Disney food and stunning views go hand in hand.
A Mickey Premium Bar in front of Cinderella Castle or a funnel cake overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon has the power to make your trip truly magical. One of our favorite restaurants has a view that can’t be beaten, but you’ll have to leave the parks to see it! Over at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, you can dine on delicious African and Indian Cuisine at Sanaa — which translates to “Work of Art” in Swahili. But the best part? It overlooks the Sunset Savanna! We stopped by recently. Come check out our full review!
Atmosphere
Sanaa is a table service restaurant offering lunch and dinner, but it also serves a quick-service breakfast in the mornings. You can find it on the first floor of the Kidani Village — right by the savanna.
We checked into the restaurant on the My Disney Experience app and enjoyed the views while we waited for our table to be called. There are all kinds of animals out here to spot, including gazelles, zebras, cranes, and ostriches.
When our table was ready, we headed to the host stand, where you can see woven trays — and even a hidden Mickey!
The restaurant is warm and inviting, and at the center of the room sits a sprawling acacia tree feature. From the painted details on the ceiling to the natural lampshades and warm light, this dining room is peaceful and welcoming.
There was a mixture of tables and booths scattered throughout, and we were seated at a table by the window.
We were promptly greeted by our server — and this crane!
Our table setting included an appetizer plate, cloth napkin, and silverware.
Let’s take a look at the menu!
Menu
Sanaa offers a unique fusion of Indian and African food, and the menu itself reflects the style of the restaurant.
You’ll find a selection of Specialty Cocktails — like the Malawi Mango Margarita, some Non-Alcoholic Specialties — like the Mango Lassi Smoothie, and a few draft beers.
There are a few loose-leaf teas served in a teapot as well as a Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee Press Pot. Let’s not forget one of our favorite things on the menu — the Indian-style Bread Service.
For appetizers, they have options such as the Samosas, Lamb Kefta, and Salad Sampler. For an entree, you could get one of the Potjie Inspired, where you choose a Journey (meat dish) and a Harvest (plant-based).
Otherwise, you could choose a Spice Route Favorite, like the Grilled New York Strip or the Samaki Wa Kapaka.
Let’s dig in!
Drinks
For a cocktail, we ordered the African Starr Mojito for $16.50.
This was slightly sweet and refreshing and tasted really well done. While there wasn’t anything particularly unique about it, if you’re looking for something light and tasty this is a good option!
Eats
First, we had to start off with the Indian-style Bread Service for $21. It comes with five different breads and 9 accompaniments.
For bread, there is Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kulcha, and Paneer Paratha.
For the Accompaniments, there is a Cucumber Raita, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Tamarind Chutney, Coriander Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Red Chile Sambal, and Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle.
The naans were all super buttery and warm, with a hint of garlic.
The Accompaniments are placed in order from spiciest to most mild, starting with the Red Chili Samba. This one is extremely spicy — not like Disney spicy — so be careful! The Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle was really nice and not nearly as spicy. While it did have some heat, the pickle flavors cut it a bit. We really enjoyed the Mango Chutney — it was mild and almost pesto-like. Overall there was a great variety here and we really enjoyed it!
For our entrees, we ordered two of the Potjie Inspired dishes for $31 each. They come with one meat and one plant-based dish as well as a side of rice. For our first, we for the Butter Chicken and Chickpea Wat, and for the second we got the Braised Beef and Rajma Masala.
The Butter Chicken is a comforting mix of chicken with a spiced tomato and butter-forward sauce. It was SO tender — it was creamy and bold, but the flavors weren’t so adventurous that picky eaters wouldn’t like it.
The Chickpea Wat was both flavorful and robust but still light and simple. The chickpeas were soft and tender and the flavors almost tasted fall-spiced.
The Braised Beef melts in your mouth. It’s a tender, comforting meal with a touch of sweetness on the back end. While this did have a lot of bold flavor, it wasn’t anything too unique, so it was not just for super adventurous eaters.
The Rajma Masala is similar to the Chickpea Wat in that it is very robust. It was paprika-forward with a nice tender texture and a touch of heat. If you love beans, this is a delicious choice!
For both of these, the rice was light and yet buttery — a great base for both of these meals and we really loved it!
For dessert, we ordered the Serradura for $9. This consists of Butterscotch Pudding, Almond Coffee Streusel, Pineapple, Mango, and Brenton Shortbread. This was incredibly unique! The pudding wasn’t overly sweet — it was full-bodied and had a faint hint of whisky. It had a bit of a grainy texture that really enhanced the flavors.
The pineapple and mango were both super sweet, so it balanced it out really well. This isn’t something we would suggest for everyone, but if you are an adventurous eater you might really love this!
Overall
We have always really enjoyed this restaurant and think it’s a fun and unique spot to try, whether you’re staying at this resort or not! The food is delicious and the view can’t be beat.
The famous Indian-style Bread Service is worth a stop on its own! But, if you’re an adventurous eater, this place has a ton of options if you’re looking for something different that typical theme park fare. And. you’ll even get to see a few animals in the process.
Nosh or Not
Trek on over to Sanaa if…
- You love animals. Having dinner with a view of the savanna is a special experience.
- You want a unique table service meal. This is a great option if you’re looking for something memorable.
- You are staying at the resort. If you are already in the area, this is a delicious option!
Skip Sanaa if…
- You’re not staying at the resort. This can be a bit out of the way if you’re not in the area. While we think it is worth the trek, if you have time restraints it might not be the best option for you.
- You have picky eaters in your group. There are a few basic options, but overall this location has a unique menu.
- You’re looking for something quick. There are a few quick-service restaurants at this resort that would be better suited for a time-sensitive meal.
We’ll keep bringing you Disney food reviews, so stay tuned to DFB for more!
4 Essential Animal Kingdom Meals
Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know
-
The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!
-
See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide
-
The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants
-
The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants
-
The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
-
The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
-
The Best Disney Springs Restaurants
-
The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants
-
Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools
-
Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants
-
How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Have you eaten at Sanaa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The post REVIEW: Yes, This Bread IS Worth Leaving The Parks For — Trust Us! first appeared on the disney food blog.