New stuff is coming to Disney World all the time!

We’re talking about new attractions (TRON Lightcycle / Run opened earlier this year and The Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana opens later this year), new stores, and even NEW restaurants. At Disney Springs, we already knew that Summer House on the Lake (a new restaurant) was in the works, but recently another new dining spot was announced and we’re going to break down EVERYTHING we know about it so far.

General Background

Maneet Chauhan, an acclaimed James Beard Award-winning chef and Food Network Star, and Vivek Deora, an international hospitality entrepreneur, have partnered to bring a new restaurant to Disney Springs. The restaurant will be called EET by Maneet Chauhan.

Here’s a peek at the restaurant logo, which features an elephant holding a spoon on top of a green background.

Type of Food

Thus far, we know that the two behind the restaurant will be bringing their “famed Indian cuisine” to the restaurant and overall it’ll be a “modern, fun Indian-inspired concept.”

What the Menu Could Feature

Chauhan owns another restaurant in Nashville called Chauhan Ale & Masala House, which mentions the celebrity chef’s “zest for travel and affection for Southern cuisine.”

The menu at that restaurant features “globally influenced Indian cuisine that highlights aspects of the culinary scene not only in Mumbai or New Delhi, but Nashville as well, perfectly combining Indian fare with traditional Southern dishes.”

Disney hasn’t revealed a menu for EET in Disney Springs yet, but the menu for Chauhan’s Nashville restaurant could serve as a good indicator of what we might see.

Menu items for Chauhan’s Nashville restaurant include Whipped Paneer, Desi Walking Taco, and Tandoori Chicken Poutine for appetizers.

Entrees include Tamarind Lamb Chops, Paneer Cheese, Tandoori Chicken, and more.

Some of the available sides include Saag Mac and Cheese (okay, we are SO IN), Spicy Quinoa, and more.

A variety of Breads are also available, including Garlic Parmesan Naan and Short Rib French Onion Naan. Cheese and bread? We are SO THERE.

Of course, you can’t end a meal without dessert! Desserts at the Nashville restaurant include the Chauhan Chocolate Cake, which sounds divine — it’s a layered chocolate cake, with garam masala spiced ganache, spiced apricot coolie, white chocolate crisps, shakar paras, and gold leaf. There’s also a Gulab Jamun Cheesecake.

Again, Disney has not yet confirmed what the Disney Springs restaurant menu will look like, but we’ll be keeping a close eye out for news.

Opening Date

Disney hasn’t shared the exact opening date yet, but has noted that EET will open “later this year.”

Other Details

Curious to know more about Chauhan? According to the Food Network, “she graduated at the top of her class at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, India’s top culinary and hotel management school.” She then interned at some of India’s finest hotels and kitchens, and went off to The Culinary Institute of America where she graduated with high honors.

She eventually became the executive chef of Vermilion where she led the execution of “the Indian-Latin cuisine developed by Rohini Dey and her kitchen teams in New York and Chicago.” As she worked at “landmark restaurants” they got exceptional reviews from various magazines and more.

She then created her own culinary and hospitality company called Indie Culinaire. She became the only Indian female ever to compete on Iron Chef, a full-time judge on the Food Network show Chopped, opened Chauhan Ale & Masala House in Nashville, has released a cookbook, and more!

What about Vivek Deora? Deora is Chauhan’s husband and as noted above, is an international hospitality entrepreneur. Per Eater, in talking about the restaurant in Nashville, Deora shared “We were blown away by the love and support we received and wanted to give back by providing diverse restaurants that fill gaps in the city’s culinary landscape.”

Deora grew up in Jaipur and met Chauhan in college in Manipal. In the past, the couple has talked about how “vastly different cuisine is across India.”

And that’s what we know about this new restaurant so far. Are you excited to check it out? Tell us in the comments!

With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World.

We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off.

Gen Z Is Deciding the Future of Disney Restaurants

 

What do you think about this new restaurant coming to Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments!