19 of the Best Restaurants in Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is one of the most popular parks in Walt Disney World thanks to its incredible mix of all things wild. 

But what restaurants does it have to offer and are there any family-friendly options out there?

We have collated a guide of the 19 best restaurants in Animal Kingdom, covering a range of cuisines and restaurant types. So whether it’s your first time visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, or your thousandth, our guide will ensure you find a restaurant you would love to try!

Here Are 19 of the Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants

Finding somewhere to eat that will please the whole family can be extremely challenging, especially if you have never been to the Animal Kingdom before. But don’t worry, we have got you covered. Here are our picks for the 10 best restaurants in Animal Kingdom!

1. Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Themed around southeast Asia, this beautiful restaurant offers a fantastic array of pan-Asian cuisine. It is found at the entrance to Expedition Everest which is one of the most popular attractions in the Animal Kingdom. 

On its menu, you will find a plethora of meat-eater or vegetarian-friendly dishes based around Pan-Asian cuisine. You are sure to find something for the whole family in the Yak & Yeti Restaurant. 

You can also find a cafe version of the Yak & Yeti Restaurant in the Asia district of Disney’s Animal Kingdom! 

Type of restaurant: A dine-in table service eatery 

Cuisine: Pan-Asian cuisine (Nepalese/Chinese/Japanese) 

What to try: The Tempura Shrimp and the Honey Chicken Wok are standouts in this already impressive Pan-Asian menu. Vegetarians should be sure to check out the Vegetable Tikka Massala for a vegetable-packed curry! 

2. Flame Tree Barbecue

Serving traditional American barbecue food, the Flame Tree Barbecue is one of the best BBQ quick-service restaurants in the Animal Kingdom. Specializing in BBQ meats such as pulled pork and ribs, this restaurant is easy to recommend to meat lovers. 

Although it mainly offers BBQ-style meat, vegetarians have also been considered. The watermelon salad is an excellent highlight on the vegetarian menu and will impress both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike!  

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Restaurant

Cuisine:  American BBQ Food (American Burgers/Ribs)

What to try: Food lovers will want to check out the gorgeous St. Louis Rib Dinner with a Collard Greens and Bacon side. In terms of vegetarian food, the Watermelon Salad is surprisingly yummy and satisfies that barbecue craving! 

3. Trilo-Bites

Designed to offer fast sweet and savory food to anyone visiting the Animal Kingdom, this food kiosk is great value for money. You also don’t need to worry about booking advance or finding seats as this is a quick-service food kiosk. 

With a decent selection of sweet treats and beverages, anyone craving ice cream and waffles will find Trilo Bites to be a treat. Even the savory dishes are sure to bring a smile to you or your child’s face! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Food Kiosk 

Cuisine:  American Snack Food (Buffalo chicken/ Icecream/ Waffles) 

What to try: Anyone looking for a savory snack should check out the Buffalo Chicken. For those of you with a sweet tooth, the Trilo-Bites Twist with a Float is a perfect summer-time treat! 

4. Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery

Whether you are looking for a quick pick-me-up or you want to sit down in a cafe, the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery is the ideal pit stop. Found in the Harambe Village of the Animal Kingdom, anyone on their way to the Kilimanjaro Safari should stop by to grab a quick snack. 

One of the best times to visit this impressive African-themed cafe is in the morning. Most of its menu makes perfect breakfast food that can get your Animal Kingdom adventures off to a great start! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Cafe

Cuisine:  Cafe Style Food (Pastries/Coffee/Sandwiches) 

What to try: The Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll is a perfect sharing snack, especially when paired up with a freshly brewed cappuccino. If you are after something savory, check out the Hot Breakfast Wrap. 

5. Rainforest Cafe

Although its name might suggest it’s a cafe, this is one of the best Animal Kingdom restaurants at Walt Disney World. It offers a selection of classic American dishes such as gourmet pies and hearty breakfasts. 

It also offers a fantastic selection of desserts and delicious drinks. If you are just wanting to stick to some classic American cuisine then this is one of the best table service restaurants available! 

