When a Michelin-starred chef takes his French cuisine training and mixes it with the love of his cultural Mexican foods, something truly magical happens. Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita are now open in the Downtown Disney District. All three share the same kitchen with completely unique menus by renowned Chef Carlos Gaytán. The eateries feature classic Mexican dishes, recipes from Chef Gaytán's own mother and new fresh concoctions with a French twist. Here's everything you need to know about Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita from parking and reservations to menus and more.
Hop To
Overview of Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita
Location
All three restaurants are located in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. It is free for anybody to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere of Downtown Disney, and a park ticket and reservation are not needed. It does, however, cost you money to park your vehicle in the connected parking lot.
Downtown Disney is located off Disneyland Drive between all the Disneyland on-site hotels. You can access the parking lot just north of Disney's Pixar Place Hotel. For visiting frogs looking for an actual address to plan with, you can find Downtown Disney at 1580 Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, CA 92802.
You may reach Downtown Disney via its Simba Lot (near Disney's Pixar Place hotel) or the theme park shuttles that run from the Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures or Toy Story lot. And if you are staying off Harbor Blvd., just go through security as you would to enter Disneyland, and continue straight past the theme park entrances to enter Downtown Disney.
Parking at Downtown Disney
If visiting only Downtown Disney and staying off-site, you can use the short-term Simba parking lot near Pixar Place Hotel. But be sure to bring your ticket, validate it and pay at the Self Pay stations before returning to your car!
Here are the new Downtown Disney District parking prices:
- The first hour of parking costs $10.
- Validations apply after the first hour of paid parking.
- Enjoy an additional 3 hours of same-day parking with a $20 minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location — or up to 5 additional hours of same-day parking with validation from any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant.
- Beyond these validations, each additional hour costs $14, charged in 30-minute increments, with a minimum of $7.
- The maximum daily parking and lost ticket fee is $66. Hop tip: Don't lose your ticket!
- Parking is subject to capacity.
- The hotel restaurants do not validate parking.
- Magic Keys do not have parking benefits at Downtown Disney.
If you are planning a lengthy visit to Downtown Disney or will be visiting the theme parks, you should park in the Pixar Pals or Mickey and Friends parking structure or other Disney lots for $35 per day. From the Mickey and Friends or Pixar Pals parking structure, you can walk or take a parking tram.
Reservations
Paseo and Céntrico are both accepting reservations for dining. And snagging advance dining reservations through the Disneyland app or site is a great idea! Both restaurants have reservations available on Open Table as well. You can attempt to walk in on a less busy day, but seating is not guaranteed.
Paseo
A more elegant sit-down is exactly what the Downtown Disney District has been missing in the past few years. And exactly what Paseo is (literally) bringing to the table!
Paseo is located in a show-stopping dining room right next door to (and overlooking) its sister restaurants for a slightly more upscaled (but still casual) Mexican-French dining experience. Here, you’ll find everything from a bright and fresh ceviche to Chef Gaytán’s Cochinita Pibil — a recipe derived directly from his mother.
The seafood dishes are the tastiest and most impressive of all. Paseo's star food item is the Mejillones — succulent mussels prepared in a classic French style, with the addition of saffron, chorizo and pickled jalapeño. Many of the menu items are naturally gluten-free. People with allergies will appriciate that the regular menu mentions safe items.
The second-story restaurant offers new views of Downtown Disney from an extended upper patio. And a stunning staircase leads you to Paseo’s beautiful dining room and bar area, which celebrates Mexico’s craftsmanship culture.
Looking for brunch? Make a reservation for Paseo's new brunch menu! If you're feeling adventurous try the Paseo Waffles with duck leg carnitas and chipotle tamarind glaze or the Huarache de Asada with grilled flank steak and goat cheese fondue. If you're looking for a more classic breakfast, opt for the brioche French Toast with vanilla cream and guava purée or the wagyu Paseo Burger with cheddar cheese and truffle fries.
Céntrico
There's nothing better than vacation vibes while you're on vacation. Céntrico's courtyard bar and restaurant is an energetic, central gathering place. It serves upscale Mexican cuisine and tequila-based cocktails. The outdoor, airy feel is designed with custom wood elements and lush greenery, reminiscent of Tulum.
Located at the center of the walkway through Downtown, the restaurant offers a classical Mexican menu where you’ll find enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos and more. Featured dishes include quesabirrias, chicken enchiladas, tlayuda (an Oaxacan shareable dish similar to a crunchy pizza) and Caesar salad.
Our froggy favorite is the braised short rib burrito called Burrito Norteño. The burrito consists of braised short ribs, crispy Oaxaca cheese, pinto beans, tomatillo & chile de árbol salsa, sour cream, queso fresco and avocado in a flour tortilla. This one is frogtastic! The portion is very large and great to share.
Although there is a full bar, the restaurant's focus is on Mexican staples and tequila drinks such as margaritas. Made with authentic ingredients and bright flavors, these cocktails make Céntrico one of our new favorite bars to hang out at and have a drink.
Tiendita
If you're not feeling like stopping your day to sit down for food but can't miss out on these dishes, don't worry! That's exactly what Tiendita is for.
This walk-up location offers quick-service street food staples that pay homage to Mexican heritage and flavors. It's the perfect place to grab a quick snack or meal on the go.
The Ice Cream Taco is a chocolate-covered waffle stuffed with salted caramel banana ice cream and chocolate sauce. It truly had us drooling! If you are a fan of chocolate-covered bananas, this is the sweet for you.
Use a self-ordering kiosk at the front or walk around inside to order. At the kiosks, you can modify your order based on preferences or allergies. The touch screen offers you the option of contactless pay, or to pay cash on the inside. Once your order has been delivered to the system, your name will appear on a screen inside to the right of the restaurant sign. Here, you can see where your order is in line and when it is ready to be picked up. Simply walk to the counter inside when your order is shown as ready and pick up your food!
As the food is to go, you are given to-go containers, utensils and napkins in a bag to take with you. We decided to eat our food in the stone sitting area surrounding the planters in front of the dress shop. Keep in mind that Downtown Disney does not have tables to post up at around the district. This is a great stop on your way out of the parks either back to your hotel or to your car. Just don't froget there's no eating on the trams!
You'll find esquites (roasted corn), fish tacos, chocolate tacos and more. Tiendita is also open for breakfast. Start your day with chorizo breakfast burritos and chilaquiles (marinated tortilla chips with egg).
You can catch a glimpse of the chefs working away for all three restaurants behind the quick service's glass wall façade.
Things to Know
Here are a few things to know:
- Both Céntrico and Paseo are available to make dining reservations online and in the Disneyland app.
- You do not need a reservation to purchase to-go food from Tiendita.
- Parking at Downtown Disney is $10 with additional free hours with validation from one of these restaurants.
- If you are a Magic Key holder, you can save up to 10% on your meal.
- All three restaurants and Downtown Disney are a quick walk from Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel, and are connected to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. So if you are staying at any of these hotels it's an easy commute!
- Chef Carlos Gaytán's menu items are definitely complex. If you have a picky eater in your party you might want to consider other restaurants at Downtown Disney or in restaurants in Disneyland.
Which restaurant are you stopping at during your Downtown Disney visit? Do you prefer sit-down or quick-service restaurants at Disneyland? You can find the best multiday tickets for Disneyland and hotels with Undercover Tourist to make your trip the most magical it can be.
Related: Best Disneyland Table-Service Restaurants
Related: All of the Magical Reasons to Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel
Hoppy planning!
