Let me put you on to a hidden Disney World restaurant that feels like a real night out.

Kimonos at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts is one of those spots that makes you forget you’re even on Disney World property in the best way possible! Between the sushi, cocktails, and late-night lounge vibes, it feels more like a trendy city hangout than a hotel restaurant. In this full review, I’m sharing exactly what it’s like inside, what to order, and whether it lives up to the hype.

Atmosphere

Kimonos is best described as lively, modern, and social with a touch of nightlife energy. It’s a restaurant that feels just as comfortable for a fun dinner with friends as it does for drinks and late-night entertainment. Inside, you’ll find a sleek, contemporary dining room with an open sushi bar, warm lighting, and stylish décor that strikes a balance between upscale and casual.

What really sets Kimonos apart is its vibe shift as the night goes on. After dinner service, the restaurant often transitions into a buzzing lounge scene with live music or DJ sets and spontaneous karaoke, drawing a crowd that stays late to eat, drink, and hang out well past typical park-closing times. It’s energetic without being chaotic (think sophisticated sushi spot meets fun night out), making it a go-to choice for adults looking for a memorable evening beyond typical theme park dining.

If you take a look around you, there’s more than might meet the eye at first. As soon as you walk in, your eyes are immediately met with the fresh sushi bar where you can actually watch your order being prepared right in front of you…

…and several of the traditional Kimono dresses are hung around the restaurant.

While it’s not a huge restaurant, it’s just the type of place that feels intimate in a cozy, yet casual vibe that’s perfect for all kinds of dinners between hungry solo travelers, couples looking for a low-key date night, anyone ready to take in the latest game at the bar in the back, or families that appreciate a quick breather from the fast pace of Disney World’s parks.

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

The menu at Kimonos is best described as a sushi-centric, Asian-inspired dinner experience with a broad selection of fresh seafood, shareable appetizers, and both raw and cooked sushi options. It blends traditional Japanese staples with creative twists, including signature rolls like the Dragon Roll, Lollipop Roll, and Kimonos Roll alongside nigiri and sashimi selections, tempura, gyoza, seared tuna, and wagyu beef skewers.

You’ll also find a variety of soups, salads, small plates, and specialty cocktails, making it ideal for everything from a full dinner to a shared sushi-and-drinks night — and the intimate, stylish atmosphere adds to the experience, often capped off with late-night karaoke after dinner service.

Kimonos also now carries a separate menu for desserts that includes Ube Cheesecake and a White Chocolate Mousse Sphere. But don’t worry — if you’re a fan of the Mochi they’re known to carry, they’re still on the menu here too!

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Raspberry Sake Sangria for $16. We didn’t walk into Kimonos with a drink already picked out, but after our server recommended the Raspberry Sake Sangria as one of their most popular options, it was an easy yes. It’s made with sake, Kenwood Merlot, pomegranate, raspberry, and triple sec, and honestly, it tastes EXACTLY like what you’d hope a sake-meets-sangria cocktail would taste like.

The first sip hits with that tangy, fruity sangria vibe right away, with the pomegranate and raspberry bringing a really bright, juicy sweetness. But then, right at the end, you get that unmistakable sake finish that gives it a slightly deeper, more complex edge. The best comparison I can make is that it’s almost like a sangria version of the Violet Sake from Japan in EPCOT — familiar, but with a fun twist.

There’s also this subtle little fizz to it, almost like a gentle carbonation, which I’m guessing comes from the triple sec and the way everything blends together. Texture-wise, it’s really interesting! It sits perfectly in between being a wine-based sangria and a sake cocktail, and it’s one of those drinks you just keep sipping because you’re trying to fully place what you’re tasting.

Overall, it’s super balanced, super drinkable, and easily one of those “I get why this is a fan favorite” cocktails. If you like fruity drinks but still want something with a little depth beyond just straight sweetness, this one is absolutely worth trying.

