Best Places to Eat and Shop at Downtown Disney

Last updated on November 14th, 2024 at 10:14 am

Downtown Disney restaurants and shopping are part of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California but no ticket is required to enter. You can eat, enjoy food, drinks, shopping, live entertainment and more. So many changes coming to Downtown Disney in 2024, new dining options and saying good bye to old favorites. 

Get the Disneyland vibe while you dine at the best restaurants and shop on your arrival or departure day along with delicious food and an unbeatable location that borders the Disney theme parks.

Downtown Disney Basics & Parking 

Downtown Disney is a an outdoor shopping and entertainment district. It’s nestled on the pathway between the theme parks and the Disneyland Resort Hotels.

Anyone can go to Downtown Disney even without a theme park ticket. It’s accessible from the Downtown Disney parking lots and for pedestrians via Harbor Blvd and from Katella.

Before you get to Downtown Disney, let’s get some basic questions answered.

Where can I park at Downtown Disney?

Downtown Disney Parking is clearly labeled as you approach the Disneyland Resort. Follow the signs to Downtown Disney parking which is located near the three Disney owned hotels.  There are plenty of self service parking spots, but no valet parking available. 

Get QUICK DISCOUNT PARKING: Use my referral discount for parking at hotels right across from Disneyland, no shuttle or tram needed! Please comment with your parking location and cost so we can keep track of all the good deals! You will walk in via Harbor Blvd. 

Where do I enter Downtown Disney?

Downtown Disney Entrances are available near The Disneyland Hotel, where you will walk in after parking. This entry opened in 2024 and brings a whole new welcome to the area. Everyone will go through security screening with Cast Members before entry. 

The main Downtown Disney entrance is utilized by guests of the Disneyland Hotel, Villas at Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Good Neighbor hotels on Katella. There are also restrooms right by the entrance.

An alternative entry point to Downtown Disney is on Harbor Blvd. at the pedestrian access point. The pick/up drop off area will also be open on Harbor Blvd. for those using ride shares like Uber or Lyft. No matter which direction you’re coming from, it’s super easy to access. 

Once you complete the security screening process, you’ll want to stop by one of the many wonderful places to shop and eat at Downtown Disney. 

Downtown Disney Directory 2024

There’s a lot of space to explore, so I’ve broken up the directory in an easy-to-browse list, along with links to detailed reviews when I’ve dined there myself.

Reservations & Walk-Ins | Downtown Disney Restaurants 

Make reservations here if you can, but many of these Downtown Disney table-service restaurants will accept walk ups as well.

• Ballast Point Brewing Co. – American cuisine, outdoor and indoor dining, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks
• Centrico – open-air Mexican restaurant and bar from Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán

• Din Tai Fung – Globally acclaimed culinary sensation renowned for the art of Xiao Long Bao, prices higher than other Din Tai Fung locations, walk ups may not be accepted during initial opening phase in 2024 

• Earl of Sandwich Tavern – Hot sandwiches, salads, American style entrees, outdoor and indoor dining,  breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio – New Orleans with a modern twist, lunch, dinner, drinks
• Naples Ristorante e Bar – Italian cuisine, outdoor and indoor dining, lunch, dinner, drinks
• Paseo – Upscale Mexican restaurant from Chef Carlos Gaytán, in the spot where Catal used to be

• Splitsville Luxury Lanes – American cuisine, outdoor and indoor dining,  lunch, dinner, and drinks

Coming later on to Downtown Disney where Tortilla Jo’s used to be—a new steakhouse and a barbecue eatery – that are in the works for Downtown Disney District from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori. There will be both a sit down and quick service side. 

No Reservations Needed | Downtown Disney Restaurants

Walk up dining, often with a line but don’t let that scare you off. Delicious food awaits!

• Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes – American cuisine, outdoor and indoor dining,  lunch, dinner, and CrazyShakes
• Earl of Sandwich – Hot sandwiches, salads, outdoor and indoor dining,  breakfast, lunch, dinner

Coming later on to Downtown Disney where Tortilla Jo’s used to be—a new steakhouse and a barbecue eatery – that are in the works for Downtown Disney District from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori. There will be both a sit down and quick service side. 

Walk Up Windows & Food Trucks | Downtown Disney Quick Eats

• Beignets Expressed – Get a bag of the always popular beignets made by Jazz Kitchen
• Blue Ribbon Corn Dog – Corn Dog kiosk when you can’t get into Disneyland to get one
• California Churros – Churro kiosk when you can’t get into Disneyland to get one, two locations on each end
• CrazyShake Window by Black Tap – Just want to grab a shake—get it here without the long wait

• Clyde’s Hot Chicken – Chicken on a stick from a kiosk
• Diggity Dogs – Hot dog kiosk
• Jamba – Smoothies, Acai bowls and more quick bites, opens early

• Kayla’s Cakes – Popular spot for delicious macarons
• Napolini Pizzeria – Whole pizzas from Naples to-go
• Pizza Counter – Whole pizzas to go
• Salt & Straw – Unique ice cream flavors

• Starbucks – Coffee and small bites
• Tiendita – Mexican street food

• Wetzel’s Pretzels – Soft pretzels, pretzel bites and drinks
• Wetzel’s Pretzel Cart – Soft pretzels, pretzel bites and drinks

Shopping at Downtown Disney

If you happened to forget a few things when you packed for Disneyland, or just need to do some souvenir shopping, this is the place to go. 

