Disneyland’s Best Bites: My Favorite Foods at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure & Downtown Disney

Planning a trip to Disneyland? Here is a quick guide to Disneyland’s Best Bites. (All pictures to be uploaded soon!)

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Disneyland is one of those places where the food becomes part of the memories. Some snacks are nostalgic, some are iconic, and some are genuinely so good that they become a reason to book another trip.

From legendary Disneyland breakfast foods to the best snacks in Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney, these are the items I find myself going back for again and again.

If you’re planning a visit to Disneyland, these are my personal must-eats. I am not afraid to say when it comes to Disneyland, “I am just here for the snacks”.

For more information on Disneyland, make sure to read my full blog post on Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, here.

Please note that several of Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure’s most popular food carts and specialty snack locations operate with limited hours and limited daily quantities. Meaning popular items can sell out.

Best Bites: Disneyland Breakfasts

Breakfast Chimichanga — Ship to Shore Marketplace

If there’s one Disneyland breakfast item that has a cult following, it’s the Breakfast Chimichanga near the exit of Big Thunder Mountain at Ship to Shore Marketplace (Frontierland).

It’s crispy, savory, filling, and surprisingly good for a grab-and-go breakfast inside the parks. The tortilla is fried until golden and stuffed with eggs, potatoes, cheese, and sausage.

But here’ s the most important tip: get the salsa. Because it’s basically an American style breakfast inside a deep fried tortilla.

The salsa absolutely makes this breakfast. Without it, it’s good. With it, it becomes one of the best breakfast values in Disneyland.

At Disneyland, time is money. Having a good breakfast to eat while walking from attraction to attraction is time and money well spent.

Breakfast Ronto Wrap — Ronto Roasters

The Breakfast Ronto Wrap in Galaxy’s Edge is one of the best quick breakfasts in Disneyland. Located at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge (Star Wars area).

Wrapped in warm pita bread, it’s filled with scrambled eggs, grilled sausage, cheddar, and peppercorn sauce. It’s savory, smoky, portable, and somehow feels lighter than a traditional breakfast burrito while still being incredibly satisfying.

Even people who aren’t huge Star Wars fans end up loving this one.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Cheesy Pretzel Bread with Eggs & Sausage — Maurice’s Treats

This is one of Disneyland’s underrated quick breakfasts. The cheesy pretzel bread with eggs and sausage. Located at Maurices Treats. Specifically, Fantasy Faire, it is to the left of Sleeping Beauty Castle when looking at the castle from Main Street, U.S.A.. It is across the walkway from the Royal Theatre, next to the Story Teller’s Tent.

The Cheesy Pretzel Bread is warm, soft, salty, and cheesy comfort food in the best possible way. Pairing it with scrambled eggs and sausage makes it feel like the perfect cozy Fantasyland breakfast before the park gets busy.

Best Bites: Disney California Adventure Breakfast

Breakfast Burrito with Green Salsa

Disney California Adventure doesn’t always get enough credit for breakfast, but the breakfast burritos are genuinely one of the best ways to start the day. Located at the Cappuccino Cart, San Fransokyo Square/Pacific Wharf area. The Cappuccino Cart is directly across from The Little Mermaid-Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction, near the bridge that leads to Pixar Pier.

The salsa on the side makes this breakfast burrito even better! It adds heat, acidity, and freshness that cuts through the richness of the eggs, potatoes, cheese, and meat.

Breakfast Shawarma — Avengers Campus

The breakfast shawarma in Avengers Campus is surprisingly good. There are two Shawarma Palace carts in Avengers Campus. One location is near the Dr. Strange Sanctum, and the second is close to the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction.

Warm, flavorful, handheld, and easy to eat while walking through the park, it’s one of the better modern Disney breakfasts and feels different from the more traditional breakfast options elsewhere in the parks.

Best Bites: Savory Snacks at Disneyland

Cheesy Garlic Pretzel Bread with Bratwurst

This is peak Disneyland comfort food. Located at Maurices Treats. Specifically, Fantasy Faire, it is to the left of Sleeping Beauty Castle when looking at the castle from Main Street, U.S.A.. It is across the walkway from the Royal Theatre, next to the Story Teller’s Tent.

Warm pretzel bread stuffed with bratwurst and cheese somehow feels both like a theme park snack and something you’d order at a cozy German beer garden.

Salty, savory, filling, and easy to split.

Classic Disneyland Corn Dog — Little Red Wagon

The Disneyland corn dog is iconic for a reason. Little Red Wagon, also known as the Red Wagon Corn Dog Cart and Red Truck, is located on Main Street. Parked on the right side of the street (when walking toward Sleeping Beauty Castle), just before reaching the Plaza Inn restaurant.

