When you hear the name Disney, it often evokes a sense of enchantment and nostalgia. With Disney, you’re transported to a magical world of amusement parks filled with beloved characters, captivating stories, and the enduring magic of imagination.
Disneyland Resort was the one that started it all when it opened its gates to the public for the first time on July 17, 1955. It wasn’t until January 12, 2001, that the Downtown Disney District opened outside Disneyland.
Downtown Disney is touted as a premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. If you’re looking for Downtown Disney restaurants, you’ll find a delectable array of culinary delights that cater to every palate. From upscale dining experiences showcasing gourmet cuisine to charming eateries offering a casual and delightful atmosphere for a memorable dining adventure.
Want to learn more about the food in Downtown Disney? If so, keep reading below to discover all the Downtown Disney dining options.
Shopping and Food in Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney plays host to a myriad of unique shopping experiences like The LEGO® Store and the Star Wars™ Trading Post. Most notable, however, is the World of Disney store, which amasses an impressive 40,000 square feet of the Downtown Disney space. It’s the second-largest shop of Disney merchandise around in comparison to its Orlando counterpart.
Some visitors come to Downtown Disney as part of the full Disneyland and California Adventure experience. At the same time, others may only wish to spend the day here and not in the parks.
Downtown Disney is also within easy walking distance from the Grand Californian Hotel. There’s even a secret access door from the hotel to Downtown Disney.
No matter how you spend your time, eventually, all that shopping and park hopping will make you hungry. Let’s dig into these Downtown Disney restaurants.
Disney Restaurants Accepting Reservations
Disneyland received 16.9 million visitors in 2022. While this is still down from the average of 18 million pre-pandemic, when it comes to Downtown Disney dining, this can create issues trying to find a table for a nice sit-down meal.
Luckily, several Downtown Disney restaurants accept reservations. You’ll also be interested to know that you can 5 receive additional hours of same-day Downtown Disney parking with validation from any table-service restaurant.
Naples Ristorante e Bar
Naples Ristorante e Bar is an Italian restaurant offering table service in Downtown Disney. This classic Neapolitan eatery commemorates the allure, culinary richness, and essence of southern Italy. Naples serves Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner and accepts dining reservations in advance for added convenience.
You can order a variety of different wood-fired authentic pizzas and sandwiches. Naples also has standard Italian fare like Spaghetti and Meatballs, Pollo alla Parmigiana, Lasagna, and Pumpkin Ravioli.
If you’re looking for libations, Naples can provide. Choose from a wide menu of alcoholic beverages, from wine to sangria, beer, and cocktails. If you’re not a drinker, there are also non-alcoholic cocktails and regular beverages.
Naples offers a casual sit-down space to enjoy a delicious Italian meal amid the hustle and bustle of Downtown Disney.
Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio
The Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio offers a Cajun and Creole twist on seafood in the spirit of New Orleans. It offers both a Lunch and Dinner menu. It features Southern-inspired downhome favorites like Po’ Boy Sandwiches, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Beignets, and a Lobster and Crawfish Remoulade Roll.
For Lunch, you can order a smorgasbord of Family Happy Hour Snacks from 2 pm-4 pm Monday through Friday. Choose from mouthwatering options like Beignet Fries, Pulled Pork Sliders, and The Family Fry Board, a combo of sweet potato fries, potato fries, and tater tots. There is also an assortment of alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic floats and drinks available for Happy Hour.
If you’re looking to save money on food in Downtown Disney or Disneyland, this Happy Hour menu is a great deal. Dining during non-peak days and times allows you to get the best deals. You’ll avoid larger weekend crowds as well.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes™
Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ encompasses 40,000 square feet of Downtown Disney as a 20-lane, 2-story bowling alley. But Splitsville isn’t just a bowling alley, it’s also one of the best Downtown Disney restaurants.
That’s right. You can dine on all manner of tasty food in Downtown Disney while you bowl. Their menu options will bowl you away.
Splitsville has a traditional Lunch and Dinner menu along with a Lounge menu. At Splitsville, you’ll find classic bowling alley favorites like pizza, fries, chicken tenders, and nachos. Splitsville also offers a myriad of burgers and chicken sandwiches, salads, and sushi.
At Splitsville, you can partake of a wide menu of wine, beer, resort cocktails, and hand-crafted spirits. It’s recommended to make a dining reservation because of its popularity.
Tortilla Jo’s
Tortilla Jo’s has been a mainstay in Downtown Disney restaurants for 20 years. It serves up South-of-the-Border style dishes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. It’s also one of the few places you can order Breakfast in Downtown Disney.