Type of restaurant: Table service restaurant

Cuisine:  American (Burgers/Salads/Waffles)

What to try: The Rainforest Cafe is packed with traditional American food. Some of the highlights are the Pie of the Viper or the Breakfast of Bandits. Vegetarians should be sure to check out Ozzies Omelette! 

6. Nomad Lounge

The Nomad Lounge is part of a larger Tiffins restaurant but it easily stands out on its own. It provides guests with an incredible selection of foods across a range of cuisines from Latin America to traditional African dishes. 

Unlike your typical theme park food, the food served at the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom can compete with some of the top table service restaurants in America, not just Walt Disney World. 

So whether you are looking for somewhere new to try or you just want to sample a signature dining experience, the Nomad Lounge is just the place for you! 

Type of restaurant: Table Service Lounge

Cuisine: South America, Asian, and African inspired cuisine

What to try: Finding just a few dishes to recommend in one of the top Animal Kingdom restaurants is difficult. However, we would recommend the Wagyu Beef Sliders and the sweet Mandazi desert! 

7. Tusker House Restaurant

Easily one of the stand-out restaurants in Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this buffet-style restaurant is a joy for the whole family. Covering a wide range of signature dishes you won’t find anywhere else, this should be visited on any Disney vacation. 

To add to an already wonderful Animal Kingdom restaurant, the Tusker House features all your favorite Disney characters. Spot Mickey and Goofy in their safari outfits while you dine with your kids. 

The Tusker House restaurant is easily one of the best restaurants in Animal Kingdom! 

Type of restaurant: Buffet and Character Restaurant 

Cuisine:  Combined African and American cuisine 

What to try: As this is a buffet-style restaurant it is hard to recommend any single dish. But if we had to choose we would suggest the Moroccan Spiced Beef. Vegetarians should make sure to request the Impossible™ Durban Curry! 

8. The Smiling Crocodile

Sometimes it can be more hassle than it’s worth to find somewhere to sit down and eat, especially when your children are excited to discover Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you just want to grab yourself some fast but tasty food check out The Smiling Crocodile. 

This pathway kiosk mainly offers a range of traditional-style tacos, but you can also find a selection of chilled beverages. Its unique exterior design is also worth getting a few snaps of to add your Animal Kingdom photo album! 

Type of restaurant: Fast-food Kiosk 

Cuisine: South American Snacks (Tacos)

What to try: The Smiling Crocodile mainly focuses on tacos and drinks that pair well with them. Both the Street Corn Tacos and the Pulled Pork Tacos are worth trying out. If you are wanting an alcoholic drink, we would recommend the Island Sunrise! 

9. Satu’li Canteen

Designed to capture the magic of the planet Pandora, found in the Avatar franchise, this is a stellar dining experience. Offering a view into the Na’Vi world, this is easily a highlight of any trip to the Animal Kingdom. 

Its menu is packed with one-of-a-kind dishes that perfectly melds Asian and American cuisine. If you have never tried a cheeseburger bao bun, then you have to give the Satu’li Canteen a visit! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Restaurant 

Cuisine:  Asian and American fusion cuisine 

What to try: The Satu’li Canteen provides some of the most unique Animal Kingdom food you will find at any Walt Disney Company resort. We recommend trying out as many dishes as possible but highlights are the Cheeseburger Steamed Pods and the Pandoran Sunrise drink. 

10. Tiffins Restaurant

Tiffins Restaurant is easily one of the most popular Animal Kingdom restaurants available and with good reason. It is slightly more expensive than most eateries in Walt Disney World, but the quality and taste of the food more than makeup for it. 

This Animal Kingdom restaurant is split up into 3 separate rooms, each offering a unique cuisine. This lets guests choose which style of food they wish to try today and can add a novel charm to your Disney World dining experience. 

You should also check out the adjourning Nomad Lounge for a different experience!

