Jiko: The Cooking Place Dining Review
I’ve had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World several times a year in recent years. Although I visit frequently, there are still places I have not experienced. One of the restaurants I had previously never dined at was Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Dinner at Jiko: The Cooking Place in a unique experience.
We dined at Jiko: The Cooking Place for the first time this summer and I highly recommend it. Dinner at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge should be added to your next trip.
Location
Jiko is a signature restaurant located at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House. It is located on the first floor near Boma and the main pool. We have previously dined at Boma and Saana at Kidani Village and wanted to try something new.
Guests staying at other resorts can drive, take a taxi, or use Disney transportation to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Disney does not provide transportation from resort to resort so guests would need to transfer to a park and then take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Guests who use their own vehicle will receive free parking with a dining reservation.
Service
One of the first things guests notice while dining at Jiko is the service. Our server was fabulous. We made sure to use the Disney app to provide a cast compliment to her. She was friendly, attentive, and helped to make menu suggestions. Everyone was also provided with a warm towel to clean their hands before eating.
We also had a manager visit our table to check on how we enjoyed our meal.
Cost
Disney’s Jiko is a signature restaurant and entrees cost about $37-55 a person. Jiko is only open for dinner. Boma next door is a buffet and starts over $50 a person. We felt that Jiko was a good value as we did not need a buffet amount of food.
Appetizers
Fresh bread was brought to the table at no extra cost. The bread service at Saana in comparison was about $20. Although the bread at Jiko did not include multiple sauces as Saana, it was delicious.
Guests can begin their meal with an appetizer such as a salad, duck flatbread, squash bisque, and boar tenderloin.
Entrees included a filet mignon, lamb, chicken, fish, short rib, and seafood tagine.
All of the wine served at Jiko is from South Africa. Our waitress told us that they had the largest selected of South African wine outside of South Africa.
Review
The food quality at Jiko as superb. Several in our party ordered the Filet Mignon which rivaled any filet on resort property. The seasoning and accompaniments such as the Mac and Cheese were delicious.
The free bread was also unique and tasty. One of the types of bread served was called Giraffe bread and had spotting similar to a giraffe. It was flavorful and fresh.
Our party also enjoyed the unique desserts. Our kids also enjoyed being able to “paint” their dessert brownie. Although Jiko is a signature restaurant, kids are welcome. We found cast members to be doting on children and our children enjoyed the food at Jiko.
I have now had the chance to eat at all the table service restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko is by far my favorite. I rate it above both Boma and Saana. Dinner at Jiko located in Animal Kingdom Lodge should not be missed. Dinner at Jiko: The Cooking Place has unique high-quality food, excellent service, and a South African theme.
Do you want more help planning your next Disney vacation? As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, my goal is to help you plan the Magic your way. I also create customized itineraries, book advanced dining, monitor for discounts for your vacation, and much much more! Also, did I mention that my services are FREE!!!! Contact me at SLoehrlein@MickeyTravels.com or follow me on Facebook @MickeyTravelsShannonLoehrlein