Jiko - The Cooking Place in Bay Lake - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

This place is one of the best when it comes to service and amazing flavors. But only 3 stars because of pricing increase. 2014 bread service was 9.99. Now it costs $22.99. That is unbelievable and i understand pricing going up but that's just a slap in consumers face. Disney pricing is out of control.

I was looking forward to eating here, and it was a bit of a disappointment. The food was good, but not on the caliber i would expect from a restaurant of this caliber and price point. I ordered the bone marrow encrusted filet. What i received was a New York strip. Ok, they took it back and quickly replaced it. When I did receive the filet, I'm not sure what was on top of it, but it did not resemble bone marrow. The flavor was ok. I probably could get something similar at a chain restaurant for half the price. As for service: it was not up to the level of fine dining. We were there for my wife's birthday. They asked if it was a special occasion when we checked in, and we told them yes. Disney is over the top with birthday wishes, well not here. It was never acknowledged past the point of check-in. My opinion is that there are better places to spend your fine dining money on Disney property.

I have literally been to Disney 100 times and Jiko is my favorite restaurant on property. The food is delicious, staff so friendly and welcoming and atmosphere is always lovely. Never, ever disappoints!

Your meal begins with a warm rose water cloth to wipe your hands and ends with a pineapple palette cleanser while everything in-between is flavorful and beautifully presented. The waitstaff (especially Trisha, who was our server tonight) go out of their way to enhance the food with wonderful service. You definitely get great value for the money.

Came here on my honeymoon with by beautiful wife 😊 We were both excited to go here so when the time came we were really happy 😁 To start the interior is very nice, quite classy with some African flair. Service, in typically Disney fashion, was very good! Our waiter was good at recommending what was good and was attentive 👍🏻 We started with the giraffe bread. It has a nice, crispy outside with a soft inside, and the acacia butter it comes with is delicious! I got some African wine and it was very smooth! And a very nice bonus: They gave us free champagne for our honeymoon 😊 It was good champagne too! We got the dumplings for our appetizer it was delicious, especially with that yummy mushroom broth. We both split an entree and a side. Our entree was the Botswanan Shortrib. Absolutely delicious! Super tender and the sauce with it with awesome! It also had a very unique smell, the first word I think of is Indian, but with some of its own unique, pleasant scent. Our side was the Bobotie Mac and Cheese. It was so good, among the best Mac and cheeses I've had at a restaurant! It made for a very pleasant first Disney dinner with my wife 😊❤️

QuikTrip to Orlando for work but what was able to get reservations for dinner. The host was phenomenal and our server, Badr, was the most smiling and happiest server ever. They truly made our dinner spectacular. The food, I have a good friend and coworker who is proud of being a foodie and he said it was beyond belief. Well done!

Very good restaurant. Kids loved their diner as well. The girafe bread is amazing. Great service and food. Nice African wine selection (100% africain I believe) ? More expansive then other options at disney, but worth it if you enjoy fine meals, portions were very satisfying as well.

Our first time here, as unfortunately this restaurant was closed last time we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge (during COVID) — so we were kinda excited! We were welcomed warmly by Chelsea, our server for the evening, and provided an introduction to the restaurant and a chance to find the biggest hidden Mickey on Disney property. Warm hand towels started the meal and then we were brought Jiko’s famous giraffe bread … and although it was smaller than photos might suggest, it was to die for! Sooooo yummy! Unfortunately, our food took a looooong time to come out, even once we’d finished all the bread and butter. That being said, my fellow diners had some comments to share at the end: - “The mac and cheese lived up to the hype” - “I loved the venison” I had the injera and loved all the curries that accompanied it (if not so much the smaller bowls of accompaniments) — super filling too! Overall an excellent meal with excellent service … but I still prefer Sanaa 🫣

