Jiko or Boma for dinner?

[triplefigs]

We've never been to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and we all want to see it after watching Great Hotels last week. I am going to make a dinner ADR for the day we visit the AK. Which restaurant would you choose and why? Thanks!

 

[flipflop]

My DH and I ate at Jiko for the first time this past May and we really enjoyed it. We ate breakfast at Boma, which we also enjoyed, but not dinner. That being said where you chose to go should partially be based on what type of atmosphere you would like. Boma is buffet - kind of noisy and more casual than Jiko. Jiko is sit down and is "nicer". When I came back, I wrote up a review which goes into more detail about dinner at Jiko:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1453922

Regardless of which you choose, make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy a drink at Victoria Falls Lounge before dinner. After dinner, head outdoors to use the night vision goggles and check out the animals.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

If you are going as a family, I would suggest Boma. It is a buffet, with lots of different things, so that everyone can try something ,but if they don't like it, you didn't waste the money on a dinner & they can go get something they like. They have children's favorites like chicken tenders, macarnoi & cheese & other "normal" american dishes, but they may find they like some of the other items on the menu as well & it is fun going up & trying a sample of the desserts.
Jiko is much more romantic, higher prices & I don't recall if they even have a children's menu. My DH & I went there on our 25th anniversary & it was great, but even for me there were some things on the menu that we just not appealing. What I did get was great, however. Don't get me wrong there were children at the restaurant, but I think they'd have to more adventurous in their food choices. Debbie

 

[kumash]

DH and I have been to both Jiko and Boma. We enjoyed both, but Boma ended up being our favorite by far! I think that has a lot to do with the fact that you can try various things from the buffet, and you're not limited to an entree, appetizer, and dessert.

However, I must say, we did enjoy Jiko, too. It's a much more relaxed atmosphere, and it's fun to watch the chefs at work at the wood burning stove. Not all seating has a good view of this, but ours did.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of eating a turkey leg earlier in the day prior to riding Mission To Mars for the first time. Big mistake. Nothing sounded appetizing to me. I ended up getting the lamb shank at Jiko, and I was really not enjoying it.

If it were me though, I'd say Boma...all the way! You get to try a variety of truly, truly delicious foods. And, if you're with family, everyone can find something they like to eat!

 

[Pakey]

Both JIKO and BOMA are must-eats on every one of our trips. We love them both for different reasons. We have taken various people with us to dinner and while everyone loves BOMA, not everyone feels the same about JIKO. BOMA is noisier but more "fun" and the variety offered means that everyone is going to get something they enjoy eating. I have not loved every entree I have had at JIKO but do like the atmosphere there, however it is disappointing to look forward to a meal and then order something that doesn't "wow" you. At BOMA, if you get something you don't like, you can just go back and get something different.

 

[luna99]

I've never eaten at Jiko but we went to Boma last month and we had a big party with us... like 9 adults and 2 kids and everyone loved it! My husband and I are very adventerous eaters and found so many things we loved (but couldn't pronounce) and have since then talked about going back to disney in order to eat at boma! We loved it! good luck with your choice and if you do go to boma be sure to get the carrot/ginger soup! (and send me some while you're at it!)

 

[PrincessBride07]

I have eaten at Jiko's twice, but never at Boma. I LOVE Jiko's. I would choose them. I prefer the non-buffet meal, plus they have a large selection of wines. To answer the a previous poster, they do have a childs menu.

 

[tippy77]

I really enjoyed Boma (and have never been to Jiko). There was a great variety of foods and the food quality seemed but better than your average buffet. We had never been to AKL before and arrived early to walk around the grounds...definitely make the time to do that because it is a great resort!

 

[tkldisney]

We eat at Boma's on every trip to WDW. It's fun and the food has always been great. For our upcoming Nov. 6th, & 19th anniversary we are trying Jiko. Our niece is usually with us but this trip just the two of us. We typically go for the non-buffet restaurants with Boma being the exception.
They do have a very good wine list and we arrive early to sit in Victoria Falls for a drink. Didn't know about night glasses, how & where do you get these?

 

[itchin2go]

Didn't know about night glasses, how & where do you get these?

Me too! I want to know more about this!

 

[vicki845]

We ate at both. I have to say all the reviews that I have read about Jiko on this board I thought it was going to be a wow experience. It wasn't, it was good but not great. I wouldn't go back because I don't think it's worth 2 ts credits if your on the DDP. If they ever change it to 1, I'll go back. Boma was good and worth the 1 ts credit in my opinion. Dh wasn't impressed with either restaurant.