Is jiko worth the money?

[princesswendy720]

I'm trying to finalize restaurants for our march trip. This meal would be paid for out of pocket. Is jiko worth it? How is the atmosphere? Part of me thinks if we're going to pay so much we might as well go to Cali grill or narcoosees or hoop de doo.

But the food looks great I just want to make sure it's worth going out of our way.

 

[Dziactor]

Jiko is my wife's favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nice, not many kids (mine was doing good that night). The food is great, love the BBQ flatbread pizza and the dinner filet. Were going in may with my fam and my wife is disappointed we couldnt work Jiko into the schedule.

 

[djh597]

Our trip last month we ate cali grill, narcooses, kouzzina, and jiko. Jiko was my favorite, oh the short ribs. yummmmmmmmm

 

[korrie leslie]

Jiko is worth the money for the food and the atmosphere. That being said my family of 6 went to dinner there after a day at the park, and while it was just right for DH and DD14, my younger 3 were antsy and tired. It was wonderful for me though. The best part of the menu are the african inspired dishes. I chose the Filet which was wonderful and DH chose a Curry dish, I wish I would have set aside my obsession with Filet for that night and tried something else, that was the ONLY dissapointment of the evening.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, in my opinion. I like California Grill but am unimpressed by the entrees (their flatbreads and sushi are awesome) and I have never been impressed by Narcoosees - I'd do Jiko before either of them for full meals with entrees.

 

[kathie859]

I love Jiko. I enjoy the atmosphere and the food is quite good.

Visiting the AKL is worthwhile anyhow. Be sure to allow yourself time to look around. If it's not dark, you can walk out and see the animals or spend some time just absorbing the theming of the resort.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Yes, its worth it. Food was really good.

 

[Pakey]

I think Jiko is better than CG and a great deal better than Narcoosees.

It's quieter, the restaurant is darker with lighting changes so it feels more intimate and the food is better. I love the appetizers and soups here.

 

[kmk1180]

I think Jiko is better than CG and a great deal better than Narcoosees.

It's quieter, the restaurant is darker with lighting changes so it feels more intimate and the food is better. I love the appetizers and soups here.

totally agree.
CG is way over rated. It's nice to eat and view fireworks but as for nice quiet romantic meal, Jiko is THE place to go.

Gotta tried the Black Olive Flatbread.
And ask for a recommendation on a bottle of wine, even if your not a big wine drinker.
The servers have fantastic knowledge of wines even if you don't and I'm sure will reccomend one you'll love.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We try to schedule our ADRs for meals to be convenient to our park plans for the day. So, we went to Jiko after our day at Animal Kingdom Park. It would have been easier to just eat dinner at the park but we wanted to see the Animal Kingdom Lodge and it's not far.

Jiko was absolutely delicious and worth the 2 DDP credits.... don't know about the money but the prices did look expensive. Everything was great. Our waitress was the best of our whole trip (19 restaurants). If you time your dinner right, you could enjoy some of the special things at the AK lodge like a parade, night viewing of animals, story telling around a fire pit. I also liked the gift shop in the lobby of AK lodge -- it's pretty big.

It was very easy to get a taxi back to our resort.

 

[princesswendy720]

I went ahead and booked it for dinner on our first night after only one response! I already know what I'm getting: kalamata olive flatbread (I'm a HUGE olive lover), the filet, and those spiced doughnuts! Yummy

nice to hear that it's romantic, it'll just be dbf and me.

 

[vettegirl]

From all the wonderful comments I think I will book Jiko as well for my upcoming trip!

 

[TRBelle84]

YES YES YES

We loved Jiko so much that we canceled a reservation at Narcoossee's to dine a second time at Jiko during our honeymoon. We actually had the same entrees both times because they are so good (filet with mac & cheese and red wine reduction!). DH had the same app both times (BBQ chicken flatbread) and I had the same desert (lemon curd, blueberries, and sour cream ice cream).

It's a must do for us now!

 

[chuckml]

Absolutely! We went in December for my birthday--we were staying at AKL--and it was nothing short of amazing. Highly recommended!!

 

[Booyakasha]

Take a cab to and from the AKL and it makes for a nice relaxing evening. You can also view the animals on the savannahs with night vision goggles after dinner if you wanted.

B.

 

[Golf4food]

Jiko > Cali Grill

Cali is nice - once - for the experience and while the food is good it certainly isn't the best on property by any means and is noisy and crowded and not a romantic place at all. If Cali Grill were not at the top of the Contemporary with a view of the MK it would not be a very popular place at all, IMHO.

Stick the Cali Grill on ground level of the Contemp and it might even go the way of the Concourse Steak House...

Jiko, on the other hand... we would almost be willing to drive the 2.5 hours down just to have dinner without going to the parks.

 

[Pygoplites]

Based on your list of choices, I'd also put Jiko in the #1 spot. If I lived locally, I'd be a regular customer. I can't say that for too many other WDW restaurants.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes, Yes, Yes. Jiko along with California Grill is our favorite place to dine at WDW.

 

[Mrsjvb]

to eat there once is a must do. can't say I would do it again although the food and service was OUTSTANDING.. but for the price.. I'll take V&As every time.. and Jiko was only slightly less expensive.

getting there was problematic and the whole Lodge was CROWDED, uncomfortably so especially by the entrance to the two restaurants.

but wandering around the outside before dinner was way cool. chatted with several keepers about the animals hanging about.

 

[jfinke]

Jiko is our favorite TS. Ambiance is much better than CG unless you like loud crowds and lots of kids. I think the food is much better as well.