Short version: I saved this as my last night treat and was so underwhelmed. With tip and my 10% Disney Visa discount, it was $90 for just me to eat an entree, dessert, water and iced tea. Food was small and average. Longer version: Arrived at AKL and had trouble finding Jiko due to lack of signage. It was noisy down below, so I took a fairly steep staircase down 2 floors and found Boma on my left, with Jiko tucked away on my right. Checked in via the app and received a text my table was ready in about 5 minutes. The cast members there were super nice, but we had a bit of an awkward start when I had problems hearing/understanding the man checking me in as he was soft spoken, had an accent and there were kids bashing on drums outside Boma and the whole entry way there echoes horribly. He said something to me about eating "at their cooking place" and I finally had to tell him, this was my first time there, I didn't know what he meant. Turns out they wanted to seat me at their bar area, on a high top stool, elbow to elbow with strangers so I could watch the chefs cook while my legs dangled and anyone walking buy could gawk at me eating. They consider it "an experience", but it was not one I wanted, so I asked for privacy. They were polite, but it was clear they weren't thrilled I refused. I was seated in a far corner, very private, and fell for the "what type of water do you want trick". I had Disney's tap water, said bottled and was charged $7 for a large glass bottle of Evian in addition to $5+ for my iced tea they never offered to refill. Bread service is included and in the past, based on reviews, was giraffe bread and a flatbread. They now only serve giraffe bread and it's fairly small. Tasted good alone, but the baobob butter was very sour tasting and not good. I ordered the famous short rib for my entree, expecting it to rival Tiffins'. While bigger than Tiffins, it was quite fatty and I had to use a knife to cut it vs just using a fork. The side sauces had a weird taste to me too. For over $50 I was disappointed. Dessert was the potjie pot. It was beautiful, but so so small. A bite of the caramel custard on top with the chocolate custard below was lovely, but the chocolate alone was tasteless and the olive oil "cake" under it all was a thin disk that seemed soggy (not a good texture) and served no real purpose. Before I asked if there was a Visa discount, my total bill, for just me, with tip was $99. After discount it was $90. I was horrified. I've heard there is a new chef, that could be why things aren't what reviews had me expecting, but I do not get the hype around Jiko. I would not go back.

Excellent experience and would go again The muscles appetizer, giraffe bread are awesome!

The food and service here was amazing. The wild bore was slow tender and the short ribs melt in your mouth. I highly recommend, they gave me a great birthday dinner.

The meats here are just excellent. For appetizers we got the braised wild board tenderloin and the diver scallop with pork belly, which I do recall as being really great, however my entree was so delicious it essentially washed out the rest of the meal. I cannot say enough to get the Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shank. My pictures don't do it justice at all. The skin is still on it like a chicken leg which really is what makes the whole thing combined with the sauce, spices, and potatoes. Definitely the best lamb I've had of any cut, and I've had some really fine lamb. My girlfriend got the bone crusted filet and while it was really good, in comparison to lamb shank it was just fine. We did get a side of the zuku oxtail, which was really good, but the portions here are not small, so it was barely touched in favor of the entrees. They also have Islay Whisky on the dessert sheet and I indulged in one of these with a few pecks at some desserts I got, floating in post lamb shank nirvana. I should mention that we did have reservations for in advance and it felt like the restaurant was a bit short on wait staff despite having something like 4 people greet us at the entrance, so that could have been a bit improved. Also the seating location was intimate, but there wasn't much to look at it aside from my guests across the table...I think there were interesting things to look at in the restaurant, I was just essentially sat facing a wall.

This was our last meal at Disney and I would have to say we were quite disappointed. We saved some of our dining plan points so we would have enough for this meal and it was not worth the 2 points per person. Definitely a lot more places worth 1 that are better. The giraffe bread was very good, however know the filet is definitely a distinguished taste. It is grilled and will have char marks. Wasn't my favorite but still finished it. Then moving to desert this was very rough. I tried to order the melktert but apparently it had almonds in it. Nowhere on the ALLERGY friendly menu did it mention it. Not even tree nut. Do not come to this place if you have a lot of allergies. It is quite scary and does not handle it as well. Secondly our service was not great. Hardly ever came back to get what we needed but only came to bring us food and our orders. Lastly the ambiance is definitely not how people described it online. Not really anyone was dressed nice and it was honestly kind of weird in there. Overall just go somewhere and save yourself the worry.

Loved the ambiance and service, and the food was delicious. However, it gave me food poisoning. My night was terrible. I've tried to rectify this with Disney but they stopped responding. So heres a warning to fellow diners :) I got the short rib for anyone wondering.

The restaurant is based in Jambo animal kingdom resort. The staff at the restaurant can not do enough for you our servers were Dawn and Farai, they were just amazing and the food the same. It was my granddaughters birthday and they made her feel so special.. thank you so much for making her evening. If I was ever in Orlando again I would definitely visit again.

Way too salty Nothing tastes like real food Can’t even taste the vegetables It’s horrible! Don’t waste your time or money

Wonderful fine dining experience. The Lamb chop was phenomenal. Loved the bone marrow encrusted filot mignon. Service second to none. Best meal we've had anywhere in a long time. Thank you for the experience.

It didn’t taste very good and took Wayyyy and I mean Wayyy to long and isn’t very good at all only good thing in my opinion was the bread and the boar appitizer

Jiko has been on my bucket list for quite some time. We finally made it in the other night. Our dinner started with the giraffe bread with softened butter, which was amazing!! I ordered the filet (cooked medium) with the mac and cheese and broccoli. Hubby ordered the sustainable fish, which just happened to be halibut. Both dinners were yummy but we both agree that the filet was better than the fish. The Disney foodies rave about the mac and cheese but honestly I’ve had better. The highlight was truly the steak! It’s hubby’s birthday so Emily, our server, made it extra special by bringing out a little dessert for him. Looking forward to coming back in the future!

