What to Eat at California Adventure? The Best Snacks (2024)
If you’ve read my guide to the top things to eat in Disneyland or Disney World, you probably know eating my way around the parks is a huge part of a Disney vacation. However, I’ll branch out and say that I think Disney California Adventure has the best food of them all. This guide to what to eat at California Adventure will simplify what you need to try so you don’t miss out on any of the top hits.
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what to eat in california adventure
Below I list what to eat in California Adventure for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I also share the best sweet and savory snacks to try during your vacation.
What to Eat for Breakfast
Impossible Breakfast Shawarma – Shawarma Palace
Honestly, there aren’t many great breakfast options in the California Adventure park. You are probably best-off grabbing something before you enter the park.
However, the best breakfast in DCA is definitely the breakfast shawarma in Avengers Campus. Its entirely vegan with a vegan egg, impossible sausage, vegan cheese, and a spicy maple syrup in a pita wrap. I am a little creeped out by vegan substitutes, but this wrap is delicious.
The Best Savory Snacks in DCA
Chili Cone Queso – Cozy Cone Motel
This is a great, hearty snack. The meaty chili is layered with shredded cheese and Fritos in a soft, sweet, bread cone. Eat the chili out of the cone, then enjoy the bread cone with the remaining sauce.
Potato Bites with Beer Cheese – Pimm’s Test Kitchen
These potato bites aka tater tots from Pimm’s test kitchen are so good. They’re perfectly crunchy and salty and pair great with the gooey beer cheese.
Asada Fries – Award Wieners
Tbh, most fries are delicious. But these loaded fries with carne asada, cheese, and sauces are amazing. They are also a good boost of protein to keep you going all day.
Sourdough Bread – Boudin Bread Cart
This might seem super basic but the sourdough bread in Disney California adventure is so tasty! It used to be found at the pacific wharf café, but can now be found at the Boudin Bread Cart in San Fransokyo square.
You can also get the bread as a sourdough bread bowl full of soup, perfect for a cooler southern California day.
The Best Sweet Snacks in California Adventure
Jack Jacks Cookie Num Nums
If you read my guide to what to eat in Disneyland, you know I recommend skipping the chocolate chip cookies. For a much better cookie experience, head over to Pixar pier for this amazing treat. The warm, deep-dish cookie is crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
Signature Milkshake – Schmoozies
The signature milkshakes from Schmoozies are one of the tastiest and most instagrammable treats in Disney California Adventure. The flavor rotates, but they are often topped with Oreos that look like Mickey ears. The most recent special was strawberry and banana with Oreo.
It’s Snow-Capped Lemon! – Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
This is a super refreshing summer treat with non-dairy lemon soft serve topped with white chocolate.
What to Eat for Lunch & Dinner in Disney’s California Adventure
Quesabirria Tacos – Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
These are a delicious relative to the birria grilled cheese in Disneyland. These cheesy tacos are filled with tender, flavorful beef and served with a consume to dip in. They also pair amazingly with a tart margarita.
Impossible Falafel Shawarma – Shawarma Palace
All the shawarmas from shawarma palace are delicious. For the lunch or dinner options, I prefer the impossible falafel version (and I’m a meat-lover). The falafel is super flavorful, and the coconut-yogurt sauce pulls everything together.
Not so Little Chicken Sandwich – Pym Test Kitchen
Disney knocked it out of the park with the food and drink options at Pym Test Kitchen in Avenger’s campus. The restaurant is themed around Pym Particles which make things ridiculously large or small. The not so little chicken sandwich leans into this with a huge chicken patty and small bun. Since the bun is so small, picture this as fried chicken versus a chicken sandwich. The chicken is perfectly fried and served with a delicious sauce.
Pimini Sandwich – Pym Test Kitchen
Another great food to eat at California Adventure is the Pimini sandwich from Pyms. This super tasty panini has crisp bread, layers of meat and cheese, and a great sauce.
What to Drink in DCA
Pineapple Passion – Sonoma Terrace
This super refreshing cocktail is a mix of rum, pineapple, and passion fruit.
Margarita – Rita’s Margaritas
The best margaritas in DCA are at Rita’s margaritas. They offer lime, strawberry, and a seasonal flavor either blended or on the rocks. Even if you are getting food at Cocina Mucamonga, get your marg from Rita’s.
