I’ve Written About Disneyland For 13 Years, This is the SECRET Restaurant I Eat at Almost Every Trip

There are so many great Disneyland restaurants and we have tried every single one of them. From quick service treats to sit down longer meals, there are so many different options to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort.

In recent years one Disneyland dining option has stood out to me. Located outside of the theme parks this sit-down restaurant is a favorite because it delivers super high quality food and an upscale quiet environment away from the Disneyland crowds that I can walk up to with minimal wait. It has become the restaurant that I eat at the most when I am not reviewing new food at Disneyland.

I've written about Disneyland for 13 years and a member of our Mickey Visit team is in Disneyland EVERY single week to bring you the latest from the theme parks. Today I want to share my secret gem restaurant that is worth your time on your next trip.

Disney's Grand Californian Craftsman Bar Restaurant

The Craftsman Bar is a relaxing full restaurant location just outside of the Disney's Grand Californian entrance into Disney California Adventure – one of the great perks for onsite hotels. The restaurant is poolside with a table area and a bar below a trellis which creates a stunning Southern California setting. Though “bar” is in the name, this restaurant is great for the entire family.

This is a blog post that I have started to write about 4 times and then stopped because I didn't want to give away the secret or something more pressing came up. Once I realized that every single time I told any friends visiting the parks that they had to try this spot, I decided it was only fair to share it with you because that is the point of this site to begin with.

👉🏽CLICK HERE to See the Secret Dining Room in Disney California Adventure That Anyone Can Access

Plus, we already share it as one of our top Disneyland restaurants in the list that I linked at the top of the article.

The Craftsman Bar was added during a renovation that opened up the pool area at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. The restaurant features a menu filled with fresh food that is quite the opposite of the corn dogs that you'll find a couple hundred hards away at the crow flies at Corn Dog Castle.

Those great Disneyland theme park foods are delicious, but sometimes I just need something healthy and fresh especially when I am eating at the resort for a week straight.

On the menu here I love items such as the poke bowl, burger (the exact fixings are always rotating and always good), seared salmon salad, and the forest mushroom impossible sausage pizza (hold the faux sausage).

My favorite burger in the past was the Mediterranean offering seen above.

The poke bowl is my go to order here. They really deliver a fresh, delicious, bowl! I wish I could just eat this picture right now.

The menu has something for everyone with chicken wings, baked nachos, and fish and chips. You really can't go wrong with any order. Somehow the food quality here is just higher than in the theme parks. The pricing for these food items does match, but I believe it's totally worth it.

The breakfast option here is also delicious and a great option for those to circle back to after rope drop in Disney California Adventure.

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The same menu as the Craftsman Bar is served up in the Craftsman Gril right next-door. I prefer to order and sit down at the Craftsman Bar rather than the Craftsman Grill. They have identical food but you order the Craftsman Grill food from a counter and sit down.

If you are an adult enjoying a meal, sitting down at the bar is the best experience. The bartenders are lovely and deliver a superb dining experience.

Sitting here you'll be surrounded by locals and those in the know. They make wonderful cocktails but I often just order food and a much-needed ice water here. Be sure to also ask for the complimentary bar nuts seen below.

During off hours I even feel comfortable pulling out my laptop to get some work done while enjoying this perfect serene space at the bar.

For those who fall in love with this space as I have, there is a wonderful souvenir mug that they sell behind the bar that represents the Craftsman style present throughout the Grand Californian. This subtle design is my kind of souvenir.

This space is removed from Disneyland's crowds and a perfect retreat for those in the afternoon. We advise a mid-day break in our top Disneyland tips article but a long lunch here can be a perfect break from any crowds. Sitting down here affords you the opportunity to enjoy the same great poolside setting that is typically reserved for guests of Disneyland's most expensive hotel.

When a meal here is over, it does feel like you are leaving to head back into battle in the theme parks. I always feel recharged and refreshed after a stop at the Craftsman Bar.

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