Are you ready to dine inside one of the best restaurants in Animal Kingdom?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is known for its incredible theming, awesome attractions, and of course its stellar food.
When it comes to dining at the park, there are plenty of table service, quick service, and lounge options to choose from.
While I usually enjoy eating meals with family and friends at the Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is one place where I can go as a solo traveler and enjoy a meal.
It allows me to be completely entertained by the beauty of the park and the animals that call it home.
So, let’s go through the five best restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park that I recommend just for you.
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1. Nomad Lounge (Great Drinks)
One of my absolute favorite spots to wine and dine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is Nomad Lounge, which is the bar and lounge attached to the table service restaurant, Tiffins.
The lounge has indoor and outdoor seating, the latter being the better option, and serves a wide variety of small plates and specialty cocktails.
Making it one of the best restaurants in Animal Kingdom.
What meals are served at Nomad Lounge?
Lunch and dinner are both served at Nomad Lounge but don’t expect to get huge entrees.
The better option here is to order a few of the bar appetizers and a drink and make it a light lunch before going to another restaurant for a more filling dinner.
Are discounts offered?
Discounts are not currently available at Nomad Lounge, but it’s always wise to check with your server to be sure since participating restaurants always change.
Are reservations needed for Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom?
Yes, and no. You cannot make reservations specifically for Nomad Lounge, but you can join the walk-up waitlist in the My Disney Experience app.
When your table is ready you will get a push notification letting you know to return to the restaurant.
My top foodie recommendations:
One of my favorites from the Nomad Lounge menu include the Tiffins bread service.
This comes with a variety of bread and dips, along with the Bangkok Chicken Wings, which has Crispy Chicken Wings, Fish Sauce Caramel, Peanuts, Cilantro.
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2. Satu’li Canteen (Space Creations)
If I’m looking for a quick, but filling meal at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park I always go to Satu’li Canteen in the Pandora section of the park.
The quick-service restaurant is usually very busy outside, but once you’re inside there are typically plenty of seats.
What meals are served at Satu’li Canteen?
Lunch and dinner are both served here, and the menu is the same for both so there’s no need to worry about missing out on a dish you might enjoy.
Are discounts offered?
No, discounts are not offered at Satu’li Canteen; however, you can use your Disney Dining Plan here.
Are reservations needed for Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom?
No, reservations are not needed, but you will need to mobile order your food here through the My Disney Experience app.
Because the restaurant can get very busy it’s best to order about 45 minutes to an hour before you actually want to eat.
My top foodie recommendations:
One of my favorite part about Satu’li Canteen is that everything is completely customizable because you’re building your own bowl.
My favorite bowl starts with the noodles, topped with sliced grilled beef, and the creamy herb sauce.
3. Harambe Market (Exotic Flavors)
The Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is always buzzing with excitement, which makes it hard to leave and go to another area of the park.
When I want to spend a little more time in this part of the park, but I’m also hungry I make sure to eat at Harambe Market.
The outdoor quick service restaurant has great views of the Rafiki’s Planet Watch train going by, as well as plenty of tables to relax at for a while.
What meals are served at the Harambe Market?
You can enjoy both lunch and dinner here at Harambe Market.
Are discounts offered?
Unfortunately, there are not any discounts currently available at Harambe Market.
Are reservations needed for the Harambe Market in Animal Kingdom?
No, reservations are not needed for any quick-service location at Walt Disney World.
To get your food the fastest though you will want to mobile order through the My Disney Experience app.
My top foodie recommendations:
The menu here is quite small, but what it lacks in diversity it makes up for in flavor.
I love coming here when I bring friends or family with me to the park so we can split the Ribs and Chicken Bowl, which comes with fragrant cilantro rice and a mixed green salad.
The ribs and chicken are perfectly cooked with plenty of African-inspired spices which makes for a unique flavor you can’t get anywhere else.
4. Yak and Yeti Restaurant (Adventurous Dining)
In the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll find Yak and Yeti Restaurant on the same path that leads to Expedition Everest.
The restaurant is known for its Asian-inspired cuisine and lovely second floor where guests can peer out and see almost all of the theme park.
I like to go here when it’s a rainy day at the park, or when I’m extra hungry because I skipped a meal knowing that the portions are large. This makes Yak & Yeti one of the best restaurants in Animal Kingdom.
What meals are served at Yak & Yeti?
You’ll be happy to know that both lunch and dinner are served here.
Are discounts offered?
Yes, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders get a discount here.
Are reservations needed for Yak & Yeti at Animal Kingdom?
Yes, reservations are highly suggested and can be made through the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app.
My top foodie recommendations:
My favorite thing to get on the menu is actually from the “sharables” area and it’s the Ahi Tuna Nachos. Basically ANYTHING from this menu is excellent!
These nachos start off with a big pile of crispy fried wontons that are topped with sushi-grade ahi tuna, Asian slaw, wasabi aioli, and a sweet soy glaze.
They are perfectly sharable, but I’d rather keep most of these for myself.
5. Flame Tree Barbecue (Comfort Food)
When I want a filling lunch or dinner and nothing else really sounds great I know I can rely on Flame Tree Barbecue to always hit the spot.
On really good days when the lines here are long you can smell the bbq being cooked all the way over in front of the Tree of Life beckoning you over to order something.
What meals are served at Flame Tree BBQ?
Both lunch and dinner are served here.
Are discounts offered?
Unfortunately, there are not any discounts offered at Flame Tree Barbecue.
Are reservations needed for Flame Tree BBQ?
No, since this is a quick-service restaurant there are no reservations needed.
My top foodie recommendations:
While everything on the menu is absolutely delicious, the best thing is the baked macaroni and cheese with pulled pork.
The dish is also topped with creamy coleslaw and crispy fried onion rings to really take it over the top.
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My Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants
These restaurants in Animal Kingdom are worth fighting for a reservation. Many of the Disney Dining spots on this list have some of the views in Animal Kingdom and the food is fantastic!
- Be sure you know what restaurants accept reservations, mobile orders, or a walk-up waitlist before you get to the theme park. This will save you a lot of time walking around the park looking for something to eat.
- Try to make a plan before you get hungry. If you know you want to eat around 1:00 p.m. for lunch, make your mobile order pick-up time or reservation time for around that time. No one wants to be hangry at Walt Disney World.
Did I leave out your favorite Animal Kingdom restaurant on this list? Leave your top pick below in the comments section.
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Until next, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.
She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.
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(Original Article Date: March 7, 2022/Updated by Editor on July 6, 2024)