Planning a trip to Disneyland and want to know the best restaurants to eat at that you DO NEED RESERVATIONS to eat at? Maybe you’re in Disneyland right now and want to know the best places to eat or how to find them.I picked restaurants either in Disneyland or California Adventure that I thought were among the best restaurants inside the parks that you DO NEED reservations to eat at and reviewed them. Each restaurant has its own list of
- Things to Know
- Location with picture and where it is on google maps so you can just click on it and your phone will take you there.
- Tips
- Pros
- Cons
- Menu Items
- Price Range and
- Whether it’s a good value for the price (for Disneyland)
- Taste
Things I learned about restaurants inside Disneyland and California Adventure Park that you NEED reservations for:
- They can be VERY expensive so check out our places for price ranges
- Since people are paying high prices they expect good food and a lot of people are disappointed
- They are all about ambiance and atmosphere and Disney characters
- They are not about great food
- The service you get depends on your waiter or waitress like any restaurant
- Whether the food you get is good or not might depend on which chef is on duty that day
- Some people are so hot and tired they will think anything tastes good
Pros for eating at a restaurant that needs reservations:
- You know that you have a reservation and you don’t have to worry about where you are going to eat.
- If the park is busy, when you have a reservation it can make your vacation less stressful.
- You can make the decision where to eat way ahead of time and don’t have to waste time in the park making a decision.
- There is a good chance your meal will taste better than quick service restaurants.
- It is a nice place to relax and have a nice long break.
- You can cancel the reservation online up to the day before.
- Because people cancel reservations the day before it is possible to get a reservation the day before, but you have to be vigilant because they go fast.
Cons of eating at a restaurant that needs reservations:
- It is expensive
- Depending on the time of year, reservations may need to be made months ahead online.
- You have to have a Disney Go account
- You have to be at the restaurant at the specific time the reservation is made for, and if you are on the other side of the park, it is NOT very convenient.
- You have to plan the rides you go on and when so you will be near the restaurant at the time of the reservation.
- It takes a lot of time out of your day if you are trying to get your money’s worth and ride as many rides as you can.
- You have to give them your credit card number when you make the reservation.
- If you don’t show up for the reservation on time you can be charged for the meal anyway.
- People make reservations months ahead and cancel them the day before.
Wine Country Trattoria
Things to Know:
- Healthy Selections, Vegetarian, Italian Cuisine
- Disney California Adventure Park – Pacific Wharf
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted and Highly Recommended
- World of Color package available
- Prix Fixe menu for World of Color Package
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- Try to get a table on the patio; it is lovely
- Lunch is less expensive
- Menu for Lunch & Dinner are very different
Pros
- Gluten-free menu
Cons
- The World of Color viewing area is in the splash zone
- Service seems to be erratic and depends on whether the waiter/waitress likes you or not
- You’re paying the high price for the atmosphere, ambience and location – not for the food
- Food is good but not great
Menu Items
Lunch
- Several Appetizers
- Entree Salads – Shrimp or Chicken, Arugula or Trattoria
- Pasta – Alla Vongole, Bolognese, Shrimp Scampi, Quattro Pomodoro, Broccolini Aglio Olio
- Entrees – Today’s Sustainable Fish, Roasted Vegetable Panini, Lasagna Rustica, Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Dinner
- Several Appetizers
- Pasta – Alla Vongole, Bolognese, Shrimp Scampi, Quattro Pomodoro, Broccolini Aglio Olio
- Entrees – Today’s Sustainable Fish, Herb-roasted Chicken Alfredo, Osso Buco, Braised Beef Ravioli, Lasagna Rustica
Kids Meals
Desserts
Beverages including alcohol & wine
Best Value for Your Money – 3/5
Taste – 3.5/5
Price
- Lunch $15 – $23
