Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!
It seems like forever ago when Disney announced that the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort would be undergoing a major renovation and a brand-new luxury hotel was coming to the area. In 2018, the renovation started and Disney tore down the AMC Theatre in Downtown Disney. It also closed The Rainforest Café and ESPN Zone. As almost all Disneylanders know, those plans fell through and the area sat empty for years — except for the Rainforest Café, which became a Star Wars store.
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Well, in 2022, at the D23 Expo, held right across from the Disneyland Resort, Disney Parks Chairman, Josh D’Amaro, gave a much-needed update on the shopping and dining area. He shared that a permanent new stage and music area would be opening, along with several new dining spots.
Then the renovation really kicked into high gear and things are moving along quite nicely. In the time since D23, Disney has shuttered several more Downtown Disney restaurants, including Tortilla Jo’s, Catal Restaurant, and Uva Bar. But those places will not be closed for long, as Disney announced new restaurants would be taking their places.
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Related: Downtown Disney Restaurant Announces Indefinite Closure
And now, Disney has shared that those three new restaurants will be opening in a matter of weeks!
Disney Parks Blog shared that Paseo, Tiendita, and Centrico will be opening at Downtown Disney in May! The three Mexican-inspired restaurants are the brainchild of Mexico’s first Michelin-starred chef, Carlos Gaytán.
Even though the restaurants are all Chef Gaytán’s, they will each have their own unique menu items and feel.
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Chef Gaytán’s connection to his homeland comes to life as he pairs his love of Mexico with French culinary style and technique. Standout Paseo menu items will include colorful ceviches, Mama’s cochinita pibil (roasted marinated pork), lamb barbacoa and the mejillones (mussels).
Céntrico’s featured dishes will include quesabirrias, chicken enchiladas, tlayuda (a Oaxacan shareable dish reminiscent of a pizza with a perfect crunch) and one of Chef Gaytán’s favorites, Caesar salad.
At Tiendita, you’ll experience Mexican heritage flavors and street-food staples on the go. Through a self-ordering kiosk, menu options will include esquites (roasted corn), fish tacos, ice cream- stuffed chocolate tacos, and breakfast favorites like chorizo breakfast burritos and chilaquiles (marinated tortilla chips with egg).
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Related: Man Arrested, Forced to the Ground, After Shoplifting From Downtown Disney
Now, you may have seen in the headline that we mentioned four new restaurants opening at Downtown Disney, but so far, we have only spoken about three. Well, keep on reading!
At D23, D’Amaro shared that the popular Southern California Asian restaurant Din Tai Fung would also be coming to Downtown Disney as part of the renovation and reimagining. And now you know that you won’t have to wait long for it, as Disney announced that Din Tai Fung will be opening this summer!
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Din Tai Fung will feature of number of exciting Asian dishes, including soup dumplings, wontons, steamed buns, delectable noodle dishes, fried rice, and so much more!
Disney has also shared that new steakhouse and barbecue restaurants will be coming to Downtown Disney in the future. We do not have any real details on these dining spots, except that they will take the place of Tortilla Jo’s, which closed in early April.
What new Downtown Disney restaurant are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
