Disneyland is such a blast but not when you’re tired and hungry. I usually have to eat at least 3 times a day and I think you probably do too. It’s such a bother isn’t it? I’m sure everyone know the problem with being inside Disneyland and being hungry. The food inside the park is soooo expensive and not that great. So, are there other options? Yes, there are other options to eating inside Disneyland all the time. But it takes so much time to leave the park and find somewhere else to eat. Even it is less expensive I know I don’t like to take the time to leave the park and then go through security again and through the gates to get back in. It is such a long way to walk too.
I have another option to totally leaving Disneyland Park but where you can find food that is a little bit cheaper. The solution is Downtown Disney. Granted you do have to leave the park, sort of but Downtown Disney is so close that you can and have to walk there. I didn’t even know Downtown Disney existed until a couple years ago when we decided to see what was out that “other” gate. Ya, we found a whole other world! Downtown Disney is just outside the gates of Disneyland when you exit, it on the right and when you exit California Adventure Park it is on the left.
Downtown Disney is just a bunch of stores for shopping and restaurants and that is where you catch the tram to the Disney parking garage. Since I have never driven to Disney, I always park at the hotel and ride the shuttle over or walk from the hotel. That’s why I didn’t know it was there. The nice part about Downtown Disney is that the restaurants start right by the exit from the common area between Disneyland and California Adventure so you don’t really have to walk far at all to the very first restaurant. Others depending on their location of course are a little further. But they are all a nice little walk.
Downtown Disney has both fine dining and quick service take out restaurants. The prices are still high but not quite as high as inside the park. Depending on the restaurant, the portions are larger and it is easier to get reservations and a little less crowded. Downtown Disney is a beautiful place with fountains and nice walkways and beautiful trees and a lot of outside dinning. You can still view the fireworks from some of the restaurant especially if you are upstairs. I think this is a great option. My favorite restaurant in Downtown Disney is Le Brea, partly because it is the very first restaurant you will see as you enter Downtown Disney. Le Brea like several of the other restaurants has a nice dining area inside or outside but it also has a bakery attached where you can get quick service take out food. You should at least try out Downtown Disney and see how you like it!
Tortilla Jo’s
Things to Know:
- Mexican Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations accepted and highly recommended
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- Located near the Downtown Disney monorail stop
- Similar to Chipotle
Pros
- Can watch the fireworks while eating
- They often have a balloon artist
- Large Portions
Cons
Menu Items
Brunch
- Cocktails – $10
- Entrees – $14
- Kids – $9
Lunch & Dinner
- Starters – $6 – $16
- Tacos – $18 – $19
- Burritos – $13 – $19
- Ensaladas – $8 – $19
- Especiales de la Casa – $8 – $25
- Comal – $16 – $17
- Enchiladas – $16 – $22
- Platos De Combinaciones $17 – $23
- Margaritas $9 – $13
Beverages including Beer, Wine, Cocktail, Non-Alcoholic
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5
Taste – 4/5
Taqueria at Tortilla Jo’s
Things to Know:
- Mexican Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Quick Service
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- Located near the Downtown Disney monorail stop
- Similar to Chipotle
Pros
- Large Portions
- Price is better than most restaurants in Downtown Disney
- If you don’t want to spend a fortune and you want to get back to the park quickly, this is a great choice
- Best guacamole ever
- Serve Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cons
- No Kids Menu
Menu Items
Breakfast
- Breakfast Burritos – $4 – $7
- Breakfast Entrees – $6 – $7
- Sides- $3 – $4
Lunch & Dinner
- Entrees – $7 – $9
- Sides – $2 – $5
- Desserts – $2 – $4
Beverages including Beer
Best Value for Your Money – 5/5
Taste – 4/5
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Things to Know:
- Cajun-Creole Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted and Recommended
- Unique/Themed Dining
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
- Live Jazz Music
Tips
- Outdoor seating is more quiet
- Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is adjacent to it – Much the same food but take out
Pros
- You feel like you are in New Orleans
Cons
- Music is very loud
Menu Items
Brunch
- Starters – $8 – $34
- Entrees – $13 – $19
- Specialties – $14 – $18
- Desserts – $8 – $16
- Kids – $10
Lunch & Dinner
- Starters – $9 – $34
- Soups & Salads – $8 – $9
- Entree Salads – $14 – $17
- Po-Boys, Burgers & Sandwiches- $14 – $17
- Entrees – $15 – $19
- Desserts – $6 – $16
- Kids – $10
Beverages including Beer & Wine
Best Value for Your Money – 3/5
Taste – 3.5/5
Rainforest Cafe
Things to Know:
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted and Recommended
- Unique/Themed Dining
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
- Animated gorillas, elephants, tropical birds and giant butterflies perform
- Huge Aquariums
- Every 30 minutes a tropical storm occurs
Tips
- Ambiance is it’s strong point
- Register for their card for discounts
Pros
- The animals perform every half an hour
Cons
- Thunderstorm may be scary for children
- Food is only so so
Menu Items
Breakfast $9 – $18
- Various Egg Dishes, French Toast, Waffles, Pizza
- Steak, Oatmeal, Sliders, Combo, Kids Meals
- Smoothies, Freezes, Alcohol
Lunch & Dinner
- Appetizers – $11 – $20
- Soups & Salads – $8 – $19
- Sandwiches & Burgers – $15 – $19
- Seafood – $23 – $30
- Beef, Pork & Chicken – $21 – $30
- Pasta – $19 – $23
- Sides – $4 – $ 7
- Desserts – $6 – $17
- Kids – $6 – $9
Beverages including Beer & Wine
Best Value for Your Money – 3/5
Taste – 3/5
Napolini
Things to Know:
- Italian Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Quick Service
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Pros
- Take Out Side
- Very Fast Service
- By the slice or a whole pizza
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cons
- Overpriced
- Limited Menu
- No Kids Menu
Menu Items
Breakfast
- 3 different Italian Frittata’s $6
- 3 different Breakfast Sandwiches $9
- Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate $5 – $7
Lunch & Dinner
- Entrees – Soup, Salad, Panini, Mac & Cheese, Pizza $6 – $9
- Pizza Combos $14 – $18
- Cookie $4 – $9
Beverages $5 – 47
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5
Taste – 3/5
Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria
Things to Know:
- Italian Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted & Recommended
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
- No Annual Passholder Discounts
Tips
- A secret fireworks watching place
Pros
- Sometimes there is someone making balloon animals
- Have Small Plates dishes
Cons
- They say it’s truly authentic Italian food but you be the judge
- Pizza is pricey
Menu Items
Lunch & Dinner
- Soup & Salad
- Pasta – Lasagne, Spaghetti, Linguine etc.
