AKL Restaurants

[KarenMick]

We will be staying at AKL in May and I was wondering which is the better restaurant to try Jiko or Boma. I know Boma is a buffet. I didn't know which restaurant was more expensive and which had the better food. Also, isn't there a smaller place for breakfast/lunch? How is that in the morning? Sit down/counter? All input is appreciated.

 

[webray]

Boma and Jiko both have outstanding food. Choose according to what type of experience you want to have for you dinner. For Jiko...plan on about 2 hours from start to finish...if you like wine, this is the place to go. Very relaxing, not rushed...wonderful food and smiling staff. Jiko will cost you more than Boma.

Boma, wonderful food, buffet, limited choice of wine/beer. Plan a good hour to sit back, relax and try everything. You are not rushed here either.

Boma also has an excellent buffet breakfast. You can pick up breakfast quick things at Mara (the food court type place).

You can also get room service for breakfast which is very nice.

 

[ducklite]

Jiko will likely cost about double what Boma costs. Boma is a buffet, a family oriented casual type of place, while Jiko is more upscale.

Both have good food, although I MUCH prefer Jiko. In fact it is my favorite WDW restaurant.

Anne

 

[Spoisal]

I would like to hear more opinions on this ....I hear so much about these 2 restaurants that I might want to check it out. Do either of them offer a view of any animals? Also, what/where is victoria falls?

 

[daannzzz]

I have been to Boma a couple times and liked it a lot. I will be at Jiko in about two weeks!!! They also have Mara, the fast food place that serves sandwiches, pizza and salads and breakfast items. Mara is a counter service style place with indoor seating and a bit of out door seating.
None of the restaurants look out at the animals they are all overlooking gardens or some water with the pool beyond.
Boma and Jiko are a bit too expensive to eat at every night and Mara was okay but not the greatest fast food we had.

 

[Rneighh]

I have eaten at Boma, Jiko, and Mara. Boma is WONDERFUL. I can't wait to go back just to have another meal here. This is a must do for us. The food is fresh and delious. The service was great -- we just loved it. I believe the price is about 20 for adults and 10 for kids.

Jiko was a major disappointment. The service was terrible. The atmosphere is very dark and barren. I felt like I was eating in the dining room at the house in the movie "Beetlejuice" -- only no one was singing "Day Oh" The food was okay but nothing special. I would not go back -- especially for the price.

Mara is pretty good for a quick bite. It is counter service.

Renee

 

[UKDEB]

We have eaten 3 times at Jiko and each time it has been fabulous - food, service and wine. The first time we visited our server was Ron and he was amazing - very knowledgable about the South African wines and very keen for us to try them. He just kept bringing them! The second time we visited was a week later with my brother and s-i-l and we asked for Ron again. It was within a couple of months of the opening of AKL, so maybe they were making a special effort. We visited again last October. Maybe the server wasn't quite up with Ron, but it's still a magical place for us.

We've visited Boma twice for breakfast and once for dinner. The breakfast is the best buffet we've tried, without question and we've got a PS for the first morning of our next trip (very soon - check my counter!). Dinner, was good too, but I couldn't help thinking about Jiko which is just next door. Boma is a set price. Jiko is expensive - up there with California Grill, Flying Fish, Citricos, et al.

With two such wonderful eateries at one resort, I couldn't even contemplate Mara, although I guess it depends on what you want.

AKL is an incredible resort with a wonderful ambiance, especially at night. Both Boma and Jiko are visually stunning and I don't think you will be disappointed with either. The atmosphere is very different - busy and buzzing at Boma, relaxed and more formal at Jiko, although not intimidatingly so.

Although neither restuarant overlooks a savannah, you must take time to check out the main Arusha savannah and the lobby. Victoria Falls is the lounge bar overlooking Boma. We've spent many a happy hour there! There is also a small bar within Jiko, but it seems to be used as a waiting area and I've never seen anyone serving behind the bar.

 

[tampafan]

Boma is my favorite restaurant at WDW. The food is outstanding, as well as the service. Also, it is a nice experience to have dinner at this resort, even if you are staying at another hotel. There is a lot to do and many places to sit an enjoy one anothers company before dinner.

 

[karenrc]

We stayed at AKL last month and ate at both Boma and Jiko. Boma was a better than average buffet both for breakfast and dinner. We liked both our meals their. The atmosphere was a little too bright and noisy for my tastes at dinner - my husband kept referring to it as "the cafeteria." I wouldn't go that far but it kind of tells you what it's like.

Jiko was incredible! I found the atmosphere very warm and inviting. It is darker than Boma, but I found that a soothing plus. Our service was only okay, but not bad. The food was overall the best we had at WDW - and we ate at many good places as we were on the silver plan. The flavors and presentations were some of the best I've had anywhere. I can't wait to go back!

About all we did at Mara was fill refillable mugs many times. We enjoyed a number of drinks at Victoria Falls - love those Mt. Killamaritas! Their spicy snack mix is good too - but definitely spicy.

I just wish AKL wasn't 3000 miles away from me!