(Article last updated: May 24, 2017)
Animal Kingdom has several good options for meals and is one of the best parks to eat in.
Here's a list of Animal Kingdom restaurants to help you plan your time....
Breakfast
Pongu Pogu (breakfast)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $7/$6
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Delicious, unique drinks and snack
Cons: Drinks that come in souvenir mugs are super expensive
Yak and Yeti Local Cafe (breakfast)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.00/$7.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Easy place to grab a quick breakfast
Cons: No indoor seating, inconsistent food quality
Satu’li Canteen (breakfast – seasonal)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $9.00/$5.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Unique food options, indoor and outdoor seating, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: May not appeal to less adventurous palates
Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks (breakfast)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $4.00/$4.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Good option to grab a quick muffin or pastry on your way to or from Expedition Everest
Cons: No seating available so you'll have to take your food to another location if you'd like to sit to eat
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery (breakfast)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $6.00/$6.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Service is often quick and it's not as busy as many nearby locations
Cons: Low quality snacks and coffee
Tusker House Rivers of Light dining package (breakfast)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $39/$24
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Large buffet with lots of good food, classic characters (Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse) appear in their safari gear
Cons: On the pricier end of restaurant prices at Animal Kingdom, service can be inconsistent
Tips: This dining package uses the same # of dining plan credits as when you eat here without the dining package but includes a voucher for seating at Rivers of Light.
Rainforest Cafe – Animal Kingdom location (breakfast)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $13.99/$6.99
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Ambiance
Cons: Pricey, not unique to Disney World, loud, waits are often long (even with a reservation), service is inconsistent
Tusker House (breakfast)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $31.00/$19.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Large buffet with lots of good food (standard breakfast items, along with some African-inspired dishes), classic characters (Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse) appear in their safari gear
Cons: On the pricier end of restaurant prices at Animal Kingdom, service can be inconsistent
Tips: This is probably the most popular dining reservation at Animal Kingdom. Be sure to book 180 days in advance, particularly if you want the much-coveted 8 a.m. breakfast reservation.
Lunch
Satu’li Canteen (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $13.99/$7.29
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Unique food options, indoor and outdoor seating, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: May not appeal to less adventurous palates
Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5.00/$5.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Favorite frozen treats, pretzels, and popcorn available here. The location makes it ideal for grabbing a drink or snack before watching Rivers of Light.
Cons: No seating available so you'll have to take your food to another location if you'd like to sit to eat.
Harambe Marketplace (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $9.99/$7.49
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Well-themed area, unique menu offerings at 4 different windows (at the food windows, you can order food from any of the either food windows if you'd like), mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: Seating is all outdoors (though it is covered) and can get really busy. If you can, split up your group between ordering and looking for a place to sit.
Yak and Yeti Local Cafe (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.00/$6.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Interesting choices of various Asian dishes
Cons: No indoor seating, inconsistent food quality
Restaurantosaurus (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $12.99/$9.49
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Large indoor seating area, topping bar that makes the burgers and other sandwiches customizable, refillable drinks (including a spigot for refilling water), mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: Lines can be long, food is mostly standard fare
Pizzafari (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.99/$6.69
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Lots of indoor seating, generous portions, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: Pizza isn't great (though it may be a welcome meal for kids who want something familiar)
Flame Tree Barbecue (lunch)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $13.99/$6.99
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Fantastic food (try the pork sandwich, smoked 1/2 chicken or ribs) and picturesque seating areas, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: No indoor seating
Tiffins Festival of the Lion King dining package – Tier 2 (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $74/$29
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food, priority seating for Festival of the Lion King, Safari ride
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes, pricey
Tiffins Festival of the Lion King dining package – Tier 1 (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $99/$49
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food, priority seating for Festival of the Lion King, Safari ride
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes, pricey
Tiffins Rivers of Light dining package (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $67/$26
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes, pricey
Tusker House Rivers of Light dining package (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $52/$32
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Large buffet with lots of good food, classic characters (Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse) appear in their safari gear
Cons: On the pricier end of restaurant prices at Animal Kingdom, service can be inconsistent
Tips: This dining package uses the same # of dining plan credits as when you eat here without the dining package but includes a voucher for seating at Rivers of Light.
Tiffins (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $39.00/$14.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes
Yak and Yeti Restaurant (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $22.00/$9.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Beautiful decor, variety of delicious Asian dishes
Cons: Food is a little pricier, may not appeal to all palates
Tusker House (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $42.00/$25.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Large buffet with lots of good food, classic characters (Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse) appear in their safari gear
Cons: On the pricier end of restaurant prices at Animal Kingdom, service can be inconsistent
Tips: This is probably the most popular dining reservation at Animal Kingdom. Be sure to book 180 days in advance, particularly if you want the much-coveted 8 a.m. breakfast reservation.
Rainforest Cafe – Animal Kingdom location (lunch)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $21.99/$8.99
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Ambiance, some good food options like ribs, Cobb salad and pasta
Cons: Pricey, not unique to Disney World, loud, waits are often long (even with a reservation), service is inconsistent
Dinner
Satu’li Canteen (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $13.99/$7.29
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Unique food options, indoor and outdoor seating, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: May not appeal to less adventurous palates
Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5.00/$5.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Favorite frozen treats, pretzels, and popcorn available here. The location makes it ideal for grabbing a drink or snack before watching Rivers of Light.
Cons: No seating available so you'll have to take your food to another location if you'd like to sit to eat.
