26 Best Disney California Adventure Food Options
Today we are going to give you a list of the best Disney California Adventure food options! The food in California Adventure blows Disneyland out of the water. If this is your first time to Disneyland, you are in for a treat!
The California Adventure food is so GOOD!!! My family has been to Disneyland and California Adventure more times than we can count. We love it! We have enjoyed most of the restaurants and many many California Adventure snacks.
In this post, we are going to break the best food at California Adventure into three categories: The best California Adventure snacks, the best quick-service places to eat at California Adventure, and the best restaurants in California Adventure.
The food at California Adventure is AMAZING! I can not wait to share with you my favorite Disney California Adventure food, snacks, and the best California Adventure restaurants!!!
I like to snack, so let’s start with the best Disney California Adventure food in the snack department.
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Best Snacks at California Adventure
I have put together 14 of the best treats at California Adventure. I have ordered them starting with my favorites. Some are California Adventure desserts and others are more savory and salty California Adventure snacks!
For the most part, I will not include specialty items sold during the Disneyland Halloween Party or the Christmas season. I believe you should be able to get these California Adventure treats year-round.
My Top 4 Favorite California Adventure Snacks
- Churro Toffee
- Almond Toffee
- Ghirardelli Ice Cream
- Adorable Snowman Frosted Treat
I am excited to know what your favorites are. Please comment below and let me know!
1. Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
Location: Adorable Snowman Frosted Treat – Pixar Pier
Favorite Item: Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait
Price Range: $5 – $8 (you can get these frosted treats with alcohol for double the price.)
This was one of my favorite treats at California Adventure! It is so good! Here is the funny thing, this is actually a plant-based and non-dairy food option at California Adventure.
I do not follow any specific diet, I just wanted something delicious and refreshing. My plan is to get this California Adventure treat every time I visit DCA. It is so amazing! This is one of the best California Adventure Snacks!
2. Churro Toffee
Location: Trolley Treats Candy Shop (Located at the front of the park.)
Favorite Item: Churro Toffee (I will list a few more of my favorites from this location below)
Price Range: $5.50 and up
If you are a toffee fan, the churro toffee is so good! It makes the top of my list!
The Trolley Treat Candy Shop is located at the front of the park. You can easily grab this California Adventure snack as you exit the park.
3. Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums
Location: By Pixar Pier near Incredi-Coaster
Favorite Item: Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num
Price Range: $6 and up
There is something about a fresh chocolate chip cookie, you know what I mean. I think this California Adventure snack is no exception. The line is always long! That is a good sign!
I would go with a chocolate chip cookie, however, there are a few cookie choices available if you happen to need a gluten-free option. Disney is so great at accommodating dietary needs.
4. Ghirardelli Soda Fountain Ice Cream
Location: Pacific Wharf
Favorite Item: Mint Bliss Chocolate Mint Sundae
Price Range: $3 – $20
I think the main reason the California Adventure food is so much better than Disneyland is that DCA is bringing the best of California to Disney’s California Adventure. This includes some of the famous restaurants and snack options.
A little taste of San Francisco is offered at DCA. Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolates are so good. The menu is huge! We have tried many many flavors and honestly, all of them are amazing.
5. Cozy Cone Motel
Location: Cozy Cone 3 at Cars Land
Favorite Item: Bacon Mac and Cheese
Price Range: $10
The Cozy Cone area is full of snacks. However, the bacon mac and cheese is at the top of my list. Each cone in this area offers different snacks. Cone #3 is where you will want to go to get this California Adventure snack!
6. Almond Toffee
Location: Trolley Treats Candy Shop (Located at the front of the park.)
Favorite Item: Almond Toffee
Price Range: $10+
It is kind of funny how I decided to buy this one. I was looking for some California Adventure food with a little protein. I totally read the nutrition facts on the back wrong. So in my head, I was thinking this is great!
This is not a healthy product however, it is now one of my favorite treats at California Adventure! It is so delicious. It is nice to have a bag throughout the day to share with others.
7. Giant Pretzel at Pym's Test Kitchen
Location: Pym’s Test Kitchen
Favorite Item: Giant Quantum Pretzel
Price Range: $13+
Pym’s Test Kitchen is so fun! Inspired by Ant-Man, it offers BIG and little dishes. If you are looking for food in California Adventure to share, this pretzel is perfect. It is so big!
8. Sourdough Bread
Location: Pacific Wharf
Favorite Item: Sourdough Bread
Price Range: $10+
Another San Francisco-inspired food in California Adventure is Sourdough bread from the famous Boudin Bakery. It is made fresh daily on the Pacific Wharf. You can actually go on a free bakery tour and see how the bread is made. You will also get a free sample of the bread on the tour.
