In 1955, Walt Disney opened the doors of Disneyland, the wonderful, whimsical amusement park that drew millions of people to Mickey Mouse’s home and continues to do so today. The Disneyland Resort has expanded since then to include three hotels, two theme parks (the California Adventure Park was added in 2001), and the charming Downtown Disney District.
We like Downtown Disney because of its accessibility to both amusement parks and its variety of retail stores, Disney resorts, live entertainment, and dining options.
When the parks get overcrowded and we are tired of standing in lines, traveling to Downtown Disney is a wonderful respite, and the restaurants here are seldom as packed as those in the park. Visitors to this area are not need to purchase a theme park ticket in order to enter. Several Downtown Disney restaurants accept reservations, so preparing ahead ensures an even better dining experience with a dash of Disney enchantment.
Casual walk-up-and-order cafes, ice cream stores, and beer bars coexist with upscale dining businesses in the downtown center.
When our family visits the local amusement parks, we usually arrange at least one supper at Downtown Disney. We adore the atmosphere, the one-of-a-kind shopping, the vistas, the entertainment, and, of course, the cuisine!
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The 6 Best Restaurants in Downtown Disney
Restaurant Catal
(714) 774-44421580 Disneyland Dr.
We usually go to Catal, one of our favorite restaurants in Downtown Disney, for a great dining but relaxed atmosphere. Even if the cuisine at this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant isn’t spectacular, the nighttime views from the outside terrace overlooking the neighborhood are.
This two-story restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining for lunch and supper, however the premium balcony location must be specified when making your appointment.
There isn’t a single meal on this menu that we haven’t truly enjoyed. I have to pay particular praise to one of my favorite foods, paella. This classic dish comes with mussels, clams, shrimp, roasted chicken, chorizo de Bilbao, peas, and saffron bomba rice. It’s breathtaking.
Skuna Bay Salmon is another excellent choice. I often get this dish, which comes with a Spanish piperade, grilled lemon, and fresh herbs. This is my daughter-in-all-time law’s favorite entree here.
A little-known fact is that diners may bring their own wine to the restaurant and pay no corkage price. It’s a kind gesture by the eatery that might save guests money.
Catal offers my best recommendation for a more upmarket, but relaxing eating experience with a wonderful view.
Craft Burgers & Shakes by Black Tap
S. Disneyland Drive (657) 276-24981540 S. Disneyland Drive
Who isnt impressed by a restaurant whose tagline is Come for the shakes. Why not stay for the burgers?
We passed by this really popular casual cafe and saw the lengthy queue to get in. When we paused to check out the menu, a young girl waiting with her pals exclaimed Yes, is worth it. The cuisine and shakes here are incredible.
We absolutely got it after lunch with our two grandkids. Customers place their orders at the bar, and the meal is brought to their table. Make no mistake, this is not a fast-food restaurant. This is genuine high-quality cuisine and some of the most inventive shakes conceivable.
Burgers are the staple, although salads, chicken sandwiches, munchies, and sides are also available. Since the portions are enormous, we suggest splitting them (if youre so inclined). We ordered an Old-Fashioned burger with cremini mushrooms, caramelized onion, Swiss cheese, and horseradish sauce to share. The sweet and spicy Korean BBQ wings with a homemade buttermilk-dill sauce and sweet potato fries were a hit with the kids.
But first, let’s talk about the show’s headliners, the fantastic CrazyShakes. While guests may buy more typical classic shakes, CrazyShakes are the most inventive, eye-candy concoctions we’ve ever seen anywhere. They’re fantastic!
Our grandson enjoyed his Cookie Shake topped with a cookiewich coated in chocolate chips, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle, which varies periodically. Our granddaughter loved her Strawberry Shortcake shake, which had crumbled cake, strawberry shortcake ice cream bar, whipped cream, strawberry drizzle, and a bright red cherry.
Come hungry, depart happy, and enjoy this wonderful Downtown Disney restaurant.
Ristorante e Bar Naples
+1 714-776-62001550 Disneyland Drive
This two-story Downtown Disney Italian restaurant provides classic thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas, spaghetti, seafood, and salads in a joyous family ambiance, with both indoor and outdoor dining.
We like their recently rebuilt spacious outside patio, which has a bar and table seating. The restaurant, which is open for lunch and supper, offers enticing flavors of Southern Italy in a gorgeous Southern California environment.
Naples Restaurant, like Catal, enables guests to bring their own wine with no corkage cost. Nonetheless, their wine list is wide, and staff will assist guests in selecting the appropriate vintage to complement their cuisine options.
Wood-fired pizza is a popular fixture, with options ranging from solitary pies to family-size pizzas. While the other dishes are excellent, we suggest ordering a pizza with your preferred toppings. They will even divide the pizza toppings to meet your party. We normally start with a few appetizers, such as the Calamari Fritti and Caprese Salad, and then split a family-sized pizza.
