Finding the best Animal Kingdom quick service to eat at is important when you explore the world’s biggest theme park. There’s a lot of walking, animal watching, and thrill-seeking going on and with all that excitement, you work up an appetite. But who wants to waste precious time sitting down for a full-service meal when there’s a whole park waiting for you? This is where quick service dining comes in handy. It’s a fast food option.
Let’s take a look at the top places where you can grab a fast, tasty bite without missing a beat on your wild adventure.
Satu’li Canteen: A Culinary Journey to Pandora
In the depths of the lush green landscape and near the floating mountains of Pandora you will find Satu’li Canteen. The atmosphere here is just as impressive as the food. You’re surrounded by the strange, bioluminescent beauty of Pandora, which makes it feel like you’ve stepped into a completely new world.
With a cool, futuristic yet relaxing feel, there’s a lot to take in in this quick service. For anyone challenged with making choices, there are a few extra decision-making steps when choosing your meal here.
What’s on the menu?
Offering customisable bowls for lunch and dinner you pick your base, your protein, and your sauce. It’s Asian inspired cuisine with a Pandora twist. Bowls can include chicken or beef for the protein, rice and grains for a base, and for example a creamy herb sauce. There are multiple options to choose from to suit your palette, which is what makes this a great quick service option.
You can view the full Satu’li Canteen menu here.
The bowls are definitely a must-try, but the Cheeseburger Pods are a unique twist on a classic theme park food that offer an equally delicious choice. The ‘Pods’ are bao buns with mince beef, cheese, pickle, ketchup and mustard all rolled into one filling. It sounds disgusting, but if you consider yourself a burger connoisseur this is a must try.
When to eat here?
Visit this quick service option for lunch or dinner, but if you visit during peak mealtime hours at around midday and 5pm use the mobile ordering facility on your app. It will save you standing in a queue.
If you can, eat early or later in the afternoon. You’ll avoid the crowds and get to enjoy the ambiance a bit more. The theming fits with the area, and you’ll find Na’vi decorations hanging all around. The theming resembles the part of the covered queue line for Na’vi River Journey.
The Verdict: 10/10
If you love the Avatar film franchise, this is the quick service lunch experience for you. Be sure to take a few minutes to soak in the rich decorated atmosphere and don’t just rush out.
For others, they may see a school hall vibe going on and prefer the ambiance and decoration elsewhere. The food does however make it worth dining here, no matter how you view the theming. It’s also got good options for vegetarians and vegans in comparison to offerings in other quick service outlets.
Satu’li Canteen’s one of the best dining options for quick service in Animal Kingdom in 2024.
Flame Tree Barbecue: Smoky Flavours in the Heart of Animal Kingdom
If there’s one place in Animal Kingdom that’s going to make you want to slow down and savour every bite, it’s Flame Tree Barbecue. One of the best things about Flame Tree Barbecue is the setting. The seating area is all outdoors with some areas overlooking Discovery River and Everest, the atmosphere here transports you from a theme park. It’s the perfect spot to relax for a bit, especially if you’ve been on your feet all day.
What’s on the menu?
One of the best dishes here is the St Louis Rib is you are looking to indulge in a bit of BBQ. There’s something about the combination of smoky, tender meat with that tangy sauce that just hits the spot. Served with coleslaw and Flame Tree Signature beans, this is one of the pricier options for a quick service dinner. It’s currently $16.49 before tax, which is about £12.50.
You can view the full Flame Tree Barbeque menu here.
It’s the place to head to if you love BBQ flavours. It’s good BBQ in this location, but it’s definitely one of the more expensive quick-service locations with prices ranging from $14.99 – $34.99 (£11.40 – £26.50).
When to eat here?
This quick service dining experience has a reputation for providing delicious food and there is often a long line at peak mealtimes. Avoiding peak meal times during lunch and dinner as this place is situated in Discovery Island at the heart of the park.