- Dinner $16 to $23
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Things to Know:
- American Cuisine
- Disney California Adventure Park – Buena Vista Street
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted and Highly Recommended
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
- Menu changes frequently
Tips
- Give the entree menu a look, rather that the World of Color menu for better value
- Get get late-night dining reservations if you want to avoid children
- Lunch of less expensive
- Menu for Lunch & Dinner and very different
Pros
- World of Color Dining Package means you won’t have to arrive hours early to secure a place
- Occupies the 2nd floor of a reproduction of the Carthay Circle Theatre
- Excellent Service
- Gluten free menu
Cons
- The World of Color viewing area is only slightly better than the regular fastpass viewing area
- Prices are high, is an understatement
- You’re paying the high price for the atmosphere and ambience and location not for the food
- Food is good but not great
Menu Items
Lunch
- Many starters
- Blue Shrimp, Turkey Scaloppini, Salmon, Grilled Chicken, Raviolli, Burger, Tri-Tip
Dinner
- Several starters
- Duck, Shellfish Cioppino, Artichoke Crêpes, Fish of the Day
- Lamb Scaloppini, Truffle Ravioli, Pork Chop, Beef Barbacoa
- Sides include, potatoes, rice, green beans & broccoli
Kids Meals
Desserts
Beverages including alcohol & cocktails
Best Value for Your Money – 3/5
Taste – 3.5/5
Price
- Lunch $24 – $34 for entree only, starters, sides, desserts & drinks extra
- Dinner $32 to $45 for entree only, starters, sides, desserts & drinks extra
River Belle Terrace Restaurant
Things to Know:
- American Cuisine – Southern-Inspired
- Disneyland Park Frontierland
- Recently changed to Table Service
- Reservations Accepted
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- Try the BBQ
Pros
- Indoor & Outdoor seating
- Overlooking the Mark Twain and the Rivers of America
Cons
- Menu and seating arrangements changed in the spring of 2016
- Don’t serve breakfast anymore
- High prices like everywhere else in Disneyland
Menu Items
Lunch & Dinner
- Pork Spareribs, Catch of the Day, Pulled Pork & Fried Chicken & Sausage Sandwiches
- Half a Chicken, Tofu, Beef Brisket, Chopped Salad, Wedge Salad
Kids Meals
Desserts
Beverages
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5
Taste – 4/5
Price
- Lunch and Dinner $19 to $23
Carnation Cafe
Things to Know:
- American Cuisine
- Main Street, U.S.A.
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted and Highly Recommended
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- They will not check you in until 10 minutes or less before your reservation time
- Meet Chef Oscar Martinez. He has worked at the restaurant since Disneyland opened
Pros
- Indoor & Outdoor seating
- You can watch the parade from your seats if you sit outside
- Wheelchair accessible – may remain in wheelchair
- Limited Allergy-friendly menus available upon request
- The food was great, not excellent or best, but great.
Cons
- Service is not always the best
- You need reservations even for breakfast
Menu Items
Breakfast
- Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Frittata, Mickey-shaped Waffle, Omelet, Steel-cut Oatmeal, Pancakes, Fruit
Lunch & Dinner
- Shrimp or Grilled Chicken Salad, Pasta w/ Shrimp, Cheese Melt, Turkey Sandwich, Cheeseburger, Vegan burger
- Fried Chicken, Meatloaf, Catch of the Day
Kids Meals
Beverages
Best Value for Your Money – 3.5/5
Taste – 3.5/5
Price
- Lunch and Dinner $13 to $19
Cafe Orleans
Things to Know:
- Cajun-Creole Cuisine
- New Orleans Square
- Tom Sawyer Island and the Haunted Mansion in view
- Table Service
- Reservations Accepted and Recommended
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- Service is worse during peak seasons
Pros
- Similar food to Blue Bayou without paying as high prices
- Indoor & Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible – may remain in wheelchair
- Free drink refills
- Limited Allergy-friendly menus available upon request
Cons
- Food is ok but not great
- Sandwiches have a lot of bread
- The service is a hit or miss
- A lot of deep fried food
Menu Items
Lunch & Dinner
- Pommes Frites, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, Chicken Sandwiches, Salmon, Vegetable Ragoût, Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, Gumbo
