Overall, customers praised the food for its unique flavors and high quality, particularly highlighting dishes like the lamb shank, filet mignon, and giraffe bread.
Service
Service received mixed reviews; while many praised the attentiveness and friendliness of staff, some reported slow service and disorganization.
Atmosphere
The restaurant's ambiance was frequently described as elegant and welcoming, making it suitable for special occasions.
Pricing
Many customers noted that while the food and experience were excellent, the prices were high, leading to mixed feelings about value.
Child-Friendliness
Several reviews indicated that the restaurant may not be suitable for families with young children, citing a lack of accommodations for kids.
AL
Alexander leviton
1 day ago
1.0
Food was great, but the food was slow to make it’s way to our table . My twins bday ruined because we waited over 20 minutes after our food was cleared for pre paid cakes that we had to take to go. Our server Dawn was fantastic. The kitchen made her look bad when is obvious she is very good at her job. Disney did the least to make our kids birthday special this evening. It has me questioning my entire relationship with the company. They gave us a cake that’s said congratulations instead of happy birthday. What a joke for a $400 bill.
KK
Katie K
Nov 11, 2025
5.0
Beautiful hotel and great restaurant
WB
Wade Brooks
Nov 3, 2025
5.0
Wonderful upscale Disney restaurant. Food was delicious and the service was prompt and friendly. Very good!
LL
lindsay
Oct 29, 2025
5.0
Cannot recommend this place enough. We had an amazing experience. It started when our hostess gave us a small tour of the restaurant explaining that they had the largest selection of South African wines outside of South Africa explained why it’s called the cooking place as well as a few other fun details before bringing us to our seats.
Our waiter was very tentative and kind. The giraffe bread – as they call it was amazing and was served with a delicious flavorful butter. We ordered the tenderloin for an appetizer and it was to die for. It was nit gamey at all and wonderful flavor, I wish I would have just ordered this at for my entrée!!
The wine selection was amazing, highly recommend trying some of their South African wines, even if you’re not a wine person.
For entrées, we had the Moroccan spiced lamb shank and the Injera Basket. The lamb shank was huge and fell apart with a fork wonderful flavor and was served with a crunchy couscous and pomegranate seeds. The plant based Injera basket was wonderful and it was nice to mix and match the different toppings to combine flavors.
I was in a party of 2, both of us moderate eaters and with the bread appetizer and two entrées. We had plenty to bring back to our hotel room and eat for dinner the next day. we even had a few leftovers after our “leftover” dinner to have as a snack.
I highly recommend if you have the budget to check this place out. However, I wouldn’t recommend bringing kids/small children here as the food choices gear more towards a refined pallet. The restaurant is also very quiet.
SG
Stephen George
Oct 18, 2025
5.0
The food was great so we're all the people. I told my waiter Jeff I was going to propose to my now fiancee and heade a great effort even going and getting all staff to sign a congratulations card for us. Great to a part of this experience highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jiko - The Cooking Place
What type of cuisine does Jiko - The Cooking Place specialize in?
Jiko - The Cooking Place specializes in African cuisine, particularly South African dishes, featuring vibrant spices and boutique South African wines.
What are the operating hours of Jiko - The Cooking Place?
Jiko - The Cooking Place is open daily from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Where is Jiko - The Cooking Place located?
It is located at 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, in Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort Area.
Does Jiko - The Cooking Place accept reservations?
Yes, Jiko - The Cooking Place accepts reservations to ensure a seating availability for guests.
What payment methods are accepted at Jiko - The Cooking Place?
Payment options include American Express, Cash, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and contactless payments.
Is Jiko - The Cooking Place wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the restaurant has wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, seating, and restrooms.
Can families dine at Jiko - The Cooking Place?
Yes, Jiko welcomes families and offers high chairs and a children's menu.
What nearby places can guests visit before or after dining at Jiko?
Guests can visit nearby attractions like Kilimanjaro Club lounge, Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar for tapas and drinks, or Kilimanjaro Safaris for an adventurous experience.
Are there other African restaurants near Jiko - The Cooking Place?
Yes, Boma is another African restaurant nearby offering buffet dining, and The Mara serves African and American cuisine.
How can visitors use nearby facilities like the Chase ATM when visiting Jiko?
Visitors can conveniently access the nearby Chase ATM for cash needs before or after dining at Jiko - The Cooking Place, located within Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge area.