If you love it go ahead and buy a Mickey Sourdough to enjoy as you walk around the park. It is really good and filling. In fact, this might be one you could eat as a meal or a snack! It is also a great item to share.
9. Mickey Baked Goods
Location: Trolleys Candy Shop (Located at the front of the park.)
Favorite Item: Giant Cookies
Price Range: $5+
The baked goods are located behind a glass cabinet. I really don’t know if you can go wrong when choosing a snack. These items are baked fresh daily. They are cute and delicious.
Trolley’s Candy Shop is a great place to grab a quick snack. California Adventure food and snack options here are delicious.
10. Clarabelle's Hand Scooped Ice Cream
Location: Buena Visita (Located in the front of the park.)
Favorite Item: Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Bar
Price Range: $6+
If you are in the mood for ice cream, this California Adventure dessert is perfect. The ice cream is really good however, I think the hand-dipped ice cream bar wins because it is a fun experience.
This is a great choice for a California Adventure snack on a hot day.
11. Schmoozies
Location: Hollywood Land
Favorite Item: Shakes
Price Range: $7+
So Schmoozies is hit or miss. The seasonal or special offerings are where it is at. These shakes are beautiful. Seriously, they are Instagram-worthy!
Schmoozies is a great place to get drinks at California Adventure. Many people hit this location early in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up.
12 Mickey Rice Crispy Treat
Location: Trolley Candy Shop (Located in the front of the park.)
Favorite Item: Rice Crispy Treat
Price Range: $5+
Again another winner at Trolleys Candy Shop. The Mickey rice crispy is delicious. There are a few flavors that you have to try. M&M and Reeses Pieces are my recommendations.
This is a quick option for a California Adventure treat.
13. Classic Churro
Location: Various Places Around DCA
Favorite Item: Churro
Price Range: $5+
Senor Buzz Churro’s is located near Toy Story Mania. If you want a plain churro you can stop at any churro cart. If you want a specialty churro you will have to do a little more research.
Senor Buzz offers calente churros. Other carts have different options. Churros are one of the most popular California Adventure foods!
14. Poultry Palace - Chicken Drumstick
Location: Pixar Pier
Favorite Item: Chicken Drumstick Box
Price Range: $5+
This is another snack shack that has two California Adventure food items worth mentioning. The turkey leg and the chicken drumstick box.
I am not a fan of turkey legs however, I know so many people live for them. So if you are looking for the famous turkey leg you will find it at the Poultry Palace.
The drumstick box is super juicy and could be considered a snack or a meal. It is delicious. However, the side of coleslaw isn’t anything to write home about!
Quick Service California Adventure Food
If you are not familiar with the lingo, Disney has dining vocabulary words you need to know. We already talked about the California Adventure snacks, now we are moving on to food at California Adventure that is quick and easy.
Disney Mobile Ordering
Disney calls this Quick-Service. They have even made it easier with the addition of Disney’s Moblie Ordering. As long as you have the Disneyland App you can pre-order all your food at California Adventure. It is amazing!
Quick Service is basically fast food. You will not have a waiter or waitress. You can order at the counter or through the app. There are usually seating options all around.
If you are looking for California Adventure food that is more filling, get ready because you are in for a treat. DCA has some great options!
My Top 3 Favorite California Adventure Food Options -Quick Service
- Pym’s Test Kitchen
- Pacific Wharf Cafe
- Cocina Cucamonga
15. Pym's Test Kitchen
Location: Avengers Campus
Favorite Item: Cinna-Pym Toast (breakfast) and Not so Little Chicken Sandwich (lunch/dinner)
Price Range: $10+
I have already mentioned Pym’s Test Kitchen, as a great place to get a snack, but if you want to find the best breakfast at California Adventure or an incredible lunch, this is the place.
Pym’s Test Kitchen is probably one of the best places to eat at California Adventure. The food is themed so perfectly. It was a great addition to DCA and has some of the best food at California Adventure!
Breakfast Food at California Adventure
Pym’s Test Kitchen menu for breakfast is so fun! There are only a few options and they are reasonably priced. My favorite was the Cinna-pym toast. It is delicious! I love how they plate everything at this restaurant.
Lunch and Dinner at Pym’s Test Kitchen
If you are around for lunch or dinner you have to try the Not so-Little Chicken Sandwich. It is big enough for two people to share. This is another amazing plated dish! You really can’t go wrong with the food at Pym’s.
16. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
Location: Pacific Wharf
Favorite Item: Quessa Birria
Price Range: $11+
I have eaten at Cocina Cucamonga a few times. If you order the right thing it is amazing. I suggest ordering the Quessa Birria. It is so good!
I messed up the last time I went and order another menu item and I was not impressed. In fact, I didn’t like it at all!
17. Pacific Wharf Cafe
Location: Pacific Wharf
Favorite Item: Cheese and Broccoli Soup or Mac and Cheese with a Bread Bowl
Price Range: $12+
The Pacific Wharf Cafe features bread from the famous Boudin Bakery in San Francisco.
My favorite item at Pacific Wharf is the cheese and broccoli soup. It is out of this world good. However, it isn’t always offered. We seriously ate lunch and dinner at the Pacific Wharf Cafe because it was unbelievably good.
Mac and Cheese Bread Bowl
I would rate the Pacific Wharf Cafe as one of the best places to eat at California Adventure. If you love clam chowder or mac and cheese, these are also great options.
Hopefully, when you go they will have the cheese and broccoli soup. It is the best food at California Adventure.
18. Flo's 8 Cafe
Location: Cars Land
Favorite Item: Chicken and Fries
Price Range: $12+
Flo’s 8 Cafe is where you will want to take the kids. They have classic Chicken Fingers (AKA Chicken Fenders). They are served with fries and are seriously a good traditional American meal perfect for kids.
I highly suggest using mobile ordering at this location!
19. Smoke Jumpers Grill
Location: Grizzly Peak
Favorite Item: Double Cheese Burger
Price Range: $12+
Smoke Jumpers Grill is one of the best quick-service restaurants at California Adventure for all American food. It is another great place to take the kids. There are chicken fingers and fries. My favorite is a classic double-cheese burger.
There are also vegan options at Smoke Jumpers Grill.
20. Hot Dogs
Locations: Award Wieners, Angry Dogs, Corn Dog Castle
Favorite Item: Hot Dog/Corn Dog
Price Range: $8+
Let’s start with Angry Dogs. It is located near Pixar Pier. It is known for its HOT HOT Dogs. These are spicy dogs. They also have a slightly annoyed hot dog that is not spicy. This is the least expensive place to get a normal hot dog.
Award Wieners has loaded hot dogs with bacon or chili. It is located in Hollywood land. You can also get film strip fries.
Corn Dog Castle is located at Paradise Gardens Park. Corn Dogs are a great snack or meal. In fact, Corn Dog Castle has a California Adventure breakfast option. I bet you weren’t expecting that! They actually have a sausage and egg corn dog option.
21. Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
Location: Paradise Gardens Park
Favorite Item: Pasta
Price Range: $10+
If you are in an Italian mood, hop over to boardwalk pizza and pasta. The chicken tomato pesto is where it is at. The pasta is much better than the pizza. However, if you have picky eaters, you really can’t go wrong with pizza.
There are gluten-free options as well.
22. Shawarma
Location: Avengers Campus
Favorite Item: New York’s Tastiest
Price Range: $13+
Are you a Marvel fan? If you are you have to try New York’s Tastiest. I love Marvel but this is not my thing. I watched lots of people eat it and waited for their reactions. I saw lots of people throw it away without eating all of it. The power of observation.
I love the reference to the movies but unless you like really this type of food you might want to choose another option.
23. Lucky Fortune Cookery
Location: Pacific Wharf
Favorite Item: Teriyaki Chicken
Price Range: $12+
If you are looking for something a little different Lucky Fortune Cookery is a great option. It is a solid restaurant with some good options. It isn’t amazing but will do the trick if you are in the mood for Asian food.
Disneyland California Adventure Resturants
Disney dining vocabulary time. Disney has table service, character dining, and fine/signature dining.
Unfortunately, California Adventure does not currently have a character dining experience. You will have to hop over to one of the Disney hotels or Disneyland Park.
California Adventure does have a few fine/signature dining options that are incredible. This type of dining experience is your typical sit-down restaurant with a waiter. The California Adventure food options are excellent.
My Top Pick for California Adventure Restaurants
- Lamplight Lounge
24. Carthay Circle Restaurant
Location: Buena Vista Street (Located at the front of the park.)
Favorite Item: Grilled New York Marinated Za’atar
Price Range: $60+ probably more like $100 per person with sides
This is a fine dining experience with exceptional service and atmosphere. The menu is small but has enough choices to have a fantastic meal.
