Boma, Jiko or Sanaa after day at AK?

[cheryterese]

I looked at the menus for each, Boma, Jiko and Sanaa, and they all sound good. Which would be your recommendation for dinner after a full day at the Animal Kingdom? We are two adults and three kids (6, 4, 2) and all vegetarians (but not vegan). I'd love to try all three places, but one will have to do for this trip!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

With the kids, I'd recommend Sanaa. They'll enjoy the view of the savanna, you'll enjoy not having to corral them through the buffet lines at Boma, and you'll all enjoy the food.

 

[zmanandshan]

I see Sweet Melissa's point, but I'd recommend Boma. At least for my two boys, now 2 & 6, it seems like the buffets are better suited as they often have a hard time in picking what they want, and a harder team eating what they pick. This gives them a chance to sample a little of everything they like, plus expand their horizons a bit and try something that they never would have ordered. Our last visits were in OCT and MAY respectively, and the buffet lines werent so bad. Did have a later dinner since we did the same as your proposing by visiting the AK (and pretty much closing the park).

 

[nicole3202]

I'm having the same dilemma as you. I currently have reservations for Jiko at 6:00 after our AK day. I'm considering trying to switch it to Sanaa for the evening views of the savanna, but I was impressed with all the good reviews that I had read of Jiko. All I know is that Boma is out of the equation for me. We have a few other buffets scheduled and I'm actually not a huge fan of the buffet. (except for Chinese food... for some reason that is my exception)

 

[nicole3202]

John does make a good point about buffets and kids, but for me sometimes its stressful because it seems like someone is always getting up to go to the bathroom (happens no matter where we eat) or get more food. I also wanted to add that I've never gone to dw before so my opinion really is just based off of what I have read.

 

[Havana]

I am debating on the same three restaurants for our Oct trip. We adore Boma and would love to go there again, but leaning towards Jiko or Sanaa for something different.

 

[cheryterese]

I am debating on the same three restaurants for our Oct trip. We adore Boma and would love to go there again, but leaning towards Jiko or Sanaa for something different.

We have never tried any of them which makes the decision even harder!

 

[Pakey]

I've done all of them at least twice. Jiko has the best food, less unique, but it is 90-120 minutes to dine here so only you know if your kids are up for that at the end of a park day. It's a very quiet restaurant.

Sanaa is very good and offers best views but menu is limited.

Boma's selection is fantastic, especially for vegetarian dishes. But it's a noisy buffet.

 

[cheryterese]

I've done all of them at least twice. Jiko has the best food, less unique, but it is 90-120 minutes to dine here so only you know if your kids are up for that at the end of a park day. It's a very quiet restaurant.

Sanaa is very good and offers best views but menu is limited.

Boma's selection is fantastic, especially for vegetarian dishes. But it's a noisy buffet.

Jiko is out then! There's no way my kids can sit for dinner that long!

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

We've done them all over the years. Boma is very good, but it's also very loud and I really dislike trying to have a family dinner at a buffet. You never really get to eat "together" especially if you are seated far from the buffet as we were on our last trip. Jiko is the opposite, very quiet but not somewhere I would feel comfortable with kids. So that leaves Sanaa, not just by default but it is my favorite of the three! It's also the most affordable and the view of the savanna is an added bonus. My vote is Sanaa!

 

[Torgue]

We have done all three several times but only when we stay at the AKV. The food at Jiko's is really good and we were able to get a table with out an ADR in busy season. We do not like Boma's because like others have said , it is so loud and crazy busy. Sanaa has good food and a great view of the animals. I think Jiko and Sanaa have that fancy feel to them. After a long hot day walking around AK and getting soaked on Kali we find it much nice to just grab some BBQ at Flame Tree! You don't get the African choices but it is cheaper, quicker, and taste great. Just my opinion but the bread thing at Sanaa is over rated but I would pick Sanaa out of the 3​

 

[act1980]

Sorry to hijack the thread

I am interested in dinner at Sanaa but I wondered if it would be hard to see the animals in the dark unless the light up the savannah?

 

[disneychic2]

We've only eaten at Boma, but the food is really good and a big variety that would appeal to little ones as well as adult. Been wanting to try Sanaa, but can't seem to get away from Boma when it's time to make the adrs!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

If Jiko is out, then I'd definitely choose Boma. It gives your kids (and yourselves) more variety and the ability to choose what you want from a very large selection of deliciousness.

 

[poohsdoodle]

Boma did have a variety of selections which was nice. I was really looking forward to our dinner there two weeks ago but sadly, I was not impressed. Maybe it was just an off night for the chefs. I was definitely not our best meal of the week but we will try it again.

 

[cbg1027]

While Boma is good, I think Sanaa is much better. Sanaa is also a much more relaxing experience.

I guess you just need to decide if you'd rather have a buffet or regular table service.

 

[cheryterese]

While Boma is good, I think Sanaa is much better. Sanaa is also a much more relaxing experience.

I guess you just need to decide if you'd rather have a buffet or regular table service.

I can't decide!! I like the numerous options, especially for vegetarians, at Boma and my kids love a buffet because they don't have to wait for their food. My 6 year old is terrible about waiting and anytime we do go to a restaurant (which is not often with a 6, 4 and 2 year old!) he says, "When is it coming?" as soon as we've sat down! I also like the menu options at Saana (seems more Indian, which is something dh and I love) and the fact that it would be more relaxed for dh and I. The fact that the kids could watch the animals is definitely a perk there as well. Can you see the savannah from all the tables? We'd be eating at 5:15.

The only other ADR's we have are buffet - Crystal Palace breakfast, Akershus lunch and Chef Mickey's dinner. We are staying off-site, so most of our meals will be breakfast at the rental house, packed lunches and counter service or take-out dinners.

I want to choose the right one for us!

Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming!! I love you guys.

 

[jds]

I'd definitely vote Boma for the food; just go early and watch the animals before you dine. (Or watch them after dinner; the savannah viewing area doesn't close until well after dark.)

We ate at both restaurants last week, and while it was fun watching the giraffes eat their dinner as we had ours (even though we weren't seated right by the window, we could see out quite well), Sanaa seemed less kid-friendly (if such a thing is possible at Disney...). We were disappointed in the food at Sanaa--we LOVE Indian food, and found Sanaa's a bit bland. (But if you do go to Sanaa, and get the bread service, try the garlic pickle--it was our favorite food of the evening; too bad we got so little of it...)

Boma really does have something for everyone, though it can be a bit hectic. We're vegetarians too, and it's our absolute favorite restaurant at WDW.

 

[MsPiglet]

Boma hands down is the most friendly vegetarian option at Disney. Sanaa has vegetarian dishes, but they are extremely bland and not very good Indian dishes. I love Indian food and really wanted to like the food at Sanaa, but have found it extremely disappointing. Jiko is my favorite restaurant on Disney property, but don't find that it has many entree options for vegetarians.

Boma is the best in my opinion for vegetarians.