The Verdict: 7/10
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, there is one entrée and a couple of sides which may appeal, but with an Entrée like Impossible Burnt Ends it’s not the most appealing meal. There are better quick service options in Animal Kingdom for veggies and vegans alike, so give this place a miss.
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes: Asian Street Food with a Twist
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes is one of those places that you might walk by and think, “Oh, it’s just another quick service spot.” But this place has some great Asian-inspired street food and like Flame Tree Barbeque it offers outside seating to soak in the atmosphere as you eat.
It’s vibrant, colourful, and feels like you’ve been transported to a little market somewhere in Asia. There’s something really relaxing about sitting there, enjoying your food, and watching the world go by. Plus, it’s a great spot for people-watching, if that’s your thing
What to eat here
Honey sesame chicken has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, and the chicken is always crispy. The sweet and savoury flavour is on point. The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich is another good option which is a little bit more spicy for those who like a fuller flavour.
You can view the full Yak and Yeti Local Food Café Menu here.
Don’t skip the sides. The fried rice is pretty solid, and the egg rolls are crispy and delicious. Perfect for sharing—or not, if you’re like me and don’t want to share your food!
When to eat here?
This is one of few places in Animal Kingdom where you can head to for a Quick Service Breakfast. It’s a great reason to head towards Asia rather than Pandora if you’re visiting for an early morning and looking to soak up the atmosphere. Sitting outdoors with a breakfast bowl offers a different experience in this park.
The Verdict: 7/10
The outdoor seating area gets busy at peak times and with no indoor seating it can be a bit overwhelming. As with all quick service options, avoiding peak times where possible will give you a better dining experience.
If it is breakfast you are looking for this is the place you need to visit. It is also quieter for breakfast than any other meal, even though it is the only option.
It’s a mediocre to good food experience, depending on the time of day and item you choose from the menu. For quick service in a theme park, it’s a solid choice. There are different options that will give you a better experience though.
Harambe Market: African-Inspired Flavors in a Vibrant Setting
Harambe Market is an outdoor area in Africa where you can see the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch pass by at the bottom. It’s nicely themed and there are interesting posters all around on the walls. You really do feel as if you are sitting outdoors in a market.
What to eat here
The food here is not typically theme park food and there are some rice bowls, salads, and pittas to choose from. The food is flavourful, and you can enjoy a different kind of quick dining experience in this little area tucked away.
You can see the full menu for Harambe Market here.
The Impossible kofta pitta is a great shout for vegans, although not really warm it has some interesting flavours. The pitta is a little thicker than you might like, which can make it a bit dry, but overall, it’s a tasty option that is a little bit different.
When to eat here
The market is designed to look like a bustling African village, and the attention to detail is incredible. During busy periods you can struggle with seating and it can feel noisy, just as bustling market would. It’s better to dine here during quieter periods, because the seating area is small.
If you’re planning to eat at Harambe Market, try to find a seat in the back, near the edge of the market. It’s a bit quieter, and you can get some really nice views of the park. When it quietens down, it’s a great place to just sit and escape for a few minutes.
The Verdict: 7/10
The vegan option provides a refreshing change, but the other options available here are exciting and flavourful alternatives to typical theme park food. Some options have more flavour than others but it’s a solid option for lunch or dinner in Animal Kingdom.
Ideal for Disney adults and those with a more varied palette, the menu options may not be ideal for fussy eaters and children.
Pizzafari: Fast pizza
The bright and colourful themed animal décor and seating fits with it’s location near the edges of Discovery Island and Pandora. The colourful animal murals and hidden animal details makes this a great option for families and animal lovers.
The theming creates a zoo vibe, and the food on offer fits with what you would expect to find in a UK zoo. You can imagine a kids party in one of the little areas, with balloons and excitement spilling out quite easily.
What to eat here
Don’t get your hopes up, this is not the best pizza in Disney World. Having said that, it’s ok and by no means bad. It’s typical theme park pizza. As the only pizza option, the toppings you choose depends on the rating you would give this quick service pizza outlet. From pepperoni to sausage and peperoni to cheese the choice is small, as is the size.
