When it comes to dining at Disneyland, you’ve got a TON of options. Want something quick and easy? You’ve got it. Something middle of the road and comforting? Yep, that too. And if you’re looking for something upscale and luxurious, you can find that as well.

We recently stopped by Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Happiest Place on Earth? Find out here!

 

Atmosphere

This restaurant is inspired by the movie theater where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered.

The inside of the restaurant is a movie palace with dark features and intricate details.

There are several kinds of seating like this two-top where we were seated.

You can also be seated in a booth also with those dark, detailed features.

It’s sophisticated, lively, and perfect for a long break from the park. It isn’t loud, but it’s perfectly chatty for relaxed conversation. The service is always impeccable, and this visit was no different!

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

At this restaurant, you can find an extensive cocktail list. It features drinks like the classic martini, negronis, sidecars, and more!

For the food, you can find American-inspired entrees. For lunch, you can try out the Two-Course Pre-Fixe Meal for $59 per adult and $19 per child.

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Eats

First up, we grabbed the Farmers Market Stone Fruit & Burrata Toast! It’s part of the $59 pre-fixe course. This is made with prosciutto and a tomato compote. 

The colors on this dish were amazing and bright! We were super excited to try both this and our entree ever since we saw them, and it didn’t disappoint. The stone fruit tasted like a cherry, just a little earthier and simpler rather than sweet.

The focaccia bread toast had a bit of a herby and cheesy flavor that paired well with the prosciutto and tomato compote. The toast had a nice and crispy layer on the outside with a fluffy inside. The burrata was cool with a whipped texture. It reminded us of light and creamy cheese.

Everything here complemented each other really well! While we have enjoyed other appetizers here in the past, we think this one is hard to beat.

For our entree, we grabbed the Santa Maria Grilled Tri Tip with ranchero black beans, roasted poblano chilies, and fresh corn!

We ordered it to be cooked to Medium, and the restaurant cooked it perfectly with a warm pink center while still being tender. In the future, we might order it medium rare so it’s a bit juicier. That being said, it was still full of flavor and easy to chew.

The corn, beans, and chiles added to the California vibes of this dish, considering tri-tip is native to California and Santa Maria — hence the name of the dish. The corn was sweet, while the beans didn’t add much to the already meaty flavor from the tri-tip. The chilies added more of a sweet flavor than a spice, like we expected.

We would happily get both of these dishes again!

Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Carthay Mai Tai for $21. This is made with Surfrider Rum, Luxardo Maraschino and Orgeat Syrups, pineapple, and fresh citrus juices. It’s topped with Myer’s Original Dark Rum, garnished with an orange wedge and a Luxardo cherry. 

This was heavy on the cherry and pineapple flavors, giving it a strong tropical vibe! There were hints of orange throughout, but the pineapple and cherries were definitely the stronger flavors here.

The rum was mixed in really well. You could taste it a bit, but we’re warning you to be careful. It’s probably stronger than you think! It’s a refreshing drink, perfect if you’re looking for something fruity or tropical.

Nosh or Not

This Disneyland restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You need a break from the chaos of the park
• Want an upscale dining experience
• Or love a prix-fixe dining menu!

You should skip this Disneyland spot if…

• You’re in a rush
• On a budget
• Or want a more relaxed dining experience.

Overall

We love the Carthy Circle Restaurant, and these new items just reiterate those feelings! This prix-fixe dining experience changes seasonally. It’s a great spot to get some amazing food and have a more adult, upscale experience in Disney.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disneyland and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

Disneyland Restaurants Guide

 

Have you eaten at this restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!