Downtown Disney Officially Opens Three New Restaurants

After Disneyland recently announced that the three new Mexican restaurant concepts by Chef Carlos Gaytán would be opening soon, Downtown Disney has officially welcomed Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita in a grand opening.

“We are thrilled to share Chef Gaytán’s culinary vision with guests and introduce his world-renowned Mexican cuisine as we continue to grow our presence at Downtown Disney District,” said John Kolaski, President of Patina Restaurant Group during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. “Each of these unique venues – Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita – offer a bespoke dining experience with their own look and feel, while maintaining their roots in authentic Mexican cuisine and culture.”

Keep reading for a look at what to expect from the now-opened Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita, and be sure to see our review of the food we tried at one of the new Mexican restaurants during its soft opening for our recommendations!

Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita Now Open!

Chef Carlos Gaytán is the first Mexican-born chef to earn a Michelin star, and he has been featured as a respected ambassador of Mexican cuisine in numerous food, travel, lifestyle, and broadcast outlets worldwide, including BRAVO’s “Top Chef” in 2013.

“My mother instilled in me a passion for cooking, which inspired me to move to America to hone my craft. Throughout my career, I have been merging the traditional French cooking techniques I’ve learned with the traditions and recipes of childhood favorites inspired by my family,” Gaytán said. “Getting the chance to combine my love for my home country, my family, and cooking and display that to the guests of Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita is truly an honor. I’m extremely proud to debut these restaurants, which were heavily influenced by my heritage and family, and hope those visiting the Downtown Disney District will create their own memories here, anchored by good food and good company.”

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Walk-in service is available now for all three restaurants, and reservations start on June 1 for Paseo and Céntrico. Paseo is currently open for dinner, with weekday lunch and weekend brunch service coming soon, and Céntrico is currently serving lunch and dinner.

Paseo‘s dining room and bar area feature rich woods, custom leathers, lavish greenery, and custom native accents that celebrate Mexico’s culture. The new location will highlight lesser-known Mexican delicacies with an elegant presentation. Standout menu items include the cochinita pibil, a pork recipe derived directly from Chef Gaytán's mother’s recipe, and pulpo enamorado, which features roasted octopus and is finished with a creamy tuna aioli. The mejillones is another highlight of the menu, “combining French techniques and infusing Mexican flair” into the classic mussels dish with the addition of saffron, chorizo, and pickled jalapeños.

Céntrico offers open, airy spaces designed with custom wood elements and greenery that “capture the spirit of a Mexican hacienda.” The location serves dishes including chicken enchiladas and Caesar salad “layered with a hint of Mexican flair.” The bar offers a large cocktail menu with drinks like the Ritual Margarita with Espolon tequila, ginger liqueur, guava, and lime juice, and the El Mariachi in Manhattan, a “Mexican twist on the traditional Manhattan cocktail.”

We dined at Céntrico last week and have our full review of the new restaurant here. 

The quick-service location Tiendita offers Mexican cuisine on-the-go, with options like esquites, a Mexican street-food staple, and tacos al pastor with marinated pork. Food is prepared in a glass space where guests can watch the culinary team at work. Guests will have the option of ordering at the counter or from self-service kiosks.

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Mexican influence shines through in design elements of Paseo and Centrico by award-winning Mexican architect Jorge Gracia, founder of Tijuana-based GraciaStudio. The furnishings of the restaurant are from the Mexico City-based design and carpentry company La Metropolitana, and the celebrated dinnerware company Anfora has created a bespoke dinnerware collection for the restaurants.

See our full guide to the Downtown Disney expansion for more details on what will soon be coming to the shopping, dining, and entertainment district!

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