Sanaa or Yak & Yeti

[Haygar2]

I am torn between the two. The food is similar and would prefer to only do one of them. Which one?

 

[kaybird]

We like both, but go to Y&Y every trip. Love the Steak and shrimp dish, the won ton dessert, and the mango pie. Can't miss it ever!! Sanaa has a great bread service, but I don't crave it like Y&Y.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We LOVE Sanaa. Never been to Y&Y b/c the menu doesn't really call out to us. The food at Sanaa is great, if you can get a window seat you can see the animals, if you arrive at the beginning of dinner or lunch service, they do a little drum show, and last time we were there, we had a CM take us around and explain everything in the restaurant and lounge and how it was inspired by areas and traditions near her home in Africa.

 

[Vernie822]

Ooooh, tough one. We really like Yak and Yeti. Service last time was meh but the food is always good. We really really liked the bread service at Sanaa but my fiance was less than thrilled with his entree. It's a toss up for me, I enjoy both.

 

[Haygar2]

We like both, but go to Y&Y every trip. Love the Steak and shrimp dish, the won ton dessert, and the mango pie. Can't miss it ever!! Sanaa has a great bread service, but I don't crave it like Y&Y.

The steak and shrimp is what my daughter wanted but they have changed the shrimp to a coconut shrimp. She doesn't eat coconut.

 

[Hopefully]

Yak & Yeti is our choice. It is great. The menu offerings at Sanna don't appeal to me.

 

[JZCubed]

I am torn between the two. The food is similar and would prefer to only do one of them. Which one?

We have had less success at Yak & Yeti (and enjoy may other Landry places), but we prefer Sanaa.

Although, we've not been to Sanaa since menu has been shortened.

 

[Jetta8300]

I wouldn't really say they're similar. We weren't that impressed with Sanaa. It was good don't get me wrong. But people rave about it, and I have a suspicion that it's those people that don't have that kind of thing around their home that really are super excited about it. We went there and it was about the same as a lot of decently good takeout places near our house. But nothing to go out of our way for. Curry dishes, etc. like African/Indian food. We are going to Yak and Yeti this trip and it's more Asian than African, the menu again looks like nothing super special or unusual but I'd rather eat good Asian. I love lo mein and sweet and sour chicken

 

[DWillowBay]

I've eaten at both and they are both great in terms of food and atmosphere. So, I'd have to make this choice based on convenience. If you have the time to travel to Sanaa, you won't be disappointed. However, if time is a consideration for your planning on that day, you'll love Yak and Yeti as well. You really can't make a bad choice here.

 

[LJSquishy]

They're both great but very different. If you're typically a fan of Indian food then I'd lean toward recommending Sanaa as it's similar to some Indian dishes with an African flare but if you're less adventurous or prefer Asian food then Yak & Yeti would be a better choice.

Sanaa has an awesome naan bread service with 9 accompaniments which range from a fruit chutney to very spicy sauces. Our waiter explained all of them to us and even shared his favorites. We also had butter chicken & goan seafood curry which was good but not what I'd call amazing. I would, however, make a special trip just for the bread service...we love love loved it.

We haven't been to Yak & Yeti since 2012 and the menu has changed since then but we had the shaoxing steak & shrimp tempura which we loved. I'm shocked they took it off of the menu. The fried wonton dessert was excellent (large enough to share) and I liked their limeade beverage.

Service was excellent at both restaurants, but Sanaa is definitely a more upscale experience and if you go during daylight (we had dinner at 4:30pm and sat at a window table) hours you can see the animals on the savannah. We'd definitely go back to both restaurants in a heartbeat.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Let me think about it . . .
SANAA !

Our Ratings of Sanaa: (*rev 10/12/2015*)
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: A
. . . staff attentiveness: A
. . . character interaction: B (views of animals on Savannah)
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Indian Style Bread Service, Lamb Kefta
. . . entrée:.. Tandoori Lamb, Beef Short Ribs
. . . dessert:. Banana Kulfi Sundae (available seasonally) or Banana Cheesecake
.
NOTE1: Has good regional African food. Americanized, but definitely more adventurous than
other eateries. The menu is shorter than other table service eateries, the wine list average,
but the quality of the food and presentation are high. An added benefit is the viewing animals
on the Savannah during the meal (for daylight hours). There are eight window tables and six
more with good views. For lunch, try the Lamb Kefta open face sandwich; for dinner, try the
beef and lamb. Don't miss out on the Banana Kulfi Sundae. We like the bread appy/sampler,
as well as the salad sampler with three salads; either will feed two people. Be aware that items
labeled as "Durban" are highly spiced, best washed down with cold milk! It is out of the way,
but is worth the long drive. This is only one of the five sit down eateries we patronize at WDW.
In our opinion, Sanaa is better than Jiko, Boma, or Yak & Yeti. As a PS, they accommodate
kids really well.
.
NOTE2: There has been a MAJOR menu change for lunch. The bread and sandwich offerings are
still there, but CONSIDERABLY toned-down for "heat". I had the Lamb Kefta (aka, Lamb Burger).
It was very tasty and nicely spiced, but no "heat". I asked, and yes, the menu items have
been altered. I asked for some Peli-Peli sauce, which is a VERY, VERY hot Indian sauce. If
I put more than 1/32" ball on my fork, my lips and tongue would go numb! This was great, as
any Indian food that doesn't bring sweat droplets to your forehead is too mild. So, if you
enjoy something very spicy, ask for the Peli-Peli on-the-side in a ramekin, but use sparingly.
.
NOTE3: Sanaa is a really good place to split/share meals. It not only helps cut the cost of
eating, but gives you a chance to sample the various offerings.
.
NOTE4: We prefer the lunch over the dinner.
. . . the fare is a little lighter
. . . the price is better
. . . the appys and salads are the same
. . . the lower number of people eating
. . . the ability to see animals on the Savannah

 

[carmelhp]

We went to both in December. I have to agree with a above Sanaa hands down for atmosphere, presentation and service. Y&Y is OK, similar look to Tusker House, and food nothing really to write home about. Not that it's bad, don't get me wrong, it's just rather plain.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Does anyone know what time they take the Animals in?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Does anyone know what time they take the Animals in?

1) Most of the animals "go home" at dusk.
2) However, they do have a few nocturnal types that stay outside.
3) Yes, there is are low-wattage lights on the paddock.
4) But, it is still hard to view animals.
5) Always get an ADR well before sunset.

 

[tsme]

We like Yak & Yeti better. But it would depend on what your day looks like. If you're going to be in AK, I'd for Y&Y. I wouldn't leave the park to go to Saana. But if it's just for the type of food & you won't be in the park go for Saana.

 

[MrsDuck]

Sanaa is a GEM. We love love love it and I'm so not an adventerous eater!

 

[Haygar2]

Sanaa it is! Once I showed my husband that Sanaa ranked in the top 10 for steaks at Disney he was in. And my daughter can get Mac-n-cheese as a side. Win/win!