Disney Deliciousness:Where to find the best (and newest) sips and bites at Walt Disney World
A Food-Lover’s Trip Inside the Disney Bubble
Hello and welcome back to Sip With Nikki. I’m Nikki Lamberti here in Sonoma County, California, and I’m so glad you’re here.
It’s been a minute since I’ve done a solo episode. I’ve had a lot of wonderful interviews lately (and don’t worry—those will continue), but today it’s just me sharing a recap of one of my favorite things: a food and wine–focused trip to Walt Disney World.
If you’re a longtime listener, you know I’ve worked for the Disney company for more than 25 years. For many of those years I lived in Orlando working at Walt Disney World before eventually moving to California wine country. These days I still travel back regularly—and when I do, I tend to skip most of the rides and instead focus on the incredible culinary scene across Disney property.
This trip was especially meaningful because I got to spend it with my mom and my sisters. After a very emotional year—my own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, followed by my father’s passing from pancreatic cancer—we really needed some time together inside what we lovingly call “the Disney bubble.”
And when my family gathers? It’s always about food, wine, and great conversation.
So today I’m sharing what I like to call an “audio food-porn episode.” Even if you’re not a Disney person, you’ll still hear about food and wine pairing, great restaurants, and a few hidden gems worth adding to any travel list.
Starting the Trip at Dahlia Lounge and Three Bridges
Our first night together kicked off at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, specifically the gorgeous Dahlia Lounge at the top of the Grand Destino Tower.
The views stretch nearly 270 degrees across Disney property, making it the perfect place to start a vacation.
I ordered a refreshing red sangria (sangria tinto) made with Grenache, orange juice, and simple syrup. Paired with jamón croquetas, it was the perfect light start to the evening.
From there we walked down to Three Bridges Bar and Grill, one of Disney’s best-kept secrets. Sitting literally in the middle of a lake, it has an incredible open-air atmosphere.
Our table shared:
house-made guacamole
roasted corn dip
white queso
crispy patacón with chicken tinga
I paired everything with a Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) called Raimundo La Mantesa. It’s an incredible wine—often under $20—with bright fruit and great versatility for spicy dishes. You can find it here!
Animal Kingdom Night: Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge
One of the highlights of the trip was a special after-hours Moonlight Magic event at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Before riding attractions with almost no wait, my mom and I stopped at Tiffins Restaurant and the Nomad Lounge.
This spot is filled with travel memorabilia from the Imagineers who designed the park, including journals and photographs from their research trips around the world.
While chatting about our own travels (including our unforgettable gorilla trek in Uganda), we enjoyed:
Lagunitas IPA
Sapporo Black lager
The Nomad Lounge is easily one of the coolest bars inside a Disney theme park.
Topolino’s Terrace: One of Disney’s Best Restaurants
If I had to name one restaurant that never disappoints, it would be Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
This rooftop restaurant offers breathtaking views—including EPCOT fireworks—and incredible Italian-inspired cuisine.
We started with a Frito Misto featuring tempura-style broccolini, asparagus, artichokes, and mushrooms served with romesco sauce and white balsamic gel.
For my main dish I ordered the Chicken Sugo Rigatoni—braised chicken, pancetta, mushrooms, broccolini, truffle, and red-wine-based sauce.
And yes… we paired it with Sollevato Sangiovese, which we brought ourselves and paid corkage for.
One day I’m manifesting Sollevato being on the wine list there.
A Poolside Surprise: Bar Riva
Lunch at Bar Riva, the Riviera Resort’s pool bar, turned out to be one of the culinary surprises of the trip.
My friend Laurie joined me and we ordered:
a fresh panzanella caprese salad with burrata and heirloom tomatoes
a seasonal broccolini and lemon-ricotta pizza
The cocktail of the day was Il Tramonto, made with vodka, Aperol, St-Germain, lemonade, turmeric, pomegranate, and orange.
Bright, citrusy, and incredibly refreshing.
Champagne Flights in EPCOT’s France Pavilion
One of our favorite stops in EPCOT is the hidden champagne bar Les Vins de France.
It’s easy to miss—it looks almost like a small shop—but inside they serve beautiful champagne flights.
Our flight included:
Moët Imperial Brut
Taittinger Brut
Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec
We paired it with Camembert potato chips, which might sound unusual but is actually one of my favorite pairings.
Champagne + salty chips = magic.
Fish and Chips in the UK Pavilion
Next stop: Rose & Crown Pub in the UK Pavilion.
We shared two orders of fish and chips, which I will confidently say are some of the best I’ve ever had—even compared to London.
Naturally, we paired them with a half-and-half Harp and Guinness.
A New EPCOT Lounge: GEO-82
One of the hardest reservations to get right now is the new GEO-82 Lounge, located behind Spaceship Earth.
We ordered a bottle of Schramsberg Brut Rosé, a Napa Valley sparkling wine that happens to be a favorite of my sisters and me.
The glassware was beautiful, the view overlooked EPCOT’s new central plaza, and it quickly became one of my favorite new spots in the park.
Polynesian Resort Highlight: Wailulu Bar & Grill
One of the biggest highlights of the trip was dinner at Wailulu Bar & Grill at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Picture an open-air restaurant overlooking the lagoon with a perfect view of Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Standout dishes included:
ahi tuna crisps
grilled shishito peppers
garlic shrimp
kampachi with green curry broth
The wine star of the evening was Protea Chenin Blanc from South Africa, a versatile white that paired beautifully with everything on the table.
Magic Kingdom’s First Bar?!!
Another new addition to Disney dining is Beak and Barrel, a pirate-themed bar inside Magic Kingdom.
This is a big deal because historically Magic Kingdom didn’t serve alcohol.
I ordered a cocktail called Barrels Ablaze, made with bourbon, honey, lemon, and chile—spicy and delicious.
Before leaving the park, we stopped at the famous Adventureland spring roll cart for cheeseburger spring rolls with dipping sauce.
Final Thoughts: Food, Wine, and Family
By the end of the trip, my pants were definitely fitting a little tighter—and yes, I might need to get back on the Peloton.
But every bite and sip was worth it.
More importantly, the trip gave my family something we needed: joy, laughter, and time together.
And that’s really what great food and wine are about.