The Ultimate Guide to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort

A wave of new restaurants, snack stands, and shops has transformed the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, from Din Tai Fung and the Parkside Market food hall to lululemon and Avengers Reserve. With free admission and marquee names like Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby and Porto's Bakery still to come, here is the full guide to dining, shopping, and entertainment in the promenade.

The Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort has been quietly reinventing itself, and the open-air promenade now reads like a destination in its own right rather than a corridor between the parks. A wave of new restaurants, snack stands, and stores has opened along a redesigned west end inspired by mid-century modern Southern California architecture, with several more marquee names still on the way. Best of all, admission to the entire district is free.

The dynamic outdoor promenade sits just steps from Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, and it has been undergoing an extensive transformation as the resort continues investing in new experiences. The most visible change is along the west end, where a new entrance, a fresh roster of shops and restaurants, and a design language drawn from Southern California's mid-century modern era give the area a distinctly current feel. The result is a vibrant, one-of-a-kind mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment with an unmistakable touch of Disney that rewards visiting vacationers and SoCal locals alike.

Dining and Drinks: Discover So Much Delicious

Downtown Disney offers a wide variety of dining options spanning diverse cuisines, whether the plan is a leisurely sit-down meal, a special-occasion celebration, or a quick snack on the go. The recent expansion has leaned hard into new flavors, with several first-of-their-kind restaurants joining the lineup.

The Newest Additions

Earl of Sandwich is the place to savor the sandwich that started it all, with a menu honoring John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who is credited with inventing the meal in 1762. Signature selections include The Original 1762, The Full Montagu, and The Holiday Turkey, alongside other freshly baked sandwiches on artisan breads, plus soups, salads, sides, breakfast items, and desserts.

Happy Ice brings its vibrant Philadelphia-style Italian ice to the district. The refreshing treats are all-natural and made from scratch with real fruit, pure cane sugar, and premium ingredients. Nearby, the Cathy's Cookies cart serves warm, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies by the dozen or by the bucket, perfectly paired with a decadent hot chocolate or a refreshing bottle of milk. Ready-to-bake dough-to-go is also available for anyone who wants to recreate the aroma of fresh-baked cookies at home.

Parkside Market is the first Downtown Disney food hall, gathering four culinary concepts under one roof so groups with different cravings can eat together. The lineup includes:

• Parkside Market Coffee serves signature lattes, teas, fresh treats, and breakfast items.
• Seoul Sister offers a Korean-forward menu built around bibimbap (Korean rice bowls) with a California twist.
• GG's Chicken Shop serves chicken sandwiches, salads, and classic dinner-table sides.
• Vista Parkside Market pairs beautiful views of the district with inventive cocktails and mocktails.

Din Tai Fung, the world-renowned Taiwanese restaurant famous for the art of Xiao Long Bao, opened its first-ever freestanding restaurant at Downtown Disney. A dumpling expo kitchen serves as an indoor backdrop, inviting guests to witness the artistry behind the restaurant's 18-fold dumpling-making process. Menu highlights also include Spicy Wontons, String Beans with Garlic, Cucumber Salad, and Pork Chop Fried Rice, all served family-style, and the dishes can be ordered for takeout to enjoy at home or back in a hotel room.

For an entire trio of dining experiences from one celebrated chef, Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita feature menus created by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán. Together they range from upscale Mexican cuisine and tequila-based cocktails at the indoor restaurant Paseo and the open-air Céntrico, to on-the-go Mexican street-food staples at Tiendita.