Jiko has been on my bucket list for quite some time. We finally made it in the other night. Our dinner started with the giraffe bread with softened butter, which was amazing!! I ordered the filet (cooked medium) with the mac and cheese and broccoli. Hubby ordered the sustainable fish, which just happened to be halibut. Both dinners were yummy but we both agree that the filet was better than the fish. The Disney foodies rave about the mac and cheese but honestly I’ve had better. The highlight was truly the steak! It’s hubby’s birthday so Emily, our server, made it extra special by bringing out a little dessert for him. Looking forward to coming back in the future!

The steak was cooked perfectly whilst the desserts lacked flavour and I didn’t enjoy. The staff were amazing and there was live music the whole time. Available on the Disney dining plan

Not an authentic experience. Food was cooked terribly and flavours are nothing close to South African. Friendly hostesses, but waiter gave disappointing service and made me feel uncomfortable.

We are staying at AK Lodge and have eating at all 3 restaurants. We got the Diver scallops and pork belly appetizer. That was very delicious. But our New York stop wasn’t good. I don’t mind a steak with a bit of char but the whole steak tasted like burnt charcoal. Would not dine again at Jiko. Sanaa has better food and not as expensive.

Superb dining experience. Great wine selection with wonderful and creative entrées.

We were expecting something a little better. The wine list was 100% from Africa. We both had the Filet Mignon which was nothing special.

We chose Jiko as our "celebration" meal for our son's 8th grade graduation. We had spent the day at Animal Kingdom and it was the perfect way to make our way out of the park and enjoy some dining luxury after Mickey pops all day :) The host (I'm kicking myself to not remember his name!) was a highlight of our evening - playfully teasing our family and was so warm and hospitable. He was the perfect star of the evening. Our waitress was a delight as well, and she elevated the dining experience. The bill was a little more than I probably bargained for, but we ordered some amazing food and out of all of the meals we had on this trip, Jiko is the one that stands out. We made our reservation for a little later after the park closed, swapped our gym shoes for sandals in the parking lot, grabbed a cocktail at the lounge and let the kids wander the gift shop. We were not staying at the Lodge, so we also really loved taking our time to view the animals outside and take a breath before dinner. I was pleasantly surprised at our memorable this meal was and would definitely recommend for a special occasion meal while at Disney!

Superb. This was one of the highlights of our trip. My second time eating here. We had the venison and it was sublime. I dream about this food. Really enjoyed the cocktails too. Dessert wasn’t my favourite (I really miss the beetroot one, please bring it back) but overall it was great. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and so intimate. The serving staff are some of the best on property. I will be back on my next trip. Thanks so much!

We were greeted immediately by the host and was advised it will be a short while. That was fine because we were a little early. We decided to sit in the bar area and wait for our name to be called. This is where we met Lo. She said if you do not want to wait for your table you can sit here. We loved here tone and body language and took her up on her offer. That was a great decision. She made great recommendations for appetizers. Try the duck flat bread or the boar tenderloin. Both were amazing. She made suggestions for the main course too. My wife had the lamb shank. The meat feel off the bone. Very tasty. I had the venison. Cooked to a perfect medium rare. Lo always checked on us and never far away if we needed anything. She is a true asset to the restaurant. The restaurant has a lively vibe to it and you will not be disappointed in your experience at this restaurant. Thank you Lo and to the amazing kitchen staff for a marvelous dinner.

Everything was great. I have been there several times and will definitely go back.

Food was great! Flavors were fantastic. Service? Perfection! Right after we were seated, we were given hot towels for our hands. Our server stood there the time it took us while explaining the history of Jiko. Atmosphere was calmed and we were not rushed. Only one observation, this is a Signature Dining location with a dress code that is mentioned on the website but upon entrance, that dress code was apparently not enforced. Several guests arrived directly from a park with the same clothing. That detail did not impact our experience which was excellent. UPDATE: Actually, there is none! This place remains excellent.

We have eaten at Jiko several times and each time the service and food has been outstanding. The food is full of unique flavors and is perfectly prepared. The wine list is also extensive and the servers are very knowledgeable about them. They always provide tastes, as well, to help you find the perfect wine for your tastes. We always make sure to visit Jiko every time we are at Walt Disney World.

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not worth the price. Do not eat here, especially given the plethora of alternatives! I had a Moroccan lamb shank. The flavors were nice, if extremely subtle and devoid of anything remotely North African. However, the ratio of meat to starch and vegetables was lacking - it felt as though 80% of the meal was lamb. Overall, a tasty meal, but not memorable and definitely not worth the 49$ price tag... And now we get to my wife's injera platter: a hideously inauthentic tribute to culinary ignorance, I doubt the chef has much as passed by an Ethiopian on the side of the road, given the bland, teff-absent injera. I grew up in Ethiopia and I was unable to determine which wats the various stews were attempting to mimic, and even if I had no prior knowledge, the assortment of vegan dishes lacked flavor and were not enjoyable in their own right. Please, do yourselves a favor and save your money for other more worthwhile establishments.

