top 10 Disneyland Restaurants for Adults and Foodies.

#1 Napa Rose

What makes it #1: Napa Rose is one of the premier fine dining destinations in Orange County. Chef Andrew Sutton brings upscale California farm to table and Chef driven menu. The food is intricate and complex, blending high-end ingredients and unique dishes. This is a destination restaurant on par with the best San Francisco and Wine Country restaurants.

Park Admission Required? No

Location: Disneyland Grand California Hotel

Cost: $30-59.99+ per adult

Parking: If not staying at the park, use Valet and get it Validated

Pro Tips:

• If you have the budget, get Prix Fix Menu with wine pairing.
• If you can get it, do the Chef’s table… trust me.
• After dinner, go the Harthstone lounge, also at the Grand California, for after dinner drinks and a cigar on their cigar patio.
• This is a fine dining restaurant, so portions are on the smaller with complex presentation and flavor. Don’t visit expecting over-sized portions on the cheap.  

Sample Items from Menu:

• Sautéed Veal Sweetbreads and Morel Mushrooms, Rainbow Carrots, Fava Beans and Orange Glaze$18.00
• Pan-roasted “Maple Leaf Farms” Breast of Duck Duck Confit, Coastal Mushrooms, Local Cherries, and Pinot Noir Essence $40.00
• Berkshire Pork Loin and Laughing Bird Shrimp Straw Mushroom, Baby Turnips, and Zinfandel Jus $42.00
• Grilled Eye of the Rib-Eye and Cabernet-braised Top Cap, Colcannon Potatoes and Horseradish Crème $45.00

#2 Steakhouse 55

What makes it  #2 – Steakhouse 55 is a legit steakhouse, complete with bygone Hollywood golden era décor. The restaurant evokes memories of The Brown Derby with over stuffed booths, dark woods and vintage pictures from Hollywood. The food is just as amazing, with always perfectly executed steaks and prime rib. They also have a nice menu of non-steak items and a wonderful wine list. 

Park Admission Required? No

Location: Located in the Disneyland Hotel / Convention area

Cost: $30-59.99 per adult

Parking: Use the Disneyland hotel valet, free with dinner. Be kind, tip the Valet Guy.

Pro Tips:

• The SH55 Dry Rub Bone-In Rib-Eye – 18 oz is the best steak
• Skip the entrée complements, the steak is that good
• Order your sides separately, One side is good for 2 people, 3 if starters are ordered.
• Bread is delicious and free, but don’t fill up on carbs
• The 24 layer chocolate cake is the hands down best dessert on the menu.

Sample Items from Menu:

• Porterhouse Steak – 20 oz – $45.00
• Slow-roasted Prime Rib – 12 oz – $40.00
• SH55 Dry Rub Bone-In Rib-Eye – 18 oz – $46.00
• Truffled Macaroni & Cheese – Black Truffle, Cheddar Cheese, Toasted Gremolata $13.00

#3 Catal

What makes it #3 – Catal is my favorite restaurant for all occasions at Disnelyand resort. The Catal has a high-end Spanish and Mediterranean influenced menu. The food is consistently good and staffed by industry seasoned wait staff and management. One of the best parts of eating at Catal is that they have a no corkage wine policy, meaning you can bring your own wine. I don’t see this as a cost saving, but rather provides the ability to order a pre-dinner cocktail, appetizer and dessert. The food is delicious.  

Park Admission Required?: No

Location: Downtown Disney

Cost: $15- 29.99. Most dishes  are priced around $27-30. Figure $50 per adult if you include cocktails, shared appetizers and desserts.

Parking: Use either the Downtown Disney Parking (validation) or Disney parking structure if you have an annual pass.

