Of all the resorts at Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most unique!

How often do you get to say you woke up to the view of a savanna full of African animals? The theming of this resort is unlike any other and it completely immerses you — you almost forget you’re in Central Florida! But what about when it comes to the food? Deciding where to eat can already be a stressful task, especially when there are a lot of restaurants at hotels like Animal Kingdom Lodge. That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide to eating at this resort!

In this post, we’ll be giving you a quick overview of EVERY restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the best eats at each one, and anything else you need to know before dining there. If you want more details on each restaurant, click their names below so you can be taken to the page for each restaurant. By clicking there, you can see more information and our reviews from that particular spot.

There are two sections of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — Jambo House and Kidani Village. There is a bus that runs between the two resort areas so you can dine at either one! You’ll also find parking at both sections. There are more restaurants located in Jambo House, so we’ll start by going through those spots!

Boma — Flavors of Africa

If you’ve heard anything about iconic Disney World buffets, then you’ve probably heard the name “Boma” before. This is a GREAT restaurant to try if you want to try something out of your comfort zone but feel like you have a safety net since it serves African-inspired food and classic American dishes!

Both breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style, so let’s take a look at what the breakfast menu has to offer. On the buffet line, you’ll find fresh fruit, African pastries, omelets, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, carved ham, breakfast potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, scrambled eggs and bobotie—a type of quiche.

The standouts here are the African-inspired eats. We love the Carved Ham here and we recommend trying it with the spicy mustard! There are also creamy Scrambled Eggs with Spinach, Tomato, and Feta that are a must-have every time we visit. The Coconut Oatmeal takes oatmeal to the NEXT. LEVEL. We never thought we’d be going back for seconds for oatmeal at a big breakfast buffet like this, but it’s seriously that good. Read our latest review of Boma breakfast here!

Over on the dinner buffet, you’ll find things like mealie pap, curry salmon, fire-grilled meats, African soups, hummus and pita, African salads, and Animal Kingdom Lodge’s famous Zebra Domes.

Who says you can’t have dessert first? Before we talk about the savory items we MUST talk about the Zebra Domes. These are made with Amarula Cream Liquor mousse surrounded by a layer of white chocolate, which is drizzled with chocolate and chocolate shavings. They are so worth the hype in our opinion, but you’ll have to try them for yourself! We’ve also got a recipe if you want to make them at home.

Okay, okay, you should try at least a few other things besides Zebra Domes while at Boma including the African Carved Strip Loin! This is a stand out as it is carved fresh in front of you by a Cast Member and it’s one of the best steaks you can grab in Disney World without going to a super expensive signature restaurant. Another must-try is the peanut rice with coconut, soy sauce, and ginger — we kept going back for more!

Buffet food can be pretty “meh” sometimes, but you won’t have to worry about compromising the quality of food here. The buffet food is delicious at both breakfast and dinner, so be sure to snag a reservation as soon as possible if you choose to dine here. They fill up very fast!

See the latest review of dinner at Boma here!

Jiko — The Cooking Place

Jiko is another sit down restaurant but with classic table service instead of a buffet. It is one of the most romantic and delicious restaurants in all of Disney World and it’s a fantastic spot for a celebration like a birthday or anniversary. 

Jiko only serves dinner, so you won’t be able to grab lunch here, and because the hours are minimal, Jiko can be a hard reservation to get. On the menu, you’ll find gourmet African cuisine, and there are vegan, vegetarian and meat-based dishes that change seasonally.

The menu items here are not cheap, so it’s important to choose a delicious dish when dining here (but really, it’s hard to go wrong with this menu!). If you want to try a menu item that’s worth the risk, we recommend the Braised Wild Boar Tenderloin as an appetizer. At one of our latest visits, this ended up being one of our favorite eats of the night! There are some interesting textures but it all works together well.

For an entree, we really love the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon! It has a fabulous smoky flavor and it is excellent paired with the mac and cheese on the side. We don’t have a single bad thing to say about it! For a dessert, we actually recommend grabbing the Zebratini cocktail made with Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Frangelico Liqueur, Amarula Liqueur, and a shot of Espresso, served in a Chocolate Zebra-striped Martini Glass. It tastes like a chocolate martini and it’s a fun way to end the meal!

This restaurant is NOT for the picky eaters in your group, but it truly is a one-of-a-kind restaurant experience. It’s a great excuse to try something new!

REVIEW: It Takes an ADVENTUROUS Eater to Try This Disney World Restaurant! Are You Up for It?

The Mara

Every great Disney World hotel has a good quick service location, and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, that would be The Mara! Just like Boma, this spot can please both adventurous and picky eaters since there are American and African-inspired eats on the menu.

The Mara is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so let’s take a look at the breakfast menu. A stand-out on the list of breakfast items is the French Toast Bread Pudding. If you want a little something sweet in the morning, we totally recommend this dish!

The lunch and dinner menu are the same here, and there’s something to feed everyone after a long day in the parks. The Marinated Sun-dried Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread has a delicious mix of flavors and it’s easy to share! Chermoula-spiced Shrimp Bowl is for anyone looking for a lighter option.

