Storytellers Cafe is a table service restaurant located inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort. This restaurant features a buffet of classic, American-style food for breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Breakfast and brunch feature Disney characters, but characters aren’t available during dinner. This Storytellers Cafe dinner review will feature the buffet selections and dining experience during my recent Disneyland visit.
Getting to Storytellers Cafe
Storytellers Cafe is convenient to reach from both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks. You can exit the parks at the front gates, then walk through Downtown Disney to the entrance of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. If you’re inside Disney California Adventure, you can also use the dedicated entrance to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa near the Grizzly Peak section of the park.
If you’re arriving at Disneyland Resort by car, you can park at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. With your Storytellers Cafe dinner reservation, you’ll receive up to three hours of complimentary parking—valet or self. You’ll need to have your parking pass validated at the resort. Keep in mind that there will be an hourly charge for parking after the initial 3-hour period.
You can also park at the Downtown Disney parking lot (Simba lot) for a fee and walk to the restaurant. There is a parking fee for the Simba lot with the cost being $10 for the first hour of parking. If you’re planning to visit other restaurants or shops at Downtown Disney, you can get parking validation for up to 3 additional hours with a minimum $20 purchase at any Downtown Disney location.
Inside the Restaurant
The theme of Storytellers Cafe is a celebration of California folklore. Upon entering, you’re welcomed with beautifully carved wood fixtures and invited to embark on “a journey through Californian folklore.” The décor has a relaxed and rustic vibe, with warm woods and colors throughout. It fits nicely into the cozy theme of Disney’s Grand Californian and offers a casual option for a full-service dinner. There are murals and quotes throughout the restaurant supporting the literary theme with nods to “tales of adventure.” The light fixtures are wonderfully detailed with adventurous scenes.
Buffet restaurants generally tend to be on the louder side, and while the restaurant is bustling, I didn’t think the noise level was too bad. The seating is a mix of tables and booths in areas separated by fixtures and partial walls. That seems to dampen the sound level a bit and keeps seating away from the busy walkways.
Storytellers Cafe Dinner Pricing
The all-you-care-to-eat buffet dinner is currently priced at $47 for adults and $26 for children (plus tax and gratuity). There are discounts for Disney Visa Cardmembers, Disney Vacation Club, and Magic Key (annual pass) holders. The price includes soft drinks, coffee, or tea with your buffet. There’s also a menu of cocktails, beer, and wine available for an additional cost.
Storytellers Cafe Dinner Menu
The expansive buffet features a wide selection of American classics and comfort foods including a carving station, roasted meats, seasonal fish, and a rotating chef’s selection of small plates. You can round out your meal with a seasonal soup, salads, vegetable dishes, and a pasta station. You’ll also find fan favorites such as chicken fingers, French fries, and flatbreads. There’s a section with fresh fruit including melon, berries, and pineapple, as well as whole apples and bananas.
During my visit, I started with some poached shrimp and cocktail sauce. For my entrée, I particularly enjoyed the prime rib from the carving station with a tasty horseradish sauce. Another favorite was the peach glazed pork belly with a sweet and savory mizuna salad. The carving station also included roasted turkey breast. Additional meat options were barbecue chicken and a salmon dish.
As far as sides go, I’m a big fan of salads and fresh vegetables, and I found plenty of delicious options to accompany my proteins. The beet salad with goat cheese and a kale salad were standouts for me. There was also a pasta salad, a caprese salad, and a southwest salad with tortilla strips and fresh corn.
You’ll find an assortment of breads and rolls to round out your meal. There were also more starchy side dishes such as mac-and-cheese and mashed potatoes, but I was saving my carbs to indulge in one of the best parts of a buffet meal…
Desserts
I love a dessert buffet so that I can try several items and the desserts at Storytellers Café did not disappoint! You typically can’t go wrong with bread pudding at Disney restaurants and the bread pudding with caramel sauce was a warm and buttery treat.
I also loved the peanut butter tart which was packed with creamy peanut butter and topped with a dark chocolate ganache. The dessert section also featured a cheesecake selection, a Dole Whip-themed dessert cup, and an assortment of cookies.
Who Should Dine Here?
Storytellers Cafe is a solid dinner choice for Disneyland resort guests or theme park visitors looking for a break outside the parks. The menu of buffet standards and rotating fresh selections has plenty of variety to suit picky eaters and fill up hungry bellies. I think most people can find something to enjoy at this buffet with a couple of exceptions—adventurous eaters looking for unique items or those with small appetites. The pricing is a good value if you typically enjoy a meal consisting of several courses, but maybe not as good for anyone who can only eat a light meal.
Plan Your Visit
Reservations are highly recommended at Storytellers Café. You can sometimes find last-minute reservations and there is a mobile walk-up list when the restaurant isn’t at capacity. Check the Disneyland app for reservation availability during your visit. You can also join the walk-up list through the app.
If this restaurant is on your must-do list, don’t forget to make a dining reservation before your trip (up to 60 days in advance) or ask your travel counselor for assistance. Check out our blog for more Disneyland dining reviews and trip-planning tips!
If you’re not already working with a travel professional, I would love to help you plan your next Disney vacation. You can email me at heather.stevens@themagicforless.com or request a vacation quote here! Be sure to ask about exclusive bonuses when you book select vacation packages!
