When planning a day at Animal Kingdom, you might be wondering where you can sit down and enjoy a break for lunch or dinner. Animal Kingdom can get particularly hot during the summer months, so you’ll want to make sure you plan to take a good break in the middle of the day to refuel before heading out to enjoy everything the park has to offer again. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite Animal Kingdom restaurants, both for quick service and table service dining in the park.
Table Service Dining Locations in Animal Kingdom
Tiffins
If you are looking for a high-end lunch or dinner in the park, our number one recommendation would be Tiffins. You’ll find this restaurant located near to the entrance of the park, and there are some delicious menu items that really set it apart from many of the other locations in Animal Kingdom. The restaurant is themed around the park’s creation, so you’ll find some really interesting artwork on display in the restaurant. As far as the seating area, it’s separated into three different dining areas, all of which are uniquely decorated to fit different regions of the world. This restaurant is best for adventurous eaters, as you’ll find items such as charred octopus and sustainable fish on the menu. It’s certainly not the cheapest of restaurants in the resort, but well worth it for a more sophisticated sit-down meal in the park.
Nomad Lounge
Next door to Tiffins, you’ll find Nomad Lounge. Although it doesn’t offer full meals as Tiffins does, it’s one of our favorite places to escape the crowds in the afternoon. You’ll find a wide range of appetizers and cocktails on offer, so you can sit down in one of the comfy chairs for a while and rest your weary legs. It’s a great option for adults and couples who are looking to escape the busy park for a while and enjoy a pick-me-up on a busy day. Don’t miss the pork ribs or charcuterie board, which are two of our favorite menu items.
Rainforest Cafe
While you might have dined at the Rainforest Cafe before, we find the Animal Kingdom branch to be one of the nicer locations from the chain. It’s found at the very entrance to the park, and technically you don’t need a park ticket in order to dine here. Kids will love admiring the huge aquarium and the animals that can be found dotted around the restaurant. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you have options to suit your family’s needs at any time of the day. It’s the perfect place to get ready for a day of adventures in the park and would be ideal for anyone traveling with younger children.
Tusker House
As the most popular table service dining location in the park, you’ll want to book here early to ensure you get to dine here on your next trip. This character meal is ideal for anyone who is hoping to see plenty of the classic Disney characters on your trip and is hosted by none other than Donald Duck. The restaurant is currently serving its food family-style, and you’ll find that it has classic American dishes and African-inspired options as well. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, so you can enjoy any meal that you fancy to fit your plans for the day. While the character experience is currently modified at the park, we hope in due course it will return to its standard way of operating.
Yak & Yeti
Yak & Yeti offers guests both a table service and a quick service option in the park. The table service restaurant has a pan-Asian menu, and you’ll find that you can dine here for lunch or dinner each day. The menu is ideal for both picky and adventurous eaters, and you’ll love sharing the delicious appetizers to start your meal. We love the theming of this restaurant, and it’s a great place to cool off during a busy day in the park. For kids, there are some great menu items, so don’t worry too much about struggling to find something on the menu to fit their needs.
Quick Service Dining Locations in Animal Kingdom
Creature Comforts
We all need a quick pick-me-up once in a while on park days, and Creature Comforts is the Starbucks location in this park. There is very limited seating outdoors here, but you’ll find a full many of your classic Starbucks offerings. If you need breakfast or a mid-morning snack, check out their large selection of bakery items, which will keep you going until lunch at one of the park’s other restaurants.
Flame Tree Barbecue
Located in Discovery Island, you’ll find one of the most popular quick-service restaurants in Animal Kingdom. This counter-service restaurant only has outdoor seating, so you may want to choose somewhere else on very hot or rainy days. The areas at the back are covered though, so you can enjoy a good break from your busy day. Highlights on the menu include the half chicken, baked macaroni and cheese with pulled pork, ribs and chicken combo, and the hot link smokehouse sandwich. This dining location also offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including beer and wine. It’s a great spot for large travel parties and it’s ideal for families traveling with kids and teens.
Harambe Market
On those days where your family is struggling to agree on what to eat, head to Harambe Market. This location has four different walk-up windows, so everyone in your party can choose something else to eat. Once you have your food, you can sit down in the outdoors African marketplace and catch up on your adventures for the day so far. In the past, the park has also hosted special events in this location at night-time, which we hope will return again in the future. The opening hours do vary throughout the year here, so make sure you keep an eye out for when it’s closing during your visit.
Pizzafari
For a simple lunch of pizza or salad, head to Pizzafari. While the food isn’t necessarily the best in the park, the bright and vibrant dining rooms are well worth dining here for. They also offer a family-style dining experience here sometimes, which is a great option for large parties of hungry adults and kids. You’ll find your typical pizza offerings here, which are served with salads and a wide range of drinks. While it won’t be the best meal you’ve had on property, it will certainly keep you going for the rest of your day in the park.
Restaurantosaurus
In DinoLand U.S.A., you’ll find this quick-service restaurant that has plenty of indoor seating to get away from the oppressive heat. It has a fun theming and plenty of props to keep little ones entertained while they are dining. There’s also a lounge here now, which is a great option for adults looking to enjoy a cocktail and appetizers. The menu at Restaurantosaurus is primarily based around your typical American menu items. Expect burgers, shrimp, chicken breast nuggets, and sandwiches, all of which will please hungry kids and adults. They often have a special drink and dessert offerings here, so keep an eye on the menu during your visit.
Satu’li Canteen
While Animal Kingdom’s quick-service dining locations aren’t usually known for their great menu, you’ll find that Satu’li Canteen is certainly the exception to this. Located in Pandora: The World of Avatar, you’ll find this restaurant has a huge indoor dining area. It has a unique menu like nothing else you will find in the parks, with healthy bowls which you can customize to fit your personal tastes. For anyone looking for a unique lunch, don’t miss the desserts and drinks on offer here. This has some of the best healthy food offerings in the park, so it’s a great option for anyone who is concerned about what they are eating during their Walt Disney World vacation. Don’t miss the chance to try the cheeseburger steamed pod on the child’s menu, as this is one of the highlights of a visit here.
Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes
If you don’t fancy splashing out on the table service Yak and Yeti experience, it’s time to head to Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes. This is the quick service location, which is located to the right of the table service restaurant. It does require you to sit outside, so keep this in mind if you are visiting on a very hot or rainy day. You’ll find typical Asian and American dishes here, and there are plenty of options for even the pickiest of eaters. You can also head over to Yak and Yeti Quality Beverages if you fancy a cold beer to cool off on a hot day. This restaurant can get quite busy at lunch, but it’s a good spot to eat during off-peak times. They also offer a breakfast menu, which is something very few quick-service locations in the park have.
Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks
If you are waiting for family members to finish off riding Expedition Everest, head to the Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks. It’s open from first thing in the morning until before the park closes, offering all of the drinks that both adults and kids could need. You’ll also find a few special snacks here, although these do change out throughout the year. It’s a great way to reward yourself after conquering the mountain before heading off to Kali River Rapids to cool down.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of great table service and quick service dining locations to choose from in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. If you are planning to eat at a table service location, make sure you book well in advance, especially during peak travel times. You’ll find that Animal Kingdom can be quite a hot park to visit in the summer, so make sure you head indoors and keep hydrated throughout the day to avoid anyone in your party becoming unwell. By planning a few good meals in the park, you’ll find you can keep going and enjoy seeing all of the attractions and animals this park is so well known for.
