Crooked, storybook rooflines on a Los Angeles boulevard make you grin like a kid, and this building looks like a cottage pulled straight out of a fairy tale. In a way, it kind of is.
Walt Disney and his animators ate here so often that people called it the Disney Studio Commissary. His favorite spot, a table by the fireplace, still has a plaque on it today.
Walking in feels like stepping into a piece of old Hollywood, with dark wood, low ceilings, and the smell of prime rib drifting through the room. The booths are worn smooth, and the walls hold decades of stories.
Coming for the food and staying for the tales tucked into every beam and corner is part of the experience. California keeps its history alive in places like this, and the magic still lingers.
A Cottage That Looks Drawn by an Animator
My first reaction to the outside of Tam O’Shanter was a quiet laugh, because the roof really does look like it was sketched by someone having fun. The gables tilt and slope in playful ways.
Dark wood beams crisscross the walls like a gingerbread house for grown-ups.
There is a good reason it looks so magical. The building was designed by Harry Oliver, an Oscar-nominated art director who knew how to make places feel like movie sets.
This style is called Storybook architecture, and it was popular in Los Angeles during the 1920s. Some people believe the look may have even shaped the cottages you see in classic Disney films.
Standing outside, it is easy to picture the Seven Dwarfs whistling their way home through the front door.
The restaurant first opened in 1922 as Montgomery’s Country Inn. Three years later, it got the name Tam O’Shanter, borrowed from a poem by the Scottish writer Robert Burns.
Here is a friendly tip for your visit. Arrive a few minutes early and take a slow lap around the outside before heading in.
The details on the windows and trim are easy to miss, and they make great photos, especially when the lights come on around sunset.
Table 31 and Its Famous Little Plaque
Sliding into the seat Walt Disney loved gave me goosebumps, and I am not even embarrassed to admit it. Table 31 sits right by the fireplace in the main dining room.
A small plaque marks it, so you know you are sharing space with a legend.
Walt picked a cozy spot. The fire keeps things warm, and the booth feels tucked away enough for private talks about big dreams.
Local lore says the table still carries faint scratches and carvings. Some believe these marks are doodles left behind by Walt and his animators while they waited for lunch.
Nobody can promise which lines came from whom, but that mystery is part of the fun.
Walt kept coming back even after his studio moved to Burbank. That tells you a lot about how much he liked the place.
If you want this exact table, plan ahead. It is very popular with Disney fans from all over the world, and it books up quickly.
Call the restaurant or reserve online well before your trip. Even if you end up at another table, you can still wander over politely, peek at the plaque, and snap a quick picture of this piece of animation history.
Where Snow White Talk Filled the Room
Picture a group of young artists in the 1930s, pencils in hand, chatting over plates of roast beef. Back then, the Disney studio sat on Hyperion Avenue, just a couple of miles from this dining room.
So many staff members ate here that folks nicknamed it the Disney Studio Commissary.
It is said that ideas for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were tossed around at these tables. Sleeping Beauty also comes up in the stories.
Knowing that, I found myself looking at the room a little differently. The low ceilings, the carved wood, and the soft glow all seem like something an artist would want to draw.
You can almost hear the scratch of pencils and the bursts of laughter after a silly idea.
Walt himself had simple tastes, by the way. He liked hash, stew, and roast beef sandwiches, which makes him feel more like a regular neighbor than a famous boss.
For families, this is a great chance to share a bit of history with kids. Ask them to imagine which cartoon they would dream up if they sat here with a sketchbook.
Bring paper and crayons, and you might end up with your own little masterpiece.
Plaid, Beams, and Treasures on Every Wall
My neck got a workout here, since I kept tilting my head to read everything hanging on the walls and ceiling. Framed tartans hang with their clan names.
Crests, flags, portraits, and old tankards fill almost every open space.
The whole place leans into the Scottish tale that gave it a name. There is even a painting of Tam O’Shanter himself, the hero from the Robert Burns poem who escapes from a spooky chase.
Stained and bottle glass windows let in colored light during the day, while huge fireplaces add warmth at night. The lighting stays soft and gentle, not too dark and not too bright.
It is the kind of room where you can actually hear the people at your own table, which feels like a rare gift these days.
Disney fans should look for a caricature of co-founder Lawrence Frank. It was drawn by famous Imagineer John Hench and signed by Walt Disney in 1958.
An original painting celebrating the restaurant’s 100th birthday, presented by Imagineer Chris Turner in 2022, is another treat. My advice is simple.
Spend time in the lobby before you are seated, because the photos and memorabilia there tell stories you will not want to miss.
Prime Rib Worth Loosening Your Belt For
Fair warning: once that prime rib lands in front of you, conversation at the table tends to stop for a minute. This is a Lawry’s restaurant, and prime rib is the star of the show.
The meat is tender, juicy, and seasoned just right.
You can pick from a few cuts, including the Tam O’Shanter Cut, the California Cut, and the Prince Charlie Cut. Each one comes in a different size, so hungry eaters and lighter eaters both have options.
I went with the Tam O’Shanter Cut and had zero regrets. It arrived with a puffy Yorkshire pudding, which is not a dessert at all but a golden, airy bread that soaks up gravy beautifully.
Sides like mashed Idaho potatoes, creamed spinach, and creamed corn round things out.
Fun fact for you: co-founder Lawrence Frank also helped create Lawry’s famous seasoned salt. So yes, the flavor has deep family roots.
My practical tip is to share a few sides with your group instead of ordering one each. Portions are hearty, and you may want room for dessert.
Also, do not be shy about asking for a to-go box. Leftover prime rib makes an amazing sandwich the next day.
Scottish Comfort Plates and a Sweet Finish
Sometimes a funny name is all it takes to win me over, and Toad in the Hole did exactly that. Relax, there are no toads involved.
It is a hearty British classic with sausages baked into a fluffy batter.
The menu has plenty of other cozy choices. Scotch Rarebit brings melty, cheesy goodness, while Fish and Chips stays a crowd favorite for good reason.
Shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and steaks are also on offer. If you want something more casual, the Tam Burger is a solid pick for picky eaters and kids.
Each dish feels like the kind of meal you would want after a chilly walk through the Scottish countryside, even if you just parked in sunny Los Angeles.
Save space for dessert, please. The chocolate soufflé is rich and airy, and the hot fudge sundae is another sweet way to end the night.
A quick tip for groups is to order a mix of dishes and pass them around. That way everyone gets a taste of this Scottish-style comfort food without committing to just one plate.
It also turns dinner into a fun little tasting adventure, which kids especially seem to love.
Booking Walt’s Table 31 Experience
Planning ahead paid off big time when I booked the Walt’s Table 31 Experience. This special lunch or dinner comes with its own exclusive menu.
A dedicated host shares stories about Walt’s time at the restaurant as you eat.
The meal unfolds over several courses, sprinkled with fun trivia about early Disney history. Guests often head home with little souvenirs too, which makes it feel like a true keepsake visit.
Menu items can include deviled eggs, bacon-wrapped dates, a wedge salad, chili, and a burger inspired by Walt’s own tastes. Bring your appetite, because it adds up to a lot of food.
If you are sensitive to heat, you can ask for the chili on the side.
The experience requires a prepaid reservation, so book it before your trip. It is a lovely way to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or simply your love of animation.
Tam O’Shanter celebrated its 100th birthday in 2022, and it is still run by the same family, Lawry’s Restaurants Inc., in its original spot. The restaurant is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, and an outdoor patio offers extra seating on sunny days.
Address: 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90039
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