Sharing is caring!

10 Fun & Unique Places to Eat Near Disneyland That You Will NOT Want to Miss!

If you are heading to Anaheim for a Disney trip (or any other reason), there are so many options to eat in the parks, but sometimes you will get a better value for a meal if you get out of the parks. Sometimes you just want to try something new and different too. You will want to make sure that those spots you add to your list really count. If that is you, we have some fun ideas to add to your vacation planning. Whether you will be visiting for a day or a week, these spots are great options to check out while in the area!

Before we get into some of our favorite and unique dining options outside of the Disney parks, we want to remind you that we have these other resources to help you plan dining for your Disney vacations too:

• If budget is your main concern, check out this list of the best value restaurants near Disneyland.
• Best value dining in the Disneyland parks is a great resource if you need to save while enjoying Disneyland or California Adventure Parks.
• If you are looking for tips on snacks while inside the Disneyland parks, be sure to check out these healthy snack options in the parks.

Now, here are some of our favorite places if you are looking for something that offers a fun ambiance outside the Disney parks, with good food and drink too!

Options Near the Parks:

The Jazz Kitchen has always been one of our favorites, and this picture is from the Halloween season!

Downtown Disney & Disneyland Resorts

• Why I Love This Option: It keeps you in the Disney bubble, but no park tickets are required. It offers different pricing options, from walk-up counter service to many sit-down restaurants.
• How Far From Disneyland: Walking distance – it is part of the property, so right next door to the parks!
• Tips: Reservations are highly recommended, using the Disneyland app is the easiest way to make and manage these reservations.

Of course, the first one on the list has to be Downtown Disney. There are no admission fees to enter Downtown Disney, and it has the fun festive Disney magic feel, without the price tag of Disney park tickets. Plus, there are so many spots to pick from, and options to accommodate different budgets.

We have been visiting downtown Disney for years, and always enjoy it. I will say that reservations are highly recommended here, or it can end up being quite a wait to get into some of these spots. You can make reservations by calling directly, or the easiest way is to use the Disneyland app. The other thing I love about Downtown Disney is the variety of places to eat. On the budget-friendly side, we love Earl of Sandwich. Food is tasty, and prices are decent, If you want a fun night filled with jazz music, book the Jazz Kitchen during one of their music shows.

In addition to the Downtown Disney area, the Disneyland Hotels offer many themed spots for dining, that you can also access without park tickets. We have always liked Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, but all three hotels have fun dining options.

Right next door you can enjoy Tangaroa Terrace where you can dine out on the patio and enjoy many of the same items available in the tiki bar, but eat outside. We have spent many nights enjoying a meal here over the years as a family, so it’s near and dear to our hearts.

Disney Views but Not Disney Prices – The 5ifth Rooftop Restaurant & Bar at the Grand Legacy

• Why I Love This Option: It’s within walking distance from the parks, they have great views, and it’s affordable with great dishes to share (like Nachos and kids meals are just $8)!
• How Far From Disneyland: Across the street from the California Adventure Park on Harbor Blvd, around a 5-minute walk.
• Tips: Grab reservations for this as the sun sets, to go from the daytime view, to watch the lights come alive in the park at night.

This spot sits across the street from the California Adventure Park on Harbor Boulevard and has fun views of the rides in the park. So you still get that Disney feeling, but do not need park tickets to get it. Go at night to see the rides glowing. You will want to make reservations for this spot ahead of time. It is located inside the Grand Legacy at the Park in case you want to choose to stay here too.

This spot offers many options to share if you want to try some different bites, like Nacho plates and more! Plus, they offer $8 kids meals to keep everyone in the family happy!

Anaheim Packing District

• Why I Love This Option: This is a fun atmosphere with different budget options and something for everyone in a more casual environment.
• How Far From Disneyland: Approximately 6 minutes
• Tips: You can take the ART here. You will likely want to make reservations here or head over during lunchtime when it is usually less packed.

This is a fun spot to hit for lunch. You can visit for dinner too, but the thing I like about lunch is that it is less crowded most days, so easier to get in and enjoy a relaxing meal. This spot is considered a “Food Hall” which is like an adult version of a food court, or an alternative to food truck spots. Anaheim has a few of these, and this is the most well-known of them all. They are fun because, like food courts, they offer a variety of food options, but unlike food courts, they are not packed with fast food options, but with a mix of local artisan restaurants.

Requiem Coffee Cafe

• Why I Love This Option: It is really unique, and you can get a half-size of the many waffle concoctions for just $6!
• How Far From Disneyland: Approximately 6 minutes
• Tips: It is near the Anaheim Packing District if you want to pair it with a visit there.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jen Dotson, Sia Hills | NW (@thriftynwmom)

Check out Jens’ video here of their visit! 

This is down the street from the Anaheim Packing District, so you can combine these two things into one visit if you want. It is a fantasy-themed, immersive coffee shop less than 10 minutes from Disneyland. Jen shares more details in her review in the video above, so be sure to watch that!

Photo Credit The Pirate Adventure Dinners on Groupon here.

Themed Adventure Dinners

• Why I Love This Option: If you love something that is akin to a show and dinner, these are great options. These are more than just a meal, but an evening’s event – so think of them as entertainment and feeding the family. They will definitely create memories to last a lifetime for a family!
• How Far From Disneyland: This will vary depending on the option selected. The Character Meals are right onsite (walking distance from parks) while the other options will be further away.
• Tips: Bring autograph books for the character dining, and a camera to capture lots of memories at all options.

Here are a few ideas for where you will find a themed dinner event. I call it an event because these are like dinner and show kinds of spots. They will cost you a little more, but keep in mind you are paying for the entertainment too (so rather than dinner and a show you get it all in one spot). Some popular ones in the Anaheim area are:

Character Dining at Disneyland Outside of the Park (No Park Tickets Required for these Options)!

The Disney Character meals are always one of the most popular, as you will be able to meet and greet and get pictures and autographs with your favorite Disney characters without the long lines you find in the park. The food at these spots is pretty good too! Options that you can book without Disneyland park tickets include:

• Storytellers Cafe at the California Lodge
• Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel
• and the Princess
• We share a full list of all of the Disneyland Character Dining options here.

The Pirate Adventure Dinner

This option gets a 4.4-star review on Google reviews, so people are loving it! One of the things that I loved most about it, is that it is on Groupon  – so you can get a deal on it too! In fact, kids’ meals are just $29 for a meal and show with this deal. Tickets include the Dinner show (pyrotechnics and all) as well as a three-course meal. Kids 2 and under are seated for free if they are lap kiddos!

Medieval Times

You will find Medieval Times dinner shows at different locations around the country, but they have one near Anaheim too. Here you will see knights joust and eat with your hands, just like you are in the Middle Ages. This one is always a fun time for all.

Photo Credit: Get Away Today 

We also love this list that Get Away Today put together here, with 9 different ideas near Disneyland where you can get quick and delicious concoctions, including Dubai Chocolate, Floating Noodles, Edemame and Onigiri, Taco Boxes, and more!

And if you are looking for fine dining options, two to consider are….

Photo Credit The Cellar

The Cellar

From what I have heard, this one was designed by a former Disney Imagineer, and the food and atmosphere are both things you will remember after a visit. It is pricey, but if you are looking for a special dinner with a memorable atmosphere, this might be the spot for you. Find everything you need to know about dining at The Cellar here!

The White House

Just like the name suggests, this Italian restaurant is set in a historical home, reminiscent of a little white house. It serves delicious Italian dishes, and is another one to consider for celebrating a special event. Find everything you need to know about dining at The White House Italian Steakhouse here!