Most of these reviews must be from tourists or people who haven't experienced others such as Seito and Kabooki sushi In Sand Lake, or Ceiba. If you're interested in a few drinks and watching fireworks from the rooftop, I guess it's okay, but be prepared to have a mix of people with kids to rush the rooftop. Dress code is not enforced and most people are dressed down. This is mostly a bar/lounge. Most of the seating is either at the bar or around it. The seating around the bar has chairs that are very low and the tables are even lower which makes the dining experience very uncomfortable. We actually sat in one of those to catch the fireworks BUT ended up having to close the curtains since they had a table with a bright lamp directly on the other side of the window with other diners! The service was nice but very slow...a drink took 20-25 min even though it was not very busy. The drinks were pretty awful - I ordered a margarita thinking it was easy and no way to mess it up...still managed to mess it up by adding soda water? Our food eventually started coming out after about an hour and we had to stop someone to ask for plates. Even the most basic of things appears to be an afterthought. There was no ambience, it was very bright and the amount of people walking through to get to the rooftop side was ridiculous. You would think they would have separate areas for diners and guests walking through to see fireworks, but they don't. Finally, food was mediocre. The nigiri was not very fresh and to be honest, I stopped eating it for fear of getting sick. The sticky ribs were good, but nothing to scream about. The matcha dessert had potential but was just flat. The only thing that was interesting was the surf and turf roll which to me is not really sushi but my boyfriend enjoyed. Although it was good, it also appeared to sit for a while before it was brought to the table so the steak was cold. Bottom line, if you're looking for a sexy date night with great food, service and ambience, skip this one. read more

We spent our last night at Illume, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere and cocktails are top-notch. It has a modern vibe with views of the Orlando and Disney. The decor is beautiful and perfect for a night out with friends. We had a wonderful server and the hosts at the front were also incredibly friendly and attentive. We will be back. Try the pipe cocktail if you're a whiskey fan. I also loved the Illumination tequila cocktail. read more

illume - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I went here for my birthday dinner. The atmosphere was probably my favorite thing about the place, but the service was great too. The menu didn't have much selection but they could make you anything you asked for. I prefer to have all of the options on a menu in front of me, and I also enjoy chefs specialty rolls. At Illume the specialty rolls weren't that great in my opinion, and the desserts were very small. The experience overall was good and Id go back if I was just to get drinks and appetizers. read more

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Went to illume for Valentine's Day dinner and was not disappointed. Made reservations at 5:30 and we were able to catch a great sunset while we enjoyed our dinner. Everything was fantastic from the service, to the food and drinks and the view. The wait staff was tremendously helpful, their suggestions were all delicious and even accommodated us with an indoor table once it got chilly out. All of the sushi and nigiri was phenomenal and the dessert was just the cherry on top of an amazing dining experience. read more

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Very good view on the upper floor of the building. The staff works out of two separate kitchens so the food takes a while to get to the table, but it is definitely worth the wait. The fried sushi I had was delicious. Definitely recommend it if you're nearby one of the resorts. read more

illume - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Prohibitively expensive sushi and drinks. If you get one tiny thing, let it be the crab roll with the truffle sauce and seared steak. It was a delicious creation. I would not suggest going for the wagyu beef option on top, the normal steak was incredibly tender and melted in my mouth. read more

illume - The crab roll with truffle and seared steak - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We stayed at the JW Marriott and didn't feel like driving so found this sushi spot on the 9th floor of the hotel. The sushi was all fresh and priced for the location and ambience. We sat outside with the view of the sunset and fireworks. Overall had a lovely time and would recommend if you are craving sushi with a view! read more

