Location: Disney California Adventure Park, Carthay Circle/Buena Vista Street
Our Ranking #1 in Table Service Restaurants. Serves Lunch and Dinner
Carthay Circle Lounge is an elegant dining experience themed to Hollywood’s Golden Age at California Adventure Park. The outdoor setting is especially delightful, overlooking the fountain and Buena Vista Street. We usually ask for an outdoor seat if it’s not too cold. We didn’t start eating here until our kids were adults because the food and prices are upscale.
This restaurant is in the same building as the Carthay Circle Restaurant, which is upstairs. The two restaurants have completed different menus. We prefer the Lounge on the first floor more than Carthay Circle Restaurant on the 2nd floor.
Menu Highlights
They serve lunch and dinner (same menu). The menu at Carthay Circle Lounge Alfresco features small plates, tapas-style dishes to share. They offer a mix of seasonal fresh ingredients and a diverse menu. Options include gourmet chicken meatballs, Bao Buns, and fresh salads. They have more variety in their menu than most restaurants in the Parks.
The cocktails are fantastic and beautiful. We go back and forth over which bar is better – Lamplight Lounge or Carthay Circle Lounge. It probably depends on which cocktail you like most. The Tequila Daisy at Carthay Circle is our favorite cocktail.
The dessert menu is limited. They sometimes have an ice cream sundae which is excellent.
Our Favorites at Carthay Circle Lounge Alfresco: Pork Belly Bao Buns; Moroccan Chicken Meatballs; Vietnamese Twice-Cooked Beef Lettuce Wraps; Salmon; Spring Rolls; Strozzapreti Pasta; Salads
Pro Tips
There is indoor and outdoor patio seating. If the weather’s nice, we ask for outdoor, but it’s never guaranteed so it all depends on availability. We’ve gotten lucky and watched a Parade from the dining patio.
You are not limited to the alcohol drinks on the menu. This is a full-service bar with talented bar tenders. You can ask for other drinks and they can often make them for you.
Clubb 33 members enter the 1901 lounge door which is right next to the check in for Carthay. It’s kind of fun to see if anyone comes and enters. You can’t look inside, and the door stays closed.
Ask the Cast Members for their recommendations based on what you like. We find the Cast Members at Carthay Circle Lounge to have excellent knowledge and advice about the food.
Summary
That’s our opinion and yours may be different, of course. We have not tried every menu item, so we only include our favorites based on what we’ve tried.
Carthay Circle Lounge Alfresco is expensive. The small plates have small portions. Almost everything here is exceptionally delicious and it’s our favorite elevated dining experience at Disneyland. We visit here more than any other restaurant.
We think Carthay Circle Lounge is under rated. It’s a hidden gem.
If you’re looking for upscale, high quality food with great variety, then we suggest you try Carthay Circle Lounge.
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