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The Ultimate Guide to Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort

  • Writer: Catherine Micieli
    Catherine Micieli
  • 7 days ago
  • 8 min read

The Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort is a lively and unique Disney destination, offering a special blend of shops, dining, and entertainment with a magical Disney flair. There's always something new for vacationers and Southern California locals to explore!

This vibrant outdoor promenade, located just steps away from Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, has been undergoing an exciting transformation as the Disneyland Resort continues to invest in creating magical new experiences. You may have noticed the west end of the district evolving with a new entrance, new shops, restaurants, and design elements inspired by mid-century modern architecture from Southern California. 

They're thrilled to introduce fantastic places for you to explore during your next visit, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back for the latest updates on Downtown Disney! 

Dining and Drinks: Discover So Much Delicious!

Downtown Disney boasts a wide array of dining options and diverse cuisines. Whether you're enjoying a relaxed meal, celebrating a special occasion, or grabbing a quick snack, there's something to satisfy every taste.

Taste What’s New!

NEW! The brand-new Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby captures the essence of Brit pop culture from the swinging ‘60s in London, while offering a selection of Chef Gordon Ramsay’s iconic and delectable dishes that bring culinary star power. This lively, energetic restaurant showcases Chef Ramsay’s signature dishes, including beef Wellington, fish & chips, cottage pie, and sticky toffee pudding, along with a tableside prime rib cart and playful, flavorful, and visually stunning cocktails. All of these can be enjoyed in three unique dining areas, featuring a spacious patio overlooking the district, accompanied by a curated soundtrack of ‘60s British hits.

  • NEW! Earl of Sandwich is the destination to enjoy the sandwich that started it all! The menu pays tribute to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who created this meal in 1762. Options include The Original 1762, The Full Montagu, The Holiday Turkey, and many other freshly baked sandwiches on artisan breads. This flagship location features The Carvery, an essential experience where premium pastrami is carved fresh throughout the day. In addition to sandwiches, the soups, salads, sides, and breakfast items are notable, along with oversized cookies filled with toppings and soft cinnamon rolls.


  • NEW! Big Boi Lumpia Co. invites you to experience the flavors of the Philippines with its food cart offering crispy Filipino spring rolls in both savory and sweet varieties, such as pork, chicken, plant-based, ube, and peach mango, all accompanied by signature dipping sauces and seasonal specials. This culinary creation comes from Chef Barb Batiste, inspired by family recipes handed down through generations.

  • NEW! Cathy’s Cookies cart provides warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies available by the dozen or by the bucket, perfectly complemented by a rich hot chocolate or a refreshing bottle of milk. Additionally, ready-to-bake dough is available for those who wish to enjoy the scent of freshly baked cookies at home.

  •  NEW! Happy Ice introduces their colorful Philadelphia-style Italian ice at a new cart in the district. These refreshing treats are all-natural and crafted from scratch using real fruit, pure cane sugar, and premium ingredients.


  • NEW! Parkside Market is Downtown Disney's first food hall, featuring four unique culinary concepts in one location.

    • Sip & Sonder offers lattes, fresh pastries, frozen drinks, and tasty small bites.

    • Seoul Sister presents a Korean-inspired menu centered around bibimbap (Korean rice bowls) with a California flair.

    • GG’s Chicken Shop provides chicken sandwiches, salads, and traditional dinner sides.

    • Vista Parkside Market features stunning district views along with creative cocktails and mocktails.

  • NEW! Din Tai Fung, the globally acclaimed Taiwanese restaurant famed for its Xiao Long Bao craftsmanship, has launched its first standalone restaurant at Downtown Disney. Inside, a dumpling expo kitchen provides a captivating view of their 18-fold dumpling creation process. The menu also features Spicy Wontons, String Beans with Garlic, Cucumber Salad, and Pork Chop Fried Rice, all served in a family-style manner. These exquisite dishes are available for takeout to enjoy at home or at your hotel.

