We continue our series of ranking the restaurants we’ve been to at Disney Parks. Today we move to counter-service restaurants at Disneyland Resort. The idea of this post is to keep adding to the list as we go more and more places. There are a few rules (more like guidelines) and caveats applied to these rankings.

These rankings include Disneyland, California Adventure, the Disney owned hotels in the area, and Downtown Disney. Disneyland focuses heavily on counter-service restaurants as opposed to table-service restaurants. As the title states, this post is only ranking the restaurants we’ve been to. While that is quite a few it does not come close to all of them. I’m not going to include snack stands (sorry Dole Whip and chimichangas) and a few restaurants will be left out because it has been too long since we have been there. Along with that, we’re leaving bars off of the lists, despite our affection for Trader Sam’s and, to a lesser degree, Oga’s Cantina. If we’re missing one of your favorites from the list, leave us a comment and we’ll be sure to try that place next time!

In these rankings I will try to balance all of the factors – value, quality of food, atmosphere, etc. To be honest, I rely more heavily on the quality of food than other factors because most restaurants tend to have a similar price range and counter-service places usually don’t excel in atmosphere. If we have a review to a certain restaurant then it is linked in that restaurant’s name. Let’s get to the rankings!

35. Pym Test Kitchen (California Adventure) – Sadly, the Avengers Campus restaurant is the worst of any counter-service place we’ve tried. The food we had was stale and without sufficient flavor. The atmosphere is fine and there are some nice moments inside of the ordering bay but the seating is nondescript. Overall, Pym Test Kitchen is a very disappointing experience. I should go retry it at some point because there are options that I know people like but our experience was apparently scarring.

34. Poultry Palace (California Adventure) – Another entry from California Adventure. This is a snack stand in Pixar Pier that serves some Disneyland Resort classics like a Turkey Leg, Chimichanga and Corn on the Cob. Those are all fine and what we’d recommend getting. The original option is a chicken drumstick meal with coleslaw. It’s not a good option and there’s really no reason to go there, even if they have a crazy mascot that I’ve affectionately nicknamed Sir Poultry Knight.

33. Café Daisy (Disneyland) – The Toontown eatery is largely disappointing. Nothing is horrendous and the food offered won’t make for a terrible meal. But it’s not good either. I like the vegetarian option pretty well, a couple of the drinks and the chili cheese sauce. Runaway Railway is a good reason to visit Toontown, Café Daisy is not.

32. Alien Pizza Planet (Disneyland) – Here lies the classic theme park counter-service option. Pizza Planet looks like a big mess hall with close seating. You grab what you want from the counters up front and then go take your seat under some large alien figures. It’s not great. The pizza is just fine, certainly better than other theme park pizza I’ve had, but nothing to write home about.

31. Smokejumpers Grill (California Adventure) – When people think of bland theme park food, Smokejumpers Grill is basically what comes to mind. The burgers are bland and the menu is boring and overpriced. I would stay away from this place although they have bolstered the menu recently, including some delicious desserts! They also offer some seasonal items that can be good.

30. Corn Dog Castle (California Adventure) – It’s no Little Red Wagon (which ranks much higher on this list) but Corn Dog Castle offers a good corn dog. That makes sense because it’s a castle where corn dogs are king? I’m unclear of the logistics there. Anyway, the food is solid but there’s not much of an atmosphere to talk about.

29. Napolini Pizzeria (Downtown Disney) – The pizza is much better than Alien Pizza Planet so I had to rank it higher. Everything else is worse though so I’m not going to move it up too far. Napolini isn’t much better than the usual fast, casual pizza place. They serve plenty of different varieties of personal pizzas. The seating is limited and all outside but this is a pretty good spot for a late night dinner after the parks close.

28. Red Rose Taverne (Disneyland) – Red Rose Taverne boasts a Beauty and the Beast motif that is cute enough. The menu here is somewhat interesting albeit on the heavier side of things, with the current marquee item being a Disney version of the classic Taco Bell Crunchwrap. I wouldn’t go out of my way to try this but there are worse things to eat in the park!

27. Galactic Grill (Disneyland) – I’ve always had a very low opinion of Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland, to the point where it’s a punch line between Melissa and I. But I’ve slowly been making my way through the menu and I’m honestly halfway impressed. They have the best counter-service salad at Disneyland and the Mushroom Philly is a decent non-meat option.

26. Refreshment Corner (Disneyland) – Sometimes you just really need some chili or a hot dog. Maybe both! Refreshment Corner has you covered with some pretty inventive hot dogs and some hearty chili. The atmosphere is nice enough, being on the corner of Main Street. Shout out to the Spicy Firefly Chips for being Disneyland’s cheapest savory snack!

25. Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (California Adventure) – This quick-service Italian spot in the back of DCA served some surprisingly fresh fare. We’ve enjoyed the specialty pizzas, the wedge salad and the pasta is more than serviceable for being a counter-service restaurant. Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta is also affordable, with no menu item topping $15. It likely won’t blow you away but this is one of the more value-filled options in California Adventure.

