Boma Dinner Review: One of Disney World’s Best Buffets?
Wondering if Boma is worth the trip? Read my honest Boma dinner review with photos, buffet highlights, desserts, prices, and tips before you book.
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Some Disney restaurants develop almost legendary reputations, and Boma is definitely one of them. Ask Disney food fans where to eat, and chances are Boma will come up within the first few recommendations.
After finally eating here for dinner, I can absolutely see why.
The food is excellent. The buffet has an incredible variety, the quality is much higher than your average buffet, and there are plenty of opportunities to try flavors you probably won’t find anywhere else at Walt Disney World.
That said…
I’m not completely convinced it’s worth making a special trip across Disney property just for dinner.
If you’re already spending the day at Animal Kingdom, staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, or you’re someone who genuinely enjoys trying new cuisines, then yes—I think Boma is absolutely worth your time. But if you’re staying on the other side of Walt Disney World and trying to decide whether this buffet is worth an hour or more of transportation, I don’t know that I’d put it at the very top of my list.
It’s a really, really good meal.
I just don’t think it’s quite the life-changing experience that some people make it out to be.
Still, there wasn’t a single thing I ate that I regretted putting on my plate, and that’s saying something for a buffet.
Food Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Atmosphere Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Quick Snapshot
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Boma – Flavors of Africa |
| Location | Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) |
| Cuisine | African-inspired buffet with American favorites |
| Price Range | $$$ ($50–$70 per adult for dinner) |
| Dining Plan | One Table Service Credit (when the Disney Dining Plan is offered) |
| Characters | No |
| Reservations | Highly Recommended |
| Mobile Check-In | Yes |
| Atmosphere | Lively, family-friendly, resort dining |
| Best For | Foodies, adventurous eaters, buffet lovers, guests staying near Animal Kingdom |
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ Food • ★★★★☆ Atmosphere |
First Impressions & Atmosphere
Walking into Boma immediately feels different from most Disney restaurants.
The dining room is large and busy, with warm earth tones, African-inspired décor, and an open layout that lets you watch cast members preparing food throughout the buffet. It definitely isn’t a quiet restaurant—in fact, it was fairly loud during our dinner—but it never felt chaotic. Instead, it had the kind of energetic atmosphere you’d expect from one of Disney World’s most popular buffets.
The buffet itself is spread out into several stations, so even though the restaurant serves a lot of people, it rarely felt like everyone was standing in the same line. That made it surprisingly easy to wander around, see everything that was available, and go back for seconds (or thirds).
Service was exactly what you’d hope for at a Disney buffet. Our server kept drinks filled, cleared plates quickly, and checked in just enough without hovering. The cast members working the buffet stations were also happy to answer questions about unfamiliar dishes, which is especially helpful if you’re interested in trying some of the African-inspired specialties.
One of the biggest perks of dining here isn’t actually inside the restaurant.
Since Boma is located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can head outside before or after your meal to watch giraffes, zebras, ankole cattle, and other animals roaming the resort’s savannas. Even if you’re not staying here, it’s a fun excuse to spend a little extra time exploring one of Disney’s most beautiful resorts.
For me, that animal viewing is almost part of the experience. It doesn’t make the meal better, exactly, but it does make the trip out to Animal Kingdom Lodge feel a little more worthwhile.
The Menu & Dining Experience
Let’s get the obvious thing out of the way.
Boma has a lot of food.
I knew it was a buffet going in, obviously, but I still wasn’t prepared for just how much was available. You could honestly walk around the buffet two or three times and still find something you missed the first time.
What I liked is that Disney does a nice job balancing adventurous food with familiar favorites.
If you’re the kind of person who gets excited about trying dishes you’ve never heard of, you’re going to have a field day here.
If you’re like me…and you’re perfectly happy eating prime rib, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes…you’re also going to leave happy.
Nobody’s forcing you to become adventurous just because you’re eating at Boma.
What I Ended Up Eating
I’ll be honest—I didn’t go crazy with the African-inspired dishes.
I walked around, looked at everything, read a lot of the signs, and then basically loaded my plate with the foods I knew I’d enjoy.
No regrets.
The prime rib was probably my favorite thing on the savory side of the buffet. It was tender, flavorful, and actually cooked the way prime rib should be cooked. I went back for another slice, which is usually a pretty good sign.
The ribs were also really good.
They had that nice smoky flavor without being slathered in sauce, and they were surprisingly tender for buffet ribs.
The roasted chicken deserves a mention too. Chicken is one of those buffet foods that can dry out really quickly, but this stayed juicy, even later in the evening.
And then…
Can we talk about the mac and cheese?
I know. It feels ridiculous to rave about mac and cheese at a restaurant that’s famous for African cuisine.
But this stuff was fantastic.
It was ridiculously creamy, super cheesy, and exactly the kind of comfort food that keeps you coming back for “just one more spoonful.”
Honestly, I probably ate more of that than I should have.
If You’re Feeling More Adventurous…
This is where Boma really separates itself from other Disney buffets.
There are African-inspired soups, salads, curries, stews, vegetables, rice dishes—you name it.
I even stopped to photograph several of the signs because I knew readers would want to see what was available.
Did I eat all of it?
Absolutely not.
I’m just not that adventurous.
But I really appreciate that it’s there.
If you’re someone who likes trying flavors from around the world, I could easily see this being your favorite buffet at Disney.
