Best restaurant option while in Animal Kingdom?

[Get me to Disney!]

I am not loving the choices that are actually in the AK park. What would be the closest place to eat at?

 

[rznhal]

Have you ever tried Yak and Yeti? We have had more consistently good meals there than anywhere in WDW! And the mango pie with strawberry sauce is TO DIE FOR!!!!!!

It reminds us of PF changs if you are familiar with that chain.

Happy planning!!!!!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

The Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko and Sanaa are both outstanding. I have never tried Boma, but the impression I get is that it's just as good for what it is as the other AKL offerings. You really can't go wrong there.

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

Flame Tree BBQ is really good chicken and ribs and Yak & Yeti is great chinese..both are counter service

 

[Pakey]

We enjoy Tusker House for breakfast and if we eat lunch in the park, we usually do Flame Tree Barbeque counter service. We've tried Yak and Yeti twice and didn't like it and Rainforest Cafe is nothing out of the ordinary, especially if you have them where you live.

For dinner, we would head over to AKL or AKV since it's a short bus ride from the park. All 3 of those restaurants are above average. Jiko is a signature and more upscale but the food is not anything very unusual. Sanaa is Indian inspired but it's not authentic and it's heavily spiced. Boma is a buffet with a lot of African inspired dishes that are interesting but there's a pretty large selection of items that are not as seasoned. The only one of these 3 open for lunch is Sanaa.

None of the other parks are that close to AK; we have hopped many times by bus from AK to DHS or back since DHS is a half day park for us. I wouldn't leave AK to go to another park to eat with the intent of returning to AK after the meal; that will take a lot of time.

 

[OneLittleSpark7]

QS Restaurantosaurus offers similar food to most QS places.

TS I would hiiiighly recommend Yak and Yeti! It has a little bit of everything and is excellent!

At the Villas I also love Sanaa. Indian food is always tasty

 

[minnie mum]

I have to agree with all of the PPs so far, so this isn't helping you narrow down your choices by any means!

Tusker house has a great character breakfast, and is decent for lunch
Yak and Yeti has pretty good Chinese food. It has both a TS and CS.
Our personal favourite is Flame Tree BBQ for lunch.

We never eat dinner in the park- it closes too early for us. We always go over to AKL to eat. As a PP has said: all 3 of the restaurants there are definitely above average. Take a look at the menus for Jiko, Sanaa, and Boma. Sanaa is our favourite of the 3, and Boma is (for us) one of the better buffets.

 

[aadaneboy]

We really enjoy the ribs at Flame Tree BBQ. Have eaten there twice, and you can't beat the price for the ribs. It is a Quick Service restaurant if you are on the dining plan.

On our upcoming trip in March, we are trying the Tusker House for the first time at lunch with Donald and friends. (We've never done breakfast either so we are looking forward to trying something new). We have also made ADRs at Boma for dinner one night. My DW is very much looking forward to it.

 

[sharonabe]

I am not loving the choices that are actually in the AK park. What would be the closest place to eat at?

Since you've asked for the closest places OUTSIDE the park, Rainforest Cafe is right at the entrance of AK. The next closest would be any of the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge which is the closest resort to AK, but the food there isn't that much different than what you'll find in the park.

What exactly are you looking for?

 

[Get me to Disney!]

Since you've asked for the closest places OUTSIDE the park, Rainforest Cafe is right at the entrance of AK. The next closest would be any of the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge which is the closest resort to AK, but the food there isn't that much different than what you'll find in the park.

What exactly are you looking for?

I was assuming that Animal Kingdom Lodge was the closest to Animal Kingdom but I really wasn't sure. I am looking for a TS. Maybe the way to go is to check the hours of the AK Park and then make a res. somewhere after the park closes at AKL (maybe what would you say an hour later??). That being said, I've been to BOMA and we didn't care for it. I like the idea of JIKO but I think that might be 2 TS. Never tried SANAA but I think that's the one the PP's said is Indian...not sure how that would fly. Maybe the best thing to do might be to not use a TS credit when we go to AK and just save it to use towards something else. Maybe just go back to resort that day and buy dinner there or do a pizza. Ohhh, the decisions

 

[rznhal]

Jiko is a signature and more upscale but the food is not anything very unusual.

