Jiko - The Cooking Place

Pros: Attractive location and ambiance, great appetizer, unique concept
Cons: Some food was surprisingly bland, overpriced for the quality, service just ok

Before cruising out of Port Canaveral near Orlando last weekend, I was able to get in my quickie Disney fix via a meal with friends at the Jiko: The Cooking Place. This restaurant is very much hyped by Disney and I know many people who enjoy it. ...

Pros: Superb food, friendly service, clean and relaxed atmosphere
Cons: You have to go on a trip just to visit Jiko

I'm not quite sure what finally compelled me, the most picky of eaters, to experiment with Disney's take on African cuisine at Jiko, a restaurant located at The Animal Kingdom Lodge. Perhaps it was my boredom with eating generally the same kind of food ...

Pros: food, service, ambiance
Cons: I couldn't try everything on the menu!

Each time my husband and I take the kids to Walt Disney World, we take advantage of the fact that we have babysitters (otherwise known as grandparents) along and go out to a nice dinner by ourselves. In the past, we've tried Boma and Artist Point among ...

Pros: Very interesting menu. Very unique restaurant.
Cons: Menu is limited. Expensive. Not for kids.

There are certain restaurants I want to go back to every time I go to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. The African inspired Jiko would probably not be one of them. Having said that, the restaurant is not bad by any means. In fact, it is one of my ...

Pros: Nice setting and convenient if in hotel.
Cons: Poor food, poor service, very poor attitude. Vastly overpriced.

We ate at Jiko's as part of the Wayanama safari, which is only offered to AKL concierge members. Normally, you get a family style meal. Since there were only 4 of us on the safari, and it was a special wine tasting meal, they suggested they would ...

Pros: Extensive South African wine menu, unique flavors, great service
Cons: Fine dining prices, limited menu

I've eaten at Jiko several times in the past couple years and have enjoyed it every time. So much so that I've brought friends and family members back on subsequent trips.

Setting: The Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful, and nice to visit even if you're not staying there. The restaurant is downstairs, the only drawback being that there's not much of a view.

Food and Drink: African fare, meaning an exotic combination of spices and flavorings. We've had all the flatbreads, and I think every entree and they are wonderful. I'd strongly recommend the Pork Tenderloin, Filet, Monkfish.

The only negative thing I can think of about the menu is it's "limited" selection: if you're wanting chicken, there's only one chicken entree, etc. But that's a Disney standard: just 1 beef, 1 pork, 1 fish, 1 shellfish, etc. selection per menu. (Quality vs. quantity)

Great selection of South African wines. We've tried several and enjoyed them all. Service and presentation have always been very good.