We’re excited to finally bring you inside Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge — the two newest dining locations in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. This post will give you a “first look” at both Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge. We’ll be back next week with full reviews of the two.

Introduction to Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge

We have celebrated tons and tons and TONS of openings in the last few weeks, as Disney Springs debuted many new spots associated with the newly revealed Town Center neighborhood. We also continue to welcome new venues into other parts of Disney Springs; STK in The Landing is the latest to open.

…But this brand new restaurant and lounge marks the first time Animal Kingdom has ventured into Signature Dining! And that’s something pretty special, especially for die-hard fans of this beautiful park.

We know you are just as excited and anxious as we are, and we have a TON of stuff to show you. So let’s get right to it!

Nomad Lounge

As you can see from the first photo above, Nomad Lounge has its own separate entrance. This is great, because no matter how busy Tiffins will be on any given day, you can still enjoy some time here. Because as is the Disney norm, this lounge doesn’t take Advance Dining Reservations.

If you’ve been following along with the news about Nomad Lounge, then you know that the venue celebrates the core values of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which include “the intrinsic value of nature, transformation through adventure and a personal call to action.”

As you approach the building, you’ll veer to the left if you’re looking for Nomad Lounge. Look for the rustic-chic punched metal sign.

The double doors that serve as the main entrance to Nomad feature simple carvings in the insets, with  two compass roses.

Around and to the left, you can catch a glimpse of the outdoor seating for Nomad Lounge. The lounge itself is octagonal in shape, and features fantastic views from all of the windows. The wide overhang offers plenty of shade, and also serves to shield the inside from the brightest sun.

This place is gorgeous; and with the porch overhanging the river, it offers a peaceful retreat from the typical theme park stomping grounds.

Check out the water views and the tree canopy. This place is already incredible, and it’s going to be even more so as new attractions continue to open.

But back to the patio itself. Warm wood surrounds you top and bottom. Woven furniture with cushions and pillows invite you to relax and hang out a while.

The lines of furniture and the patio itself are very clean and uncluttered. But you’ll still find a few whimsical touches, like these wire light surrounds and horses holding up beams. 🙂

Of course, if you were hoping to catch a glimpse of Pandora as it’s being crafted, you’re out of luck. Disney has done its usual excellent job of keeping the construction area well hidden from prying eyes.

Still, we love the treehouse feel.

I promise, I’ll be seeing a LOT more of that spot. 🙂 But for now, let’s head inside.

This is safari chic at its finest. Expect fine, though rustic, finishes, and natural light from all of the windows.

Banners hang from the center of the vaulted ceiling. Be sure to pause and take them in — they each offer questions and advice about travel, like “What wisdom would you give to other travelers?”

The gauzy curtains filter the light nicely. Just like the patio, I think I’m mostly struck by the clean lines here. I don’t know what I expected. Maybe something with the tiniest hint of the whimsy you find at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or Skipper Canteen. But that’s not the feel here at all. It’s all elegance.

But there is a feeling of excitement lingering in the air. It’s a place to ponder where your next adventure might take you.

It’s a little tough to make out, but see the writing around the tray ceiling? Those are even more questions to challenge and inspire you to get out there.

So if you’re still trying to determine exactly what Nomad is about, let the words of the people who created it share their vision. And take note — if you love travel, you can purchase a mini-banner for $1 and share your story as well. The banners are displayed behind the bar, and 85% of the proceeds from their sale will go to the Disney Conservation Fund.

So, we’ve had a look around, and you’ve scoped out the perfect seat for your first visit! Time to take a look at a few of the drinks and eats that you can enjoy at Nomad.

If you’re like us, you’ll spend a little time checking out the menu. There are many signature cocktails, in addition to a selection of wine and beer. And here’s an interesting tidbit: we didn’t spy the Standard Disney Cocktail Menu anywhere. There is a full bar, however. So rest assured, if none of the specialty drinks interest you, you’ll still find something to whet your whistle.

Beyond the beautiful illustrations, check out the “journal entries.” Gorgeous! This feels very “Jock Lindsey Hangar Bar” to us.

We started our exploration of the menu by trying the Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale. It’s made exclusively for Nomad Lounge and Tiffins and has an obvious nod to the beloved Adventurers Club, now closed, at Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island.

But we also decided that we owed to YOU to try a little of everything! Here’s your first look at the Spice Trader Classic, featuring Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, Lemon Juice, and Strawberries, with a splash of Soda Water.

Next is the Hightower Rocks, a smooth mix of Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, Watermelon, Sweet and Sour, and Lime Juice.

The Leaping Lizard offers the exotic flavors of Malibu Pineapple Rum and Augusta Cachaça mixed with Orange, Passionfruit, and Mango Juices.

This pretty little glass offers a drink with a fun name. Would you expect something this delicate to be called the Night Monkey? Bacardi Gran Reserva Maestro Rum and Guava Puree, with the surprising flavors of — ready for it? — Coffee Simple Syrup and Lime Juice! And just to punch it up one more notch — Cilantro! (Ew.)

