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The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival is the ultimate foodie event. Enjoy gourmet items with options for all dietary needs!
This post covers the culinary delights of the 2023 festival, what is offered at each marketplace and which items are plant based / vegan, vegetarian, gluten friendly and kid friendly!
This post was sponsored by Disney Parks but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.
You can explore a variety of gourmet food and beverages from Disney’s best chefs when visiting the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, plus a variety of other experiences!
What is the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival?
The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival started in 2006. It’s an annual event hosted in California Adventure that celebrates the best of California cuisine.
The festival takes place in the spring every year and features a variety of food and wine booths, culinary demonstrations, seminars, and special events. The 2023 festival runs March 3 to April 25, 2023.
The festival features gourmet dishes from California’s top chefs and restaurants, with options ranging from small bites to full meals. It also offers a variety of wine and beer tastings from California wineries and breweries, along with non alcoholic beverage options.
Dietary Options
The festival offers a variety of dietary options, including gluten-free, vegetarian, plant based and vegan dishes. You can get more detailed Information on ingredients in specific dishes in the festival passport or on the Disneyland app.
Note that some items are not easily modified since they come pre-prepared. But a few simple modifications may be possible, such as leaving off whipped cream, leaving off a cracker, etc.
Most alcohol is plant based / vegan but you can always look up the brand online as most brands will be posted next to the item.
For more information check out my guides on Vegan Food at Disneyland, Gluten Free Food at Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Food!
Disclaimer- Make sure to talk to cast members and chefs at each booth about any dietary restrictions you have. Disney Parks are all very accommodating and will make sure what you are eating is safe for you.
Festival Marketplaces
There are a total of twelve marketplaces offering food an beverage items in this years festival. From sweet to savory, there is something for all taste buds!
Each item is marked with what dietary preference it accommodates, plus I have included if it is kid friendly. Items that are spicy, have alcohol or others ingredients not meant for kids avoid this label.
Avocado Time
Food
- Impossible™ Nacho Mac and Cheese- vegetarian
- Impossible™ Al Pastor Taco- plant based, vegetarian
Beverage
- Blackberry Lavender Lemonade- kid friendly, plant based
Berry Patch
Food
- Kenny’s Family Cheesecake- kid friendly, vegetarian
- Blueberry Buttermilk Pie- kid friendly, vegetarian
Beverage
- Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew- vegetarian
California Craft Brews
Food
Beverage
- A variety of beers and beer flights- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo
Food
- Smoked Honey-Habanero Chicken Wings
- BBQ Beef Brisket Slider
Beverage
- Chipotle-Pineapple Bourbon Sour- vegetarian due to honey
- Smoked Cherry Mezcal-iki Cocktail- (refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
photo credit to James Van Le
photo credit to James Van Le
D•Lish
Food
- Beef and Barley Poutine
- Cubano Slider- kid friendly
Beverage
- Sake Melon ’75- plant based- uses dairy free coconut cream (refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
- Apricot Tequila Colada- uses dairy free coconut cream (refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
photo credit to James Van Le
Garlic Kissed
Food
- Grilled Top Sirloin- kid friendly, gluten free
- Carbonara- Garlic Mac and Cheese featuring Nueske’s Peppered Bacon- kid friendly
Beverage
- Raspberry Limoncello-Ade- (refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
- Guava-Lychee Mule- (refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
photo credit to James Van Le
photo credit to James Van Le
Golden Dreams
Food
- Elote Paleta- vegetarian
- Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Flatbread- vegetarian
Beverage
- Central California Cooler- kid friendly, plant based
photo credit to James Van Le
I Heart Artichokes
Food
- Artichoke Pizzetta- vegetarian
- Artichoke Toast with Olive Tapenade- vegetarian
Beverage
- Passion Fruit Rum Cocktail- (refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
LA Style
Food
- Glazed BBQ Pork Belly- kid friendly
- Impossible™ Gyro-Inspired Naan- vegetarian
Beverage
- Echo Park Cooler- plant based
Nuts About Cheese
Food
- Petite Burrata- vegetarian
- Crackers and Cheese
- Mickey Mouse Shaped Macaron Made with Snickers- kid friendly, vegetarian
Beverage
- Flowers and Bees- not plant based due to honey
Peppers Cali-ente
Food
- Chile Relleno Empanada- vegetarian
- Camarones a la Diabla
Beverage
- Cantarito-Style Paloma-(refer to specific alcohol brand to confirm plant based)
Uncork California
Food
- California Artisan Cheese Plate- vegetarian
- Celebration Chocolate Fudge Brownie- kid friendly, vegetarian
Beverage
- A variety of wines and wine flights (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Participating Restaurants
Festival Beer Garden
Beverage
- A variety of beers and beer flights (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Paradise Garden Grill– everything here is plant based!
