Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort is making some big changes. As part of its expansion plans on the west end, the District will add four new dining spots and a new entertainment stage. 

New Downtown Disney Zone: Parkside Market

Downtown Disney District is building a whole new area on the west side featuring the Parkside Market. A blend of varied culinary expressions, this space will house four distinct dining spots.

We recently snapped this image of the Parkside Market construction: 

Seoul Sister: A Korean-Californian Fusion

Helmed by Executive Chef Kelly Kim, Seoul Sister is all about blending traditional Korean tastes with Californian flair. From bibimbap (Korean rice bowls) boasting marinated meats and vibrant veggies to appetizers and hand-crafted beverages, this eatery is all set to enthrall food enthusiasts.

Sip & Sonder: An Acclaimed LA Café

Recognized by the Los Angeles Times as one of LA’s finest, Sip & Sonder is bringing its signature lattes to the District with a menu featuring fresh treats, frozen beverages, and Caribbean-inspired bites.

GG’s Chicken Shop: Award-winning Delights

Coming from the house of James Beard Award-winning creators, GG’s Chicken Shop is sure to be a hit with Downtown Disney guests with its enticing comfort food menu. The eatery, rooted in a family-friendly ethos, will serve delectable chicken sandwiches, salads, and classic sides. With its primary location in Chicago, the Downtown Disney District will mark its first presence on the West Coast.

Al Fresco Bar with A View

This double-decker bar promises a rejuvenating outdoor experience for visitors. From frozés to espresso martinis and refreshing mocktails, this spot will offer a mix of beverages crafted by expert mixologists.

New Downtown Disney Stage and a Tribute Tower

Beyond the eateries of the Parkside Market is the actual park and its iconic new stage. The unique mid-century styling of the outdoor stage and its expanded lawn will be revealed later this year. This space will be crowned with a sculptural tower crafted by Nikkolas Smith. This structure will honor the remarkable contributions of mid-20th-century architects of color in Southern California.

What’s On The Horizon for Downtown Disney?

Of course, there’s much more on the way to Downtown Disney. Diners will soon indulge in delicacies from Din Tai Fung, renowned for its Chinese cuisine, savor Mexican flavors by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán at Paseo and Céntrico, and relish the famous Potato Balls from Porto’s Bakery and Cafe. 

Din Tai Fung

As part of the Downtown Disney overhaul, a brand new Din Tai Fung location is coming to the west end of the district. While the area is still an active construction site, new concept art gives a preview of what the restaurant will look like inside:

The exterior of the building shows a sleek and elegant space, so it’s no surprise that the interior matches the design aesthetic.

Coming Soon: Paseo and Centrico

A high-end Mexican restaurant and bar will replace the old Catal & Uva Bar locations. The new Paseo and Centrico by Chef Carlos Gaytan will still be owned and operated by Patina Restaurant Group. 

The Paseo Lounge will take over the old Uva Bar space in the center of the Downtown Disney walkway. While Uva Bar was very popular and sometimes hard to get a table, it suffered from little shade and full exposure to the elements. Paseo will solve that issue with a covered pergola encircling the seating area. 

Of course, that leads us to wonder what will happen to Tortilla Jo’s, another Mexican restaurant just a short distance away, which is also operated by Patina Group. 

Earl of Sandwich Shuffle!

If you’re looking for a quick eat without breaking the bank, Earl of Sandwich is the place to go. While the establishment was forced to close as part of a would-be hotel project, Disney promised that it would return at a later date. Sure enough, the hot sandwich location has returned to Downtown Disney in the spot previously occupied by La Brea Bakery (which has exited the cafe business entirely).

You can find hot sandwiches, salads, breakfast items, baked goods and more at Earl. 

The Earl of Sandwich operates as quick-service but also has a table-service option called Earl of Sandwich Tavern.

The full-service Earl of Sandwich Tavern offers a seated breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a full bar.

But don’t get too attached to this particular location, Earl of Sandwich will be moved once again in the not-too-distant future to make way for another restaurant. Though, Earl of Sandwich will eventually have a permanent location in the overhaul of the west end of Downtown Disney and will move there when it’s completed. 

Porto’s Bakery Coming to Downtown Disney

As announced at the 2022 D23 Expo, Porto’s Bakery is coming to Downtown Disney. The popular bakery and eatery will be newly constructed in the current Earl of Sandwich location.

Great Maple at the Pixar Place Hotel

Not quite in Downtown Disney, but just steps away, will be a new table service restaurant. Great Maple, a popular Southern California-based eatery, is preparing to bring its signature modern American comfort food to Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel in the summer of 2023. 

Great Maple is particularly known for its delicious maple bacon donuts, farm-to-table menu items, and an impressive selection of craft beers. The restaurant has gained a loyal following for its all-day brunch menu, which we love. 

Great Maple’s distinctive approach to comfort food is sure to be a hit with Pixar Place Hotel guests, but is so close to Downtown Disney that general Disneyland Resort guests are very likely to keep this establishment in high demand.

Disneyland Ticket Offers 

You can purchase the new ticket offer from Disneyland OR you can save even more and get full service from our travel partners at Get Away Today – INCLUDING Disneyland tickets at the old price (for a very limited time). 

Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm, including new low hotel rates, extra days and nights for free, special perks, and more:

(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals and we may make a small commission on any sales made through our links)

Let’s Hear From You

These are some of the interesting developments in the reimagining of Downtown Disney. How do the four new restaurants of the Parkside Market sound to you? We await word on what might happen to Tortilla Jo’s. Servers at the establishment, which is owned by the same company building Paseo and Centrico, expect it to be reimagined. Does the recent redesign of Jazz Kitchen give you confidence? And what do you think about the game of chess Disney has been playing with Earl of Sandwich? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

For more updates about the major renovation of Downtown Disney, be sure to read the articles below: