One of the things we do when planning a Walt Disney World vacation in Orlando is identify which of our favorite foods we want to get and what new flavors we want to try. That said, Disney often adjusts menus and frequently debuts new snacks and food options.
But we have the classics. In Magic Kingdom, we must have a hot dog from Casey’s and a Dole Whip from one of the two stands in Adventureland.
In EPCOT, we must get a crepe from the France Pavilion and also a full meal from Italy, Mexico or Morocco.
Hollywood Studios? Ronto Wrap, baby.
So what’s our favorite go-to in the Animal Kingdom? If you want to order the best of the best from the various restaurants in the Animal Kingdom, I recommend these top food items:
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What is the best food at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
There are a lot of options from which to choose. Animal Kingdom is probably Disney’s second-best park for foodies with African and Asian flavors as well as the created flavors for Pandora: World of Avatar.
You could eat at Animal Kingdom every night of the week and not have the same meal twice, and they’d all be good.
1. Cheeseburger Pods
Satu’li Canteen, Pandora
Can I pronounce the name of this alien counter service restaurant? I cannot. The goal in creating alien cuisine is to take something familiar and make it seem foreign. But Disney also retains the parts of familiarity that make it good.
These Steamed Cheeseburger Pods were a success. They have ground beef, ketchup, mustard, pickle and cheddar cheese served with crunchy vegetable slaw and vegetable chips.
2. Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Pulled Pork
Flame Tree Barbecue, Discovery Island
Disney does two things consistently well, and they’re both in this dish.
The first is barbecue. In fact, across the parks, Disney barbecues well. The second is slaw. Disney must have a massive cabbage-growing operation somewhere because Disney really seems to like to serve up slaw.
This baked macaroni and cheese dish topped with smoked pulled pork BBQ is served with onion rings and coleslaw. The meal is on the heavy side, but it’s well worth it.
3. Chicken Tikka Masala
Yak & Yeti, Asia
One of my favorite restaurants in Orlando is Yak and Yeti. The pan-Asian cuisine is quite good.
If you’re not familiar with the wonder of Chicken Tikka Masala, it’s boneless chicken breast marinated in yogurt and freshly ground herbs cooked in a traditional Masala sauce, jasmine rice and garlic naan. It’s a beautiful thing.
4. Honey-Chili Glazed Pork Belly
Tiffins Restaurant, Discovery Island
Animal Kingdom certainly has some excellent table service restaurants. For example, there are several appetizers on the menu at Tiffins that you could argue are among the best food options at Animal Kingdom.
Specifically, though, the Honey-Chili Glazed Pork Belly is among the best. It has a chorizo-manchego cheese biscuit, soft-poached egg and tasso gravy.
5. Green Curry Shrimp
Tusker House, Africa
We like to do the character dining buffet that features Donald, Goofy, Mickey and Daisy at breakfast. However, there are more interesting flavors on the buffet later in the day for lunch and dinner.
Read Also: 21 Best Disney Restaurants for Kids, According to a Dad
6. Pongu Lumpia
Pongu Pongu, Pandora
This pineapple-cream cheese spring roll is a surprisingly good breakfast treat, but it is also available all day as a snack.
7. The Chicken Manchurian Nomad Bowl
Nomad Lounge, Discovery Island
This lounge next to Tiffins mainly serves drinks but it does also have a variety of small plates to go with your specialty cocktails.
The Chicken Manchurian Nomad Bowl is steamed rice, red cabbage kimchi, ginger-scallion oil and crimini.
8. Yeti Sundae
Anandapur Ice Cream Truck, Asia
This sundae has chocolate soft-serve topped with vanilla soft-serve, blue cake crumbs, sugar, sweet snowflakes and a chocolate Yeti image.
It’s delicious and also a work of art.
9. Szechuan Noodles
Tiffins Restaurant, Discovery Island
Here we have another delicious Tiffins food item. Szechuan Noodles features Yakisoba noodles, sesame chinkiang sauce, Japanese eggplant and Szechuan chili-garlic oil.
It will surely add a flavorful kick to your Disney day.
10. Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse
Satu’li Canteen, Pandora
As one of the first desserts on the list, this is precisely how it sounds.
It’s a creamy mousse served with passion fruit curd. I think it’s another home run created by Disney chefs with a new twist on a familiar dessert.
11. Pork Egg Rolls
Yak & Yeti, Asia
Not everything has to be new or complicated. When I want pan-Asian cuisine, I want a good egg roll, pot sticker or bang bang calamari.
Basically, that includes all the appetizers at Yak & Yeti.