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This place is absolute fire. The Good: A really nice modern twist on traditional Japanese dishes. The service was attentive without being smothering or hovering. The view is amazing. We had a table inside, but we were able to grab our cocktails and watch the Epcot fireworks from the outdoor balcony when they went off at 9:30 (I'd suggest making a late evening reservation if you want to watch fireworks for Epcot or MK). The vibe is lively without being boisterous, upscale without being pretentious. It made for a really special birthday dinner. The Not So Good: It's extremely pricey. Yes, as you can see below...for 2 people we absolutely tore up the menu. But that's because it was so good and we were ordering more dishes as we we finished the prior. But what really threw me for a loop...I previewed the menu before we went and noticed the food was the same price as their online menu, but the cocktail prices were signifcantly different. Blushing Geisha went from $16 to $20 (which was great), Kyoto 75 $16 to $18 (which was also great). But the biggest hitter was Magritte's Pipe, $20 to $34 (also amazing with a super cool presentation). The cocktails and alcoohol beat our tab up like a 1988 Mike Tyson (I also had a single pour of Yamazi 12 year). You can get out pretty decent for what you get foodwise, but if you want to drink 4-5 cocktails....be prepared. Miso Soup - Rich Wakame broth. 9/10 Sakana Fritters - delicate white fish in a crispy ball with refreshing slaw. 9/10 Ebi Fry - Long and slender, fried black prawns with an obviously homemade tangy tonkatsu sauce. 10/10 Slurpuff - This was the only meh dish. Little bland and the bok choy overpowered it. Needed more balance. 6/10 Beef Yakitori - tender, good balance of sweet and spice. Goes well with the peanut sauce. Huge bowel of rice. 9/10 Salmon Yakitori - Massive blocks of skewered Teriyaki Salmon, pairs well with spiced soy sauce. Also huge bowl of rice. 9/10 Green Tea Flan - Holy Smokes, this was amazing. Custard was perfect consistency. 10/10 Green Tea Tiramisu - Also great, but the flan was better. 9/10 Will I come back? ABSOLUTELY. Will we will go all out and order half the menu and $150 in cocktails? Probably not. This was a really enjoyable dinner and I'm excited to return. read more

illume - Magritte's Pipe - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Experience sushi with a view! The rooftop sushi haven offers a front-row seat to the Disney fireworks. Savor every roll and asian appetizers under the stars. Unforgettable flavors, unforgettable nights. read more

illume - Watermelon & Crab + Ponzu Shrimp - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Food takes good and looks elaborate. But for such an expensive restaurant you would figure the atmosphere and the seating would be better. To be honest we had dinner here but I was still hungry after haha. Could just be me because my wife was content. But I guess thats what you get for fine dining small portions. read more

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Wow - this place at the new JW Bonnet Creek is so incredible! We had the most elaborate drinks the food looked delicious and I got photos of the menu for your review. They also validate for self or valet parking. The only issue I had was that they seemed a little disorganized and it took a little while to get served. But, I am sure they will work it out. read more

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Went here our last night in town. The food was delicious. I definitely suggest the sticky ribs. The service was outstanding. We will definitely be going back here on our next visit. They have some different seating. Low tables / couch seating. read more

illume - Lemongrass Potstickers and Lemon Drop Martini - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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There are very few restaurants that leave me with a "Wow", much less earn a 5-star rating, but Illume at JWMarriott Orlando Bonnet Creek is definitely one of them. Our family of three made a reservation via Open Table and, upon our arrival were greeted by a friendly hostess staff. This restaurant is located on the 9th floor with a beautiful view of the Orlando (Disney) area. We were initially seated outside and promptly met by our server, Emily, who was polite, courteous, and excellent. we started off with Lemon Grass Chicken Potstickers. They were cooked to perfection and I don't use the term lightly. Our main courses consisted of Golden Shrimp Tempura, Samaurai's Tale (sushi roll), Bao Pei (beef) and Seafood Udon. The food was freshly prepared and looked appetizing. The flavors were simply incredible. We were forced to move inside due to rain, and the staff had a table already prepared for us. This was simply one of the best meals we have experienced in the Orlando area. What a hidden gem! Our 19 yr. old daughter absolutely loved the food, as did my wife, who can be a tough customer. We will be returning to Illume to experience new flavors, but the quality, staff, and overall ambience are also driving factors. This is a great Date Night place, complete with a bar for after dinner drinks. The outdoor seating is a little tough on older customers as the seats are like couch cushions and the tables very low. Inside seating was nicely adorned and the atmosphere was fairly quiet and inviting. This is a "must do" again, and we will. As our daughter is going back to college this week, she received a nice Ginger Chocolate Cake. Emily, thank you for a wonderful dining experience and a great family night out! read more

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The place itself looks really nice and the service was pleasant unfortunately I can't say the same for the food itself. Sushi was low to mid level quality and pricing did not match at all.. Drinks are also over priced..For me best part of this location is you get to see fireworks at night.. good for a date night.. read more

The food was so good , the sushi especially the Japanese Miyazakigyu A5 wagyu . I would recommend getting that. The drinks were good . Service was awesome. I had two crying babies and they said never to worry. The fireworks to see at Disney and Disney spring was amazing to see . Atmosphere elegant. read more

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Absolutely exceptional service! Food was delicious beyond belief! You have to try their watermelon appetizer, it has crab meat, grape fruit, lemon aioli and basil! What an amazing combination of flavors, very refreshing, best watermelon I've ever tasted. Their beef and crab meat sushi was phenomenal! Wine tasted very rich and sweet! Check them out! read more

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Food and ambiance is 10/10. This restaurant is a bit pricy but worth it! Our server was super sweet and told me what her favorite dishes were. Highly recommend! read more

