Jiko vs Sanaa

[SkipperDave]

I've never been to any of the Animal Kingdom restaurants, but I really want to give one a try.

Both Jiko and Sanaa sound good to me.

Any recommendations? How to I break the tie? (I only have time to do one!)

 

[sponica]

I think I liked Sanaa more? But my husband liked Jiko more.


I could not tell you why though....I think I like being able to go to the people pen near Sanaa and look at the animals on the savannah before dinner.

 

[BrianL]

I have only been to Sanaa, and I thought it was great. I do hear good things about Jiko though too. So, I guess, I'm not much help. Honestly though, I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[SkipperDave]

Honestly though, I don't think you can go wrong either way.

I know. Which is why the decision is so tough!

 

[Peaseblossom36]

My family weren't fans of Sanaa lunch (bar my kids butter chicken, THAT was great). We did eat breakfast there the morning we checked out and REALLY enjoyed that. I did really enjoy watching the animals from our table though.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is one of these restaurants better than the other for people who don't like spicy food (burn your mouth type spicy)?

 

[CarolynFH]

Is one of these restaurants better than the other for people who don't like spicy food (burn your mouth type spicy)?

Personally, I’d say Jiko would be better. It seemed to me that there were a lot of spicy curry dishes on the Sanaa menu. And definitely, on the bread appetizer that Sanaa is noted for, there are a lot of spicy dips.

I remember Jiko being more savory but not mouth-burning spicy.

 

[Karalee402]

We ate at Sanaa for the first time last week and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere, especially if you can be by a window, is incredible. We didn't find the food too spicy. There certainly are dips on the bread service tray that have spice, but there were plenty for my three kids to enjoy, as well. It was a great experience, overall.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I've never been to any of the Animal Kingdom restaurants, but I really want to give one a try.

Both Jiko and Sanaa sound good to me.

Any recommendations? How to I break the tie? (I only have time to do one!)

It really depends on your taste preference. Comparing the two menus, I think you should try Sanaa. It’s a bit less formal than Jiko for starters, plus they have a nice selection of dishes at more reasonable prices per person.

 

[SkipperDave]

It really depends on your taste preference. Comparing the two menus, I think you should try Sanaa. It’s a bit less formal than Jiko for starters, plus they have a nice selection of dishes at more reasonable prices per person.

I'm leaning towards Sanaa. I think I'll just get a few apps. The bread tasting at Sanaa sounds great. Honestly, none of the entrees at either feel like "musts." But, with the animal atmosphere and the appetizer situation, I think Sanaa is the one to choose!

Thanks, everyone!

 

[Marrila]

I'm leaning towards Sanaa. I think I'll just get a few apps. The bread tasting at Sanaa sounds great. Honestly, none of the entrees at either feel like "musts." But, with the animal atmosphere and the appetizer situation, I think Sanaa is the one to choose!

Thanks, everyone!

A late lunch at Sanaa is a treat. The place isn't as busy.

 

[DWillowBay]

Sanaa for lunch, Jiko for dinner - that's my 2 cents. Both are great!

 

[tinkerbella16]

I'm leaning towards Sanaa. I think I'll just get a few apps. The bread tasting at Sanaa sounds great. Honestly, none of the entrees at either feel like "musts." But, with the animal atmosphere and the appetizer situation, I think Sanaa is the one to choose!

Thanks, everyone!

The bread service at Sanaa is delicious! I have only been there for that. In October, I went to Sanaa by myself while my family stayed in the parks, and I sat at the bar and ordered the bread service for lunch. I was able to choose my 9 spreads by my taste (I don't do spicy). Loved it and met some great people while there.

 

[Karalee402]

The bread service at Sanaa is delicious! I have only been there for that. In October, I went to Sanaa by myself while my family stayed in the parks, and I sat at the bar and ordered the bread service for lunch. I was able to choose my 9 spreads by my taste (I don't do spicey). Loved it and met some great people while there.

