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Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to some of the most incredible experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort, with Guests being able to enjoy everything from an African safari to soaring over the beauty of Pandora on the back of a banshee. In addition to the impressive attractions and experiences, there are also plenty of great dining options to choose from that serve up cuisine and flavors from around the world.
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Tiffins Restaurant on Discovery Island is a very popular table service restaurant that is open daily for lunch and dinner and invites Guests to dine on a sampling of bold flavors from around the world. When designing the restaurant for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Imagineers looked to the spirit of adventure, travel, and discovery, and the beauty and diversity of different regions from the world are celebrated in the décor. The inspiration began with the name itself as “Tiffins” are tiered containers that hold lunches packed by working men in India.
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When Guests first enter Tiffins Restaurant, they are greeted by a large check-in desk situated in front of a beautifully carved wooden map of the continents of Earth. Upon closer inspection, different species of animals are carved into the various continents, and a nearby welcome statement shares that the restaurant is a “gallery of art based on travel and adventure” and that it ties into the theming of Disney’s Animal Kingdom as a whole.
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The interior of Tiffins Restaurant features three different rooms, each of which celebrates a different region of the world. Africa, Asia, and the animals of the world are celebrated throughout each room at Tiffins Restaurant with rich Earth tone colors, dark wooden accents, intricate artwork and décor, and brightly colored accents can be found all around. One of the most memorable interior details of Tiffins Restaurant is the brightly lit animal shapes that appear almost like lanterns as they travel across one wall in front of brightly colored panels and nature scenes.
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Once seated, Guests can turn their attention towards the wonderful menu at Tiffins, which features an array of options for adventurous and picky eaters. The menu begins with a large selection of beverages from around the world including loose-leaf tea, coffee, non-alcoholic juices and fountain beverages, wines, beers, and hot coffee cocktails. There are also plenty of unique specialty cocktails that Guests can choose from with exotic names like the Tempting Tigress, Snow Leopard Salvation, Hightower Rocks, Annapurna Zing, and Lamu Libation.
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Each meal can begin with an appetizer, and there are plenty of indulgent options to choose from including Honey-chili Glazed Pork Belly, Sweet Corn Soup, and the Tiffins Signature Bread Service. This popular appetizer serves up warm and fresh bread with red pepper hummus, spicy coriander yogurt, and ginger-pear chutney, allowing Guests to sample a variety of different flavors. Also popular is the Spiced Chickpea Falafel which is topped with mint-pistachio pest, cumin-scented garlic raita, and pickled vegetables.
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Some other appetizer options at Tiffins Restaurant include the Fattoush Salad featuring lettuce topped with pita crisps, feta, sumac, tomato, cucumber, radish, Kalamata olives, and a lemon vinaigrette, Taco with pant-based tinga, avocado, cheese, and corn tortilla, and the delicious Charred Octopus served with grilled corn salsa, tequila, mole negro, pickles, and cilantro. Guests who can’t decide on just one choice can also order the Duo of Appetizers which features both the Charred Octopus and the Spiced Chickpea Salad.
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Moving on to entrées, Tiffins Restaurant truly features an option for every Guest, beginning with fresh seafood options with bold flavors. The Shrimp and Grits is a comforting classic that is taken to a new flavor profile with creamy grits topped with Applewood-smoked bacon, heirloom tomatoes, smoked pepper jam, and fresh, perfectly cooked shrimp. More adventurous seafood lovers can enjoy the Whole-fried Sustainable Fish which features an impressive presentation served with fermented black bean sauce, Thai green papaya slaw, and peanuts.
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The Surf and Turf option at Tiffins Restaurant is definitely the most indulgent of the entrée choices and pairs South African braai spiced beef with seared scallops, potato pavé, grilled vegetables, dhania butter, and cola demi-glaze for an international take on a classic combo. Meat lovers can also try the Tamarind-braised Short Rib which is accompanied by a parsnip-potato puree, cauliflower, and cipollini onion Medjool date vinaigrette and includes the option to upgrade to grilled beef tenderloin for an additional fee.
A popular option on the lunch and dinner menu at Tiffins Restaurant is the Butter Chicken which is served with a chickpea-rice croquette, English peas, cauliflower, and pickled onion. Guests can also enjoy for a limited time the 50th Celebration Braai-spiced Veal with mushroom ragout, truffle polenta, seasonal vegetables, black garlic purée, and veal demi-glace. Guests who are looking for a plant-based option can order the North African-spiced Tofu which is marinated in chermoula and paired with seasonal vegetables, wilted kale, and tomato chutney.
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Each entrée item at Tiffins Restaurant is absolutely delicious, but there are also two enhancement options that Guests can opt to add to their order to truly make each meal decadent. The Gobi Manchurian features crispy-fried cauliflower topped with Manchurian sauce and green onions and the Lobster Macaroni & Cheese combines cheddar, sherry, orecchiette pasta, and indulgent lumps of lobster for the perfect enhancement.
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It might seem impossible to save room for dessert after enjoying appetizers, entrées, and enhancements at Tiffins Restaurant, but the three options available are all so delicious they can’t be missed! The 50th Celebration Chocolate Gâteaux combines almond praline, white chocolate cremeux, ganache, and chocolate-Amarula sauce for the most gorgeous and delicious dessert plate. Also available are The Lion King with caramel mouse, chocolate brownie, and strawberry-mango sauce as well as the plant-based Passion Fruit Tapioca Crème featuring chocolate crumble, citrus fruits, and coconut crème.
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Tiffins Restaurant is the perfect combination of international flavors and cuisine that Guests can enjoy in a setting that celebrates the spirit of adventure, travel, and natural beauty. It is a must-do lunch or dinner in Disney’s Animal Kingdom as Guests are sure to love every bite they take inside the stunning restaurant, and Guests who do visit are sure to find themselves returning time and time again to try something new!
