On July 12, 2024, lunch returned to Carthay Circle Restaurant after a 4 year hiatus. The prix fixe meal is $59 for adults and includes a starter and main course for each person. For $14, the popular Warm Cheddar Parker House Rolls can be added on as well. The meal combines the incredible service at Carthay Circle Restaurant with the beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. The children’s meal is $19 per child and includes a first course and entree. The full menu can be seen here.
The Daps Magic team was among the first to experience the return of lunch on its opening day. Read below what Mr. Daps and Caitie thought of their experience having lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant.
Atmosphere
Mr. Daps: The atmosphere in Carthay Circle Restaurant is always a favorite for me. It is a blast to the past with photos of Walt Disney and other Disney luminaries found throughout the restaurant (along with one other one that always stands out to me that isn’t Walt or a Disney luminary). I love how it does feel like this could be a restaurant where Walt Disney and Shirley Temple could be seen just around the corner (beyond just being in a photo together). It transports you from the modern world into the world of classic movie making and Hollywood glamour. The Disney music that is played in the restaurant are quiet jazzy versions that add to the ambiance. Overall, this is a classy and relaxing place to stop for a bite to eat.
Caitie: If you asked me to name one of my favorite places on property, Carthay Circle Restaurant will always be on that list. Everything about the experience is absolutely incredible. From the moment you walk in, you’re dazzled by “glitz and glimmer” of 1930s Los Angeles. The atmosphere is unmatched and is something I feel so lucky to experience as a Disneyland guest.
Service
Mr. Daps: The service at Carthay Circle Restaurant was absolutely wonderful. Both our server Julie and her helper were attentive and kind. They also were quite personable and more than willing to answer questions about the lunch menu. This was helpful as it was a new menu. It also took the pressure off for those who don’t always know where to jump into a new menu. Throughout the meal, they kept tabs on us and also made sure we had water, drinks, or whatever else we might need.
Caitie: I am always blown away by the service at Carthay Circle Restaurant. The servers are very knowledgeable about the menu and can even help pair your choices with the right drinks. Julie, our server, was no exception. She was attentive and helpful, making sure we had the right food options for us. Truly, the service at Carthay is never less than top notch.
First Thoughts on the Food
Mr. Daps: When the food began to arrive, my first thought for both the starter and the main course was “oh, that’s pretty.” As they say, we eat with our eyes first and my eyes were really enjoying eating up the food as it arrived. I couldn’t wait to taste it. Of course, the camera had to eat first so I did have to wait. It did appear that extra effort had been made to make the food look good and not just taste good. This is something I would expect from Carthay Circle Restaurant but it also is something that I’ve seen missed at other nicer restaurants when rushing to get a dish out.
Caitie: The presentation of the food at Carthay is nothing short of incredible. I am always in awe when we dine, no matter how small the dish, how much attention has been paid to our meal. As our dishes came out, I was truly in awe how much thought and pride had been put into our food! It elevates the experience and makes it an even more special lunch!
Starters
Fresh Green Falafel Fritters
Spice Roasted Pepper-Lemon Yogurt, Sesame Seeds, Pomegranate
Mr. Daps: This falafel fritters was a surprise hit for me. I didn’t know what to expect at all with these when we ordered them. However, I soon discovered they are one of the best things on the menu! They have such a wonderful blend of earthiness, sweetness, and vibrance that makes for such a satisfying bite. They are also a bit filling we discovered. This was probably my favorite of the two starters that we tried. It also was quite lovely to look at!
Caitie: Listen, it’s no secret that I am an incredibly safe eater. Looking at the menu for lunch, I decided that this was going to be the most “Caitie-friendly” option. I. Was. In. Heaven. Everything about this starter was amazing. The falafel fritters were warm, filling, and comforting. While the dish is plant based, it is not something that is at the front of your mind while you eat it. The dish is beautifully complex and something I would love to order MANY more times.
Farmers Market Arugula and Stone Fruit Salad
Almond Velvet, Fennel, Champagne Vinaigrette
Mr. Daps: I ordered this salad not really remembering if I liked stone fruit or not. I’m thankful to say that I discovered that I do indeed enjoy stone fruit. I also enjoyed the rest of the salad as well. It was a light and refreshing salad that was perfect for the warm and humid day outside. I thought the salad itself was fresh and crisp. I loved the almonds and how they added a little crunch to the salad. The champagne vinaigrette was also delicious, although it was a little heavy handed with how much was put on. Overall, this was a solid salad that I would order again (and I hope to!).
Caitie: Traditionally, salad is NOT something that I would order or enjoy. However, this “fruit salad” sounded refreshing. When I got the chance, I took a large fork full of the salad and was amazed. The salad was light and perfect for the warm Californian day we were having. To me, it reminded me of a very “summery” salad with fruit and an element of tartness. This is an excellent start to lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant!