Don’t forget — this spot has Mobile Order so you can order everything you want from your phone! We recommend grabbing food here, bringing back to your room, and enjoying it on the balcony (if you have one) and taking in the view.

Check out the latest review of The Mara here!

Victoria Falls Lounge

If you’re in the mood to lounge around the resort, then you’ll want to head to Victoria Falls Lounge. You’ll have a view overlooking Boma and it’s a fun place to grab a drink while waiting on a table at Boma or Jiko. Along with drinks, there are some unique appetizers on the menu.

To eat, you’ll find things like a Goat Cheese Dip and a Braai Burger with Seasoned Fries. We tried a drink here called the Flame Lily which is made with Cruxland Gin, Campari, Van De Hum Tangerine Liqueur, and Lemon Juice served with a souvenir Lotus Glow Cube. It’s a fun drink, especially with the glow cube!

The lounge is usually only open in the evenings, but we highly recommend it for adults looking for an alcoholic beverage at the hotel. It has a relaxing atmosphere where you can wind down for the night!

Learn all about this lounge!

Uzima Springs Pool Bar

When you go to a hotel, you may think a pool bar is not worth your time, but the Uzima Springs Pool Bar has some tasty snacks and drinks!

The Safari Mudslide is an exceptional option here and it is made with Amarula Cream Liquor, Kahlúa Liquor, Snow Leopard Vodka, blended with Vanilla Ice Cream. It’s basically a boozy milkshake — what’s not to like? Plus, you can’t even taste the alcohol in it. For something more refreshing, we liked the Lava Smoothie. This is a non-alcoholic drink, so anyone can try it!

Whether you’re having a pool day or just exploring the resort, you can stop here to quench your thirst. Or if you’ve had enough Zebra Domes for the day, grab another dessert in the form of a Safari Mudslide!

Read the newest review of Uzima Springs Pool Bar

Sanaa

Over at the Kidani Village area of the resort, you’ll find the hidden gem that is Sanaa! This is the only table service dining location in Kidani Village, but once you eat here you’ll see why this area doesn’t need another one. One of the best parts of the restaurant is the view from the savanna — it’s not every day that you get a meal with that kind of view!

Sanaa means “work of art” in Swahili and we can confirm the meals here match that meaning. The cuisine is a fusion of African and Indian flavors, so it’s another spot to try something new! You’ll be able to grab both lunch and dinner here — both menus are the same except that there is a Pork Shank exclusive to the dinner menu.

The restaurant is famous for its Indian-style Bread Service so if you haven’t already tried it, we HIGHLY recommend you do so! We also really loved the Lamb Kefta on our last visit — it’s a bright and flavorful dish that has a slight kick. For a lighter and healthier entree option, the Zanzibari Vegetable Curry is a stand-out. It’s not only allergy-friendly, but it’s delicious and full of flavor!

Sanaa is worth the trek to Kidani Village for many reasons. The ambience is peaceful and gorgeous, we haven’t met a food item we didn’t like here, and it’s an experience that you won’t get at other Disney World hotels.

Our review of Sanaa is right here!

Sanaa Lounge

Want to grab a drink before or after a dinner at Sanaa? Then you’ll want to check out the Sanaa Lounge! This is a small, intimate space that serves small plates and drinks. The best part? You can order that famous Sanaa bread service without a Sanaa reservation!

The Potato and Pea Samosas are another good snack option. We especially enjoyed the Mango Chutney on the side! As far as drinks go, the Bain’s Old Fashioned is made with Bain’s Barrel-Aged African Whiskey, making it a pretty unique drink in Disney World!

This isn’t necessarily a spot to go out of your way for, but if you’re dining at Sanaa or staying at a hotel room in Kidani Village, then it’s not a bad place to visit! Also, if you just want to bread service from Sanaa instead of paying for a whole meal there, just head to the lounge.

Want to find out more about Sanaa Lounge? Click here!

Maji Pool Bar

Kidani Village also has its own food and drink spot by the pool called Maji Pool Bar. The food changes out from time to time, but we’ve been impressed by the eats here recently!

The Spiced Pork Nachos are the perfect poolside snack with spiced pork, beans, herbed crema, and kachumbari on top of a bed of tortilla chips. This packs a punch when it comes to flavor and the pork was not dry at all. It is a bit spicy, so don’t say we didn’t warn you!

The drinks are pretty standard pool bar drinks, but they can hit the spot on a hot Florida day.

See the latest review of Maji Pool Bar

And there you have it! There are quite a few restaurant options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and it is definitely a hotel that is home to some of the most unique food in Disney World. If you’re looking to try something new for a special occasion, you’re looking for quick eats, or wanting to relax in a lounge, Animal Kingdom Lodge has an option for you!

To find out if staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth it, watch our DFB video below!

With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. 

We have reviews, pictures and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off!

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What is your favorite thing to eat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge first appeared on the disney food blog.