Step into a slice of New Orleans at Tiana’s Palace, a new themed dining concept at Disneyland inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
In anticipation of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction coming next year to Disney Parks, New Orleans Square at Disneyland recently opened a re-imagined dining area that brings Tiana’s Palace to life. In Walt Disney Animation’s modern classic, it’s Princess Tiana’s dream to open a restaurant and serve her family’s recipes of Southern cuisine to bring her community together. Tiana’s ambition was inspired by real-life restauranteur Leah Chase and mirrors the Chase family’s legacy in New Orleans.
Princess Tiana fans can now live out that very dream at Disneyland—just in time for the holidays. io9 recently tried out the menu at Tiana’s Palace, which accommodates various dietary restrictions with selections like a vegan and gluten-friendly gumbo. (That said, there’s no alternative beignet at the Disneyland restaurant, even though a gluten-friendly beignet recipe does exist at the Walt Disney World resort; here’s hoping the option will soon make it to the West Coast.) Check out this gallery of images to preview the decor and offerings at the quick service food location; no reservations are needed if you’re planning on visiting Disneyland this holiday season.
Love the portrait of Tiana and her father, reminding us that our dreams are made possible by those who work hard before us and support our goals.
This letter is signed “Dolly” in the tradition of famous folks visiting a restaurant, like how Leah Chase’s dining rooms display framed notes and photos of celebs. So clearly “Dolly” here is none other than Dolly Parton, therefore making the real-life superhero and Southern country music queen Disney canon.
From the drum with a nod to Louis the gator on sax and the lily pad flower sconces (we love a sconce moment), there’s so many details to immerse you into the cozy feel of Tiana’s Palace. There’s even live jazz on the patio.
Just like in The Princess and the Frog, it comes with a rich roux and a helping of rice. Be sure to ask for hot sauce if on the spicier side is more your thing.
This vegan-friendly version of the gumbo is a winner and just as hearty as the real thing. The sweet potatoes with veggies and seasoned broth are simmered to flavorful perfection. It’s one of the best vegan dishes to be rolled out at Disney Parks that’s not just a plant-based burger or salad.
This version of the gumbo is customizable and still gluten-friendly. So if you’re more into chicken or sausage you can ask for more or less of either, or opt for just one meat. I loved this one so much and it’s quickly going to be one of my go-to dinners now—with that hit of Tabasco, as Tiana would have it!
If you love cheesy grits (I know I do) this is a great option and one of the gluten-friendly dishes. Be forewarned, it does come out on less on the spicy side so be sure to ask for Tabasco to add to taste.
This is a perfect quick lunch sandwich; it’s stacked with mortadella, salami, rosemary ham, cheddar, provolone, and house-made olive relish on a toasted New Orleans sesame seed bread, served with red beans and rice and house-made pickles. One of the best dishes here and great for on-the-go.
This dish is protein-forward, featuring a hearty portion of chicken with Southern sides like coleslaw and mac and cheese. Definitely shareable!
This beignet—loaded with lemon ice box pie filling—is a surprising menu addition; I’m not sure it quite works as well as the nearby Mint Julep Bar’s powdered sugar beignets that look and taste more like Tiana’s “man-catching beignets” from the film. But if tart is your thing, try these. In the future, here’s hoping Tiana’s Palace will lean more into the classic beignet flavors and bring in some of the gluten-friendly options found at Walt Disney World, too.
Get a caffeine kick with the Chicory Cold Brew topped with sweet cream for that theme park stamina boost.
Visit Tiana’s Palace at Disneyland this holiday season at the Disneyland Resort.
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Source: Gizmodo