For some Disney fans, a trip to the Anaheim and Orlando theme parks has as much to do with the Disney food as it does any single attraction or fireworks spectacular. In fact, Disney foodies will plan entire vacations around dining in an effort to fit countless restaurants into one trip. So, when a new restaurant opens at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort, it goes well beyond another place to grab a cheeseburger or chicken fingers. Disney dining is a world in and of itself, with every kind of cuisine imaginable at your fingertips.
There may only be a few months left in 2023, but they will be busy ones for Disney dining fans, with several new table-service and quick-service dining locations opening up on both coasts. And with the Disney Dining Plan preparing its grand return in January at Walt Disney World, researching the latest dining offerings has never been more crucial! Here’s a look at the new restaurants coming to the Disney parks this year and beyond.
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Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya at EPCOT
Sushi fans will love to hear of this new table-service restaurant that just opened in the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT. World Showcase is already brimming with excellent dining options, and here’s another to add for consideration on your next vacation: Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya. As the name implies, the menu at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya leans heavily on Nigiri, Sashimi, and Sushi. Dishes include classic Rolls that sushi fans will be well familiar with, as well as more unique finds like a “sushi boat” complete with a premium assortment of sushi and sashimi.
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is located atop the Mutsukoshi store in the Japan Pavilion, providing excellent views of World Showcase Lagoon. Nighttime reservations may even include a view of some fireworks! Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya officially opened at the end of August.
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Tiana’s Palace at Disneyland
Over in Anaheim, Disneyland Resort is also preparing to open a new dining location in the coming weeks. Work has been underway since February of this year to bring Tiana’s Palace to life, inspired by The Princess and the Frog. Tiana’s Palace will be a Quick Service dining location in New Orleans Square, at the former location of French Market Restaurant.
According to Disney, the menu at Tiana’s Palace will celebrate the “flavors and flair of New Orleans,” including Cajun and Creole dishes. The dining location will join a growing presence of The Princess and the Frog throughout New Orleans Square, including the store Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets, which opened earlier this year. The reimagining will culminate in late 2024 with the opening of the attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
And good news for mint julep fans: Mint Julep Bar will reopen alongside Tiana’s Palace on September 7. The walk-up stand famous for its mocktail mint juleps and Mickey-shaped beignets has also been temporarily closed since February as part of the construction.
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San Fransokyo Square Dining at Disney California Adventure
As the finishing touches begin to appear around San Fransokyo Square in Disney California Adventure, guests have been able to get their first taste of the many food offerings that will be available. San Fransokyo Square is the re-imagined area of the park that was previously Pacific Wharf. Much of the dining has somewhat remained the same, with revamped menus to reflect the world of Big Hero 6.
San Fransokyo Square officially opened to guests on August 31. The names and overall footprint of the dining locations largely remain the same, with just a few new touches to bring the story of San Fransokyo to life. Lucky Fortune Cookery, for example, has a new Beef Birria Ramen that fans have been raving over. Classic favorites from the days of Pacific Wharf will remain, including the Boudin sourdough bread bowls.
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More Dining Locations Are on the Way
Several more restaurants are in the works and are slated to open in 2023. In Florida, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will welcome two new spots: The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers will be about all things sweets, and Blue Ribbon Corndog will bring a Disneyland staple to the East Coast. At Disney Springs, Food Network star Maneet Chauhan will open an Indian-inspired concept called EET, and Summer House on the Lake will open a new location in Disney World’s shopping and dining district.
At Disneyland, the bulk of the new dining offerings will be found in Downtown Disney. The area has been under construction for several months in preparation for four restaurants to move in. These include Porto’s Bakery, a popular Southern California chain of Cuban-inspired sandwiches and pastries; Din Tai Fung, a beloved west coast chain made famous for its soup dumplings; and a pair of restaurants from Chef Carlos Gaytan, Paseo and Centrico. They will take the place of Catal and Uva Bar, respectively.
