Best Places to Eat at Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney restaurants are part of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California but no ticket is required to enter. You can eat, enjoy food, drinks, shopping, live entertainment and more. So many changes coming to Downtown Disney in 2023, new dining options and saying good bye to old favorites. Updated April 2023.

Get the Disneyland vibe while you dine at the best restaurants on your arrival or departure day along with delicious food, decent prices and an unbeatable location.

Downtown Disney Basics

Downtown Disney is a an outdoor shopping and entertainment district. It’s nestled on the pathway between the theme parks and the Disneyland Resort Hotels. Anyone can go to Downtown Disney even without a theme park ticket. It’s accessible from the Downtown Disney parking lot and for pedestrians via Harbor Blvd and from Katella.

Before you get to Downtown Disney, let’s get some basic questions answered.

Where can I park at Downtown Disney?

Downtown Disney Parking is clearly labeled as you approach the Disneyland Resort. Follow the signs to Downtown Disney parking which is located near the three Disney owned hotels.

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Where do I enter Downtown Disney?

Downtown Disney Entrances are available near The Disneyland Hotel, where you will walk in after parking. Or you can enter on the Harbor Blvd. pedestrian access point. The pick/up drop off area will also be open on Harbor Blvd. 

No matter which direction you’re coming from, it’s super easy to access. 

Once you complete the security screening process, you’ll want to stop by one of the many wonderful places to shop and eat at Downtown Disney. I’ve outlined most of the dining options here, but the true question is—which one will you be eating at first?

Where’s the best place to eat at Downtown Disney?

Really, you’re going to make me choose? It definitely depends on my mood, who I’m with and what I’m craving. The good news is there are many fabulous places to eat at downtown Disney District, so whatever you’re craving there’s something for you.

My downtown Disney and go-tos are Tortilla Jo’s, Splitsville and Black Tap, but I do like to keep everything else in rotation. Keep reading for all the details and my in-depth dining reviews.

Do I need a Disneyland ticket for Downtown Disney?

You do not need a Disneyland ticket to visit Downtown Disney. You will have to go through security to enter in this part of the Disneyland Resort “bubble” but again, no Disneyland ticket is required.

A lot of visitors to Disneyland Resort like to come to Downtown Disney to explore or go shopping on the day they get into town from LAX or even pop over to Downtown Disney for a date night, like my husband and I often do.

Do I need a reservation to eat at Downtown Disney Restaurants?

Some advance planning is smart, especially when planning over holidays or Valentine’s Day. You can call restaurants directly for reservations at Downtown Disney, or make your reservations via the Disneyland mobile app.

I highly recommend dining at Downtown Disney before arriving for a special ticketed event like Oogie Boogie Bash.

I’ve had the best walk-up experiences (arriving with no prior reservations) at Splitsville and Tortilla Jo’s. We especially like Splitsville for its ability to seat large groups of 15 or more, even as a walk up. 

Eating at Downtown Disney is also an excellent option when snagging dining reservations inside Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure are hard to come by. Most restaurants in downtown Disney also have a quick service counterpart so you can get select menu items to go or to eat at a walk up table.

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Downtown Disney Restaurant List

Dining at Downtown Disney makes for a romantic date night or can be a great way to unwind from a day spent at the parks. You can call restaurants directly for reservations at Downtown Disney, or make your reservations via the Disneyland mobile app.

Here’s a list of all the Downtown Disney Restaurants to choose from.

• Asian Street Eats closed January 2021.

• Ballast Point. Ballast Point is Downtown Disney’s first brewery. Check out my review here.
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer. Black Tap opened spring 2019 and shakes will never be the same. See our full review here. 
• Catal Restaurant closed April 2023

• Din Tai Fung coming soon to the westside of Downtown Disney.
• Earl of Sandwich. OPEN (again!) Earl of Sandwich got the axe in 2018, and 2022 but is back in 2023.  Read our detailed review of Earl of Sandwich here.
• ESPN Zone Restaurant. closed June 2018
• La Brea Bakery Cafe  closed January 2023

• Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria. Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria just completed an extensive renovation in 2019.Come here for a relaxing pizzeria, expansive bar, indoor and outdoor seating with the charm and comfort of southern Italy. Read our detailed review of Naples Pizzeria here.

• Rainforest Cafe closed June 2018
• Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio. Jazz Kitchen is Louisiana fresh paired with southern hospitality. It’s currently getting a remodel so new pics will be coming. Read our detailed review of Jazz Kitchen here. 
• Porto’s Bakery is coming soon to Downtown Disney where La Brea Bakery used to be. Porto’s is a family favorite and we can’t wait to have it at Downtown Disney. 
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes. Yup! You can eat and bowl at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, and we’re not just talking basic bowling or basic food. Read our detailed review of Splitsville Luxury Lanes here.

• Tortilla Jo’s. Tortilla Jo’s is a Downtown Disney staple with a vibrant south-of-the-boarder feel with live entertainment and various indoor and outdoor dining spots. Don’t miss the made to order guacamole. See my full review here.

• UVA Bar closed April 2023

Quick Bites & Treats at Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is filled with places to get a quick bite to eat or a special sweet treat. Here’s the complete list of quick places to eat or snack at Downtown Disney.

• Black Tap has a window just to order CrazyShakes on the go! Don’t miss it!
• Earl of Sandwich. OPEN (again!) Earl of Sandwich got the axe in 2018, and 2022 but is back in 2023.  Read our detailed review of Earl of Sandwich here.
• Jamba. Formerly known as Jamba Juice, it’s now just Jamba. They serve refreshing smoothies on a hot summer day or the perfect way to boost your energy if you skipped breakfast in an effort to be at the park for rope drop. 
• Jazz Kitchen Express with their famous beignets! See my review of Jazz Kitchen here. 
• La Brea Bakery Express closed January 2023

• Marcelines Confectionery. You won’t find this listed as a dining location, but it’s stocked full of the famous Disneyland fresh candy apples and tons of tempting treats. Plus, grab some snacks for the parks or as an edible souvenir.

• Napolini Pizzeria is located right next to Naples, serving a menu of pizzas by the slice.
• Salt & Straw for hand-crafted ice cream. You won’t find flavors like this anywhere else. Here’s my Salt & Straw savings hack. 
• Sprinkle Cupcakes closed April 2023

• Starbucks. Everything you expect from the Starbucks chain, grab it and head on over to Disneyland. Plus, this is the only place open in Downtown Disney early enough to get you in for park opening.
• Taqueria at Tortilla Jo’s has drinks and that guacamole you’ve been craving, plush other quick, fresh Mexican flare.
• Wetzel’s Pretzels. Quick snack stop with soft, giant pretzels, lemonade and drinks.
• Snack carts featuring churros and other eats can also be found throughout Downtown Disney.

There’s not just food—you can find tons of Disney shopping from World of Disney to Disney Home, Disney Dress Shop and more. But the big question is, where will you choose to eat at Downtown Disney District?