Eats

TO start things off, we ordered the Miso Soup for $8. This is made with dashi, miso paste, Tofu, and seaweed. We have to give a quick shoutout to the miso soup here, because it genuinely surprised us. Even someone who’s not the biggest miso soup person can appreciate how this one was really, really well done.

It wasn’t overly earthy or heavy, and instead it leaned more into that comforting, savory onion-broth kind of base while still keeping the richness and warmth you want from miso. It felt a little more balanced and filling without being overpowering, which made it an easy starter even for someone who doesn’t normally order it.

And honestly, even as it cooled down, it still held up flavor-wise. I could see myself drinking this one warm or even closer to room temp and still enjoying it, which says a lot. If you’re on the fence about miso soup, this is definitely one of the better versions to try.

We also opted to grab the Wagyu Beef Skewers for $21. This is made with clamshell mushrooms, scallions, and miso-mustard.

The Wagyu beef skewers were easily one of the standout dishes for us. We’re not exaggerating when we say we could eat these until kingdom come. The miso-mustard almost comes across like an aioli at first (creamy and smooth) but then you get that unmistakable mustard bite underneath, almost like a savory paste that adds just the right amount of sharpness and depth.

The beef itself is a really healthy portion of Wagyu, and it is incredibly juicy and tender. It honestly doesn’t even need much seasoning because all of the flavor comes from everything it’s paired with (especially that sauce and the mushrooms). And speaking of the mushrooms…we need to talk about them, because our reporter doesn’t even like mushrooms, and somehow these were so good. They were pillowy with just enough chew, and when you combine them with the beef, it’s basically perfection. The whole bite just melts together in this rich, buttery way.

Now, we will say, they are on the smaller side for $21, but at the same time, it’s Wagyu, and you can absolutely taste the quality. The beef is perfectly pink, broiled just enough to brighten up the flavor without covering it up with too many extra bells and whistles. It’s simple, but it’s executed so well that it feels like actual food science.

If you’re looking for something indulgent, savory, and genuinely memorable at Kimonos, these skewers are absolutely worth ordering.

The Dragon Roll really stood out to us from the signature rolls, so we ordered it too for $21. At our server’s recommendation, we went with the Dragon Roll as our signature sushi pick, and…yeah, we get it! This roll is made with crispy giant shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, and eel sauce, and it is honestly just unbelievably creamy and satisfying from the first bite.

Everything about it works together so well. The shrimp gives you that crispy, hearty texture, while the avocado and cream cheese make the whole thing feel rich and smooth without being too heavy. And we have to admit, we didn’t even realize it was eel sauce until after we ate it, because it’s not overpowering or “fishy” in any way. It just adds this sweet-savory glaze that ties everything together perfectly.

It’s also beautifully presented, with that classic dragon-style topping that makes it feel like a true signature dish. And the roll itself is so soft and easy to bite into, which is saying something because I’m not usually a sushi person. This is one of the few rolls where we could genuinely sit there and enjoy it without overthinking it.

Now, the shrimp tails were probably the only small downside (not our favorite texture), but everything else was so complimentary that it didn’t really matter.

And honestly? This might be the best sushi we’ve had anywhere on Disney property! We’ve enjoyed sushi at other spots like Splitsville and even California Grill, but this is the kind of roll you leave raving about. If you’re a sushi fan, Kimonos is THE place — you don’t need to go searching around the property for great sushi when it’s sitting right here!

Winding down, we decided we’d saved a little room for dessert. So, naturally, we ordered one of the restaurant’s newest desserts, the White Chocolate Mousse Sphere, for $14. We are not exaggerating when we say we would come back to Kimonos just for this alone!! It’s one of those desserts that sounds complicated on paper but makes total sense the second you take a bite.

It’s essentially a light ginger-lime chiffon cake wrapped around a mango and pineapple compote, all encased in a sesame seed mousse and covered in white chocolate with toasted sesame seeds on the outside. There’s also a mango-pineapple sauce drizzled around it, which just adds even more bright, tropical sweetness.

