Dining Down in New Orleans Square

 

New Orleans Square is home to some of the most delicious food found on Disneyland property! Everywhere from the walk-up Mint Julep Bar to the fine dining Blue Bayou has something great to offer in terms of favourite dishes from the Big Easy. Here is a quick guide on the different dining locations found in New Orleans Square.

Royal Street Veranda: 

This quick service location is found close to the entrance of Pirates of the Caribbean. It is only a walk-up window with limited patio seating so it can be difficult to find a spot but guests are welcome to take their meal elsewhere. There is more seating at the French Market and there are a number of benches along the Rivers of America. Royal Street Veranda generally opens around lunchtime and closes near the end of Park hours. It has the same menu for both lunch and dinner. Royal Street Veranda is well-known for their sourdough bread bowl meals. The different options include: Clam Chowder, Steak Gumbo, and Vegetarian Gumbo. Currently for Pixar Fest there is also a Potato Leek Soup. Royal Street Veranda also serves delicious New Orleans Fritters for dessert. My favourite meal here is the Clam Chowder in a bread bowl.

Mint Julep Bar:

The Mint Julep Bar is another walk-up window quick service location. It can be found on the backside of the French Market, close to the New Orleans Square Railroad Station. The Mint Julep Bar does not have its own designated seating but shares the seating area with the French Market. This dining location is well-known for two items, two very tasty items: non-alcoholic Mint Juleps and Mickey Mouse shaped Beignets. Classic Beignets are always served as well as another option of a rotating specialty Beignet. Currently the specialty flavour is strawberry. Other flavours tend to be pumpkin in the Fall months, gingerbread around Christmas, and lemon-blueberry for Mardi Gras. Throughout the year, other random flavors pop up such as watermelon chili-lime. The Beignets come in 3 or 6 packs.

French Market:

The French Market is a quick service restaurant with outdoor seating. It is located near the New Orleans Railroad Station. It is open for lunch and dinner offers the same menu for both meals. Menu items include: French Dip Sandwich, Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Jambalaya, and Royal Street Chicken Caesar Salad. My favourite meal here is the French Dip Sandwich. French Market has a stage for live entertainment such as the Royal Street Bachelors or the Jambalaya Jazz Band who play periodically throughout the day.

Cafe Orleans: 

Cafe Orleans was originally known as the Creole Café when New Orleans Square first opened and was allegedly one of Walt’s favourite restaurants at Disneyland. It is located right in between Royal Street Veranda and the French Market at 15 Orleans Street. Cafe Orleans offers both indoor and outdoor seating and can be requested at check-in. Reservations are recommended for this table service restaurant and can be made starting at 60 days in advance. Reservations can be made on the Disneyland website, app, or by calling (714) 781-DINE. It is open for lunch and dinner and currently offers the same menu for both meals. Some of the menu items include: Monte Cristo Sandwich, Three-Cheese Monte Cristo, Steak and Potatoes, Shrimp and Grits, and Bourbon Street Chicken. My favourite meal here is the Monte Cristo Sandwich.

Blue Bayou: 

The Blue Bayou might arguably be Disneyland’s most famous restaurant. This restaurant is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at 31 Royal Street and has an unforgettable atmosphere as guests dine under the twinkling stars and fireflies in the bayou. The Blue Bayou is a table service restaurant but is classified as a unique/themed dining experience according to the Disneyland website. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. It is open for lunch and dinner and offers separate menus for the two meals. Some of the lunch items include: Monte Cristo Sandwich, Rack of Lamb, Pan-seared Salmon, Jambalaya, Vegetable Pasta, Bone-in Rib-eye, Bone-in Pork Loin, and Roasted Chicken Maison. The dinner menu adds items such as: Surf and Turf, and Seafood Pasta, but takes away the Monte Cristo Sandwich and the Jambalaya. My favourite meal here is the Surf and Turf. The Blue Bayou usually offers dining packages and currently has dining packages for Fantasmic! This package includes a three course meal and reserved seating for Fantasmic! Prices are $59/adult and $29/child for lunch and $69/adult and $29/child at dinner.

Next up: Club 33! Just kidding…unless someone can pull some strings and get me in!