Kids Meals
Beverages including Alcohol
Best Value for Your Money – 2.5/5
Taste – 3/5
Price
- Lunch and Dinner $16 to $20
Ariel’s Grotto Restaurant
Things to Know:
- Healthy Selections, American, Vegetarian Cuisine
- Paradise Pier – California Adventure Park
- 3-course, prix fixe dining – means a you get a 3-course meal for a fixed total price
- Table Service
- Character Dining – All Princesses
- Reservations Accepted
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Tips
- World of Color Dining Package available which is dinner and a reserved spot in the World of Color preferred viewing area
Pros
- All the princess come by your table, one after the other making it a point to spend time at each table
- Indoor seating is decorated to an under the sea theme
- Wheelchair accessible – may remain in wheelchair
- Free drink refills
- Allergy-friendly menus available upon request
Cons
- Outdoor seating is not decorated near as nicely and is noisy
- Limited Menu
- Prices are not posted anywhere
- Very Pricey – Several reports of costing $200 for a family of four
- Not great if you have small children, as the food cost vs their ability to eat is not worth it
- They automatically add gratuity and it is taxed
Menu Items
Breakfast
- Pastries, Sandwiches, Waffles, Tri Tip, Eggs
Lunch
- Soup, Chicken, Tri Tip, Corn Cakes, Lobster Salad, Catch of the Day, Shrimp Pasta
Dinner
- Soup, Chicken, Catch of the Day, Lobster, Shrimp Pasta, Pork Chop
Kids Meals
Beverages including Alcohol
Best Value for Your Money – 2/5
Taste – 3.5/5
Price
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner $35 to $60
The Blue Bayou Restaurant
Things to Know:
- Cajun-Creole Cuisine
- New Orleans Square
- This restaurant is actually inside the pirates of the Caribbean ride
- You may be able to get a table right by the water
- Table Service
- Reservations accepted and recommended
- Unique Themed Dining
- Serve Lunch and Dinner Open at 11:30 a. m.
- The ambiance is what makes the higher than average price worth it
Tips
- If you share a meal you may be charged a plate fee (ask when you order)
- Book in advance and add the fireworks special so that you could get preferred seating for the parade and fireworks
- Make online reservations a couple months ahead of time to ensure a seat by the water
- If you tell them it is a special occasion they will bring you a Mickey-shaped dessert
- The busiest times if day (in order of busiest) are 8pm,7pm,2pm,1pm,6pm,12pm
Pros
- Lighted menus are used due to low lighting surrounding the ride
- Has indoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible – may remain in wheelchair
- Free drink refills
- Allergy-friendly menus available upon request
Cons
- Very Pricey
Menu Items
Lunch
- Roast Beef, Chicken Breast, Salmon, Steak, Jambalaya
- Monte Cristo Sandwich (Popular) Not available for Dinner
Dinner
- Roast Beef, Surf N Turf, Filet Mignon, Chicken Breast, Salmon, Lamb, Jambalaya
Kids Meals
Beverages
- Lemonade and Mint Juleps
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5 Because of the Ambiance
Taste – 4/5
Price
- Lunch $30 to $41
- Dinner $30 to $48
Plaza Inn
Things to Know:
- Breakfast is a character breakfast
- Reservations are required for breakfast if you want to eat there that is.
- Reservations recommended for lunch and dinner.
- Each station’s line leads to a different food being served
- On Main Street
- Annual Pass holder Discounts Available
- Famous for generous portions of fried chicken
- Cafeteria style so you pick your food, pay and find a table to sit at
Tips
- Disney characters are only here for breakfast
Pros
- Everyone loves the fried chicken and potatoes
- Wheelchair accessible – May remain in wheelchair while eating
- Children under the age of three (3) may share from an adult’s plate at no charge.
Cons
- No longer allow refills on drinks
Menu Items
Breakfast
- Cereals, Omelets, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage & Bacon
- Biscuits and Gravy, French Toast & Mickey Waffles
- Variety of Muffins, Croissants, Danish and Fruit
Lunch and Dinner
- Fried Chicken, Pot Roast, Pasta, Fish & Cobb Salad
Kids Meals
Desserts
- Chocolate Cake & Other Assorted Desserts
Best Value for Your Money – 4/5
Taste – 4/5
Price -$13.49 – $18.49
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