Boma or Jiko?

[disneydaisie]

I'm having a hard time deciding between Boma and Jiko. This is my first trip to the world and it will just be my dh and I. Does anyone have an opinion or suggestion?

 

[gokenin]

I would say if you were looking for a quiet romantic dinner then definately Jiko but if you are looking for a variety of things to try and explore than boma would be the place to go. I prefer Jiko myself the food and atmosphere are nicer as far as I am concerned and I am sure to upset Boma lovers but thats my opinion

 

[crisi]

They are two VERY different restaurants.

Boma is a large and extensive buffet. The room is large and noisy. The meal will be "reasonably priced" particularly if you are a big eater, and will include everything but beverages. Expect lots of families and bright colors.

Jiko is a "fine dining experience" expect wonderful food, an extensive winelist, great service, and a bill that is corresponding. The decor is dark and the restaurant cozier and quiet. Most guests will not need booster seats (though like almost all Disney fine dining restaurants, kids are present - and sometimes in quantity).

(I didn't like either, our Boma experience was disappointing because we had higher expectations than could be met, and our Jiko experience was similarly disappointing, our waiter was not great, and I think I ordered wrong - food was good, but not to my taste. At some point I'll try Jiko again, and maybe even Boma, but I won't be in a rush to go back to either. I will visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge, however, get a drink, and watch the animals - the Lodge is incredible!)

 

[lilostitch]

We loved BOMA, a neat variety and because it was buffet, we got to sample a lot of different things. I thought it was delicious!

 

[byoung]

Boma's would be my choice.

 

[shellybaxter]

Dh and I very much prefer Jiko to Boma. The Jiko menu is so good and has so many choices that are appealing. Its not just a one or two entree menu. And the appetizer, salad and dessert menus are just as good. We try a bit of everything and our meal usually takes at least 2 hours. Some of our favorites are the taste of Africa flat breads and spreads, the pork and duck firecrackers, the organic greens with buttermilk carrot dressing, the filet, the pork tenderloin, the lamb shank and the braised ribs, as well as the flourless chocolate cake. It is a quite beautiful atmosphere with wonderful service.

In contrast Boma is very loud and sometimes crowded to the point that it is difficult to get to the food. The choices are good, but if I eat too many of the different foods it upsets my stomach. The soups are good as are the desserts, but for us Jiko wins hands down

 

[Cookie Princess]

We have done both and were actually suprised that we enjoyed Boma better.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've done both, and preferred Boma. The soups were absoultly fantastic, and I thought the desserts, which are very important of course, were better there as well. I did think the service was better at Jiko though, and the appetizers were very tasty.

 

[never_enough_pooh]

We have been to both. We prefer Jiko over Boma. We prefer the quieter, more romantic atmosphere of Jiko. Also, I prefer being waited on, vs. having to keep getting up and getting more food (at a buffet). The prices really are not that different, unless you tend to eat a lot food! The price for the Boma buffet is about $25.00. Most of the dinner entrees at Jike are about $25.00-35.00.

 

[DanMedix]

Actually, I've never eaten at either one. But, I used Disney's recipe for Boma's barbecue sauce with a beef brisket that I made, and it turned out wonderfully! I made enough to bottle it for use later at home. I look forward to seeing how the real thing compares to what I made from the recipe for the sauce.

 

[Tony-NJ]

definitely Jiko for us. We ate there 3 times and each time just got better. It's now, almost our favorite restaurant! The wine list is incredible too.

 

[Gillian]

We like both, although we've eaten at Boma 4 or 5 times and Jiko just once, but more because of budget and dining companions than any other reason. For us, Jiko is a special occasion place, while Boma is a great meal any time we can get to WDW/AKL.

I would choose based on the experience you want, and your budget. Jiko will be a slower meal, in a quieter, more adult atmosphere. Boma will be busy and bright, with a lot of hopping up and down for more food. You'll probably want to try everything!

If you go to Boma, try for either a very early seating or a later one. I have found that it's always crowded there, and we've had to wait unless we had ADR for when they first open.