Animal Kingdom

Table Service Dining at Animal Kingdom Park

best disney dining at disney's animal kingdom

Best of the Best. Yak and Yeti is owned by Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., the same folks who brought you The Rainforest Cafe. It is not operated by the Walt Disney Company and they don't accept the Tables in Wonderland discount. They do accept the Disney Dining Plan however. The beautiful design of Yak and Yeti reflects authentic Himalayan culture and the evolution of small houses and buildings stitched together over time to form one large restaurant. Fare is simple, very much like the Asian cuisine you're used to at home, only here it costs more. Tuskar House Restaurant is an African buffet, and it is a less-expensive alternative to Boma and Jiko over at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Tusker House is a Disney Character Breakfast location in the morning, but transforms to a regular buffet for lunch and dinner.

What the experts say. Disney's Animal Kingdom Park offers limited dining opportunities. The counter service restaurants work better than sit-down meals. The park usually closes at dinner time so look to make a reservation for breakfast or lunch. Consider visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, just a short bus ride away. There, you'll find excellent, although pricey, table service restaurants with an African flair. This also gives you an excuse to explore this beautiful hotel.

Avoid the Rainforest Cafe - it's among the lowest performers in all of Walt Disney World. We get more complaints on Rainforest's deafening atmosphere and poor food quality than any other restaurant in Walt Disney World. 

Quick Service Dining at Animal Kingdom Park

From a park that offers very few selections in counter service dining comes one of the best anywhere on Disney World property. Flame Tree Barbeque is surprisingly good, even for a theme park, and it's often uncrowded. Yak and Yeti offers a take out stand next to the actual restaurant with some quiet seating in the rear. Pizzafari is acceptable if the kids won't eat anything else, but it won't be nearly as good as the stuff you get back home.

Animal Kingdom Dining Index
DDP = Disney Dining Plan Participant | B D L = Serves Breakfast, Lunch, and/or Dinner

Flame Tree Barbecue | Quick Service | DDP | L D
Unexpected for theme park food, but the bbq is slow-cooked and smoked to perfection. Offers outdoor seating overlooking Discovery River. One of Animal Kingdom’s best. Sorry vegetarians, this one is not for you.

Pizzafari | Quick Service | DDP | L D
Exactly the kind of pizza you’d expect to get at a theme park. It’s probably best to try something else.

Rainforest Cafe | Table Service | DDP | L D
It’s not owned by Disney and not held to the high standards most people have come to expect. Rainforest Cafe has consistently scored the lowest of any Disney World restaurant in our surveys.

Restaurantosaurus | Quick Service | DDP | L D
Not a bad choice for burgers, hot dogs and salads. Plenty of gags throughout the restaurant making it fun to walk around and explore. Don’t forget about the massive fixin’s bar!

Tusker House Restaurant | Table Service Buffet | DDP | B L D
One of the best buffets on property! Popular so be sure to make reservations. Dine with the characters for breakfast. African inspired buffet for lunch and dinner but there’s plenty of kid-friendly items too.

Yak and Yeti Quick Service | Quick Service | DDP | L D
One of the better options for quick service dining at Animal Kingdom. Try the honey chicken or sweet and sour chicken! Vegetarians will find it acceptable too. Outdoor seating only in a tranquil setting, except when it gets crowded.

Yak and Yeti Restaurant | Table Service | DDP | L D
Not owned by Disney but it’s held to the same high standards. The eclectic decor inside makes it a must-see. Request to sit upstairs with a view of the park. Food is typical Asian cuisine, similar to what you’d get back home.

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