Pro Tips:

• This restaurant can get busy, make a reservation
• Request a balcony seating to sit outside, if you time it right, you will see fireworks
• The best appetizers are the Stuffed Piquillo Peppers or the Spanish Tortilla
• The prime rib is delicious, but their Catalan Seafood Stew, Paella, and Hanger Steak are amazing.
• No wine corkage

Sample Items from Menu:

• Stuffed Piquillo Peppers – goat cheese, pine nuts, golden raisins, Spanish sherry vinegar pearls $12.00
• Catalan Seafood Stew (Suquet de Piex) mussels, fish, shrimp, potato, fennel, tomato-shellfish, broth, crostini, rouille $32.00
• Seafood Paella Mixto – Dacsa rice, Maine lobster, mussels, and shrimp, chorizo Bilbao, asparagus, garlic aioli $39
• Colorado Lamb Sirloin zucchini “pappardelle”, fava beans, blistered cherry tomatoes, chimichurri $34.00

 

#4 Carthay Circle Restaurant

What makes it #4? – Gourmet restaurant staged in a 1930’s era building and restaurant.  The menu is West Coast America cuisine with elements of classic dishes, subtle South West and Pacific influence. The ambiance is classy 1940’s Americana and the food is gourmet. You will forget that you are in middle of a theme park after sipping on your cosmo. The menu is a tad limited for my tastes, hence the lower ranking.

Park Admission Required? Yes, California Adventure

Location: California Adventure, Buena Vista Street

Cost: 30-59.99 per adult

Parking: Mickey and Friends Parking Structure

Pro Tips:

• Reservations are a must
• Best items are the Skuna Bay Salmon, Thick Cut Pork Chop and Grilled New York Steak
• Arrive a little early and enjoy a classic cocktail in the lounge
• Order the Warm Dulce de Leche Marshmallow turnover for dessert

 

Sample Items from Menu:

• Chicken and Anaheim Chili Raviolis Artichoke Hearts, Trumpet Royal Mushrooms, and Green Garlic Coulis $32.00
• Sesame Soy-glazed Skuna Bay Salmon Forbidden Black Rice Stir-fry and Red Thai Curry $35.00
• Thick-Cut Pork Chop with Warm Heirloom Potato Salad and Grilled Orange-Blackberry Salsa $38.00
• Grilled Angus New York California Mission-style Black Bean Chili and Mango-Toybox Tomato Relish $47.00

#5 Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen

What makes it #5?

Classic New Orleans inspired food set in a festive French Quarter Décor and Archetecture. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is owned and operated by the same folks who operate several of the French Quarter Restaurants. The Cajun-Creole menu is slightly toned down, in comparison to NOLA, but the food is still amazing and some of the best in the resort.

Park Admission Required? No

Location: Downtown Disney, across from The House of Blues

Cost: $15-30+

Parking: Use either the Downtown Disney Parking (validation) or Mickey and Friends.

Pro Tips:

• The Three Course Prix-Fixe menu is a really good deal
• The Southern Fried Chicken is some of the best in Orange County
• Order the Bananas Foster, they make it table side, ask for a BIG flame.
• Avoid Tables downstairs by the bar if you want quite conversation. The band plays loudly and nightly.

Sample Items from Menu:

• Louisiana Crab Cake Fire roasted corn cucumber salsa, Creole Mustard Drizzle $14.75
• Southern Fried Chicken Garlic mashed potatoes, bacon braised turnip greens, cajun slaw, Crystal hot butter sauce $26.00
• Pasta Jambalaya – Gulf Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Roasted Chicken, Spinach Fettuccine, Creole seasoning $28.50
• BBQ Shrimp & Grits “New Orleans” Barbecue Sauce, Andouille Sausage-Parmesan Grits $27.00

#6 Blue Bayou Restaurant

What makes it #6?

