There are no shortages of unique dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. First time visitors may not know much beyond turkey legs and Dole Whips, but believe it or not there’s a side to Disney dining that rivals that of noteworthy celebrity chef inspired eateries.
Disney’s Signature Dining locations present guests with not only a meal, but also a culinary adventure. One of the best adventures can be had at Jiko inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where South Africa is the theme and venturing out of your epicurean comfort zone is not only encouraged, but sometimes required.
DINNER AT JIKO
Dinner at Jiko starts with bread service. The bread service has recently changed and the restaurant has done away with the delicious tandori butter that was served along with it. Now guests are presented with a beer bread and salted butter.
APPETIZERS
Appetizers on the menu rotate out with the seasons but there are some that have been mainstays on the menu for quite some time because, well, they’re delicious.
GRILLED WILD BOAR TENDERLOIN
Mealie Pap | Chakalaka | Truffle Oil | Micro Cilantro
WINE
Jiko houses 120-140 bottles of South African wine on any given night and was the only Disney restaurant to make it onto Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 100” list in 2015.
MULDERBOSCH, Stellenbosch, Sauvignon Blanc
SOUP AND SALADS
TOMATO SALAD
Farmers Bounty Greens | Purple Haze Goat Cheese | Oryx Desert Salt | Tunisian Olive Oil
ENTREES
MAIZE-CRUSTED HALIBUT
Vegetables of the Moment | Tomato-Butter Sauce
HARRISA CHICKEN
Joyce Farms Roast Chicken | Vegetable Medley | Cinnamon Couscous | Saffron Broth
DESSERTS
Sweet delicacies dominate the dessert menu at Jiko, but with all of that exquisite South African wine, why not end your night with a cheese board and glass of wine?
ARTISANAL CHEESE SELECTION
Cremont (goat & cow) | Beyley Hazen Blue (cow) | SeaHive (cow)
Jiko has plenty of comfortable booth, table and banquette seating but for a truly exceptional dining adventure ask to be seated at “The Cooking Place” counter where you will watch chefs prepare appetizers and flat breads.
Jiko is located on the ground floor of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort adjacent to Boma. Dinner is served from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. Reservations can be made via the My Disney Experience app or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