The Caesar salad side is a bit of a disappointment as it adds up to a big bowl of romaine lettuce and nothing more. You’ll be adding your own sauce and you’ll be grabbing your parmesan from the quick service condiments trolley.
You can take a look at the Pizzafari menu in full here.
The pizza is small and looks a bit like a Pizza Hut kids deep pan. It’s good for picky eaters though, as the cheese version does not have an overwhelming flavour and is quite bland for a pizza. The plus of pizza being served individually also means that for anyone with issues about toppings moving and slices not coming perfectly neat, this is safe place to eat.
When to eat here?
With plenty of indoor seating this place offers a bright escape from the heat outdoors, so it’s a wonderful place to drop into during hot days for a drink. As with all the other quick service dining options, during busy times it is best to order using the app or eat at a different time.
If you need a spot to plan your next move or just collect your thoughts, there are some quiet corners, but mostly importantly there’s air conditioning. It’s a great spot to just recalibrate in if you aren’t ready to tackle more of Animal Kingdom after the wonders of Pandora. Offering glowing ice cubes with select souvenir drinks it’s also a place to visit just for a drink and cool down.
The Verdict 6/10
The food is ok, it’s not going to blow you away, but when you’re looking for something fast and not fussy this will do the job. It’s one of the safer menus in Animal Kingdom for fussy eaters to choose from, as the food is similar to what you would expect to find in English theme parks with pizza outlets.
The atmosphere is nice and again has familiar feels to UK offerings, although not from the outside. It’s got a great indoor seating area that is good for kids and families with young children, who will probably enjoy this option more over other quick service at Animal Kingdom.
Restaurantosaurus: Dinoland U.S.A
Heading for extinction, like the rest of this area, it is soon to be replaced with the largest quick service offering in Animal Kingdom. Until then, you might just want to avoid this quick service offering anyway. It’s quite dark, the theming feels a little off in comparison with other options and it lacks that Animal Kingdom Magic.
What to eat here
It’s chicken strips, burgers, and hot dog all the way, with chips. This is the only place in Animal Kingdom serving chicken nuggets and chips, so if that is what you are looking for this is where you need to head to.
You can view the full menu for Restaurantosaurus here.
With so many other dining options, a day in Animal Kingdom gives you a chance to have different food for lunch or dinner. The menu is limited, and the options leave you underwhelmed. The best item to order is the chicken tenders and chips. They’ll definitely hit the spot. The burgers are a little lack lustre, but the impossible burger here offers some nice flavours, so this is also good for vegans.
When to eat here
Of all the Animal Kingdom offerings, don’t eat here. But it is the only the place for chicken tenders and chips. It’s a laid-back place and the theme is meant to be that of a canteen run by the grad students from the centre across the path. It’s theming that gets lost.
When it is busy at lunch, avoid it. The sound is echoing, and it just feels a bit oppressive. Perhaps consider it as a quick service snack option for some chips, but nothing more.
Verdict: 5/10
The theming and the décor are old, and that lets the dining experience down. The food is not the best and the typical theme park food offerings feel less than they are given the options available in Animal Kingdom.
If you have picky eaters in your party, or anyone who likes only beige or bland foods this will be your best option and they will probably be quite happy. The rest of the party may want to eat elsewhere.
Conclusion
Animal Kingdom quick service outlets offer a great variety of food options with flavour. There are unique places to eat and you won’t find similar options in any of the other parks. Peak meal times are busy in every outlet, so the advice for any option is to use the mobile ordering in your My Disney Experience App.
The only quick service outlet where you will find a quick service breakfast is Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafés, so if it is breakfast time head there. Otherwise, for lunch and dinner, Satu’li Canteen is your best option and Restaurantosaurus a soon to be extinct worst option.
Why not take a look at the best animal kingdom attractions next so you can choose the rides you can’t wait to experience.
