I’m Reconsidering This Disney California Adventure Restaurant After a Recent Meal Here Really Impressed Me

Disney California Adventure is home to some of the best restaurants at Disneyland Resort. Perhaps it is because the park is leaning into the California theme, or the culinary team still feels the pressure to best the crown jewel across the Esplanade. Or, it may be because the alcohol policy is more relaxed, which leads to more upscale options.

Whatever the reason, the specific dining that we are sharing today has popped out as a recent new favorite in Disney California Adventure that feels miles away from the Disneyland classics. Sitting here, the hustle and bustle fades away even as it goes by just feet from you.

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A New Disney California Adventure Favorite

In the city where I live, one of the best remnants of the 2020 closure era is the parklets that still exist in front of many businesses to allow for outdoor dining and expanded seating areas. One of these expanded seating areas has also stuck around in Disney California Adventure at one of my new favorite restaurants.

Located on the bottom floor of the Carthay Circle Restaurant building is the Carthay Circle Lounge. This “lounge” is really an indoor and outdoor restaurant that benefits from being attached to one of the signature restaurants at the Disneyland Resort. The outdoor dining was first introduced in 2019 and then expanded into fuller, permanent outdoor dining when the parks reopened in 2021.

Carthay Circle is helmed by Chef Andrew Sutton, who is also in charge of Napa Rose, Club 33, and the ultra-exclusive 21 Royal. The restaurants that he influences at the resort invariably have the freshest ingredients, push the envelope most creatively, and frankly cost more than other options at the resort. This lounge is the most casual of the restaurant spaces connected to Sutton. On the menu, he is listed as the culinary director, so we know that his influence is still felt here.

I would compare this restaurant to our favorite secret restaurant at Disneyland, which is my personal choice to enjoy every trip. That restaurant benefits from proximity to Sutton, though it isn't a restaurant that he has direct oversight of.

At one point, I thought of Carthay Circle Lounge as far more of a lounge than a restaurant. Now, though, I am reconsidering after a recent delicious meal here that perfectly balanced lounge food with full entrees.

We were seated at an outdoor high table this summer that afforded us a great vantage point to look out at Buena Vista Street, where all of the people were bustling by. Throughout our meal, we took in the fantastic Five and Dime atmosphere performance and enjoyed the warm summer California evening. We felt far removed from the crowds in our spot.

Based on my recommendation of this spot and the secret restaurant, you can tell that I enjoy this outdoor California ambiance. It’s something that the warm inland Southern California weather in Anaheim lends itself to.

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Food at Carthay Circle Lounge

Turning to the food, we had a couple of fantastic, creative appetizers here and great entrees. The dishes all have a fresh element that really makes them stand out from other theme park fare, but there is something here for everyone.

First, the Spring Rolls with Spicy Crab. These were cold spring rolls with cucumber, edamame, crab, and a Thai basil flavor.

The Moroccan Roasted Chicken Meatballs had a pomegranate relish and tzatziki. These were delicious.

One of us had an entrée as our main course. This is the Chilled Shrimp Escabeche with mango, cucumber, and aqua Chile.

The North African Roasted Organic Chicken Breast with turmeric rice and spicy harissa was moist and filling. The sauce on the rice was a great combination with the chicken. There was no real spicy element to this.

The Filet Mignon Beef Skewers with Peruvian stewed beans were also a hit. The meat was tender and melted in your mouth.

Here is a look at the full food menu for Carthay Circle Lounge.

The service team here was attentive but didn’t rush us at all. I appreciated that the team clearly had the upstairs restaurant training in mind, and there is less of an attempt to turn tables.

There always needs to be a balance between a waiter being efficient for you, the guest, vs. so that they can move you through quickly to get another family seated. This restaurant seemed to balance this nicely.

I’ll be back at the Carthay Circle Lounge again, and I am looking forward to trying the next changes to their ever-evolving menu.

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