  • NEW! Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita, featuring menus crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán, provide three distinct culinary, beverage, and dining experiences. These range from sophisticated Mexican dishes and tequila-based cocktails at the indoor restaurant, Paseo and the open-air Céntrico, to convenient Mexican street-food classics at Tiendita. 

More Table Service Restaurants: Sit Back and Relax with a Bite

  • Ballast Point Brewing Co. offers a sea-inspired atmosphere and Southern California dishes, featuring a brew pub with shareable starters, burgers, tacos, and a rooftop patio with views of the district.

  • Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes provides award-winning burgers, eye-catching CrazyShakes, and other delicious meals in a retro eatery that channels the ‘80s and ‘90s hip-hop and pop culture with a SoHo flair.

  • Earl of Sandwich Tavern is a table service concept by Earl of Sandwich, temporarily located on the district's east side, offering an expanded menu of salads, burgers, pasta, pizza, and, of course, sandwiches!

  • Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio combines two decades of tradition with a lively, casual, and modern tribute to its authentic New Orleans roots and California influences, infusing a vibrant California-fresh energy into its menu.

  • Naples Ristorante e Bar embraces the essence of southern Italy with its Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta, featuring a two-story dining area, Carnivale-inspired décor, an impressive wine list, and an outdoor patio.

  • Splitsville Luxury Lanes is ideal for sports enthusiasts to enjoy a big game with family and friends, offering extensive seating both indoors and outdoors, with a menu of sushi rolls, burgers, pizza, cocktails, and beer. Guests can also enjoy its 20 bowling lanes.

Quick Service: Feeling Snack-ish? Grab and Go!

  • Beignets Expressed is a lively counter-service spot offering the beloved New Orleans treat, from the traditional fried beignet covered in powdered sugar to unique glazed beignets with sweet sprinkles.

  • CrazyShake Window by Black Tap is where you can find extravagant milkshakes to go, courtesy of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes.

  • Earl of Sandwich has temporary spots near the esplanade and a pop-up near Star Wars Trading Post. They serve favorites like The Original 1762, The Full Montagu, Holiday Turkey, along with popular sandwiches, wraps, salads, and sweets.

  • Napolini Pizzeria offers a quick Italian food experience with specialty pizzas, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, and desserts.

  • Salt & Straw features an innovative selection of award-winning ice cream that narrates the story of artisans and farmers through a dynamic menu of flavors and ingredients.

  • Blue Ribbon Corn Dog is the spot for a hand-dipped corn dog, available in classic or unique flavors.

  • California Churro serves up iconic churros at two district locations!

  • Kayla’s Cake is a delightful stop for premium French macarons and other delicious treats.

  • Wetzel’s Pretzels offers freshly baked, hand-rolled soft pretzels at this flagship location. Don’t miss the large mural depicting Southern California scenes and the pretzel-shaped door handle!

And keep an eye out for pop-up food trucks with additional eats and treats!

Shopping: Discover Beloved Finds

For those in search of the ideal gift or a Disney keepsake, the district offers everything they need and much more!

  • NEW! Avengers Reserve honors the fans and tales of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and their allies with comic books, collectibles, Super Hero clothing, and role-play toys for all ages.

  • NEW! Disney Wonderful World of Sweets is a whimsical array of sweet treats, offering freshly made Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn, caramel apples, churro toffee, and an abundance of candies. Its showcase kitchens can be seen from the promenade, and delightful new characters include Poppi the popcorn bucket and other treats named Jimmi, Fluffi, Bonni, and Lolli.

  • NEW! The D-Lander Shop presents trendy fashions and collaborative collections of clothing, handbags, and jewelry, featuring brands like Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke, and a PANDORA Jewelry shop-within-a-shop.

  • NEW! Disney Storyland Boutique is an enchanting retail concept that will frequently change its theme, décor, and merchandise. The current theme focuses on all things cute and adorable!  


  • World of Disney is the main store offering the most extensive range of Disney merchandise at the Disneyland Resort.

  • Disney Home specializes in kitchenware, linens, gadgets, ornaments, and décor.

