Nomad Lounge Review (Why We Continually Return to this Animal Kingdom Lounge)

Nomad Lounge is one of the most charming places to unwind at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With its unique menu items and extraordinary cocktail list, there’s something for everyone. Yes, everyone. Since we’re talking Walt Disney World, don’t let the word lounge scare you. This location is family-friendly, offering multiple kids’ meal options.

We recently stopped in Nomad Lounge for a casual dinner. More time had passed since my last meal there than I would have liked. So below, we’ll review the latest menu and the items that we’ve tried, past and present.

Nomad Lounge is part of Discovery Island. It sits on the water before you cross the bridge that enters Pandora, World of Avatar. It’s adjacent to Tiffins, the signature dining restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Seating for this location is first-come, first-served. However, when it’s crowded, you might have the option to join a walk-up list. If so, a cast member will text you when your table is ready. You can also join the walk-up list via the My Disney Experience app.

Nomad Lounge has indoor and outdoor seating. A wrap-around deck serves as the outdoor dining area. In the photo below, you can see where guests have let some of the curtains down to block the afternoon sun.

When the weather is pleasant, we prefer to sit on the deck. I have enjoyed more experiences here than my pocketbook would like to admit. But I don’t regret any one of them.

Inside, Nomad Lounge is just as pleasant. If you’re visiting on an exceptionally hot day or happen upon a rare cold day, you might prefer to sit inside at a table or the bar.

A few high-top tables inside the lounge can accommodate a larger group.

For many, the drink menu at Nomad Lounge’s drink menu is part of the allure. This location is well known for its signature cocktails.

Below is a list of a few popular cocktails.

• Hightower Rocks: Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, watermelon, sweet and sour, lime juice
• Tempting Tigress: Russell’s Reserve 10 yr Bourbon, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Tamarind syrup, and lime juice.
• Snow Leopard Salvation: Snow Leopard Vodka, Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur, mint, lime juice, and ginger beer
• Lamu Libation: Starr African Rum, Cruzan Banana Rum, guava puree, tropical juices, Gosling’s 151 Rum Float
• Jenn’s Tattoo: Ketel One Vodka, Watermelon juice, hibiscus, and lime juice
• Annapurna Zing: Bombay Sapphire Gin, Passion Fruit puree, mint, lime juice, ginger beer, and glowing Lotus Flower

As a person who rarely indulges in cocktails, Nomad Lounge offers one that keeps me coming back: the Hightower Rocks, which comes with a watermelon garnish. Basically, the Hightower Rocks is a light and refreshing watermelon margarita. There isn’t much alcohol involved, so I seldom feel as though I’ve enjoyed a specialty drink when I order it.

On another visit, I tried Jenn’s Tattoo, which is pictured below. After taking my first sip, I found myself laughing because it wasn’t too different from the Hightower Rocks. However, after reviewing the menu again, I realized the ingredients were similar.

Jenn’s Tattoo wasn’t quite as sweet and sour as the Hightower Rocks. The drink’s profile resembles a flavored soda taste, while the Hightower leans more toward a margarita.

On another visit, I enjoyed the Hibiscus Henna, a non-alcoholic beverage. I have found that I enjoy many of the items on the non-alcoholic menu and have been exceptionally pleased with the variety at most lounges. My Hibiscus Henna had the perfect balance of sweet and sour. It is another refreshing drink option, which is perfect for a hot day.

On this visit, I decided to try something new. So I went with the Snow Leopard Salvation. This drink has been on the menu for quite some time, and since I have been on a ginger ale kick lately, it sounded refreshing. I actually loved it, and it was another reminder that it’s okay to try new things.

Here’s how it was served.

Food-wise, Nomad Lounge offers several tasty treats. You can easily make a small meal or a snack. Sometimes, we order multiple items to share. Often, we’ll have a late lunch or early dinner here. Unlike the cocktail menu, you can expect the food options to change regularly. That said, I have seen several items come and go over the years. Here is the current menu.

In addition to the regular menu, they had a separate list of specials.

I’ve had plant-based sliders several times at Nomad Lounge in the past. However, they have been replaced with these Cuban Frita Sliders, which are beef and pork patties. They come with a side of yucca fries. (The new plant-based item is a Korean Barbecue Mushroom Bao Bun.)

The sliders were a great bite. But the real star of the dish is the yucca fries. If you enjoy thick-cut steak fries, you will enjoy these. They are phenomenal.

On another visit, I ordered the charcuterie board. This item consisted of cured meat, bread service, almonds, brie, goat cheese, and a rillette. A charcuterie board is usually right up my alley, and this one did not disappoint. I thought all of the options were delicious and would happily order it in the future.

The grilled chicken satay skewers have returned to the menu. This is another excellent dish that’s original to the lounge. I love this option if you’re looking for something with high protein and less carbs. Sometimes, those kinds of items can be difficult to find at Disney World.

Here are the plant-based sliders of the past. When they came to the table, the yucca fries were a nice, crispy golden color. They almost reminded me of potato wedges, but they were significantly lighter.

Unfortunately, the Chicken Manchurian Nomad Bowl was not on the menu during this visit. We love this dish and would not be surprised if it returned to the menu. The menu describes this item as steamed rice, red cabbage Kimchi, ginger-scallion oil, and Crimini mushrooms. This bowl made for a perfect meal. I loved the crunchy noodles and mildly spiced chicken.

Here are a few other items, we haven’t tried:

• Tuna Poke Bowl
• The Land Salad
• Pineapple Glazed Pork Belly
• Churros

The churros have a good reputation. They come with two sauces: vanilla crema and a seasonal sauce.

Kids’ Meals at Nomad Lounge include:

• Grilled Shrimp
• Grilled Beef Skewer
• Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Thigh
• Impossible Bunny Chow

Several allergy-friendly items and additional sides are available. You can preview the entire menu on Disney’s site.

You may have also noticed the bread service on Nomad’s Lounge. While this bread service is okay, it should not be confused or compared with the amazing bread service at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Lastly, I wanted to mention that the deck at Nomad Lounge offers stunning views of the Discovery Island River, another perk of selecting an outside seat. Since the character cruises are still available, you might see them sail by during your meal. Your children might even want to stay a little longer in hopes of seeing a few more. And I bet you won’t mind, not one bit.

Hopefully, this review of Nomad Lounge was helpful in planning your day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For more places to dine at Animal Kingdom or the neighboring Lodge, you might enjoy these other articles:

In the Comments:

Have you dined at Nomad Lounge before? What was your experience? Below, share with us what you think about this review of Nomad Lounge and why.