Boma or Jiko

[Barbara C]

Which would you recommend? We've never been to either. We're in Orlando for a week in June but won't be visiting the parks so I thought it would be fun to at least dine in one of the hotels.

My kids are 12, 12 and 10 and aren't picky eaters.

Thanks

 

[skylynx]

Jiko is a pretty expensive, sit-down restaurant with a kind of hushed atmosphere while Boma is a pretty expensive buffet bustling with energy, color, and flavor! If you are going as a family, the relaxed buffet-style of Boma will probably suit you the best, and the big advantage is that your kids will get to experiment with way more ethnic food types than if they had to commit to one entree at Jiko. While busier than Jiko, for sure, even as a couple without our kids we always enjoy Boma and you can't beat the chance to sample so many different kinds of African and other foods. There are still foods for those with less adventurous palates, but lots and lots of fascinating menu items to sample, plus you get the incredible bonus of all-you-can-eat zebra domes (these are a scrumptious, pop in your mouth dessert your whole family will likely love!) One of my most memorable food experiences at all of Disney was actually during Boma's breakfast, where a couple of the native African women working at the Boma check in desk just burst into an impromptu song and the combination of their lovely voices and the smells of breakfast meats let you trick yourself into thinking you were at a real safari lodge in Kenya or Tanzania! Go to Boma good and hungry.

 

[North of Mouse]

Boma!! So nice to try so many different dishes, but no one dish is outstanding to me.

Also, unlike pp, do not care for the zebra domes at all - have seriously tried, as so many seem to like them, but to each their own!

 

[Mousetopia]

Apples to oranges one is a huge wonderful buffet the other a Signature restaurant. I prefer Boma's food selection. Have never tried Jiko because the menu does not appeal

 

[Masonmj84]

Jiko is perhaps, my favorite overall restaurant at WDW. Very relaxed ambinance and consistently good food.

Boma, on the other hand, is arguably the best buffet at WDW. Even though it's not a cheap buffet (even by Disney standards), it still provides more bang for the buck than Jiko from strictly a food quantity and selection standpoint (my favorite thing is the ribs, which are only served on Wednesday and Saturday).

If I had to choose between the two, and money were no object, I'd probably pick Jiko because, as a signature restaurant, the food quality is higher (even though Boma's quality is very good for a buffet) and I prefer a full-service sit down dinner over a buffet (the overall dining experience for a full-service sit down meal is just so much more relaxing). Most people under age 30, however, would probably prefer Boma.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

Depends on what you are in the mood for. Boma is hands down the best buffet on property! Jiko is one of my favorite signatures. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[CynBeth]

Boma!

 

[goofy4prez]

For me it's not even close; I really do like Boma, it is one of the few buffet restaurants that is decent. I would not call it great though. It is still a buffet and the food is still mass prepared for massive quantities of people to scoop up and eat. But surprisingly it is from average to above average. But Jiko in my opinion is one of the finest restaurants in WDW and offers excellent service, an excellent atmosphere and excellent food. Jiko blows Boma away and this is no attack on Boma, I do like the place.

 

[sls404]

Boma! It's probably my favorite buffet on property. It's a little adventurous but also still has safe choices so there is something for everyone.

I thought Jiko was good, but it didn't blow me away like I was expecting. I had a flat bread appetizer and the filet. For that price point, I would choose another signature restaurant.

 

[porschegrl]

You can't go wrong with either.

I think that's the key take-away here.

Boma is a must-do for my family every trip. We hadn't tried Jiko until our last trip; we thoroughly enjoyed it (my son says the wild boar appetizer is one of the best things he ever ate), but I don't know that it will become the must-do that Boma is.

 

[VisionDisney]

Both are great but Jiko is my favorite at WDW! Boma is a buffet and Jiko is fine dining. It really depends on what type of experience you want to have.

 

[pixarmom]

Our kids are ages 9, 15 and 16 and we all prefer Jiko. The food is very good, the atmosphere is far more relaxed, service has always been outstanding and it's just a great experience overall. We've been multiple times and always enjoyed it. We tried Boma once a couple years ago. I had really high hopes given the excellent reviews. But our kids thought it was too chaotic, felt rushed and that the food was fine, but not great.

 

[Richard M Nixon]

Jiko was an awesome experience for fine dining and my favorite so far.

 

[GreatLakes]

I would go Boma personally though all three AKL restaurants are excellent. Boma is a buffet so it gives you a chance to experience a lot of different foods as opposed to Jiko which is a traditional restaurant.

Really though you can't go wrong with either.

 

[6loversofdisney]

I cannot speak of Jiko because we haven't done it but boma was I guess too adventurous. We all did find something to eat of course but it isn't one we go back to.

 

[addiln]

We have done Boma many times now and love each time we go. Since out next trip is going to be just adults we decided to skip Boma this time and try Jiko. We looked at the menu and it looks so good.

 

[Barbara C]

Thanks for all of your feedback!! I think we're leaning more towards Boma since we haven't been to either but I'm still not sure. Thanks though.

 

[NYDisGuy]

I used to love Jiko but the menu changed for the worse. The food is still great but they no longer offer alot the options they used to. Boma is always a home run

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Boma is a must-do for us every time!