  • Curl Surf embraces California surf culture with beach fashion for both men and women.

  • Kawaii Slime cart presents a creative collection of adorable slime creations and toys in a variety of colors, textures, scents, and glittery additions for endless play for kids and the young at heart!

  • The LEGO Store offers building sets for both novice and seasoned LEGO fans who can admire the life-sized displays of Disney characters made from LEGO bricks.

  • Lovepop features innovative pop-up greeting cards with exquisite designs for any occasion. These cards are laser-cut, blending modern technology with the ancient art of “kirigami,” a form of origami where the paper is cut instead of folded.

  • PANDORA Jewelry offers a variety of statement jewelry that highlights Disney characters, park landmarks, and more.

    • Pelé Soccer is the ultimate spot to find apparel from soccer teams worldwide.

    • Star Wars Trading Post is ideal for those seeking treasures from across the galaxy.

    • Sunglass Hut offers fashionable sunglasses, perfect for a sunny day in Southern California!

    • Sephora is the destination for essential beauty products, from skincare to makeup and fragrance.

    • WonderGround Gallery is a boutique gallery featuring Disney-themed art and collectibles for home or office.

    • Disney’s Pin Traders kiosk is perfect for those expanding their Disney pin collection or just starting out.

    • Collectible Medallion Machines and Pressed Coin Machines are available in the district and are great for collectors.

    • Kaman's Art Shoppes, Inc. Caricatures kiosk features talented artists who create personal caricatures, making perfect keepsakes.

Additionally, throughout the year, there are trunk shows, pin trading events, and artist showcases. Visit Disneyland.com for more event information.

Entertainment: Experience Plenty of Family Fun

Here are some additional ideas for entertainment in Downtown Disney! 

Unwind on the lawn and let the kids play while enjoying live music in the evenings at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, featuring genres like Motown, rock, pop, reggae, and special performances.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes offers 20 luxurious bowling lanes spread across two floors, along with 25 large-screen TVs. Outside, You can visit The Alley to play interactive games and enjoy performances by local musicians.

While dining at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, listen to singers and musicians perform various jazz genres. Check the entertainment calendar for the current schedule.

What’s Next? Here’s a Sneak Peek!

Plans are in progress to introduce these brand-new restaurants to Downtown Disney soon!

  • Bopo Go! is a new café concept by Eric Wang and Philip Wang, known for their Southern California Bopomofo Café locations. Specifically designed for Downtown Disney, Bopo Go! will offer the same high-quality, authentic boba tea, real juices, and matcha made with all-natural ingredients. Drawing inspiration from Asian convenience stores, this quick-service spot will feature other signature drinks, light bites like gourmet cup noodles and traditional egg salad sandwiches, as well as imported snacks and candies.

Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon, created by Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori, will be a traditional steakhouse featuring prime beef cuts, fresh seafood, sandwiches, salads, and a remarkable variety of bourbon and cocktails, centered around a vibrant bar.

  • Pearl’s Roadside BBQ, another venture by Chef Isidori, will be a fast-service restaurant serving items like pulled pork and beef brisket with homemade sauces, along with craft beers and moonshine cocktails.


  • Construction is in progress to bring Porto’s Bakery & Cafe, a renowned Southern California spot famous for its sweet pastries and California-Cuban-inspired dishes, to Downtown Disney. Food enthusiasts can anticipate enjoying their signature Cheese Rolls, Potato Balls, and other beloved treats from the bakery and cafe. Additionally, this new location will be the first Porto’s to offer sit-down table service and a full bar. Explore concept art of this exciting addition to Downtown Disney, showcasing the outdoor patio, impressive exterior, and inviting dining area.

Throughout the year, watch for new specialty menu items, unique shopping opportunities, and seasonal entertainment and decor throughout the district.


Admission to Downtown Disney is free. If you are visiting Disneyland Park with valid park admission, you can board the Disneyland Monorail at the Downtown Disney station and enjoy an approximately 13-minute ride around the resort before arriving in Tomorrowland.

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