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10 Best Things to Eat at Disney California Food and Wine Festival & What to Skip

Planning a visit to the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival at Disneyland? Here are my picks for the best food to eat at the festival, plus a few things I would skip!

Plus get the full guide to all the delicious food and drinks available at each marketplace booth and throughout the park. I’m also listing the food prices for the dishes so you can plan in advance!

Asian-style Beef Barbacoa Street Tacos (LA Style)

I’m a sucker for street tacos and whenever I’m in California I find myself ordering them often. So, it’s not really a surprise that I’m going to name the Asian-style Beef Barbacoa Street Tacos at the LA Style marketplace as my favorite dish.

They’re super flavorful and while I’ve always loved the pickled onions they put on top, this year they’re kicking it up a notch by adding pickled ginger, too!

barbacoa street tacos at disneyland food and wine festival
Asian-style Beef Barbacoa Street Tacos at the Disney California Food and Wine Festival 2020. © Kim Tate

If you’re looking for more information about dates and what to do at the festival, read my Guide to the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival for 2020.

Carbonara Garlic Mac n Cheese with Bacon (Garlic Kissed)

This is slightly different from last year, but last year it was my daughter’s favorite, so I had to give it a shot. And wow, it was good! Yummy mac and cheese with some seasoned breadcrumbs over top and then sprinkled with some crispy bacon, it’s delish!

Bacon mac and cheese a Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival
Carbonara Mac and Cheese with Bacon! © Kim Tate

Ranch Fried Chicken Wings (Cluck-A-Doodle Moo)

I had to add this to my list even though I sadly didn’t get to try it! When I stopped by the booth twice, I was told they were sold out at that time and to come back, but I never did get back again. My friends, however, did get to try these and raved about them! Supposedly they’re super flavorful, just a bit of spice, and not greasy which was a big plus.

Mini Chicken Chimis (Off the Cob)

I honestly love tex-mex food and these were tasty. They were like a southwest egg roll topped with some corn relish and chipotle crema. If you’re a fan of tex-mex, this one is mmm mmm good!

mini chicken chimis at food and wine festival
Mini Chicken Chimis at the Food & Wine Festival Disneyland 2020. © Kim Tate

Tortilla-crusted Fried Guacamole with Carne Asada (Avocado Time)

I’m starting to see that many of my personal favorite picks are tex-mex flavors! My friend Katie shared this dish with she mentioned that fried guac is “so California”.

I have to say that while the fried guac was good, the real goodness comes when you take a bite of everything together – fried guac + carne asada + pico + avocado crema = yum!

fried guacamole and carne asada at the food and wine festival
Fried Guac and Carne Asada for the win! © Kim Tate

Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup (Nuts About Cheese)

Here’s one dish I didn’t have but had a few friends mention as their favorite dish. They tell me that the flavors are delish and that the bread bowl surprisingly wasn’t soggy and added some extra flavor. I think this is also a good dish if the temps are a little cool one day.

cheese soup in bread bowl

Grilled Shrimp Tacos (Peppers Cali-ente)

Ok, now this one needs a warning. Don’t think of these as tacos – they’re actually like a fresh spring roll. The jicama tortillas make this dish fresh and cool tasting and remind me of the rice wrapper and fresh veggies you’d taste in a spring roll. So, they’re yummy as long as you enjoy those kinds of flavors!

paloma drink and tacos
Spicy Paloma with the Grilled Shrimp Tacos at Peppers Cali-ente. © Kim Tate

Mickey Caramel Macaron (Off the Cob)

For dessert, you’ll have to pick up one of these totally cute Mickey-shaped macarons. They’re pretty sweet but the flavors all mesh together well. They do have a chewy texture to them since they’re filled with caramel. It’s a great treat to share since they are a pretty good size and definitely a sweet treat.

mickey macaron cookie dessert at disneyland
Mickey-shaped Caramel Macaron is cute and yummy! © Kim Tate

Strawberry-Rose Lemonade (Golden Dreams)

If you’re looking for beverages, you’ll find plenty at the Food and Wine Festival. I thought this Strawberry Rose Lemonade was absolutely delicious. It mostly tastes like strawberry lemonade and they add a rose petal to the top. I’m not sure if I could really taste any rose flavoring in the drink itself.