Main Courses
Rigatoni Pasta Carbonara
Prosciutto, English Peas, Wild Mushrooms, Corn, Grana Padano Parmigiano
Mr. Daps: The rigatoni pasta carbonara was in a word, delicious. It was creamy. The pasta was cooked perfectly. The corn and English peas were fresh and vibrant and were a lovely contrast to the prosciutto, wild mushrooms, and grana padano parmigiano which are all on the earthier and nuttier side of things. I think without the peas and corn, it might have ended up being too heavy of a dish. Instead, I found it absolutely delightful and have been thinking about it all weekend. The only thing that could have remotely made it better would be a rainy day as then it would be a complete comfort food experience. This is a dish I could eat again and again. It’s also a dish that was quite filling. I absolutely loved it and wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Caitie: I’m going to say something a little crazy. I truly believe this is currently the best pasta dish at the Disneyland Resort. Everything about this dish was incredible, hearty, and cozy. The pasta was cooked to perfection, the sauce was not too heavy, and the veggies included had an excellent flavor and texture. I do agree that the only flaw was that it was a heavy dish for a warm day. This would be the perfect pasta for a cool day in sweater weather but I will gladly eat it any day of the year.
Angus Beef Tri Tip marinated with Ginger and Soy Glazed
Chilled Soba Noodles, Shiitake Mushrooms, Macadamia Nut Furikake
Mr. Daps: I love tri tip. I’m thankful to say, I loved this tri tip as well. It was delicious and had wonderful seasoning on the outside. It also had been cooked to a comfortable medium (what the restaurant offers) temperature.) This was the highlight of this plate for me, along with the shiitake mushrooms. All were delicious. The chilled soba noodles were also enjoyable with how they contrasted with the tri tip and the accompanying chili sauce. I don’t know, however, that I loved the noodles as much as everything else that was offered throughout the meal. Instead, I found myself wishing for mashed potatoes or a Japanese potato or even just warm noodles. I tend to like my hot food hot and my cold food cold and the mix of the two together just wasn’t a home run. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t as impressive as everything else. I also have had the mashed potatoes at Carthay countless times and LOVE them so it had a high bar to reach. In hindsight, I probably would have had us order the chicken meatloaf (sounds a bit weird but apparently it is amazing from everyone I’ve talked to that has had it!), which comes with mashed potatoes.
Caitie: I was blown away by the meat on this plate! The cook on the tri-tip was absolutely delicious, as well as the marinade and sauce. My only complaint of this meal was the cold Soba noodle mix served with the tri-tip. I would have loved to see a warm vegetable served with the food! I do agree with Mr Daps, my perfect world would see this served with mashed potatoes. I think my perfect bite would have been chili oil, mashed potatoes, and tri-tip! Overall, I was not disappointed in this entree in the slightest.
Final Thoughts on Lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant
Mr. Daps: The return of lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant is a really good thing I think. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been downstairs in the lounge or patio with its Al Fresco dining and I have heard someone ask for a full lunch menu. This now is offered. I am also pleased that this menu is more substantial than the Al Fresco offerings (which I also love, I could do a whole post on my favorites there). In fact, as we walked out of the restaurant after the meal I definitely was ready for a nap and had decided that was my big meal of the day. I was quite full after my salad and pasta and definitely already had decided that a lighter dinner was in order later in the day.
It had been years since I’d had lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant. In fact, the last time I had lunch they still had the duck wings (that were INCREDIBLE! Please bring them back!). I am very pleased to say that the return of lunch service is a really good thing. It provides more lunch options for guests. It provides more capacity at the restaurant (which can be quite popular). The food was great. The drinks were great. The service was incredible. The restaurant itself was very relaxing and enjoyable. All in all, I take my hat off to the return of lunch service to Carthay Circle Restaurant. It also is a great way to eat at Carthay that is cheaper than dinner but still gives the experience of this iconic restaurant in Disney California Adventure. I look forward to returning hopefully sooner rather than later. Next time, I’m trying the chicken meatloaf!
Caitie: I am so, so glad to see the return of lunch to Carthay Circle Restaurant. The dining room is such a special place and it has been a shame that it has only been open for dinner! Opening it for lunch allows even more guests to experience this special place in the Disneyland Resort.
This is an experience I feel grateful to be able to have at Disney California Adventure Park! My first experience at Carthay Circle was during the pandemic in 2020, so I had never experienced lunch service before this meal. I was relieved to say it exceeded my expectations and delivered the level of quality I expect from Carthay at dinner and in the loung. This is something that I can’t wait to revisit with friends and family!