This is the restaurant at the beginning of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and automatically earns cool points and a big dollop of romanticism. The menu is Cajun and Creole influenced, although heavily tuned down for the tourist crowd. With that said, the food is pretty amazing and pairs well with the ambiance. This is the only fine dining restaurant in the Disneyland park; this means they do not serve alcohol L

Park Admission Required? Yes, Disneyland

Location: Disneyland Park, in the French Quarter

Cost: $30-59 per adult

Parking: Mickey and Friends Parking

Pro Tips:

• Make your reservation early, if you want to sit by edge of the water
• The Beef Strip Loin is pretty amazing
• Try the mint Julip

Sample Items from Menu:

• Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya – A robust combination of Shrimp, Sustainable Fish, Tasso Ham, Andouille Sausage, and Chicken tossed with Cajun-style Rice. Choice of Blue Bayou House Salad or Cup of our Signature New Orleans Gumbo or upgrade to our zesty Shrimp Cocktail $35.00
• Slow-roasted Beef Strip Loin – Carved-to-Order served with crispy Shoestring Onions, Blue Bayou Au Gratin Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Green Peppercorn Armagnac Sauce. Choice of Blue Bayou House Salad or Cup of our Signature New Orleans Gumbo or upgrade to our zesty Shrimp Cocktail $41.00
• Pan-seared Blackened Salmon – Cajun-spiced, served with Herb Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Tomato-Caper Relish, and Basil Beurre Blanc.  Choice of Blue Bayou House Salad or Cup of our Signature New Orleans Gumbo or upgrade to our zesty Shrimp Cocktail $36.00

#7 Uva Bar

What makes it #7?

This is the bar food version of CATAL. It is the colorful looking bar area right outside of CATAL. Just looking at it, you might assume it is just a bar. Although they also have delicious food! The menu is Spanish Mediterranean inspiration meets street food.  The menu features Burgers, Salads, Steak, and Fish.  They have a full bar and a really nice selection of craft beer, cocktails and wine.

Park Admission Required? No

Location: Downtown Disney, in front of CATAL

Cost:  Most shared plates: $13-15; Salads $17-17; Entrees $16-22

Parking: Downtown Disney Parking (validation) or Mickey and Friends parking lot

Pro Tips:

• Since this is also a Patina Group restaurant, there is free wine corkage
• The Burgers are really delicious
• Try the craft beer on tap
• Request a seat near the rails to people watch

Sample Items from Menu:

• Plancha Grilled Chicken Caesar – Romaine lettuce, house-made dressing, Parmigiano-Reggiano, white anchovies, garlic croutons $17.00
• Uva Burger – Aged white cheddar cheese, secret sauce, shredded lettuce, vine ripe tomato, pickle, french fries. Add a fried organic egg $16.00
• Albondigas and Brava Potatoes Piquillo-tomato sauce, crumbled manchego cheese, garlic aioli$15.00
• Uva Street Fries – Chorizo Bilbao, spicy crema, shaved green onions, pickled garlic, cheese curds $11.00

#8 Naples Restorante e Pizzeria

What makes it #8?

This is a great place for delicious hand tossed pizza cooked in the wood burning oven. They use real San Mananzo tomatoes in the sauce and the crust is thin in the true Napolitano style. This is a good restaurant, but it has it’s flaws. Service is hustled due to the crowds and the noise levels can be high. The free corkage makes it better. This is a family restaurant, so use some caution if you want to sit back and relax.

Park Admission Required? No

Cost:  $15-30 per adult

Location: Downtown Disney, across from Sephora

Parking: Downtown Disney (Validation) or Mickey and Friends.

Pro Tips:

• This restaurant gets noisy inside, especially with kids and adult children making load noises at the end of the day. Ask for an outside table in the patio or if available upstairs.
• All the pizzas are good!
• Mixed luck on the pasta dishes
• This is a Patina restaurant, so no corkage

Sample Items from Menu:

• Linguine al Pesto – Basil pesto sauce with shrimp, fresh asparagus, and tomatoes $20.00
• Salmone – Pan-seared served with roasted tomatoes and green beans. Gluten-free $24.00
• 10″ Individual Prosciutto e Melone – White pizza with mozzarella, provolone, Parma prosciutto, cantaloupe melon and arugula salad $19.00
• 20″ Large Margherita – San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil $28.00 (it will feed a minimum of 2 adults)

 

#9 Storyteller’s Café

What makes it #9?