Type of restaurant: Table service restaurant

Cuisine:  African, Asian, and South American Cuisine

What to try: This is easily one of the finest restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so you can expect the food to be delicious. Consider trying the Braai-spiced Veal or the Butter Chicken. The North African-spiced Tofu is an excellent dish if you want a vegan alternative. 

11. Pizzafari

Pizza is easily one of the best foods in the world, and the Pizzafari restaurant specializes in all things pizza. Whether you swear by deep-dish or you are a staunch thin-crust defender, there is something for every pizza lover at Pizzafari. 

You should be sure to check out their brand new flatbread menu as it makes a perfect change to your usual pizza dishes! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Restaurant 

Cuisine:  Italian Cuisine (Pizza and Flatbread)

What to try: If you are a fan of pizza then you probably already know exactly what you’re going to order from this Animal Kingdom restaurant. But, if you want to try something new we would suggest the Garlic Knots or the Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza.

12. Creature Comforts

Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world and Creature Comforts is the Disney World equivalent. Offering everything you know and love about Starbucks, this is a great place to purchase your morning pick-me-up. 

One way this stands out from your usual Starbucks cafe is the interior and exterior decor. Creature Comforts features a gorgeous African aesthetic that is perfectly suited for an Animal Kingdom cafe! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Cafe 

Cuisine:  American cafe-style cuisine (Coffee/Sandwiches/Pastries) 

What to try: Anyone familiar with Disney World cafes will know what to expect from Creature Comforts. However, if you want a reliable recommendation we would suggest the Colossal Cinnamon Roll alongside your favorite coffee. 

13. Restaurantosaurus

No theme park is complete without a trusty burger and hot dog menu. Thankfully, Restaurantosaurus is one of the most reliable Animal Kingdom restaurants for all your American diner needs. 

The burgers themselves are crafted using high-quality ingredients and the Jurassic Park-style restaurant decor is even unique. If you are just looking for a great quality burger you could do a lot worse than Restaurantosaurus.

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Restaurant

Cuisine:  American Diner (Burgers/Sundaes/Hot Dogs)

What to try: Restaurantosaurus provides a selection of traditional American diner-style cuisine. The All-Beef Foot Long Hot Dog and the 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger are excellent staples. For dessert cravings, be sure to try the Build-Your-Own Sundae option! 

14. Pongu Pongu

Named after the Na’vi for ‘Party Party’ this restaurant lives up to its name. Specializing in party-style food in a range of vibrant colors, young children and adventurous adults will fall in love with this Pandoran restaurant. 

Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of Pongu Pongu is the incredible selection of beverages. From alcoholic drinks to bubble tea, if you visit Animal Kingdom in the summer this is the site for all your refreshment needs. 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Restaurant 

Cuisine:  American Snack Cuisine (Pretzels/Alcoholic Beverages)

What to try: Fun is the name of the game when it comes to Pongu Pongu so ideally, you want to be adventurous when eating here. For that, we would recommend the Night Blossom Beverage or the Pongu Lumpia Spring Roll! 

15. Eight Spoon Cafe

We all find ourselves craving fast and easy food, and the Eight Spoon Cafe is one of the best Animal Kingdom restaurants for that. Its dishes can’t quite compete with something like the Tiffins table service restaurant but it’s not trying to. 

If you don’t want to spend half your time at Animal Kingdom looking for somewhere to eat, then be sure to check out the Eight Spoon Cafe. It satisfies that junk-food craving extremely well! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Food Restaurant 

Cuisine:  American Snack Cuisine (Pretzels/Macaroni/Doughnuts)

What to try: The main ingredient in a lot of these dishes is cheese, the Mickey Pretzel with Cheese is just one example. However, if you are looking for something a little different check out the Pulled Pork – Jelly Doughnut Sandwich it is a lot tastier than it sounds! 

16. Yak & Yeti Local Food Café

Although it shares a name with the Yak & Yeti Restaurant, the Yak & Yeti local foods cafe is a completely different kettle of fish. It offers similar food to the Yak & Yeti restaurant but specializes in fast-food equivalents. 

