In keeping with local efforts to improve retail and dining offerings at Orange County’s top shopping centers, such as South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, the Downtown Disney District will begin some final portions of its site-wide renovation in 2025.

The Disneyland Resort unveiled the last of its new concepts last month to replace existing tenants. A full-service steakhouse Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon and quick-service restaurant Pearl’s Roadside BBQ, both helmed by Michelin-starred chef Joe Isidori, will fill the space left vacant by Tortilla Jo’s, which closed in March became.

Construction on the two new restaurants will begin soon, and an opening date has not yet been announced.

The new location for Porto’s Bakery and Café is already in the works on the east side of the 20-acre shopping center in place of the former La Brea Bakery. New concept drawings confirm Porto’s first sit-down, full-service restaurant with a full bar.

In December, two new retail stores opened in downtown Anaheim, offering Marvel Studios and Disney-themed products, respectively.

In early 2025, Downtown Disney will open the doors to its first food hall, Parkside Market, in the far west part of the district between the Lego store and a newly constructed stage area. First announced in 2023, the two-story market will feature four different places to eat and drink – Seoul Sister, Sip & Sonder, GG’s Chicken Shop and Vista Parkside Market – operated by Levy Restaurants.

A new pastry shop will also open in the district next year.

These new and upcoming stores represent a nearly eight-year investment by Disney to renovate the mall and attract a more upscale consumer audience. With this year’s approval of the multi-billion dollar DisneylandForward expansion project, the entertainment company has even more opportunities to try.

Long-time tenant in the city center

Renovations are constantly top of mind at the Disney parks, and the shopping district is no stranger to the construction that occurs regularly throughout the resort.

Disneyland President Ken Potrock pointed out in 2022 that $2 million worth of updates were made to the two parks, three hotels and the mall at one point. Many of these projects have now been completed.

As new tenants have flocked to Downtown Disney over the years – at least eight new concepts have been introduced in 2024 – one of the original restaurants, which opened next to the center in 2001, has held on to the wave of replacement rentals.

Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group’s two-story Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, formerly known as Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, was remodeled back in 2023 after a number of buildings were demolished or planned for renovation on the west side of the center.

The Jazz Kitchen is owner-operator Ralph Brennan’s only California outpost in his portfolio of five independent restaurants, bakeries and caterers, all in New Orleans. The restaurateur knew over 20 years ago that Disney would be a good investment.

“Coming to California was definitely a good move,” junior vice president Charlee Williamson told the Business Journal. “Because we wanted to be part of the magic of the biggest brand name in hospitality, we couldn’t say no.”

During the renovations, the restaurant also took the opportunity to transform its adjacent quick service into a new counter service department called Beignets Expressed, which now makes over 300,000 pounds of dough per year.

“We’ve been here a long time, but we need to evolve and modernize to stay relevant,” Williamson said.

She added that Brennan is an active and involved owner. “It’s not just a name on the front door,” she said.