Yak and Yeti Local Cafe (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.00/$6.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Interesting choices of various Asian dishes
Cons: No indoor seating, inconsistent food quality
Pizzafari (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.99/$6.69
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Lots of indoor seating, generous portions, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available, family-style dining offered for dinner with reservations available in MDE
Cons: Pizza isn't great (though it may be a welcome meal for kids who want something familiar)
Harambe Marketplace (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $9.99/$7.49
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Well-themed area, unique menu offerings at 4 different windows (at the food windows, you can order food from any of the either food windows if you'd like), mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: Seating is all outdoors (though it is covered) and can get really busy. If you can, split up your group between ordering and looking for a place to sit.
Flame Tree Barbecue (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $13.99/$6.99
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Fantastic food (try the pork sandwich, smoked 1/2 chicken or ribs) and picturesque seating areas, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: No indoor seating
Restaurantosaurus (dinner)
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $12.99/$9.49
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Large indoor seating area, topping bar that makes the burgers and other sandwiches customizable, refillable drinks (including a spigot for refilling water), mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
Cons: Lines can be long, food is mostly standard fare
Tiffins Festival of the Lion King dining package – Tier 2 (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $74/$29
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food, priority seating for Festival of the Lion King
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes, pricey
Tiffins Festival of the Lion King dining package – Tier 1 (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $99/$49
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food, priority seating for Festival of the Lion King, Safari ride
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes, pricey
Tiffins Rivers of Light dining package (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $67/$26
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Diverse menu with delicious food
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes, pricey
Tusker House Rivers of Light dining package (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $52/$32
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Large buffet with lots of good food, classic characters (Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse) appear in their safari gear
Cons: On the pricier end of restaurant prices at Animal Kingdom, service can be inconsistent
Tips: This dining package uses the same # of dining plan credits as when you eat here without the dining package but includes a voucher for seating at Rivers of Light.
Tiffins (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $39.00/$14.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Diverse menu, indoor and outdoor seating, waterfront views
Cons: Unique menu may not appeal to all tastes
Yak and Yeti Restaurant (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $22.00/$9.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Beautiful decor, variety of delicious Asian dishes
Cons: Food is a little pricier, may not appeal to all palates
Rainforest Cafe – Animal Kingdom location (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $21.99/$8.99
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Ambiance, some good food options like ribs, Cobb salad and pasta
Cons: Pricey, not unique to Disney World, loud, waits are often long (even with a reservation), service is inconsistent
Tusker House (dinner)
Table Service
Price (adult/child): $42.00/$25.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Large buffet with lots of good food, classic characters (Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse) appear in their safari gear
Cons: On the pricier end of restaurant prices at Animal Kingdom, service can be inconsistent
Tips: This is probably the most popular dining reservation at Animal Kingdom. Be sure to book 180 days in advance, particularly if you want the much-coveted 8 a.m. breakfast reservation.
Everything Else
Restaurantosaurus Lounge
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.00/$10.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Place to cool down, have a drink and a snack near Dinoland
Cons: Limited menu and hours
Isle of Java
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5/$5
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Snacks and unique drinks available (including frozen rum and coke)
Cons: No seating, limited menu
Drinkwallah
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5/$5
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great spot to grab a snack and frozen drink
Cons: Limited menu, no seating
Pongu Pongu
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5/$5
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Delicious, unique drinks and snack
Cons: Drinks that come in souvenir mugs are super expensive
Nomad Lounge
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.00/$10.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Beautiful decor, view toward Pandora - World of Avatar, delicious drinks and food
Cons: Dining Plan credits not accepted
Smiling Crocodile
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5.00/$5.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Unique options that can be a delightful change from burgers and nuggets
Cons: Only snack credits are accepted, closest seating is nearby at the Flame Tree Gardens
Warung Outpost
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5.00/$5.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great place to grab a quick snack (including Mickey pretzels) or a cocktail (a few margarita options are here, including the Triple Yeti Blast which combines all 3 flavors)
Cons: Open seasonally
Trilo-Bites
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $7.50/$7.50
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Fantastic place to use Disney Dining Plan snack credits (menu changes but can include things like sundaes and waffle sliders)
Cons: Limited seating
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10.00/$10.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Service is often quick and it's not as busy as many nearby locations
Cons: Low quality snacks and coffee
Mahindi
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5/$5
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great tasting (and smelling!) snacks like popcorn and glazed nuts, Jungle Juice Slushy drink is a unique option available here
Cons: No seating (though there are seats in the vicinity), can be busy
Harambe Fruit Market
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $4.00/$4.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Healthy snacks and Mickey pretzels available
Cons: This cart is in a high traffic area so it can get busy
Terra Treats
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5.00/$5.00
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great spot to grab allergy-friendly snacks
Cons: Limited menu
Dino Bite Snacks
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $5/$5
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great place to grab a snack (like cookies, ice cream, and a drink)
Cons: No indoor seating, though covered seating is available
Dawa Bar
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $10/$0
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Chance to grab a domestic or African imported drink, great theming
Cons: No food on the menu here, but there are lots of food options nearby
Creature Comforts
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $6/$6
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Starbucks drinks and pastries available here
Cons: No seating
Eight Spoon Cafe
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $6/$6
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great place to grab good snacks, including various types of baked mac and cheese
Cons: No seating, limited menu
Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
Quick Service
Price (adult/child): $4/$4
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great place to grab a cool snack (ice cream, bottled water)
Cons: Limited menu
So, where will you be eating during your trip? I'd love to hear what you've decided to do in the comments.