If you think theme park grub is all ice cream, popcorn and nachos, prepare yourself to loosen your belt next time you wind up at Disneyland Resort. With a must-visit Mexican outpost, multiple restaurants serving up Louisiana-style dishes and an entire area catering to San Francisco’s best eats, these parks take their food seriously. (And that’s just inside the gates!) Paired with a plethora of unbeatable desserts, frozen favorites and early morning delights, well, you may be hard-pressed to even find time to get back on a ride between stops.
Our advice? Leave the snacks at home, arrive early, and come hungry, because these fifty indulgences will feel even better than nabbing a coveted Fastpass to Frozen Live at the Hyperion.
Skewers
As one of the quickest and healthiest snacks in the park, Bengal Barbecue's beef, chicken and bacon-wrapped asparagus skewers are a reliable bite.
Monte Cristo
It's so much more than a fried sandwich. The turkey, ham, and swiss-stuffed sustenance found at restaurants throughout New Orleans Square is a Disneyland institution.
Chilaquiles
Drop by Rancho del Zocalo for a Mexican-style breakfast slathered in green sauce that's worth waking up early for.
Lobster Nachos
If you spend the day at Disney California Adventure and somehow don't make it to Cove Bar for this heap of deliciousness, you've missed out.
Mickey Mouse Beignets
Sugar-dusted, deep fried, and sweet as could be—who wouldn't want a bite of Mickey? Find them at Café Orleans or Mint Julep Bar.
Turkey Leg
Larger-than-life turkey legs aren't just good for the 'gram, they're a delicious meaty indulgence from Edelweiss Snacks best split with a friend.
Chimichanga
Believe it or not, Disneyland has fantastic Mexican and Tex-Mex food, like this on-the-go option from Edelweiss Snacks.
Beef Stew
When winter sets in—well, California winter, that is—warm up with a bowl of this French Market Restaurant specialty.
Ice Cream Nachos
The Golden Horseshoe switches up standard sundaes by heaping their massive scoops atop waffle cone chips, concocting the perfect sharable treat.
Lobster Roll
It's easy to breeze past Harbour Galley on your way to Splash Mountain, but this seafaring outpost serves up hefty sandwiches worth stopping for.
Churro Funnel Cake
Hungry Bear Restaurant brings you the best of both dessert worlds with this fried, sugary and cinnamon-tinged delight.
Matterhorn Macaroon
There are many beloved Disneyland attractions, but at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, only one gets the dessert treatment.
Fried Chicken
If you're dining at Plaza Inn, don't skip this crispy, crunchy crowd favorite, which is the best you'll find at Disneyland.
Mickey Mouse Pancake
Because at Rancho del Zocalo, this breakfast is always served up with a pineapple smile.
Enchilada Platter
Skip the standard theme park hot dog and instead opt for Rancho del Zocalo's famed cheese or beef enchiladas.
Mac & Cheese Dog
Deciding what to eat for lunch is never an issue with this bacon-topped dual delicacy from Refreshment Corner.
Cheese-Filled Pretzels
Soft pretzels filled with cream cheese or japaleño cheese, served at Refreshment Corner and Bayside Brews, are always a better choice than the plain ones.
Mickey Waffle
Grab the famous mouse-shaped breakfast at one at Disneyland's hotels, or at Carnation Cafe inside Disneyland park.
BBQ Tofu
Disneyland is surprisingly chock full of vegan eats, like this spicy, seasoned platter from River Belle Terrace.
Gumbo
It's not a trip to N'awlins without some gumbo, and the same is true at Disneyland. Pick up a cup at eateries throughout New Orleans Square.
Chocolate Brownie Funnel Cake
Stage Door Cafe's chocolate-topped specialty is like a sundae that swaps the ice cream for fried, doughy goodness.
Fried Pickles
Parmesan-crusted, deep fried, and served with a house sauce for dipping, this under-the-radar treat from Carnation Cafe is a salty, tangy must.
