Why Gordon Ramsay Is Building A New Restaurant at Downtown Disney

Big changes are coming to the Disneyland Resort, and that includes some massive dining improvements that we can expect to see over the coming months!

This past fall, Disney announced that a new restaurant headed by celebrity chef and multiple Michelin Star-owner Gordon Ramsay will be coming to Downtown Disney. Sitting atop a new Earl of Sandwich, Ramsay’s new tavern will partner with Earl of Sandwich as it brings some of Ramsay’s most famous dishes to Orange County, California. We’re taking a closer look at this collab and what it ultimately means for the Disneyland Resort.

Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby is the name of this new British-themed gastropub currently being built atop the also-in-construction Earl of Sandwich building in Downtown Disney. “Poised to be a great gathering spot for visitors and locals,” this new pub will be inspired by London’s Carnaby Street during the 1960s, and will feature plush interiors with iconic British pop art and an “irresistible soundtrack” of British Invasion rock bands in addition to live music. It will also feature two outdoor terraces, a bar area, and signature booths.

The full menu has yet to be released, but we do know The Carnaby will serve Gordon Ramsay’s famous beef Wellington, fish & chips, and sticky toffee pudding. There will also be a “wide-ranging list of wines and beers, as well as an imaginative selection of signature cocktails, each crafted to evoke the spirit of London’s most iconic pubs and lounges.”

Notably, Disneyland and the surrounding Orange County area have a real hunger for some tasty Ramsay offerings, as his closest restaurants are Hell’s Kitchen, around 2 hours away, and several restaurants 4 hours away in Las Vegas.

The Carnaby will be Orange County’s ONLY Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and only the second in California. Disneyland’s massive appeal and friendly location in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area make it an ideal spot for the iconic celebrity chef to set up shop.

Ramsay is no stranger to partnerships with his restaurants, notably working with Caesars Entertainment with his hotel-based offerings in both California and Las Vegas. As for his collaboration with the creators of Earl of Sandwich, it makes a lot of sense.

A large Porto’s Bakery & Café will be taking the place of the old Earl of Sandwich building, but the reputable sandwich company is staying at Disneyland and will be getting an upgrade of its own. The Carnaby atop the new Earl of Sandwich will present a unified Britannia theme, yet another example of this being a natural pairing.

Disney and the Disneyland Resort have really embraced celebrity chef dining in recent years. Carlos Gaytán’s Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita are some of the newer inclusions to Downtown Disney’s dining options, and Joe Isidori’s Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ are in the process of being built. Both Gaytán and Isidori have also been awarded Michelin Stars at some of their restaurants.

The Disneyland Resort is also home to renowned Chef Andrew Sutton, who operates both Napa Rose, Club 33, and Carthy Circle Restaurant and Lounge — considered the premier restaurants at the resort.

Disney hasn’t shied away from having celebrity chef restaurants at its resorts. While Disneyland is embracing the trend more and more recently, Disney World already has an established stable of restaurants at Disney Springs and Disney World hotels.

They are as follows:

• Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ — Art Smith
• Morimoto Asia — Masaharu Morimoto
• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill — Wolfgang Puck
• Jaleo — José Andrés
• Chicken Guy! — Guy Fieri
• eet by Maneet Chauhan — Maneet Chauhan
• Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant — Kevin Dundon
• Frontera Cocina — Rick Bayless
• Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina — Michael Mina
• Todd English’s bluezoo — Todd English

Disney keeps adding restaurants of this nature, so there’s zero reason to think this trend will slow down. Start placing your bets on which celebrity chef you think will grace a Disney Resort next!

In the meantime, the opening date for The Carnaby has yet to be announced, but we’ll let you know as soon as it’s revealed! As always, keep it posted right here at AllEars for all the latest Disneyland news!

NEW LOOK at Restaurant Coming Soon to Downtown Disney

What is your favorite celebrity chef restaurant at a Disney Resort? Let us know in the comments!

Post a Comment