Half the fun at Disneyland is all the yummy food — and luckily, we know exactly where you should eat with kids at Disneyland or California Adventure! Because yes, Disneyland Resort is brimming with excitement and magic as soon as you walk through the gates: There's tons of classic attractions, Walt Disney's actual in-park apartment [1], and of course, Mickey and his pals. But with over 120 different dining options in Disneyland [2], it can be hard to know where to stop to eat (or where to order from! [3]) when hunger strikes — especially if your little one is close to reaching their limit.
Fear not! We've rounded up our top twelve restaurants kids and adults will both love at the Disneyland Resort [4]. Click through to find out where you should grab your next bite.
Storytellers Café
If you want to start off your morning with a delicious buffet and a visit from Mickey dressed up [6] in the cutest explorer outfit, your family should head to Storytellers Café [7]. They are serving up some of the best breakfast items at Disneyland — including chilaquiles and cereal milk to drink (trust us, you'll love it)! While dinner is offered at Storytellers Café, it is not a character dining experience.
Location: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Dining Experience: Breakfast: Buffet character dining; Dinner: buffet dining
Reservations: Highly recommended
Carnation Cafe
Carnation Cafe [8] is a Disneyland classic [9] that serves up some of Walt's favourites, and we cannot imagine a trip to Disneyland that doesn't include at least one stop here. Because California weather is typically nice, your family might want to sit outside on the patio and enjoy the sights and sounds of the park while you wait for your meal to arrive. We highly suggest going here for lunch to get the loaded baked potato soup and fried pickle spears!
Location: Disneyland Park, Main Street U.S.A.
Dining Experience: Table service
Reservations: Highly recommended
River Belle Terrace
Imagine having this view while eating lunch or dinner. If your family just wants a casual meal, River Belle Terrace [10] is a great choice. They serve up tasty southern comfort foods with a distinct Disney twist. We love the macaroni and cheese [11], which is made with three cheeses and topped with brisket!
Location: Disneyland Park, Frontierland
Dining Experience: Table service
Reservations: Highly recommended
Alien Pizza Planet
If your kiddos are a little picky, pizza is probably a safe choice. Alien Pizza Planet [12] is themed like the space restaurant from the Toy Story [13] films, and perfect place to grab a quick bite before heading back out to ride Space Mountain!
Location: Disneyland Park, Tomorrowland
Dining Experience: Quick service
Reservations: Not needed
Cosy Cone Motel
After waiting in the queue for Radiator Springs Racers [14], your family might want a snack — and that's where the Cosy Cone Motel [15] comes in! This is a great spot to grab something quick while you run between rides, like macaroni and cheese in a bread cone. And be on the lookout for one of their seasonal cones.
Location: Disney California Adventure, Cars Land
Dining Experience: Quick service
Reservations: Not needed
The Tropical Hideaway
One of Disneyland's newest places to grab a bite to eat is The Tropical Hideaway [16]. This spot is serving up sweet and savoury dishes, like loaded Dole Whips [17] and bao buns. Eat here, then go to check out Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, which is right around the corner.
Location: Disneyland Park, Adventureland
Dining Experience: Quick service
Reservations: Not needed
Lamplight Lounge
Lamplight Lounge [19] recently added brunch to their already amazing schedule of meal times [20], and we think this is the perfect spot for families to start off their day at Disney California Adventure. Kids and adults will love sitting out on the patio and watching people on the Incredicoaster, or sitting inside and enjoying the Pixar art throughout the restaurant.
Location: Disney California Adventure, Pixar Pier
Dining Experience: Table service
Reservations: Highly recommended
Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes
For something outside of the parks, your family might want to try outBlack Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes [21]. This is the place for the most over-the-top shakes [22] and yummy burgers you'll have on holiday, and you don't even need a park ticket to get in!
Location: Downtown Disney District
Dining Experience: Table service
Reservations: Recommended
Cafe Orleans
Blue Bayou at Disneyland can be a hard reservation to get, but it's sister restaurant, Cafe Orleans [23], is a great alternative for families to dine and enjoy a meal together. We love sitting outside on the patio as sometimes Captain Jack Sparrow or Redd from the Pirates of the Caribbean [24] attraction are known to stop just outside the gates of the restaurant to talk to guests.
Location: Disneyland Park, New Orleans Square
Dining Experience: Table service
Reservations: Highly recommended
Flo's V8 Cafe
Disney California Adventure [25] has a lot of great options for breakfast and a late night snack, but one of our favourites is Flo's V8 Cafe [26]. At breakfast try the brioche french toast, which comes with salted caramel sauce and bananas, and nothing can beat a milkshake at the end of the night!
Location: Disney California Adventure, Cars Land
Dining Experience: Quick service
Reservations: Not needed
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
We couldn't talk about the best places for families to grab a bite to eat without talking about Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe [27]. We love the Mary Poppins [28] theme here, but we love the toasted cheese sandwich even more! In fact, we've been known to go here multiple times in a trip, and we think after eating here once you might do the same, too.
Location: Disneyland Park, Main Street U.S.A.
Dining Experience: Quick service
Reservations: Not needed
Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at Napa Rose
For the ultimate in character dining, check out the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures [29]. It's on the pricier side, but truly a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. You'll start off with a three-course breakfast while meeting some of your favourite Disney Princesses [30]. Throughout your meal there will be activities and special moments with the princesses that make the experience even more magical.
Location: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Napa Rose
Dining Experience: Character dining
Reservations: Highly recommended