Rosa Mexicano — Restaurant in Bay Lake

Rosa Mexicano is one of our go-to restaurants on all of Disney World property. We go there on a nearly weekly basis and have become “regulars.”

Disney is outstanding for dining with food issues, and while Rosa is not run by Disney, they are still up to Disney’s standards and go above and beyond. If you have any issues with food, just ensure you tell them upon arrival and then to your service team. We have never had an issue, and they genuinely care that you have no dining issues.

Even before ordering, if there for dinner, you will be delivered amazing chips and amazing dip at no charge. However, in saying that, you must go a step further and then order the guacamole that is made table side. Once you try the guacamole, you will never not order it. It is the best on property and, again, made fresh and tableside.

All the other food, appetizers and entrees, are delicious. I think between the two of us, we have tried most of the items on the menu with slight alterations due to, again, food allergies and one of us having Celiac disease. We’ve never had anything that is not delicious.

The restaurant itself is gorgeous as can be seen in any of the photos that are all over online. Great theming with an energy that is difficult for me to describe. We always feel good walking in and just “being there.”

The employees, too, are beyond awesome. I am going to list some, but doing so just know that ALL of them are great from the people at the check-in counter when you walk in to the bartenders to the service team to the managers, etc. I cannot stress enough how awesome everyone is. In saying that, we normally get seated with Quinn, Kevin, or Shanna as our servers, and, truth be told, we almost wish we could be genuine friends with each of them instead of just seeing them when we go out to eat. They are awesome servers that in no way, shape, or form seem like they are putting on that “service show” for their customers. We thoroughly enjoy speaking with them about not just Rosa Mexicano but also their lives outside of work, and we enjoy telling them about ours. I want to again stress that this is the case for al the employees there, but I did want to shout out those three specifically.

Now, sadly, let’s get to the one “issue,” so to speak. We have only been to breakfast there about three times, and it’s one of the best on property. Given that, though, they (not Rosa but the entire resort) will NOT validate parking for breakfast. They are losing money, but I doubt they realize that. We would go to breakfast there at least once every two weeks, but we refuse to pay $35+ extra just to park to have breakfast. I hope this paragraph is one day outdated and not true, but as of right now, if you are a local or even visiting and renting a car, expect to add nearly forty dollars for a breakfast visit, and we cannot justify that. It’s a bad move on management’s part out there, and surely they should be able to come up with something to negate it. If, though, you do not mind spending that extra money, then breakfast is also highly recommended. It is genuinely one of the best anywhere on property.

They do, of course, validate for parking for dinner, so do not worry about that. Validation is also for valet parking, so just bring a few extra dollars or so in cash, and you will be good to go if you want your car parked for you. Zero issues with dinner validation just remember to ask at the check-in desk when you arrive or before you leave.

Overall, this is, genuinely, an amazing restaurant and one of our favorites. We say that as locals who eat out at Disney on a weekly basis – sometimes more than once a week. Amazing food, amazing staff, and all at good prices. It’s highly...

Rosa Mexicano: Beautiful Atmosphere, Bland Experience.

I hate leaving bad reviews, but this experience at Rosa Mexicano was one I just can’t ignore. After an amazing day at Epcot with a group of 9, we were in high spirits, ready to end the night with some great food after Disney magic and fireworks. We found Rosa Mexicano at the Dolphin Resort—it looked beautiful, and we were excited to unwind.

As a Mexican, I’m always a bit wary of “Authentic Mexican” labels in Florida, but hey, it’s Disney—what could go wrong, right? Unfortunately, when I saw part of their description say “Innovative Culinary Techniques,” it should’ve been a red flag.

We started with the Guacamole en Molcajete. Great presentation, but I was thrown when they said they couldn’t add lime to the recipe! They kindly brought me lime on the side, but even after adjusting, something was just off. All 9 of us tried it, and it didn’t quite hit the mark.

Next, we had the Ceviche Trio (Shrimp, Tuna, Salmon), and again, no flavor. Even after adding lime and salt, the recipe seemed to take away from what ceviche should be. Only one person enjoyed the tuna, so it was another miss for us.

For my entrée, I ordered the Enchiladas Salsa Verde, usually a safe choice for any Mexican food lover. But honestly, I was shocked. It was completely lacking in flavor, the tortilla was undercooked, and the chicken was dry. Three people tried it and spat it out! The rice was chewy, and the salsa verde? Bland, like they just threw in Tabasco and called it a day.

On a brighter note, the flan was delicious, but by that point, I couldn’t fully enjoy it after such a disappointing meal.

Now, my boyfriend is not picky at all—he’s a simple guy, not into spices, and loves a good basic salad. He ordered the Iceberg Wedge Salad, and when he barely touched it, I knew something was really wrong. The salad was hard to cut and just not good.

Some of my friends tried the tacos and were equally unimpressed—undercooked tortillas, flavorless fillings, and over-starched tortillas that kept their U-shape a little too well. A couple of them ordered what I think were fajitas—they ate it but weren’t thrilled. The shrimp quesadilla was the one bright spot that actually got some love at the table.

Now, I don’t drink alcohol, but everyone else seemed pretty happy with their drinks, so I guess that’s where Rosa Mexicana shines—get you drunk enough to overlook the food! 😂

Our server, Jennifer, was fantastic. She was attentive, quick with refills, and really tried to improve the experience, but at the end of the day, she wasn’t the one in the kitchen.

Even my usually calm, non-confrontational boyfriend—who normally talks me out of complaining, even when he gets the wrong order—actually encouraged me to speak to the manager. That’s when you know things were off. Josh, the manager, was kind and took the time to listen. He explained they had a new chef and that maybe, since we were the last table of the night, the kitchen rushed things. But honestly, someone’s always going to be the last table—should they always get the worst food?

In the end, Josh offered a small discount, which I appreciated, but it didn’t fully make up for the experience.

Would I return? Probably not. Most of us live in South Florida, and a few flew in from Chicago, but none of us are eager to give it another try. But if by some miracle I do return, I hope the new chef has figured things out. There’s nothing worse than ending a magical Disney day with bad food and needing to stop by McDonald’s on the way...

Rosa Mexicana is a true gem nestled inside the Disney Dolphin Resort, offering a refreshing and elevated take on traditional Mexican cuisine in an upscale yet approachable setting. From the moment we arrived, the impeccable service stood out—attentive without being overbearing, genuinely welcoming, and highly knowledgeable about both the menu and drink offerings.

One of the highlights of the evening was undoubtedly the tableside guacamole preparation—a signature experience that not only adds theatrical flair but also delivers on flavor. The guacamole was fresh, vibrant, and perfectly seasoned. The tacos, served with a generous portion of flavorful protein and fresh toppings, were excellent, and the accompanying rice and beans were far from filler—each bite was clearly crafted with intention and care.

The cocktail menu is creative and impressive, with their margaritas standing out as some of the best in the area. Whether you prefer classic or infused varieties, each option is well-balanced and beautifully presented.

Despite being located within a luxury resort, the pricing felt very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food and overall experience. The interior decor is stunning, with modern Mexican aesthetics, warm lighting, and an upscale ambiance that enhances the dining experience without feeling pretentious.

In a resort filled with dining options, Rosa Mexicana holds its own as a standout destination for both resort guests and visiting foodies alike. Whether you’re looking to elevate a date night or simply indulge in flavorful Mexican fare after a day at the parks, this restaurant is absolutely...