If you are ready to take a walk on the wild side, this Disney dining article is for you. The Rainforest Café slogan is known as a “wild place to shop and eat” and it could not be truer. Dining at Rainforest Café is such a fun dining experience. Lucky for Disney World Guests, Rainforest Café is actually located in two Walt Disney World locations — one at Animal Kingdom and one at Disney Springs.
Whether you are snagging lunch during a day in the theme park or dinner after a day of shopping at Disney Springs Marketplace, this fun eatery is the place to be. Let’s take a walk on the wild side at Rainforest Café!
When you arrive at this Rainforest Café at Walt Disney World Resort, take some time to browse the shop filled with branded merchandise and tropical-themed plush, clothing home decor, and more. Shop while you wait for your table, or browse the expansive menu while you wait.
Speaking of the menu — let’s jump in!
First things first — expect your meal at this restaurant to be a real experience. After all, the restaurant is filled with animatronic animals like elephants, chest-pounding gorillas, monkeys, and giraffes to name just a few. That’s saying nothing of the larger-than-life tropical vegetation, jungle foliage, butterflies, and flowers you’ll see trailing the walls and ceiling of this restaurant.
The only real wildlife in this restaurant is the fish. You’ll walk to your table under and past large saltwater fish tanks filled with beautiful, brightly colored fish. This immersive dining experience transports Guests into the rainforest, even darkening the lights and illuminating the sky with crashes of lighting and thunderclaps every half hour. After all, a rainforest is going to have rain.
Did you know you can have breakfast at this fun restaurant? If you are dining at the Animal Kingdom location, you can snag a dining reservation for breakfast. With menu options like Ozzie’s Omelette, Breakfast Sliders, and Wild Waffles, you can enjoy any of your breakfast favorites with a jungle twist. Believe it or not, you can even enjoy Tonga Toast at Rainforest Café.
You may know this famous breakfast food from its home at Polynesian Village Resort. Tonga Toast is $14.99 and is a Cinnamon French Toast with maple syrup, strawberries, and bananas. Served with a choice of bacon or sausage, this menu item, is one of my favorites. Breakfast is served 8:30-10:25 AM each morning. Starting your day with a fun table service dining experience at Rainforest Café in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme Park is a great idea.
If you are ready for lunch, you can enjoy the same menu items at the Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs locations. You can start off with a Jungle Safari Soup or a Chicken or Shrimp Caesar Salad, then move on to appetizers. The appetizer menu has staples like the Mozzarella Flatbread with Arugula ($15.99), Spinach & Artichoke Dip ($13.49), and Chicken Quesadillas ($15.99). The Beef Lava Nachos for Two is a yummy shareable eat that comes in at $20.99. A nacho tower is topped with peppers, onions, black beans, melty Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, crunchy green onions, silky sour cream, pico de Gallo, and salsa is hard to beat.
If you are traveling with several buddies that want to split an appetizer, you are in for a treat if you order the Awesome Appetizer Adventure. This appetizer sampler comes in at $23.99 and has menu highlights like Chimi-Cha-Chas, Spinach & Artichoke sip, Cheese Sticks, and Chicken Strips. If you want to amp up this item even more, you can add a side of St. Louis-style Pork Spareribs for $10.99.
When it comes to narrowing down the main course, I recommend you consider an option on the Seafood Menu — the Taste of the Islands for $32.99. This sampler includes items like their famous Caribbean Coconut Shrimp, dynamite scallops and shrimp, and blackened tilapia topped with pineapple salsa and served with seasonal vegetables.
Craving a juicy burger? We got you. Try the Beastly Burger piled with two burger patties, American Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle on the side. Served with a side of Safari fries, this massive burger is sure to hit the spot. You can even add on extra toppings like bacon, sautéed Mushrooms, or guacamole for a $3 upcharge.
When it comes to pasta, I’m partial to the Creole Mac & Cheese and Rasta Pasta. If you are looking for a meaty main course, you should try the Ribs, Steak & Shrimp Trio for $38.99. This really is a lot of food with a portion piled high with Mojo Bone Ribs, sirloin steak, Caribbean Coconut Shrimp, coleslaw, and a side of Safari fries. Other main course honorable mentions are the Jungle Steak and Shrimp ($36.99) and the Korean Spicy Stir-Fry Chicken ($25.99).
If you’ve saved room for dessert, you will not be sorry! The tribal cheesecake and key lime pie are delicious, but the 4-person dessert Sparkling Volcano is the best-known dessert at Rainforest Café. This shareable dessert is $20.99 and consists of a rich chocolate brownie caked stacked up high, served warm with decadent vanilla ice cream, creamy whipped topping, melty caramel, and silky chocolate sauces.
If you want a libation from the Lava Lounge Bar that adjoins this restaurant, you have plenty to choose from. You can absolutely snag a drink here while you wait for your seating time at Rainforest Café, or you can order from the bar after you are seated. Popular drinks are the Mongoose Mai Tai, Cheetah Rita, and the Panama Punch. There are plenty of cocktails to choose from along with an expansive menu of beer, wine, and alcohol-free drinks.
If you are vacationing with a wild bunch that is always ready for a new adventure — you should check out Rainforest Café for a meal on your trip. Your adventure is about to begin!