Delectable Delights: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Guide 2023!

Foodies and theme park fans, Disney California Adventure‘s annual Food & Wine Festival has arrived! From March 3 through April 25, DCA’s celebration of Californian fare and ingredients is a prime opportunity to try something new and enjoy a DCA favorite. We’ve gotten a head start on the food for the festival, and we’ll be sharing our thoughts on the eats and treats from this year. There’s quite a selection to choose from, and we’re excited to go back for more. Here’s what we you need to know about DCA’s Food & Wine Festival this year.

(The article below is a mix of photos from a festival preview on 3/2/2023 and from last year’s event. We will continue to update this article with more images from the 2023 event throughout the day on 3/3/2023)

The popular annual festival originally showcased California crops like avocados, strawberries, and citrus, but now the limited-time event also highlights the Golden State’s diverse cultural flavors.

“Our chefs often reach back into their own lives for flavors they recall and love and then use them for inspiration – I call the process ‘memory to table,’” says event Chef Jimmy Weita. “Our focus on creativity leads us to explore, imagine, and recreate.”

The festival gives Disney chefs a chance to flex their creativity. This comes out in new original dishes as well as inventive takes on classic fare. Some of this year’s novel items include an Elote Paleta (a Mexican corn-inspired popsicle) and a tater tot version of Beef Poutine.

There are plenty of returning favorites like the Carbonara-Garlic Mac & Cheese and the Blueberry Buttermilk Pie, along with quite a selection of new items. Not every item pushes the envelope like the items above, so even if you’re not an adventurous eater, there’s something you’ll like.

The 2023 event has a dozen Festival Marketplaces, each with a selection of both sweet and savory small plates as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Plant-based, allergy-friendly, gluten-friendly, and kid-friendly dishes are also available.

Pro Tip: All festival booth “Marketplace” items can be purchased from any Marketplace register (we recommend choosing the shortest line even if you’re not ordering anything from their menu). Then all you have to do is take your receipt to each pick-up window. Note that the ability to order from anywhere is sometimes revoked if items begin selling out, and usually within the last hour the booths are open. 

For the best value, the Sip and Savor Pass includes eight tabs redeemable for select food and non-alcoholic beverages at Festival Marketplaces and tasting-size portions at participating dining locations.

Don’t just buy that Sip and Savor pass at the first place you see. They are available all over the place, including any festival booth. Again, look for the shortest line.  

California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Marketplaces 2023

The Food & Wine Festival has kicked off, so it’s time to figure out what sounds best to you! Below, we’ve got all of the food for this year’s festival. Take a look and see what catches your eye.

Avocado Time

• IMPOSSIBLE Nacho Mac & Cheese: Cheddar mac featuring seasoned IMPOSSIBLE ground beef, tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, and guacamole (New)  

Mac & Cheese is a staple for Food & Wine, so it’s no surprise to see it return in some iteration this year. However, the concept for this year is quite successful. The contrasting textures and flavors of the nacho elements pair nicely with the creamy mac & cheese. Even if you’re a meat eater, we think you’ll still enjoy this dish.

• IMPOSSIBLE Al Pastor Tacos: Al pastor taco featuring IMPOSSIBLE pork with grilled pineapple and avocado-tomatillo sauce (New) (Plant-based offering) 

This was not a hit with our team. While the Impossible meat does a good job of approximating pork, all of the varying textures make it a bit difficult to discern what is supposed to be the main feature of the dish. We likely won’t be ordering this again.

• Blackberry-Lavender Lemonade: Blackberry purée and syrup, lavender syrup, and pineapple and lemon juices garnished with a lemon wheel (New)  

This particular drink is a revamped version of the same drink that was offered last year. For a lemonade, it’s quite sweet. Though, there’s less of an emphasis placed on the lemon than on the blackberry in the drink. 

Berry Patch

• Kenny’s Family Cheesecake topped with mixed berry compote (New) 
• Blueberry Buttermilk Pie

• Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Mexico Origin Coffee, brown butter, maple and demerara syrup, and oat milk with a blueberry sweet cream made with cream, oat milk, vanilla syrup, and purée garnished with cinnamon-flavored cereal crumble (Non-alcoholic) (New) 

California Craft Brews

In a new location in front of Little Mermaid this year. 

