REVIEW: Is Disney World’s BEST Sushi Hiding At This Hotel Restaurant?

If you think Disney food is all burgers and character meals…think again.

Tucked inside the Swan & Dolphin Resort, Kimonos is a Japanese restaurant that blends great sushi, creative cocktails, and a lively lounge atmosphere into one seriously fun dining experience. In this full review, I’m sharing everything you need to know, from the menu highlights to the vibe inside, so you can decide if Kimonos is worth booking for your next Disney World trip.

Background

From the moment you step into Kimonos, you get a sense that this isn’t just another hotel restaurant — it’s a destination with its own personality! The theme is a thoughtful fusion of classic Japanese sushi bar aesthetics and modern, social nightlife energy, creating a space that feels equal parts refined and relaxed. Rich teakwood accents, subtle lighting, and an elegant color palette give the dining room a warm, inviting feel during dinner service, while vibrant kimonos displayed throughout the space add pops of color and a playful nod to Japanese culture. It’s an atmosphere that manages to feel upscale without being intimidating while keeping the balance between a casual group dinner space and an intimate date night spot that feels a bit more special.

What really sets Kimonos apart, though, is that it has a dual personality depending on the hour. Early in the evening, it’s a sophisticated sushi and Asian-inspired dinner spot with attentive service and a focus on fresh, beautifully presented food. As the night progresses, the vibe gently transitions into something livelier — think cocktails with friends, interactive music, and even spontaneous karaoke sessions that draw a crowd. This evolution from dinner destination to social lounge gives Kimonos a unique energy that blends traditional dining with a nightlife flair, making it one of the most memorable and dynamic restaurant experiences near Disney World.

Here’s what you need to know about dining at this restaurant.

Atmosphere

The vibe at Kimonos is one of our favorite things about it because it feels so different from most Disney restaurants. It’s dimly lit in a cozy, moody way (not “can’t read the menu” dark), with warm lighting and a buzzy energy that makes it feel more like a cool city sushi lounge than a theme park dining spot.

You’ve got people dressed up for date night, friend groups sharing rolls and cocktails, and solo diners happily posted up at the sushi bar that feels social and grown-up without being loud or overwhelming.

What really stands out is how the energy shifts as the night goes on. Earlier in the evening, it’s calm and laid-back (ideal if you want to take your time eating, actually talk to the people you’re with, and enjoy a relaxed meal).

Later on, it gets more lively with music, drinks flowing, and sometimes karaoke, which gives it this fun “night out” feel that you just don’t get at most Disney World restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can go for dinner and accidentally end up staying way longer than you planned in the best way possible.

But enough about that, what are we eating?!

Food & Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Raspberry Sake Sangria for $16, made with Sake, Lychee, Raspberry, King’s Ginger Liqueur, Hennessy VS Cognac, Pomegranate, and Fresh Orange. The server recommended this, and we were told that this is one of the most popular drinks on the menu. It has a lovely tangy sangria taste with fruity flavors, but then you get the flavor of the sake on the back end. It’s so easy to sip, too, because the flavor is so well-balanced.

To eat, we started with the Miso Soup for $8, made with silken tofu and scallions. It’s so simple, but it’s delightful. It wasn’t too earthy, and it kept more of that onion soup-like flavor to it. It’s also still good even when cooled down.

Then we grabbed the Wagyu Beef Skewers for $21 with clamshell mushrooms, scallion, and miso mustard. That miso mustard is one of our new favorite sauce things in Disney World. The skewers themselves offer a nice portion of juicy, tender beef. The beef didn’t have a lot of seasoning, but it didn’t need it with the other flavors going on. Not only that, but it basically melted in our mouths.

The mushrooms are served on the side, so if you don’t like mushrooms, you don’t have to eat them. These could convince mushroom haters, though. They’re very pillowy and combine really well with the beef.

We also wanted to try one of the signature rolls from the menu, so we grabbed the Dragon Roll for $21. This is made with giant crispy shrimp, tuna avocado, cream cheese, and eel sauce. This was another recommendation our server made. Not only is it beautifully presented, but it’s also quite tasty. It’s soft to bite into, and all the elements inside the roll complemented each other so well.

If you love sushi and rolls, this is the one thing you should order from here. Yes, there is great sushi in Disney World, and it can be found at Kimono’s.

For dessert, we grabbed the White Chocolate Mousse Sphere for $14. It’s made with mango, pineapple compote, and a ginger-lime chiffon wrapped in sesame seed mousse wrapped in white chocolate, topped with sesame seeds and a mango pineapple sauce. This dessert alone is worth dining here. It’s light,  almost like a chiffon cake, but you’ve got chunks of sweet fruit that balance out the flavor.

The sesame seeds add another layer of flavor plus texture. We could eat this all day.

We also got the Mochi for $6. Now, here’s the thing. If you look at the online menu, that’s the only dessert listed, so you’ll want to make sure to ask about other desserts available. We got one chocolate ice cream mochi and one vanilla.

It’s in a ball shape of chewy, sticky rice dough. It’s creamy, and the rice dough just melts in your mouth. It’s a solid end to a meal here.

Magic or Tragic?

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You want Japanese food. If you love Japanese food, you’ll love pretty much everything on the menu here.
• You want to eat in a contemporary atmosphere that isn’t too stuffy. The vibe here is modern, and the theme gives it more of a bar and lounge setting. Karaoke is even offered from 9:30 PM to close, so you can have a little extra fun with your dinner.
• You love sushi. The sushi here is some of the best in Disney World.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You have kids in your party. Kimonos feels more like a lounge, so it might not be a great place for younger children.
• You don’t like fish. Although there are plenty of non-fish options on the menu, those options are pretty limited. This is where you go if you love fish and sushi.
• You want a quiet meal. Things can get loud here, especially once karaoke kicks in every evening. If you want something quieter, consider visiting a little earlier.

Kimonos is one of those super hidden gems in Disney World that not everyone seems to know about, but should. The atmosphere is nice and intimate, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You see everyone here, from people just coming in from the parks to businesspeople here for conferences. The vibe is very welcoming, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in a Disney World hotel.

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

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