If you’re craving some variety in your meal plans and maybe want to add a bit of a cultural experience to your vacation, Disney World has some options for you (and, no, we’re not talking about EPCOT— we still love you, World Showcase).

Way at the edge of Walt Disney World property, sits Animal Kingdom Lodge — a retreat for the soul and, dare we say, a dining DESTINATION! Because whether you’re staying at this resort or trekking over for a unique dining experience, Animal Kingdom Lodge delivers BIG. The next question is not whether you should plan to dine at an Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant, but which one!?!

Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL, cuz we’re tight like that) has two sister resorts, Jambo House and Kidani Village. Jambo House hosts traditional standard resort hotel rooms, while Kidani Village is the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) section of the resort with studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas. Between the two sections, there are THREE Table Service restaurants: Sanaa, Jiko, and Boma. 

We’re going to compare these three dining experiences and help you decide which is the spot for you! So, without further ado, let’s get to it in this Animal Kingdom Lodge Table Service Throwdown of Sanaa vs. Jiko vs. Boma!

Sanaa

Sanaa is a restaurant we’ve long been singing the praises of! Tucked into the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, Sanaa, which means “Work of Art” in Swahili, is a beautiful restaurant serving a fusion of African and Indian cuisine made with authentic cooking methods like slow-roasting and tandoori oven cooking. It is the one and only Table Service option in Kidani Village.

Come for bread service, and stay for the savanna views, that’s what we say! While Sanaa is a table service restaurant serving lunch and dinner, the spot offers the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast in the mornings — a quick-service experience for which reservations are not required.

The best part: the view from the restaurant is of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Sunset Savanna — enjoy the ever-changing scenery of some of the most beautiful African plains animals you’ve ever seen.

P.S. Don’t miss Sanaa’s Indian-style Bread Service, served with NINE different dipping accompaniments!

Disney Recipe: Make the Famous Sanaa Bread Service at HOME!

Some basic Sanaa stats for your planning purposes.

It offers all three meals. Both lunch and dinner are considered Table Service, and reservations are highly encouraged. However, breakfast is considered more of a Counter Service where guests can order their selection at the Sanaa lounge (or through the My Disney Experience App in Mobile Order), collect their meal, and eat it in the restaurant (with those savannah views) or take their food back to their room, or wherever.

The pricing here is moderate (not the cheapest or the most expensive). You should plan to spend $15 (or less) per person for breakfast, and $35 (or less) per person for lunch and dinner.

Let’s break down the PROS and CONS of this spot and why you might WANT to nosh here, or might consider choosing one of the other two AKL dining options, instead.

NOSH at Sanaa if:

• You want some AMAZING savanna views while you eat (though, animals may be harder to see once the sun goes down)
• You’ve read about their mindblowing bread service and have to try it. There are some other Disney spots that offer a version, but this is the OG and still the BEST.
• You need a bit of a respite from the parks, but don’t wanna spend too much money. This spot has a pretty moderate price tag (well, “Disney moderate,” that is…)
• You’re staying at Kidani Village! Talk about convenient!!

Skip Sanaa if:

• You’re looking for an “all-you-care-to-enjoy” vibe. These meals are plated, and once your plate is clean, we’ll you’d have to pay for more! If you’re looking for a buffet, Boma’s for you.
• Your dining party is full of picky eaters. Most of the options are very approachable (and delicious!), but some seasonings may just be beyond some comfort zones. The buffet at Boma offers some picky eaters some options that are familiar.
• You want an expansive wine list. Sanaa has a full bar, but the wine offerings at Jiko have it beat!
• You’re looking for a super romantic and fancy date night. Dates at Sanaa are perfectly acceptable (and we love them!), but Jiko has it beat!

Read our latest Sanaa review here! 

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Jiko – The Cooking Place is, hands-down, one of the most romantic and delicious restaurants on Disney World property. We can highly recommend this one if you enjoy excellent, gourmet food and a lovely and tranquil atmosphere. Sharing tastes of Africa with a special Jiko flourish, this restaurant doesn’t offer a great view or any characters, but it does offer truly beautiful food. 

Though Jiko doesn’t offer any sweeping savanna views, there are floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall that gives the restaurant an open and airy atmosphere. The walls and ceiling are also painted and styled to represent the sunset in Africa, which enhances the sophisticated feeling of a romantic African safari picnic (minus the mosquitos and threat of nearby lions).

Some basic Jiko stats for your planning purposes.

Jiko is only open for dinner, and reservations are highly encouraged.

The pricing here is expensive, not like super, crazy Victoria & Albert’s-expensive, but pricey for sure. Plan to spend $35-60 per person, and more if you plan to have wine and multiple courses.

Let’s break down the PROS and CONS of this spot and why you might WANT to nosh here, or might consider choosing one of the other two AKL dining options, instead.

NOSH at Jiko if:

• You want some of the best meals and dining service you can find on Disney property. It’s truly one of THE BEST.
• You’re looking for a fantastic and unique date night.
• You’re a wine connoissieur and enjoy tasting some one-of-a-kind wines you can’t find anywhere else (outside of South Africa)!
• You want to be pampered with a rose water washcloth before you eat. Yep, Jiko’s classy like that!

Skip Jiko if:

• You’re looking for an “all-you-care-to-enjoy” vibe. These meals are plated, and once your plate is clean, well, you’d have to pay for more! If you’re looking for a buffet, Boma’s for you.
• You’re looking for breakfast or lunch — either Boma or Sanaa will fill in those meal spots.
• You’re on a budget. Jiko is pricy, and Sanaa & Boma are both a bit more moderately priced.

Read our FULL Jiko review HERE! 

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma – Flavors of Africa continually emerges on the “favorite restaurants” lists of many Disney guests! 

Located in the stunning Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House, the popular buffet at Boma gives visitors the opportunity to sample flavorful African dishes while also dining on some American favorites during breakfast or dinner.

We always give two thumbs up to this restaurant, and we always find something new to try here.

P.S. We’ve got some PRO Tips for Disney World buffets right here!

The breakfast buffet includes a variety of dishes such as 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 dinner buffet offers favorites prepared with an African accent, and might include mealie pap, curry salmon, fire-grilled meats, African soups, hummus and pita, African salads, and delicious desserts like the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s famous Zebra Domes.

Let’s break down the PROS and CONS of this spot and why you might WANT to nosh here, or might consider choosing one of the other two AKL dining options, instead.

NOSH at Boma if:

• You’re looking for an “all-you-care-to-enjoy” vibe.
• You have some pickier eaters in your party. The buffet means everyone can find something they enjoy.
• You want a more casual and affordable dining experience but don’t want to skimp on the food quality.
• Three words: Bottomless. Zebra. Domes.

Skip Boma if:

• You’re looking for lunch — Boma is only open for breakfast or dinner; lunch is available at Sanaa.
• Wrangling toddlers and buffet plates just feels overwhelming. If you want your food to come to you, consider Sanaa.
• You want views of the savanna while you eat. Again, Sanaa is only one with savanna views.
• You want a calm and relaxing date night. Head over to Jiko for that elegant, date night vibe.

Read our latest Boma review here! 

While you certainly can’t go wrong with any of these options — they each offer very different experiences! Depending on what you’re looking for, one may definitely speak to you more than the others. Our unfettered opinion is not to choose — eat at all three! Go to Boma for breakfast, Sanaa for lunch, and Jiko for dinner. You’ll be stuffed to the gills, and your wallet may be a bit traumatized by the end of it, but then you’ll get to experience it ALL!

The Top 3 Restaurants in Magic Kingdom, According to Yelp

Which are your favorite places to eat INSIDE Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!