We got the chance to visit Rosa Mexicano at Swan and Dolphin Resort – and after tasting the food, we’ll already dreaming of our next visit!
Rosa Mexicano is Walt Disney World Resort’s new authentic Mexican restaurant. The bright, expansive dining areas and open concept kitchen welcome you to the inviting space… but it was the food, service, and signature margaritas that had us booking a return reservation!
We were recently invited to Rosa Mexicano to preview the restaurant, taste some of their authentic Mexican dishes, and sip on those delicious margaritas. From chef interviews to the churro-filled finale, let’s check out everything Rosa Mexicano has to offer!
The Space
Photo by Maria Salerno
Rosa Mexicano is located on the ground level of the Walt Disney World Dolphin. Just past The Fountain ice cream and sandwich shop, you’ll see Rosa Mexicano’s unmistakable pink marquee. Upon entry, the Mexican wrought iron-inspired bar immediately catches the eye. The glazed blue azulejo tile theme begins here beneath the bar and continues around the restaurant, framing the open-concept kitchen.
There isn’t a bad seat in the house here! The restaurant’s dining space wraps around the bar, and is designed in a way to ensure each table has a view of the gorgeous Swan and Dolphin property.
Signature, Award-Winning Margaritas
Photo by Maria Salerno
According to Swan and Dolphin beverage director Jason, a proper meal at Rosa Mexicano begins with a margarita! As Jason shared, “The Frozen Pomegranate Margarita won New York’s best margarita, and we’ve been serving them in [Rosa Mexicano] locations since 1984. It’s a staple!” Plus, it’s perfect for those hoping to sip on a frozen delight while on vacation!
In addition to the refreshing and fruity Pomegranate Margarita, we also got to sample Rosa Mexicano’s classic on the rocks margarita, La Tradicional Margarita. The combination of evolving flavors include an expertly-crafted balance of tequila, salt, and mixer, making this one of the most balanced margaritas we’ve ever tasted!
The Food
The open-concept kitchen of Rosa Mexicano allows Guests to not only see the raw ingredients that go into their meals, but also grants them the chance to watch the chefs hard at work! We had the chance to interview Chef Mills, and I asked him what staple ingredients are most-used here at Rosa Mexicano. “We have about 8 different kinds of chilis we use here in all of the recipes,” he shared. “We also get a lot of imported cheeses from Mexico that we use in our cuisine as well.”
Executive Chef Herman also shared that Rosa Mexicano makes all of their tortillas and tortilla chips in-house, from scratch daily!
Photo by Maria Salerno
That commitment to freshness comes across clearly in the food. We started with a round of homemade chips, salsa, and tableside guacamole! The guacamole is made fresh, from scratch at your tableside in a traditional mortar-and-pestle style preparation, guaranteeing freshness and authentic flavor.
Photo by Maria Salerno
We sampled a very light and fresh tuna ceviche, indulged in a hearty chicken enchilada, and even got to try duck tacos with a bright pineapple pico!
The two stand-out dishes we sampled were by far the birria tacos, and the black bean and cheese empanadas. The birria tacos are filled with tender angus beef, and are then wrapped in fresh corn tortilla, and fried. The rendering from the angus beef is served on the side for dipping. The taco/rendering combo creates a fantastic, full-flavored bite that will leave even the hungriest of guests satisfied.
Photo by Maria Salerno
The black bean and cheese empanadas caught us by surprise! While unassuming to look at, the texture and flavor explosion was a true delight! The crispy outer shell is fried perfectly, while the hearty bean and cheese filling provides a great chew and texture. If we weren’t told these were vegetarian, we would have never guessed!
Rosa Mexicano Might Have the Best Churros on Disney Property
Photo by Maria Salerno
Finally, our meal culminated with some of the freshest, hottest, and most delicious churros! The churros were hot when served, were perfectly fried to golden perfection and dusted in sugar. The center of the churros are chewy and dense, making these the perfect vessels for dipping in the chocolate and raspberry guajillo sauces! The combo of fresh, crispy churro and the sweet dipping sauces made for some of the best churros we’ve ever tasted on Walt Disney World Property!
We Will Be Back for Another Amazing Meal from Rosa Mexicano!
Overall, Rosa Mexicano is a ‘breath of fresh air’ addition to the Swan and Dolphin restaurant lineup. The space feels very bright and modern, while accurately depicting the Mexican heritage it draws from (look for the mini sculpture mural depicting authentic Mexican cliff divers in all stages of a dive!). The drinks represent classic flavors and are well-balanced by the bartenders. And the food felt authentic from its preparation through to its plating. We can’t wait to head back to Rosa Mexicano to taste even more delicious authentic Mexican food!
Thanks to Rosa Mexicano for inviting us over for lunch! We were hosted by the restaurant, with all food and drink provided. Visit Rosa Mexicano at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for more information.
