Looking for the best places for breakfast at Downtown Disney? Here’s a guide to where to find morning bites before your Disney day begins.
Planning a day at the Disneyland Resort starts with one very important thing: breakfast. Whether you’re heading into Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure, fueling up before the fun begins is essential, especially if you’re traveling with kids or tackling rope drop.
Although I am a big proponent of getting to the parks early and not missing a minute of when the crowds are at their lightest (aka not wasting time eating when you could be on rides!), sometimes you just want to start your day with a good breakfast. Downtown Disney breakfast spots all open pretty early, so you can grab something easy on your way into the park.
Here’s a guide to where to find breakfast inside Downtown Disney and the adjacent Disney Resort hotels, with tips on which ones work best for families.
Downtown Disney Breakfast Restaurants
1. Parkside Market Coffee
Part of Downtown Disney’s reimagining, Parkside Market is a new food hall near the new entrance to Downtown Disney. One of the quick-service restaurants housed there is Parkside Market Coffee. (It was very briefly called Sip & Sonder before rebranding.)
Parkside Market Coffee has a walk-up counted and offers craft coffee drinks and light breakfast options such as cinnamon rolls and croissants.
We’ve been to Parkside Market for lunch, but not yet for breakfast! The food was okay (we had chicken sandwiches from GG’s Chicken Shop). More than the food, the thing I love best about this place is their open-air seating area upstairs, so that’s where I recommend you grab your breakfast and sit for a pinch.
Family Tip: This café has a relaxed, modern vibe, making it a good choice if your family doesn’t need to rush into the parks first thing.
Hours: Opens at 7 a.m. Friday through Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday
Top Breakfast Picks:
- An array of lattes, coffee, and teas
- Cinnamon rolls
- Cake pops, pastries, and croissants
2. Earl of Sandwich
Earl of Sandwich is a go-to for families looking for something fast, hearty, and affordable. Their warm, toasted breakfast sandwiches are filling enough to keep kids fueled through the morning, and they’re easy to eat on the go while walking to the park entrance. They also have great bowls, which is my go-to whenever we stop there for breakfast.
Earl of Sandwich is currently located in a pop-up location near Star Wars Trading Post, as its future location in a new two-story building is currently under construction. The restaurant’s original spot near the Disneyland Esplanade is being transformed to make way for Porto’s Bakery. (Lot’s of changes underway all around!)
Family Tip: Portions are generous. Splitting a sandwich between younger kids is a great way to save money and avoid food waste.
Hours: Opens daily at 8 a.m.
Top Breakfast Picks:
- Bacon, Egg & Cheddar Sandwich
- Ham, Egg & Swiss Sandwich
- Breakfast BLT
- Fresh fruit cups and coffee
3. Beignets Expressed
For a taste of New Orleans, stop by Beignets Express for breakfast at Downtown Disney.
Beignets are one of those Disney must-tries, and Beignets Expressed makes it easy to grab a sweet treat for breakfast. These fluffy, powdered sugar–covered pastries are great for sharing (though you may want to pack wipes for sticky fingers!). You can get four for around 11 bucks, or six for $14.
Family Tip: Order a variety of dipping sauces and let kids pick their favorite. Chocolate is usually the big winner.
Hours: Opens daily at 9 a.m.
Top Breakfast Picks:
- Original New Orleans Beignets
- Glazed Beignets
4. Starbucks
Starbucks is familiar, convenient, customizable, and most of all caffeinated!
When you need your morning coffee drink and the kids just want something familiar, Starbucks is always a safe bet. With breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and egg bites, there’s something even picky eaters will go for.
Family Tip: Mobile order in advance to save time. Parents can grab their lattes, and kids can enjoy cake pops or a bagel while waiting for rope drop.
Hours: Opens daily at 7 a.m.
Top Breakfast Picks:
- A huge variety of coffee, tea, and specialty drinks
- Egg bites
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Bagels, muffins, and pastries
5. Jamba
If your family prefers something light and refreshing, Jamba is perfect. Smoothies and bowls are easy to sip or snack on while walking, and they’re especially good for kids who aren’t big breakfast eaters but need something in their stomach before a long morning.
Note: Jamba is set to close on July 6 to make way for Bopo Go! café, a bubble tea shop.
Family Tip: Açaí bowls at Jamba are big enough to share. Grab one with extra spoons for the kids.
