I am a self-proclaimed Disney foodie, which basically means I spend a lot of time in the Disney Parks eating. From the smallest stands to the fanciest table-service restaurants, I’ve eaten all over the (Walt Disney) World.
However, since I’m local to Orlando, my expertise really extends to food from the Walt Disney World Resort. Since I have the profound opportunity to visit pretty much whenever I want, I’ve tried a lot of food. I can always pop in to try something new. Disneyland is a whole different story. Located in Anaheim, California, visiting this Disney Resort takes a lot more planning and time. So, you better believe that before any cross-country Disney trip, I have my foodie list planned and perfected down to the last midnight snack.
Since I’m traveling so far and these trips are more difficult for me to come by, I’m serious about my go-to Disneyland foodie guide. Here are my current favorites, how much they cost, and where to order them.
Best Disneyland Park Breakfast Item
My number one breakfast go-to in Disneyland is the Breakfast Chimichanga located at the Ship to Shore Marketplace, a small stand located right across from the entrance to Big Thunder Mountain. For $6.99, this quick and easy breakfast will fill you up until lunchtime. This chimichanga is stuffed to the brim with eggs, cheese, and bacon. The tortilla is then rolled closed before it’s deep-fried to golden brown perfection. Paired with a zesty salsa verde, each bite is perfectly balanced.
I was worried this dish might be too oily, as it’s deep fried in advance before being packaged and sold at the marketplace. However, my worries were unwarranted. This chimichanga wasn’t oily at all. My advice if you want to snag this savory breakfast treat? Make a beeline for the Ship to Shore Marketplace as soon as you get to the park. The Cast Member at the stand let me know that typically these Disneyland chimichangas are sold out before 10 a.m.!
Classic Disneyland Park Lunch Offering
If you’re looking for a quick-service meal in Disneyland, you really can’t go wrong with the classic. A Jolly Holiday Combo from Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe located at the end of Main Street U.S.A. It has a great view of the castle and the menu is always stocked with seasonal sweet treats and coffee drinks.
For the main attraction on this menu, grab the Jolly Holiday Combo for $13.99, which comes with a full grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato basil soup. While this meal is simple, it really is a Disneyland foodie favorite for good reason. The grilled cheese is stuffed with melty cheese and the tomato basil soup is equal parts fresh tomato and creamy soup. For this perfect lunch meal, make sure to order your combo using the Disneyland app. Mobile order is the way to go at most of the quick-service locations, but especially here at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, as it’s a very popular spot to eat.
Must Try Disneyland Park Lunch & Dinner Item
For a table-service lunch or dinner, no Disneyland trip is complete without a meal at Cafe Orleans. Located in the heart of New Orleans Square, this spot has indoor and outdoor seating, plus a great menu. I suggest a reservation for this lunch or dinnertime meal. But, sometimes you can get lucky by joining the walk-up list.
Once you’re ready to eat, make sure to try the Battered & Fried Monte Cristo Sandwich. Served with Pommes Frites and seasonal preserves, this huge meal is great for sharing and is a steal at only $24.
Stuffed with thin slices of turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese, the entire sandwich is then battered and deep-fried. Sliced in half, it’s dusted with a generous coating of powdered sugar. Before taking a bite, give it a dip in the seasonal preserves and get ready for an explosion of flavors and textures. Sweet and smokey, with a perfectly crisp crust with a soft inside – this sandwich has it all and then some. And the side isn’t too bad either. Crisp fries topped with herbs and parmesan cheese with a creamy and tangy dipping sauce all their own. This meal is one I dream about, and I cannot leave Disneyland without having it at least once.
Honorable mention goes to their incredibly solid cup of chicken gumbo. Filled with classic New Orleans flavors and spices and served over white rice, this cup is hearty and delicious, and only $9.
Best Disneyland Park Snacks
When selecting a snack at the Disney Parks, the first question for me is always savory, or sweet! No matter what you’re craving, Disneyland delivers.
For a savory treat, head over to Maurice’s Treats in Fantasyland. Right in front of the castle, this small cart has a few different offerings, but the one you cannot miss is the Garlic Cheesy Pretzel Bread. For only $7.49, this snack is great if you love soft pretzels and delicious garlic bread. It’s so good, I think of it daily, and I am contemplating starting a petition to bring it over to Walt Disney World. We have a Maurice’s snack stand too, you know!
This next snack can be found at sweet shops all over the Disneyland Resort, but there’s something special about snacking on a piece from the Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen in Disneyland. When walking up to the case filled with sweets, it can be easy to be overwhelmed. But we’re here for one thing, and one thing only. A freshly made piece of Churro Toffee. It’s a real treat (pun intended) when you can actually watch the Cast Members making this cinnamon, sugary treat too. At $7.49 per square, it might seem a bit pricy, but it really is one of the most delicious treats. Plus, it’s not something you can find at the Confectionary at Walt Disney World, as fresh toffee is a Disneyland exclusive.
