Is Jiko Worth the Splurge? Dinner at The Cooking Place

Every once in a while, I’ll have a Disney meal that makes me stop mid-bite and go, “Oh. This is why I keep coming back.” That’s what happened at a recent dinner at Jiko. Tucked away in Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s not the easiest reservation to get to, but it delivered one of the most memorable meals of my trip. With unique flavors, warm atmosphere, and some of the best service I’ve encountered at Walt Disney World, Jiko more than earned the right to stay on my  “always recommend” list.

Jiko Logistics

Location and Transportation

Jiko – The Cooking Place is located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, in Jambo House. If you’ve never been to this resort, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of the most beautiful on property, and absolutely worth a little extra travel time to get there. You’ll want to arrive a little early to explore the resort, and especially the savanna, before your meal. Once you enter the stunning lobby, take the sweeping staircase (or elevator) down to the savanna walk, and you’ll find cultural representatives and plenty of animals who call the savanna home. It’s a beautiful place to relax, explore, and learn.

Then, when it’s time to check in for your meal, head back up to the lobby and down the winding staircase to the side. You’ll walk past Victoria Falls Lounge, Boma, and there you’ll find the check-in desk for Jiko.

If you’re relying on Disney transportation, the easiest option is to take a bus directly to Animal Kingdom Lodge from any theme park (or Disney Springs in a pinch). If you’re coming from another resort, you’ll have to transfer through a park. Transferring at Animal Kingdom is typically the easiest if the park is still open. Minnie Van, Uber, or Lyft are also good options if you’re trying to avoid the transfer game.

Reservations and Availability

Thanks to its remote location, Jiko isn’t typically a reservation that disappears quickly at the 60-day mark, but that doesn’t mean it should be your last-minute backup. It’s a Signature dining location with a loyal following, especially among adults and adventurous eaters. You’ll usually find dinner slots available throughout your trip window, especially later in the evening, but if you have a specific time or date in mind, booking early is still the safest bet.

Cost

As a Signature dining experience, Jiko carries Signature pricing. At the time of this writing, most entrées range from $41 to $62, with appetizers and desserts each hovering around the $15 mark. If you add in a cocktail or a glass of South African wine (and you probably should), you’re looking at about $75 to $100 per adult before tax and tip. Annual Passholders and DVC Members can currently receive a 10% discount. Jiko is a 2-credit meal on the Disney Dining Plan.

Jiko Atmosphere

Jiko feels like an escape from the Disney bubble, in the best way. From the moment you walk in, the open cooking in the Jiko, warm lighting, and rich colors help the space strike a perfect balance between refined and relaxed. You’ll see nods to African culture in the design, but nothing feels over-the-top or theme-park kitschy. One of my favorite touches is the slow color shift in the lighting as the evening progresses—meant to mimic the African sunset. It’s subtle, but it adds to the feeling that you’re somewhere special. This isn’t a character meal, and there’s no entertainment to speak of. You’re not getting fireworks views, or even a peek out onto the savanna. But if you want to actually enjoy a conversation over a truly special meal, it’s hard to beat.

One bonus for hidden Mickey enthusiasts! Jiko is home to the largest indoor hidden Mickey at Walt Disney World. Keep your eyes open, or ask the cast members for a hint if you get desperate.

Jiko Food

For my meal at Jiko, I asked the chef to select one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert to create a meal for me! I love doing this at Disney restaurants for a great curated taste of any menu. Every Jiko meal begins with giraffe bread! The combination of the soft bread with the crispy exterior and beautiful butter is a fitting introduction to the care and attention put into every part of your meal.

Appetizer

Duck Confit and Honey-Raisin Flatbread – $17
Preserved duck, rocket, toasted chickpeas, mozzarella, plump raisins, harissa, and spiced honey

The meal started off with an appetizer that I would never order for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love duck and I love flatbreads. But I’m generally afraid of anything even mildly spicy. Now, as a Disney regular, I should know better. It’s highly unlike Disney to make anything in any of their restaurants actually spicy. Things are generally kept pretty tame. And this had the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and the tiniest hint of heat. Do I wish there were a little more duck? Yes. But the portion was huge. Easily a shareable appetizer, or honestly, a pretty decent meal for one.

Entree

Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Shank – $51
Preserved Lemon Potatoes, Date Chutney, Peas, Minted Lamb Demi-glace

What a wonder this dish was! And perhaps the inspiration to do some sort of definitive ranking of shanks around the World, ha! My previous top-ranking shank would be from Storybook Dining at Artist Point, but this lamb shank has newly won the top spot. The lamb was so tender that it fell apart as soon as you touched it with a fork. The lemon in the potatoes gave it a nice lift in flavor in an otherwise-heavy dish. But the layers of Moroccan spices with the date chutney were a total delight. Lots of complexity, and a very large portion of protein.

Dessert

Malva Pudding – $14
Amarula-infused Malva Cake, Caramel-Sea Salt Gelato, Kataifi, Kanu Tuile, Cabernet Gelée

Well, it wasn’t chocolate. That’s how every non-chocolate dessert review starts for me. But it was the perfect end to this little curated meal. The dessert was visually striking, mirroring the decor of the restaurant. Which is impressive for a dish that is essentially beige on beige on beige on beige … with some red sauce. The tuile on top and the kataifi (shredded filo dough) were very bland, but bites of the malva cake with the caramel gelato and the sauce at the bottom were delicious.

Specialty Beverages

African Old Fashioned ($16.50)

This is the only part of the meal that I selected for myself. Because it is (or was?!) one of my favorite old-fashioneds on property, thanks to its use of Madagascar bourbon vanilla in the drink, plus that adorable bird-shaped orange peel that once again ties in with the restaurant’s decor. But I can no longer find it on Jiko’s menu! Hopefully it’s still available because it’s a strong pour with a lot of complex flavor. Someone will need to go back and do some in-person research to see if it’s still around!

Is Jiko Right For You?

1. Do you like well-executed meat in shank form? Then Jiko is right for you. This should be your first stop on your WDW vacation. Period.

2. If you’re the type of Disney guest who wants characters, fireworks views, or familiar comfort food, this is not your best pick. There are no costumed friends here, and no nightly shows to watch out the window – just really good food and an environment that actually encourages conversation and enjoying a meal by yourself or with your friends and family.

3. If you’re staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge and are up for a fancy meal, this is a no-brainer. But even if you’re not, Jiko is absolutely worth the trip. Just build in enough time to explore the savanna and soak in the lobby before your meal.

4. For adults looking for a quiet, elevated meal with standout service and unique flavors, Jiko consistently delivers. It’s a Signature experience that feels appropriately special. And it has portions that are large, flavors that are bold, and service that’s among the best on property. It’s one of the few Disney restaurants where, if you book a later reservation, you may dine with no children nearby.

Have you eaten at Jiko recently? Let us know your thoughts below!