Honey Buzz – Pym Tasting Lab
If you like honey, you will like this cocktail. It’s a mix of gin, lemon, and honey with a crystalized honey straw.
Honey Fusion – Pym Tasting Lab
The Honey Fusion tastes a lot like the Honey Buzz, with a hint of beer from the Space Dust IPA that is added.
The #1 Best Food to Eat at California Adventure
If I had to choose just 1 favorite food in California Adventure, it would be the quesabirria tacos. They’re just so flavorful, unique, and well done. Since they come in portions of two tacos, they’re also great for sharing.
The Best Table Service Restaurants in California Adventure
Carthay Circle – Buena Vista Street
Carthay Circle Restaurant, located in the heart of Disney’s California Adventure Park, features elegant and upscale decor, making it perfect for romantic dinners or special occasions.
They serve California-style cuisine such as grilled steaks and fresh seafood dishes made with only the freshest ingredients. For those looking for lighter options, there are also a range of sandwiches and salads. To top it off the experience, you can choose from an extensive selection of wines and cocktails.
Lamplight Lounge – Pixar Pier
Lamplight Lounge is a trendy spot with classic Californian cuisine and drinks served in an indoor-outdoor setting. The outdoor seating area is especially popular during the summer, with its breathtaking views of Pixar Pier. Inside, there is a wood-paneled bar decked out with cozy chairs.
There are a ton of great food options including lobster nachos and salmon poke. They also serve super fun Mickey-inspired cocktails.
Tips for Dining in California Adventure
Mobile Order – Save yourself hours of waiting in lines by using the mobile ordering feature on the Disneyland app. Simply select a vendor (nearly all offer mobile order), select a return time, choose what you want, then pick it up during your return window. To be sure you get the return time you want, be sure to order early.
Share Portions – Since there are so many great foods to try, and they are a bit overpriced, I highly recommend sharing every item so you can try more foods without breaking the bank or your waistband.
Use Mouse Watcher to Snag Reservations – Most of my top things to eat in Disneyland can be found at quick-service restaurants. However, some items are at table service restaurants. If you want to get a reservation and the venue is booked, you can use the service of Mouse Watcher to set up a personalized notification for only $5. This service helped me secure 2/2 reservations on my most recent trip.
Summary of the best food at california adventure
Disneyland California Adventure has something for everyone when it comes to food. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack on the go or an unforgettable sit down dinner, you won’t be disappointed with the options available.
With so many different delicious meals to choose from, there’s no question that this is the best place to indulge your taste buds and get your fill of California flavor. So grab a bite and enjoy!
Check list of the best California Adventure Food:
- Impossible Breakfast Shawarma – Shawarma Palace
- Chili Cone Queso – Cozy Cone
- Potato Bites with Beer Cheese – Pimm’s Test Kitchen
- Asada Fries – Award Wieners
- Jack Jacks Cookie Num Nums
- Signature Milkshake – Schmoozies
- Quesabirria Tacos – Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
- Impossible Falafel Shawarma – Shawarma Palace
- Not so Little Chicken Sandwich – Pym Test Kitchen
- Pimini Sandwich – Pym Test Kitchen
- Pineapple Passion – Sonoma Terrace
- Margarita – Rita’s Margaritas
- Honey Buzz – Pym Tasting Lab
- Honey Fusion – Pym Tasting Lab
FAQ – What to eat in california Adventure
Yes, you can eat at California Adventure! There area ton of great sit down and quick service restaurants serving every meal, tasty snacks, and drinks.
It’s hard to determine if California Adventure has better food than Disneyland, but I’d venture to say yes it does. In fact, my favorite Disney food, birria tacos, can be found in the California Adventure park.
You can bring in any food and non alcohol drinks to California Adventure. However, no glass containers are allowed and everything must be stored in your bag.
Related Posts:
- 2 Day Disneyland Itinerary – Are Two Days In Disneyland Enough?
- What To Eat In Disneyland – Ultimate Foodie Guide
- What To Wear To Disneyland In The Summer | Outfit Ideas & Packing List
- 10 Best Snacks At Disney World | All The Foods You Need To Try
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