Tiffins vs Nomad lounge?

[lorenae]

I’ve never had a sit-down dinner at AK and booked Tiffins next week for a lunch with my husband (who has never been to WDW ever!).

I’ve also never stepped into Nomad lounge.

Since it’s lunch, and we probably will leave the park at 3ish, which would you recommend? We will probably arrive at park opening (staying onsite), ride a few rides like FOP, and then have our lunch.
The menu looks fine at Tiffins, but maybe too “fancy” for us? Thanks for any advice!

 

[HopperFan]

I’ve never had a sit-down dinner at AK and booked Tiffins next week for a lunch with my husband (who has never been to WDW ever!).

I’ve also never stepped into Nomad lounge.

Since it’s lunch, and we probably will leave the park at 3ish, which would you recommend? We will probably arrive at park opening (staying onsite), ride a few rides like FOP, and then have our lunch.
The menu looks fine at Tiffins, but maybe too “fancy” for us? Thanks for any advice!

You'll likely get opinions all over the place but we don't bother with Tiffins anymore but hit Nomad each trip. Last time at Tiffins we actually ordered the appetizers from Nomads because we liked their menu better. Tiffins is very low key, kinda bland decor, really could have been anywhere. Nomad is so creative and intimate and even sitting out of the balcony feels exotic. The staff at Nomad has always been excellent.

If you aren't staying all day I would just get light lunch at Nomad, enjoy the atmosphere and then have a nicer dinner wherever you'll be later in the day.

 

[CarolynFH]

@lorenae, we love Tiffins, and in our opinion the decor is not at all bland - see photos here: https://allears.net/dining/photos/tiffins/interior/. Sometimes I have to restrain myself because I want to look more closely at some of the art on the walls but would have to lean over others' tables to do so! In the main dining room, each wall has a different theme, and they are very unique.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I’m happy at either, just depends on the mood and sometimes availability. I used to love Tiffins a lot more but to me the menu has been a little flat/monotonous lately and perhaps the service not as good, on the margins (but I still enjoy the experience).

If you are already feeling Tiffins may be “too fancy” for you, then I’d probably lean towards Nomad.

If you do Nomad, make sure to monitor the wait list time in the app and use the join wait list option if needed. If the wait is long you can go ahead and join while you’re finishing up something else, or walk around/enjoy the park some more, etc.

Have fun!

 

[VAtink]

That's a tough question, both are fantastic, and have different vibes and menus. There are more overall food options at Tiffins, although the menu has been really cut back in the last year or so, so there's not a ton of more options than Nomad these days. The dishes at Nomad are pretty small compared to what you get as entrees at Tiffins though, so we usually end up ordering 3 things off the Nomad menu between the two of us to split. Overall we generally prefer the items on the Tiffins menu a bit more, but really love both places!

Really don't think you can go wrong at either, we've found the food at both to be great! I would probably base it on what food looks best to you. One plus for Nomad, if you're interested in the character boat cavalcades, they go right by the outside deck at Nomad, so it's great to get a table out there along the railing for a fantastic view. That deck has become a favorite of ours to just sit and relax on for hours with some good food and drinks!

 

[Marthasor]

We really love Nomad. I love the atmosphere, the drinks and the small plates. We definitely make a full meal by ordering a variety of dishes. I also love that I don't have to be tied down to an ADR time and have always had luck with late afternoon walk-ups.

 

[Moliphino]

They're both great, you can't really go wrong.

 

[igrsod]

Both are great.. we have loved our meals at both places. Last time we ate at Tiffins, we got a personalized card welcoming us back and a take home dessert as a gift.
I would suggest Nomad as your first time. Sitting out on the patio is so nice and relaxing.
The food choices are less "fancy", and less expensive.
Enjoy

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with everyone else, both are great and we love them both. For us, it depends on if we are doing lunch or dinner. Dinner is Tiffins, lunch usually Nomad Lounge because I don't like heavy food at lunch. We eat at one or the other every trip we take.

 

[Disturbia]

lf you’re ok with a big lunch, Tiffins is better vs the lounge. When we went to the lounge, the appetizers were too salty or bland (sliders). The only thing we liked were the churros (hot, crispy and not too sweet). The Tiffins lunch was nice and we liked the seafood (octopus and fish; also the Simba dessert in my profile photo; Manchurian was too salty, lobster Mac cheese excellent) but not the steak (Excessively Charred). It was a one and done for us as we prefer Boma on our AK days. For lunch we like Satuli.

 

[armerida]

Both are great, but Nomad is a must-do for us every trip. The tranquil, relaxing atmosphere, especially outside on the couches, makes it a total oasis in the midst of the park. And you can watch the flotillas as they go by down the river! The food and drinks are carefully curated and delicious. We’ve done Tiffins twice and found it to be much more formal and not as relaxing a spot. Dishes are also larger and much pricier, so for us it’s too much food for lunch time.

 

[lorenae]

I’m happy at either, just depends on the mood and sometimes availability. I used to love Tiffins a lot more but to me the menu has been a little flat/monotonous lately and perhaps the service not as good, on the margins (but I still enjoy the experience).

If you are already feeling Tiffins may be “too fancy” for you, then I’d probably lean towards Nomad.

If you do Nomad, make sure to monitor the wait list time in the app and use the join wait list option if needed. If the wait is long you can go ahead and join while you’re finishing up something else, or walk around/enjoy the park some more, etc.

Have fun!

I had no idea about wait times in the app! Where can I find that?

Edit- duh! I never once noticed ‘dining’ off to the left on the app. I can’t believe I’m so single minded that I never saw it. Thank you!!!!!!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I had no idea about wait times in the app! Where can I find that?

Search Nomad Lounge in the app, it’ll take you to this page. Note, while there are always exceptions, I find Disney’s estimates are usually on the high side.

 

[fly girl]

As PP said, you can't go wrong either way.

I like them both, but there's something about Nomad and enjoying some small plates and good cocktail outside on the deck that is special. Not to mention the only place in WDW I will dare eat a churro. Those are on par with Disneyland's.

 

[gharter]

To eat, we love Tiffins, had many great meals there.
For afternoon drinks, Nomad cannot be beat. Sitting outside, having a nice drink(s) and hearing the water running by you, priceless. Have never tried the small plates at Nomad.