Food
- Torta de Chilaquiles- plant based, vegetarian
- Bulgogi Fried Rice- kid friendly, plant based, vegetarian
- Impossible™ Gyro Fries- kid friendly, plant based, vegetarian
- Buffalo Mac and Cheese- plant based, vegetarian
- Peach-Blueberry Cobbler- kid friendly, plant based, vegetarian
- Kids Quesadilla- kid friendly, plant based, vegetarian
- Kids Mac and Cheese- kid friendly, plant based, vegetarian
Beverage
- White Float Cocktail- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Festival Cart
Food
- Pretzel Bites- vegetarian
Beverage
- Beer and Seltzer- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Willie’s Churros
Food
- Pineapple-Coconut Churro- kid friendly, vegetarian
Churros Near Hollywood Land
Food
- Tiramisu Churro- kid friendly, vegetarian
Sonoma Terrace
Food
- Black Forest Ham Grilled Cheese- kid friendly
Cucina Cucamonga
Beverage
- Strawberry Horchata- kid friendly, gluten free, vegetarian
- Strawberry Horchata with Spiced Rum- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
- Seasonal Margarita (currently mango)- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Pacific Wharf Cafe
Food
- Grilled Peach Toast- kid friendly (this is not labeled vegetarian but I am not sure why as all ingredients stated seem vegetarian)
- Berries and Cream Bread Pudding- kid friendly, vegetarian
Cappuccino Cart- Pacific Wharf
Beverage
- Horchata Cold Brew- gluten free, vegetarian
Lamplight Lounge
Food
- Ribeye for Two paired with a Speciality selected Glass of Wine- vegetarian
- Cookies and Cream Donuts- kid friendly, vegetarian
Beverage
- Lamplight Lounge Food and Wine Cocktail- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Hollywood Lounge
Beverage
- Margarita flight- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
- Backlot Michelada – (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan), fun fact I first thought this said BLACKOUT Michelada and thought wow this must be strong (insert LOL emoji here)
- Dragon Fruit Soju Mule- (refer to specific brand to confirm plant based / vegan)
Studio Catering Co.
Food
- Korean Fried Chicken Slider
Beverage
- Watermelon Punch- kid friendly, plant based
Terran Treats
Food
- Like a Lemon-Raspberry Pie Churro- kid friendly
Special Events and Experiences
Not only does this amazing festival have food and drinks, but there are loads of fun activities for all ages. The festival offers a variety of special events and experiences, including seminars, workshops, and cooking demonstrations.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Family friendly programming- special activities and demonstrations focused on families.
- Cooking demonstrations- local and Disney chefs will make their favorite recipes on stage (Friday through Sunday only).
- Cocktails at Sonoma Terrace hosted by CORKCICLE®- eat at this fan favorite restaurant and experience an expanded menu of items
- Live music
- Soarin’ over California- a virtual experience type ride where you get to fly over parts of the state and see it’s natural and manmade wonders.
- Bookable experiences like tastings and seminars
Tips for Navigating the Food and Wine Festival
Because there is so much offered during Disney’s food and wine festival, it can be overwhelming. Here are my best tips to make your experience even better!
- Purchase a festival passport to keep track of tastings.
- Share plates so you can try more dishes.
- Consider purchasing a Sip and Savor pass for discounts on food and drink purchases.
- Arrive early to avoid long lines.
- Plan ahead for all experiences to ensure they are available.
- Make bookable experience reservations in advance.
- Utilize the Disneyland app for wait times and ride reservations.
- Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
Festival Favorites
I am clearly a foodie at heart and love attending the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. While I could only try the gluten free items this year, between family and friends we were able to sample almost everything.
Here are some fan favorites we gathered as a collective group, including things for all dietary preferences:
Food
- Impossible Nacho Mac and Cheese- vegetarian
- Impossible Al Pastor Taco- plant based, vegetarian
- Grilled Top Sirloin- kid friendly, gluten free
- Petite Burrata- vegetarian
- Mickey Mouse Shaped Macaron Made with Snickers- kid friendly, vegetarian
- Impossible Gyro Fries- kid friendly, plant based, vegetarian
- Buffalo Mac and Cheese- plant based, vegetarian
Beverage
- Blackberry Lavender Lemonade- kid friendly, plant based
- Chipotle-Pineapple Bourbon Sour- vegetarian due to honey
- Apricot Tequila Colada- uses dairy free coconut cream
- Guava-Lychee Mule
The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival offers a unique and delicious way to experience the best of California cuisine. No matter your dietary needs, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
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Courtesy : https://www.veggiesdontbite.com/disney-california-adventure-food-wine-festival/