- Entrees – Chicken, Eggplant, Salmon, Ribs, Fish
- Pizza – 27 Pizza’s on the menu
- Sides – Potatoes, Broccoli, Spinach, Polenta
Desserts
Kids Meals
Beverages including Cocktails
Best Value for Your Money – 3/5
Taste – 4/5
Price
- Lunch & Dinner $19-$47
ESPN Zone
Things to Know:
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted
- Unique/Themed Dining
- Indoor Seating
Tips
- Game room upstairs
Pros
- Plenty of TVs to watch while you eat
- 16 feet TV
- Large Portions
- They use a text-based messaging system to let you know when your table is ready.
Cons
- Guests under the age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian 21 or older in any part of ESPN Zone
- You can have a very long wait to get your food
Menu Items
Lunch & Dinner
- Appetizers – $7 – $26
- Sandwiches – $14 – $15
- Entrees – $17 – $28
- Pasta – $14 – $20
- Salads – $11 – $18
- Burgers – $13 – $17
- Desserts – $6 – $8
- Kids Meals – $9
Beverages including Specialty Cocktails
Best Value for Your Money – 3/5
Taste – 3.5/5
Earl of Sandwich
Things to Know:
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Quick Service
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- Use your AAA card to get a discount
Pros
- Large Outdoor seating
- Refill your own drinks
- Good food without paying a fortune
Cons
- Limited indoor seating
- It’s a Sandwich
- Limited options for vegetarians
Menu Items
Breakfast
- Hot Sandwiches – $5 – $6
- Made-To-Order Omelets – $7 – $8
- Other Options – $4
Lunch & Dinner
- Hot Sandwiches – $7
- Salads, Soups & Wraps $3 – $8
- Skinny Earls $7
- Pizza Breads $6 – $7
- Sides – $2 – $5
- Kids Meals – $4
- Desserts – $2 – $4
Beverages
Best Value for Your Money – 4.5/5
Taste – 4.5/5
Catal Restaurant
Things to Know:
- American, Mediterranean Cuisine
- California Fare with a Spanish twist
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted
- Fine/Signature Dining
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
- Uva Bar is just outside the Catal Restaurant
- Serve Alcohol
Tips
- Upstairs has much better views, larger dining area and much higher prices
- Downstairs has more casual dining such as burgers
Pros
- Better than the fast food options at the theme park, and probably cost about the same
Cons
- Better than average food but not amazing
Menu Items
Breakfast
- Entrees – $9 – $14
- Sides – $3 – $5
- Kids – $5 – $7
Lunch
- Starters & Soup – $9 – $18
- Entree Salads – $14 – $18
- Seafood & Meat – $29 – $42
- Burgers & Sandwiches – $16 – $26
- Sides – $7 – $9
- Desserts – $9
- Kids – $8 – $12
Dinner
- Starters – $ 11 – $18
- Salads & Soups – $10 – $15
- Seafood & Meat – $14 – $45
- Paellas – $28 – $42
- Signature Burgers – $26
- Sides – $7 – $9
- Desserts – $9
- Kids – $8 – $12
Beverages including Beer, Alcohol & Wine
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5
Taste – 4/5
La Brea Bakery Cafe
Things to Know:
- American, Californian & Bakery Cuisine
- Downtown Disney District
- Table Service
- Reservations accepted and recommended during busy seasons
- Casual Dining
- Serve alcohol
- Serve brunch daily until 3:00 PM and dinner
Tips
- The short ribs are Rebecca’s favorite
Pros
- It is close to the security screening area and exit of both Disneyland and California Adventure Parks on the Downtown Disney side
- Counter order quick deli for take away
- Has indoor and outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible – may remain in wheelchair
- Generous portions
- Free drink refills
- Gluten-free bread is available upon request.
- Pizza Bar
- Less crowded than restaurants inside the park
Cons
- Table Service
Menu Items
Brunch
- Soup & Starters – $5 – $14
- Salads – $11 – $22
- Sandwiches – $15- $18
- Pizza – $14 – $18
- Entrees – $10 $18
- Specialties – $20 – $28
- Kids Meals – $10
- Desserts – $6 – $9
Dinner
- Soup & Starters – $10 – $14
- Sandwiches – $15 – $16
- Salads – $11 – $22
- Pizza – $14 – $18
- Specialties & Pastas $16 – $28
- Kids Meals – $10
- Desserts – $6 – $9
Beverages
- All kinds including beer, wine and cocktails
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5
Taste – 4/5
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