The Best Dinner Options at Downtown Disney in 2024
Downtown Disney is a lively entertainment and dining district located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. With its wide variety of restaurants, Downtown Disney offers dinner options to satisfy everyone from families to couples on a night out. We’ll cover family-friendly chain restaurants like Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes along with more elegant eateries like Naples Ristorante e Bar and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. Most of these restaurants offer parking validation and offer reservations via the Disneyland app. So come hungry and ready to explore the mouthwatering dinner possibilities at Downtown Disney!
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is a great choice for New Orleans cuisine and one of the best table-service restaurants in the Downtown Disney District. This restaurant offers Creole favorites like gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish etouffee, as well as Southern dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and Cajun pasta.
The menu has options across price points from $15 lunches up to $40 dinner entrees, making it a good option for families looking for a fun dinner out. Jazz Kitchen has an extensive full bar if you’re looking for New Orleans-inspired cocktails, frozen drinks, or beer.
The vibrant jazz club atmosphere is good for music lovers, with frequent live music performances. The spacious indoor dining room used to be decorated with bright Mardi Gras colors but now it’s more modern and upscale and we are sad that the kitchy comfort of the restaurant has been lost.
Jazz Kitchen is right on the main promenade, so it’s very convenient for families spending a day in the Downtown Disney District.
If you just want dessert and specialty coffee, then head around the corner of the restaurants to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express.
Earl of Sandwich
Earl of Sandwich is a great quick-service option for affordable sandwiches that replaced La Brea Bakery Cafe. They offer a variety of cold and hot sandwiches, like roast beef, tuna melts, turkey, and Caprese, with most sandwiches ranging from $5-$10.
This inexpensive food court-style spot makes it an excellent choice for families looking for a quick bite without spending a lot. Earl of Sandwich does not have a full bar but does offer beer, wine, fountain drinks, and pre-packaged desserts to accompany your meal. For a full bar experience hit the Earl of Sandwich Tavern next door!
The casual indoor and outdoor seating gives you a front-row view of the lively Downtown Disney promenade. Ordering is simple cafeteria-style, so it’s great for feeding kids quickly. The sandwiches are generously sized, so they will fill up hungry families. Earl of Sandwich is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so it fits any dining timeline.
With delicious sandwiches, family-friendly prices, and a convenient location, Earl of Sandwich is a Downtown Disney staple for a reason. Grab your sandwiches to go or sit and people watch as you fuel up for more Disney fun. It’s a top pick for affordable quick bites during a full day out at Downtown Disney and the Disneyland parks.
Downtown Disney recently opened the Earl of Sandwich Tavern which is a sit-down version of the popular quick-service restaurant. The Tavern offers soups, salads, and entrees in addition to an indoor bar that serves up signature cocktails, beer, wine, and more. Guests have the option to dine at the bar as well as on the patio, or at a table inside.
Earl of Sandwich offers discounts for Disney Visa cardholders and DVC members.
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is known for its indulgent burgers and outrageous milkshakes, making it a fun spot for families and kids. They offer a variety of juicy burgers cooked to order, like the All-American, Texan BBQ, and Vegan Black Bean, ranging from $15-$20.
The real showstoppers are the CrazyShake milkshakes piled high with slices of cake, whole cookies, and candy toppings for $15 each. Kids will get a kick out of the shakes in flavors like Cotton Candy and Sweet N’ Salty.
Our favorite burgers are the turkey and the BBQ bacon burgers. Our kids love the Nutella and Coffee shakes. Skip the salad options, the Caesar salad was warm with melted cheese and didn’t taste very fresh.
Black Tap has a full bar with an extensive craft beer selection as well as cocktails like adult spiked milkshakes. The industrial-chic dining room accommodates large groups for a sit-down meal and they also have takeout for eating by the Downtown Disney promenade. Be prepared for a wait since Black Tap is very popular – reservations are recommended.
Get the burgers and shakes to share for a memorable family-friendly meal. With unique juicy burgers like the Tamarind Chili Jam burger, indulgent shakes in crazy flavors, and great craft beer, Black Tap is a must for families looking for a fun dining experience at Downtown Disney.
Black Tap offers discounts for Magic Key holders and it comes out to be around a 10% discount.
Napolini Pizzeria
Napolini Pizzeria in Downtown Disney could be a great option for the whole family for dinner! It offers a diverse menu, from build-your-own wood-fired pizza with endless toppings to classic pizzas, ensuring everyone finds something delicious. The casual, rustic atmosphere creates a relaxed dining experience, and the convenient location right in Downtown Disney makes it a convenient location for dinner. Plus, the moderate pricing caters to family budgets without compromising quality.
Our favorite is the Gorgonzola E Pere pizza with gorgonzola cheese and pears. This is one of Downtown Disney’s quick-service restaurants so you order inside the restaurant and there are outdoor tables that usually have a quick turnover so you shouldn’t be waiting for long.
Napolini Pizzeria offers discounts for Magic Key Holders and DVC members.
We’ve put together a complete list of pizza places near Disneyland Resort here!
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Naples Ristorante e Bar
Napes Ristorante e Bar is one of the few table service restaurants in Downtown Disney. It’s one of the best places to sit down and relax with a hearty bowl of pasta and a cocktail if that is your vibe. It is a casual, family-friendly spot that offers wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads, and other traditional Italian food.
On a recent visit, we found the salad to be really fresh, the cocktails tasty and the Margherita pizza perfectly cooked. The calamari appetizer was delicious. The breading was light, seasoned just not heavy. The residual oil was minimal. The calamari was tender and well-seasoned. Yes, it’s a more expensive option than other options in Downtown Disney but the environment feels elegant and it’s a great place to get some delicious food in the area.
Naples Ristorante e Bar offers discounts for Magic Key Holders and DVC members.
Ballast Point Brewing Co.
If you are looking for a burger and a beer in Downtown Disney then the Ballast Point Brewing Co is probably the best option for dinner. Ballast also offers robust appetizers like chicken wings, nachos and pretzel sticks. Ballast has a great location on the second floor of a building towards the middle of Downtown Disney. On the way upstairs, you can learn the history of the restaurant through the wall art. The restaurant is pretty big, clean, and well-laid out. The big goldfish mural sets the vibe of the space and it feels like a space that would do well with live entertainment.
Our favorite menu choices are the nachos and the smash burgers and we like that they change up their beer offerings regularly.
They have QR codes on their tables which direct patrons to the dinner and beer menu. The downside is that you have to hunt for a worker if you have any requests, such as sauces or water.
Try the bananas foster bread pudding for dessert! Don’t forget to get your parking ticket validated before you leave. Ballast Point Brewing Co. offers discounts for Magic Key Holders and Disney Visa Card Members.