Sit-Down Favorites Across the District

Beyond the newcomers, Downtown Disney is home to a deep bench of table-service restaurants for guests who want to slow down and settle in:

• Ballast Point Brewing Co., with its sea theme and Southern California cuisine, is a brewpub serving shareable appetizers, burgers, and tacos, topped off with a rooftop patio overlooking the district.
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes serves award-winning burgers, eye-popping CrazyShakes, and other indulgent dishes in a throwback eatery channeling '80s and '90s hip-hop and pop with a SoHo vibe.
• Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, building on two decades of tradition, is a casual, modern celebration of authentic New Orleans roots and adopted California influences, bringing a California-fresh energy to its menu.
• Naples Ristorante e Bar celebrates the spirit of southern Italy with Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta, a two-story dining room with décor inspired by Carnivale, an impressive wine selection, and an outdoor patio.
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a hit with sports fans for watching the big game with family and friends, offering expansive indoor and outdoor seating, a menu of sushi rolls, burgers, pizza, cocktails, and beer, plus 20 bowling lanes for some friendly competition.

Snacks & Treats: Quick Bites and Sweet Stops

When the goal is a fast bite or a sweet treat to enjoy while strolling the promenade, Downtown Disney's quick-service spots have it covered:

• Beignets Expressed is a fast, fun counter-service stop serving the much-loved New Orleans confection, from the classic fried beignet under a mountain of powdered sugar to specialty glazed beignets dipped and drizzled with sweet toppings.
• CrazyShake Window by Black Tap is the spot for over-the-top milkshakes on the go from Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes.
• Napolini Pizzeria is a quick stop for Italian food with specialty pizzas, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, and desserts.
• Salt & Straw offers an innovative collection of award-winning ice cream that tells the story of artisans and farmers through an ever-changing menu of flavors and ingredients.
• Blue Ribbon Corn Dog is the place for a hand-dipped corn dog with classic or flavorful twists.
• California Churro offers iconic churros at two locations across the district.
• Jamba is "whirl'd famous" for its smoothies, juices, and bowls.
• Kayla's Cake is a sweet stop for premium French macarons and other decadent treats.
• Wetzel's Pretzels makes fresh-baked, hand-rolled soft pretzels at this flagship store; look for the large-scale mural capturing scenes from Southern California and the pretzel door handle.

And guests should keep a lookout for pop-up food trucks bringing extra eats and treats throughout the district.

Shopping: Find Favorite Treasures

For anyone hunting the perfect gift or a Disney souvenir to keep, the district has it covered, with a refreshed retail lineup that mixes Disney flagships, fashion names, and specialty boutiques.

The New Stores

• lululemon features innovative athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for yoga, running, training, and more.
• Nectar Life brings a luxurious collection of handcrafted beauty essentials and bath treats. This is the first Nectar Life location with a customization bar, where guests can create their own milkshake bath soaks and nourishing whipped soaps alongside other self-care essentials.
• Avengers Reserve celebrates the fandom and stories of Earth's Mightiest Heroes and their friends with comic books, collectibles, Super Hero apparel, and role-play toys for all ages.
• Disney Wonderful World of Sweets is a whimsical confectionery featuring fresh, house-made Werther's Original caramel popcorn, caramel apples, churro toffee, and candies galore. Its exhibition kitchens are viewable from the promenade, and sweet new characters include Poppi the popcorn bucket alongside treats named Jimmi, Fluffi, Bonni, and Lolli.
• The D-Lander Shop features trend-forward fashions and co-branded collections of apparel, handbags, and jewelry, including Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke, and a PANDORA Jewelry shop-within-a-shop.
• Disney Storyland Boutique is a charming retail concept that regularly transforms its theming, décor, and products, so it is worth stopping by to see the latest seasonal merchandise.

