Nomad Lounge -- Appetizers -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom
*This dining experience took place in September 2017.
Appetizers at the Nomad Lounge
The Nomad Lounge, at Disney's Animal Kingdom, has quickly become one of our favorite lounges on Disney property. With lovely theming and a calm atmosphere, we've enjoyed resting and relaxing here on previous visits. We recently stopped by here for drinks and appetizers on a whim before heading to Pandora before the Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event at the Animal Kingdom. We had originally planned to get dinner at Satu'li Canteen, but something about the Nomad Lounge drew us in that night.
Atmosphere
One of the reasons that we love the Nomad Lounge is the atmosphere. It's not too bright, and the decor is comfortable and makes you feel instantly relaxed.
I love seeing the flags that decorate the restaurant encouraging the discovery of travel and adventure.
On this visit, we decided to sit outside in a far corner with views of the water. It was quiet and calm, and the perfect way to enjoy a few drinks and food. Hurricane Irma had recently just hit, and we arrived just around sunset, so the outdoor seating wasn't as put together feeling as it normally does, but it was still very tranquil.
The Food
On this visit, we decided to try out more of the food options. But, first, drinks!
I always get sparkling water with lime at the Nomad Lounge. I'm a huge fan of sparkling water, and as an added perk, it's complimentary at the Nomad Lounge. That rarely happens, so I'll take free sparkling water when I can. I also ordered a gin & tonic with lime which is fresh and inviting.While we enjoyed drinks, I had the chance to speak with a chef. The Nomad Lounge does not currently carry an allergy-friendly menu, so be sure to ask to speak with a chef. My server tried to tell me what was safe, but I felt safer speaking with a chef.
Because I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet in limited forms, we did order the Nomad Lounge cheese plate. it's a must-do for us and always so good. This can easily be made gluten free by removing the bread component, which is great. I think I liked the previous cheese plate offerings from the Nomad Lounge (they do rotate cheeses), but this was also quite good. Plus, I love the accompaniments.
For something more substantial, I ordered the Florida Lionfish Tacos. These were both gluten free and dairy free. If you've never heard of Lionfish, it's an invasive fish species, that is not so great in the ocean, but great to eat. It's a bit like whitefish such as cod, so it's tender and flaky and delicious.My tacos were served on homemade corn tortillas and charred pineapple and jalapeno. They were quite flavorful and fairly mild -- though I got a few bites of jalapeno in it here and there that were spicy. I would have liked to have seen a spicy mayonnaise or something to offset some of the dryness, but overall, I would get this again.It was a small portion, though, so keep that in mind if you're a big eater or on the hungrier side.
But the shining star of our meal was dessert. The Nomad Lounge currently offers gluten free churros. Yes, you read that correctly, churros. They are gluten free, but they do contain dairy, as they are made with the cup4cup flour blend that contains milk. They are made in a dedicated gluten free fryer.Can I just say wow?!If you've ever dreamed of having a gluten free Disney churro, this fits the bill nicely. It's maybe not quite as crispy as a regular churro (from what I remember from my pre-celiac days), but it's still pretty amazing. Crispy on the outside, sugary without being too sweet, and a little spongy on the inside -- these are the stuff Disney magic and pixie dust is made of.The churros come with a chili strawberry sauce and a vanilla crema sauce. I didn't try the vanilla crema sauce, but I did try the strawberry sauce. It was good, but I think the churros are best eaten solo without a sauce, but it's amazing that there are even sauce options.
Overall
The Nomad Lounge continues to impress as one of the best chill and low-key lounges on Disney property. I love the atmosphere, and the fact that the food is very gluten free friendly. Plus, add to it that they have gluten free churros. Well, there's just nothing better. If you can have dairy, the churros here are a must order and the perfect snack for an afternoon or late evening in the Animal Kingdom. Plus, the other food is really great too. But, let's face it, it really is all about the churros! To read more about the Nomad Lounge's gluten free offerings, check out Alexis' Gluten Free Adventures blog for her review for even more info.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What have you ordered when you've dined here?
Nomad Lounge -- Snacks -- Bar/Lounge -- Animal Kingdom
*This dining experience took place in February 2017.
Appetizers and Drinks at the Nomad Lounge
The Nomad Lounge, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, offers appetizers, small plates, and drinks. The Nomad Lounge opened in 2016, and is located next to Tiffins, the new signature dining location in the park. I've been dying to go to the Nomad Lounge for a while now, especially after reading Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures review of the lounge. Brandon and I decided to stop in to check out the offerings before we caught a showing of the Rivers of Light.
Atmosphere
I have to say that the Nomad Lounge is one of the most relaxing and calm lounges I've ever been to at Disney. It's beautiful interior reflects the world travels of Disney Imagineers, and I love that. Plus, there are some really cool signs and quotes decorating the entire lounge from Disney guests who love to travel the world too. The color scheme is bright but subtle, and you truly feel calm the moment you enter the lounge.
The bar area is the most elaborate with travel flags from Disney guests.
I love that they thought of the theming right down to the menu and drink guide. It looks like an old travel journal and notebook. And you'll see from the inside notes from the Imagineers.Thought I didn't get a photo of the outside, the Nomad Lounge does have a charming outdoor seating area, overlooking a small bit of water. It's perfect for a Florida winter day or a cooler evening in the park.
The Food
But let's get to the food and drink. The important stuff, right?!
Up first, our server Spencer got us some water. Interestingly enough, you can get still or sparkling water here, and the sparkling water is free of charge. That's pretty rare for most restaurants, so I asked for a sparkling water with some lime in it (my favorite!). It's so refreshing.
Brandon and I each got one of the specialty drinks. I ordered the Spice Trader Classic with gin, vermouth, lemon juice, strawberries, and soda water. I loved that this drink was not overly sweet. A huge gin fan, I always look for unique gin options. This one was perfect, and I will definitely be ordering it again.As a side note, if you aren't sure if you can have or can tolerate a certain alcohol, do check ahead or on your phone when you are there. Disney does not typically offer information about gluten free options for alcohol.
Brandon got the Tempting Tigress. I stay away from whiskey, bourbon, and other similar alcohol because I don't tolerate them very well. Brandon said this one was phenomenal though and even our server said this is one of us his favorites.
Because I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet, we also opted to get the Cheese Plate. At $14, it was a wee bit pricey, but the quality of the cheese was very good. It included an aged gouda, a feta cheese, Purple Haze goat cheese with fennel and lavender, and a strong blue cheese -- served with cardamon smoked marcona almonds and house-made raisins. The dish also had 2 small berry gelees that were to be eaten after you finished your cheese. They tasted like concentrated fruit snacks.The cheese plate is completely gluten free, according to the chef. In fact, almost all of the dishes on the small plates menu at the Nomad Lounge are gluten free, which is huge. Even the dishes that contain gluten like the sliders, just need a slight modification (like a gluten free bun). How cool is that?The cheese plate was perfect for us. I am a sucker for aged cheese, so I loved the gouda. But, I also really enjoyed the blue cheese and the goat cheese. The feta was good, but really bland and nothing special compared to the other cheeses. The almonds and raisins were nice compliments to the cheese too.
Overall
I have to say, I'm a Nomad Lounge convert now. It's a bit pricey, but the atmosphere and quality of food and drinks really do make it stand out from some of the other typical Disney bars and lounges. I adore that they have such unique drink options too. Plus, it's just a quiet, calm, and relaxing place to chill after a hot day in the Animal Kingdom. I'm a little worried it may become really busy once Pandora: The World of Avatar opens because it is located at its entrance, but hopefully, it will remain a quiet gem in a busy park.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What did you think of the food and drink there?