Hours: Opens daily at 7 a.m.
Top Breakfast Picks:
- Açaí Primo Bowl
- Peach Perfection Smoothie
- Belgian Waffle Parfait
- Classic Egg Handwich
6. Porto’s Bakery & Café – Coming Soon
Porto’s is one of the most anticipated additions to Downtown Disney. Known for its Cuban pastries and savory snacks, it will be a must-stop for families seeking breakfast at Downtown Disney once it opens.
Family Tip: Kids love the Potato Balls and Cheese Rolls, while parents can enjoy savory breakfast sandwiches with strong coffee. Expect lines, so plan for extra time.
Expected Breakfast Highlights:
- Cheese Rolls
- Potato Balls
- Guava & Cheese Strudel
- Chorizo & Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
Even if you’re not staying overnight, the nearby Disneyland Resort hotels (all steps from Downtown Disney) offer some of the best breakfast experiences, especially if your family wants character dining.
Here’s a quick rundown.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Storytellers Café – Opens at 7 a.m. daily: Breakfast buffet with Mickey and friends in resort attire. Great for kids who want character time without waiting in long park lines. Food includes Mickey Waffles, an omelet station, and seasonal pastries.
- GCH Craftsman Grill – Opens at 6:45 a.m. daily: Quick-service option with traditional breakfast foods. Ideal for families who want something fast before heading into the parks.
Disneyland Hotel
- Goofy’s Kitchen – Opens at 7 a.m. daily: A classic character breakfast featuring Goofy, Minnie, Chip, and Dale. The buffet includes kid-pleasers like PB&J Pizza and Mickey Pancakes, alongside omelets and fruit. Perfect for families who want a fun, high-energy start to the day.
- The Coffee House – Opens at 6 a.m. daily: Convenient grab-and-go spot for families staying at the hotel.
- Tangaroa Terrace – Opens at 7 a.m. daily: Overlooking the Disneyland Hotel pool, Tangaroa Terrace offers lots of great breakfast options with a tiki twist.
- Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – Opens at 7 a.m. daily: Trader Sam’s just started serving breakfast, with a menu very similar to Tangaroa Terrace. Start the day with eggs, a breakfast sandwich, or tropical pancakes on their beautiful patio.
Pixar Place Hotel
- The Sketch Pad Cafe – Opens at 6 a.m. daily: Fast and convenient grab-and-go spot for breakfast.
- Great Maple – Opens at 8 a.m. daily: A modern, sit-down restaurant with elevated takes on breakfast classics. While parents enjoy dishes like Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast, kids can tuck into fluffy buttermilk pancakes or Maple Bacon Doughnuts.
Final Tips for Families Eating Breakfast at Downtown Disney
- Arrive early: Lines for food may get really long right before the parks open at 8:00 a.m.
- Share plates: Portions are large at many locations; splitting saves money and avoids waste.
- Build in time: Character breakfasts can take 60-90 minutes, so don’t plan them on days when you want to be there for rope drop.
- Mobile order when possible: Especially handy for Starbucks and Disney Resort hotel quick-service spots.
- Wipes and napkins are a must: Beignets, smoothies, and Mickey Waffles can get messy fast.
And here’s my most controversial tip of all: Don’t buy breakfast.
You are already going to be spending a lot of money on food during your Disneyland vacation. Bring granola bars, cereal, bagels, fruit, or pastries from home and eat in your hotel room before leaving for the parks. You can even pick up a loaf of Mickey-shaped sourdough bread from outside Aunt Cass Cafe at DCA the day before, and ask for some butter. You’ll have an easy, inexpensive breakfast ready to go the next morning.
Finally, consider staying at one of the hotels near Disneyland that serve free breakfast. This move alone can save you a ton of time and money.
Final Thoughts: Breakfast in Downtown Disney
From warm breakfast sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich to character dining at Goofy’s Kitchen to reliably good Starbucks coffee drinks, Downtown Disney offers a wide variety of ways to start your day. Families can choose between quick bites for busy mornings or relaxed sit-down meals when there’s no rush.
The best part? All these options are just steps away from the park gates, making your morning seamless, satisfying, and magical before you even scan your ticket. Eat well, fuel up, and get ready for an unforgettable Disney day with the whole family.
For more help planning your Disneyland vacation, check out these other articles:
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