• IPA Sausage Dog on a soft pretzel roll with onion-pepper Jardinière, cheddar cheese sauce, and malt vinegar-jalapeño crunch

• La Bodega Brewing Company Helles Lager (New)  
• Unsung Brewing Co. Light Ale (New) 
• Harland Brewing Co. Double Dry-Hopped Pale Ale (New) 
• Altamont Brewing Maui Waui IPA (New) 
• Barrelhouse Brewing Mango Fruited IPA (New) 
• Delahunt Brewing Co. 1924 Raspberry Blonde (New) 
• Brewery X Pineapple Vanilla Milkshake IPA (New) 
• Bottle Logic Brewing Co. Aurora Borealis (New)  
• Chapman Crafted Beer Zodiac Series Hazy IPA (New) 
• Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. The Dopest Hazy IPA (New) 
• Golden Road Brewing Strawberry Cart Wheat Ale (New) 
• Ballast Point Brewing Co. Watermelon Dorado Double IPA (New) 
• Russian River Brewing Company Happy Hops IPA (New) 
• Bright & Balanced Beer Flight (New) 
  IPA Beer Flight (New)  

Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo

This year, Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo is placed at the end of the parade route. 

• Smoked Honey-Habanero Chicken Wings: Chicken wings tossed in honey-habanero seasoning (New)  
• BBQ Beef Brisket Slider featuring Fiscalini Farmstead Smoked Cheddar with dill pickles on salt and pepper brioche (New)  

DCA has been switching up the beef slider for the last few years. This year’s version was pretty good. For a hefty $9, you get a pretty decent bite to eat. It reminded us of a fancy McRib, but in the best way possible.

• Chipotle-Pineapple Bourbon Sour: Bourbon, pineapple and lime juice, honey syrup, and chipotle sour purée garnished with a dehydrated orange wheel (New) 

This is a good drink! Based on the chipotle in the title, I was expecting a bit more chili heat, but it’s more of a smoky-sweet drink without being a sugar bomb. Definitely worth a try!

• Smoked Cherry Mezcal-iki Cocktail: Dark rum, mezcal, cherry purée, grapefruit and lime juices, vanilla syrup, and bitters garnished with a dried grapefruit chip (New)  

D-Lish

• Beef & Barley Poutine: Potato bites with braised beef short rib, cheese curds, stout gravy, and lager micro sponge (New)  

Our team had mixed opinions about this dish. Some thought it was a nice twist on poutine. Others thought that it was fairly bland. We were all hoping for a more exciting potato option besides tater tots, but tots are also a festival staple. The weird “lager micro sponge” is probably the best-tasting part of the dish but wholly unnecessary and a bit of an afterthought.

• Cubano Slider: Slow-roasted, mustard-crusted pork, and sliced smoked ham with melted Swiss cheese and pickle served on a Hawaiian roll  

This is a returning favorite. It’s described as kid-friendly, though we’re not sure how many kids are drawn to this kind of sandwich. That said, it’s still a delicious option.

• Sake Melon ’75: Sake, ginger liqueur, prosecco, rock melon syrup, and lemongrass citron purée garnished with an edible purple orchid  
• Apricot Tequila Colada: Reposado Tequila, Aperol, apricot purée, coconut cream, and orange and lime juices garnished with a lime wheel 

Garlic Kissed

• Carbonara-Garlic Mac & Cheese with peppered bacon 

• Grilled Top Sirloin with roasted garlic-Gruyère smashed potatoes and black garlic chimichurri  

• Raspberry Limoncello-Ade: Limoncello, grapefruit liqueur, house-made mint syrup, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice garnished with a white orchid (New) 
• Guava-Lychee Mule: Vodka, guava nectar, ginger and lychee syrup, and lemon juice topped with guava and grapefruit hard cider and garnished with a lemon wheel (New)  

Golden Dreams

• Elote Paleta: Sweet corn paleta with parm crema, chile-lime seasoning, corn crunch, and cilantro (New)  

As strange as it might seem, this corn popsicle is actually pretty good! Although we wish that it was presented as a scoop of sorbet instead of a popsicle, flavor-wise it works quite well. The corn flavor is reminiscent of creamed corn and the freeze-dried corn adds a nice crunch. The only offputting part of the dish is the parm crema.

• Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Flatbread with basil pesto (New)

This is delicious and packs a herbaceous punch! It’s one of the more elevated dishes in this year’s festival. The pesto is strong without being overpowering, and the flatbread is just chewy enough to give you time to savor all the flavors at once. 

• Central California Cooler: Peach purée, apple, orange and lemon juices garnished with an apple chip 
• Ficklewood Ciderworks Guava Grove: Grapefruit, guava, and tropical flavors with Nelson Sauvin Hops (New)  

I Heart Artichokes

• Artichoke Pizzetta: Artichoke and roasted garlic cream cheese with sun-dried tomatoes, pickled onions, and lemon olive oil-drizzled micro greens (New)  

Another good option this year! Although it’s a bit more subtle than other festival dishes, it still scratches the itch for pizza. 

• Artichoke Toast with Olive Tapenade: Toasted sliced baguette with artichoke cream cheese topped with olive and artichoke tapenade and drizzled with olive oil 

You’ve really got to like olives to enjoy this dish. Luckily for me, I’m an olive lover. The crust bread is the perfect counterpart to the briny olives and artichoke cream cheese.

• Passion Fruit Rum Cocktail: White rum, Italian amaro, passion fruit nectar, orange and lime juices, and guava purée garnished with an orange wedge 

LA Style

• Glazed BBQ Pork Belly with Furikake-Togarashi mac salad 

• IMPOSSIBLE Gyro-inspired Naan: Gyro-inspired flatbread featuring IMPOSSIBLE ground beef with chipotle hummus, tzatziki, and spiced crispy chickpeas  
• Echo Park Cooler: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon & Raspberry Rose Tea, raspberry purée, lychee and rose syrups, and lime juice garnished with a lime wheel (Non-alcoholic) (New)  

Nuts About Cheese

• Petite Burrata: Grilled ciabatta with tomato and olive jam, burrata cheese, pesto, and freeze-dried balsamic (New)  
• Crackers & Cheese: House-made herb crackers with white cheddar fromage blanc, spicy salami spread, and cherry jam  

This was one of the breakout hits from last year’s festival. We’re glad to see this dish back. Just a warning that the salami spread is a bit spicier than we were expecting, but it’s part of what makes the item so craveable.

• Mickey Mouse-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS: Chocolate Mickey macaron filled with caramel ganache and SNICKERS cookie bar pieces  

Another returning favorite of the festival. This is a monster of a macaron, you’ll want to share unless you’re a sugar fiend (like me). It comes out chilled, so let it come to room temperature for a soft cream filling. Who can say no to chocolate, caramel, and peanuts?

 

• Flowers & Bees: Gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and honey, hibiscus, and lavender syrups garnished with a purple pansy (New)  

Peppers Cali-ente

• Chile Relleno Empanada with Arbol Pepper Salsa and Oaxaca and Cotija Cheeses

If you like heat, this is a dish right up your alley. While it could some kind of a protein in it, it’s still delish as-is. 

• Camarones a la Diabla: Spicy shrimp with California chile and cilantro rice (New)  
• Cantarito-style Paloma Reposado Tequila, Habanero-infused Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Rock Melon Syrup and Fresca, garnished with a Pineapple Wheel and Chile-Lime Seasoning

Uncork California

• California Artisan Cheese Plate featuring Marin French Cheese Co. Jalapeño Triple Cream Brie, Fiscalini Farmstead Purple Moon Cheddar, and Craft Beer Cheddar 
• Celebration Chocolate Fudge Brownie: Gooey Chocolate Brownie with Pecans, topped with Chocolate Pecan Glaze and finished with Chocolate Pearls and Silver Stars 

This is likely the most disappointing of the items we’ve tried so far. It’s marketed as a “gooey” brownie, but it was one of the cake-iest brownies I’ve had in a long while. The upside is that there are plenty of pecans to go around in the topping. Maybe we got a fluke, but we’re not tempted to try it again.

