[snowmanz]

Hey all! Just wondering if anybody out there have any good recommendations for restaurant in or beyond DL. Also, are there just as much dining options in DL like WDW?

[lopo]

When I visited DL in Feb. last year, many of the attractions were closed for refurbishment including Pirates of the Caribbean and, by default, the Blue Bayou Restaurant which is somehow tied into Pirates. Anyway, I had heard that the Blue Bayou was THE place to eat in DL. Although I didn't have the opportunity (yet), I know that others here at Disney Central recommend it highly.

There is a very large Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. We ate dinner there one night. It was very good.

I recommend a visit to Goofy's Kitchen which is located in the DL Hotel. It is a character buffet meal and tons of fun. The food was very good, too.

[mickey]

Blue Bayou is a must, and I would recommend lunch over dinner, it is much less expensive. Pirates of the Caribbean at DL starts in a bayou, with fireflys, shacks and all, it winds through the bayou before going down the waterfall. The Blue Bayou restaurant is in the bayou, so you watch the ride go by while you are eating. It is quite fun, you would really enjoy it.

Other suggestions would be Goofy's Kitchen, a great character meal, one we don't miss. The other one in Downtown Disney would be Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. The Jazz Kitchen also has a walk up window, so if you feel like something quick, that is a great options. I understand that Naples Restaurante e Pizzaria_is good as well, and much more affordable that the surrounding restaurants.

Storyteller's Cafe in Grand Californian is fun, and Napa Rose is one of the best restaurants in all of Southern California.

Just a warning, the cost of food at Disneyland will blow you away. It is considerably more expensive than food at WDW, and usually not nearly as good.

[Darian]

Mickey, I disagree,
The food is just as good & priced the same as Disney World. You just need to compare apples w/apples. Granted, they have closed & changed many good restaurants, but you need to include the whole resort area & not just Disney land.
I would NOT reccomend the Jazz Kitchen, or Naples. They are over-priced, bad food & worse service. Napa Ros e is the best & on an equal to V&A @ the GFH in FL. And Catal is great, All 3 dining areas. Granville's is also excellent.
I love to go to Hook's point or the wine cellar.:heart

[quartz7]

Hi,

We went in 12/01 and ate at the blue bayou. YUMMY. The monte cristo is to die for. We also had a Character breakfast and Dinner at goofy's, good too. We ended at granvilles, I was a little dissapointed with the size of the steak for the $$$. But it had a wonderful dessert menu.


Janelle

P.S. The wine cellar at DL is so romantic!!!!

[JavaBeing]

Originally posted by lopo
There is a very large Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. We ate dinner there one night. It was very good.

I recommend a visit to Goofy's Kitchen which is located in the DL Hotel. It is a character buffet meal and tons of fun. The food was very good, too.

Hi Lopo! I am heading out to DL this March, and you mentioned two of the places we are considering...Goofy's Kitchen and the Rainforest Cafe. Could you add some info on each since you've tried them both? First, does Goofy's kitchen do only a character breakfast...or do they offer one at lunch and dinner as well? I've also read thata the Rainforest Cafe is a great place for families with kids....can you add some insight of what to expect there...and what kind of dining choices are there? Also, do you recommend get reservations first?

Thanks for any suggestions... I feel better hearing from someone who has the "been there, done that" experience to go on, rather than something out of a guidebook. ;)

[mickey]

We go to Goofy's kitchen every trip to Disneyland, it is the Chef Mickey's of Disneyland. It is in the Disneyland Hotel, and they do character breakfast and dinner. There are usually about 10 characters running about, including some you don't often see. The food is good and the character interaction is great.

It is always crowded so make sure you get a reservation. You won't have to call too far in advance, but it doesn't every hurt to call as soon as you know that you will be there. (714) 956-6755

[JavaBeing]

Thanks Mickey for the info. Being that we are going to try Goofy's Kitchen...which would you recommend..the breakfast or the dinner? Any differences in what characters are there (my girls are hoping for Pooh & Company....)? Do you know of any good places for characters that do offer a lunch alternative?

Thanks again for your help....and if anyone has any thoughts on the Rainforest Cafe, please feel free to throw them this way!

[mickey]

Sorry, I mis-typed. I do believe that Goofy's Kitchen does lunch. Sorry! You could also try Ariel's Grotto in Californai Adventure, they only do lunch and dinner. We went their prior to it being Ariel's, and it was fun. The view from the restaurants is great, especially at night.

We usually do dinner, Peanut Butter and Jelly pizza (yuck! ) is our kid's favorite. They now have it at several meals though. The food is good all day, just depends upon what you feel like.

I haven't noticed much difference in characters from meal to meal, most of the main ones were there, but I would guess that some of the lesser characters rotated, and weren't always there. I don't think there is a Pooh character meal at DL. Minnie is at PCH Grill in Paradise Pier, though it isn't the best choice.

[JavaBeing]

Perfect! Thanks for the update Mickey...our breakfast plans are pretty much covered, but I was really hoping for a good character lunch for the girls, as well as a nice break in the middle of the day to take a breather so we grown-ups can pretend we are matching pace with our 8 yr olds :D

How soon in advance can we make reservations...is a month to soon? Are their better tables/spots than others that we could ask for? Geez....more answers=more questions...I feel like a Disney enigma:dazed

[PAMMIAMI]

How expensive is Blue B. Any place there is a menu?

[MaulerDude72]

The Blue Bayou is an excellent place to dine. I remember dropping a lot of $$$ there on an ex-girlfirend when I was in high school. (LOL) The food is outstanding, but reservations are a must. And yes, it is quite pricey but well worth the $$$$.

Goofy's Kitchen is a lot of fun. Look foward to taking DD there soon. We did the 'Ohana CB at WDW and loved it.

No trip to Disneyland would be complete without a stop at the mint julep bar at New Orleans Square. Tasty and refreshing ice cold drinks only without the splash of good ol' Kentucky bourbon.

The Plaza Inn on Main Street is also a good place to eat. I think they still have a character breakfast.

[rob how]

Blue Bayou is a great place for lunch or midafternoon meal and less expensive than dinner. Ask for a table on the water its worth any extra wait.

Outside the park, family dining is great at Mimi's and the Rainforest cafe downtown Disney is fun.
The wharf area in Calif Adv has mexican, chinese and Sourdough bakery sands, chowder bowls and salads. All the family will be happy.
We are going for Christmas vacation, can't wait.

[mmouse67l]

Originally Posted by mickey

We usually do dinner, Peanut Butter and Jelly pizza (yuck! ) is our kid's favorite.

LOL. I love the PB&J pizza! Your kids have good taste.

I have made a promise to myself to eat lunch at Blue Bayou next time. We always have dinner there and they don't serve the legendary Monte Cristo. I've never had it.

[flounder7786]

okay, there is a little place in tomorrow land, that is RIGHT next to the entrance to space mountain...BEST PASTA EVER...pretty good salads...good pizza...something for everyone...decently priced too