I just celebrated my birthday with sixteen family members at Jiko . They did the occasion be perfect. Every guest that I had was talking about the delicious and well presented dishes , the service , and the very thoughtful card that I got with messages written on African languages ! Thank you very much for the wonderful evening! Iara Berger

The South African drinks from Jiko are phenomenal, with their water being an obvious standout from the drink menu. Compared to the dry, metallic notes of tap you would normally expect from other restaurants, the smooth, crystal clear flavors of Jiko’s water will quench your thirst with ease. Served in an oval crystal glass with light condensation, you will find the drinking experience to be exquisite. Topped off with moderately-sized crunchy ice cubes for ice chewers to call home about, the chilled temperature of the water feels pleasant on the throat. Overall, you will find yourself leaving Jiko feeling exceptionally hydrated and ready to battle the scorching Florida sun. Oh yeah, and the food was great too.

Had a wonderful dinner there on 4/3/2024. The halibut and injera basket were wonderful. My old fashioned was one of the best I’ve ever had. I just wish they would enforce their dress code. Seeing people wearing tank tops was very disappointing.

My new favorite restaurant in Disney. Great creative menu, knowledgeable staff. Great atmosphere. If you haven't tried this place give it chance. The menu is not as intimidating as it sounds. If your kids love chicken fingers and Mac and cheese probably not for them, but if they're adventurous like our son is then it's perfect. I don't normally take pictures of our food, but they do a great job of plating.

Whenever we visit WDW, we usually end up at JIKIO. This restaurant is located right beside BOMA (buffet restaurant) and the Sanaa Lounge. This menu is eclectic by Disney standards (Wild Boar, Snails, Oxtail). The Wild Boar with Pap (pictured) is one of the best appetizers in all of Disney. The Braised Short Rib is succulent and tender with amazing African spices. I highly recomment JIKO! Makes sure you have a walk and watch the wildlife just outside the doors of the restaurant.

One of our favorite restaurants. We have never had a poor experience.

One of my best dining experiences ever.

Horrible experience. My family and I had good memories of this place from when we went about 5 years ago. We went this past week to celebrate my sister’s 40th birthday (which we informed the host of after being asked if we were celebrating anything special). The food was overpriced for the quality, even for Disney, but the real issue was the horrid service. After finishing our food, we were ignored by our server for over 30 minutes. We eventually went to the host to request dessert menus, and when the server came back he was gruff and rude, and had a sarcastic attitude with my mother when she attempted to order decaf coffee We ordered desserts, which he brought out with the same disdainful attitude (and no candles or any indicator or a celebration). We were a group of 7, including two kids (9 and 4) so his tip was included, but not at all deserved. It seemed he knew he would get an automatic tip and did not care to serve us. We talked to the host about why they had asked us if we were celebrating if they weren’t going to do anything for it, and they told us they typically do a celebration dessert. Nothing was done and at no point did anyone offer an apology for the service or experience. Would not recommend.

If I could give this experience more than 5 stars, I would. We had SUCH a good experience there. I went for my birthday and they made it special. Our server was amazing. Literally the best I have ever had. She took care of our food allergies exquisitely. I felt confident that everything would be safe. And she made sure that everything was safe for everyone at our table with multiple allergies. The atmosphere was so fun! We lived in Africa for several years and between the food, uniforms, and the atmosphere here and in the lodge, it reminded us of home. The food was so tasty. We will include a stop here next time we are at Disney.

This is one of the few restaurants I can confidently say is worth everything you spend on it, including time and money. The food and atmosphere are perfect, the service is impeccable and both times I’ve eaten there the chef comes over to the table to greet us. So cool. The filet is wonderful, the desserts are dramatic and flavorful… they even have Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite wine to serve with dessert. This restaurant truly deserves a chef’s kiss.

Fantastic food, attentive service, a great (albeit pricey) dining experience.

we heard about this place but we had Sarah and the service was horrible, no greeting, she forgot our wine bottle, also my son order sparkling water and she borught him a glass instead of asking id he wanted a bottle, the food arrived cold we had Mac and cheese and I had the filet mignon. our bread came before our drinks. I am not sure what happened to her maybe medicine or maybe she didn't wanted to work that day......I was told she is one of the senior waitresses there so I am not sure why the service was so bad.