• 1923 Mimosa: Prosecco, white cranberry juice, white peach syrup, and lemon juice (New)  
• 1939 Mimosa: Prosecco, pineapple and orange juices, and passion fruit and guava nectar (New)  
• 1955 Mimosa: Prosecco, dragon fruit and rose syrups, hibiscus water, and lemon juice (New)  
• Century of Magic Mimosa Flight (New)  
• Daou Vineyards Chardonnay (New)  
• Meiomi Rosé (New)  
• Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (New)  
• McBride Sisters Wine Company Red Blend (New)  
• Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (New)  
• Robert Mondavi Vineyards, Private Selection
• Cabernet Sauvignon aged in bourbon barrels (New)
• Scharffenberger Cellars Brut (New)  
• White Wine Flight (New) 
• Red Wine Flight (New) 
• Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)  
• Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Flutes (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)   

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Additional Festival Food Locations

Additional dining locations and outdoor carts throughout Disney California Adventure Park – including Pym Tasting Lab and Terran Treats in Avengers Campus – will also offer festival-inspired items. Here’s what you can find this year around the park:

Cappuccino Cart 

• Horchata Cold Brew: Creamy blend of cold brew and house-made rice and cinnamon beverage  

Churro Cart in Buena Vista Street 

• Pineapple-coconut Churro with pineapple sugar, pineapple topping, coconut cream icing, and toasted coconut 

Churro Cart in Hollywood Land 

• Tiramisu Churro rolled in vanilla-cocoa sugar and drizzled with espresso sauce 

Cocina Cucamonga

• Strawberry Horchata: House-made rice and cinnamon beverage with strawberry sauce (Non-alcoholic) (Available with Spiced Rum)  
• Seasonal Mango Margarita 

Cocktails @ Sonoma Terrace

• Black Forest Ham Grilled Cheese: Sourdough grilled cheese with black forest ham, smoked mozzarella, and red wine-poached pear jam served with sun-dried tomato-cheese sauce (New)

Lamplight Lounge

• Cookies & Cream Donuts: Fresh, glazed donuts topped with chocolate cookie crumble, with vanilla and chocolate crème cookie dipping sauce  
• Ribeye for Two paired with a specially selected glass of wine: Share a 28oz bone-in ribeye with glazed baby carrots, poblano-potato bake, roasted mushrooms, cipollini onions, and bourbon-bacon compound butter with Cookies & Cream Donuts for dessert 
• Lamplight Lounge Food & Wine Cocktail: Gin, elderflower liqueur, peach, basil simple syrup, lemon, blue curaçao, and fresh basil 

Lamplight Lounge – Boardwalk Dining  

• Lamplight Lounge Food & Wine Cocktail: Gin, elderflower liqueur, peach, basil simple syrup, lemon, blue curaçao, and fresh basil

Pacific Wharf Café 

• Grilled Peach Toast with ricotta-mascarpone spread and arugula salad on toasted sourdough bread (New)  
• Berries and Cream Bread Pudding: Seasonal berry bread pudding with whipped topping, strawberry sauce, and crème anglaise (New)  

Paradise Garden Grill

• Torta de Chilaquiles: Fresh-made Telera bread with green chilaquiles, chorizo beans, chipotle crema, pickled onions, cilantro, and avocado spread (New) (Plant-based offering)  
• Bulgogi Fried Rice with kimchi, egg, pickled cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds (New) (Plant-based offering) 
• IMPOSSIBLE Gyro Fries: Waffle fries topped with gyro-spiced IMPOSSIBLE ground beef, cauliflower cheese sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, tzatziki, and pita bread (New) (Plant-based offering) 
• Buffalo Mac and Cheese topped with roasted buffalo cauliflower, ranch, and a carrot and celery salad (New) (Plant-based offering) 
• Peach-Blueberry Cobbler (Plant-based offering) 
• Wine Float Cocktail: Tequila, Triple Sec, Agave and Lime & Orange Juices with a Red Wine Float

Paradise Garden Grill Beer Garden

• Stereo Brewing Co. Perfect Day IPA 
• Stone Brewing Co. Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager  
• Golden Road Brewing Get Up Offa That Brown Ale (New)  
• Golden Road Brewing Ride On 10 Hop Hazy IPA  
• Mother Earth Brew Co. Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale  
• The Bruery Or Xata Blonde Ale 
• Rincon Reservation Road Brewery Rez Dog Hefeweizen (New)  
• Smog City Brewing Co. Coffee Porter  
• Beer Flight: Create your own flight of four beers 

Studio Catering Co. 