But with lots of exotic flavors celebrating the four corners of the world, you might expect some special coffees. You won’t be disappointed. Just sample the Mustang Coffee, an exclusive blend of coffee (created by Joffrey’s just for Tiffins and Nomad) accompanied by Crown Royal, Brown Sugar, and Butter.

Exploring the drinks at Nomad Lounge will keep you busy enough. But don’t forget — they also offer some intriguing small plates as well. We’re sharing the first few we’ve tried with you here.

Did someone say Indian. Butter. Chicken. Wings. WHAAAAA?? Like we were going to pass these up!

We also decided to give the Seasonal Fish Balls at try. They’re served with Roasted Shishito Peppers.

The Honey-Glazed Coriander Spiced Pork Ribs were garnished with a grilled half lime.

More to come about all of these delicious small plates! We’ll have a full review of Nomad Lounge later next week.

Tiffins

But there’s so much more to explore here. Time to head into Tiffins!

Okay, so we’ve explored the idea of travel, and how it helps us to understand other cultures as it broadens our perspective.

But now, it’s time to zero in on the lands and creatures that served to inspire the creators of Animal Kingdom.

And along the way, we’ll see plenty of art — from conceptual pieces that helped to shape Animal Kingdom into what it is today, to exhibits that celebrate the spirit of this unique park.

But the art starts before you ever set food inside. Remember the beautiful doors at Nomad? Tiffins’ are even more beautiful, featuring carved animals and trees.

Tiffins is modeled after an art gallery, and within its walls you’ll find three primary dining rooms: The Grand Gallery, the Safari Gallery, and the Trek Gallery.

The Grand Gallery is the largest of the three, with seats for 144 guests.

Here, you’ll see various pieces that celebrate the animal species that Disney aims to help protect through the Disney Conservation Fund.

Aren’t the tiles below beautiful? Fun fact — the patterns are enlarged depictions of insect skin. 🙂

The pillars from Minnie and Mickey Campground not only allow guests to reminisce about that land, but actually originally came from Bali and served as inspiration for the Tree of Life!

The Animal Lights are concept art from the soon-to-debut Rivers of Light show.

In the Safari Gallery, you’ll view concept art as well as other pieces crafted by Imagineers in homage to the park itself.

You’ll also find shadow boxes with artwork from Imagineers that predates the park opening. Much of it comes from sketches that were created during the research process for Animal Kingdom.

And are you wondering about this piece? It’s a favorite of veteran Imagineer Joe Rohde! These are some of the actual electrical wires that powered Imagineers’ exploration as they lived in Africa! How did they manage that?!

The tree is a mini version from Kilimanjaro Safari.

Next, we make our way to the Trek Gallery, which immortalized travel through Asia.

This display, created by Imagineers, are talismans called Skydoors. Found across the Tibetan highlands, they are believed to ward off evil forces.

This Tiger Fresco will no doubt remind you of the artwork found along the Maharaja Jungle Trek.

And this striking display of prayer flags actually appears to be fluttering in the wind. Anyone who has spent time in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom has been captivated by the beautiful flags.

The work of the Disney Conservation Fund to help map the genome of the Sumatran Rhino inspired Imagineers and Balinese woodcarvers to collaborate on this piece. It actually shows the coding for this regal animal.

Let’s check out a little of the seating next. Here is the setup in the Trek Room.

Honestly though, we found the seating in the other rooms to be slightly more comfortable.

There’s a mix of booths and chairs. Secluded booths like this one make excellent spots for cozy dinners with close friends.

Wondering what we decided to try? Glad you asked!

It seemed a good idea after our previous visit to Nomad Lounge to sample a few of the interesting non-alcoholic drinks on offer. Tiffins and Nomad Lounge each have several non-alcoholic drinks available — several of them are non-alcoholic versions of the signature drinks on the menu. Their goal? To make sure kids weren’t left out of the fun and fanciness of a special dinner.

Check out the Zingiber Fizzie with Passion Fruit Puree, Mint, Ginger Beer, and Lime Juice. To the right, you’ll find the Hibiscus Henna, a mix of Watermelon, Hibiscus, Soda Water, and Lime Juice.

The dishes were as interesting as the drinks. Check out our starter, the Marinated Grilled Octopus. It includes Artichoke Barigoule, Saffron Aïoli, and Lemon-Caper Olive Oil.

What’s this dish? Well, if you’ve been curious about the Whole-fried Sustainable Fish, here you go!

We love a good steak here at DFB, so you can guess that we couldn’t pass up Wagyu Strip Loin and Braised Short Rib!

The Roasted Market Vegetable Curry makes for a striking presentation.

But of course, we weren’t finishing the experience without trying a little something sweet. The South American Chocolate Ganache filled the bill nicely.

And we’ll have plenty more to share with you next week in our full review!

After spending several hours poking into nearly every corner and dining on several house specialties, we have to say it — Tiffins and Nomad Lounge have been worth the wait!

Next week, we’ll be bringing you a full review of everything that we enjoyed…and didn’t enjoy…at both venues — stay tuned for all of the details!!

For now, I’d love to hear your thoughts! What are you most looking forward to trying at Tiffins and Nomad Lounge? Leave a comment and tell me what you can’t wait to try!