House-made Watermelon Agua Fresca (One in a Melon)

This is another drink my friends talked about a lot. If you love fresh fruit juice flavored waters, this one is a must-try.

And as we’re talking about food, I’ve got some great tips for the Food and Wine Festival that will save you time and money! You definitely want to read on whether you should buy the Sip and Savor Pass!

What Food I’d Skip

I did try the Brunch Chicken Waffle Sandwich and I would say to skip that one. It certainly looks yummy and photographs well, however my friend and I both felt the flavors were a bit of a miss.

You want that sweet kick (mapley?) to pair with the chicken and waffle and the OJ boba and slaw just don’t give you enough sauce and sweetness to make the whole dish work. But that’s just my opinion.

chicken waffle sandwich at disney california adventure food & wine festival
I’d skip the Brunch Chicken and Waffle Sandwich. © Kim Tate

The Impossible Mac and Cheese was highlighted as being an exciting vegetarian offering at the Disney California Food and Wine Festival, but a friend and I both didn’t enjoy it. They tried to layer flavors to make it like a cheeseburger but instead it just kind of tasted like a weird casserole bake in my opinion.

As a Moscow mule lover, I decided I should try the Berry Mule at One in a Melon, while my friends tried the Watermelon Agua Fresca. I was a bit disappointed. The drink tasted like it had way too much ice and a bit too watered down.

After that, I decided to avoid cocktails since so many seemed to be mostly ice. Some of my friends did say that the Paloma at Peppers Cali-ente was a win for sure and another friend fell in love with the Mezcal at Avocado Time.

My other drink from the trip was the Golden Road Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale at Cluck-A-Doodle Moo and I loved it!

My personal advice would be to stick with the wine and beer since you don’t have to worry about excess ice in them. However, if you’re a cocktail fan, you’ll certainly find some fun options just know that you’re paying a premium price for what you’re getting.

Food Guide with Prices for the Disney California Food and Wine Festival

Nuts About Cheese Marketplace

  • Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin® Sourdough Bowl (Vegetarian) – *FAVORITE* – $6.75
  • Impossible™ Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese (Vegetarian) – $8.00
  • Oikos® Greek Yogurt Banoffee Tart – $6.25
  • Honey Bourbon Lemonade (Alcoholic) – $13.00

Uncork California Marketplace

  • California Artisan Cheese Selection with Central Coast Creamery Holey Cow Swiss and Vintage Cheese Co. Cabernet Cheddar (Vegetarian) – $8.50
  • White Wine Flight – $17.00
    • Malibu Rocky Oaks, Sauvignon Blanc, California – $15.00
    • Rombauer, Chardonnay, Carneros – $18.00
    • Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sofia, Rosé, Monterey County – $11.00
  • Red Wine Flight – $18.00
    • Erath, Pinot Noir, Oregon – $14.00
    • The Prisoner, Red Blend, Napa Valley – $17.00
    • Quilt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $17.00
  • Road Trip Mimosa Trio – $17.00
    • Pacific Mimosa – $15.00
    • Mojave Mimosa – $15.00
    • Sierra Mimosa – $15.00
  • Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California – $15.00

Golden Dreams Marketplace

  • Brunch Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich with Mimosa-inspired Slaw and OJ Bubbles – $8.00
  • Seared Verlasso® Salmon with Lemon Pea Purée, Black Rice and Meyer Lemon Relish (Gluten-Friendly) – $7.75
  • Strawberry-Rose Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic) – $6.00
  • Fig & Lavender Cold Brew (Non-Alcoholic) – $6.50

