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Best African Food at Walt Disney World

Planning a Disney vacation in hopes of sampling some new cuisine? You are in luck! With so many different types of cuisine and the array of dishes available at Walt Disney World Parks, Resorts, and Disney Springs, you are sure to have the chance to get outside your dining comfort zone. We’ve been discussing some menu bests of different cuisine types (IrishLatinMexican) to taste at Disney World restaurants on your next Walt Disney World vacation. Today we are diving into the best African food at Disney World!

Pork Shank

Sanaa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Sanaa Pork Shank
Credit: Disney

If you are looking for a dining experience and not just a meal — we recommend a reservation at Sanaa. This East African-inspired restaurant serves African and Indian cuisine with an excellent view of the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna. That’s right, you can watch giraffes play and zebras graze while you enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If you’ve been reading about Disney dining for long, chances are you’ve heard Guests rave about Sanaa bread service. I can confirm you should not skip this shareable appetizer. It’s pricey at $21 but consists of naan, garlic naan, chutneys, hummus, jams, pickles dips, oils, and spreads that will melt in your mouth.

Indian-style Bread Service
Credit: Disney

For the main course, we recommend the pork shank. The braised pork is cooked to perfection and served with Chermoula-spiced black-eyed peas and a flavorful pickled mustard. This entrée is $28 and makes for a super filling choice. Alternate options on this menu are the Zanzibari Vegetable Curry with Shrimp (also $28) or the Potjie-inspired entrée that serves up your choice of meat with a grain side of your choice for $30.

Related: Best Italian Food at Disney World

Grilled Chicken Bowl

Harambe Market, Africa in Animal Kingdom

Grilled-Chicken-Bowl
Credit: Disney

Harambe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a must-visit to ride Kilimanjaro Safari and for animal sightings on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. However, there is some not to be missed African cuisine to sample in Harambe too! Harambe Market is a quick-service eatery specializing in simple and savory meals built around succulent grilled meat.

The food is delicious, but also makes my highlight list for being a healthier Park dining option and great portion size and value. The grilled chicken bowl is only $12.99 and consists of juicy grilled chicken served over fluffy cilantro rice and greens. The entrée is drizzled with a chunky salsa to make this a perfectly balanced meal that is filling and delicious.

If a two-meat option sounds better to you, we have just the dish! Try the ribs and chicken bowl for $14.99. This entrée is basically the chicken bowl but with an added meat — finger-licking ribs! Now, I know the adorable Simba cupcake on this menu is not African cuisine. It’s just a classic vanilla cupcake that is decorated adorably with The Lion King theming. This fact will not stop me from listing it here, or snagging one the next time I’m visiting Animal Kingdom. It is just too cute and rings in at only $5.99. You cannot beat the basics, and that is exactly what Harambe Market does well.

Simba Cupcake
Credit: Disney

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Harambe Fruit Market, Africa in Animal Kingdom

Roasted-Corn-Harambe
Credit: Disney

Did you know roasted corn drizzled with lime juice, salt or chili powder is a popular street food in East Africa? You didn’t think I was going to talk Walt Disney World African cuisine and skip my favorite, did you? Not a chance that I’ll pass up an opportunity to sing the praises of my favorite Animal Kingdom snack — grilled corn on the cob!

Purchase this juicy grilled corn on the cob plain or with African spices rubbed on the golden kernels. Better yet, this snack is only $5.29! There are other bites to enjoy on the Harambe Fruit Market menu like whole fruit, muffins, and chips, but grilled corn on the cob is the star of this stand.

Baa Baa Lamb Chops

Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, Adventureland in Magic Kingdom

Credit: Disney Dining

There is African cuisine outside EPCOT World Showcase and Animal Kingdom. Yep, you can even find some yummy African-inspired dishes in the Magic Kingdom! If you are a fan of lamb chops or are looking to try them for the first time, consider ordering the Baa Baa Lamb Chops at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. Lamb chops are a North African cuisine staple, so why not taste them on vacation? This $38 entrée consists of savory spice-rubbed lamb chops served with chermoula, cauliflower, potatoes, and cipollini onions. The dish is served with harissa sauce and garnished with preserved lemons and flavorful herbs.

This fun table service restaurant is located in Adventureland near Aloha Isle and the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. This Jungle Cruise-inspired dining opportunity serves up African, Asian and Latin cuisine that Guests love. The menu is full of yummy options like Dan Dan noodles, fish, fried chicken, curry, and steak, so you can’t go wrong.

Related: The Best Mediterranean Food at Disney World

Literally Everything

Boma, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Carving Station
Credit: Disney

Boma ranks on my list of favorite Disney buffets. I love making an evening of shopping at Animal Kingdom Lodge, relaxing fireside outside the restaurant, and of course admiring the animals on the savanna. Couple these activities with a delicious buffet, and I am SOLD.

Boma is reminiscent of an African Marketplace with a bustling design, colorful food laid out on the buffet, and tapestries hanging from the ceiling. The buffet is stocked with fresh fruit and veggies, a station with fresh bread and naan, hummus, butter, jam, lentils, beans, and other dipping options. The Boma flavors are truly some of the best, and this Disney World restaurant is a cut above other buffets at Walt Disney World Resort. I love the fresh blood orange, papaya, and avocado salad. Talk about fresh and flavorful. Gosh, this dish hits the spot!

Elephant
Credit: dadsguidetowdw.com

We cannot forget about the awesome carving station serving up oak roast pork ribs, roast beef, and lamb. African dishes like sweet corn pudding, lamb bobotie, Senagalase yassa-style salmon, and tabbouleh fill this menu. The Spiced Green Beans with Golden Raisins, peanut rice, and those light and delicious zebra domes are my favorites from this menu.

Credit: Disney Dining

Boma is comparable with other Disney buffet prices, coming in around $50 per adult (it can be a bit higher during peak season) but it is an excellent choice because a buffet allows you to taste lots of dishes you ordinarily might not risk ordering off a menu.

These are just a few of the awesome African dishes I love at Walt Disney World. Stay tuned for part 2 of this article. There are just too many yummy options (Tusker House, Nomad Lounge, or Tiffins anyone?) to stop here.

Happy dining friends!

Katie Chapman

Hey There! I am a Georgia native with a passion for writing, traveling, cooking, decorating, pugs and of course all things Disney. Growing up in South Georgia just a few hours from Walt Disney World made for a magical childhood. Some of my best memories were made on Main Street U.S.A. with my sister watching SpectroMagic nighttime parade or beside my grandparents, parents and extended family at Chef Mickey’s celebrating on a family vacation. Epcot was my favorite park from a young age and I credit it with my interest in and love for international travel. As a kid I… More »

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