We had eaten at Boma before and loved Animal Kingdom Lodge so decided to give Jiko a go based on all the excellent reviews. It next to Boma downstairs so there’s quite a gathering of people checking in but in the end it was fairly simple and were only waiting a couple of minutes before being shown to our table. The restaurant is large and tables are a reasonable distance apart. We ordered drinks whilst looking at the menu - it’s essentially African inspired food with the usual Disney 6/8 choices for appetisers and entrees. We received 2 types of bread with butter - giraffe bread and a type of flatbread which were great. We had previously decided to have entree and dessert but at last minute couldn’t resist the duck flatbread - which was a good call. For our main course I had the lamb shank and my wife the venison. Both came with an assortment of vegetables. The meat in both cases were overcooked (more medium well in the venison and the lamb was dry and didn’t have enough sauce to compensate). We still enjoyed the food but were expecting better quality cooking. We were too full for dessert so passed on this course. Our server was excellent all night - very efficient and friendly. Overall a good rather than great meal.

The lights were flickering the entire time we were in the restaurant. I informed the server I had an allergy and was told the oak steak would be a good option for me with no substitutions needed. When it arrived, the steak had no sauce and different sides. I was told they realized after I ordered it that the sauce and sides contained my allergen. Wish I knew ahead of time so I could order something different than a dry steak with no sauce..not the experience I expected with the price tag and reputation. Very disappointed.

Some of the best African wine and food.

Terrible experience! Food was cold and over cooked. Vegetables were cooked to death. I asked for my food to be heated up. The service was extremely slow. I paid nearly $600 for a diner level meal. The manager was not interested at all in my complaint. She was cleaning tables not directing her team! We have been here many robes and this is the worst experience ever

We love this place and we’re so happy to find that it had reopened. If you come here, plan to arrive early and spend time outside talking with the African nationals who know a lot about the animals and can also open American eyes to life in Africa. Blessed was excellent outside and Admire at the front desk in the restaurant. We have celebrated many occasions here but early on we learned about great South African wines. Their wine list may be exclusively SA and that is a wonderful thing! Try everything from bubbles to wonderful reds and delightful dessert wines (don’t miss Churchill’s favorite dessert wine). The food is excellent. Ask your server for advice. I had a lamb shank last night, my wife had fillet, my son had venison (amazing!) and his girlfriend had their sustainable grouper. Every dish was perfection. We also had the wild boar appetizer and flat bread. Enjoy the experience…step out from your norm.

Great dining experience! The Giraffe bread was very different, with some sweetness. The carrot soup starter was surprisingly good, poured table side, and I’m not even a big fan of carrots. They mentioned the soup rotates monthly. The beef fillet was very tender, cooked to a perfect medium rare. Service was excellent, they were able to accommodate our group that was slightly larger than the reservation and running late. I’ve been here 3-4 times now, and have always enjoyed it, highly recommended!

I’ve dined here several times while staying at AKL and it’s always good. I tried the carrot soup which didn’t disappoint; it reminded me of a sweet and savory butternut squash. I really don’t care for broccoli with a steak but it was so flavorful that I didn’t even mind… I do miss the white cheddar macaroni and cheese with the filet! That’s the only thing I wish they would change, but I’ll keep coming back.

The most amazing dining experience! Food was exceptional! Short ribs, filet mignon, fish, Injera basket, enhanced mac and cheese, snails and scallops ...so wonderful! Fresh, full of flavor, the meat just melted. And a bottle of Jam Jar wine. Then add the exceptional service from the moment we walked in! We were greeted by Tsakani, whose name means happiness, and she told us all about Jiko. Jeff was our waiter. His recommendations were spot on, the service exceptional! I can not express adequately how pleased we were with this dining experience! Highly recommend, well worth the cost!

Pricy but worth every penny. We typically hit Jiko at least once per trip. Unique flavors and an exotic atmosphere make this an excellent choice. Arrive at the right time and enjoy viewing some giraffes and zebras and roasting marshmallows.

Went for dinner and it did not disappoint. The wine list was outstanding. We had a large group so we had a good variety of the menu. All the meals were very good. Surprisingly, the Mac and cheese was so different and good. The menu for kids was varied and can please picky kids. The desert options for the kids was not only fun but really tasty. The desert menu was delicious and had complementing drink menu. Service is top notch as you would expect of this type of restaurant. Our waiter Brian, was very knowledgeable about the wine list and helpful with selecting our meal. While the restaurant is pricy, it is worth the cost.

Although we're not staying at AKL this trip, the experience doesn't seem complete without dinner at Jiko! So far, it has been a mainstay every trip and never disappoints. The food, service, and atmosphere are all premiere. If you include this experience in your next trip, and you should, you must order the Boboti Mac and Cheese. A wonderfully unique treat!

They have an incredible selection of unique wines from South Africa. On top of that, we had lamp shank, chicken, and grouper. We could not decide which was the strong winner. Typically you can tell that the kitchen staff is better at one category than another, but it seems like they are well stacked across the board. Also, get the mac n cheese. It's...not mac n cheese. It's a different and amazing (better) dish that includes cheese and noodles as ingredients.