The cornmeal coating is crisp and slightly sweet, the hot dog is juicy, and somehow Disney consistently gets the texture perfect.

There are a lot of corn dogs in the world. This is one of the best.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Troubadour Tavern Baked Potatoes

The baked potatoes at Troubadour Tavern are massively underrated. Located in Fantasyland, in the back corner between “It’s a Small World” and Mickey’s Toontown, up top a small hill directly next to the Fantasyland Theater.

Warm, comforting, and surprisingly filling, they’re one of the best “real food” options in Disneyland when you need a break from fried food or sweets.

Menu options for this one change seasonally. They always offer the standard baked potato: The Troubadour Baked Potato: butter, sour cream cheese, bacon, and green onions. Then they generally feature one or two other seasonal baked potatoes. Loaded potatoes like:

• Pizza Girls Baked Potato: pepperoni, sausage, bacon, bits, marinara, mozzarella, Alfredo sauce, and Parmesan herb topper.
• Roundup BBQ Potato: brisket burnt in toss in Coca-Cola barbecue sauce, creamy slaw, pickle spear, and onion- flavored snacks.
• Una Papa Loca!: chicken, al pastor, cheese, avocado salsa, and sour cream, topped with onions, and cilantro, with a spiced corn chip crumble.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Toubadour Tavern operates with shorter and sometimes variable hours. Be sure to check the Disneyland app for current operating times before heading over.

Best Bites: Savory Snacks at Disney California Adventure

Asada Fries

These are indulgent in the best possible way. Located at Award Wieners in Hollywood Land on Hollywood Boulevard. A walk-up, counter-service dining, specifically between Buena Vista Street and the Hyperion Theater.

Loaded fries topped with carne asada, cheddar cheese, cilantro, and onions with salsa de arbol and guacamole. These loaded fries are easily shareable and one of the most satisfying savory snacks in DCA.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Shawarma — Avengers Campus

The shawarma is one of the few theme park foods that lives up to the hype. Located in Avengers Campus. There are two Shawarma Palace carts in Avengers Campus. One location is near the Dr. Strange Sanctum, and the second is close to the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction.

Flavorful meat, garlic hummus, served with Fresh Vegetables and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce and warm wrap. The best part is that the fresh vegetables and cucumber tzatziki are served on the side to stay cold and crisp. Then you can add them to your shawarma when you’re ready to eat it.

Once you add the fresh vegetables and cucumber tzatziki, the shawarma is easy to eat while walking between attractions.

Best Bites: Lunch or Dinner at Disneyland

Plaza Inn Fried Chicken & Mashed Potatoes

This is classic Disneyland comfort food. Located at The Plaza Inn on Main Street, USA. Plaza Inn is situated to the right if you are walking toward the castle, near the end of Main Street, but before Tomorrowland.

The fried chicken is crispy and juicy, the mashed potatoes are rich and nostalgic, and the portions are huge. This is a shareable meal! Or a meal if you don’t plan on having many snacks during the day.

At Plaza Inn for lunch and dinner, no reservations are needed. At dinner time, Plaza Inn operates as a cafeteria-style dining. It is a quick-service location. 

It feels like old-school Disneyland in the best way.

Monte Cristo with Garlic Parmesan Fries — Café Orleans

The Monte Cristo at Café Orleans is one of the most famous Disneyland meals for a reason. Cafe Orleans is located in New Orleans Square. On the corner of Royal Street and Orleans Street, across from the Rivers of America. It is near Tiana’s Palace and the Royal Street Veranda.

Order a cup of Gumbo as your starter and a Monte Cristo with Pommes Frites (Garlic Parm Fries) for your side.

Battered and Fried Monte Cristo: a ham, turkey, Swiss cheese sandwich that is battered, fried, and dusted with powdered sugar and served with seasonal fruit preserves. Get the pommes frites as your side, which are garlic Parmesan fries served with an aïoli dipping sauce. (The aioli is like a Cajun-style garlic aïoli and rémoulade sauce in one.) All of this may sound chaotic… but somehow it works perfectly.

At Café Orleans, you’ll need to make reservations ahead of time or join a walk-up wait list (which is not guaranteed).

If you don’t have time to eat at Café Orleans or can’t get a reservation, mobile order a Monte Cristo Sandwich from Royal Street Veranda. This Monte Cristo Sandwich comes smaller and À la carte, but is worth a try!

Best Bites: Lunch or Dinner at Disney California Adventure

Aunt Cass Café

Aunt Cass Café is one of the better quick-service spots in DCA when you want something warm and comforting or fresh and crisp. It has great options in DCA when you need a break from fried food or sweets. Aunt Cass Café is located in San Fransokyo Square, connected to the same building as the Boudin Bakery Tour. (Aunt Cass Café replaced the former Pacific Wharf Café.)