For Breakfast, sample enticing choices like the Breakfast Burrito, Plantain Pancakes, and Huevos Ranchero. For Lunch and Dinner, take your pick of several varieties of Ceviche, Burritos, Enchiladas, and Street Tacos. There are also specialty and combination platters and a bevy of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Unfortunately, you won’t have much longer to enjoy Tortilla Jo’s as a part of the Downtown Disney restaurants. It was announced that Tortilla Jo’s would be closing on March 31, 2024, to make way for new developments. The adjacent taqueria will be closing shortly after on April 13th.
Quick Service Downtown Disney Restaurants
If you’ve got a busy day planned at Disneyland or Downtown Disney, you may not have the time for a full sit-down meal. You want to make the most of your time here.
Dining exclusively at Disneyland and Downtown Disney restaurants can get expensive, too. Packing your own snacks and supplementing with some quick-service meals is a great way to do Disneyland on the cheap.
Earl of Sandwich®
The Earl of Sandwich® is a fantastic little quick-service spot in Downtown Disney. It’s named for the inventor of the sandwich, John Montagu, who held the title of the 4th Earl of Sandwich. When he decided to put meat between two slices of bread in 1762 to have a snack while he played cards, the sandwich was born.
The family legacy continues on, with the 11th-generation Earl bringing a commitment to delicious handcrafted sandwiches. The Earl of Sandwich® has affordable menu options for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at $14.99 and under per adult.
If you want Breakfast in Downtown Disney, try delicious Breakfast sandwiches like the Ham and Swiss, Egg and Cheddar, or Breakfast BLT. For Lunch and Dinner, there’s an extensive menu of hot signature sandwiches like The Earl’s Club, The Original 1762®, and The Full Montagu®.
If you’re planning on visiting Downtown Disney or Disneyland at Thanksgiving, the Holiday Turkey sandwich is just what you need. It comes loaded with Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, and Mayonnaise.
The Earl of Sandwich® even offers hand-crafted wraps, fresh green salads, and artisan soups.
Jamba®
Jamba® is the perfect quick-service place to grab a healthy snack and refuel while you go about your busy Disney day. You’ll find variations of plant-based smoothies, classic smoothies, super blend smoothies, iced beverages, and smoothies for kids ages 9 and younger.
Jamba® also offers Bites and Bowls. For Bites, choose from items like the Classic Handwich, Impossible™ Handwich, or the Spring Veggie Egg Bake. With Bowls, you can select menu items such as the PB Banana Waffle Parfait, Vanilla Blue Sky, and the Dragon Fruit Delight.
Beignets Expressed
For those with a hankering for something sweeter with a Southern taste, you can beat the flavor of a fresh beignet. At Beignets Expressed, you can savor the allure of irresistible classic beignets, fried to perfection and generously topped with heaps of powdered sugar. Or indulge in specialty glazed beignets, expertly dipped, drizzled, and sprinkled in a range of delicious flavors for Lunch and Dinner.
Classic beignets come in 4, 6, or 10-piece sizes. Add a Creamy Caramel, Raspberry Tang, or Chocolate Velvet dipping sauce. For glazed beignets, you can take your pick of Bananas Foster, Rainbow Crunch, Simply Glazed, Dip, Drizzle, and Sprinkle, or a Glazed Flavor of the Month.
Complement your beignet selection with a signature beverage like a frozen non-alcoholic Mint Julep or a Frozen Hot Chocolate made with Ghirardelli®.
Starbucks®
Starbucks® and Disney go together like Mickey and Minnie. After all, what better way is there to keep yourself going through a whirlwind Disney visit than with your favorite Starbucks® pick-me-up?
At Starbucks® in Downtown Disney, you’ll be able to get all of your Starbucks usual, like espresso drinks, brewed coffee, cold coffees, Frappucinos®, Refreshers™, and Teavanna® teas. You can also order protein boxes and bowls, bakery items, warm sandwiches, oatmeal, yogurt, and other hot breakfast items.
But in true Disney fashion, this Starbucks location also offers a Clover Bar. This means that it offers specialty Starbucks Reserve® coffees made to order. These are rare, limited-batches, and exotic coffee blends you can’t get in other places.
Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs
Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs offers a delectable twist to the classic carnival treat. Go for a traditional corn dog for a classic taste or broaden your culinary horizons with innovative and flavorful variations.
