Boma -- is it what it once was?

[NotAMouse]

When I went to Boma ten and fifteen years ago, it was my favorite Disney restaurant. It has lots of interesting and unusual (and good) food choices. Four years ago, however, I went to Boma for dinner when I was in the area (but not at WDW). I was very disappointed -- there seemed to be only a few distinctively African dishes and most of the food choices seemed to be the sort of bland and boring ordinary food I'd expect at the Crystal Palace (or an Old Country Buffet).

I'm going back to WDW for the first time in a decade and want to know whether I should give Boma another chance. Was I just there on an off night? Will there be interesting foods?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've been eating at Boma almost yearly since 2005 and have never noticed a decline in quality. Perhaps you just hit an off night?

 

[TeresaNJ]

Was just there two weeks ago, & still love it as always.

 

[starwart]

Shhhh..

 

[DisBuckMan]

Yep...we ate there two weeks ago today, and it was outstanding...just like always. Best buffet on property.

Sounds like you caught them on an off night.

 

[Micca]

Not sure it's as good as it once was, but it's still very good. If you're looking for something more uniquely African you might try Jiko or Sanaa.

 

[Sinderelly]

We didn't like Boma at all. The food tasted like it all had the same spices. Kinda like cinnamon

 

[RyannB]

Love bfast there, not sure we'd care for dinner.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

When I went to Boma ten and fifteen years ago, it was my favorite Disney restaurant. It has lots of interesting and unusual (and good) food choices. Four years ago, however, I went to Boma for dinner when I was in the area (but not at WDW). I was very disappointed -- there seemed to be only a few distinctively African dishes and most of the food choices seemed to be the sort of bland and boring ordinary food I'd expect at the Crystal Palace (or an Old Country Buffet).

I'm going back to WDW for the first time in a decade and want to know whether I should give Boma another chance. Was I just there on an off night? Will there be interesting foods?

We ate there this past December and I was disappointed in the selection of food that they had. It is not the same as it was years ago. The children's section is now awful and I feel bad for any kid who has to eat there.

I basically filled up on the soups. Even the zebra domes are not as good as they once were.

 

[NotAMouse]

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

[Sinderelly]

Breakfast was good. Dinner was definitely not. Most of the food tasted like cinnamon. Zebra Domes were the only good thing.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Breakfast was good. Dinner was definitely not. Most of the food tasted like cinnamon. Zebra Domes were the only good thing.

We didn't like the food there either. Too much cinnamon/nutmeg. I was expecting spicy but everything was kinda sweet.

I had some pastry thing filled with a stew from the South African kiosk at the 2011 Food & Wine Festival. Tasted like everything I tried at Boma. I don't think African food (or at least Disney's version of it) is for me.

 

[smbarr]

We had breakfast and dinner there at the end of April. Both were amazing and we will return. I am also probably the only person alive that doesn't like Zebra Domes. Way too sweet for me...

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

We ate there for breakfast and two dinners this past January. All three meals were fabulous. We thought the food was tasty and the service was excellent. I've even looked into copycat recipes for some of the dishes we tried. One server told us the menu rotates depending on day of the week, so maybe some days the options are better than others. I prefer cinnamon and nutmeg to hot spices, but dh loves spicy food and doesn't like sweeter spices very much. We both loved Boma and found plenty of choices to satisfy our different preferences. Our daughter is pretty picky and vegetarian, but even she found several dishes she enjoyed - though she stuck to the main buffet rather than the kids' section. We are looking forward to dining there again on our next trip.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Cinnamon is a heavily used spice in African cooking. No surprise it is used there.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Oh, and I'm another one that didn't go crazy for the zebra domes. Not sure why. Maybe because I just wasn't hungry enough for dessert by the time I was done with my meal. I might give them another try next time.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Zebra domes are disgustingly sweet....but I love them anyway.

 

[Stephanie Isaacson]

We went by 6 years ago after hearing it was the best buffet. My while party thought it was mediocre at best, and the zebra domes were very overrated. Nothing special imo.

So, each person is different.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We went there in 2010 after hearing Boma was the greatest thing since sliced bread. We were quite disappointed. Nothing seemed overly exotic or elevated. I mean, I know it's not a signature meal, but everyone said there were great and interesting meat options on the buffet- which we didn't find. I also didn't think zebra domes were worth all of the hype. Some tabbouleh and some rice were the best things we ate there. I remember trying Sanaa a few years later, wondering if it would be the same issue. Thankfully, Sanaa was wonderful and remains a favorite. We have yet to return to Boma, and while we may try it for breakfast at some point, dinner was enough of a let down that I don't see us going back any time soon.

 

[Stephanie Isaacson]

We went there in 2010 after hearing Boma was the greatest thing since sliced bread. We were quite disappointed. Nothing seemed overly exotic or elevated. I mean, I know it's not a signature meal, but everyone said there were great and interesting meat options on the buffet- which we didn't find. I also didn't think zebra domes were worth all of the hype. Some tabbouleh and some rice were the best things we ate there. I remember trying Sanaa a few years later, wondering if it would be the same issue. Thankfully, Sanaa was wonderful and remains a favorite. We have yet to return to Boma, and while we may try it for breakfast at some point, dinner was enough of a let down that I don't see us going back any time soon.

You and I feel the same way. lol. I am trying Saana this trip, I am actually very excited and glad to know it lived up to expectations.