Flagships, Boutiques, and Collectibles

Longtime favorites and specialty kiosks round out the shopping options:

• World of Disney is the flagship store with the largest selection of Disney merchandise at the Disneyland Resort.
• Disney Home is the destination for kitchenware, linens, gadgets, ornaments, and décor.
• Curl Surf celebrates California surf culture with beach styles for guys and gals.
• Kawaii Slime cart offers an imaginative array of the cutest slime concoctions and toys in a multitude of colors, textures, scents, and glittery mix-ins.
• The LEGO Store has building sets for beginners and enthusiasts, plus larger-than-life displays of Disney characters built out of LEGO.
• Lovepop creates imaginative pop-up greeting cards with stunning designs, laser-cut using the ancient art of "kirigami," a variation of origami where the paper is cut rather than folded.
• PANDORA Jewelry carries statement jewelry featuring Disney characters, park landmarks, and more.
• Pelé Soccer is the place to score apparel from soccer teams around the world.
• Star Wars Trading Post is perfect for discovering treasures from across the galaxy.
• Sunglass Hut stocks stylish sunglasses for a sunny Southern California day.
• Sephora is the go-to for beauty products from skincare to makeup and fragrance.
• WonderGround Gallery is a boutique gallery with Disney-themed artwork and collectibles for the home or office.
• Disney's Pin Traders kiosk serves anyone adding to an extensive Disney pin collection or just getting started.
• Collectible Medallion Machines and Pressed Coin Machines are scattered through the district for any collector.
• Kaman's Art Shoppes, Inc. Caricatures kiosk has talented artists drawing personal caricatures that make memorable keepsakes.

Throughout the year, the district also hosts trunk shows, pin-trading events, and artist showcases; Disneyland.com lists the current event schedule.

Entertainment: Live Music and Family Fun

Beyond shopping and dining, the district doubles as a free-to-enjoy entertainment hub. Guests can relax on the lawn and let the little ones play while live music fills the evenings at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, with sets spanning Motown, rock, pop, reggae, and special performances. At Splitsville Luxury Lanes, 20 luxury bowling lanes are interspersed across two floors alongside 25 big-screen TVs, and guests can step outside to The Alley for interactive games and local musicians. Diners at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio can take in singers and musicians performing multiple genres of jazz, with the resort's entertainment calendar listing the current schedule.

What's Coming Next to Downtown Disney

The transformation is far from finished. Several additional restaurants and shops are in the works, with star-chef pedigrees and beloved regional names on the marquee:

Bopo Go! is a new café concept being planned expressly for Downtown Disney, serving high-quality, authentic boba and bubble tea made with no artificial ingredients. Inspired by convenience stores in Asia, Bopo Go! will also carry other signature beverages, light bites, and imported snacks and candies.

The all-new Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby will channel the Brit-pop energy of swinging '60s London while delivering a selection of Chef Gordon Ramsay's iconic British classic dishes and celebrity culinary star power.

From Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori come two complementary concepts. Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon will be a classic steakhouse serving prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, sandwiches, and salads, plus an impressive bourbon and cocktail selection anchored by a lively center bar. Its counterpart, Pearl's Roadside BBQ, will be a quick-service eatery offering pulled pork and beef brisket with house-made sauces, alongside craft beers and moonshine cocktails.

Construction is also underway on Porto's Bakery & Cafe, an iconic Southern California destination known for its sweet pastries and California-Cuban-inspired dishes. Foodies can look forward to picking up Porto's signature Cheese Rolls, Potato Balls, and other favorites, and this location will be the first Porto's to offer sit-down table service and a full bar. The concept art depicts the outdoor patio, a striking exterior, and a cozy dining space.

Throughout the year, the district also rolls out new specialty menu items, unique shopping experiences, and seasonal entertainment and décor, so the lineup is rarely static.

What This Means for Disneyland Visitors

The reinvented Downtown Disney District gives guests a compelling reason to budget extra time at the Disneyland Resort, whether or not a park ticket is in hand. Because admission is complimentary, the promenade works as a low-commitment evening out for SoCal locals, a relaxed dinner option for hotel guests, and an easy add-on before or after a day in the parks, with the Disneyland Monorail offering a scenic 13-minute connection into Tomorrowland for those with valid park admission. With marquee names like Din Tai Fung and Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby anchoring the dining scene and concepts such as Porto's and Bopo Go! still to come, Downtown Disney is fast becoming a destination worth planning around rather than passing through.