Where to Get Quick-Service and Table Service Breakfast at Animal Kingdom
In past years, Animal Kingdom had a reputation for lackluster dining options. Then Pandora – World Avatar opened and made this park a crowd-favorite among Disney fans. The new land increased crowds which increased restaurant choices.
Breakfast options at Animal Kingdom have expanded over the last few years. And some of Animal Kingdom’s breakfast items are downright delectable!
Ever had a Pongu Lumpia? This ingenious creation is a spring roll filled with pineapple cream cheese and fried to a crisp.
*chef kiss*
The Pongu Lumpia is one of the many delightful items you can get at Animal Kingdom, but the others are a little hard to find.
I’ve divided the best places to get breakfast at Animal Kingdom into quick-service (fast food) and table service (sit-down). Then I listed them in order of popularity so you know what people are flocking to!
I also added a couple of bonus options if you’re willing to venture outside the normal breakfast fare.
Helpful Disney Planning Resources
- 15 Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Disney World Vacation
- Where to Find Good Coffee at Disney World
- The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2020
Quick-Service Breakfast at Animal Kingdom
Pongu Pongu
This spot is home to the famous Pongu Lumpia. I’m glad to know that Disney has deemed this indulgent dessert as a breakfast item. You can also opt for a breakfast sandwich or french toast sticks. It’s the perfect place to grab a quick bite after you spent your morning dominating Pandora.
Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe
If you’re looking for a quiet breakfast then Yak and Yeti is your place. It’s nestled next to its full-service counterpart, Yak and Yeti, over by Expedition Everest. Most people will grab breakfast at Starbucks after rope dropping Pandora. This place is on the opposite side of the park and offers a quiet spot to enjoy your morning. Local Foods serves up hearty snacks all day and breakfast is no exception. If you’re looking for something that will fill you up then try one of their breakfast sandwiches. The sandwich is made with eggs, cheese, bacon piled high on toasted challah bread. So good.
Creature Comforts
Disney World offers a fully-functioning Starbucks (named under a pseudonym) in all four of the theme parks. At Creature Comforts, you’ll find standard Starbucks drinks and food and it’s conveniently located on your way to Kilimanjaro Safaris. I highly recommend downloading the Starbucks app and mobile ordering your food and coffee. The line usually stretches out the door and down the walkway. There’s nothing special about Disney’s Starbucks, but it is nice to have the opportunity to get your favorite coffee drink!
Isle of Java
This grab-and-go kiosk is great for a quick coffee and pastry on your way to ride Dinosaur. They have a full espresso machine that can brew you a latte or cappuccino. If you really want to spice up your magic morning, you can get your coffee spiked with a little something extra too! Coffee aside, you can get an Elephant Ear Pastry, muffins, or breakfast sandwiches here.
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
A quick stop that allows you to grab a breakfast sandwich, iced latte, or a giant cinnamon roll. This is a good option if you’re trying to make it to a ride quickly and don’t want to wait in line. For the budget-friendly, the giant cinnamon roll can easily be shared with two or three people. It’s also a great treat to brag about on Instagram!
An alternative (and healthier) option to Kusafiri is Harambe Fruit Market. The small stand offers whole fruit, snack cheese, and corn on the cob. A favorable choice for those of us who don’t like to eat large breakfasts on a humid Florida morning!
Or, you can just opt for the Mickey pretzel because you’re on vacation and no one is here to judge.
Joffrey’s Coffee
There’s a Joffrey’s Coffee stand conveniently located outside the turnstile entrance of the park. Joffrey’s provides a full coffee menu, doughnuts, and pastries. The best game plan is to hold your spot in line while a member of your group picks up some coffee and doughnuts for the crew. Grabbing a cold brew from Joffrey’s before running to Flight of Passage has become my new morning tradition. There’s also a Joffrey’s located in Asia near Kali River Rapids under the name Royal Anandapur Tea Cart. This kiosk has fresh iced tea for all of you non-coffee drinkers.
Table Service Animal Kingdom Breakfast
Rainforest Cafe and Tusker House are full-service restaurants usually open by 8:00 AM. You can take advantage of this and squeeze in breakfast before Animal Kingdom officially opens. (Unless it’s Extra Magic Hours.) For Tusker House, that means you can enter the park before anyone without a reservation. I advise getting to the entrance at least 45 minutes earlier than your reserved time. The Cast Member will let you enter around 7:30/7:45 AM.
Rainforest Cafe
I don’t often suggest Rainforest Cafe because there a lot of amazing options at Animal Kingdom. That said, a lot of kids love the immersive atmosphere of the restaurant and it’s nicely located outside of the entrance of the park. Meaning, you can grab a full breakfast at 8:00 AM and enter by 9:00 AM. I don’t advise eating at Rainforest Cafe if you plan on rope dropping Flight of Passage. Most people are lining up to the entrance around 8:00 AM to be the first in line for Pandora attractions.
Tusker House
This is a character dining buffet where Mickey and friends are decked out in safari garb. It’s a favorite among little ones and grown-ups alike. Tusker House is the only table service restaurant serving breakfast inside Animal Kingdom. They have a wide variety of options at the buffet like banana bread pudding, frittatas, pastries, and all your standard breakfast fare. You won’t be disappointed if you choose this place for breakfast.
Alternate Breakfast Choices at Animal Kingdom
Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge might be my favorite place at Disney World. The lounge is connected to Tiffins Restaurant opens at 11:30 AM and there’s no need for a reservation. This is the perfect place for a mid-morning snack after you spent two hours in line at Flight of Passage. The best way to experience Nomad Lounge is to order the Mustang Coffee (spiked with Crown Royale, brown sugar, and butter) and pair it with the charcuterie plate. The bar is open to all ages and usually very chill in the morning. The outside patio serves a relaxing view of the river and entrance to Pandora.
Boma
Ask any Disney fan for breakfast recommendations and they will either suggest Ohana at the Polynesian or Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The buffet at Boma is unlike any buffet you’ll ever experience. Here, you can indulge in African-inspired dishes like African Fruit Fool Salad and sweet plantains or American standards like waffles, hand-carved ham, and potatoes.
And don’t forget the Zebra Domes! This is a popular treat made with a white cake and coated with white and dark chocolate ganache. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe hotel located fairly close to Animal Kingdom. You can either drive and park for free or take a Lyft there.
Well, there you have it! The best places to get your morning grub at Animal Kingdom. If none of these options sound appetizing there are plenty of options outside of the parks. Every Disney World hotel has a quick-service restaurant open for early-risers. Otherwise, many guests will buy some light breakfast items from Publix to store in their room. Mornings can be rushed and stressful at Disney World so sometimes it’s best to just grab a muffin and go!
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