Updated: April 2, 2025

EPCOT might be known for its range of cultural-inspired cuisine, but Animal Kingdom is another theme park at Walt Disney World serving some of the best food.

One location doing exactly that is Nomad Lounge, an extremely popular bar and lounge with small plates and tasty drinks.

I’ve been to Nomad Lounge more than I can count. The following includes information from several visits, with the most recent from March 14, 2025.

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What is Nomad Lounge?

Located in the Discovery Island area of Animal Kingdom (on your right as you walk towards Pandora: The World of Avatar), Nomad Lounge sits next to Tiffins Restaurant.

These are actually connected and share restrooms, but they each have separate entrances and are two different dining locations.

Nomad Lounge celebrates travel and adventure. In the center of the lounge, where there are several tables and a bar, you’ll see banners hanging with questions about traveling the world. These are meant to inspire conversation.

You might even be given the chance to answer some of the questions on decorative tags provided by Cast Members, which will be hung on a “tag chandelier” located above the bar.

Like the overall theme of the lounge, the menu also draws inspiration from locations around the world.

Nomad Lounge is family-friendly (yes, there are kids’ meals), especially thanks to the outdoor seating area that overlooks Discovery River.

Despite its popularity, you cannot make a reservation at Nomad Lounge. It’s a walk-up location only. If there aren’t any tables or bar seating available upon arrival, you can either add your name to the list in person or in the My Disney Experience app.

If you choose to add your name in the app, you have to be somewhat close to the restaurant in order to join the walk-up list.

If you’d rather sit inside or outside at Nomad Lounge, I recommend joining the walk-up list in person to put in that request. This may make your wait longer, but you cannot note a seating preference in the app.

Like many other lounges, if the bar has open seats, you can sit there without having to put your name on the list.

More than likely, you will have to wait, but you can also show up right when Nomad Lounge opens to have a much better chance of snagging a table without any wait.

How much does Nomad Lounge cost?

Depending on what you order, the cost will vary at Nomad Lounge. Keep in mind that these aren’t big meals, but only small bites and appetizers. That said, many are filling and it’s nice to be able to share so you can try more!

The main menu has plates that range from $10.00 to $18.00. You’ll also need to factor in if you want additional items, like an alcoholic beverage.

If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it is accepted here (1 Table Service credit per person). Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members do not receive a discount.

Here’s a look at the Nomad Lounge menu. This will give you a better understanding of what is available and how much food and drink items cost. There are also allergy-friendly options.

Food Menu

Sometimes there are specials, which you fill find printed on the regular menu that sits at each table.

Drink Menu

This is only a small section of the drink menu.

Nomad Lounge Review

Nomad Lounge has some stellar cocktails. Even if you don’t want to sit down or aren’t able to snag a table, you can walk inside to the bar and order a to-go drink.

I highly recommend doing this, especially because there’s a unique variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

My personal favorite is the Annapurna Zing, which comes with Bombay Sapphire Gin, passion fruit purée, mint, simple syrup, and lime juice topped with ginger beer and a glowing lotus flower.

I don’t even like ginger beer or gin (depending), but this is one of my favorite cocktails across Disney World. It is so good!

If you’re a beer fan, like myself, you need to try the Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale. This is an exclusive Walt Disney World beer. For $11.50, you can find it at Nomad Lounge, Tiffins Restaurant, and Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen.

This is an African-inspired deep Amber Ale brewed with sorghum and a special blend of spices including cinnamon and cardamom. It basically tastes like Christmas.

As for the food options, since I’m vegetarian, there aren’t a ton of items.

Currently, there is one plant-based dish that both vegans and vegetarians can enjoy. The Korean Barbecue Mushroom Bao Buns come with grilled oyster mushrooms, cucumber kimchi, and pickled green papaya. You get two for $15.00.

The bao buns are actually a new menu item that Nomad Lounge added in November 2023.

Sadly, the bao buns replaced the Impossible sliders served with yucca fries. This dish was one of the main reasons I loved going to Nomad.

Granted, the bao buns aren’t horrible and I appreciate that they are a unique menu offering. They are also very flavorful and I’m a huge mushroom fan. That said, they didn’t wow me. I still prefer the Impossible sliders and really hope they return one day.

However, there is another vegan dish you should try. I highly recommend asking for a modified version of the Tuna Poke Bowl. Ask your server nicely to replace the tuna with the Korean Impossible Meatballs on the kids’ menu at Tiffins. That’s right, this is an option!

The bowl also comes with steamed rice, red cabbage kimchi, edamame, and sesame-chili glaze. The dish costs $16.00 does have some heat to it, but it’s so delicious and very filling!

Don’t forget about the churros at Nomad Lounge, which are probably the best you’ll find at Disney World (this isn’t Disneyland).

The churros cost $10.00 and come with two dipping sauces: a vanilla crema and a seasonal sauce. When I dined at Nomad Lounge on March 14, 2025, a spiced Mexican chocolate came as the seasonal sauce. The dips are good, but I actually like the churros plain.

Nomad Lounge is known for these churros, so you should definitely give them a try. They are also gluten-friendly.

Is Nomad Lounge worth it?

Nomad Lounge is worth it — for some.

First, it’s important to note that this lounge is on the pricier side, especially for only being served smaller plates. It may be hard for certain guests to stomach paying $15.00 for two small bao buns, when you can order a full breakfast at, say Steakhouse 71, for less.

Or, you can go grab some fantastic Quick Service at Satu’li Canteen nearby for about the same price and order an exclusive Pandora: The World of Avatar beer (I love the Hawkes’ Grog Ale) or cocktail.

Also, the menu may be too adventurous for some guests, including pickier eaters and little ones. Not everyone is going to be wowed over what’s offered.

That said, what makes Nomad Lounge so wonderful and appealing is that it’s more of an upscale lounge that serves a bit higher quality bar and theme park food, hence the price. Plus, the atmosphere is relaxing, especially if you sit outside overlooking the Discovery River.

It’s a great spot to chill after a long day, if you want to rest your feet, need some air conditioning, or if you’d like some solid food without having to make a reservation at a Table Service restaurant.

If you haven’t been to Nomad Lounge yet, I highly recommend going and experiencing it at least once. There’s quite a big menu that will please many patrons. And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, there are both the bao buns and modified poke bowl to try.

Nomad is so relaxing and beautiful. It has a lot to offer. Even if you want to go sit and have a drink, you should do so.

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Let me know if you’ve been to Nomad Lounge and whether you like it or not (and how you feel about the menu changes).