The 5 Best California Adventure Restaurants

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Discover the best California Adventure Restaurants Before Your Trip

Across the way from Disneyland is Disney’s California Adventure park. The theme park serves as a contrast of sorts to it’s family-oriented counterpart. While California Adventure is still very much a Disney park, it offers more for adults, and teens aged-out of Disneyland’s kiddie rides.

California Adventure restaurants cater to the sophisticated palette, offering ethnic cuisine and imported alcohol. At California Adventure guests can choose between everything from contemporary American cuisine to popular Italian staples. Learn more about our favorite California Adventure Restaurants before making your Disney dining reservations.

Cozy Cone Motel Restaurant

Cozy Cone Motel – For Snacks

Located inside Cars Land in California Adventure, is the Cozy Cone Motel. Themed after the car-themed motel in the first Cars movie, these quick-service snack stations offer tasty treats for in-between meals. We love churros, but there’s nothing worse than a dry churro. Unlike traditional park churros, the mini churro bites at the Cozy Cone Motel are warm, soft and chewy. Dip them in caramel sauce, or try the cookies and cream churro for an extreme sugar rush. You’ll never waste your money on a regular churro again. Besides churro bites, the Cozy Cone Motel also offers pretzel bites, soft-serve ice cream, chili cones, and popcorn.

Each motel “cone” features a different menu. At the chili cone station, guests can choose between the Chili Cone Queso and Chicken Verde. The Chili Cone Queso is a beef chili topped with cheddar cheese and corn chips. It’s served in a bread cone. Vegetarian chili is also available. The Chicken Verde chili is chicken mixed with salsa verde, topped with queso fresco and served in a bread cone. Besides offering great snacks, the Cozy Cone Motel lights up at night with neon lights. It’s a great place to rest, and you might even get to meet Lightning McQueen.

flos-v8-cafe

Flo’s V8 Café – For the View

Also located in Cars Land is Flo’s V8 Cafe. Situated in the back of Cars Land – near the Radiator Springs attraction, Flo’s provides one of the best views of the park. Serving classic American food, Flo’s takes visitors back to a simpler time. You won’t find fancy food at Flo’s, but you’re really there for the view. Flo’s V8 Cafe is affordable with entrees costing between $11 and $12.50. Passholder discounts are also accepted at Flo’s.

Try the roast beef & cheddar sandwich with caramelized onions and horseradish aioli on a garlic chive bun, or the BBQ pork ribs with mashed potatoes. Flo’s also serves amazing milk shakes and desserts. Be brave and order the signature apple-cheddar pie or stick with a classic strawberry milkshake. Check out the full menu here. Grab your food and head for the west side of the restaurant where you can take in an amazing view of Radiator Springs. The best time to visit Flo’s is at night when Radiator Springs lights up.

paradise-garden-grill

Paradise Garden Grill – For Healthy Eating

What sets California Adventure restaurants apart from traditional park food is it’s ethnic and healthy options. The Paradise Garden Grill serves Mediterranean inspired meals packed with flavors from the Middle East and Mediterranean Coast. Choose from grilled steak, lemon oregano chicken, spicy meatballs or tofu. Each skewer is topped with a sauce of choice. Options include Chimichurri, Tzatskiki, and a chili sauce. Each plate is served with a fresh pita, rice pilaf and a cucumber salad. Other options include the beef gyro platter and Greek salad.

pacific-wharf-cafe

Pacific Wharf Café – For the Chowder

There’s nothing better on a cool day than a bowl of steaming clam chowder in a fresh sourdough bread bowl. At California Adventure’s Pacific Wharf sits the Pacific Wharf Cafe where guests can enjoy fresh bread from Boudin, San Francisco’s world-famous artisanal bakery. Take a tour through the mini factory where bread is made, and get a sample to munch on. The cafe offers more than chowder. The menu includes salads and sandwiches including a Chinese chicken salad and chicken, apple and walnut salad. Take your soup outside and dine on the docks with a view of the make-believe bay.

cove bar california adventure

Cove Bar – For the View and Nachos

One of the hottest restaurants in California Adventure is the Cove Bar. What started out as a small bar serving as a waiting area for guests of Ariel’s Grotto, the Cove Bar has become the hottest ticket for park guests. Unlike other popular park restaurants, visitors can’t make reservations for Cove Bar. Instead, hopeful diners have to wait in line for a highly coveted seat. What makes Cove Bar so popular? Besides the fact that the views are spectacular, the food and drinks are great. Cove Bar faces Paradise Pier, giving diners an amazing view of the pier and popular attractions.

If you plan on dining at Cove, make sure to get their before the hunger pains start as lines can get long. Another tip is to try to eat at “off times” like early in the day or in between popular meal times. The best item on the menu is the CB Lobster Nachos. Tender pieces of lobster are topped with house-made tortilla chips, black beans, Pico de Gallo, Chipotle creme and aged cheddar. These are some amazing nachos. View the full menu here.

What’s your favorite California Adventure restaurant? Where will you dine on your next trip?

Michelle McKinley is a journalist and digital marketer from Los Angeles, CA. She earned her Journalism degree from Pepperdine University, and has been writing for the web since 2003. She’s a life-long Disney fan who travels and writes about her experiences for fun.

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