This is one of the fancier restaurants in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. My family and I definitely enjoyed the amazing service from Michael the Waiter at the restaurant. My sister and I have food allergies and as in any Disney restaurant they were very clear as to which foods were for us and not for us. I really enjoyed my dinner because the chef replaced the items with milk with similar and on-point alternatives. Dress code: We decided to go dressy casual but I saw people in jeans and a tshirt…just don’t wear swimwear. Environment: It was quiet where we sat and we could have enjoyed some music to accompany the silence and clinking of silverware. Restaurant design is supposed to be either general African or Ethiopian. Since I’m not familiar with the African cultures or the country of Ethiopia I can’t really confirm that. Food: fancy, expensive, but delicious. Compliments to the chef bc it was so much better than Michelin restaurants I’ve been to back home. Food theme: Ethiopia. Every food has an inspiration from Ethiopia or Animal Kingdom. Hopefully your waiter knows the story because it adds to the experience. Note: if you do walk in make sure you don’t leave too far since text message doesn’t always go through due to poor signal reception in the 1st floor. Stay nearby or you lose your spot.

First time eating here and we were very happy. We had the wild boar tenderloin and the duck confit flatbread for appetizers. I highly recommend either. The bread service here was also fantastic. For the Entree, I had the filet, which was very good. My family member had the sustainable fish, which for the day was black grouper, and he raved about it. It also happened to be my birthday, and they brought out a surprise, which was delicious!

We recently celebrated our wedding anniversary at Jiko the Cooking Place and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by a friendly hostess at the front. Our waiter, who was Moroccan (I unfortunately didn't catch his name), escorted us to our table, which happened to be by the chef's table. It was our first time dining at this restaurant, and we were immediately impressed. The staff at Jiko were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They made us feel right at home and were attentive to our needs throughout the evening. The level of service was exceptional. Not only did they provide excellent recommendations, but they also took the time to explain the different dishes and their origins. It was evident that they had a deep understanding and passion for the cuisine they were serving. Speaking of the cuisine, the food at Jiko was simply exquisite. Each dish we ordered was bursting with flavor and expertly prepared. Our daughter, who accompanied us, absolutely loved the food as well. The menu offered a variety of options, and we appreciated the attention to detail in every dish. From appetizers to desserts, everything was top-notch. In addition to the incredible food and service, the restaurant itself was beautiful and had a relaxing ambiance. The decor and lighting created a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a special occasion like our wedding anniversary. It truly enhanced our overall dining experience. Overall, our experience at Jiko the Cooking Place was outstanding. The combination of friendly staff, delicious food, and the restaurant's ambiance made it a memorable evening. We highly recommend Jiko to anyone seeking a unique and delightful dining experience.

The short ribs tastes good, but a little bit salty.

Fantastic! This is our second time at Jiko and first since they reopened. The service was IMPECCABLE! From the gentleman who seated us and explained the meaning behind the decor to our server Michael (from Michigan) who made our experience memorable. The ladies who brought out the dishes were so cheerful and attentive. The food was delicious! The bread service with that butter - wow! We wanted a tapas style dinner so we ordered all the appetizers and the sides. Our favorites were the wild boar, carrot soup, duck flatbread, and they octopus and mango salad. The side of injera bread is also highly recommended! Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants and the flavors are memorable. Undoubtedly the best restaurant in Disney. Also the Amarula liqueur is worth a try!

We had a wonderful dinner at Jiko. All the meals were superb, though I'm still slightly skeptical of the proce tag.

This was our last meal on our 1 week Walt Disney World trip, and it was our favorite. The food is so delicious and interesting, but the true star was Lo, she was wonderful! Can’t wait to come back!

Amazing flavors, food, and experience.

Just meh. The wild boar app was excellent and the Mac n cheese with the filet was too. The filet itself was tough and full of connective tissue. The scallop app was just gross. The lamb shank was dry and tasted like a pumpkin spice latte. Skipped dessert and got zebra domes at the Mara. Best decision of the night. Flying Fish is still the best of Disney signature dining in late 2023.

My wife and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary here. The atmosphere and service was great. The giraffe bread was absolutely to die for. Bread shouldn't be this good.I ordered the cocoa rubbed venison as my meal which was an amazing take on deer meat. Easily one of the top dishes I've had on disney property. My wife got the filet and we both agreed the venison was the way to go. We also shared the duck flatbread appetizer which was excellent as well. My wife and I really enjoyed the experience here and would definitely comeback again. I would say give it go if you want a high quality dining experience on disney property.

We didnt have a reservation so we sat in the bartender's area. Although the bar area did get a bit busy, we were still well attended. The bread service was unique and wonderful. We shared the Flatbread from the appetizer menu and the short rib from the entree menu. We subbed the veg with Mac and cheese and that's what should actually come with the short rib. I could cut it with a fork it was so tender. The Flatbread had just the right amount of spiciness on the back end. We also had the prickly pear mule and the mojito from the cocktail menu and both were delicious. This was a nicer restaurant and I wouldnt recommend bringing young children here. A great experience. We would definitely go back.