24. Tropical Hideaway (Disneyland) – Disneyland’s Tiki Room counter-service has a great atmosphere and offers a few fun treats. Between the array of Dole Whips and Bao Buns, Tropical Hideaway is a good place to grab a snack and watch the Jungle Cruise boats travel by. It’s a little lower on the list because the menu is limited and getting a full meal here isn’t as easy as other places on the list.

23. Royal Street Veranda (Disneyland) – Royal Street Veranda continues to change up their menu, with a whole new set of offerings as of summer 2025. The atmosphere is still fun, sitting in between New Orleans Square and the river.

22. Jolly Holiday Bakery (Disneyland) – If you come to Jolly Holiday Bakery for the treats and Main Street ambiance then you are in good shape. I love the setting and the Raspberry Rose Macaron is one of the best single items in Disneyland. Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same about some of the savory items. They aren’t bad but they aren’t particularly interesting outside of the Grilled Cheese Birria, which is seasonal. Since this ranking is focused more on actual meals you can have, Jolly Holiday ranks pretty low. Come here for dessert though!

21. Ronto Roasters (Disneyland) – There’s a few counter-service places that specialize in one certain thing at Disneyland. Thankfully, that one special thing is usually delicious and that’s the case at Ronto Roasters. The Ronto Wrap is very good, especially the peppercorn sauce. Sitting in Galaxy’s Edge is always a good option too, so points to the atmosphere.

20. Seoul Sister (Downtown Disney) – One of two eateries inside of Downtown Disney’s Parkside Market, Seoul Sister offers Korean rice, noodle or salad bowls. We found all of them to be pretty good, at least on par with what you might find in the real world. The dumplings here were great! On top of that, Parkside Market has a wonderful atmosphere. While it’s nice to have a healthier option, the value is disappointing and make this a harder sell than it should be.

19. Cozy Cone Motel (California Adventure) – This is a little tricky, as the Cozy Cones are actually 4 different snack stands that sell different items. Seeing how they serve some great items, I included the whole group anyway. The Prickly Pear Soda is a favorite of mine. The bread cone filled with chili con queso is one of those items where it looks like it should taste terrible but, while you are eating it, you swear that it’s the best thing you’ve ever tasted. All in all, the Cozy Cones serve some of the best food in California Adventure, even if that food doesn’t look particularly appetizing.

18. Troubadour Tavern (Disneyland) – Like Bengal Barbecue and the next pick, Troubadour Tavern specializes in one item – Baked Potatoes. Fortunately, the little quick service spot across from It’s a Small World does them really well. There’s a few other options here that have become more creative in recent years but the Baked Potatoes are the star of the show. There isn’t much seating here but it is in a nice corner of the park that is pleasant to relax in.

17. Rancho Del Zocalo (Disneyland) – Sadly, Rancho is not what it used to be. The atmosphere is still phenomenal but the food hasn’t been nearly as good since reopening in 2021. I miss the Carne Asada and Enchilada platter. That said, I think this is one of the best spots to sit in all of Disneyland and the food is still decent and fairly priced.

16. GG’s Chicken Shop (Downtown Disney) – We have reached the Downtown Disney section of the post! GG’s is another counter-service option inside of Parkside Market, so the atmosphere is quite nice. On top of that, this is a good chicken sandwich! The problem with this place, like Seoul Sister, is the value. But I like the food and atmosphere quite a bit.

15. Tiendita (Downtown Disney) – This new counter-service spot in Downtown Disney has an elaborate menu serving delicious Mexican food. Honestly, the food here is top ten worthy but we’ll see if they maintain the quality over the coming months. The Carne Asada Burrito is my current favorite. Tiendita’s downside is there is absolutely no seating, meaning that it has no atmosphere. That it ranks this high tells you how much I enjoyed the food.

14. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (Downtown Disney) – The actual cuisine here is higher quality than most on the list, as the burger patties are among the best in the whole resort and the menu is more eclectic than one might imagine. The reason this doesn’t crack the top 10 is because the prices are more on par with a table-service restaurant and the atmosphere doesn’t reach those heights. Overall, it’s a good place to grab a burger if you’re willing to spend a little more but there are better options.

13. Bengal Barbecue (Disneyland) – One of the better values anywhere at Disneyland, Bengal Barbecue offers meat (and other) skewers. The price is around $10 and the product is typically delicious. This is a little lower in the rankings because the menu isn’t very large and might not be a great place for a full meal. I think this spot is a little overrated compared to other Disneyland-goers. For a filling snack or light lunch, this is a fantastic place to go.

12. Little Red Wagon Corn Dogs (Disneyland) – This is another case of “if they served more, then this would be higher.” I love the corn dogs at the Little Red Wagon and recommend them to everyone, even if they don’t like corn dogs. Eating here is a Disneyland rite of passage and one of the cheaper, delicious meals you can have at the park.

