Portos launches a major expansion into the Disneyland Resort with construction underway at Downtown Disney on what will become the seventh bakery location. This historic new venue will be unlike anything the beloved Cuban bakery chain has done before, introducing sit-down table service and a full bar for the first time in the company’s history.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Construction began in late December 2025 at the former La Brea Bakery and Earl of Sandwich location in Downtown Disney
- The new Portos Bakery & Café will become the bakery chain’s seventh location and first with dine-in seating
- Originally announced during the 2022 D23 Expo, the project faced delays before finally breaking ground this month
- The bakery will feature quick-service café options alongside a new full bar and sit-down dining area
Decades of Cuban Bakery Excellence Meets Major Expansion
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Portos Bakery & Café has been serving Southern California since 1976 when founder Rosa Porto opened the original location on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. The family-owned and operated bakery became legendary for its signature Cuban pastries, cheese rolls, potato balls, and globally recognized guava and cheese strudels.
After Rosa’s passing in 2019, her children and grandchildren continue operating the business across multiple California locations. The bakery now serves over 2 million guests monthly across its existing six locations and ships select items nationwide through Portos Bake at Home.
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The Downtown Disney location represents a fundamental shift in how Portos operates. Unlike the bakery’s traditional quick-service format at all prior locations, this new venues will offer sit-down table service with a full bar, creating an entirely new dining experience.
The location sits at the former site of La Brea Bakery, which previously occupied the prime real estate near the Esplanade. Earl of Sandwich, which temporarily operated in this space, has now permanently closed to make way for the Portos transformation.
| Feature | Details |
| Location Number | Seventh Portos location |
| Grand Opening Target | 2026 (on track per Disney) |
| Unique Features | First sit-down dining, first full bar |
| Dining Formats | Quick-service café plus sit-down restaurant |
Inside the Concept Design and Guest Experience
New concept art released by Disneyland in December 2025 reveals an inviting outdoor seating area designed to capture the essence of Portos while fitting seamlessly into Downtown Disney aesthetics. The design incorporates both a bakery counter and full-service restaurant components in one modernized space.
The bakery will continue offering its famous pastries, Cuban cakes, and signature items that have made Portos a Southern California icon for nearly five decades. With the addition of sit-down dining, guests can now enjoy these treats with full meal service and beverages, creating a complete restaurant experience.
What This Major Expansion Means for Disneyland’s Dining Scene
The arrival of Portos Bakery & Café addresses long-standing demand from Disney fans who have anticipated this location since the 2022 announcement. Downtown Disney has been undergoing significant transformation, with Portos leading the charge into a new era of dining options.
Disney Parks is investing heavily in new dining experiences for 2026, with Portos being one of the most highly anticipated additions. The bakery’s expansion demonstrates how regional favorites are being integrated into major theme park destinations, bringing authentic local flavors to millions of resort visitors annually.
Will this sit-down version of Portos change the future of the bakery chain?
This Downtown Disney venture could signal a significant strategic shift for the family-owned business. By introducing sit-down service and full bar capabilities in their premier location, Portos leadership is testing whether this elevated format might inspire future locations beyond Southern California.
For Disney visitors, the opening promises easier access to Portos‘s beloved menu without traveling to locations in Buena Park, Glendale, or other Southern California communities. The 2026 grand opening will mark the beginning of what could be a transformative chapter in Portos‘s 50-year history.
Sources
- Disney Food Blog – Concept art and opening timeline details
- OC Register – Construction updates and site history
- Disneyland Resort Official Announcements – Location details and expansion scope
Patrick Graham is a business and finance journalist translating Wall Street’s complexities into stories that matter to everyday readers. With extensive experience in financial journalism and economic analysis, this expert journalist provides sharp insights on market trends, corporate developments, and the economic forces affecting daily life. His reporting helps readers make sense of the business world’s biggest moves.