Jiko is back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Mary Yanni February 19, 2022

1 minute read

One of our favorite Disney World restaurants reopened this week, taking us back to the heart of Africa after nearly 2 years away.

Jiko—the Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge’s spectacular signature restaurant, is back in fine form.

Like many of Disney’s restaurants, Jiko returned with a slimmed down menu but has retained many of its traditional favorites. Still on the menu: the grilled wild boar tenderloin appetizer, Bobotie mac and cheese, and one of the best filets in Disney World. But we missed the charcuterie and cheese board and the taste of Africa appetizer.

Jiko’s famed wine list is also slimmed down considerably. The restaurant once had the largest collection of South African wines available in any North American restaurant. While there is still a nice selection, there’s a kink in the supply chain. More wines will be added as they become available.

If you haven’t tried Jiko, it’s worth going out of your way to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a more intimate dinner than you will find in most Disney World restaurants.

Here’s a look at several dishes on Jiko’s current menu, some new and some old:

The bread service now includes giraffe bread and Egyptian Fehijer with sesame seeds, served with butter topped with black salt. (Photo by Mary Yanni)

The Jiko salad is a work of art. With a base of quinoa instead of lettuce, it resembles a garden studded with radish,
petite vegetables, figs, pomegranate, tangy cashew cheese with lemon-ginger vinaigrette. (Photo by Mary Yanni)

The roasted squash bisque is poured beside a slow-poached egg and cubes of preserved pumpkin,
topped with a parmesan crisp. (Photo by Mary Yanni)

The hearty Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib is served with hominy, sea peas, mushrooms and carrots.(Photo by Mary Yanni)

A classic oak-grilled filet mignon is served with Jiko’s famous four-cheese macaroni and rainbow cauliflower. (Photo by Mary Yanni)

We didn’t have room for dessert, but I did save a treat for you for the end: the largest indoor hidden Mickey at Disney World, formed in part by the two jiko, or ovens, from which the restaurant gets its name.