Which AKL Restaurant?

[EnnEss]

I'm not sure which one to select. The buffet menu sounds daunting, simply because I'm not familiare with a lot of the things. I am an open eater though and will try nearly anything. The signature restaurant is a lot more expensive (I'm not on DDP) and am curious if it is worth the extra? Thanks in advance.

 

[cantondisneyfamily]

Go to Boma, even if you don't like what's on your plate, put your plate aside and try something new. My 11 year old daughter and 14 year son love going to Boma, then you can go out and look at the animals.

 

[Ruth B]

Both are amazing and totally different dining experiences. Jiko is much more intimate and calm, Boma can be nosiy and is much larger. The food is very good at both but i think it depend on who your eating with and what sort of experience you want. I would suggest going for dinner at Jiko and breakfast at Boma- if you can fit it in

 

[disnut8]

I've never been to Jiko. I am a picky, picky eater. I live with a picky, picky picky eater. One of our friends is a vegetarian. My brother-in-law is borderline vegetarian and will not extend any effort to eat a meal. My in-laws think IHOP is a classy place.

You know where I'm going with this. We all love Boma. The descriptions sound "worldly" but the food is fantastic. My son (who inherited both our pickiness) thought he would hate it. Now he wants to take his wife and two kids there. At the age of 19, having him saying "this is AWESOME!" was enough.

My opinions only.

 

[Amyg]

Boma is one of our favorites and will definitly be going there again during our Land/Sea next year! Most of the dishes sound very exotic but there are soooo many to choose from that I'm sure you'll be able to find a few that you'll like!

Never been to Jiko but hopefully will next year too!

 

[bradkay60]

If price is not an issue, then I would add that Jiko is going to be more of a quiet, upscale eating restaurant.
While Boma is more relaxed, busy.
Both restaurants offer interesting food choices. Kind of depends on what kind of experience your looking for. I happen to love buffets.
I think you'll enjoy either one.

 

[Nadine&Scott]

Boma is delicious and diverse. Even picky picky eaters should find something to their liking. Boma is very loud, but we love it. Jiko is superb in it's own right, but maybe more suited to adventurous eaters than picky ones.

Scott

 

[madalex]

Jiko is superb in it's own right, but maybe more suited to adventurous eaters than picky ones.

I always find it amusing that Jiko has this reputation for being for "adventurous" eaters. Whenever posters ask what to order there, the #1 recommendation is always the filet mignon with macaroni and cheese (and it is fabulous). What could be less adventurous than that? Yes, there are some other things on the menu which are somewhat exotic, but Jiko is just a great restaurant and I feel sorry for anyone who is such a picky eater that thay are afraid to try it.

 

[SarahKate]

Boma is wonderful! While everything on the buffet is DIFFERENT, there's nothing there that is just too, too weird. Pretty much everything I had was delicious. It's got to be about the best buffet at WDW!

I have never been to Jiko, so I can't compare the 2. I've heard so many consistently great things about BOTH places, that I don't think you can go wrong. I would prefer Boma I think, simply because of the wide variety.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Boma is great. Even though we can't pronounce half the things, we seem to like what they have to offer. There are usually a couple of chefs behind the food that will explain what is in each dish and help you to find something that you would like.

 

[MICKEEP]

I think you should try Boma first. This is one of our favorite restaurants in all of WDW. We try to go every trip.

 

[Disney Ron]

Personally, we did not care for Boma at all. We are not fussy eaters either.
Everyone says nice things about Jiko and the food porn pictures look good too. I say try , Jiko!

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[Northstar]

Both are good restaurants. I'd base your decision more on:

1. do you like buffets and eat enough to get your money's worth? (Boma)
2. do you prefer a quiet, fine-dining atmosphere with unhurried elegance? And do you feel it's worth paying extra $$$ for? (Jiko)
3. do you feel very disoriented by the unfamiliar-to-you food, and want guidance about what the food is and what to try? (Gotta say, Jiko. The wait staff and servers at Boma are too busy, 'cause it's a buffet, to give you much advice about the food. I've seen people confining their meal to the kid's table chicken strips and mac and cheese, because they're spooked by unfamiliar food, and that is just a shame). OR - are you the kind of diners who take a little of anything new at a buffet, just to try it without having to commit to a whole entree of it? (Boma)

And time your visit so you can spend some time viewing the animals on the savannahs...

 

[Harambe]

Tried Boma and didn't go for it. Tried it the following year, just in case the last meal was a fluke. Still didn't go for it. Not crazy about how the food is presented on the buffet. And the place was way too loud! The servers were awesome, tho. And the desserts and pressed pot of coffee were excellent.

Now, Jiko - one of our favorites. Gorgeous restaurant, wonderful atmosphere, food is wonderful! Sure, you can try some unusual things, but most of the meals aren't really that adventurous. And once I found out I can get the pressed pot of coffee at Jiko, we offically said good-bye to Boma!

 

[momandseandodisney]

Go to Boma, even if you don't like what's on your plate, put your plate aside and try something new. My 11 year old daughter and 14 year son love going to Boma, then you can go out and look at the animals.

I so agree, this is what we did it is worth it to try once, we are not going back thoguh, just because there is lots of other rest's to try

 

[mickaholic4077]

I love both places. If you want an intimate dining experience,go for Jiko. If you love ribs(Wed and Sat)go to Boma.

 

[shovan]

As everyone else has said it depends on what you're looking for. Jiko is definitely worth the money! Service there is excellent! And the food is wonderful!

If you are an annual passholder consider getting the DDE card. It will save you 20% off all food & alcohol at TS rest.! Great Deal!

 

[Monkey Vision]

We really enjoyed BOMA. No risk in trying something new at a buffet and the desert section was beautiful and tasty.

One thing - we went too late and it was dark out so we didn't get to enjoy the animals. Do Boma early.

 

[pilferk]

I love both places. It all depends on what you're in the mood for.

Jiko's is FINE DINING. It is, IMHO, the 2nd best meal on property (2nd only to Victoria and Alberts). Everything about the meal is amazing, and they have the most wonderful selection of South African wines. It IS relatively expensive, but worth every penny IMHO. If you're picky, you'll still be able to find stuff on the menu you'll enjoy (someone mentioned the filet on mac and cheese as one of the "safe" choices, for example).

Boma's is the best buffet I've ever eaten at...not just at WDW, but ANYWHERE. There is enough "traditional" stuff to satisfy the picky eaters and enough adventurous stuff for those that aren't. Everything, IMHO, is good: from the prime rib, to the "potatoes with affritude", to the wonderful mango vinagrette dressing, to the awesome soups (which change, frequently) to the crowd favorite zebra domes (dessert).....just talking about it is making me hungry.

You can't go wrong no matter which one you pick...it all depends on what you're looking for.

 

[shovan]

I forgot to mention that after dining at Jiko we took a walk around AK. It's very pretty at night. The evening we were there CM's had night vision glasses to look out on the Savannah. It was so cool, you could see the stripes on the Water Buffalo! The two young guys from Africa working there were, some of the nicest CM's we've met in WDW.