This would be a place to go if you are celebrating a special occasion.
25. Lamplight Lounge
Location: Pixar Pier
Favorite Item: Brunch and Lobster Nachos
Price Range: $20+
Lamplight Lounge is an amazing table service option. It is not as fancy as Carthy Circle. It is extremely popular. You will need to make a reservation at least a month in advance if not more.
The food is amazing but the most popular item is lobster nachos. The Lamplight Lounge bunch menu at California Adventure is awesome!
This area used to be Ariels Grotto’s character dining experience which I am sad went away but the Lamplight lounge is a delicious replacement.
26. Wine Country Trattoria
Location: Pacific Wharf
Favorite Item: Chicken Parmesan
Price Range: $21+
Wine Country Trattoria is a great California Adventure food option. It is reasonably priced and offers an Italian menu slightly better than Olive Garden.
Don’t expect a true wine country experience, you will probably have to travel north to get that. However, you will get a good Italian meal. This is also where to drink in California Adventure.
Best California Adventure Food
Hopefully, this guide to the best California Adventure food is helpful and you now know what to eat at California Adventure! There are so many delicious items to choose from. I think honestly, you can find something at every location that you will love.
What is the Best Thing to Eat at California Adventure?
My favorite types of Disneyland souvenirs are snacks! I love eating the fun Disney foods!
If you are in the mood for something a little different you can easily hop out of the park and eat in Downtown Disney. There are lots of great options there.
Another thing I love about Disneyland is that there are so many hotels close to Disneylandthat you can easily go back to rest and eat at your hotel.
Getting Ready to Plan A Trip?
Be sure to check out Get Away Today. They are amazing and know everything about Disneyland! I also love using David’s Vacation Rentals if I am planning on staying at a Disney resort. It will save you so much money!
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Sign me up for the Giant Quantum Pretzel ! We tend to limit eating in restaurants in Disney Parks because it can take up so much precious time. I didn’t know about Disney Mobile ordering: thanks for the great tip!
That pretzel was huge! Such a great snack to share!
Churro Toffee??! That looks amazing! Disney has definitely perfected on-the-go food! Those cozy cones are such a smart idea! All of these Disney California food options look great!
The Churro Toffee was really good!
Oh, how delicious! We have another trip coming up to Disneyland next month, and these Disney California adventure food options will be going on our list. Even if we only get to try one, it will be great!
For sure! I hope you try something delicous!
The food options at Disney CA look amazing! Now I’m hungry for some good ‘ole mac-n-cheese 😅
That mac n cheese was delicous!
I love posts like this! And it’s funny how different the food is from Disney World! Thanks for the inspiration
I love that a lot of it is inspired by the best of California.
It is a good thing there is so much walking and running involved with a visit to any Disney park.
I know right! I have to take over 20,000 steps to feel good about eating so much!
Love to get food recommendations from people who have been to Disney Calfornia Adventure many times. I might fill up on some of your favourite snacks alone. Although it might be hard to pass on the fun shaped sourdough bread. Any soup in a bread bowl will tempt me for lunch. We sure would not leave hungry!
Eating is my favorite part of California Adventure!
Oh my! All of these treats look so magical. I could go here and just eat all day!! My favorite has to be the super cute Mickey sourdough! Did you eat all of these 🙂
We have been many times, so every time we go we try out something new. Plus, we have 6 people in our family so we ended up buying lots of snacks!
I love that Disney California Adventures has so many different choices. I think I’d like Cinna-pym toast the best.
It was good! I love how creative that restaurant is!
Oooooh, yum! I would love the almond toffee or the ghiardelli chocolate ice cream.
Both great choices!
oooo I love anything Ghiradelli! My kids would definitely drag me to get bacon mac n cheese though! All these disney adventure foods look so fun, and so yummy!
We had to get the mac n cheese!
Wow! Everything looks delicious. The Adorable Snowman Frosted Treat looks especially yummy. And of course Ghirardelli. This post made me hungry. Thanks for sharing
I love the food at Disney!
This is an amazing list! It’s really challenging for me to eat at most theme parks though. I’m vegan and gluten free and low sugar.
Disney does amazing with having gluten free and diary free options. It is really nice. Low sugar might be a problem:)
Was looking for more keto type snacks. I’ll have to go with the shawarma! I do love shawarma so we’ll see how it goes. By the way, shawarma isn’t Indian and it shouldn’t be spicy (hot). It is Mediterranean and they don’t do hot foods really. Spicy as in flavorful, yes. But not hot.
Okay, good to know! I was a little too afraid to try it!