Frontera Cocina

Menu Highlights

Frontera Cocina serves the regional Mexican cuisine that chef Rick Bayless has championed throughout his career — vivid, ingredient-forward cooking that goes far beyond familiar Tex-Mex territory. The menu draws from distinct culinary traditions across Mexico, showcasing chiles, masa, and fresh produce in preparations both accessible and genuinely exciting.

Starters and Shared Plates

• Frontera Guacamole — hand-mashed tableside with a choice of mix-ins including roasted tomato, serrano chiles, and cilantro; the signature way to begin a meal here
• Queso Fundido — bubbling melted cheese with chorizo, roasted poblano strips, and warm tortillas
• Tortilla Soup — rich ancho chile broth with pulled chicken, crispy tortilla strips, and crema
• Ceviche — fresh fish cured in lime with cucumber, jalapeño, and avocado
• Elotes Callejeros — street-style grilled corn with mayo, cotija, chile powder, and lime

Tacos and Entrees

• Tacos de Canasta — soft corn tortillas filled with seasonal braised meats and market vegetables
• Enchiladas Rojas — pulled chicken enchiladas in house-made ancho chile sauce with crema and cotija
• Cochinita Pibil — slow-roasted Yucatan-style pork with pickled onion and habanero salsa
• Grilled Steak — skirt steak with chimichurri verde, black bean puree, and charred corn
• Vegetarian Tostada — seasonal roasted vegetables, black beans, and salsa verde on crispy masa

Desserts

• Tres Leches Cake — light sponge soaked in three milks with whipped cream and seasonal fruit
• Churros — warm cinnamon-sugar churros with Mexican chocolate dipping sauce
• Seasonal Paleta — house-made Mexican ice pop in rotating flavors

Drinks

Frontera’s bar program is a highlight in its own right — a serious collection of premium tequilas and mezcals, plus handcrafted margaritas made with fresh lime juice and quality agave spirits. The classic house margarita is one of the better versions available at Disney Springs.

Dining Plan Information

When using the Disney Dining Plan at Frontera Cocina, 1 Table-Service meal is redeemed per person for lunch or dinner. At the $$ price range, Frontera Cocina represents excellent value for a dining plan credit — generous portions, quality ingredients, and a full-service sit-down experience without the two-credit premium of nearby fine dining restaurants. The dining plan does not cover alcoholic beverages or gratuity.

About Frontera Cocina

Frontera Cocina is the Disney Springs outpost of James Beard Award-winning chef Rick Bayless, the Chicago-based culinary icon who has spent decades championing authentic regional Mexican cooking to American audiences through his flagship Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, and Xoco restaurants.

The Chef

Rick Bayless is one of the most respected authorities on Mexican cuisine in the United States. He is a seven-time James Beard Award winner, a former Top Chef Masters champion, and the host of the long-running PBS series Mexico — One Plate at a Time. His restaurants in Chicago have held national rankings for decades, and his advocacy for sourcing directly from Mexican farmers and producers has shaped how the broader restaurant industry understands regional Mexican food.

At Frontera Cocina, Bayless brings that same philosophy to Disney Springs — a belief that Mexican cuisine, in all its regional variety, deserves the same respect and careful sourcing as any other great culinary tradition.

The Setting

The restaurant occupies a vibrant, colorful dining room in Disney Springs Town Center, with an open kitchen that gives the space energy and warmth. The decor draws on Mexican folk art, craft textiles, and warm earth tones — lively without being cluttered. The patio seating is well-positioned for watching the foot traffic of Disney Springs pass by, making it a pleasant spot for a leisurely lunch.

Practical Notes

No theme park admission is required to dine at Frontera Cocina. The restaurant does not accept walk-ups during peak hours, so advance dining reservations are recommended, particularly for dinner on weekends and during holiday periods. Complimentary self-parking is available at Disney Springs parking garages.