What a perfect way to spend an afternoon!!!

 

[zackiedawg]

Personally I don't consider these two on the same level - Jiko is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Disney and has been since opening...it's a Signature dining restaurant and definitely earns it with excellent wines and generally better service...plus a creative menu full of interesting and exotic flavors and spices.

All of that isn't to say Sanaa isn't great - I very much enjoy Sanaa and often go there - it's just not Signature level. The menu doesn't change much - it's not 'all you can eat' or 'family style' but the way you select from groups of food categories to make a dish has a more casual family style feel. And service is as good as most Disney table-service spots - which I always have good experiences with Disney staff - it's not quite up to the level of attention at Jiko. I haven't had a bad meal at Sanaa and it continues to be a restaurant I'll book regularly when I go to Disney World.

Jiko is probably slightly less kid-centric - a lot of adults tend to dine there and there aren't animals roaming outside the windows and such. I still see kids there and some seem to enjoy it, but it's a quieter, a bit more spread out between tables and booths and seems to cater to long, slow meals with appetizers, wines, meals, dessert and coffee after...I often end up spending well over an hour there enjoying all the courses. They have the typically-Disney dress code requests, which just means try to avoid sloppy t-shirts and bathing suit shorts. The waitstaff is usually from African nations (there are some that are not), and they'll happily discuss their home country and the food and spice inspirations - they're also very well trained on helping with recommendations both for food and wines. You get hot rosewater scented towels to clean your hands before starting the meal...the overall feel is more upscale.

And I have to put in a comment on bread service - while Jiko only provides two breads and a flavored butter - personally I find the giraffe bread to be the best, most delicious bread in WDW. I love Sanaas various spread options and enjoy their bread service too - but Jiko holds its own with just two breads and baobab-citrus butter.

 

[glocon]

My vote goes to Jiko.
The food is just so good (and so is the giraffe bread), and you can do wine pairings with your meal.
I liked Sanaa as well, but the food at Jiko was just next level.
You can go look at the animals before/after dining at Jiko as well, they are just not right outside the windows.
Jiko does have a bar area, but we like to go to the Victoria Fall Lounge before dinner.

 

[Leight19]

I think it would be pretty universal jiko is better but the main question vs sanaa is whether it’s better enough to justify the higher costs. For me I would decide if I want a fancier signature dining experience or a more family friendly table service lunch (Sanna lunch over diner for animal view). Both are excellent it just depends what experience I’m looking for more so then choosing one as better then other.

For me the real question I tend to have to ask myself when planning dining akv is Boma vs Jiko; both will be hefty price tag so hit the niche of a splurge dinner with wife and question is basically do I want fancier items from Jiko or the diversity of great options on the Boma buffet. I love all 3 just mainly trying to make point imo jiko vs boma is a better comparison to make as price will likely be similar. Sanaa is more cost friendly, excellent option but imo both Boma and Jiko justify the higher price so all three are great options pending what type of experience you want.

 

[SkipperDave]

Well, I had to cancel my trip, so I didn't go anywhere!

(Cue sad trombone.)

 

[EveV]

Sanaa is better in terms of quality, African and Indian plates, and an interesting atmosphere. We try Jiko once a year to see if it gets better, but it never does. The food quality and execution of the dishes is way off. It used to be good-- it is a real shame because the atmosphere is beautiful.

Hope you get to rebook!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sanaa is better in terms of quality, African and Indian plates, and an interesting atmosphere. We try Jiko once a year to see if it gets better, but it never does. The food quality and execution of the dishes is way off. It used to be good-- it is a real shame because the atmosphere is beautiful.

Hope you get to rebook!

Oh my, not our experiences in recent years with Jiko. Not at all - but again, our experiences and opinions. We love both Sanaa and Jiko - tough to compare the 2. But Jiko, for us, is probably one of the top 3 restaurants on WDW property. The food and the service are elite.