Can’t Miss Disney California Adventure Breakfast
Starting your day nice and early in Disney California Adventure? Head over to San Fransokyo Square for a Steak and Egg Breakfast Burrito at an unlikely location! At least, for us Walt Disney World foodies.
When I strolled up to the Cappuccino Cart, a Joffrey’s location right next to the bridge leading into and out of San Fransokyo, I wasn’t sure I was in the right place. I had heard all about a breakfast burrito I had to try, but the Joffrey’s locations at Walt Disney World don’t serve anything more than some pastries.
At the Cappuccino Cart, find this packed breakfast burrito, filled with marinated steak, scrambled eggs, potatoes and Monterey jack cheese, this burrito is anything but scrawny. Served with a side of avocado chimichurri, it’s the perfect way to start your day in this adventure-filled theme park. And at only $11, it’s a great price for a filling meal that will get you going on those early park mornings.
Just like the Breakfast Chimichanga in Disneyland, if you’re looking to snag this favorite, make sure to get there early! We were the first in line during extra magic hours, and the lovely Cast Members let us know that this dish is also typically sold out by around 10 a.m.
Disney California Adventure Meal You Might Have Missed
Now, I know I’m not an expert on Disneyland food in the way I am when it comes to food at the Walt Disney World Resort, but with this dish, I know I’ve found a real quick-service winner. And I’ve never heard anyone talk about it before. For a filling pasta dish big enough to share, head over to Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta located on Pixar Pier. For only $12.49, the Four Cheese Roasted Garlic Chicken Pasta blew us away.
The portion was huge. We split it between two people and still couldn’t finish this decadent dish. It had the perfect amount of sauce, so the pasta wasn’t swimming, but it wasn’t dry either. In addition, I typically find sauces that are similar to Alfredo to be bland. Not enough flavor, not enough seasoning, and it ends up tasting like the pasta has taken a dip in thickened heavy cream. In this dish, all four cheeses contributed to an amazing sauce that was perfectly seasoned too. This was a quick-service winner as far as I am concerned.
Book Ahead Of Time For Lamplight Lounge
If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, head over to Lamplight Lounge for the beloved Lobster Nachos! At $25 a plate, they are a bit pricy for nachos. But that’s because they’re loaded high with toppings, including sauces, salsas, and of course, lobster.
As a lobster fan, I waited years to have these, and they did not disappoint! Plus, Lamplight Lounge is a great spot to eat. The theming is incredible and there’s a gorgeous view of Pixar Pier. This spot is super popular, so again, this is a location to make a reservation ahead of time.
Tokyo Disney Resort Snack Available In California
Over in the Disney Parks in Japan, the Gyoza Dog is a fan-favorite snack. When I heard it was coming to the American parks at Disney California Adventure, I was thrilled! Although I think many are surprised by the flavors and textures of this snack.
The Gyoza Sausage Bun is sold for $8.99. Located at the Port of San Fransokyo Cervecería in San Fransokyo Square, this snack has a gyoza-like filling, but don’t expect the outside to match that dumpling skin-like texture. The outside is very much bao-bun.
On the side, this bun has a delightfully spicy dipping sauce that goes perfectly with the soft bun and the delicious meat filling. If you’re searching for a savory snack, especially for something a little different from the run-of-the-mill theme park food, the Gyoza Sausage Bun is a solid choice!
The Iconic Disneyland Resort Churro
For a sweet snack in Disney California Adventure, you really can’t go wrong with a churro. In fact, a Disneyland foodie guide would be incomplete without them. While they do have churros at Walt Disney World, they’re nothing like the fresh and delicious churros at the Disneyland Resort. All over the Disneyland Resort they not only have awesome classic churros, but also, specialty, seasonal churros.
For a fun, sweet and seasonal treat, I always head to Willie’s Churros! It’s located on Buena Vista Street, and they always have something fun, typically priced at around $6.25. On my most recent trip, they had an amazing Carrot Cake Churro. The typical cinnamon sugar dough sticks were topped with a thick coating of carrot cake crumbles and a rich drizzle of cream cheese frosting.
While this flavor has been replaced, I hope it will come back next time it’s carrot cake season. Other flavors have included things like fluffernutter. It’s always worth a try to check out what’s available at the stand if you want something sweet.
Where do you prefer to eat? Are you a Walt Disney World or Disneyland foodie? And will this Disneyland Foodie Guide remodel your next snack adventure at the parks? Josie Maida is a traveling foodie who loves to spend a day eating around any of the Disney Parks!
Back on the East Coast, we talk all things Raising Cane’s with a grand opening experience. Check out Everything You Need To Know about FOOD.