When you cut into it, there’s this whole pocket of fruit inside (like chunks of mango and pineapple, almost like a chutney), and it’s so flavorful and balanced. The fruit is sweet without being overwhelming, and together it almost gives this peachy vibe, even though you can still distinctly taste both the pineapple and the mango separately.

What surprised us most is how light it feels. Even after a really filling meal, this works perfectly as a palate cleanser because it’s airy, refreshing, and just rich enough without being heavy. And then the toasted sesame seeds add this extra layer of crunch and nuttiness that makes the texture so interesting with every bite.

Also, a quick pro tip: ask for the full dessert menu when you’re here. Online, you might only see Mochi listed, but our server explained that they actually have a trio of desserts available now (something the chefs created post-COVID), and this mousse sphere is absolutely one you don’t want to miss. Truly one of the best surprise desserts we’ve had on Disney property.

And for good measure, our servers decided we also deserved an extra special send-off, so they brought out Mochi to the table. This will cost you $6, and we were served vanilla and chocolate as a surprise.

This sweet little bonus was such a fun way to end the meal. Right now, they’re only offering the vanilla and chocolate flavors, and while they typically have more variety, like strawberry, these still totally hit the spot if you’re craving something simple and classic.

The vanilla mochi is light and creamy on the inside, with that soft, chewy rice dough on the outside that makes mochi so satisfying. The chocolate version is a little richer and more indulgent, almost like a frozen chocolate mousse tucked inside that same chewy shell. They’re small, easy to snack on, and a really nice, refreshing finish after a meal that’s as flavorful and filling as Kimonos.

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• The Sushi Is Truly Standout (Even If You’re Not a Sushi Person.) Kimonos might honestly be one of the best places on Disney property for sushi, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even usually gravitate toward it. The signature rolls are creamy, beautifully balanced, and feel genuinely high quality. The kind of sushi you leave raving about instead of just saying, “Yeah, it was fine.”
• The Food Feels Elevated but Still Comfortably Approachable. From the Wagyu beef skewers with that addictive miso mustard to surprisingly well-done starters like the miso soup, everything here feels thoughtfully prepared without being intimidating. It’s a great mix of flavorful, indulgent dishes that still feel approachable even if you’re not an expert in Japanese cuisine.
• It’s a Hidden Gem With Serious Disney Heart. Kimonos has that rare “classic Disney World restaurant” feel — not just because the food is great, but because the Cast Members and longtime staff bring so much warmth and personality to the experience. Between the atmosphere, the service, and even the off-menu dessert surprises, it feels like one of those places that rewards you for venturing beyond the parks.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• It’s Definitely on the Pricier Side for What You’re Getting. While the quality is there, Kimonos isn’t exactly a budget-friendly meal. Between specialty cocktails, sushi rolls, and dishes like the Wagyu skewers, it can add up quickly, especially if you’re ordering multiple items. If you’re trying to keep your dining costs low, this might feel more like a splurge than a casual stop.
• The Menu Is More Niche Than a Typical Disney Restaurant. Kimonos is heavily focused on sushi and Japanese-inspired flavors, so if you’re dining with picky eaters or someone who isn’t into seafood, rice, or more adventurous flavor combinations, the options may feel a little limited. It’s not one of those “everyone will find something” Disney menus.
• It’s a Bit Out of the Way Compared to In-Park Dining. Because Kimonos is located at the Swan and Dolphin, it’s not as convenient as grabbing a meal inside EPCOT or one of the more central resort restaurants. You kind of have to plan for it (whether that means leaving the parks early or making it part of a resort evening) so it’s not always the easiest option for a quick dining decision.

Overall

Overall, Kimonos was such a pleasant surprise and genuinely one of the most memorable meals we’ve had in a while that’s off-property but still within the Disney bubble. Between the standout sushi, the incredibly tender Wagyu skewers, and desserts that felt way more special than we ever expected, everything was thoughtfully done and full of flavor. It’s the kind of place that feels like a hidden gem — a little bit of a splurge, a little out of the way, but absolutely worth it if you’re looking for something different from the usual Disney dining routine!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!