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I have been at this hotel for over a week now and I have not had 1 bad meal at Illume and I have eaten here every night except last night because they had a private party. The sushi is amazing and the staff is so friendly and attentive you cannot have a bad experience. I know, big statement but 7 nights in a row and counting and everything has been amazing. read more

This is a pretty fancy rooftop lounge on top of the JW Marriott resort Bonnet Creek! This place is pretty pricy but the food and drinks I had was amazing and you can see the fireworks from Disney from up there! My server Brad was amazing explaining what's in the different items and the drink I had the presentation was on point with the dry ice! For my cocktail I had the good night mist! For my sushi I got the gyu No KANI and was delish! Also got the sticky ribs and bao buns both was so good too! The food portions are small but very good! read more

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Nice ambiance. Food was okay. Drinks were good. They gave us a blanket because it was cold outside so customer service was good!

Lots to love about this restaurant! The lounge seating set up is beautiful, the drinks and food are gorgeous and fun. The firebird drink was super cute and yummy (although small) The dragons breath roll was my favorite. The skewers were definitely good, just a small portion size. While this place can be pricey, everything was super good and the rooftop atmosphere was great. Only downside is the service was very slow, got my drink by the time my food was ready and we were barely visited by our server. read more

illume - Firebird cocktail - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The best rooftop in Orlando, with the freshest seafood that is fly in every day!! And the best drinks! read more

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We ordered the Bao Buns, the Omakase roll, Sticky Ribs, the Wellness roll, and desserts! read more

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The only reason they are getting a 3 star review is the Ambiance. The view is amazing. The food was ok. Way to expense for the quality. I have had better sushi in at least 10 other places in Orlando. The service was just ok. We had to wait way to long for everything. From being greeted to the Check. Over all if you want to go have a very expense drink and watch the sunset. It is the perfect place. But the food is disappointing. read more

Delicious food and fantastic service. Best sushi in Orlando and the view is impeccable.

Pablo was an awesome server All the food was great quality! The atmosphere is amazing and the view is very nice. Overall great experience read more

illume - Sake - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I was very excited for this rooftop bar as it was rated as one of the best in Orlando. The view is very cool- around 9pm, you can see both Magic Kingdom and Epcot fireworks at the same time. (Pro tip: You do not need a reservation and can just go to the roof where illume is located to see the fireworks) I had a reservation at 9:15 and they said they would text me but never did. Got sat around 9:30 after going to the hostess stand to check in twice. Service was really slow. Gyu No Kani was really good and was the standout. We also got the Crunchy Garden Roll which was a crowd pleaser. However we also got the Crab and Watermelon which was flavorless and lacked crab significantly, and the Toyosu Selection Nigiri which was AWFUL - the texture was horrible and took away from our whole meal and both my husband and I literally had to spit it out. (And we are somewhat pros as we've done multiple omakase experiences) Overall illume has so much potential but both the food and service need so much work. read more

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I am very happy with the choice of celebrating my birthday at Illume with my family. We sat outside on the oversized couches and enjoyed a very laid back time with elegantly served food and drinks. Desi at the front desk checked with me often to make sure i was having a good birthday (which was priceless) and Chase served food, beverages and a genuine interest in us having a grand time while at Illume. The views are beautiful and being able to catch the distant fireworks, in many directions, is a cute plus. The breezes up there kept it from getting uncomfortable and the ability to just get up and walk to other side of the restaurant to see even more of the view makes it feel like a rooftop party with friends that you just haven't met yet. Food was great. Drinks were great. Staff was great. View was great. enough said... read more

I went here with my work people, my work two bosses were so blessed that they decided to get me a Japanese whiskey, and an espresso martini!I love everything about this restaurant makes my mouth drool and guess what, one I would recommend . bless read more

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Had dinner here on a Thursday night. We were staying at the hotel for our anniversary weekend. We had sushi and some skewers. They were amazing and presentation was top notch. Drinks were also incredible. I had the illuminations and the firebird. Both great. Hubby had Manhattan and their version of a smoked old fashioned. Absolutely amazing. It had rained earlier but we were still able to sit out doors for dinner on terrace and enjoy fireworks. Service was good and they did give us a dessert for our anniversary. My only complaint was the time in between plates took way too long. I also would recommend this more for pre dinner drinks and appetizers rather than dinner given that portions are small. We had appetizers at lobby earlier so for us it was ok. Overall this is a place worth checking out!! read more

