17 Of The Best Kid-Friendly Downtown Disneyland Restaurants

California, USA is the ideal location for a family vacation. It has several beautiful beaches for swimming, sunbathing, watersports, sightseeing, and a great selection of shops, restaurants, parks, boardwalks, and theme parks.

As well as the coast and its wonderful towns and cities, you will find mountain ranges, deserts, woodlands and forests, rivers, and other areas of incredible natural beauty.

Another big draw for families visiting California is the incredible array of attractions the Walt Disney Company has at the Disneyland Resort. Visitors will choose between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure theme park.

Disneyland Resort also has an impressive choice of accommodation for families visiting, including Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Family vacations can be expensive, and the cost of accommodation and a theme park ticket for family members can make for a costly getaway.

There is one way to get a taste of Disney Magic without paying an admission fee. Downtown Disney District is where anyone can visit, shop, eat, and soak up the atmosphere.

If you’re travelling to California, this article will help you find the best Downtown Disney restaurants to eat at, no matter your preferences or dietary requirements.

Downtown Disney Restaurants

If you plan to visit Downtown Disney, their selection of indoor and outdoor seating restaurants will be perfect for you and your family. You will be able to choose from fine dining, table service restaurants, quick-service dining options, dessert stores, and more.

Take a look at the following list showcasing some of the best places to eat in Downtown Disneyland, and enjoy a great range of restaurants below for some inspiration.

1. Ballast Point Brewing Co.

Centrally located in Downtown Disney District, Ballast Point Brewing Co. is a family-friendly brewery that offers excellent casual dining options.

Ballast Point Brewing Co. is the only brewery in Disneyland Resort. It offers guests an excellent opportunity to enjoy handcrafted beers and a great selection of seasonal food from local sources.

You will be able to choose from a fantastic range of pub snacks that includes fries, pretzel bites, wings, nachos, poutine, and more.

If you want to enjoy a meal, you will be able to choose from salads, wraps, burgers, hot dogs, tacos, and a great selection of kids’ meals.

The interior is excellent for those who love the sea, with a strong nautical theme. The bar wall is even designed to look like a ship’s hull.

Type of restaurant: Table service

2. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is a unique dining experience in the heart of the Downtown Disney District. You will be able to enjoy some traditional southern hospitality in this Louisiana-themed Cajun-Creole eatery.

Spread out over two stories, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is a spacious restaurant with over 15,000 square feet. It looks like a traditional French Quarter building to transport you and your family to swingin’ New Orleans.

The history of the brand dates back to 1943 when the family of Ralph Brennan bought the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans’ French Quarter’s most famous street, Bourbon Street.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is decorated in art commissioned especially for the restaurant and features traditional New Orleans artists.

Guests will enjoy a great selection of Creole and Cajun dishes, including Gumbo, fried chicken, crawfish, jambalaya, and much more.

The kids’ menu isn’t as adventurous, with chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, and pasta and meatballs ideal for fussier eaters.

Type of restaurant: Table service

3. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express

Sometimes, you won’t have time for a sit-down meal. After all, with so much to see and do on a Californian vacation, you will have a pretty tight schedule to make sure you get to enjoy everything on offer.

If you are in a hurry, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express lunch or dinner menu will be perfect for you to grab and go.

You will even be able to sample the famous and delicious beignets. A French doughnut that is deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar. You will be able to enjoy the original French-style doughnuts or enjoy the cookies and cream glazed version.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

4. Tortilla Jo’s

Tortilla Jo’s is perfect for lovers of Mexican food. You will be able to enjoy casual dining, table service, and a great choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The bright decor in Tortilla Jo’s makes it a welcoming space and is perfect for family meals and get-togethers.

The tequila bar is particularly popular among adults, and you will be able to enjoy a wonderful hand-made margarita here too.

The menu is as expansive as their tequila list. You will be able to enjoy great breakfasts, including steak and eggs, breakfast burritos, breakfast enchiladas, and huevos rancheros, among other dishes.

The lunch and dinner menus have a great choice with starters like Guacamole and nachos. You will then be able to choose from a list of street tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more.

The kids’ menu is excellent, with a choice of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, hot dogs, and chicken tenders in case the little ones aren’t as fond of Mexican food as you are.

Type of restaurant: Table service

5. Taqueria at Tortilla Jo’s

What better way to enjoy the delicious menu at Tortilla Jo’s than underneath the Californian sun? You will be able to enjoy eating outside on their patio, which features wooden furniture, Spanish tiles, and ceramic pottery.

