Foodies and regular patrons alike always enjoy a good meal, no matter the location. Some may doubt a theme park’s ability to provide guests with delicious, high-quality food. After all, most theme park goers expect things like burgers, chicken fingers, and corn dogs.
Disneyland proves no different because guests can enjoy those typical staples. However, the Happiest Place on Earth also offers some delectable meal options that will satiate, satisfy, and elevate anyone’s trip. Indeed, the best meals at Disneyland proper (not Disney California Adventure) range from high-quality comfort food to tasty and inventive dishes.
Braised Beef Short Rib (Cafe Orleans- New Orleans Square)
Unsurprisingly, the best meal in Disneyland Park comes from one of the finest full-service restaurants in the entire resort. While most love a hearty filet mignon or prime rib, for my money, nothing beats the braised beef short rib. Served in a mushroom Demi-glace, the meat is savory, tender, and melts in your mouth.
At Cafe Orleans, this meal comes with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, always cooked to perfection. With rotating menus, occasionally the Carnation Cafe serves an equally delicious braised beef short rib, which comes with macaroni and cheese. Likewise, Café Orleans doesn’t offer this meal 100% of the time. When it is available, celebrate and delight in this delectable entree.
Mickey Shaped Waffle (Carnation Cafe-Main Street U.S.A.)
Another excellent full-service restaurant (and my personal favorite), Carnation Cafe serves the best, most satisfying breakfast in the park. As someone who’s consumed this meal at almost every trip to Disneyland, no other breakfast can compare to the Mickey Shaped Waffle.
Although the lovely, turn-of-the-century ambiance of Main Street U.S.A. adds to the enjoyment, the Mickey Shaped Waffle would be just as delicious at another restaurant. Indeed, the popular menu item is sweet and light with just enough crisp. The meals come with a choice of bacon or sausage and fruit, which perfectly balances the waffle’s sweetness.
Fried Chicken (Plaza Inn- Main Street U.S.A. & Flo’s V8 Cafe, Cars Land)
For guests wanting a substantial and tasty lunch or dinner, head to Main Street’s Plaza Inn or Flo’s V8 Cafe i Cars Land in DCA, for the fried chicken meal. Comfort food at its finest, the fried coating is crispy, but not overly so, savory, and never greasy.
At the Plaza Inn the meal comes with two large pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and a scrumptious buttermilk biscuit. At Flo’s the chicken is a bit crispier and is served with mashed potatoes and broccoli. While some may be able to eat the entire meal, many visitors find this large enough to share. KFC has nothing on the the Disneyland Resort.
Bengal Rice Plate (Bengal Barbecue- Adventureland)
Right across from the Jungle Cruise attraction, the Bengal Barbecue remains one of Disneyland’s most underrated eateries. Likewise, the several skewers served at Bengal represent some of the most slept on offerings in terms of taste, value, and price.
Another terrific value is the Bengal Rice Plate, which comes with your choice of two skewers, jasmine rice, and citrus-miso slaw. With something for everyone, the skewer choices include the Chieftain Chicken in a Polynesian sauce (my favorite), Bengal Beef in a sweet Zulu sauce, Pork Belly in a hoisin sauce, Banyan Beef in a spicy sauce, vegetables with a little seasoning, and Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus.
Large enough to share for a lighter lunch or dinner, Bengal Barbecue’s delicious offerings never disappoint.
Jolly Holiday Combo (Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe- Main Street u.s.a.)
For vegetarians who desire a savory, hearty meal, they’ll surely love the Jolly Holiday Combo. Main Street’s second-best restaurant offers numerous delicious options from pastries to sandwiches. This meal includes a toasted cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup.
Although that may sound simplistic and underwhelming, on a cold day, especially, few things taste better than a crispy, gooey toasted cheese sandwich. The accompanying tomato soup is smooth, slightly sweet, and perfect for dipping or as a companion to the sandwich. Since the restaurant opened in 2012, the Jolly Holiday Combo has become a frequently raved-about park staple.
Monte Cristo Sandwich (Cafe Orleans- New Orleans Square)
One could say that Disneyland has a world-famous Monte Cristo Sandwich. Though this sweet, creative concoction did not originate at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom, many would agree that the park serves one of the greatest.
The Monte Cristo is not for the faint of heart or those looking for something light. On the contrary, the sandwich has turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, and seasonal preserves (typically strawberry), served on battered and fried bread. The sweet and savory combination creates a fanciful array of flavorful goodness.
As a shareable sandwich, it could almost qualify as a dessert. Still, it comes with a choice of a petite salad or Pommes Frites, the latter of which elevates the already tasty meal.
Trio of Street Tacos (Rancho Del Zocalo- Frontierland)
As one of the few Mexican eateries at the Disneyland Resort, Rancho del Zocalo serves up authentic and delicious cuisine that park goers love. For the guest who wants a satisfying lunch or dinner that has a variety of flavors, the trio of street tacos will be the way to go.
The trio includes beef, chicken, and soy chorizo tacos served on corn tortillas with Tomatillo sauce, onions, and cilantro. At just under $15, the meal also comes with Spanish rice and refried beans, making it one of the most filling and affordable meals at Disneyland.
Ronto Wrap (Ronto Roasters-Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge offers three different Ronto Wraps, all of which have become fan favorites since the land opened in 2019. For breakfast, guests can try the Ronto Morning Wrap, made with scrambled eggs, grilled pork sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, and peppercorn sauce wrapped in warm pita bread.
For lunch and dinner, try the traditional Ronto Wrap, which consists of roasted pork, grilled pork sausage, slaw, and peppercorn sauce, served in a warm pita. There’s also a vegetarian option called the Ronto-less Garden Wrap. This pita includes Impossible sausage, Kimchi slaw, pickled cucumber, and Gochujang spread.
Each offers a different flavor, all of which guests rave about.
Felucian Kefta Garden Spread (Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
Over the past few years, Disneyland has tried to bring in a variety of food options, particularly plant-based options. Although there could still be more, the ones available do not disappoint. Indeed, even guests who don’t follow a strict plant-based diet love the Felucian Kefta Garden Spread at Docking Bay 7.
Served in a fresh pita, the meal includes Impossible meatballs, herb hummus, and tomato-cucumber relish. Fresh and light, the Felucian Kefta Garden Spread provides patrons with a less dense and healthier meal, without sacrificing taste.
Bacon and Egg Croissant (Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe- Main Street U.S.A.)
If there’s one breakfast that can give the Mickey waffle a run for its money, it would be the bacon and egg croissant from the Jolly Holiday. It may sound simple, but Disneyland’s croissants are always flaky, buttery, and delicious.
Combined with hot eggs, bacon, and a tangy Hollandaise sauce, this scrumptious breakfast is satisfying at very reasonable prices. The breakfast sandwich alone goes for $9.49, and with fruit, $11.49. With the peaceful ambiance of Main Street as your setting, guests can enjoy a scrumptious breakfast to start their magical day.