best animal kingdom restaurants

Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants for First Time Disney World Visitors

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If you are planning a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, figuring out where to eat must be on your list. There are so many wonderful Animal kingdom restaurant options, both quick-serve and table-service, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. No matter what you’re craving; chances are you’ll find it. I did a lot of research on the best Animal Kingdom restaurants for first time Disney World visitors, and here are my suggestions below. Get your appetite ready!

best animal kingdom restaurants

Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants For First Time Disney Visitors

After my research on the best Animal Kingdom restaurants, truthfully, I wanted to eat at each one of them. I had a tough time picking just one, especially as we were there only for a day. The menu’s looked enticing and each one offered a different eating experience. If you plan to stay in Disney World longer, I highly suggest that you at least try each of these restaurants below.

Tusker House Restaurant (Located in Africa)

Tusker House Restaurant is honestly a park favorite. This marketplace eatery serves both American and African cuisine. According to the reviews, you don’t want to miss the split-roasted meats. It’s also well known for its Donald’s Safari Character Breakfast. (Other characters also hang out there throughout the day, including Safari Mickey.)

If you’re looking for a fun, family-style dinner buffet, this is the place to be. One cool thing about it is that the menu changes each day. American entrées typically include pork loin and chicken. African dishes are many, each made with a variety of traditional African spices. Of course, there’s a full breakfast and lunch menu to choose from as well.

This restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan. One hundred eighty-day advance reservations are recommended.

[ Related: How To Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom In One Day ]

Sanaa (Located at Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village)

Sanaa is definitely the best Animal Kingdom restaurant to visit when you’re searching for a family friendly feast featuring African and Indian cuisine. Advanced reservations are recommended, which can be made up to 180 days in advance.

The atmosphere is reminiscent of a traditional East African spice market. The menu features dishes to include Indian bread (serve with nine different dipping and spreading options), spicy Durban shrimp, several sampler platters and American fare like pizza and burgers. The nonalcoholic smoothies are also very popular. If you’ve never tried pomegranate lemonade, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Our meal at Sanaa started off with the bread service. Honestly one of the yummiest things I have ever had. So many dipping sauces to choose from. I knew right away that the food was going to be GOOD! I ordered the shrimp and my husband ordered the beef. I enjoyed a Mojito, because you know being at Disney World with 4 kids, I totally needed and deserved it, haha. The kids had the pizza, and burger from the kids menu. Their order also came with desert which they loved. They each had a plate with paint, and everything on there was edible. So after painting all over the plate, and their desert, they were able to eat it too.

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Flame Tree BBQ (Located in Discovery Island)

This counter-service Animal Kingdom restaurant gets tons of fantastic reviews! Seemingly, the only downfall is that there’s no indoor seating available. Visit the Flame Tree for delicious barbecue and panoramic views of the park, you won’t soon forget.

The not-to-miss entrée on the menu is the St. Louis ribs. This menu, by the way, was recently updated to offer even more yumminess. Back to the ribs, the affordably-priced full slab comes with baked beans, coleslaw and jalapeno cornbread.

Other popular menu items include pulled pork, chicken, a sampler plate, a smoked turkey breast sandwich, onion rings and watermelon salad.

[ Related: Fun Things To Do And See in Orlando With Kids ]

Yak and Yeti Restaurant (Located in Asia)

When you’re in the mood for Asian cuisine, head towards the Yak and Yeti Animal Kingdom Restaurant. You won’t regret it! Roasted duckling with wasabi orange glaze, tempura-battered shrimp with chili plum sauce and (of course) pot and stickers are three fan favorites.

This table service-restaurant is probably one of the most unique eateries and all of Disney World. Take the extra time to check out the beautiful artifacts and décor.

The menu is a fusion of Japanese, Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisine. If you’re traveling with little ones, be sure to check out the kid’s menu. Yak and Yeti is on the Disney Dining Plan. best animal kingdom restaurantsHopefully, you’ll try at least one restaurant on this list. But, don’t limit yourself to only those you’ve read about here. Take the initiative to do a bit of your own research. The only I wish we had was more time to try plenty of other restaurants. I didn’t expect much from the food at Disney, but I was truly impressed and plan to try out another restaurant on this list the next time we visit. There are so many other options that your family will love. A wide variety of deliciousness awaits your family.

Choose any from this list of best Animal Kingdom restaurants and enjoy food with your family. Hopefully, you’ll try at least one restaurant on this list. But, don’t limit yourself to only those you’ve read about here. Take the initiative to do a bit of your own research. The only I wish we had was more time to try plenty of other restaurants. I didn’t expect much from the food at Disney, but I was truly impressed and plan to try out another restaurant on this list the next time we visit. There are so many other options that your family will love. A wide variety of deliciousness awaits your family.


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1 thought on “Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants for First Time Disney World Visitors”

  1. African BOHEME

    This food looks so good I totally didn’t expect this of Disney! You just put them on my radar, as I lead with my belly, thanks!

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