Not only is Disney’s Animal Kingdom an incredible theme park, with thrilling rides and shows, but it’s also home to many exotic animals. It’s by far a family favourite and I’ve done the hard work for you and broken down the best Animal Kingdom restaurants for families, meaning you can worry less about where you’re going to eat, and more time enjoying everything the park has to offer.
Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World
As with all parks in Disney, you will find both quick service and table service restaurants in Animal Kingdom. Quick service restaurants are cafeteria or counter-style venues that give you the option to purchase and enjoy food as quickly as possible. These options are great if you have hungry kids or you have a jam-packed day of shows and rides.
Animal Kingdom also has many different snack trucks and bars dotted throughout the park. Disney considers these quick-service kiosks, however, they normally only sell light bites like popcorn or chips. I will focus mainly on the restaurants serving actual substantial meals, but these snack trucks are a great pick me up whilst wandering through the park.
Quick service meals in Animal Kingdom are priced between $10 – $20 on average, with table service restaurants being slightly more expensive and varying between each restaurant.
Table Service Restaurants at Disney
Table service restaurants can be found throughout the park and work as a normal restaurant would. These restaurants get extremely busy and need to be booked ahead of time. Disney now only allows you to book restaurant reservations up to 60 days before your trip, so it’s best to make your dining decisions, set a reminder, and book them as soon as the dining reservations open.
Family Style and Signature Dining
Animal Kingdom also has a family-style restaurant called Pizzafari (temporarily unavailable) which is found in Discovery Island. Family-style restaurants can be found in the parks and during your meal, a server will bring a platter or large bowl of food to your table for your party to choose from.
The signature dining experience in Animal Kingdom is at Tiffins Restaurant, also located in Discovery Island. The best Disney chefs cook up international cuisines and the restaurant theme makes it feel like you’re dining in Africa or Asia.
Disney Dining Provisions for Kids
All Walt Disney World parks and resort dining options provide high chairs and colouring packs for children. Disney does not, however, have child-sized cutlery available, so it’s best to pack your own should you need it. Kid’s meals usually include a Cuties Mandarin, GoGo squeeZ Applesauce, and a choice of a Small Lowfat Milk or Dasani Water.
Quick service restaurants normally allow strollers inside and if the seating is outdoors, you can keep your baby in the stroller if needs be. Table service restaurants rarely allow it, but it’s worth a shot asking!
Dietary Requirements at Disney World
Dietary requirements are accommodated quite well in the Disney parks and the table service restaurants give you access to a separate menu that can meet these needs. Quick service restaurants can be a little more tricky and you may just have to substitute certain parts of the meal. The Walt Disney World app shows you the allergy-friendly options that each restaurant in all the parks has, so you can plan ahead. Healthier choices for kids at Disney will have a ‘Mickey Check’ symbol next to them.
Dining plans at Disney are currently unavailable because of the pandemic and limited capacity table numbers. It’s best to check the Walt Disney World website frequently in case of any updates or changes made to opening/closing times and Disney dining plans.
So, without further ado, let’s get into the best Animal Kingdom restaurants for families!
Quick Service Animal Kingdom Restaurants For Families
Flame Tree Barbeque
Flame Tree Barbeque can be found in Discovery Island near the bridge to Dinoland. It’s a popular stop in Animal Kingdom and serves classic smoked barbequed foods like ribs, chicken, and pulled pork. There is a plant-based smokehouse sandwich and the kids can enjoy hotdogs, chicken drumsticks, or a PB&J.
There are many outdoor seating areas covered with pavilions where you can enjoy your food and stay out of the sun. Unfortunately, there is no indoor seating at Flame Tree, but it is still worth the visit for their incredible food. Lush green plants surround the seating areas and a reflection pool will give you amazing, uninterrupted views of Expedition Everest.
Harambe Market
Harambe Market is found in Africa of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Their menu is predominantly cilantro rice, mixed greens and either ribs or chicken. They also have salads and a plant-based sausage rice bowl. Kids have the option between an uncrustables sandwich, a chicken rice bowl or chicken nuggets.
An allergy menu is provided in the market and they can make altercations to meals to accommodate your dietary needs.
Harambe Market also has only outdoor seating but the attention to detail and colour makes the market a great place to have a quick meal.
Restaurantosaurus
This dinosaur-themed quick service restaurant can be found in DinoLand U.S.A. Indoor seating surrounded with (fake) dinosaur bones and artefacts makes it a great hit with the little ones who enjoy learning about prehistoric times. It’s one of few indoor seated quick service venues in the park, so it’s a great option if you’re wanting to beat the heat whilst eating.
The menu at Restaurantosaurus includes American favourites of hotdogs, cheeseburgers, salads and chicken nuggets. Kids also have the choice of a cheeseburger, sandwich or chicken nuggets, all of which come with a sand pail and shovel.
A plant-based spicy southwestern burger is also on the menu with a separate allergy menu available.
Satu’li Canteen
Satu’li Canteen is the newest quick service restaurant to open in Animal Kingdom and it quickly became a favourite amongst guests. Located in Pandora, the canteen looks like a giant hut and inside you can enjoy the art and culture of Na’vi. As Animal Kingdom has limited indoor seating venues, Satu’li is another brilliant spot to dine at if you’re wanting to cool down during your trip.
The reason Satu’li is a favourite is that of its build your own bowls menu. You choose your meat from the options of beef, chicken, shrimp or crispy tofu and then add your choice of base and sauce.
Satu’li’s kid’s menu features a variety of beef, chicken, and tofu bowls with milk or water as an optional drink along with cheeseburger bao buns, a hot dog, or cheese quesadillas.