California Craft Brews Marketplace

  • Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls – $7.00
  • Triple B Cocktail with Beer, Bourbon and Berries (Alcoholic) – $13.00
  • Beer Flight – Fun with Flavor – $15.00
    • Mother Earth Orange Vanilla Cali Creamin’ Ale – $11.75
    • Black Market Cucumber Sour – $11.75
    • Golden Road Strawberry and Pomegranate Balboa Blonde Ale – $11.75
    • Aftershock Guavaaah! Hazy Pale Ale – $11.75
  • Beer Flight – Bigger & Bolder – $15.00
    • Bootlegger’s Rocco Red Ale – $11.75
    • Stereo Perfect Day IPA – $11.75
    • Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing Hazy IPA – $11.75
    • Karl Strauss® Wreck Alley Imperial Stout – $11.75
  • Backstreet La Calleja Mexican-style Lager – $11.75
  • Boomtown Ingenue Belgian White – $11.75
  • Divine Science Event Horizon Blonde (Gluten-Friendly) – $11.75
  • JuneShine Acai Berry Hard Kombucha (Gluten-Friendly) – $11.75
  • Meiomi, Rosé, California – $10.00
  • MacMurray Ranch, Pinot Noir, Central Coast – $12.00
  • Joel Gott, Cabernet Sauvignon, California – $13.00

One in a Melon Marketplace

  • Compressed Watermelon and Tomato with Whipped Ricotta and Lemon Olive Oil (Vegetarian, Gluten-Friendly) – $7.00
  • Poke-style Watermelon with Cucumber (Plant-Based, Gluten-Friendly) – $6.75
  • Pabana Cream Puff with Mango, Passion Fruit and Banana Mousse – $5.50
  • Berry Mule (Alcoholic) – $14.00
  • House-made Watermelon Agua Fresca (Non-Alcoholic)FAVORITE – $6.00

Peppers Cali-Ente Marketplace

  • Creamy Poblano Pepper Pasta (Vegetarian) – $7.75
  • Grilled Shrimp Tacos on Jicama Tortillas (Gluten-Friendly) – FAVORITE – $8.00
  • Cantarito-style Paloma (Alcoholic) – $13.00
  • Annabella, Chardonnay Special Selection, Napa Valley – $18.00

LA Style Marketplace

  • Asian-style Beef Barbacoa Street TacosFAVORITE – $8.00
  • Smoked Bacon Barbecue Beef Loco Moco on Rice (Gluten-Friendly) – $7.50
  • Monkey Bread with Caramel Whiskey Glaze and Candied Pecans (Contains trace amounts of alcohol) – $6.00
  • Amaretto Stout-Cream Cold Brew (Alcoholic) – $13.00
  • Blue Angeleno Cocktail (Alcoholic) – $13.00

Avocado Time Marketplace

  • Petite Impossible™ Burger with Guac and Pepper Jack (Vegetarian) – $8.00
  • Tortilla-crusted Fried Guacamole with Carne AsadaFAVORITE – $8.25
  • Mezcal Cocktail (Alcoholic) – $14.00
  • Chapman Crafted Slow Riser with Coconut, Red Ale on Nitro – $11.75

Off the Cob Marketplace

  • Mini Chicken Chimis with Chimichurri Corn Pico de Gallo and Chipotle CremaFAVORITE – $8.00
  • Shrimp and Braised Corn with Chorizo (Gluten-Friendly) – $8.25
  • Mickey-shaped Caramel-Peanut-Milk Chocolate MacaronFAVORITE – $6.50
  • Fields & Orchards with Elderflower and Artichoke Liqueurs (Alcoholic) – $14.00
  • Farmstand Punch (Non-Alcoholic) – $6.00

I ❤️ Artichokes Marketplace

  • Fried Artichokes with Lemon Aïoli (Vegetarian) – $7.00
  • Artichoke Toast with Artichoke Cream Cheese and Olive & Artichoke Tapenade (Vegetarian) – $6.50
  • Lolea, Red Sangria, Spain – $11.00
  • Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects Non-Alcoholic Lager (Alcohol regulations apply) – $10.00

Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo Marketplace

  • Ranch Fried Chicken Wings with Buffalo Hot Sauce Drizzle – $8.00
  • French Onion Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider – $8.50
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch – $6.50
  • Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Witbier (Limited-Time Offering) – $11.75
  • Beer Flight – $15.00
    • Pizza Port Honey Blonde Golden Ale – $11.75
    • Golden Road Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale – $11.75
    • Lost Coast Watermelon Wheat – $11.75
    • King Harbor Cerveza Hermosa Mexican Amber Lager – $11.75

Berry Patch Marketplace

  • Raspberry-Lychee-Rose Custard with Mixed Berry Compote – $6.00
  • Oikos® Greek Yogurt California Berries Summer Pudding (Contains trace amounts of alcohol) – $5.50
  • Blue Marble Berry Hard Seltzer (Alcoholic) – $13.00
  • Blue Marble Tropical Hard Seltzer (Alcoholic) – $13.00
  • Ruby Citrus Sparkler (Non-Alcoholic) – $5.00

Garlic Kissed Marketplace

  • Black Garlic Soy-braised Pork Belly Banh Mi – $8.00
  • Carbonara Garlic Mac & Cheese with Nueske’s® Bacon FAVORITE – $8.00
  • Aperol Cocktail (Alcoholic) – $14.75
  • Wither Hills, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough – $14.00

Paradise Beer Garden

  • Smog City Little Bo Pils Unfiltered Pilsner – $11.75
  • Ayinger Bräuweisse Hefeweizen – $11.75
  • Chihuahua Guava Lime Suprema Low-Cal Lager – $10.25
  • 2 Towns Outcider Hard Cider – $11.75
  • Karl Strauss® Practice What You Peach Sour – $13.25
  • Bottle Logic Marceline Muffin Blueberry Imperial Blonde – – $13.25
  • Enegren Valkyrie Alt Bier – $11.75
  • Figueroa Mountain Point Conception IPA – $11.75
  • Lost Winds Whirlpool Galaxy Double IPA – $11.75
  • Allagash Black Stout – $13.25
  • Twisted Horn Raven’s Claw Apple & Boysenberry Mead – $11.75
  • Founders Backwoods Bourbon Barrel-aged Scotch Ale – $15.00

Paradise Garden Grill

  • (*) Impossible™ Meatball Submarine (Plant-Based) – $11.99
  • (*) Beer-battered Fish Tacos, with Karl Strauss® Follow the Sun Pilsner-infused Batter – $13.49
  • Buffalo-style Roasted Turkey Leg with Celery Slaw and Blue Cheese (Gluten-Friendly) – $12.99
  • (*) Brisket Sliders – $12.49
  • (*) Brisket Fries – $13.49
  • (*) Black Forest Parfait – $5.99
  • Watermelon Vodka Lemonade (Alcoholic, Gluten-Friendly) – $13.00
  • Matanzas Creek, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County – $11.00
  • Deschutes Pacific Wonderland Lager – $10.00
  • Sudwerk Märzen Amber Lager – $10.00
  • Berry Spectacular Cookie Shake (Non-Alcoholic) – $6.99

(*) – Sip and Savor offerings are available but will be tasting-size portions not the full-size entrée.

Other Food and Wine Eats at Disney California Adventure Park

Outdoor Vending Carts

  • Savory Empanada with Chipotle Crema Sauce
  • Sweet Empanada with Caramel Sauce

Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta

  • Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake

Hollywood Lounge

  • Leading Role Lemonade – Gin with Lavender Lemonade (Alcoholic)
  • Opening Night Cocktail – Banana Whiskey with Cream Soda (Alcoholic)
  • Movie Star Mule – Whiskey with Black Cherry and Ginger Ale (Alcoholic)
  • On Location Libation – Stone Peak Conditions IPA with POG juice (Alcoholic)
  • Backlot Michelada – Tomato-based Michelada with Modelo (Alcoholic)
  • Modelo Especial Lager
  • Hangar 24 Passion Punch Gose
  • Stone Peak Conditions Hazy Double IPA
  • Honest Abe Limoncello Hard Cider
  • Bottle Logic Emerald City Raspberry Piña Colada Hard Seltzer
  • Supporting Role Lemonade – Lavender Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic)
  • Churro from Hollywood Churro Cart for Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

Hollywood Churro Cart

  • Churro topped with Peanut Butter Cream, Chocolate Icing and Chopped Peanuts

Schmoozies!

