Does Jiko have a dress code?

[PoohBelle]

I was making ADR's for my family's trip and when I got to the last part of the confirmation page for Jiko - The Cooking Place and it said something about needing khakis or dress pants/shorts? We were thinking about go there for dinner on the day we go to Animal Kingdom, so we wouldn't want to go somewhere we need to dress nice for. I also saw where it said that tanks or not allowed but t-shirts are okay.

Does anyone else have any experience with this restaurant? Should we pass on this since we don't want to dress up?

 

[dashofsunshine]

We love Jiko and have been a handful of times on different trips. You will see people dressed in many different things in signature restaurants. That being said, I don't remember seeing anyone in tshirts/tanks/park attire at Jiko. There were a few men there in khaki shorts and a nice shirt (think polo), women mostly in sundresses. Some people were more dressed up. Someone else who has been more recently should certainly chime in, but that is what I remember.

Also: the decor is beautiful. It is a really lovely restaurant, what I would consider upscale. I personally would feel odd dressed in park attire in that kind of restaurant, but I know that kind of thing doesn't bother everyone!

 

[PoohBelle]

Thanks, that helps

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Jiko is a signature restaurant. Even for the Wanayama Safari, they note that you may need to bring a change of clothing.

The code is pretty loose. No cut offs, tank tops, swimwear, etc. Nice shorts and a decent shirt are sufficient.

 

[imthemamahere]

We've been lucky enough to enjoy Jiko a few times - one of our favorite restaurants anywhere! I typically put on capris and sandals instead of shorts and sneakers when we're eating at Jiko. You don't have to "dress up," really - jeans and nicer shorts are allowed, for example, and a guy can wear a polo shirt - doesn't have to be a button-down. But I personally wouldn't wear ripped jean shorts and a sweated-in-all-day tshirt to dinner there.

If you really want to dine there (and I do recommend it!), if you don't have a car and are taking Disney transportation, you could either bring a bag with a change of clothes and stash it in the AK lockers, or carry a change of clothes rolled up tight in the bag you carry that day. If you do have a car, stash your fresh clothes there. You can change when you get to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Easy-peasy!

 

[PoohBelle]

We've been lucky enough to enjoy Jiko a few times - one of our favorite restaurants anywhere! I typically put on capris and sandals instead of shorts and sneakers when we're eating at Jiko. You don't have to "dress up," really - jeans and nicer shorts are allowed, for example, and a guy can wear a polo shirt - doesn't have to be a button-down. But I personally wouldn't wear ripped jean shorts and a sweated-in-all-day tshirt to dinner there.

If you really want to dine there (and I do recommend it!), if you don't have a car and are taking Disney transportation, you could either bring a bag with a change of clothes and stash it in the AK lockers, or carry a change of clothes rolled up tight in the bag you carry that day. If you do have a car, stash your fresh clothes there. You can change when you get to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Easy-peasy!

Good idea! Thanks everyone. For some reason I didn't realize it was a signature restaurant. Will definitely consider changing and still dinning there.

 

[OhThePain]

Jiko is one of the few restaurants on property, even Signatures, where I would feel out of place wearing park attire. A change of clothes is a good option if you want to still eat there. The other options are you could change the ADR from Jiko to Sanaa at AKV (which is the top "1TS" restaurant on property, IMO) or Boma at AKL (the top buffet on property, IMO).

 

[Anal Annie]

I definitely wouldn't go there in park attire or if I'd had a hot & sweaty day at the parks. I would want to be showered and clean and dressed appropriately. You could get by in park attire at Boma tho (one of our FAVS).

 

[Hopefully]

We have eaten at Jiko a few times. I do consider it to be upscale. We dress up, a bit. I usually wear linen capris, a nice blouse and dressy sandals. DH and adult DS wear dress shorts, polo shirts and shoes.
I would be uncomfortable wearing what I had toured all day in the park.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

When they say no tank tops, they mean on men - women are welcome to wear sleeveless or camisole type tops, or sundresses.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The ONLY things you cannot wear to Jiko are bathing suits, torn clothes, bathing suit cover-ups, tank tops and hats on men, and t-shirts with "offensive" wording.

Everything else is acceptable--including shorts (don't need to be dress shorts) and t-shirts and sneakers.

No one will even be looking at you when you walk in or when you eat.

 

[srauseo]

No one will even be looking at you when you walk in or when you eat.

I would be. It's supposed to be fine dining. Part of that is the ambiance and the behavior and appearance of the other guests factors into that. I'm not saying top hat and tails but a step up from t-shirt and sneakers would be nice.

 

[L&Lfan]

Unfortunately, I've seen men in the signatures wearing the ubiquitous baseball caps.

 

[L&Lfan]

When they say no tank tops, they mean on men - women are welcome to wear sleeveless or camisole type tops, or sundresses.

Even though some shouldn't ...

 

[Uncleromulus]

I would be. It's supposed to be fine dining. Part of that is the ambiance and the behavior and appearance of the other guests factors into that. I'm not saying top hat and tails but a step up from t-shirt and sneakers would be nice.

Then Disney should adopt a real dress code--but they haven't and the reason is precisely the situation with the OP--having to leave a park early get dressed then get to a restaurant--then be overdressed if you want to go to a park after dinner.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

My sister & I ate there last week. Upon sitting down we watched several people coming in like they came from one of the theme parks. We weren't wearing anything fancy, but we definitely felt overdressed.

 

[Hopefully]

Then Disney should adopt a real dress code--but they haven't and the reason is precisely the situation with the OP--having to leave a park early get dressed then get to a restaurant--then be overdressed if you want to go to a park after dinner.

I think there is a middle ground that you do not consider.
I believe a Signature restaurant is a special meal. I certainly pay more for it and I enjoy the "experience".
I believe I can either Carry a change of clothes in a park bag to change into and freshen up before dinner without returning to the hotel, or I can wear a bit nicer clothes to the park that day. In both cases I would not be "too dressed" to return to a park after dinner.
I am not one that feels Jiko requires "Fancy clothes". But clean, neat, a collar for a gentleman's shirt with sleeves, nice shorts or a sundress for a lady, with a nice blouse - I do not think either of these are excessive or un-doable.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Ah--but that is YOU!!

Lots of folks out there tho who prefer to take advantage of the lax dress code and go to these restaurants in Park attire. What they are wearing is of no special importance to them just as long as it gets them in the restaurant.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

On a day I plan to both go to a park and go to a signature restaurant, I wear a cute maxi dress.

Pow. Instantly suitable for all occasions.

My spouse wears cargo shorts and a golf shirt.

Sure, we're not dressed for a formal wedding, but it's a step up from when I wear a Star Wars t-shirt and cutoffs.

 

[Hopefully]

Ah--but that is YOU!

Lots of folks out there tho who prefer to take advantage of the lax dress code and go to these restaurants in Park attire. What they are wearing is of no special importance to them just as long as it gets them in the restaurant.

Yes that is me. I think it is a reasonable compromise.

On a day I plan to both go to a park and go to a signature restaurant, I wear a cute maxi dress.

Pow. Instantly suitable for all occasions.

My spouse wears cargo shorts and a golf shirt.

Sure, we're not dressed for a formal wedding, but it's a step up from when I wear a Star Wars t-shirt and cutoffs.

Yes. What I was trying to state.