Explore the exotic surroundings and untamed flavors at Tiffins; Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park‘s first and only Fine/Signature Dining destination. Located down a once-quiet walkway to the entrance of Pandora- The World of Avatar, this restaurant possesses a touch of “animale” for the romantic types. Locate the romance in this Tiffins restaurant review.
Tiffins Restaurant Review
Decor
The dining experience begins with the decor, or art installation as it struck me. Decorated with actual mementos collected in Africa by the Disney Imagineers as they designed this park, you could easily spend a half hour exploring the walls before you sit to eat. The Grand Gallery is punctuated with exquisitely carved poles from Bali (moved from the former Camp Mickey Minnie). Its Lantern Wall, with lighted elephants and monkeys, is a nod to the upcoming Rivers of Light
 Storytelling is ever-present in Disney restaurants |
| The Grand Gallery |
Menu
Adventurous palates will appreciate the more exotic menu at Tiffins. Named after the midday meal in India and Nepal, and the steel food containers, or tiffin boxes, used to transport the rice, vegetables, and spicy meats, these courses are decidedly more upscale.
The dinner menu at Tiffins
The menu is an unexpected fusion of African, Asian, and Latin flavors, and the featured tastes reminded me of my still-favorite restaurant on property, Jiko.
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| Tiffins Signature Bread Service Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Pork and Masa Tamale! |
Wine
As with most of the other Walt Disney World Resort Signature Dining locations, Tiffins offers an extensive wine list with wine flights, and in keeping with its theming, features many wines from South Africa and South America. Specialty Beverages (Lamu Libations caught my attention) and draft and bottled beers (the Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale Draft and St. George Lager from Ethiopia are on my “To Do” list) are likewise not the norm.
Our server could not have been nicer or more professional. (When you find a bottle you can’t get enough of, take a photo. It helps when you go searching for more when you get home!)
Derived from the English slang tiffing, “to take a little drink,” perhaps the most romantic spot at Tiffins is the adjoining Nomad Lounge. From what could easily become my new favorite “drinking hole,” you overlook the newly-complete bridge to Pandora. Pick a waterside table for two, or a comfy couch for eight, and explore the myriad of “food and drink beyond the ordinary.” Trek to this spot as the lights go down and the lanterns come up. If you are not sold on the menu (or the price) at Tiffins, trying the small plates here. I think you will fall in love too.
This hideaway is about to become a lot busier, as it sits right at the bridge to the soon-to-open Pandora- The World of Avatar.
While this restaurant and lounge in Discovery Island does represent the road less traveled, for me it was well worth the trip. (Of course, with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park continues to grow and change. It’s pretty busy now!)
Disney Dining Plan: Two Table Service credits
Tables in Wonderland: Accepted
Grab your sweetie and go “wild” at Tiffins restaurant!
As always, a wonderful post Didi! Such a great loop by everyone, so many restaurants I’ve got to try!
Yes Mike, some oldies, some new-ies, but all goodies!
Tiffins is a new hidden gem for sure!!!
Perhaps I left out that the company was the real treasure Stacey?? Next time, we hit the Nomad Lounge for sure! <3
We just ate here on our last trip and loved it! We are already planning when we will go back.
Ah ha! Another explorer!! I know Tiffins will become so much busier once Pandora opens, so I’m happy that we all had our little secret adventure beforehand Becky!
The atmosphere looks incredible! One of our family rules for vacations is you have to try something new. That Octopus appetizer is on my list of things to try!
Octopus would do it James! (And that was exactly the rules when my boys were young; the sensory kid expanded his palate with every Disney trip. Reason enough to travel to a Disney park!)
Your review makes me want to go back! We love trying new places but we’ve visited Tiffins for lunch and dinner. And we’ll probably visit again soon! The food is amazing but the service really has been top notch.
I am torn about the upcoming opening of Pandora- our secret place won’t be secret much longer!! 😉