We had dinner at Jiko with a party of 7 on a Wednesday night. Despite having reservations, they took quite a bit of time to seat us. Overall, we enjoyed the food but the service was exceptionally slow. For appetizers, I shared the Duck Confit and Honey-Raisin Flatbread. This was a touch too spicy for me but my friend enjoyed it. For dinner, I had Merguez-spiced Lamb Shank. The lamb was very tender and the lemon mashed potatoes were different and good. However, my food was barely warm - again, the service was exceptionally slow. For dessert, I had the Melktert which is an African milk custard. I love custardy desserts so this was tasty to me. I'd recommend Jiko if you are looking for a nice sit down restaurant with unique food that is on the pricier side. I wouldn't suggest coming here if you are not an adventurous eater and want a cheap eat.

Excellent in every detail!..food, price, service, decor, and knowledge of each dish presented to us..

We’ve always gone to Jikos and often sat at the Cooking place counter. Maybe 6 stools at an appetizer and pizza station. Was always interesting and the food was great. The chefs working at the station were always sharing info about what they were making. This last visit it seems they reduced the prep area to just a few dishes and it certainly was quieter. What was prepared was good but we missed a few of the former dishes. Not sure they are using the millet style pizza dough anymore either. Still will go but just for table service. The food is good at Jikos and the wine list is quite good with a large number of very good South African wines.

I was overall impressed with the food and service. Not everything on the menu suited our tastes. That being said, there is no doubt the food was prepared meticulously and was truly an experience.

Our server Michael was phenomenal, so the group all agreed service was amazing! I ordered multiple plates to try a little of this & a little of that. The duck flatbread and wild boar appetizers were my favorite of the 3 that I ordered. I was really looking forward to the Zulu Oxtail Samp and Beans, but it was cold, so aside from a bite to taste that was about all I ate from it. For two entree's received the steaks were unfortunately not cooked to the temperature asked. One was past well-done so, that plate wasn't eaten. Again, excellent customer service, as the manager on duty removed the two over-cooked items from those ladies' bills. Over-all the atmosphere and service were a great experience.

Dawn will elevate your eating experience and truly help you take that perfect bite! Thank you, Dawn for the best service and culinary experience. You truly made our evening extra special!

Wonderful service, knowledgeable staff, amazing food and drinks.

I don’t really like to eat the bread restaurants give at the beginning. This giraffe bread though was really good and I couldn’t stop eating it. My favorite dish from here was the Zulu Oxtail. That was so good. The tenderloin was good too but if I had to choose between the Oxtail or Tenderloin, I would choose the Oxtail every time.

Very expensive for the quality, food not cooked properly, had to send back, then presented with wrong bill. Waitress didn't even come to apologise after I got manager to sort the bill.

The food was amazing and so full of many different flavors. The service was impeccable. If you have an opportunity to dine there, we’d recommend it. Badr was an exceptional server and offered excellent suggestions when we had questions.

Short rib was excellent. It was tender and had robust flavor. The filet was well cooked with excellent mac and cheese on the side. The service from Stacy was great! The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a beautiful place!

What a culinary experience! The other reviews are on spot and this place did not disappoint. Came to celebrate a birthday, price-wise it is definitely a special occasion restaurant for me 😀 Service was great, food was unique and flavorful. Took 1 point off the food since the cut of my steak wasn’t great, while it was cooked correctly the meat was tough and I didn’t get the experience ever was raving about. Other than that - loved the place, atmosphere and all the great dishes. Tip - come a bit early (or stay after your meal if it is still daytime) and walk around the property. Animal Kingdom lodge is beautiful and you get to see some of the Safari animals outdoors. Ask your server about the symbols in the restaurant like the rings on the columns and the Kanu birds all around.

Planning to dine at Jiko? Pack a cap. A cap you say? No you did not read that incorrectly. The lighting here is an absolute joke. Almost every table has a spot light which is shining down onto a persons head. It makes the dining experience extremely unpleasant. I had to move seats. I raised this with my server and she seemed confused as if no one had ever noted the lighting was not appropriate. Management really need to sit at each table and experience sitting under such bright lights. It’s like being on a game show. My Oak-grilled Filet Mignon was over cooked or just a terrible cut, for a dish costing $54 I expected much better! The Mac and cheese were the saving grace. But boy was that an expensive Mac and cheese. The deserts of the Malva Pudding and Potjie Pot were average. Honestly I’m really disappointed. I would not go back!

