A day at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure can be a blast--there are heart pumping adrenaline rides, delightfully campy ones, endless amounts of shopping--the only drawback to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure is the food. Often overpriced and lacking any actual taste, stopping to eat at both parks can definitely be a downer for your taste buds and your wallet. However, the food shouldn’t hold you back from having a great day--like rare diamonds in the rough, there are some actually delicious and affordable restaurants at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Here are some top picks for yummy eats:

 

 

Best Ambiance:
Carnation Café, Disneyland, Main Street

The Carnation Café provides a old-tyme feel that complements Main Street’s Victorian theme. Featuring wait service and fantastic people watching, The Carnation Café is a great spot to rest your feet and enjoy light American fare such as Mickey-shaped waffles, fried chicken, seasonal pot pie and the Matterhorn Sundae. Look for the bright candy-cane striped umbrellas to be sure you’ve found the right café!

Best BBQ:
Big Thunder Ranch Barbeque, Disneyland, Frontierland

If you love a great juicy BBQ ribs, then this hidden restaurant is a must! Featuring delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ chicken, ribs and all the fixing’s--Big Thunder Ranch Barbeque is ideal for families and large groups. For vegetarians, there is a vegetarian BBQ skewer available. At certain times you will also be treated to a toe-tappin’ musical performance that truly does put a little ‘yee-haw’ into your BBQ.

Best Variety of Food in Close Capacity:
Wharf, Disney’s California Adventure, Golden State

If there are a few picky eaters in your group, or you simply all want to try something different, check out Pacific Wharf. Perched next to the iconic Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf offers a café with bread bowls and sandwiches, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill and Lucky Fortune Cookery. And if you feel like truly relaxing with a  glass of wine, be sure to check out the three wineries near by--Mendocino Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery, Wine Country Tattoria at the Golden Vine Winery and Sonoma Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery--for a taste of some of the fine wines that California is famed for.

Best Quick Vegetarian and Healthy Snack:
Fairfax Market, Disney’s California Adventure, Hollywood Pictures Backlot

Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are filled with quick delicious bites for non-vegetarians and those ready to indulge their sweet tooth here are numerous corn dog stands, hot dog stands, turkey leg stands, cotton candy stands and churros! Yet there is a lack of healthy snacks. Thankfully, Fairfax Market, modeled after a vegetable stand in Los Angeles Farmers Market, is a great alternative--the stand features seasonal fruit, drinks and healthy snacks.

Best Dessert:
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Disneyland, Main Street
If you love ice cream, this charming shop is a must-eat. The delicious ice cream and handmade dipped cones are hosted by Dreyer’s and will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time a hundred years--in a delicious way!

Of course there are many other delicious options at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure (this list didn’t even cover all of the great food stands, such as the corn dog stand on Main Street) but does touch on a few different options!

*Images provided by Disneyland.com