The soup in a bread bowl is classic Disney comfort food, and the sandwiches on fresh bread are simple but consistently good.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill

The birria tacos are the standout here. Located in San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure. Across the patio from Lucky Fortune Cookery, near the bridge leading to the dining area.

While DCA food can sometimes feel hit-or-miss compared to Disneyland, these are one of the stronger savory options in the park. (I don’t recommend any other items on the menu at Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill.)

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Best Bites: Sweet Treats at Disneyland

Churros

Classic for a reason. Warm, cinnamon-sugared, fresh Disneyland churros somehow taste better inside the parks.

Churros are located at various carts around the park. I prefer the classic cinnamon-sugar churros to any of the seasonal churros with additional toppings. For me its the simple combination of cinnamon and sugar that makes the churro great.

Located at:

• Churros & Lemonade in Bayou Country
• Churros at Small World Promenade
• Churros near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Churros near Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster 
• Churros near Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Churros near Haunted Mansion
• Churros near Sleeping Beauty Castle
• Churros near Town Square

Mickey-Shaped Beignets

These beignets are located at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. The Mint Julep Bar is behind Tiana’s Palace and next to the New Orleans Square train station.

The Mickey-Shaped Beignets are sold in 3-pack or 6-pack orders. They come covered in powdered sugar. There are also seasonal flavors occasionally available, but the classic Mickey-Shaped Beignets with powdered sugar are my favorite.

They are soft, pillowy, covered in powdered sugar, and completely iconic. They are messy, but they are worth it.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Dole Whip

A Disneyland classic that still absolutely deserves the hype. The Dole Whip at Disneyland has two locations. One location is the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland. The Tiki Juice Bar is located outside the entrance to Tiki Room. The other location is just around the corner at The Tropical Hideaway. The Tropical Hideaway is on the banks of the Jungle Cruise attractions. (At the Tropical Hideaway, you can get additional flavors and swirl- I always get a Bao and Bao Sauce here as well.)

A Dole Whip is cold, tropical, refreshing, and perfect on a hot afternoon.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at these locations to save time!

Caramel Apples & Churro Toffee

Disneyland caramel apples are genuinely some of the best theme park treats anywhere.

And the churro toffee? One of the best snacks Disney has ever created. Sweet, buttery, cinnamon-y, crunchy perfection.

Located at: Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen on Main Street, U.S.A., or stop by Pooh Corner in Critter Country.

Downtown Disney: Head to the Disney Wonderful World of Sweets (formerly Marceline’s Confectionery) to watch candy makers create these treats.
Disney C

Matterhorn Macaroon and Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron

Two of the best sweet treats in Disneyland. These two treats are located at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe is located at the end of Main Street, USA, on the left when looking at the castle.

The Matterhorn Macaroon is a dense coconut macaroon dipped in white chocolate and shaped like the Matterhorn. Simple, nostalgic, and incredibly good.

The Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron is a French raspberry rose-flavored macaron with an almond filling and fresh raspberries. It’s the fresh raspberries that make this macaron shine. And…being Mickey-shaped helps a lot too.

Make sure to mobile order ahead at this location to save time!

Best Bites: Sweet Treats at Disney California Adventure

Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats

A unique sweet spot at Disney California Adventure! Located on Pixar Pier, on the main walkway of Pixar Pier, near Knick’s Knacks and across from the Lamplight Lounge and Boardwalk Dining area.

Refreshing, fun, colorful, and especially perfect during warmer months. Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats serving over-the-top frozen treats inspired by Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University. Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats feature lemon soft serve, colorful sundaes, in an“abominable” snowman theme.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream Sundaes and Hot Chocolate

Massive portions, rich chocolate, fresh whipped cream, and one of the best desserts in DCA. Located in San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure, across from the Boudin Bakery Sourdough Tour.

The Ghirardelli Ice Cream Sundaes and Hot Chocolates in Disney California Adventure are massive, indulgent, and absolutely worth sharing — although you may not want to.

The Ice Cream Sundaes are rich with hot fudge, fresh whipped cream, creamy ice cream, and famous Ghirardelli chocolate. Truly one of the best classic dessert stops in either park, especially if you order one of the over-the-top specialty sundaes loaded with brownies, caramel, or chocolate sauce.

Churros

In DCA, Churros are located at various carts around the park:

• Churros at Hollywood Land
• Churros on Pixar Pier
• Churros at Willie’s Cart on Buena Vista Street
• Churros near Redwood Creek Challenge Trail 

Caramel Apples & Churro Toffee

DCA locations: Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street or Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff on Pixar Pier.

