We’ve eaten at some incredible lounges at Disney World, but maybe none more memorable than one with arguably the best sunset views on property. We’re trying out an old favorite once again that seems to stand the test of time!

We recently stopped by Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here!

Atmosphere

Stepping inside this tropical oasis of a bar will immediately make you feel like you’ve been transported to the South Seas. Located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Tambu Lounge has earned quite a reputation over the years as one of the most sought-after lounges to dine at Disney World.

It’s located just inside the waiting area for ‘Ohana with a bar you can pull up a seat at…

…or instead choose to grab a seat at a table. There’s also a larger communal table that might seat you next to a few other families and folks if you’re feeling social!

It’s also just a skip away from Kona Cafe at the opposite side of the building. The bartenders you’ll meet here are very friendly, and you might find you have a few things in common with them as you chat it up over your meal or drinks here.  In addition to specialty cocktails and a full bar, a small menu of appetizers is also available. But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

The menu here might not feel extensive, but we promise it’s worth it! Here you’ll find appetizers served between 4-10 PM, and non-alcoholic specialty offerings.

Along with your choice of specialty cocktails (we’ll tell you more about our favorite here later), beer, hard ciders and seltzers, as well as sparkling wine, and a few others like white, rosé, and red wines, too!

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Eats

First up, we grabbed the Pot Stickers for $13.50. They’re made with pork and vegetable dumplings tossed in a chili-garlic sauce. SO much flavor here. They have a nice seasoning and flavors that meld so well together. Note, you can also skip the chili-garlic sauce and get them tossed in the peanut sauce, which is pretty great, too.

They’re so crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

We also grabbed the Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings for $15. These are a favorite for a reason. They’re sweet and sticky and absolutely perfect. 

The chicken is tender, juicy, and well-cooked. You also get quite a few in a portion size. These are always a solid option.

Last but not least, most people don’t realize you can get secret menu items here, too! So naturally we had to get them. We also grabbed the ‘Ohana Noodles for $13.50. These are those classic noodles from ‘Ohana that everyone loves, and you can get them here without a dining reservation. 

They’ve got that tender soy flavor and a little bit of a salad topping on top. Everyone loves these noodles, and so do we.

Another secret menu item you can get here is that famous ‘Ohana Bread Pudding for $13. Yep, all you have to do is ask, and you can get that bread pudding in the lounge! It’s served à la mode with homemade caramel sauce. It’s PERFECTION. It’s so dense and moist, and then it just pairs so well with the vanilla bean ice cream and that caramel sauce. Y’all…if you’ve had it…you know what we’re talking about.

The bread pudding is topped with fresh, sweet, and sticky pineapple pieces that are chewy and juicy to add additional flavor. It’s also very rich and could serve multiple people, but we’re not about to share one of our favorite desserts in Disney World, so SORRY.

Seriously, we wish everyone could try this bread pudding at least once in their lives.

Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Lapu Lapu for $21. This is made with Planteray Original Dark Rum, Orgeat (Almond), and Tropical Fruit Juices served in a Fresh Pineapple topped with Goslings 151 Proof Black Seal Rum. This is a strong drink, y’all, and that rum is the first thing that hits you. 

But it’s also fruity and juicy, because it is, well, inside a pineapple. It’s also syrupy, tangy, and heavy. We like to drink it up and then scrape the pineapple clean to get that rum-infused pineapple thing going on.

The alcohol does pack a punch, though, so drink it slowly…spend some time enjoying this drink!

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You can’t or don’t want get a reservation for ‘Ohana. If you’re looking for ‘Ohana food without having to get a dining reservation, this is where you want to go.
• You want small bites and not big meals. If you’re looking for appetizer-sized foods, Tambu Lounge is for you.
• You don’t want to wait to get into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. This bar is a lot easier to get into than Trader Sam’s, and the drinks are just as fun, while the bartenders are just as knowledgeable.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You want a full table service experience. This is a lounge, so it operates more like a bar and not a table service restaurant, so if you want that full dining experience, book a reservation at ‘Ohana instead.
• You want a full meal. Although you could probably combine some lounge bites here and create a big meal, if you’re looking for an actual full meal, you’ll want to go elsewhere.
• You’re averse to Polynesian-inspired flavors. If you’re not a big fan of Asian or Polynesian flavors, this might not be the spot for you.

Overall

We’ve always felt like Tambu Lounge was this wonderful hidden secret in Disney World where you could get ‘Ohana food and the like for a lot cheaper than what you’d pay at ‘Ohana. We also think the bartenders always go above and beyond here, plus we love the Polynesian vibe. Plus it’s way easier to get into this bar than Trader Sam’s, so it’s a win-win.

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!

The post REVIEW: Why You Should Skip Disney World’s ‘Ohana and Eat HERE Instead first appeared on the disney food blog.