This is a great option, especially for those that enjoy people watching and relaxing in splendid surroundings. The great selection of food tastes even better in the sun, believe us!

Type of restaurant: Quick service

6. Napolini Pizzeria

Napolini Pizzeria can be found at the Mickey and Friends Tram Station exit in Downtown Disney and offers quick, friendly counter service.

You will be able to enjoy your meal on the tables and chairs outside Napolini Pizzeria, or you can eat on the move.

You will have a great selection of pizzas and Italian Gelato as dessert if you have a sweet tooth. There is a cooler next to the counter where you can pick up bottles and canned soda and packaged salads and snacks.

This is an excellent option for grabbing something on the go but not ideal if you are planning a family meal.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

7. Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is an excellent option for those that love the classics.

With an 80 and 90’s New York style, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is a tribute to classic American luncheonettes and has a great choice for diners.

As well as a great selection of burgers including the All-American, Pizza Burger, Texan Burger, The Greg Norman, and The Mexico City, There are also turkey burgers, chicken sandwiches, and vegan options.

Whatever burger you choose, you can personalise it with extra cheese, caramelised onions, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, bacon, or a fried egg.

The shakes here are reason alone to visit. Choose from the Special Edition CrazyShake™ featuring Mickey Mouse, The CakeShake, Cotton Candy Shake, Cookies’ N Cream Supreme, or just a classic plain shake.

The stripped-back, industrial look, benches, and tables aren’t the most exciting, but they make the restaurant look clean and uncluttered.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

8. Splitsville

If you are looking for a unique dining experience and are a sports fan, Splitsville Luxury Lanes will be perfect for you and your family.

Enjoy snacks at the bar, meals at your table, or break it up with a game of bowling in between. Soak up the fun atmosphere at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, where multiple screens show sports throughout the day and night.

It can get relatively noisy, but this can be great for families who want to cut loose and have fun.

As with most Disneyland Downtown Disney restaurants, reservations are advised because they can get busy.

When it comes to the food, there is a great choice to fill up on, including loaded fries, chicken tenders, nachos, pizza, sushi, burgers, salad, and a great kids’ menu.

Type of restaurant: Table service

9. La Brea Bakery Cafe

Downtown Disney’s La Brea Bakery Cafe is near the promenade’s entrance and offers guests a great cafe experience and delicious food.

You will be able to enjoy light breakfasts and lunches with a great choice of freshly baked bread and treats. You will also find excellent lunch and dinner options, including burgers, chicken, pasta, and fish.

For us, it is best enjoyed in the morning when you can feast on pancakes, croissants, French toast, and eggs.

If you are hoping to grab something on the go or enjoy a snack on your way into one of the fabulous theme parks, La Brea Bakery Express offers a great selection of takeaway food and great coffee to get you going in the morning.

Type of restaurant: Table service

10. Catal

If you fancy a more sophisticated evening of romance or a little fine dining, the Catal Restaurant will be a perfect choice.

There is an airy indoor, elegant dining room, or you will be able to enjoy your meal on their second-floor terrace with views over the promenade.

Fantastic brunch and dinner menus are available for guests, including calamari, fried octopus, salmon, steak, and much more.

The kids’ menu caters to children’s tastes and has chicken fingers, macaroni, hot dogs, steak, salad, and delicious ice cream desserts.

Type of restaurant: Table service

11. Naples Ristorante e Bar

Fans of Italian food will love the Naples Ristorante e Bar, which brings the warmth of southern Italy and delicious food to the Downtown Disney District.

You will be able to make reservations as much as 60 days in advance for Naples Ristorante e Bar, and it would be wise to do this because it can get busy.

Enjoy classic wood-fired Napoletana pizzas, lasagna, gnocchi, ravioli, and other Italian staples. The kids’ menu has a choice of pasta, pizzas, mac and cheese, and chicken, so it is ideal for everyone.

There is even a food-on-the-go option, thanks to Maniare! that lets you order, grab your food quickly, eat on the move or take it back to your hotel.

Type of restaurant: Table service

12. Wetzel’s Pretzels

Sometimes you just need something to snack on, and Wetzel’s Pretzels offers an excellent option for anyone passing through Downtown Disney.

