If you are looking for a quick bite or a full signature dining experience, there are so many options for you to enjoy on your Disney vacation. Walt Disney World does dining, big time. So big, that I could not narrow down the best Disney World African cuisine offerings into just one dining article. So, we are back with more of the best African Food at Disney World.
Roasted Squash Bisque
Jiko– The Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge
My dining hot take is that Animal Kingdom Lodge has some of the best Resort dining at Walt Disney World. Between delicious South African wine options at Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar, yummy quick service takeaways at The Mara, buffet perfection at Boma – Flavors of Africa, and upscale signature dining at Sanaa and Jiko – The Cooking Place, it’s difficult to choose what to eat first at this deluxe Resort.
In the first article we discussed Boma and Sanaa, so today we are jumping into even more of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge dining options. Jiko -The Cooking Place is located in Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge. A menu, centered around vibrant spices and wood-fired meat, specializes in Indian, Mediterranean, and African cuisine. The seasonal menu at Jiko means that you can try new menu items on each visit and that dishes are served up at the peak of freshness.
There are so many wonderful menu items at Jiko starting with the creamy roasted squash bisque. This cool creamy soup is served with a flavorful Parmesan crisp, a slow-poached egg, and preserved pumpkin. This soup is only $14 and makes a perfect and delicious but unique start to your meal.
Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin
Jiko – The Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge
Another Jiko hit that Disney foodies have raved about on Instagram and TikTok is the Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin. As a meat lover, this appetizer is first on my to-order list the next time I visit Jiko. This dish consists of a perfectly cooked (rare) slice of boar meat arranged on a bed of pap (a type of porridge) with juicy chakalaka tomatoes, all drizzled with herb-smoked oil.
This appetizer rings in at $19 and would be the perfect hearty shareable appetizer for the table if your group is looking to taste something new on vacation. If you are looking for a hearty meaty entrée, order the Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib. It is a more expensive entrée at $50, but is well worth the price. This dish consists of melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked beef short rib served with flavorful hominy, yummy sea peas, mushrooms, and carrots. These are some of the best beef short ribs at Walt Disney World, so do not miss an opportunity to try this dish!
Whole-fried Sustainable Fish
Tiffins, Discovery Island, Animal Kingdom
If you are looking for fresh and delicious fish, look no further than Tiffins on Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tiffins is a delicious table service restaurant specializing in African, Latin, and Asian food. You can visit this restaurant for lunch or dinner to enjoy unique eats and delicious libations. I suggest you begin your meal with Tiffins Signature Bread Service. This appetizer is a hit for me because it’s a great value, coming in at only $12. This appetizer consists of three different types of bread, served in adorable metal Tiffins. Dipping sauces for this carb-lovers appetizer are red pepper hummus, spicy coriander yogurt, and a flavorful ginger-pear chutney.
For the main course, you will want to check out the Whole-fried Sustainable Fish for $42. This crispy battered whole fish is fried to perfection and is oh-so-flavorful! This entrée is served with coconut fried rice, green and red curry, Thai green papaya slaw, and crunchy peanuts. I don’t know what sounds better, the yummy fish or the coconut fried rice. Tiffins menu is full of delicious options, but this entrée is one of my favorites.
Fun fact: Tiffins is the name for a light lunch meal for working men in India.
Roasted Half-Chicken
The Mara, Animal Kingdom Lodge
There is nothing like being able to taste unique cuisine without the need to purchase a Park ticket or secure an advanced dining reservation. The Mara, a quick-service dining option at Animal Kingdom Lodge, is a great choice for those looking to enjoy a meal with African theming without advance planning.
A great value for the money and a delicious entrée option at The Mara is the Roasted Half-Chicken. Believe it or not, this entrée is only $14.49. That’s right, a half chicken and sides for less than $15. Who says Disney doesn’t have dining options for a good value? Speaking of sides, this juicy roasted chicken is served with herb-crushed potatoes and sweet corn succotash. Other yummy options on this menu include the Tamarind Barbecue Pork Sandwich for $10.99 and the Marrakesh Falafel Platter for $11.99. Don’t forget dessert, you can actually purchase the Boma-famous Zebra Domes at The Mara!
Bottomless Dinner
Tusker House, Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom restaurants really deliver, in fact, they rank high on my list of Disney Park food. We love a bottomless meal option on a Disney vacation. After all, the miles of walking around Disney Parks really make me hungry! Our next recommendation is a bottomless lunch or dinner at Tusker House . Located in the Africa section of the Park, not far from Harambe Market and Festival of the Lion King, you’ll find a delicious table service restaurant that serves up African cuisine with some of your favorite Disney friends.
That’s right, this is a character dining experience that allows you to meet Donald Duck and his pals. Lunch or dinner at Tusker House rings in at $55 per person and includes starters like a fresh African salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing and a bread lineup served with dips, hummus, chutneys, and other options.
The entrée line amazes with dishes like spit-roasted herb chicken, berbere-marinated pork, cape malay green curry shrimp, and Moroccan-spiced beef. These dishes are perfectly paired with fluffy roasted potatoes, jasmine rice, Green Beans with Carrots and Corn, and mac and cheese. A plant-based side option, the Impossible™ Durban Curry, is available upon request.
Finish this wild meal off with an assortment of animal-inspired desserts or a fluffy chocolate mousse. This bottomless dining option pairs well with a blood orange margarita that comes in at $15.
If you are searching for other cuisine specialties at Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to check out other cuisine food guides. From Mediterranean and Irish to Mexican and Moroccan, there are so many incredible dishes and restaurants to choose from at Disney World.