12. Night Blossom
Pongu Pongu, Pandora
This non-alcoholic specialty beverage has layers of apple and desert pear limeade topped with boba balls.
I didn’t know how I’d feel about the boba balls at first, but I’m all in. It’s a delicious and refreshing beverage from another world.
13. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Harambe Fruit Market, Africa
This grilled corn on the cob is available with or without African spices. It’s a staple food item available in the market.
14. Pulled Pork Jelly Doughnut Sandwich
Eight Spoon Cafe, Discovery Island
I’m not a food scientist. I don’t know how and why things work when they seem like they shouldn’t.
However, I do know the pulled pork jelly doughnut sandwich works so I don’t question it.
15. Ocean Moon Bowl
Satu’li Canteen, Pandora
This is another fun, creative dish from the land of Pandora.
It’s made with blue noodles, tuna, watermelon radish, pickled daikon, rainbow carrots, avocado, cucumbers and red cabbage with miso and sweet soy drizzle topped with micro cilantro.
16. King’s Cooler
Tamu Tamu Refreshments, Africa
There’s nothing like a little Dole Whip alcoholic drink, of course. King’s Cooler is Dole Whip Pineapple topped with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and strawberry flavors.
17. Ahi Tuna Nachos
Yak & Yeti, Asia
The Yak & Yeti is legit. In fact, these nachos with sushi-grade Ahi tuna with Asian slaw, crispy fried wontons, wasabi aioli and sweet soy glaze are proof of how deep the bench is.
It’s also shareable since there’s enough for at least two.
18. Cuban Frita Sliders
Nomad Lounge, Discovery Island
Another Nomad Lounge small plate, these slides come with shoestring potatoes, spiced ketchup, yuca fries and sour orange mojo.
19. Korean Fried Chicken
Yak & Yeti, Asia
In truth, I could go to the Yak & Yeti each night of our vacation.
This delicious shareable features hand-breaded tenders tossed in gochujang maple syrup and dipping sauce. It’s certainly a staff favorite.
20. Ribs and Chicken Bowl
Harambe Market, Africa
Honestly, I would like a few more options from the Haramabe Market. For instance, I’d love a beef bowl and some other flavors. But what they do have, they do well.
The Ribs and Chicken Bowl has cilantro rice and mixed greens served with ribs and grilled chicken, topped with salsa.
21. St. Louis Ribs
Flame Tree Barbecue, Discovery Island
I was a late convert to the holy church of the well-prepared rib. But I have made up for it later in life at some of the finest barbecue rib establishments across the South.
Personally, I’m more of a Memphis dry-rub guy, but these St. Louis ribs are worthy of your time.
22. Cobb Salad
Restaurantosaurus, DinoLand USA
Honestly, if you want a good Cobb Salad, get on the Disney bus and head to the Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios.
Still, it’s a good option for the Animal Kingdom. I figure you’re gonna need something good to eat while the kids enjoy their Restaurantosaurus burgers, fries and nuggets.
Read Also: What Is the Best Food at Hollywood Studios? 11 Snacks You Must Try
23. Pie of the Viper
Rainforest Cafe, Rainforest Road
Start your morning off with a little kick with this Mexican-style breakfast pizza. This menu item has salsa, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, spicy and sweet peppers, cilantro, cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
You can also add applewood smoked bacon, chorizo or maple sausage.
24. Blue Lagoon Lemonade with Rum and Glow Cube
Pizzafari, Discovery Island
The pizza is not bad at this quick-service restaurant in that it is pizza, and almost all pizza is fine.
However, you don’t want to skip the Blue Lagoon Lemonade. It has Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Minute Maid lemonade, citrus and gummy worms with a souvenir Glow Cube.
It’s fun and can also brighten up an otherwise dull pizza.
25. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
Dino-Bites, DinoLand USA
This snack stand is a saving grace for families. I love the ice cream sandwich at this Disney eatery. It features vanilla ice cream served between freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
What restaurants do I need a reservation at Animal Kingdom?
If you want to guarantee a spot, be sure to make reservations at Tiffins for sure, as well as the Tusker House.
You’re also rolling the dice if you don’t have a reservation for Rainforest Cafe, Nomad Lounge or Yak & Yeti.
What food can you bring into Animal Kingdom?
According to Disney, at the time of this writing, guests can bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverage items into the park for self-consumption.
The food items should not be in glass containers and should not require heating, reheating, processing, refrigeration or have pungent odors.
Does Animal Kingdom allow water bottles?
As long as they’re not made of glass, you should be good.
Do you have a favorite food at the Animal Kingdom? If so, let us know in the comments!
