traveling with my bwuhs

We usually find ourselves dining at Boma and The Mara whenever we stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I’m honestly not sure why we’ve never made it to Sanaa or Jiko: The Cooking Place before. This trip, we couldn’t quite decide what we were in the mood for, so we finally took the leap and booked Jiko.

And wow—am I glad we did.

This may have been my favorite meal we’ve ever had at Walt Disney World.

We started with the Giraffe Bread, a soft, pillowy yeast bread with a flaky crust designed to resemble giraffe spots. Paired with the baobab butter, it was the perfect way to begin the meal.

For appetizers, Hubs and I both ordered the Diver Scallop with Pork Belly. I can honestly say I’ve never had a scallop cooked more perfectly. The pork belly was incredibly flavorful, and while it’s not a combination I would have thought to order on my own, the two paired together beautifully. The boys each opted for a fruit plate to start their meal.

For our entrées, Hubs and I both chose the Bone Marrow-Crusted Filet Mignon, served with four-cheese macaroni, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions. I know I keep using the word “delicious,” but there really isn’t a better way to describe it. Every bite was incredible, and I could have happily licked my plate clean.

The boys enjoyed their meals as well. Boy1 ordered a cheese pizza, while Boy2 chose the Steak Sosatie, a kabob-style dish that was a nice way for him to try something a little different.

Of course, we couldn’t skip dessert.

The boys selected the Paint-Your-Own Ostrich Egg, which was just as fun as it sounds. They used strawberry, chocolate, and mango sauces to create their edible masterpieces before digging in.

For the adults, Hubs chose the Potjie Pot dessert, while I ordered the Malva Pudding. Both were absolutely incredible and the perfect ending to an already amazing meal.

To complement our dinner, Hubs and I each enjoyed an African red wine blend that paired beautifully with the filet.

Needless to say, Jiko exceeded every expectation we had. What started as a “let’s try something different” decision turned into one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had at Walt Disney World.

I didn’t mean to leave out the service. Our server was fantastic. She was so helpful with navigating the menu and was absolutely wonderful with the kids. Some Disney magic right there.

We’ll definitely be back.

Have you ever tried Jiko, or is there a Walt Disney World restaurant that’s completely surprised you? I’d love to hear your favorite Disney dining experience in the comments!

❤ Jen