It’s worth noting that reservations are required at this popular restaurant, particularly for bigger groups. Yet, in this wonderful location to drink and eat, you can’t go wrong with a Neapolitan pizza or other Italian meals.
Brewing Company Ballast Point
540 S. Disneyland Drive #201 (714) 687-98131
While Ballast Point operates brewery restaurants in numerous Southern California locales, they are not a franchise, since each is unique and serves a distinct cuisine. We were overjoyed when we learned that the eatery had opened in Downtown Disney. And on a hot summer day, we were craving some excellent cuisine and a cool brew.
Ballast Point serves award-winning craft beers on tap and locally-inspired food on a magnificent rooftop terrace with an outdoor bar and lounge area. Optional cider, kombucha, seltzers, and wine options will also satisfy diners.
The Bavarian Pretzel Bites, served with real beer cheese and mustard, and the BP Wings, covered with a Fiery Sculpin buffalo glaze and served with a blue cheese dipping sauce, are two of our favorite gastronomic options here. We also like the Ahi Poke at this location. The Hawaiian marinated Ahi tuna with avocado, pineapple vinaigrette, sriracha aioli, kelp, and macadamia nuts served with wonton chips was light and flavorful.
Salads, wraps, major courses, and desserts are also available on the Ballast Points menu.
Bottom line, you’ll appreciate this sophisticated brew pub in the center of Downtown Disney, with its chilled beer and top-notch dishes.
Jazz Kitchen Ralph Brennans
1590 S. Disneyland Drive (714) 776-5200
It’s jazzy, vibrant, humorous, and entertaining. Ralph Brennans Jazz Restaurant is the invention of one of New Orleans’ most well-known restaurateurs.
The lunch and supper menus here are all about Louisiana’s delectable food that we’ve all grown to love and hunger for. Every evening, visitors may listen to live jazz music at Brennans on-site New Orleans-style jazz bar, Flambeauxs.
While booking a reservation, we ask for the outside jazz balcony, which overlooks the Downtown Disney District’s events. Starting with one of Brennans speciality cocktails, such as the Mint Julep or Southern Peach Sweet Tea with lemonade, Peachtree Schnapps, and Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, is always a good idea.
My favorite meal on the menu is the trademark Spaghetti Jambalaya. This dazzling New Orleans favorite has Gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, and roasted chicken with a Creole sauce served over spinach fettuccine. The flavors blend perfectly, and the meal is so delicious that I usually vow to get something different with each each visit, but it never happens!
My husband is a major lover of Shrimp and Grits and really enjoys Brennans NOLA BBQ Shrimp & Grits entree. Gulf shrimp are cooked in a New Orleans barbecue sauce with roasted garlic and lemon before being served over andouille sausage and parmesan grits. Soups, salads, appetizers, sandwiches, and other major courses are also available on the Big Easy menu.
Don’t forget about Brennans’ dessert. Their Beignets, French doughnuts deep-fried and topped with powdered sugar, are our favorite here. If you wear black on the day you eat here, everyone will know where you’ve been since you’ll be plastered with sweet white dust!
Go right to this scrumptious eating place for a superb taste of New Orleans in a joyful, genuine environment. Brennans JK Express, situated directly next door, provides walk-up beignets and gumbo if you simply want a taste of some NAwlins staples.
La Brea Bakery and Café
+1 (714) 490-02331556
La Brea Bakery established on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles in 1989, selling crusty, rustic, sourdough, and artisan bread. The bakery was so popular that the delicious bread was totally sold out by 11 a.m. every day.
Locals and tourists alike were overjoyed when the bakery caf opened its doors in Downtown Disney. The bread, cheese, and vegetables served here are all grown or produced locally, and the Caf offers breakfast, lunch, and supper everyday.
La Brea is our favorite breakfast spot. First, we can’t get enough of the lovely aromas of freshly made bread and other sweets drifting through the air. Second, since the food here is very delicious. Since the portions are enormous, you may want to consider sharing.
Our favorite breakfast item is French Toast, which is brioche bread dipped in egg wash and griddled to a golden finish before being topped with powdered sugar and fresh berries. If you’re feeling particularly peckish, choose the Stuffed French Toast, which is filled with a cream cheese mix and nuts and topped with bananas, fresh berries, and powdered sugar.
Some terrific breakfast choices include blueberry pancakes, a loaded egg, meat, and cheese breakfast croissant, and eggs any way. We usually pick up a loaf of fresh-baked bread on our way back to San Diego to eat with lunch or supper at home.
The fragrant La Brea Bakery is a terrific location to lounge and dine in Downtown Disney at any time of day.