For instance, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs also has a Pickle Corn Dog. It features a hot dog wrapped in a pickle, which is then fried in cornmeal batter and Panko-crusted. It’s served with a bag of chips and peanut butter.
If you’re feeling really bold, try the Golden Dragon Dog. It’s a classic, all-beef corn dog, crusted with Panko Breadcrumbs and served with a side of Sriracha Mayo and sweet Thai chili. It comes with a bag of chips.
Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria
The Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria is a separate part of the Tortilla Jo’s dine-in restaurant. It showcases a vibrant and colorful outdoor patio. Here you can order quick-service tacos, nachos, and burritos.
At the Taquieria, you can order from Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner menus. For Breakfast in Downtown Disney, you have options like Chilaquiles, Breakfast burritos, and Breakfast Bowls. For Lunch and Dinner, you can customize bowls, nachos, burritos, and tacos with your choice of protein, fillings, toppings, and sides.
This Taqueria will close down for good on April 13th as part of Disney’s ongoing expansion and renovation. So, hurry over to enjoy your last taco or burrito while you still can.
Clyde’s Hot Chicken
Clyde’s Hot Chicken is a simple and straightforward snack concept from Nashville that packs a punch. Five pieces of juicy chicken on a stick seasoned to your desired choice of heat level. The Clyde’s Hot Stick Combo comes with sliced pickles and potato chips.
Clyde’s has three different heat levels:
- Natural- Fried golden brown and a special blend of seasoning (no heat)
- Original- Cayenne-based spice with a flavorful sweet finish
- Hot as Cali- a blend of Cayenne and Habanero spices
Add on Clyde’s Sauce or Clyde’s Ranch for dipping. Don’t forget a bottled soda or bottled water in case the heat gets to you.
Diggity Dogs
Diggity Dogs may look like just an ordinary hot dog cart, but it’s the ideal place to stop and grab a quick bite while shopping in Downtown Disney. The simple menu offers either an original all-beef hot dog or a foot-long all-beef hot dog.
Add in chips, a whole pickle, and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie to complete your meal. You can also select from bottled soft drinks and water, a Monster Energy® drink, or a frozen Granita.
Pizza Counter
Craving some pizza? Then follow your nose to Pizza Counter for Lunch or Dinner. Order a 10″ pizza in 5 different varieties:
- Margarita- Marinara sauce, Mozzarella, and fresh Basil
- Garden Vegetable- Marinara sauce, Spinach, Cheese Blend, Mozzarella, Roasted Red Peppers, Red Onion, Wild Mushroom, Black Olives, and Cherry Tomatoes
- Meat Lovers- Marinara sauce, Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Calabrese, Mozzarella, and fresh Basil
- Pepperoni- Marinara sauce, Mozzarella, Pepperoni, and grated Parmesan
- Squash Blossom and Prosciutto- Marinara sauce, Mozzarella, Squash Blossom, Burrata, Prosciutto, Epazote, and Alberquina Olive Oil
Each pizza comes with a House Salad with Balsamic Dressing. It also includes a piece of Tiramisu for dessert.
Add a fountain beverage, Sanpellegrino, or Acqua Panna non-alcoholic beverage. You can also choose from Peroni, Moretti, red wine, and white wine alcoholic options.
Napolini Pizzeria
Napolini Pizzeria is another one of the many Downtown Disney restaurants serving Italian fare. It offers a Lunch and Dinner menu containing a diverse selection of pizzas, from standard options like Margherita, Pepperoni, and Hawaiian to more eclectic choices.
For example, the Gorgonzola E Pere pizza features Gorgonzola cheese, marinara sauce, and pears. This is considered a culinary delicacy in Italy. Another interesting pizza variation is the Messicana which contains spicy Jack Cheese, Cilantro Crema, and Jalapeño Chorizo for a bold take on traditional pizza.
Try some Filo’s Italian Gelato for dessert. During special seasons like Carnivale and Christmas, you can partake of Chiacchiere Bow Tie Cookies. These are fried Angel Wing pastries dusted with powdered sugar and served with blackberry dipping sauce for a slight sweetness.
Non-alcoholic beverage options include bottled water, fountain drinks, bottled beverages (Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Pink Lemonade, Barqs Root Beer, Fanta Orange), San Pellegrino, milk, orange juice, and apple juice. Alcoholic beverages include Truly Hard Seltzer, Kim Crawford Wine, bottled beer, Cut Water, and Day Drinking Rosé.
