Jiko - The Cooking Place

Our server, Brenda, was friendly and attentive. She knew the menu well and made helpful suggestions. The food not only tasted good, it was delectably presented. We had the spiced carrot soup which had a surprising depth of flavor, garnished with pine nuts and African spices. Also we had their lovely Jiko salad. The short rib was tender. The tagine seafood dish was generous. Dessert was a towering kava pudding with a sculpted chocolate topping, a small scoop of ice cream, over a shredded wheat confection on a base of cake that had been soaked in a rum-like liqueur. A delightful evening. Although an upscale venue, that recommends chic casual many if not most diners were very informally dressed in clothes they had worn in the the park. Don’t miss a walk out the back of the hotel to see the African animal compound in a savanna like environment. Free parking in the self parking lot, a rarity in Disney World.
Jiko is on level one so you need to go downstairs from the grand lobby. There are stairs and elevator on the right as you walk in to the hotel, beyond the gift shop.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food, wonderful service and the atmosphere is so enjoyable. One of our favorites!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Outstanding African-inspired cuisine making it a top Disney resort restaurant

Jiko has a brilliant atmosphere and the lighting is done well; giving a calming ambience. It's very welcoming to all parties, with a large format dining area. We were brought to our table by a gentlemen who told us all about his African heritage and thoughts. He was extremely nice and informational. The waitress was again very helpful and answered any questions we had. We had a couple unique African beers while we waited for out food. My girlfriend loved the fish dish she got and it looked exquisite. My friend also enjoyed his steak selection. I ordered lamp chops and they came out perfect. The deserts were even better. Jiko is a fine, top of the line establishment. I hope i get the opportunity to visit it soon.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything they served was cold. Which was fine for dessert, but bad for a lamb shank.

Disorganized, mediocre service, food which would taste nice if warm.

Sanaa - and most others at Disney - are far better, especially for the high price tag.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Wine flight was a worthy adventure! Every dish was creative and delicious. If you are looking for something special for your Disney trip, this is the place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent food, excellent atmosphere, excellent service. If you want a truly unique and memorable dining experience, book a reservation now.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Giraffe Bread, Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin, Duck Confit and Honey-Raisin Flatbread, Bobotie Mac \u0026 Cheese, Seared Venison Loin, Moroccan Lamb Shank

Every part of the experience was fantastic!!
Such nice staff and the food flavors were amazing!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Giraffe Bread, Diver Scallop with Pork Belly, Seafood Tagine, Seared Venison Loin

Taffy, Gugu, Erika were a perfect start to the night, perfect energy, server was Badr was the server top notch, 10/10 food and service. We came from a different hotel and was the best experience we had at Disney so far! Would definitely recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The fish and the filet mignon were excellent, as well as the scallop appetizer.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Diver Scallop with Pork Belly, Fish, Bread Service

It was nice that this location is subdued for a more upscale, adult experience. Service was fine and friendly. The food was bordering on rancid. I tried very hard to eat it... Considering the price, I wasn't about to be wasteful... But it was awful. I finally offered what I simply couldn't stomach to my husband, who thought I was overreacting until he tried it. We're quickly working our way through all the decent dining options at Disney and this was the first that truly disappointed. I'm usually willing to offer second chances when I'm less than satisfied, but this one... Never again. I can't get that horrid taste out of my mouth and no one there seemed too concerned with satisfaction. For signature dining, this is beyond subpar.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

This is one of the best restaurants we've tried on any of the Disney properties that we've ever visited over the years and I highly recommend eating here. We had the mushroom ravioli and it was delicious. Then we both had the chicken and it was outstanding. The mix of flavors here was new and delightful. I usually complain about artsy-fartsy foods, but this was not artsy-fartsy, this was culinary mastery. The ambiance is lovely, the food was great and the service was top shelf. Of course, as is usual for any Disney restaurant, the price was ridiculous.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A lovely spot for a Disney date night! The food here is excellent! Everything that we ordered was very good. Definitely a splurge but at least the quality and flavor delivered! Our server was great as well!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin

14 adults from all over country flew in for my wife’s 50th B Day. We very much wanted to try JIKO restaurant together. 3 months earlier we asked to have a large party be able to sit together. They said they could not guarantee us all together but would at the least go out of their way to keep us close. The morning we arrived we asked again and they said don’t worry leave a note for the manager and tonight we will do what we can to accommodate. 5:30 pm we came into the restaurant with our party of 14 and was rudely told we can not accommodate you and that we have to split you in party’s of two on groups of 7 people. (I wonder if this is for gratuity purposes only and not about customer service). I spoke to the waitress, hostess and head manager (Bryan Kelley) whom I was told he was the top manager and only reports to the head of the hotel so I could not speak to anyone higher. He said that he accommodated us best as he could. I told him that the hostess literally sat the family behind us in the line at the table right next to our parents and friends while they sent us across the room to another area where we were even served at different times causing our party’s to have to split up until after dinner. (Don’t Ever Come Here For A Party). I explained that the unknown man and his family came in after us in the line and that I didn’t understand what was going on since it’s first come first serve. Bryan said we wouldn’t be comfortable together so it’s better to split our party up and that he would not be changing what the hostess did. I then explained it was my wife’s 50th birthday and to please help us stay at least close for dinner since family/friends flew in from all over and he did not care at all. As I sit here finishing our meal all I can think is I am Never Coming Here Again. Retired US Army Disabled Veteran

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Came here during our stay at animal kingdom lodge, and it was so good that we came back! The halibut was exceptionally cooked, flaky and sweet with no hint dryness. The black rice with mushrooms were so well seasoned as well.
The second night I had the vegetarian option which was yummy but not as impressive as the protein entrees we had the previous night. Overall a great dining experience and great introduction to African inspired food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5