If there’s one theme park my kids absolutely adore at Disney World, it’s Animal Kingdom. We often find ourselves exploring this park, not just for its amazing rides, but for its incredible dining experiences. You might be surprised to find that Animal Kingdom not only offers thrilling attractions but also boasts some of the best restaurants in Disney World, including my personal favorite.
The park celebrates a variety of global cultures, particularly Asian and African traditions. Lucky for us, it also features numerous restaurants that serve delicious ethnic dishes, providing great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, let’s embark on a culinary adventure and discover the best Animal Kingdom restaurants!
Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants
Satu’li Canteen
While Pandora mainly focuses on quick-service dining options, Satu’li at least gives you the vibe of a table service restaurant. You will order in a quick service line, and then find a seat in the beautiful Na’vi inspired dining room. Every time we eat here, it is such a peaceful experience.
We always end up relaxing here for a bit, even after our yummy food is all gone. The food is truly delicious, and it is of restaurant quality. You have to try the Chili-spiced crispy fried tofu bowl, and grab Pandoran Sunrise drink while you are at it!
I think the most popular dish, and my kids’ favorite is the cheeseburger pods. Personally, for me, I love the delicious bowls you can create, think of Chipotle-style dining with a Na’vi twist.
Check out our How to Make Your Kids Glow at Pandora
Yak & Yeti
I am going to be honest here, we did not visit the Yak & Yeti for years. From the outside, it looks kind of meh. Then on a trip a few years back, we decided to give this Animal Kingdom restaurant a shot. Let me say this, it might be the best restaurant out of all 4 Disney Parks!
Yak & Yeti puts you in the setting of a restaurant owner who has collected treasures from all across Asia. Right off the bat, the food was amazing. For appetizers, we devoured the ahi nachos and the firecracker shrimp.
The menu is inspired by various regions of the continent. The entrees we loved the most were the Chicken Tikka Masala and the seared salmon. As for drinks, I think the Pink Himalayan was the hit. All of this incredible food was surrounded by an even more incredible decor.
If you have one place to dine in Disney World, I truly recommend Yak & Yeti as it is better than even some of my favorite Disney Springs restaurants and Magic Kingdom Restaurants
Tusker House Restaurant – Character Dining!
On your Disney Vacation you are bound to do a character breakfast. You will find the Tusker House Restaurant at Harambe Marketplace. This is one of the best character dining experiences, and you will get to meet Mickey, Donald Duck, and Daisy! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered.
Tusker House is beautifully themed, and reminiscent of an open-air African bazaar.
The buffet-style meal includes specialties like peri-peri marinated salmon, stewed African vegetables, and curried rice. Enjoy your meal in one of several dining rooms featuring African artifacts. We make an effort to dine at Tusker House every time that we visit Disney World. Tusker is definitely worth making reservations for!
This past time we dined for breakfast and by far the hit was the bananas foster waffle. Otherwise, I would say I prefer to dine at this restaurant at dinner time as breakfast was your classic character dining food.
Tiffins Restaurant
Tiffins Restaurant made the list for best animal kingdom restaurants for adventure seekers and someone looking for a truly deluxe dining experience.
Tiffins is a signature dining spot, which means it counts as two table service points if you are on the disney dining plan. This globally-inspired space will make you feel like a world traveler, and they have got a menu to match.
This Animal Kingdom restaurant is definitely geared for more adventurous eaters as specialties include a whole-fried fish and charred fresh octopus paired.
The one dish you should definitely have is the South American chocolate ganache, oh sweet mama. There is a kid’s menu available, also, for less adventurous young diners! Whether you want to eat at Tiffins for lunch or dinner, you should look into making reservations.
Nomad Lounge
Situated next door to Tiffins Restaurant, the Nomad Lounge also celebrates global explorers. It is a comfortable, yet exotic setting. The lounge serves a variety of specialty cocktails, including the Guava Margarita and The Night Monkey. Say hello to some fun for mom and dad!
Small plates, such as tuna poke and chicken satay, are also available. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is jam-packed full of activities, so it is nice to sit back and relax for a bit. Your dining plan will not be accepted here, which is very important to note.
Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe, which is right at the entrance of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will truly transport you. The animatronic wildlife and fantastic theming make it feel like you are right in the middle of the jungle. Rainforest Cafe has an extensive menu. It includes everything from seasonal seafood dishes to pasta creations to sandwiches.
This makes it perfect for the whole family! Specialties include the Lava Nachos appetizer and the Jungle Steak and Shrimp plate. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are available.
You should make reservations if you plan on dining here during your trip! This is also a great place to buy some wild animal souvenirs, as they have a cute gift shop connected to the restaurant.
If you don’t have time to hit up Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom make sure to check it out at Disney Springs, or their sister restaurant the T-Rex Restaurant at Disney Springs, it’s highly recommended.
Quick Service Dining Options
There are several delicious Animal Kingdom Quick service spots! These are our favorites:
- FLAME TREE BARBECUE – Quick and Delicious BBQ
- Harambe Market – Mixture of cuisines from Short Rib to Tikka Masala
- Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
- Yak & Yeti Quick Cafes (Yeti Local Food Cafes)
- Tamu Tamu Refreshments
- Starbucks
- There are also several carts where you can grab hot dogs and other quick bites.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Food
If you’re not planning on visiting the parks, you can still enjoy some of the best dining experiences Disney World has to offer without park admission. The Animal Kingdom Lodge, located very close to the park, boasts some of the finest restaurants I’ve ever visited.
Boma – Flavors of Africa: Best Buffet Dining
Dining at Boma – Flavors of Africa does not require park admission since it is located at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. This makes it a fantastic dining option no matter which park you spend the rest of your day in. Boma, as the name suggests, is a buffet-style restaurant influenced by the dishes of over 50 African countries.
Specialties include Tunisian couscous salad, seafood gumbo from Cote d’Ivoire, and South African corn and beef bobotie quiche. Both breakfast and dinner buffets are available. Due to its popularity, be sure to book reservations in advance.
Sanaa: Best Restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge
I absolutely love Sanaa; it might be my favorite restaurant in all of Disney World. Located in the Kidani Village section of Animal Kingdom Lodge, Sanaa offers an incredible dining experience with delicious Naan Bread and an array of slow-cooked meat and vegetable dishes.
I can’t help but indulge when I dine here because everything is exceptionally good. If you love Indian or East African cuisine, this place is perfect for you.
FREE Printable Disney World Food Guide
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not just about thrilling rides and stunning wildlife; it also offers some of the best dining experiences in Disney World.
From quick-service favorites like Flame Tree Barbecue and Satu’li Canteen to unique dining experiences at Yak & Yeti and Tusker House, there’s something for every palate.
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Do you think the Circle of Flavors will reopen for 2022 – we are due to arrive in early October and would love to try this experience.
Yak and Yeti is definitely my favorite restaurant of all the parks. We eat there every trip!