Planning to dine at Jiko? Pack a cap. A cap you say? No you did not read that incorrectly. The lighting here is an absolute joke. Almost every table has a spot light which is shining down onto a persons head. It makes the dining experience extremely unpleasant. I had to move seats. I raised this with my server and she seemed confused as if no one had ever noted the lighting was not appropriate. Management really need to sit at each table and experience sitting under such bright lights. It’s like being on a game show. My Oak-grilled Filet Mignon was over cooked or just a terrible cut, for a dish costing $54 I expected much better! The Mac and cheese were the saving grace. But boy was that an expensive Mac and cheese. The deserts of the Malva Pudding and Potjie Pot were average. Honestly I’m really disappointed. I would not go back!

We had a great time at Jiko. We didn't make reservation for dinner so we got lucky and set at the bar with Bartender LO. She is a sweetheart, we became friends with patrons at the bar and Brian and Lo served us. We enjoyed "Wild Boro", short ribs and grouper. Everything was cooked to perfection and service & food & atmosphere were amazing.

Went here for a late dinner and got the filet (wish they had mashed potatoes but the Mac and cheese was still good). For dessert I got the Potjie Pot dessert. I love chocolate and thought it was really delicious! The other dessert I took a picture of is the Melktert btw. Also, for reference for 2 people it was about $150 pre tip with 2 mains and 2 desserts and drinks. I would recommend if you’re in the area for a nice bite to eat.

You get what you pay for . This is one of the best restaurants in Disney in my opinion. It’s located in the animal kingdom lodge, very easy to get to. We were seated quickly and the service was top notch. The food was excellent, the filet mignon was perfect and the Mac and cheese was amazing. The grouper also was very good. It has a great wine selection and the deserts were good as well. Highly recommend it!

Excellent service and experience and the Disney - Animal Kingdom location. Food was delicious.

Service & atmosphere is great. It is pricey compared to the food quality

This was my 4th time eating here and if my son picked it out of all Disney restaurants, well then it must be the best. #4 didn't disappoint. I've tried 4 different entrees and this one was the best. My son an I had the cocoa crusted venison AMAZING!!! My wife had the filet which she loved. For starters we had the wild boar tenderloin and the scallop with 5 Moroccan snails. This is my new #1 restaurant because of consistency and service. You want to try to book close to 5PM because this place fills up quickly.

Tudo perfeito. Sobremesas saborosas e bem servidas.

The prices might scare away most visitors. But the food is good and unique as is the venue.

Food was fantastic, but service e was SUPER slow.

This was our second ever meal here but first with a younger child. The children's menu did have some nice options given the overall quality of the place. This was again a great meal with multiple delicious options to choose from. The location is excellent and the server was excellent with our table throughout the night.

This meal was worth every dime, the food was fresh, the wine was unique, and the presentation and service was phenomenal. I highly recommend exploring some South African wines and asking your servers what to pair with them!

Amazing food, my fillet mignon was cooked perfectly, best food I've had in a while l, totally worth it

Services and ambiance were good. Food weren’t tasty, nobodys at the table enjoyef their meals.. better option everywhere else in orlando.

We ate at Jiko this evening and it was very underwhelming. The ambience is very nice and the service and staff were excellent but the food is very average. When Disney describe this as signature dining and apply the price tag to match you should be able to expect signature quality food but I’m afraid this isn’t the case. The food is fine but massively over priced for what you receive.

We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ate and drank. We started with a diver scallop and snails. I had the grouper and my husband had the seafood tangine. The bread was awesome. I could eat the giraffe bread forever. Our server recommend dipping the bread in our app broth. Wow! The wine they recommended to each of us as pairings worked beautifully together. And we ended with wonderful after dinner coffees. It was a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary. And our server was top notch and knew what h was offering.

Very nice good interesting memu

Spot on flavors in every dish we got. The filet, the lamb, the sides, the boar ap and the bootie mac ap, the bread and butter, the mulva dessert, the drinks. Everything was so good. DO NOT MISS out on this restaurant.

What! No way. Yep it's that good. Mac and Cheese Lamb Shank, Flat Bread, and Chicken all phenomenally prepared. Don't sleep on this restaurant, get the reservation and be open to new flavors. I will be back! Kelley from NY did a great job 👏 👍 (Traducido por Google) ¡Qué! De ninguna manera. Sí, es tan bueno. Pierna de cordero con macarrones con queso, pan plano y pollo, todo fenomenalmente preparado. No te duermas en este restaurante, consigue la reserva y ábrete a nuevos sabores. ¡Estaré detrás! Kelley de NY hizo un gran trabajo 👏 👍

One of the best restaurants on Disney Property. Never had a bad meal here, and the staff is so attentive and knowledgeable! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a more adventurous high end dining experience. (Traducido por Google) Uno de los mejores restaurantes en Disney Property. Nunca he tenido una mala comida aquí, y el personal es muy atento y conocedor. Lo recomiendo encarecidamente a cualquiera que busque una experiencia gastronómica de alto nivel más aventurera.