Carthay Circle is Disney California Adventure’s signature table service restaurant and the icon of Buena Vista Street. The Disney restaurant is based on Los Angeles’ Carthay Circle theater, where The Walt Disney Studios hosted the premier of Snow White in 1937.
Carthay Circle pays tribute to the early glamour of Hollywood and the early days of The Walt Disney Studios. One of the best details of Carthay Circle is the rare collection of black and white photos of Walt and Lillian Disney. The restaurant has two levels with a bar and an outdoor terrace that are part of the Carthay Circle Lounge experience. Both the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge require a reservation.
The bar area is also part of the lounge seating, so be sure to request if you would like to sit inside or outside when checking in for your reservation.
We ultimately decided to sit outside to soak in the beautiful California weather and the atmosphere of being in the middle of California Adventure. The outdoor terrace is large and shaded with both high tops, sofas, and dining tables.
The menu is the same both inside and out for the lounge, but is completely different than the dining room experience. One thing to keep in mind is that both menus change frequently to reflect the local, seasonal produce. We opted to share three of the appetizer options, but you can also order a full entrée.
Moroccan Roasted Chicken Meatballs – pomegranate relish, tzatziki – $16
Despite there only being two chicken meatballs, the serving size is decent. The consistency and flavor of the meatballs is great and the abundance of freshly-made tzatziki made it incredible. While I don’t think you can go wrong with the Morrocan Roasted Chicken Meatballs, there are better values on the menu and a lot of competing great options.
French Onion Soup – topped with croutons and Comte cheese – $16
The weather was just chilly enough, I was too tempted by the French Onion Soup not to order it. And I’m not at all surprised to say it’s the best French onion soup I’ve had in a Disney Park (yeah, better than Le Chefs de France in EPCOT). The broth alone was SO flavorful; the perfect amount of salty and sweet from the caramelized onions. Plus, the cheese was so soft and blended just right with the croutons on top. The price is a little high but on a chilly day, I would never hesitate to order the French onion soup.
Vietnamese Twice-cooked Beef Lettuce Wraps – garnished with pineapple-mint salsa – $16
We saved the best for last! The beef was indeed twice-cooked as it was both tender with the right amount of crispy edges. I could have done without the pineapple-mint salsa but the flavors were less distracting than I assumed they would be. The best part was the accompanying sauce that was sweet, smoky, and soaked right into the lettuce wrap.
The drink menu at Carthay Circle has to be the best at the Disneyland Resort! The classic cocktails are all top-shelf and artfully made. Plus, there is a very extensive list of California wines, including ones from the Disney Family of Wines.
Botanical Gin and Tonic – Hendrick’s Gin, premium tonic, star anise, cardamom, and mint – $18.50
A gin and tonic is my all-time favorite cocktail and this is one of the very best I’ve had… Disney Park or elsewhere! The Botanical Gin and Tonic came with the highest recommendation from Ryno and you better believe we visited the lounge again to enjoy one more gin and tonic. The star anise really adds a unique flavor that gives it a warmth that pairs nicely with the brightness of the tonic. Even at $18.50, this is one of the better values for a premium cocktail at Disney. That may sound crazy but look at the picture above, that’s all Hendrick’s Gin before adding any tonic.
Dill Gin and Tonic – Plymouth Gin, premium tonic, zesty deli dill pickle brine, locally grown organic dill, and lemon peel – $18
We tried a sip before and after the tonic was added, and whoa, does this “G&T” really have a strong dill flavor! The tonic definitely helps to mellow out the flavor but the fresh dill adds to the complexity of the drink. If you love dill pickles, this drink is for you! But don’t worry, it’s not too salty and the dill doesn’t overpower the gin. But my heart still lies with the Botanical Gin and Tonic.
On your way out of Carthay Circle, be sure to look to the left of the front door where a display case has a rotating feature from the Disney Archives. On our most recent visit, the archival pieces were from Disney’s Pinocchio. Since the featured movie changes often, you’ll want to check each time you visit!
I cannot say enough great things about the Carthay Circle Lounge experience. You should absolutely visit the next time you’re at California Adventure to enjoy a delicious meal or a special beverage.
And if you need more convincing, also watch our full DIS Unlimited Happy Hour review of the Carthay Circle Lounge!