This means you can find some of your favorite American-Asian fusion dishes without needing to sit around and wait. If you have a craving for Asian food and appreciate a cafe vibe, this is the place for you! 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Cafe

Cuisine:  American and Asian Fusion cuisine

What to try: Similar to its restaurant counterpart the Yak & Yeti local foods cafe specializes in Pan-Asian fusion food. The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich is a treat and the American Kobe Cheeseburger is sure to bring a smile to your face! 

17. Harambe Market

Famed for its atmosphere, Harambe Market is one of the top Animal Kingdom eateries at Disney World. As you might have guessed from its name, this specializes in African cuisines such as ribs and mixed bowls. 

The food itself is reasonably cheap, and when paired up with the fantastic atmosphere, this has the potential to be a highlight of any Disney vacation. 

Type of restaurant: Quick Service Kiosk

Cuisine:  Traditional African Cuisine (Meat and Plant-Based Bowls) 

What to try: As Harambe Market offers a range of mixed bowls, there is truly something for everyone. Vegetarians should check out the Hot Link Bowl whereas meat eaters may want to give the Ribs and Chicken Bowl a try! 

18. Tamu Tamu Refreshments

If you find yourself craving sweet food during your Animal Kingdom vacation you may want to check out Tamu Tamu Refreshments. This fast-food dessert restaurant has a dessert-packed menu that is perfect during the summer months. 

A great addition to this is that adults can even opt into alcoholic dole whip deserts. This is truly a perfect way to end your Disney Animal Kingdom adventure. 

Type of restaurant: Quick Dessert Restaurant 

Cuisine:  American Dessert Cuisine (Pastries/Ice Cream/Chilled Beverages)

What to try: The biggest seller on the Tamu Tamu menu is their Dole Whip. Pair this up with an alcoholic African Coffee for the perfect summer treat! 

19. Anandapur Ice Cream Truck

Can you truly visit a theme park without grabbing yourself an ice cream? The Anandapur Ice Cream Truck offers every type of ice cream you could need when wandering around the Animal Kingdom. 

One of the first things you will notice about this superb ice cream truck is its beautiful painted design. You won’t need to look far to spot this unique ice cream truck in the jam-packed Animal Kingdom. 

Type of restaurant: Quick Dessert Kiosk

Cuisine:  American Deserts (Ice Cream/Waffles/Sundaes)

What to try: There is so much to choose from at this unique ice cream truck that it can be hard to only recommend a couple of dishes. The KiteTails Sundae and the Soft-serve Waffle Cone are to die for! 

FAQs

How can I make a reservation at an Animal Kingdom restaurant?

The best way to make reservations at any Animal Kingdom restaurant is to use the My Disney Experience app. You can also visit your chosen restaurant earlier in the day to check if they have any free space for reservations! 

Is there any restaurant in Animal Kingdom that offers a safari dinner?

Yes, the Tusker House table service restaurant is just the place for you. At the Tusker House, you can find all of your favorite Disney characters dressed in their safari gear, which is sure to impress both you and the kids! 

Which is the most popular theme restaurant Animal Kingdom?

This depends on what theme you are looking for. The Satu’li Canteen is one of the most popular Pandoran-themed restaurants whereas the Tiffin provides a range of different themes in its unique three-roomed interior. 

Animal Kingdom is also packed with African-themed restaurants but if we had to choose a favorite it would be the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery or Harambe Market.

Are there any places for breakfast at Animal Kingdom?

There are many Animal Kingdom restaurants that offer breakfast-style food perfect for anyone who loves a classic American breakfast. Some of the best options out there are the Rainforest Cafe and the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery! 

Final Thoughts

The Animal Kingdom resort in Disney World is easily one of the most popular parks to visit. One of the main reasons behind this is its fantastic selection of uniquely themed quick and table service restaurants. 

Our goal today was to offer you an easy way to find the best restaurants in Animal Kingdom so you can plan your trip with ease. 

Be sure to check our guide to Florida to get more inspiration and tips for your visit!