Home to standout food and gorgeous ambiance, Jiko – The Cooking Place is a favorite among countless Disney World guests. This Fine/Signature Dining option offers a more elevated table-service restaurant environment, making it a great choice for adult-only dinners, date nights, or special occasions.
Step inside, and you’ll have the chance to dine on food from Africa and other Mediterranean destinations as you experience the subtle changing lighting designed to mimic a real sunset. And while you enjoy your meal, you can watch the chefs at work right in the open show kitchen.
Jiko – The Cooking Place Location
Jiko – The Cooking Place sits inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, downstairs off the main lobby and past Victoria Falls Lounge.
Jiko – The Cooking Place Menu
Featuring a mix of dishes inspired by the cuisines of Africa, India, and other Mediterranean locales, Jiko – The Cooking Place offers one diverse and delicious menu. You’ll find steak, chicken, seafood, and plant-based options here, and every item features bold flavors and fragrant spices.
Only dinner is served here, but the menu at Jiko also changes seasonally to incorporate fresh ingredients and flavors.
Note: In addition to its elevated fare and ambiance, you’ll want to keep the dress code in mind. Guests are expected to “dress accordingly in attire that respects the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic,” according to the Disney World website. That means you’ll need to wear clean, neat clothing (no swimwear allowed).
Take a look at what’s on the menu at Jiko below.
Appetizers
- Mussels Malata
- Sukuma Wiki Dumplings
- Duck Confit and Honey-Raisin Flatbread
- Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin
- Diver Scallop with Pork Belly
- Jiko Salad
Entrées
- From the Oak Grill (choice of Filet Mignon or New York Strip)
- Cocoa-crusted Venison Loin
- Moroccan-spiced Lamb Shank
- Peri-Peri Chicken
- Sustainable Fish
- Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib
- Injera Basket
- Seafood Tagine
Enhancements
- Fire-roasted Shrimp
- Bobotie Mac & Cheese
- Zulu Oxtail Samp and Beans
Desserts
- Dumela
- Potjie Pot
- Melktert
- Malva Pudding
- Chai-spiced Ice Cream, No Sugar Added
Kids’ Appetizers (a la carte)
- Fresh Fruit
- Seasonal Garden Salad
- Seasonal Vegetables and Dip
Kids’ Create-Your-Own Entrées (choose one)
- Market-fresh Fish
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Shrimp with Kushari
- Steak Sosatie
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Cheese Pizza with Tomato Sauce
Kids’ Create-Your-Own Selections (choose two)
- Seasonal Vegetables
- Ancient Grains
- Fresh Fruit
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Not-So-Hidden Mickey Fruit and Yogurt
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- African Shield
- Pumbaa’s Dessert Grub
- MIickey Mouse Mousse
Disney Dining Plan
Jiko does accept the Disney Dining Plan, but it’ll cost more than your average Disney World restaurant to dine here on the plan. Like other Fine/Signature Dining restaurants, Jiko costs two table-service credits per person for dinner.
Additionally, only the Disney Dining Plan – not the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan – is accepted here.
Advance Dining Reservations
You’ll definitely want to make advance dining reservations (ADRs) if you’re hoping to dine at Jiko. While table-service restaurants are always in high demand at Disney World, Jiko is a very popular spot
Plus, Disney World’s Fine/Signature Dining spots tend to book up quickly. Keep in mind you’ll want to try to grab an ADR for Jiko as soon as the booking window opens at the 60-day mark.
Is Jiko – The Cooking Place Kid-Friendly?
Jiko isn’t the most kid-friendly restaurant at Disney World. In fact, it’s not even the most kid-friendly option you’ll find at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Both the more elevated setting and dining atmosphere make it more adult-friendly, and when it comes to the menu, this is really a spot best enjoyed by adventurous eaters.
As one of Disney World’s Fine/Signature Dining restaurants, it’s a tricky spot to take kids – especially toddlers or preschoolers. Jiko is somewhere you won’t want to have to interrupt your meal to keep young kids entertained, and little ones will have a tough time sitting through its more formal structure and in its quiet environment.
Additionally, while Jiko does offer a kids’ menu with some familiar staples (like the always-a-hit mac and cheese), the menu really leans more towards adventurous eaters. Even much of the kids’ menu is elevated compared to your average table-service restaurant, so you’re likely better off skipping Jiko until your kids are a little older or their palates are ready for some finer, more unique food.
