Animal Kingdom has some really exotic and flavorful options that are unlike anything else you’ll find in the other parks. Their quick service and kiosk food is pretty amazing, so you may find you don’t even need the sit down experiences, but these are the ones we recommend.
Tiffins
Price: $$$
Location: Next to Expedition Everest
Need reservations: Yes
Why we love it:
- unique and higher-end plates
- delicious and adventurous
- African/Asian/South American fusion
This is a 2016 table-service addition to Animal Kingdom, and it’s considered signature dining (read: more expensive). It was mind-blowing when it first opened, but more recent reviews say the service has declined, so your mileage may vary.
Yak & Yeti
Price: $$$
Location:
Need reservations: Yes, absolutely
Why we love it:
- delicious Asian dishes
- beautiful but relaxing atmosphere, themed after a small village restaurant
- vegetarian, vegan and healthy options
Note: Don’t get confused – there’s a sit-down version of this restaurant, which is different than the Cafe version focusing on quick-service.
Animal Kingdom Restaurant Honorable Mentions
These are also great experiences, but they may not fit into your vision of what you want. However, I’m adding them b/c they are crowd pleasers, and if the cons aren’t cons to you, definitely give them a shot!
Nomad Lounge
While not actually a restaurant, this is such a lovely place to stop, located right by Tiffins. This gorgeous bar and its decor features things that inspired the Imagineers and animal handlers that created Animal Kingdom. I love the personal touch this provides, and the vibe that it gives the lounge on the whole.
The lounge has both indoor and outdoor seating, with an airy, earthy, laid back feel. It features some small bites such as wings and ribs, with an extensive drink list of delicious and unique cocktails.
Tusker House
This one is a toss-up, because it has characters that come to your table, and it’s rather pricey for a buffet.
However, it has really original cuisine that you’ll probably never have anywhere else. We really enjoy the breakfast here, but it’s the most popular meal, so take that into consideration, too. It’ll be loud and pretty crowded, so you may want to skip it if those things bother you.