You TL;DR Guide to Eating At California Adventure
TL;DR: Carthay Circle, under the direction of Chef Andrew Sutton, is a fine dining option in Disney’s California Adventure (Anaheim, CA, USA). An entree typically costs $35-60, making it one of the more expensive options between both parks. However, with high quality ingredients, a beautiful interior, and amazing staff, the overall experience can provide a bit of luxury on your next Disney day.
- The Logistics and Some FAQs
- What Makes Carthay Circle Special?
- What Do they Serve?
- The Final Verdict: Is it Worth it?
- Conclusion
- Explore More of Orange County
It’s currently Food & Wine Festival at Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) and there are a plethora of dining options (I found the Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew to be amazing, btw). However, even without the current festival, there are a lot of eating venues to check out. And with only so much time during your trip, you may want to know what restaurant is actually worth it for you.
I have a few casual favorites I love to visit, but there are times when I’m looking for a real treat-yourself dining experience. When that’s the case, Carthay Circle is one of the first places that comes to mind. As one of the more expensive restaurants in both parks, Carthay Circle is certainly a special eatery. However, that raises the question – is Carthay Circle worth the time and money on your trip to Disneyland and California Adventure?
Related: A Sneak Peak at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The Logistics and Some FAQs
How to Find Carthay Circle
Located down Buena Vista Street, just past the fountain sits Carthay Circle. Designed after the historic Los Angeles theater, this beautiful building is pretty easy to find. Once you enter the building, you’ll find yourself in Carthay Lounge, a scaled back version of the restaurant with cocktails and smaller bites. The actual restaurant is located on the second floor.
How to Make a Reservation at Carthay Circle
Now, I have been able to get a seat at Carthay as a walk-in, but that was pre-pandemic. These days, it’s best to make your reservation ahead of time – although there are sometimes are a few options for same-day reservations (so it’s certainly worth stopping by if you forgot to make a reservation earlier). The upstairs restaurant is currently only open for dinner, but the rumor is that a lunch-opening is on the horizon.
Is Carthay Circle Okay for Kids?
Yes, Carthay Circle is okay for kids. However, I recommend using your best judgement to decide if the kiddos in your life will enjoy sitting still for a bit. The kids menu is also good and the staff are extremely catering to guests of all ages.
Is there a special dress code?
Sometimes, fine dining restaurants will require a special dress code. However, since Carthay Circle is located inside of DCA, then it simply follows DCA dress code (aka whatever you wear to the park is fine for the restaurant – sneakers, ears, and Disney gear are all perfect).
How expensive is Carthay Circle?
Carthay Circle is definitely one of the more-expensive options in the park, with an entree costing around $35-$55 dollars. Once you include in sides, drink, and dessert, then the total bill can really add up.
What Makes Carthay Circle Special?
Carthay Circle is one of Disneyland and California Adventure’s fine dining restaurants. With a luxe-interior and excellent customer service, Carthay Circle certainly feels like a luxurious experience.
Disneyland is famous for Napa Rose and Club 33, exclusive restaurants that the park has boasted for years. However, people may not realize that both of these restaurants have something else in common aside from the Disney name – Chef Andrew Sutton. Carthay Circle is another one of Chef Sutton’s culinary gems, already letting us know that it has the dining pedigree, if you will, to make a splash on your palate.
What Do they Serve?
The menu does change seasonally, although a few key items have earned a long-standing spot on the menu. In fact, the pork chops are delightful and one of the eatery’s most popular options. I was also able to sample a bit of the lamb during my last visit and it was absolutely spectacular.
During the lent season, there are a few more vegetarian and pescatarian options, like a shrimp and carrot risotto. For other non-meat options, I had the butternut squash gnocchi, which came with a delightful assortment of pears, carrots, and other veggies – wonderful and flavorful.
Carthay Circle is also known for its wine selection, so be sure to ask your server what they’d recommend to accompany your meal. For non-alcoholic beverages, the Twin Bill and Wild Berry Lemonade are definitely crowd-pleasers.
The Final Verdict: Is it Worth it?
With a high price tag and the time needed for a nice sit-down comes the very important question – is Carthay Circle worth it? In my experience, it is most definitely a yes. After my multiple visits and sampling different options, the food absolutely delivers and is consistently delicious. Not only is the food great, the whole experience is pleasant and stress-free (once you accept you’ll be paying a bit of bill). The staff are amazing, the interior is beautiful, and it is so easy to find once you enter the park.
Conclusion
With so much to do at Orange County’s Disneyland and California Adventure, you want to be sure your money is well-spent. If you are hoping to elevate your time at the park and treat-yourself, then Carthay Circle is certainly worth the price tag. What do you think? What are your favorite places to eat in the parks?
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