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Please note that this review is based ONLY on their new Sunday brunch; I have not yet checked out their dinner service! Were I reviewing based solely on ambiance and presentation, this would be 5 star all around. The rooftop view is spectacular, the food beautiful, and the dining space bright, airy, and inviting. The service is also excellent, as all the staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. However, I was overall disappointed in the food itself. The sushi, warm items, and desserts were your standard fare, and honestly rather bland, the only exception being the decadently creamy (and fun to watch!) nitrogen ice cream. The veggie tempura wasn't at all crisp, and weirdly gummy. The sushi was fine but nothing special. The salmon was nice and tender, with a tasty sauce, but I was lucky enough to get a serving as soon as it was brought out fresh. I would recommend checking this place out for dinner instead, when you will get the great views and hopefully better food to match! read more

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Can't beat the view ! Service was great and drinks were carefully crafted! Will be back soon! read more

illume - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Japanese tapas restaurant. So the menu is limited buy worth trying. Located on the roof top of the hotel, it's a bit secluded because of it reserved elevator for entry. The ambiance was great. Smart casual is what the dress code was. I have yet to figure out the meaning. Service was phenomenal. Clearly this Marriott hotel is ran by a great customer service experience management team. In case you are a Disney fireworks fan, you can view it outside with a dance DJ jamming away in the background. read more

illume - Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I have been obsessed with rooftop bars lately. We don't have many in Orlando. Fancy ones are a plus for me. Haha. So I heard Illume opened up at the JW Bonnet Creek. I made a reservation just in case for a Friday evening. When my boyfriend and I arrived we were seated outside. The inside is nice too. Modern and contemporary. Sun had just went down so we missed it. It is a little dark outside with minimal lighting where we sat but it was intimate. We started with drinks while we decided on the food menu. We did the Kyoto 75 and an orange blossom Pilsner. Food options. They had sushi, tapas and skewers. We did 2 rolls. The angry tiger and sunset @ rooftop roll. The watermelon and crab and salami fritters. Both sushi rolls were good. I preferred the sunset @ rooftop. That has salmon and ikura. The angry tiger was tuna and shrimp. The watermelon and crab was different but refreshing. Real crab was used. Not imitation. The sakana fritters were ok. We could've done without it. I was full after the watermelon and crab and 2 rolls. I had 2 glasses of illumination afterwards followed be dessert. Hibiscus lemongrass sorbet. It's actually gelato on the menu but it's sorbet. The views were very nice. Supposedly you can see the Disney fireworks but I think we missed it. Our server Drew was great. Parking is also validated here. Great spot for a date or a small gathering with friends. I love the spot for the ambiance more than anything else. read more

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Went here three nights in a row for dinner. The sushi is delicious. The bartenders are incredible. Alice and Alex are awesome bartenders. The view outside is beautiful. read more

illume - Tiger roll and Maguro - Japanese Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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This review is over due. I went here for my birthday in June. I'm not sure if they have changed the menu since then. The 2 drinks are illumination and Fire Bird, they're on the sweet and fruity side. I had a sushi sampler with was a little of everything. Lastly the bao. Everything great the food and the service. read more

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Japanese fusion restaurant that serves tapas style dishes. We tried a few of their items and most of them we enjoyed. The Shimori Picchu and Sakama Fritters were very delicious and tasty. The beef skewers was overpriced and didn't really have a lot of flavor in my opinion. For cocktails, the Firebird, Good Night Mist, and Shibui (Negroni style) we're good drinks. Blushing Geisha lacked any flavor. Overall it's a nice place for special occasions since it is on the pricey side. read more

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Amazing everything!!! Perfect Fusion of Flavor!! Trusted best bartender (Francisco) ever with suggestions and Server Emily was very attentive, kind and sweet spirit! read more

Picture this a rooftop restaurant, with fireworks, amazing Asian inspired food and stunning drinks. Say less! Illume is a place that you want to take people who are special to you and not afraid to try something new. This place is not cheap by any means but you won't think about the bill when your gazing over the beautiful sunset with an amazing cocktail in your hand. The perfect place to get dressed up and have a good night. Please make a reservation jouets before you plan on going it would be better to do it even the day before since it is located inside of a hotel. I recommend the fire bird drink. It is dangerously delicious and if you feel like splurging get the chefs choice sushi assortment you won't be disappointed. read more

Decided to try Illume since we were staying at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek, and a convention had taken over the other restaurant UnReserved that night. Although the sushi was beautifully prepared, the portions were small and very expensive ($6-10 per piece for nigiri). Drinks were good, but $24 for a Cosmopolitan is nuts. Service was slow-I think they were understaffed. They forgot our miso soup and poke bowl, so we ended up having them after our sushi. Our server was apologetic, but we had to ask several times for our drinks and water as well. The view is pretty on the rooftop, with comfortable seating and fireworks that start around nine. read more

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