Disney has announced a handful of new restaurants coming to its Downtown Disney area, including a Korean fast-casual eatery and a fried chicken sandwich joint. It’s all part of the theme park’s major renovation to its western parcel of land that connects Disney’s two major parks and three hotels.
First up, Seoul Sister will serve bowls based on bibimbap with a California twist. Executive Chef Kelly Kim will helm the menu, which, in addition to rice bowls with marinated meats and vegetables, will include a breakfast fare, drinks and more.
Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas will bring their popular LA-based Sip and Sonder to Downtown Disney. The coffeehouse-slash-eatery was lauded by the Los Angeles Times as one of the best cafes in town. In addition to serving coffee and roasting their own beans, Sip and Sonder also prepares Caribbean-inspired fare. “We’ll be joining a team of incredible restaurateurs to create an amazing, diverse food and beverage experience, all in one new spot,” the duo wrote in an Instagram post announcing their upcoming Disney location. “We can’t wait to take you on a journey of JOY with us over the coming months.”
Making its West Coast debut, GG’s Chicken Shop, famous for its fowl, will also join the Downtown Disney edible brigade. Most notably, the Chicago-based restaurant offers a series of chicken sandwiches, ranging from fried to roasted. While its Disney menu has yet to be announced, say a little prayer for them to bring their chocolate dirt pudding and oatmeal cream pie to Anaheim.
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In addition to the new restaurants, Disney also announced on Monday, Oct. 9 a yet-to-be-named open-air bar that will offer classic cocktails, beers, wines, frozen lemonades, frozés, espresso martinis, spirit-free elixirs and more.
The newly announced dining options join a slew of other restaurants poised to open once construction finishes. Din Tai Fung, known for its soup dumplings and noodles, chef Carlos Gaytán’s Paseo and Céntrico, and California-Cuban cheese rolls and pastries purveyor Porto’s Bakery and Cafe are all slated to open in the newly revamped district.
Disney filed commercial construction permits filed with the Anaheim Planning and Building Department that suggest the new renovation will come with a 8,300-square-foot retail building with room for five shops and an event space with a 1,250-square-foot stage. While no official opening date has been announced yet for the restaurants or the renovated area, work is expected to be completed by late 2024.