One of the BEST Disney World hotels for delicious eats is also one of the most underrated.

You’ve probably heard of all the awesome dishes at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the many restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort are not to be missed. But one of our favorite places to grab a bite is actually Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! We highly recommend visiting some of the restaurants at this hotel, even if you’re not staying here. We promise — it’s worth the trek. To help you plan your next Disney trip, we’ve got a full list of the BEST places to eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Before we get into the best eats, you should know what all the options are. Here’s a full list of the restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — click on the names to learn more about each spot:

• Jiko — The Cooking Place
• Boma — Flavors of Africa
• The Mara
• Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
• Victoria Falls Lounge
• Uzima Springs Pool Bar
• Sanaa
• Sanaa Lounge
• Maji Pool Bar

Now let’s find out where you should eat!

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: Boma — Flavors of Africa

Boma is a fan-favorite buffet located at Jambo House in Animal Kingdom Lodge.

You can visit for breakfast or dinner to find flavorful African dishes along with some classic American favorites. For breakfast, there are options like African pastries, omelets, French toast, carved ham, and bobotie (a kind of quiche). Dinner has offerings like Maelie Pap, curry salmon, fire-grilled meats, and delicious desserts.

Some of our all-time favorite eats here are the Zebra Domes (which you can get as part of the Striped and Spiked Cold Brew cocktail at breakfast or at the dessert buffet for dinner), the Beef Bobotie, and the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.

Boma has an open kitchen, so you can stop and watch the chefs in action during your meal. The breakfast buffet costs $35 per adult and $21 per child, and dinner is $54 per adult and $32 per child. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Check out our recent review of Boma here!

Best Restaurant for a Fancy Meal: Jiko — The Cooking Place

If you’re looking for a celebratory or romantic meal, Jiko is the place to go. This is hands-down one of the most delicious restaurants in all of Disney World. It boasts a tranquil atmosphere paired with excellent, gourmet food.

The food is a blend of African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine, including steak, chicken, seafood, and plant-based dishes. Jiko is only open for dinner, and some of our favorite dishes here include the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon (served with macaroni and cheese), the Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib, the Seared Scallops with Nhopi and Groundnuts, and the Bobotie Mac & Cheese.

Be sure to check out the twin wood-burning ovens, which are designed to mimic an African sunset. All around the restaurant, you can find more representations of nature.

Reservations are highly recommended, but you might find last-minute availability for Jiko on the Mobile Dine Walk-up Waitlist.

Check out our recent review of Jiko — The Cooking Place here!

Best Spot for a Quick Bite: The Mara

We’re going from one of the fanciest restaurants at this hotel to one of the most casual. The Mara is the place to grab a quick bite, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa.

You can grab eats to go or dine inside. Breakfast has options like Mickey waffles, Bacon and Gruyère Quiche, and Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches. Lunch and dinner offer things like cheeseburgers, a Marrakesh Falafel Platter, a few different kinds of flatbreads, and some cold sandwiches. The Chickpea Salad Sandwich could be a big hit with plant-based eaters.

There’s a limited menu of late-night dining options, which are available until 11PM. Our beloved Zebra Domes are available at all times, which in itself is enough to make us love this place. We often find fun specialty treats on the menu here, too.

This is also where you’ll purchase a Refillable Resort Mug (and refill it too) if you choose to buy one at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Mara accepts Mobile Order, so you can even order ahead and skip the line.

Check out our review of a plant-based meal we think EVERYONE can enjoy at The Mara!

Best Place to Find Unique Eats: Sanaa

Sanaa is tucked away at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, and the name means “Work of Art” in Swahili. It serves a fusion of African and Indian cuisine. Most of the eats on this menu are more unique than you’ll find elsewhere in Disney World, but there are still a few options to appease picky eaters.

Sanaa is open for lunch and dinner with reservations required, but it offers the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast in the mornings, which is a quick-service experience for which reservations are not required.

Don’t miss the Indian-style Bread Service, which is a variety of naan bread flavors served with NINE different dipping sauces. Some of our other favorites include the Potjie-inspired (where you build your own dish with a meat or seafood curry, a plant-based option, and Basmati rice), the Samosas, and the Mango Lassi Smoothie.

If you can’t get a reservation for Sanaa, try the Sanaa Lounge, which doesn’t take reservations and is open until 11PM. You can find the bread service and the samosas here as well.

Read our recent review of Sanaa here!

Whether you want a quick bite, a hearty meal, a romantic dinner, or some unique eats, now you’re all set to plan for your upcoming trip! Don’t forget to get your dining reservations ASAP for the sit-down restaurants — the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge are very popular, and availability will run out quickly. You can start making reservations 60 days before your vacation.

Want more advice on where to eat during your next Disney World vacation? Check out these posts:

• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These Are the Best.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These Are the Best.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at EPCOT. These Are the Best.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Magic Kingdom. These Are the Best.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Disney Springs. These Are the Best.
• The Best Disney World Restaurants for Dinner
• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Breakfast in Disney World

Keep following DFB for more planning tips and restaurant reviews!

Click here to see the 17 BEST restaurants in Disney World in 2023.

What’s your favorite place to eat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Let us know in the comments.