Best Bites: Sweet Treats in Downtown Disney

Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn

This is honestly one of the most exciting Disney food additions for Disney fans. Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn is located at Disney Wonderful World of Sweets within the Downtown Disney District. Located directly across the way from Sephora. Disney Wonderful World of Sweets replaced the former Marceline’s Confectionery, but is in the exact location of the former Disney Dress Shop.

For years, EPCOT’s Karamell-Küche in Germany has been known for having some of the best desserts in all of Walt Disney World, especially the famous Werther’s Original caramel popcorn. I personally have stood in line for hours in Epcot at Karamell-Küche (pre-mobile ordering) for the Werther’s Original caramel popcorn.

Now Disneyland finally has its own version in Downtown Disney. Warm, buttery, crunchy, sweet, salty, and dangerously addictive.

This is absolutely a must-buy. The Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn is my go-to purchase at the end of the night to enjoy on the trip home.

Salt & Straw

Creative rotating flavors and consistently incredible ice cream. Salt and Straw is located across the walkway from Disney Wonderful World of Sweets and Sephora.

Salt & Straw is one of the best dessert stops in Downtown Disney, known for creative and rich, ultra-creamy ice cream that somehow feels both nostalgic and elevated at the same time. If the seasonal cereal series is available, try the Snap ‘N Crackle Marshmallow Treats! If not, the Caramel Ribbon flavor is absolutely worth ordering — sweet, buttery, and packed with ribbons of caramel.

The best part about Salt & Straw is that you can try a couple of flavors of ice cream and find your perfect flavor!

Din Tai Fung Chocolate Dumplings

One of the most unique desserts in Downtown Disney is at Din Tai Fung. Din Tai Fung is located in Downtown Disney on the far west side of the Downtown Disney District toward the Disneyland Hotel. Din Tai Fung is in a brand-new building that was built where the former AMC Theater complex used to be.

Rich chocolate-filled dumplings with that signature Din Tai Fung texture and presentation.

For a full review of The Best Bites at Din Tai Fung, you can read my full Din Tai Fung review here.

Best Bites: Places to Eat in Downtown Disney

Din Tai Fung

One of the best full-service dining experiences in Downtown Disney. Again, Din Tai Fung is located in Downtown Disney on the far west side of the Downtown Disney District toward the Disneyland Hotel. Din Tai Fung is in a brand-new building that was built where the former AMC Theater complex used to be.

Din Tai Fung: beautiful space, incredible dumplings, and genuinely excellent food.

For a full review of The Best Bites at Din Tai Fung, you can read my full Din Tai Fung review here.

My absolute must-order items:

• cucumber salad
• String beans with garlic
• Spicy wontons
• Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
• Noodles with sesame sauce
• Chocolate xiao long bao with a side of sea salt cream

Céntrico

A great sit-down option with elevated Mexican-inspired dishes and a lively atmosphere. Céntrico is located in a centralized courtyard area that was previously the UVA bar. It is an open-air, courtyard bar and restaurant.

This is my go-to spot when I need a break from the park. My must-order best bites here: chips, salsa, and guacamole, their Caesar salad, or any of the amazing tacos. I love this place when my feet hurt, and I want to sit down. I rest my feet and eat something bright and fresh.

Napolini Pizzeria

Perfect quick-service pizza that still feels fresh and satisfying after a long park day. Napolini Pizzeria is located in Downtown Disney, at the end toward the theme park gates and near the tram boarding area. It is right next to Naples Ristorante. Napolini Pizzeria is the quick-service part of Naples Ristorante.

Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza. I absolutely love the pepperoni pizza here. It has perfect cupping pepperoni.

I love grabbing a pizza here and taking it back to my hotel. (I’m always trying to add one more best bite to my Disney Day!)

A Disney Essential: Starbucks in a Disney Park Cup

There’s just something about getting a Starbucks drink inside Disneyland or DCA in one of the special Disney Parks cups. Not a Starbucks in Downtown Disney… For me, it has to be inside the park in the special Disney Parks cup!

Starbucks locations inside the parks:

• Disneyland Park: Market House
  • Location: Halfway down Main Street, U.S.A., across the street from Carnation Cafe.
• Disney California Adventure (DCA): Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe
  • Location: Right on Buena Vista Street, on the right-hand side across the main hub from Carthay Circle Restaurant. It is in the same building as Clarabelle’s Ice Cream.

Both locations serve full Starbucks menus and allow you to pay using the Starbucks app to earn stars. However, you cannot redeem reward stars inside the parks.

For me, Starbucks inside the Disney Park is a perfect afternoon refresher, the best treat while on the Mark Twain steamboat, or a warm sip while watching the parade—it somehow always feels magical inside the parks.

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