As with many restaurants in the Disney parks, the Satu’li menu caters for different allergy requirements.
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes
The Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafe is in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom and is right by the Kali River Rapids. Easily confused with the Yak & Yeti Restaurant, this Cafe is a quick service stop where you can find Asian eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Like most quick service stops in Animal Kingdom, the Yak & Yeti only has outdoor seating, but is great if you need a quick meal before going on the rapids.
Among the adult menu items are honey chicken, tikka masala, cheeseburgers and sweet and sour shrimp, while the little ones can enjoy chicken strips or cheeseburgers.
Pizzafari
Pizzafari is a bright and colourful pizza pit stop in Discovery Island. It’s one of the busier quick service restaurants in Animal Kingdom because of its indoor seating and the fact you can’t go wrong with a pizza or salad.
Kids also get the choice of different pasta dishes such as macaroni cheese and turkey marinara. Their spaghetti and meatball cupcake is a huge hit with the little ones, and if those little ones are fussy eaters, Pizzafari might be the spot for you!
It is worth noting that their pizza isn’t raved about, but if you’re after something quick and easy, then it’s definitely a great option.
Table Service Animal Kingdom Restaurants For Families
Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge is a restaurant and cocktail bar located right next to Tiffins in Discovery Island. Although it sells speciality cocktails, it also has small plate food options and meals for kids.
Both indoor and outdoor seating are available in Nomad Lounge, with the outdoor seating giving you views of trees and greenery. If seated indoors, you can find festive banners, all with different questions about travelling the world.
The small plates for adults are rice bowls, hummus and soup. Kiddies can basically build their own meals with tacos, chicken breast and shrimp. They can also adapt the small plates to cater to dietary requirements.
Rainforest Cafe
The name gives away the theming in this table service restaurant. A visit to the Rainforest Cafe near the main entrance of the theme park is like stepping into a… you guessed it, rainforest.
Fake plants and animals surround the indoor seating area and are a fantastic experience for all animal lovers out there. The cafe serves breakfast at Animal Kingdom as well as lunch and dinner and has one of the largest food selections in the park.
Breakfasts of toasts, waffles and eggs. Lunches and dinners consisting of sandwiches, seafood, salads, pasta, and meats.
The kid’s selection is also extensive, with chicken nuggets, quesadillas, hotdogs, pasta and chicken. If you need a restaurant which will 100% have an option for everyone in your party, I highly recommend the Rainforest Cafe.
Dietary requirements can be discussed with a trained cast member.
Tusker House Restaurant
Tusker House Restaurant is a family-style character dining experience in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom.
The theming of Tusker House is creative and you’re put into an imaginative story where you’re a visitor at a Safari Centre about to go on your next adventure. Whilst you wait, you’re treated to a buffet-style meal and are greeted by the Disney characters all dressed in safari outfits. It’s definitely a must if you have little ones!
Tucker House is open for table service bookings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast includes a platter of bacon, eggs, pastries and fruits. Lunch and dinner see platters of meats, curries and sides.
Allergies can best be discussed and catered for by talking to a trained cast member or chef.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Yak & Yeti Restaurant is the sit-down table service element between it and its quick service sister, Yak & Yeti cafe. Found right next door in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom, Yak & Yeti Restaurant serves Asian style food with incredible indoor themed seating.
On the kids’ menu are cheeseburgers, fried rice, chicken breasts, stir-fry noodles and mac and cheese. They also get a choice of 2 sides and a drink choice of milk or apple juice.
The adults’ menu also has a great selection of foods such as soups, noodles, woks and grilled meats.
Yak & Yeti is one of the cheaper table service restaurants in the park and the food doesn’t disappoint!
Pizzafari Family-Style Dining (Temporarily Unavailable)
Pizzafari now has a family-style dining experience. In the same building as the quick service restaurant in Discovery Island, guests can now be seated in a separate room and have the benefits of food being delivered to them regularly throughout their meal.
You collect your first course of salad and a drink like a regular counter service venue, but once seated, a server will bring around different entrees.
Pizzas, meatballs and pastas are on the menu for your entire family to enjoy!
Tiffins Restaurant
Tiffins Restaurant is Animal Kingdom’s signature dining experience and is found next to Nomad Lounge in Discovery Island. Tiffins has 3 elegant dining rooms which honour Africa, Asia and some of the world’s most exotic animals. Artwork inspired by the people who created Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park can be found throughout the restaurant and the best Disney chefs cook up a selection of international cuisines.
Octopus, ribs, surf&turf, shrimp and even lobster can be enjoyed at Tiffins. Kids can also put together their own meals with different appetizers, entrees and sides like tacos, chicken breasts and falafels.
You can also purchase a Rivers of Light dining package which gives you a reserved seating voucher you can use to check-in for the show and a meal reservation at either Tiffins or Tusker house. It’s recommended to book this package in advance to give you the best view of the show. This is a dining package and not a regular dining reservation, however, it doesn’t cost any extra.
Planning all meals ahead of your trip to Animal Kingdom, much like any other park, is advised. You can also go with the flow, but personally, I like to plan everything we want to do ahead of time, so there are no disappointments on the day. Disney is a once in a lifetime trip for some and accomplishing everything you want to can make your trip a lifetime memory.
No matter your budget, time frame or food preferences, you’ll be sure to find a restaurant throughout Animal Kingdom that will suit you and your entire party.
Visiting Magic Kingdom with kids? Why not check out our guide to the best family friendly restaurants in Magic Kingdom?