Top 11 Best Table Service Restaurants in Disneyland

Storytellers Cafe

Less adventurous (and costly) than its neighboring eatery, Napa Rose, the whimsically themed Storytellers Cafe nonetheless has some delicious food served at its buffets for breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Whatever you end up selecting, make sure to save room for the sinful warm cakes with ice cream.

Be warned: Mickey's Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet is a high-energy, high-volume affair, so avoid it if you're looking for a quiet start to the day.

Location: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
Attire: Theme park casual​​
Food: American

Tortilla Jo's

At Tortilla Jo's, you'll find fine Mexican fare, including handmade tortillas (not necessarily made by Jo, however), mountainous nachos, and, of course, margaritas as well as a wide variety of tequilas. The freshly made guacamole is also quite good. While the food is tasty, it isn't necessarily all that adventurous or markedly better than your average Mexican restaurant. But if you have a craving for a south-of-the-border meal, Jo's is your place. For a more casual meal (although the main dining room is pretty casual), consider the outdoor, quick-service Taqueria located next door.

Location: Downtown Disney​​
Attire: Theme park casual
Food: Mexican

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria

With casual fare such as panini and pizza mixed with more adventurous dishes such as Brasato di Manzo (braised short rib served on polenta), the menu at Naples is a bit schizophrenic. But it's all good if a bit pricey. Recently renovated, the restaurant features an upstairs dining room and balcony, both of which are a bit removed from the downtown Disney hordes and offers a more hushed atmosphere. For a quicker (and cheaper) bite, consider trying the adjacent Napolini Pizzeria.

Location: Downtown Disney​
Attire: Theme park casual
Food: Italian, including pizza

Catal Restaurant

The Art Deco atmosphere at Catal Restaurant is striking, as is the ambitious menu. Specialties include mouth-watering items such as grilled rack of lamb served with Mediterranean cous cous, cucumbers, dates, and tzatziki sauce, as well as scallops with cauliflower, snap peas, red mojo, and shaved beets. Other dishes include paella and a variety of steaks. Catal's lively Uva bar offers lighter fare with al fresco seating in the center of the downtown Disney promenade.

Location: Downtown Disney​
Attire: Theme park casual
Food: Mediterranean

Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

Trader Sam's has been a big hit since its launch in 2011. The Enchanted Tiki Bar takes its cue from the Jungle Cruise ride, where Trader Sam is identified as the Amazon's (literal) head salesman. The whimsical decor is a hoot.

More a lounge than a restaurant, Sam's features tropical drinks and cocktails and includes some interesting non-alcoholic options. But it has some delicious, mostly Asian, appetizers to accompany the imbibing such as sweet-and-spicy chicken wings, gyoza and panko-crusted Chinese long beans. Be aware that the space is quite small and can get crowded, and that service can be spotty. Also, note that it doesn't take reservations and that only guests 21 and older can stay after 8 p.m.

Location: Disneyland Hotel​
Attire: Casual
Food: Island-inspired American

Cafe Orleans

You can order the famous Monte Cristo sandwich found at the Blue Bayou. But, unlike the Blue Bayou's perpetual night ambiance, Cafe Orleans offers outdoor seating—and lower prices. The limited menu also includes New Orleans-inspired dishes such as shrimp and grits, bourbon street chicken, and muffuletta chopped salad. The garlic-heavy pommes frites are to die for—although you will need industrial-strength mints to accommodate your Disneyland buddies after the meal.

Location: New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park
Attire: Anything goes at the theme park restaurant
Food: American with an emphasis on Cajun-Creole

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

Let the good times—and the tasty dishes—roll at this New Orleans-inspired eatery. Bold items include pasta jambalaya and Gumbo Ya-Ya, which is a stew with a dark roux and creole seasonings. For lunch, try a po-boy, which is a classic, overstuffed New Orleans sandwich. For dessert, consider bananas foster, which is set aflame for dramatic flair. As its name implies, live jazz is often featured at the restaurant. To sample the yummy fare, consider walking up to the take-out window at the adjacent Jazz Kitchen Express.

Location: Downtown Disney
Attire: Casual
Food: Cajun-Creole

Steakhouse 55

The dishes rival any high-end steakhouse chain, but the prices at Steakhouse 55, while high, are quite reasonable in comparison. And the upscale restaurant offers something no Morton's or Ruth's Chris could ever match: an old Hollywood ambiance that includes vintage photos of Walt Disney hobnobbing with movie stars.

If you are looking for a relatively quiet way to start your day, consider visiting Steakhouse 55 for breakfast. The old-school menu hits the spot, and the relatively hushed atmosphere is a welcome contrast to the frenzied mob scene next door at Goofy's Kitchen.

Location: Disneyland Hotel​
Attire: Casual​
Food: American, featuring steaks

Blue Bayou Restaurant

This uniquely-special restaurant is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Entrees include New Orleans-inspired dishes such as jambalaya and the famous Monte Cristo sandwich. (The first few bites of a Monte Cristo taste great, but the deep-fried concoction is quite filling and can become a chore to finish.) The food is leagues above standard theme park fare, but it is often hit-or-miss. And service is generally rushed. The emphasis seems to be on turning over the tables at the wildly popular restaurant rather than doting on the guests. Still, with the crickets chirping, the lanterns flickering, and the boats gently passing by, there's no denying its charm and its legendary status.

Location: New Orleans Square at Disneyland​
Attire: Anything goes at the theme park restaurant
Food: Cajun-Creole

Napa Rose

Napa Rose excels in every category, including inspired and creative dishes, lovely atmosphere, impeccable service, and a California-centric wine list.

The menu changes with the seasons and features local ingredients. Entrees include items such as grilled maple leaf duck breast with apple bread pudding and cider-braised red cabbage as well as brambly roasted Angus beef filet mignon with rosemary roasted marble potatoes and California chili cranberry essence. Consider starting your meal with wildly inventive scallops or salad. And do allow room for dessert; Napa Rose offers some heavenly choices.

Location: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
Attire: Casual, but it is a fine dining establishment
Food: California fusion

Carthay Circle Restaurant

Tucked into the elegant Carthay Circle Theater, the restaurant, decked out as a retro supper club, has a welcoming, old-school vibe. The menu, however, embraces contemporary cuisine and features fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

A couple of tips:

• By ordering an entree together with an appetizer, dessert, and beverage, you will be entitled to reserve viewing for ​World of Color.
• If it's impossible to get reservations for the highly popular restaurant for your preferred time, consider dining at the Carthay Circle Lounge on the first floor of the building. While it is small, there are often seats available, and the food, cocktails, and ambiance are quite wonderful (and the cost is much less than the upstairs restaurant).

Location: Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park​​ Attire: Theme park casual is fine, but attire befitting the fine dining atmosphere would be welcome as well.
Food: Creative American with some Asian influences