08/06/07

Great change of pace

by brdave

This is a great restaurant if you're looking for something different. The African cuisine is outstanding, but not necessarily for everyone... some of it is a bit exotic. The "Taste of Africa" is an enjoyable appitizer. I didn't like every "taste," but it was fun trying. They have an amazing wine collection. Knowing nothing about African wine, I asked for a recommendation. The waitress brought me two choices, and both were so good that it was difficult to choose. The theming of the restaurant is Disney at it's best. No matter when you're there, it feels like the sun is setting. The hostess did a fine job of explaining the details of the artwork. One of the best at Disney.

• Pros: Food, wine, service, theming
• Cons: Be willing to try something different

06/19/07

All I can say is wonderful

by mcnh63

We went here for our anniversary. The food and atmosphere is just wonderful. The service was excellent .

Don't let the mac and cheese on the menu fool you.... it's different from what you have had before.

• Pros: food and service
• Cons: expensive... but expected

12/30/06

Amazing food and wine!

by kissdcutie

Comming from an extremely picky eater... The food is simply amazing! Also, try to get a seat at the chef's table if you can, the preparation is fun to watch and the preps are good conversationalists.

• Pros: Ambience, Wood oven, unique dishes
• Cons: Can be crowded (Disney)

08/23/04

Good but not great...

by bluehensfan

Beautiful restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge features servers from different African nations. The food was variable, our favorites included the delicious cold octopus appetizer and bread sampler. The main entrees were above average but not great...the monkfish was very good and was served with extremely tasty vegetables and potatoes. The sea bass was fair and was coated with a rather dry and spicy coating. The plantains at the bottom of the fish were excellent, though. We tried the dessert sampler and were not overwhelmed. Most were not all that tasty and had unusual fruity and liqueurish flavors that did not seem to meld very well. We instead focused on our son's smores dessert which was average.

Disney restaurant featuring new African cuisine in a bright and inviting dining space.

by Contributor

The Scene
A spacious room of calming dark browns, deep blues and gold overlooks the pool area of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The helpful staff don colorful African clothes from their native countries, one of the few hints to the restaurant's theme. Piping hot breads come from large clay ovens that serve as a centerpiece of the jiko, or cooking place.

The Food
The menu is a delicate mix of African dishes spiced with Eurasian flair. Shrimp and spicy hummus are baked in a flaky pastry shell along with ngo gai (saw-leaf herb) and arugula. Delicate steamed sea bass, wrapped like a gift in a banana leaf, is enhanced by asparagus puree, mushrooms and apples. Herb-crusted, oak-grilled beef tenderloin, cooked perfectly, sits on a bed of macaroni topped with Indaba red wine sauce. Finish with delicate and rich chocolate and vanilla cr?me brulee--a perfect ending.

03/04/03

Want an exotic & tasty dinner?

by diner_mark

Try Jiko, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. An unusual restaurant in an unusual resort. You will not see anything quite like this. A bit cramped with tables though. Try the taste of Africa sauces & flatbreads, very good starter. The steamed bass in parchment was cooked/seasoned & quite flavorful. My wife enjoyed her monkfish as well. Unusual food in an unusual surrounding makes for a very unique dining experience. On the spendy side and reservations recommended as soon as you know when you will visit. Enjoyable African wine list as well.

• Pros: exotic foods, unique atmosphere
• Cons: cramped tables, on Disney property

01/05/03

tops at Disney World

by LilMsFoodie

stunning interior with superbly prepared food...just different enough to give you an African flavor but catering to American tastes.

The lighting orchestrated sunset added to the ambience. Incredible wines although the sparkling wine would have been better off being French or Californian.

• Pros: priority reservations, are a must
• Cons: unadventurous diners

11/26/02

Wineguy

by stevenerick

Superb cuisine with the sleeper of the century wine list. the South African selections are priced right and rival California's finest. The service is prompt but not overbearing. This is a restaurnat I will return to again and again and I won't do that with many others around the country.

• Pros: Food Diversity, Wine selections, Friendly Staff

09/29/02

exquisite food and atmosphere

by rlotenfoe

The food is excellent, exotic. Nice presentation. Service is friendly.

• Pros: Excellent food, Ambience
• Cons: Poor parking service