This restaurant offers both a set menu and a buffet on the weekend. The set menu is standard American, although if you visit this restaurant it should be for the buffet. The food is generally of high quality and very fresh. This restaurant is very family friendly, so don’t go in expecting a quite environment. With that said, this is the best place for a buffet at the park. 

Park Admission Required? No

Location: Grand California Hotel

Cost: Buffet $29.99

Parking: Grand California Hotel, Disneyland Hotel Parking, Downtown Disney or Mickey and Friends. No validation.

Pro Tips:

• A decent buffet that hits the spot when you are at the park all day.
• The carving stations and desserts are the highlight
• The restaurant can get load with families, order wine
• Reservations are suggested on the weekends
• Decent deal for a theme park buffet

Sample Items on the Buffet

Cold Salad, Green Salad, Chicken Breast Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, Seasonal Vegetable, Mashed Potato, Pasta, Salmon, Chicken, Casino Roast, Carved Turkey, Chef Special, and Assorted Desserts

#10 (tie) Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue

What makes it #10?

This is a classic all you can eat BBQ feat complete with a Western musical and stage performance Your server brings it out in portions, although you can ask for as much as you care. I usually tap out after the 3^rd round. This is a very family friendly setting, so lots of hands on experiences for kids and no alcohol. With that said, it is a really fun time! It is o.k. to be a big kid at Disneyland. 

Park Admission Required? Yes

Location: Disneyland, near Thunder Mountain 

Cost:  $26.99

Parking: Mickey and Friends

Pro Tips:

• Eat as much as you like, ribs are my favorite
• The show and restaurant are kid friendly, but not obnoxious
• Desserts are an extra cost
• Sorry no beer, it is within Disneyland
• Make Reservations

What is included? BBQ chicken, Sausage, ribs, ranch beans, coleslaw, cornbread and beverages.

#10 (tie) Wine Country Trattoria

What makes it tie for #10?

Of my Top 10, this is a tie with the Big Thunder BBQ. This restaurant offers a quite environment, house made sauces and a nice wine selection. Although I find the food good, I also find the selection to be very limited. If you are not in the mood for pasta or a sandwich, good luck. At least there is wine and a place to recharge your batteries before heading back into the park. 

Park Admission Required? Yes

Location: California Adventure, Pacifc Wharf

Cost:  $16-$18 per adult

Parking: Mickey and Friends

Pro Tips:

• Reservations not required, but recommended during lunch and dinner hours 
• Visit the Wine Bar downstairs while you wait

Sample Items from Menu:

• Lasagna Rustica – served with House-made Bolognese $17.99
• Alla Vongole – Choose your Pasta – Campanelle, Spaghetti, or Fettucine served with Clams, Parsley, Garlic, Olive Oil, Chili Flakes, and White Wine $18.49
• Bolognese – Choose your Pasta – Campanelle, Spaghetti, or Fettucine served with a rich Ragu of Beef, Italian Sausage, Tomatoes, and Seasonings $18.49
• Shrimp Scampi – Choose your Pasta – Campanelle, Spaghetti, or Fettucine tossed with White Wine, Parsley, Garlic, Chili Flakes, and Lemon $18.49

My Final Thoughts

Always make reservations for nicer restaurants. if at all possible. Some of the best restaurants can require a reservation up to a week in advance at peak season or if there is a convention in town. 24 hours in advance will get you a seat at most restaurants and walk ins are always welcome, unless it is Napa Rose. 

Enjoy!

I suggest you call Disney Dining for reservations: 

Dining Reservations. (714) 781-DINE. (714) 781-3463

See other Disneyland Resort Restaurant Options: