Best Restaurants at Disney California Adventure
Long gone are the days of mediocre theme park food, especially at Disney California Adventure Park. The entire Disneyland Resort has become a foodie scene in recent years but nowhere is this more true than at California Adventure – home to the Food & Wine Festival, several other food-centered events and some of the best restaurants the resort has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a quick snack, California Adventure is bound to have something you’ll love. Don’t be like me on my first time to California Adventure when I had no idea about the food scene and wandered around aimlessly, looking for breakfast. Instead, head into your trip prepared! Here is a list of the best restaurants at California Adventure.
Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Carthay Circle Restaurant
Perfect for: Special Occasions
What’s great about it?
This restaurant is a remake of the theater where the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarves premiered and it’s filled with photos, fun details and interesting history.
Pro Tip:
Kids are welcome but this might not be their favorite spot in the parks. Also, expect smaller portions and to take your time to enjoy your meal
Best Table Service Restaurant: Lamplight Lounge
Perfect for: Anyone with time for a sit-down meal or a drink at the bar.
What’s great about it?
Lamplight Lounge has great food, wonderful ambiance and, depending on your seat, great views of the park. This can mean some pretty great photo ops with Mickey’s Wheel of Death (Oops, I meant Pixar Pal-A-Round!) in the background! The lobster nachos are their signature dish and I’ve heard you can order them with steak instead!
This is quite easily my favorite table service restaurant at the Disneyland Resort and I’m not alone. This is one of the first reservations to go so book as soon as your window opens up 60 days prior to your park day in California Adventure!
Pro Tip:
Try to snag a reservation around the time of World of Color. No guarantees but you might get a wonderful view spot!
Best Quick Service Restaurant: PYM Test Kitchen
Perfect for: A crowd-pleaser/safe bet
What’s great about it?
PYM Test Kitchen offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a menu in which most people will find something they like. They also offer mobile order and usually have available seating.
Pro Tip:
Get your cold brew coffee here, especially if they are running a seasonal special flavor!
Best Themed Restaurant: Cozy Cone Motel
Perfect for: Feeling like you’re in the Cars movie.
What’s great about it?
Not only is this restaurant adorable, this is where you’ll often see characters from Cars driving around or stopping for a photo op!
Pro Tip:
Check out neighboring Red’s Community Garden for seating!
Best Restaurant for a Macaron: Lucky Fortune Cookery
Perfect for: The Baymax Macaron
What’s great about it?
The Baymax Macaron is a classic and a favorite around here! Check out my copycat Baymax Macaron recipe here!
Pro Tip:
If you’ll be visiting during the holidays or another celebration, check the menu to see if the Baymax Macaron is currently offered as a seasonal flavor!
Best Breakfast Restaurant: Smokejumpers Grill
Perfect for: Breakfast sandwiches
What’s great about it?
You can mobile order at Smokejumpers, their fries are the best (even at breakfast) and you can customize their breakfast sandwiches!
Pro Tip:
Rope drop Soarin’ and mobile order Smokejumpers while you wait so you can pick up breakfast right as you exit the attraction!
Best Quick Lunch/Dinner Restaurant: Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
Perfect for: QuesaBirria Tacos
What’s great about it?
QuesaBirria never disappoints at the Disneyland Resort and that all started with this classic dish! It’s also a quick and easy dish if you mobile order!
Pro Tip:
Mobile order before you get hungry! This is a very popular menu item so sometimes you can’t get a mobile order pick-up window right away.
Best Sweet Snack Restaurant: Willie’s Churros
Perfect for: Churros
What’s great about it?
Willie’s Churro cart offers seasonal churros and you can’t miss it!
Pro Tip:
If you like a little sweet and a little savory for breakfast, grab a churro here to enjoy with your breakfast sandwich at Smokejumpers Grill!
Best Classic Theme Park Restaurant: Corn Dog Castle
Perfect for: Corn Dogs
What’s great about it?
It’s such a luxury that the Disney parks offer such a vast array of food options these days but sometimes, when you see roller coasters and a ferris wheel, you just crave that theme park or carnival food. When that happens, one of the best restaurants to try is Corn Dog Castle right by Goofy’s Sky School.
Pro Tip:
Try the Cheddar Cheese Stick which is a stick of melty cheese in corndog breading. I’ll admit, it sounds different but it’s a fan favorite at the happiest place on Earth!
