Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort is in the middle of a multi-year transformation of its dining options. Many new tenants are moving in, but one particular longtime favorite is being expanded in a major way.
After a long time of waiting, we may finally be reaching the finish line of a highly anticipated new permanent home for a Downtown Disney staple. Keep reading to learn how a recent update provides a hint of this restaurant’s opening timeframe. At Mickey Visit, we cover the latest Disney news, like Disney’s first-ever collaboration with BAGGU and cast member changes to restore the guest experience.
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Longtime Downtown Disney Restaurant Stepping Into New Era
One of the longtime tenants of Downtown Disney District is Earl of Sandwich. This popular chain serves “the world’s greatest hot sandwich,” and as Downtown Disney District steps into a new era, Earl of Sandwich is coming along with it.
During the past few years of construction, Earl of Sandwich has played musical chairs with various locations in Downtown Disney District. Currently, a pop-up Earl of Sandwich location is open on the west side of the district, next to Star Wars Trading Post.
Downtown Disney District’s original Earl of Sandwich location was next to what was formerly AMC Theatres and across from ESPN Zone. This area is now Din Tai Fung and the open town square space. Following its vacating of that spot, Earl of Sandwich replaced La Brea Bakery closer to the Disneyland Esplanade before closing again and setting up its current, temporary location near Star Wars Trading Post.
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Soon, a new Earl of Sandwich will finally settle into its permanent new location near the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, finally escaping the purgatory of temporary locations and moves. See the location pictured here under scaffolding a few months ago.
The new location will boast two stories, with the first floor being a traditional Earl of Sandwich and the second floor being home to a new concept titled Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby.
Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby will be a 1960s-themed British gastropub from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and named after Carnaby Street in London.
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Disney has not announced an opening date, for the new Earl of Sandwich or Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby. That being said, an operations update provides a glimpse into how far along the project is behind the scenes.
Hiring Underway for Earl of Sandwich and Its New British Pub
As an outside tenant operating at Downtown Disney District, rather than a Disney-owned entity, Earl of Sandwich conducts its own hiring independently of Disneyland Resort. The official Earl of Sandwich website now lists hiring opportunities for both Downtown Disney’s new Earl of Sandwich location and the upstairs Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby pub.
14 jobs are now available, with varying disciplines in both guest-facing and back-of-house roles. A few examples include server, bartender, and delivery driver.
These job descriptions are important because they indicate the restaurant is preparing to transition from construction to operations. As the project nears completion of its exterior and interior build, the construction team will hand the venue over to the people who will operate Earl of Sandwich and Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby on a day-to-day basis.
The job descriptions don’t indicate when Earl of Sandwich and Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby will open specifically, nor if they will open together or one at a time. However, the hiring postings expire on March 24, 2026.
Downtown Disney’s Full Slate of New Dining
Meanwhile at the site of the previous Earl of Sandwich and Earl of Sandwich Tavern location and the former La Brea Bakery location, construction is underway, pictured here in February 2026, for Porto’s Bakery & Café.
Porto’s serves Cuban-inspired pastries, cakes, and savory dishes. Disney first announced the arrival of this Southern California chain to Disneyland Resort in 2022, so it’s been a long time coming.
Other restaurants opening at Downtown Disney District in the near future include Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon, Pearl’s Roadside BBQ, and Bopo Go!, a bubble tea establishment.
The continued presence of Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney District speaks to the restaurant’s popularity with Disneyland Resort guests. Especially when considering the pop-up location operating between construction projects of the restaurant’s former and future homes, it’s clear Disney values Earl of Sandwich as a signature of the Downtown Disney District experience.
Looking ahead, guests highly anticipate the future of Earl of Sandwich and its upstairs concept for Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby. We’ll continue to bring you updates as the establishment nears its opening right here at Mickey Visit.
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