There are many things that Disney does extremely well, and dining is one of them! Disneyland Resort has so many incredible dining options, and we never seem to have enough time to try them all! However, on our last Disneyland adventure, we finally secured a tough-to-get reservation … Blue Bayou Restaurant. This establishment is located in Disneyland Park in New Orleans Square. Fittingly, it serves Louisiana-inspired cuisine. It’s been delighting guests with its southern dishes and unique atmosphere since its opening in 1967!
Blue Bayou Restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner. Due to its popularity, Advanced Dining Reservations are highly recommended. This is something that your travel agent is happy to take care of for you!
The Story of Blue Bayou Restaurant
As with any good Disney attraction, there is a story behind the Blue Bayou Restaurant. It’s written inside the menu as follows:
“They called her the Crescent City, and her name spoke for many worlds. She was Queen of the Delta when the steamboat ruled the Mississippi. She was old New Orleans – charming and proud, vivacious and exciting.
Here in New Orleans Square, Walt Disney recreated many of the worlds that were old New Orleans. And here in the Blue Bayou, you may relive one of the worlds – the mysterious water wonderland of the bayous. Here where Spanish moss drapes the live oak trees, where shrimp boats hide amongst the cypress, where a waterfront shanty stands in the shadow of a graceful mansion – here are the strange and marvelous sights of the Louisiana bayous.
Dine on the willow-lined banks of the Blue Bayou Lagoon in perpetual moonlight. Crickets chirp, leaves rustle, clouds drift past a lazy summer moon while you are served the finest in Southern-style gourmet delicacies.”
The Ambiance
One of my favorite things about Blue Bayou is the atmosphere. Our group gave it a resounding A+++. I truly felt like I could have sat there all afternoon enjoying food, drink, and conversation. The most unique attribute of this restaurant is that it actually sits inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction! But not to worry, it is not loud or filled with pirating chaos and shenanigans! Instead, it is filled with the sights and sounds of the bayou. Picture a cozy dining experience, glowing with colorful lanterns, and surrounded by Spanish moss. As you listen to the gentle lapping of water, you will enjoy watching the boats float by as passengers drift off to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
As with any Disney restaurant, the waitstaff is attentive, gracious, and always ready to make your day magical. Our waiter was extremely helpful in describing our selections to help us choose items that would fit our taste buds.
The Price
Blue Bayou Restaurant is a fine-dining experience, and the price tag reflects that. Appetizers and desserts range from $9 – $18. Entrees can run upwards of $50, and of course the cocktails, wine and beer are extra. If you’re on a tight budget, this might not be the best choice. However, if you are ready to treat yourself to a fantastic experience, you will not regret working this into your budget. Blue Bayou can be the perfect spot for a date night, special celebration, or intimate gathering.
Starters
You can’t go wrong with any of Blue Bayou’s appetizer selections. We loved the Strawberry & Pistachio Spinach Salad, which was light, yet filling and included toasted quinoa in the salad as well. There is also a plant-based Heirloom Tomato & Watermelon Salad with the most amazing agave crema. In addition, the crab cakes with their Remoulade Sauce hit the spot and were great for sharing!
Entrees
The entrees vary a little between lunch and dinner. For lunch, the Monte Cristo is always a favorite. It is a large portion that could be great for sharing when accompanied with a salad. The Creole Roasted Chicken fits the atmosphere of this restaurant perfectly and is available for both lunch and dinner. It is served with sausage, shrimp, and rice, which makes it very filling. The spices were incredible! For dinner, we loved the Blackened Ribeye and Market Fish. Everything was cooked to perfection. Zero complaints from our crew!
Desserts
We ordered the plant-based Crème Brûlée Tart and were a little unsure of how it might taste, but we all agreed it was delicious! You would never be able to tell that it did not have the usual ingredients of Crème Brûlée. Other dessert options include macarons, cheesecake, and a petite sundae.
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Special Diets
There is good news for those who may have food sensitivities. The Blue Bayou menu includes plant-based selections, as well as allergy-friendly options. You are always invited to speak to the chef about any food selections and they will always do their best to meet your needs.
For the Kids
Children can create their own meals at Blue Bayou by choosing from a selection of proteins and sides. These include chicken, shrimp, pasta, steak, vegetables, rice, fruit and potatoes. Most of these can be created very plain for any picky eaters in your group!
Drink Menu
Blue Bayou has an extensive drink menu. It includes, wines, draft beer, signature cocktails and of course non-alcoholic selections. The Hurricane, Melograno Orange Blossom Martini and Melograno Melon Margarita and two top-sellers from the cocktail menu.
For non-alcoholic drinks, don’t miss the Mint Julip and Louisiana Lemonade! They will definitely immerse you in the southern experience even more!
Blue Bayou Restaurant Overall Review
As if it wasn’t obvious already, we truly loved Blue Bayou Restaurant and had an incredible dining experience. It is definitely a restaurant that I will visit on as many trips to Disneyland as I can! Make sure you have park tickets for Disneyland Park in order to dine in this restaurant. Also be sure to arrive with an empty stomach. I suggest a slow moving boat ride afterward as you digest your amazing and very filling meal! See you down at the Bayou!
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