Jiko - The Cooking Place

The resort's signature restaurant is Jiko-The Cooking Place, featuring cuisines from around the globe: Berbere-braised lamb shank with couscous and baby spinach; pan-roasted halibut and vegetables, and roasted chicken with preserved lemons, olives and garlic. Appetizers are equally imaginative, like kalamata olive flatbread, or a crispy cinnamon-spiced beef roll.

The restaurant’s children’s menu features everything from grilled salmon to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Jiko offers exclusive South African wines that are rarely available in the United States with most of the 65 vintages available by the glass. South African climate mirrors the northern coast of California, so the grape varietals and flavors are familiar.

Jiko's artful interior, the work of noted restaurant designer Jeffrey Beers, is inspired by Disney's "The Lion King," with muted earth tones and stylistic white birds gracefully suspended from the ceiling. Twin wood-burning ovens are the centerpiece of the open kitchen in the 235-seat dining room. For private dining, the glass-walled Cape Town Wine Room seats up to 40.

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Essential Information Location Animal Kingdom Lodge Type Sit-down restaurant. A la carte. Cuisine - African. Included in Disney Dining Plan Yes (2 credits) Tips & Fun Facts For large parties, inquire about the private Cape Town Wine Room that seats up to 40 guests. Jiko offers the most exclusive South African wine list in the United States. Sample delicacies from a large selection of wines available by the glass — a majority from boutique wineries. This location can accommodate most special dietary needs. Advance notice may be required and cancellation fees may apply. Please indicate any special dietary need at time of reservation booking. Dress Code Guidelines: Men: Khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts, collared shirts.  Sport coats are optional. Ladies:  Capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, dress shorts. Not permitted in dining room: Tank tops, swimwear, hats for gentleman, cut offs, or torn clothing. While T-shirts are now allowed, the policy remains that T-shirts with offensive language or graphics are not acceptable. Advanced Dining Reservations Reservations recommended. Book up to 180 days in advance (or up to 190 days for Disney Resort guests). Call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) A credit card guarantee is required to make reservations. In the event that a cancellation is not made at least one day in advance, the credit card on the reservation will be charged $10 per person. Reservations can be cancelled at any table service restaurant podium, by calling 407-WDW-CNCL, at www.disneyworld.com/dining, or at any guest relations or resort front desk. Reviews & Ratings

Recommended For Adults Seniors Romance Meals Meals Served Dinner. Average Cost for full meal $30 - $50 per person Typical Menu Items Duck and pork firecracker, Flatbread, Berbere Braised Lamb Shank, Chicken, Curry, Scallops, Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon, Salmon. Children's menu available. Most popular menu items Pan-Roasted Halibut. This "poor man's lobster" is a hit at Jiko-The Cooking Place. The chef serves it with a dreamy tomato butter sauce, fresh vegetable and a flourish of light-as-air crispy fried sweet potatoes.