There’s many restaurants that are worth a try at Walt Disney World, but Sanaa is by far our favorite! The lodge already is a special place for us since we met there, but the atmosphere is just unbeatable. Animal Kingdom Lodge always feels so welcoming and relaxing when you enter. There’s a popular restaurant at Jambo House that is called Boma and another at Kidani Village called Sanaa. Boma is a buffet style – which we like, but Sanaa has the best food! We tend to book a reservation at Sanaa the moment we know what day we are going to Animal Kingdom. This just makes it easy to get to the lodge for lunch.
The view at Sanaa is also amazing. The animals are right outside your window or you can walk out by the savannah to see them before or after lunch!
The food choices at are all delicious, but Lyall loves the lunch at Sanaa so that is when we try to book. We ended up having a table by the window this time and it made lunch so much easier with Cal! He made friends with all the animals as he waved at them. They also give a cute coloring sheet and crayons which he enjoyed. The other nice thing is if you have to wait for a table, there’s plenty to see outside! There’s also cute gift shops that you can explore. We always have a reservation and with the way Disney is handling restaurants at the moment so there’s really no reason to wait other than if you are early.
Our food of choice never changes – we crave the Naan Bread Service and the Butter Chicken with Aloo Masala. Delicious is an understatement!! I like that you can choose the bread you would like to have and then you have multiple choices for sauces as well.
Indian-style Bread Service
Choice of Five Breads and with all Nine Accompaniments – Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kulcha, or Paneer Paratha.
Accompaniments – Cucumber Raita, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Tamarind Chutney, Coriander Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Red Chile Sambal, or Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle
Lyall’s favorite accompaniment is the mango chutney! Mine is a tie between the cucumber raita and the tamarind chutney. My mom took all the garlic pickle for herself. Just like her lobster roll, she loves garlic! I tried all of them though – and none disappointed! I think my least favorite was the hummus only because it seemed more common. Still delicious though!
Potjie Inspired
Choose one from the Journey – Goan Seafood Curry, Butter Chicken, or Braised Beef. Choose one from the Harvest (Plant-based) – Aloo Masala, Chickpea Wat, or Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables served with scented Basmati Rice
We choose the Butter Chicken with the Aloo Masala with Basmati Rice! All of us. We really should try something else but when you only eat somewhere once a year – you get what you love!
We gave Cal pieces of our Butter Chicken and then we ordered him rice and fruit! He loved all of the items. I think it was the most I saw him eat during our entire trip. He can eat an entire plate of rice as if it’s ice cream.
The prices are really the only downfall, but Disney is pricey all around. The meal adds up quick so it’s a place that you save up for and feel like it is worth it. For us this is the “treat” meal during our trip every year! The Naan bread is currently $19.00 and then the Butter Chicken or any of the Potjie inspired meals are $28.00. The meals are filling so you do get what you pay for!
If you are looking for a fun place away from the crowds then this is the place to go. It’s pretty distracting for the kiddos, romantic for a date, and has the best cocktails for a gathering with friends! I highly recommend trying out Sanaa any time you are at Walt Disney World!
As always, thank you for reading!