Kayla’s Cake
At Kayla’s Cake, you can have your cake and eat it too, right out of the jar. Yes, you read that right. Kayla’s is known for their Cake in a Jar.
Simply take a spoon and dig into your favorite cake varieties like Red Velvet, Carrot Cake, Birthday Cake, and Chocolate Cake in a jar, complete with frosting and sprinkles. You can eat while you walk through Downtown Disney mess-free.
Kayla’s also specializes in delectable French Macarons. Choose from Classic, Special, and Chocolate Dipped French Macarons in a variety of flavors like S’mores, Earl Grey Belgian Dark Chocolate, Crème Brûlée, and Lemon Meringue Pie. There are even specialty seasonal ones offered throughout the year.
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Warm and salty, freshly baked and hand-rolled soft pretzels are calling. You know you want one. There is both a Wetzel’s Pretzels cart and a storefront located in Downtown Disney, so no matter where you are, you’re never far from a Wetzel’s Pretzel.
Go for the Wetzel’s Original or the tantalizing Sinful Cinnamon™ soft pretzel for a satisfying snack. You can also order a Wetzel Dog or Dog Bites, Pizza Bitz, Wetzel Bitz, or Gourmet Bitz. Don’t forget to add some pretzel dip.
Wash it down with a Frozen Lemonade in original or strawberry flavors, bottled water, Monster Energy® drinks, or other bottled drink options.
Casual Downtown Disney Restaurants
When visiting Disneyland, it’s important to stay laid back and remember to have some fun. This is even more important if you’re going as a family of four or more.
It’s essential to relax and unwind and focus on making memories. With that in mind, here are some terrific casual Downtown Disney restaurants.
Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes
Black Tap pays tribute to the beloved American luncheonettes of our youth. It captures the lively and nostalgic atmosphere of New York City from the ’80s and ’90s. Serving up a mouthwatering Lunch and Dinner menu, Black Tap offers a dynamic menu of wings, craft burgers, fries, chicken, shakes, sandwiches, and more.
Of note is the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, which features premium Wagyu Beef, bacon, Pepper Jack cheese, crispy onions, roasted garlic mayo, and A1 sauce served with lettuce, tomato, a pickle, and French fries. Or try The Greg Norman, a ½ lb Wagyu Beef patty with House Buttermilk-Dill, Blue Cheese, and Arugula served with lettuce, tomato, a pickle, and French Fries.
Black Tap also offers a plethora of alcoholic drinks like craft cocktails, bottled and canned varieties, shots, wine, and on-tap ales and IPAs.
CrazyShake™ Window by Black Tap
If you want to satiate your sweet tooth in a big way, head to the CrazyShake™ Window on the opposite end of Black Tap near Splitsville Lanes. Here you’ll find a collection of Instagram-worthy sky-high shakes that not only tantalize your taste buds but also serve as a visual delight.
CrazyShake™ transforms your dessert experience into a memorable and shareable moment. Take a culinary treat like The Bam-Bam Shake, for example. It’s made with blended Fruity Pebbles®, topped with a Fruity Pebbles® Rice Krispy Treat, Strawberry Pop-Tarts®, Laffy Taffy®, Whipped Cream, and a cherry on top.
There are also classic shake varieties available like Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Brownie Batter, and Peanut Butter.
Ballast Point® Brewing Co.
Ballast Point® Brewing Co. is the only on-site brewery within the Disneyland Resort area. At Ballast Point®, you’ll find award-winning beer and Southern California American cuisine in a family-friendly and casual brewery atmosphere. Ballast serves a Lunch and Dinner menu with Brunch available from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The menu features an array of salads, sandwiches, and smash burgers, along with Poke bowls, fish and chips, and Baja-style fish tacos. There’s also a Kids Menu with Mac and Cheese, Cheeseburgers, and Chicken Tenders.
Of course, Ballast Point® also offers a lot of beer and other alcoholic beverage options. Choose from IPAs, cocktails, seltzers, ciders, wines, and kombucha.
Earl of Sandwich® Tavern
The Earl of Sandwich® Tavern offers a new table-service concept with an expanded menu and modern twist on classic favorites for Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast in Downtown Disney.
From delectable salads and mouthwatering burgers to enticing pastas, dinner entrees, and, of course, an array of amazing sandwiches, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Add wine, beer, or signature cocktails to your meal while you enjoy a casual Disney dining experience.
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With so many great Downtown Disney restaurants to choose from, you can have your fill of diverse culinary delights. This is just one part of the multifaceted enchantment and adventure that awaits you at Disneyland, CA.
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