• Korean Fried Chicken topped with gochujang sauce, kimchi, coleslaw, and pickled onions served on sweet Hawaiian bread 
• Watermelon Punch: Korean-style watermelon punch with Sprite and oat milk 

Terran Treats

• Like a Lemon-Raspberry Pie Churro: Raspberry-flavored spiral churro topped with a lemon and marshmallow glaze and pie crust crumbles (New)  

Outdoor Vending Carts

• Pretzel Bites with beer cheese sauce (New)  
• Ballast Point Brewing Co. Speedboat Salt & Lime Blonde Ale (New)  
• Brewery X Orange Electrolyte Hard Seltzer (New) 

Plus, select restaurants in Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Resort hotels will join the festivities with special dishes and events for a limited time.

 

Ballast Point Brewing Co. 

• Tomato & Burrata: California-grown heirloom cherry tomatoes, California burrata, parsley, garlic, shallots red wine vinegar, and olive oil (New) (Available March 3 through 31)  
• Coconut Curry Shrimp: Marinated shrimp served on white rice with curry broth and nori leaf (New) (Available April 1 through 24)

Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available March 3 through April 24)

• Pizza Caprina: White pizza, fresh mozzarella, and bruschetta tomato mix topped with fresh arugula and goat cheese (New) 

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (Available March 3 through April 24)

• BBQ Shrimp & Grits: Gulf shrimp simmered in a New Orleans BBQ sauce with roasted garlic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and Creole seasonings served over andouille sausage and parmesan grits  

Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Available March 3 through April 24)

• Grilled Ahi & Avocado: Seared buttery ahi tuna tossed in kimchi ponzu and stuffed into a scored and grilled avocado plated with sushi rice and drizzled with additional kimchi ponzu and spicy mayo and garnished with sesame seeds finished with wonton chips

 

Festival Merchandise

There’s always merchandise to be on the lookout for. This year’s collection features bright colors and Chef Mickey. Here’s a sample of what’s available now:

Stay tuned for a full merchandise guide to Food & Wine 2023!

Entertainment and Demos Galore!

The delicious food and drinks and themed merchandise aren’t the only things to be excited about. There’s also fun entertainment. This year’s entertainment includes:

“Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party,” a limited-time cupcake decorating experience for kids ages 3-11 inspired by Disney Junior’s animated series “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery.”

Jammin’ Chefs

Exactly what it sounds like. Making music with kitchen implements. Cute for the kiddies. 

Culinary Demonstrations and Seminars

On weekends, guests can participate in informative chats with visiting breweries at the Paradise Beer Garden and culinary demonstrations by both Disney and visiting chefs at the Hollywood Backlot Stage (including celebrity chefs Justin Warner, Jet Tila, and Nyesha Arrington).

Wine, Beer, and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars will also be offered at Sonoma Terrace – with the Disney-focused Mixology seminars featuring Lamplight Lounge, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Hollywood Lounge, and Magic Key Terrace. Winemaker Receptions at Carthay Circle include Brown Estate with Coral Brown, Le Artishasic with Sommelier Chris Hoel and Artie Johnson, and Skywalker Vineyards with Tom Johnson. 

Soarin’ Over California

Last but far from least, the original Soarin’ Over California attraction is also returning for the duration of the Food & Wine Festival in 2023.

VIDEO Walk-Through of Food & Wine Festival 2023

Dusty and Nathan walk you through a preview of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. They don’t agree on everything they like (and didn’t) for this year’s festival. 

Let’s Hear From You

Which Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival items are your favorites? Are you looking forward to trying something new or sticking with the tried and true? Or is the return of California Soarin’ the real treat? 

Stay tuned… we’ll have more thoughts on the eats and treats of Disney California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival 2023 very soon!

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