New shops coming late 2024 and early 2025:

• Avengers Reserve opens December 6, 2024 and features favorite characters and stories through collectibles, apparel, accessories, toys and comics. At the entrance, a 9-foot Incredible Hulk sculpture will be smashing through the wall, while Spider-Man has climbed atop the building. Inside, the store will have a high energy, industrial vibe with lighting effects, authentic film props and a media screen with a gaming demonstration station.
• D-Lander Shop opens December 6, 2024 as a fresh, quintessentially Southern California boutique celebrating trend-forward fashions for Disneyland fans with apparel, accessories and jewelry
• Marceline’s Confectionery is being reimagined and expanded into the Disney Wonderful World of Sweets, a whimsical candy, sweets and treats shop featuring Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn that will open Winter 2024/2025.
• Kawaii Slime cart, “Kawaii” means cute in Japanese and this is sure to be adorable

My favorite places to browse and shop are:

• Curl Surf for casual, beachy clothing and swimwuits
• Disney Home for Disney merchandise made for decorating and cooking
• The LEGO Store for a huge variety of sets you might not find at your local store
• Lovepop for incredible pop up cards that are more than justa greeting, they’re a keepsake
• Disney Wonderful World of Sweets for Disney treats, same as ones sold in the parks
• WonderGround Gallery for Disney art pieces, often artists are there drawing onsite
• World of Disney for the ultimate Disney collections to shop

More places to shop and explore:

• Collectable medallion machines, similar to pressed pennies but larger, accepts credit cards
• The Disney Dress Shop showcasing dapper designs you can wear in the parks
• Disney’s Pin Traders for a huge assortment of trading pins
• Kaman’s Art Shoppes, Inc for caricatures and letter brush art
• PANDORA Jewelry for special jewelry finds including Disney charms
• Pele Soccer full of soccer jerseys and more
• Pressed Penny Machines that accept credit cards, no need to carry coins
• Sephora in case you missed packing any makeup essentials
• Star Wars Trading Post for all the Star Wars merchandise including Lightsabers
• Sunglasses Hut because you won’t want to be without a set of shades at Disneyland

The Best Place to Eat at Downtown Disney

It definitely depends on my mood, who I’m with and what I’m craving. The good news is there are many fabulous places to eat at downtown Disney District. 

But, my downtown Disney and go-to spots are:

• Splitsville – easy dining for large and small groups, sports on TV, tons of menu choices and more
• Salt and Straw – see how I skip the long line

I’ve had the best walk-up experiences (arriving with no prior reservations) at Splitsville. We especially like Splitsville for its ability to seat large groups of 15 or more, even as a walk up. 

Do I need a Disneyland ticket for Downtown Disney?

You do not need a Disneyland ticket to visit Downtown Disney. You will have to go through security to enter in this part of the Disneyland Resort “bubble” but again, no Disneyland ticket is required.

A lot of visitors to Disneyland Resort like to come to Downtown Disney to explore or go shopping on the day they get into town from LAX or even pop over to Downtown Disney for a date night, like my husband and I often do.

Eating at Downtown Disney is also an excellent option when snagging dining reservations inside Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure are hard to come by. Most restaurants in downtown Disney also have a quick service counterpart so you can get select menu items to go or to eat at a walk up table.

Bonus Disneyland Tip: Get discount Disneyland tickets here from our trusted partner, Get Away Today. 

Coming Soon to Downtown Disney

This coming soon list has been officially announced by Disney. Sometimes changes are made even after going public. Keep that in mind when planning future visits during their multi-year project update.

• Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon will be a classic steakhouse, with a lively center bar, offering prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, sandwiches and salads, and an impressive selection of bourbon and inventive cocktails. This will be built on the old Tortilla Jo’s spot.
• GG’s Chicken Shop. Opening Winter 24/25 serving chicken sandwiches, salads and classic dinner table sides.
• Parkside Market Bar. Opening Winter 24/25 and Vista Parkside Market as the second story bar will be an al fresco spot offering great views to sip signature craft cocktails and mocktails from mixologists who infuse, muddle, stir, shake and swizzle the freshest mixes using local ingredients and artful garnishes. Refreshing selections will include frozen lemonades, frozés, espresso martinis, shareable cocktails and spirit-free elixirs. The Parkside Market itself is a collection of several eateries on the west side of Downtown Disney. 
• Pearl’s Roadside BBQ will be a quick service eatery offering flavorful dishes such as pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked heritage turkey with house-made sauces, along with craft beers and moonshine cocktails. This will be built on the old Tortilla Jo’s spot.
• Porto’s Bakery is STILL set to join Downtown Disney on the east side closest to the parks. Porto’s is a family favorite and we can’t wait to have it at Downtown Disney. This will be the first Porto’s location with sit-down table service and a full bar.
• Seoul Sister. Opening Winter 24/25 is a fast-casual Korean-forward menu with a California twist. Executive Chef Kelly Kim will showcase bold Korean flavors through marinated meats, vegetables  over rice, noodles or salad, Plus an Asian-inspired breakfast menu which is much needed in this area.
• Sip & Sonder. Opening Winter 24/25 from founders Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas, is a Black women-owned brand. Enjoy signature lattes fresh treats, frozen drinks and Caribbean-inspired bites.

What about these Downtown Disney spots?

Change is a constant at Downtown Disney (Disney Springs is the Walt Disney World equivalent but ours is on a much smaller scale). Here’s what you might be looking for, and unfortunately these places are part of Downtown Disney history.

• Build-A-Bear Workshop
• Catal
• ESPN Zone
• House of Blues Restaurant
• La Brea Bakery Café
• Rainforest Cafe
• RideMakerz
• Sprinkles Cupcakes
• Tortilla Jo’s
• UVA Bar

The most missed spots for me have to be Tortilla Jo’s and the old ESPN Zone when it had the multiplayer air hockey game, that was crazy fun!

There’s no shortage of things to do, including live music in a vibrant outdoor space. You can find tons of Disney shopping from World of Disney to Disney Home, Disney Dress Shop and more. But the big question is, where will you choose to eat at Downtown Disney District?