.

I have gone back and forth with jiko...we are staying at AKL and I wanted to try Jiko, but my husband is super sensitive to unique spices (he was sick all night last weekend when we ate at Pei Wei!!) When you say "not unusual", do you mean the spices aren't too heavy/unique? I'm sure He would order the filet.

Thanks!!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Another vote for Tusker House!!!

 

[BlovesC]

Yak & Yeti is my favorite TS in any of the parks, so of course it gets my vote! It's not really very exotic, but interesting enough to not provide the same typical options over and over again. It's got some really tasty apps and deserts!

 

[Hopefully]

I was assuming that Animal Kingdom Lodge was the closest to Animal Kingdom but I really wasn't sure. I am looking for a TS. Maybe the way to go is to check the hours of the AK Park and then make a res. somewhere after the park closes at AKL (maybe what would you say an hour later??). That being said, I've been to BOMA and we didn't care for it. I like the idea of JIKO but I think that might be 2 TS. Never tried SANAA but I think that's the one the PP's said is Indian...not sure how that would fly. Maybe the best thing to do might be to not use a TS credit when we go to AK and just save it to use towards something else. Maybe just go back to resort that day and buy dinner there or do a pizza. Ohhh, the decisions

If you are looking for a TS dinner after your Animal Kingdom day, I think you have "the world at your fingertips"
Animal Kingdom closes early most times of the year. I would finish my day there and leave the area. I would make an ADR anywhere that interests you. You could go to the Boardwalk, or Down Town Disney, or eat at your resort. You are not limited to the AKL or an area close to the park.
We often do Raglan Road on our AK day. We love it there.
Good Luck

 

[snoopy352]

I was assuming that Animal Kingdom Lodge was the closest to Animal Kingdom but I really wasn't sure. I am looking for a TS. Maybe the way to go is to check the hours of the AK Park and then make a res. somewhere after the park closes at AKL (maybe what would you say an hour later??). That being said, I've been to BOMA and we didn't care for it. I like the idea of JIKO but I think that might be 2 TS. Never tried SANAA but I think that's the one the PP's said is Indian...not sure how that would fly. Maybe the best thing to do might be to not use a TS credit when we go to AK and just save it to use towards something else. Maybe just go back to resort that day and buy dinner there or do a pizza. Ohhh, the decisions

AK and AKL arguably has the best restaurants at WDW. You can't go wrong with Jiko, Sanaa, Yak and Yeti TS, or even Boma.

Pros/cons of each:

Jiko - exotic, great food; but 2 TS
Sanaa - try something new and exciting! great value! look at the menu - there will be something there for even non-adventurous diners. only con i see is hassle of travel, but if you are done with AK at the end of the day, no biggie.
Y/Y - in the park; no need for hassle of travel; can make ressie for 5:00 or 5:30 and still stay in the park for the meal (assuming park closes at 6); no real con here either.
Bomo - never been and have heard conflicting reports.

bottom line - you are conveniently located to three really good options - take a chance on one and you just might discover a new type of food you like - it's vacation - be adventurous!

 

[Kim84]

Another vote for Yak and Yeti here - The ribs are fall off the bone with the slightest touch amazing! Quick service too every time we have been if maximising your time in the park is your thing ..

Outside of AK I would go to Sanaa - I find Sannas lunch menu a little better than their dinner menu but take a look at them both for your own personal preference!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

If you are looking for a TS dinner after your Animal Kingdom day, I think you have "the world at your fingertips"
Animal Kingdom closes early most times of the year. I would finish my day there and leave the area. I would make an ADR anywhere that interests you. You could go to the Boardwalk, or Down Town Disney, or eat at your resort. You are not limited to the AKL or an area close to the park.
We often do Raglan Road on our AK day. We love it there.
Good Luck

Dingdingdingding WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
On our AK days we like to take the bus to MK, and; either take the boat to WL and eat at WCC; boat and do HDDR; or go to a monorail resort and eat there. We leave DHS by boat to eat at Epcot resorts but could do that on AK days too. Basically, any WDW TS not in a park is fair game. Ya gotta like sumpin'.