This is an excellent option if you are heading into the park and want a snack while waiting. Many options are available, including almond crunch, pepperoni, jalapeño cheese melt, cinnamon, or plain.

The great choice of dips can also transform your pretzel with sweet caramel, sweet glaze, pizza sauce, jalapeño cheese, and cheddar cheese dips available.

The lemonade, fountain beverages, and frozen granitas are ideal for quenching your thirst.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

13. Starbucks

If you need a coffee to start your day, the Downtown Disney Starbucks is ideally situated with its great choice of drinks for its customers.

There is also an assortment of snacks and bottled sodas to choose from to indulge yourself.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

14. Jamba

Keeping hydrated is essential, and fueling yourself for a day exploring California or the theme parks in Disneyland resort will make a huge difference.

Jamba offers its customers a great selection of freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies packed with goodness to get you going.

Choose from a great selection of smoothies, including Mango-A-Go-Go, Caribbean Passion, Strawberries Wild, Aloha Pineapple, etc.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

15. Sprinkles

Sometimes you will want to treat yourself, and why not. A vacation is an ideal time to enjoy treats, and Sprinkles is the perfect option.

They offer a fantastic range of cupcakes, cookies, and other seasonal treats for customers to enjoy.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

16. Salt & Straw

Salt and Straw is a snack bar that specialises in delicious ice cream. Their classic flavours include sea salt and caramel, salted choc chip cookie, vanilla, chocolate brownie, pear and blue cheese, honey and lavender, coffee, cashew and praline, strawberry, cinnamon, mint choc chip, and coconut.

Their great flavours always have a twist, and there are exclusive seasonal flavours to explore.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

17. CrazyShake™ Window by Black Tap

Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes is always popular, but if you only want to grab a shake on the go, head to CrazyShake Window by Black Tap.

You will be able to enjoy the wonderful and experimental shakes on the go and be the envy of everyone you pass. The quick-service restaurant window is ideal for grabbing your treat to the park.

Type of restaurant: Quick service

FAQs

Can I park in the Downtown Disney District?

The Downtown Disney District promenade is wonderfully located close to the Disneyland Hotels, Disney California Adventure Park, and Disneyland Park, making it ideal for guests staying in one of the resort hotels or visiting the parks.

If you are driving to Downtown Disney, you will be able to park in the Simba Lot. The cost of parking is $10 for the first hour and $7 for each half an hour. The maximum parking cost and a lost parking ticket charge is $66.

You will be able to enjoy 3 hours of free parking validation after the first paid hour when you spend $20 or more at any of the stores or restaurants in the Downtown Disney District. If you enjoy a meal at any table-service restaurant in Downtown Disney, you will get up to 5 hours of free parking validation.

How is Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen rated?

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen has relatively good ratings across Trip Advisor and Google Reviews, scoring 4 and 4.4 out of 5.

Does Naples Ristorante E Bar offer takeout?

Naples Ristorante E Bar in the Downtown Disney District offers diners the opportunity to dine in or collect. There is no delivery service, but a curbside pickup is an option.

What are Tortilla Jo’s opening and closing times?

Tortilla Jo’s opening and closing times are from 11 am to 9.30. They offer a dine-in or takeaway service but do not offer delivery.

Is Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen currently accepting reservations?

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is currently accepting reservations, and you will be able to make them as much as 60 days in advance.

Reservations are advised due to the popularity of the restaurant. They can be made by calling (714) 776-5200.

Final Thoughts

California has a great selection of restaurants featuring cuisine from all around the world. The excellent choices in the Downtown Disney District are a great way to enjoy meals at all times of the day while enjoying the unique Disneyland atmosphere.

We hope the information provided will help you and your family decide on the restaurant or restaurants you want to visit.

With so much to see and do in California, especially in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, planning your trip meticulously will ensure you don’t miss out on anything you want to experience.

We would always advise a little slack with your planning. After all, you are on vacation, and the last thing you would want is to stress out about itineraries and timescales.

One thing is for sure, if you find yourself in the Downtown Disney District, stopping for something to eat is a great way to relax and enjoy some family time.

Check out these other articles about Disneyland!:

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• How Far Is Disneyland From San Diego?
• How Far Is Disneyland From Los Angeles, California?
• How Far Is Ontario, California To Disneyland?
• What Is 21 Royal Disneyland, And Is It Worth It?
• How Far Is San Francisco From Disneyland?
• How Much Do Disneyland California Tickets Cost In 2022?