Dole Whip
Adventureland has some incredible rides, but its undisputed highlight is this classic pineapple soft-serve, served just beyond its entrance.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Troubadour Tavern loads their spuds with cheese, bacon and scallions—or broccoli and cheddar cheese—providing more than enough of a hearty meal while running from ride to ride.
Guacamole
It's fresh, prepared tableside, and if you order it with one of Tortilla Jo's famed margaritas, you'll almost forget you're not inside the park.
24-Layer Chocolate Cake
When it comes to gold and this eye-popping Steakhouse 55 dessert, good things come in counts of 24.
Savory Cones
Grab a bread cone filled with cheesy chili or chicken verde at California Adventure for an only-in-Cars-Land delight.
Doughnuts
Disneyland's newest must-have are these cereal-specked yummies, available in the hub for those perfect castle-front Instagram shots.
Stuffed Sourdough Bowls
If you're looking for an easy lunch between Fast Passes, swing by Pacific Wharf Cafe to grab one filled with delicious mac n' cheese, chicken salad, or clam chowder.
Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Bars
Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars are tough to outshine, but the flavor line-up at Clarabelle's Hand Scooped Ice Cream may just rival them.
Pizza
At Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria in Downtown Disney, the family-sized pizza by the meter is not only massive, but divine.
Chocolate Mousse Brownie
There are almost too many sweets to choose from at Jolly Holiday, but when this massive chocolate brownie is on the menu, the decision is quite easy.
Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits
If you're lucky enough to dine at Carthay Circle, ordering a round of these white cheddar and bacon-stuffed doughy delights is practically mandatory.
Churro
It's not a trip to Disneyland without indulging in one of these cinnamon-sugar delights, available throughout both parks.
Chocolate Twist
It doesn't matter whether you devour one from Maurice's Treats in Disneyland or Cozy Cone Motel in California Adventure, so long as you get your hands on one.
Charcuterie and Cheese Board
Head to Alfresco Lounge at Wine Country Trattoria to travel to wine country without leaving California Adventure park.
Carnitas Nachos
This off-menu behemoth at Grand Californian's White Water Snacks can be ordered as fries, too, but chips are a better choice for scooping up all that meaty goodness.
Flavored Popcorn
Dill Pickle, Sriracha, Garlic Parmesan—you're in for a flavor explosion with whichever taste is being served up at Cozy Cone Motel.
Pomme Frites
Café Orleans' parmesan and garlic-tossed fries are far from ordinary, especially when enjoyed alfresco on the restaurant's terrace.
Brioche French Toast
Indulge in this salted caramel-slathered and banana-topped wonder from Flo's V8 Cafe when making an early morning trip to the parks.
Mickey Sourdough
It's edible, delicious, and in the likeness of Mickey. Who needs a souvenir when Boudin Bakery is cooking these up!
Chocolate Brownie and Strawberry Skewers
Don't miss out—this Shish Kabob of dessert deliciousness can only be found at Paradise Garden Grill.
Tot-chos
Indulge in this inventive take on an old favorite at California Adventure's Studio Catering Co.
Paella
Catal has mastered the art of paella, offering a traditional take, as well as one with chicken, suckling pig or even lobster.
Double Chocolate Bread Pudding Soufflé
If you're pulling out all the stops come dessert time, be sure to plan ahead. This indulgent specialty from Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney takes 25 minutes to bake.
Cheddar Cheese Stick
Disneyland corn dogs are some of the best you'll have, but Corn Dog Castle's cheese-filled version kicks the whole game up a notch.
Tiger Tails
Of Disneyland's many cheerfully decorated marshmallow sticks, Tigger's version at Pooh Corner is the most delightful.
Candy Apples
The ever-rotating designs of these delicate creations orbs sold at both parks are so impressive, you may not want to eat them...but you will.
Sourdough Bacon Cheese Melt
With the best parts of a sandwich and a burger combined, Carnation Cafe serves up one heck of a delight.
Peanut Butter Sandwich
You'll have to walk to the back of the park for Pooh Corner's indulgent delights, but trust us, it's worth it.