11. Flo’s V8 Cafe (California Adventure) – This one is tricky. I had the dinner at Flo’s a few years ago and loved the fried chicken. That has fallen some in quality and the price is high. There’s not much variety in the offerings but what they serve is good and simple. As far as meals I crave, Flo’s fried chicken is near the top of the list so I kept this pretty high in the rankings! If fried chicken isn’t your thing, this would fall down the rankings.

10. Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree (Disneyland) – Hungry Bear received a makeover and improved by a wide margin. I’m not just saying this because I love the Country Bears and now the restaurant has a connection to them. That does play a role though! The atmosphere at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is still lovely, sitting alongside Rivers of America. But the most important part of the makeover was a change in menu, switching to barbecue fare. The pulled pork burger and banana pudding are both fantastic, making this one of the more enjoyable spots to sit and have a meal at Disneyland!

9. Harbour Galley (Disneyland) – Sadly, the Lobster Mac & Cheese in a Bread Bowl has come and goes from this place. If it was permanently on the menu, this could rise to the top 5. As is, Harbour Galley offers delicious sandwiches and soup bread bowls with a cute outdoor seating area. While the menu is small and not all that adventurous, this restaurant is consistently delicious.

8. Plaza Inn (Disneyland) – The Plaza Inn is a perfect blend of good food, great location, fun atmosphere and tradition. Famous for their delectable fried chicken, the restaurant serves home-style food in large portions. While the menu isn’t all that exciting, the food fits the time period and setting of Main Street. Frankly, you should get the fried chicken and don’t worry about the rest of the menu. Like the Little Red Wagon, eating here just has a distinct Disneyland feel. The Cast Members clearing plates usually offer up some charming entertainment and the big windows let the sun light up the whole restaurant. It’s a step back in time at the end of Main Street. Combine that with delicious fried chicken and that’s why it is firmly in the top 10. The downside is that the prices are too high at this point.

7. Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo (Disneyland) – Docking Bay 7 follows Galaxy’s Edge’s lead with an immersive theme. Unfortunately, the theme is far less interesting than the rest of the land, being a large storage building. Of course, there are still some great details and the restaurant would rank in the top 3 in terms of counter-service atmospheres. The standard menu is slightly underwhelming but the seasonal items here are consistently good.

6. Aunt Cass Cafe (California Adventure) – Formerly Pacific Wharf Cafe, the renamed restaurant has several exciting options including a wonderful Turkey Pesto Club. The bread bowls are delicious and they serve practically everything in them. I’m not a big fan of the seating here (which also pertains to Cocina Cucamonga and Lucky Fortune Cookery) so that doesn’t help but the overhaul has certainly helped things! This continues to rise in our rankings.

5. Lucky Fortune Cookery (California Adventure) – Having a revitalized menu has never helped a restaurant more than Lucky Fortune Cookery. Even before the menu refresh, the food was underrated. That included the wonderful Bulgogi Burrito, a favorite of mine and one of the more creative options in California Adventure. Add in the Birria Ramen and chicken sandwich and we have one of the best counter-service restaurants at Disneyland Resort.

4. Tangaroa Terrace (Disneyland Hotel) – If you are tired of crowds, Tangaroa Terrace is a nice respite. At the Disneyland Hotel, Tangaroa Terrace offers Hawaiian inspired dishes. The menu is interesting and the food is good although a little pricey. Tangaroa Terrace also offers a nice setting, with views around the Disneyland Hotel grounds. Breakfast here is the best counter-service option we’ve found at the resort!

3. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill (California Adventure) – The food here has really improved over the years, with the QuesaBirria being the clear standout. The worst thing I can say about the restaurant is that there are so many good taquerias within 5 miles of the park that it’s hard to fully embrace this one. Still, this stands up to many of those which is impressive! Cocina Cucamonga has become my go to place in California Adventure.

2. Tiana’s Palace (Disneyland) – Disneyland’s French Market replacement makes a strong bid toward the top spot. All of the food is ambitious, bursting with flavor, spice and deliciousness. Tiana’s makes an effort with dietary needs, as well. Factor in an excellent atmosphere, one of the most inviting around, and the restaurant should be a mainstay at the top of this list.

1. GCH Craftsman Grill (Grand Californian Hotel) – Defeating plenty of worthy options for the top spot in these rankings is no small feat but that’s exactly what GCH Craftsman Grill does. Just a few steps outside of California Adventure (use the hotel entrance), GCH has a very relaxed setting that borders on bland. But the food is far from bland. The menu is ambitious and all of the food we’ve tried is very fresh and delicious. The downside here is the price and the atmosphere but the food is good enough on its own to earn the number 1 spot.

Those are my rankings of Disneyland’s counter-service restaurants. I’m looking forward to adding to the list over the years. What would you add or change?  Let us know in the comments! Planning a trip to Disneyland? Check out our planning guide to help you out along the way. This link offers discount tickets to Disneyland Resort. If you enjoy what you’re reading here on Wandering in Disney please subscribe to the blog and like our Facebook page. You can find both of those on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!