Hey there Elaine! Welcome back to planDisney. I am so ecstatic to hear you will get to experience my home away from home, Disneyland Resort, this summer! Our resort may be quaint compared to Walt Disney World Resort, but there is something so very special about walking down Main Street, U.S.A., knowing that Walt himself got to be hands-on for so many aspects of this park. And we give a whole new meaning to park hopping. You can literally go from turnstile to turnstile in minutes!
As a self-proclaimed Disneyland Resort foodie and mama to a vegetarian/vegan, I am thrilled to be able to answer this question for you.
At Disneyland Resort, I would say the most popular place to dine would be
Blue Bayou. This is such a fun experience where you can enjoy a delicious meal while watching Guests float by as they start sailing away on Pirates of the Caribbean. I had the opportunity to dine there last weekend and had a fabulous house salad with dried fruit, baby greens, candied pecans, onions, blue cheese crumbles, and sherry vinegarette. It was such a refreshing starter. My panel sisters, Kamini and Tara, had the Cajun Cauliflower with romanesco sauce, mushroom chips, cajun cheddar, wilted greens, and shishito mushrooms. Oh goodness, my mouth is watering now just thinking about it. With this being the most popular attraction, be sure to try to book this as soon as possible (60 days out). If you don't have success, you might just be able to be pixie dusted with a reservation by walking up the day of. I suggest getting there a little bit before opening and kindly speaking with the Cast Member. This is how we scored our reservation last week! Another favorite of my daughters is the Cauliflower Tacos at
Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurante. Be sure to grab the Crispy Chips con Limón or Cinnamon Crisps!
Over at Disney California Adventure Park, you have
Lamplight Lounge which is my absolute favorite dining location at Disneyland Resort. It's our favorite place to take a midafternoon break whether you are seated inside and get to delight in all the fun Pixar memorabilia or outside while you watch Guests enjoy Paradise Pier. I'm all about the appetizers here and their Potato Skins are always a good idea. I am also always a fan of their brussels and currently, it looks like they have a Caesar Brussels option. Oh, and the donuts are a must for dessert! We enjoy the drinks here as much as the food. If you are a craft beer fan, this is where you will get the best selection. For mixed drinks, I frequently get Final with a Fix or Open Ocean with a Splash.
For quick service, be sure to check out
Pym Test Kitchen for a few options with Impossible meat options. Another favorite of ours is the
Studio Catering Co. tucked back by the Hollywood Lounge. They usually have a great option and they have a Plant-based Al Pastor Loaded Potato that is on my list to try soon. They used to serve tacos and nachos and were able to accommodate us by making any of those plant-based, so it's definitely worth an ask!
Elaine, I hope my recommendations will help you as you enjoy your visit to The Happiest Place on Earth. I could go on and on about the food and snacks, but I'll stop here. Please come back and chat if you have any other Disneyland questions along the way. You've got a friend in me!
Carrie