The Desserts Completely Won Me Over
Okay…
This is where Boma absolutely lived up to the hype.
Everyone always talks about the Zebra Domes.
So naturally, I grabbed one.
And they were good.
I liked them.
I understand why people love them.
But…
They weren’t even close to being my favorite dessert.
For me, it was the Nala Brownie, and honestly, it wasn’t even a contest.
Picture an incredibly chewy brownie topped with this thick peanut butter frosting.
That combination is dangerous.
Like…”I should probably stop eating these because I still need room for dinner” dangerous.
I think I could have polished off an embarrassing number of them if nobody had been watching.
The dessert bar in general was excellent. Between the brownies, Zebra Domes, cookies, mini desserts, cupcakes, and fruit, there’s something for just about everybody.
Was It Worth It?
For me, yes.
I had a really good meal.
I left full.
I never felt like the food quality suffered because it was a buffet.
The only thing that keeps me from saying, “Everyone has to eat here,” is the location.
If you’re already at Animal Kingdom…
Go.
If you’re staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge…
Absolutely go.
If you’re at Magic Kingdom wondering whether you should spend an hour or more getting over here…
That’s where I’d pause.
Boma is excellent.
I just don’t know that it’s so much better than every other great Disney restaurant that I’d build an entire day around getting there.
If you do decide to make the trip, though, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Reservations & Availability
Boma is popular, but I actually don’t think it’s one of the hardest Disney restaurants to book.
Since it’s over at Animal Kingdom Lodge instead of inside one of the parks, I think a lot of people overlook it. That’s good news if you’re trying to grab a reservation. I’d still book ahead if you know you want to eat here, but I also wouldn’t panic if you forgot. I’ve seen same-day reservations pop up more often here than at a lot of Disney’s signature restaurants.
I probably wouldn’t count on a walk-up, though, especially during busy times of the year. If you’re making the trip all the way out to Animal Kingdom Lodge, I’d want that reservation locked in first.
One thing I would recommend is giving yourself a little extra time before or after dinner.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorite Disney resorts to wander around, even though I’ve never stayed there. The lobby is gorgeous, and the real highlight is walking out to the savanna to watch the animals. If you’ve never done that before, it’s worth building into your evening.
Is Boma Good for Kids?
I think so.
Sometimes people hear “African-inspired buffet” and immediately picture their kids refusing to eat anything.
I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem.
Yes, there are plenty of unique dishes if your family likes trying new foods, but there are also lots of familiar favorites. Between the carved meats, chicken, mac and cheese, potatoes, fruit, breads, and desserts, I think even picky eaters can find plenty to enjoy.
Honestly, one of the nice things about a buffet is that nobody has to compromise. Everyone gets to build the plate they want, whether that’s adventurous or about as safe as it gets.
Location & Convenience
This is really the only thing that keeps me from telling everyone they have to eat at Boma.
It’s just…kind of out there.
If you’re staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, this is a no-brainer.
If you’re spending the day at Animal Kingdom, I’d absolutely consider hopping over here for dinner afterward.
But if you’re over at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, you do have to ask yourself whether the travel time is worth it.
For me, I don’t know that I’d go out of my way just for Boma.
Now, if you combine dinner with some time exploring Animal Kingdom Lodge and watching the animals, that’s a different story. Then it starts feeling like an evening experience instead of just a meal.
Final Verdict: Is Boma Worth It?
I really enjoyed Boma.
The food was consistently good, there was a ton of variety, and I completely understand why so many people rank it as one of Disney World’s best buffets.
Would I go back?
Absolutely.
Would I tell every single Disney visitor they need to rearrange their vacation just to eat here?
Probably not.
I think Boma makes the most sense if you’re already in the Animal Kingdom area, staying at the resort, or you’re someone who genuinely enjoys trying lots of different foods.
If that’s you, I don’t think you’ll leave disappointed.
And if you’re more like me and mostly stick to the comfort food side of the buffet…
You’ll still eat really well.
One Tip Before You Go
Before you grab your first plate, walk the entire buffet.
Seriously.
There is so much food that it’s easy to fill up on the first few things you see and completely miss something you’d have liked even better.
Oh…and save room for dessert.
Everyone else can have the Zebra Domes.
I’m heading straight for the Nala Brownies. I still think those were the best thing I ate all night. 😄
Continue Planning Your Disney Dining
If you’re still deciding where to use your table service meals, check out my complete Disney World Table Service Dining Guide, where I compare restaurants across all four parks, Disney Springs, and the resort hotels to help you decide which ones are worth your time (and your dining credits!).
More Disney World Buffet Reviews
If you’re considering Boma, here are a few other Disney buffets I’ve reviewed:
- Biergarten Restaurant – The closest comparison to Boma in terms of buffet size and variety, with hearty German cuisine and live entertainment in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion.
- 1900 Park Fare – A character buffet at Disney’s Grand Floridian featuring an excellent mix of classic favorites and unique dishes.
- Cape May Café Breakfast – One of Disney’s best breakfast buffets, featuring Mickey and friends in beach-themed outfits at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
- Hollywood & Vine – A character buffet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that changes themes throughout the year and offers plenty of family-friendly favorites.
- Crystal Palace Breakfast – One of my favorite places to start a Magic Kingdom day with Winnie the Pooh and friends.
- Crystal Palace Lunch & Dinner – A larger buffet featuring carved meats, comfort food favorites, and the same beautiful Victorian setting inside Magic Kingdom.