  • Almond Mocha Shake
  • Almond Mocha Affogato

Sonoma Terrace

  • California Cheesesteak
  • Italian Meatball Sandwich
  • Bavarian Pretzel with Cheese Sauce
  • Triple Chocolate Brownie
  • Sandy Beach – Green Apple Vodka with flavors of Sea Salt Caramel (Alcoholic)
  • Catalina Island – Vodka and Passion Fruit with flavors of Raspberry Lemonade and Lime (Alcoholic)
  • Sparkling Greyhound – Vodka with flavors of Grapefruit, Chamomile and Cardamom (Alcoholic)
  • Pineapple Passion – White Rum with flavors of Pineapple and Passion Fruit (Alcoholic)
  • Firestone Walker Rosalie Beer Rosé
  • Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sofia, Brut Rosé, Monterey County
  • Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California
  • Selection of Craft Beers and Ciders

Pacific Wharf Coffee Cart

  • Tropicalifornia Tea Cocktail with Berry Vodka, Green Tea, Pineapple and Orange Juices (Alcoholic)
  • Fruitful Green Tea with Berry, Pineapple and Orange Juices (Non-Alcoholic)

Pacific Wharf Distribution Company

  • Karl Strauss® Crazy Eyes Doppelbock

Disneyland Downtown Disney Food and Wine Festival Offerings

Ballast Point Brewing Co.

  • Impossible™ Lettuce Cups With Impossible™ Protein, Peppers, Hoisin, Sriracha, Garlic, Lime, Fresno Chilies and Hydroponic Lettuce
  • The Ballast Point Burger: 8 Oz Kobe & Chuck Blend Patty, Sharp Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, House-made Pickles, and Ballast Point Remoulade on a Brioche Bun served with Fries
  • Cioppino: PEI Mussels, Fish of the Day, Argentinean Shrimp, Spanish Chorizo, Stewed Tomatoes, Chili Flakes, Oregano, Crème Fraiche, Chili Thread, House-Made Pasta and Grilled Baguette

All Three Paired with Designated Beer Flight

Catal Restaurant

  • Smoked Salmon Crostini: Whipped Ricotta, Smoked Salmon and Basil Pesto
  • Burrata: Burrata, Prosciutto, and Balsamic Gastrique
  • Hand-shucked Oysters with Champagne and Black Pepper Mignonette

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen

  • Creole Cobbler with Beefeater Gin, Santhenay Crème de Peche, Fresh Lemon Juice, and Orange Bitter

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

  • Surf & Turf Slider Duo: Salmon Slider featuring House-made Salmon Patty, Sriracha Aïoli, Red Onion, Butter Lettuce, and Heirloom Tomato, and Filet Mignon Slider featuring Beef Tenderloin, Béarnaise Sauce, Arugula and Oven-Roasted Tomato

Salt & Straw

  • Apple Pie with Beecher’s Flagship Cheesecake: Warm-spiced Apple Pie Ice Cream with Beecher’s Flagship Cheddary Cheesecake

As you can see there are plenty of amazing things to eat at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! I hope you’re able to visit during the festival and enjoy some of the offerings. Be sure to check my Disneyland tips to help you make the most out of your visit!

And if you’re planning a visit but don’t have your tickets yet, find out where to score CHEAP DISNEYLAND TICKETS! And save $10 off your Disneyland 2+ day vacation package with my partner, Get Away Today with the code ‘StuffedSuitcase’.

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Tamara

Thursday 12th of March 2020

Now I'm sad that DL is closed for a while because these look delicious!!