Nestled within the lush surroundings of Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma – Flavors of Africa offers a vibrant and diverse dining experience. This buffet-style restaurant is celebrated for its extensive array of dishes, making it an excellent choice for anyone with food allergies or dietary restrictions. With a focus on gluten-free options and a commitment to accommodating various allergies, Boma stands out as a haven for those seeking safe and delicious meals.
In a world where dining out, especially at Disney, can be a challenge for those with dietary needs, Boma’s thoughtfully crafted menu ensures a worry-free and enjoyable culinary adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply looking for a satisfying meal, Boma provides a flavorful journey through African cuisine that caters to all.
Arrival & Ambiance:
Upon arriving at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’re greeted by a grand yet cozy atmosphere that perfectly blends elegance with warmth. The lodge’s meticulous attention to detail creates an inviting environment, where every corner exudes charm. The expansive atrium offers stunning views of the surrounding savanna, and guests can often spot wildlife from their rooms, adding to the immersive experience.
Boma – Flavors of Africa is conveniently located on the lower floor of the lodge. To find it, simply head to the right of the main atrium and take the elevator down to reach the check-in desk. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure a smooth dining experience. While you wait, comfortable benches and restrooms are available for your convenience.
Inside, Boma boasts a buffet-style layout that complements its subtle African decor. The space is adorned with wooden tables and chairs, interspersed with a few padded bench-style seats. Large windows surround the restaurant, flooding the area with natural light and giving it a bright, airy feel. The decor is tasteful and understated, allowing the focus to remain on the vibrant flavors of the dishes while enhancing the overall dining atmosphere.
Buffet Allergy Guide:
When checking in at Boma – Flavors of Africa, be sure to inform the staff if anyone in your party has food allergies. They will provide you with a paper buffet allergy guide, which is an invaluable tool for navigating the buffet safely. This guide lists every item available on the buffet, organized into sections, and features a corresponding chart that highlights nine common food allergies.
Even if your specific allergy isn’t listed on the guide, the on-site allergy chef is there to assist. The chef will guide you through the buffet, ensuring you understand what is safe to eat. During my visit, the allergy chef not only provided me with personalized assistance but also proactively sought me out to walk me through the buffet. I noticed the chef offering a similar ‘food tour’ to another table with a strawberry allergy, demonstrating a high level of care and attention.
This extra effort by the staff made me feel confident and secure about my meal choices, enhancing the overall dining experience and ensuring that I could enjoy my meal without worry.
What I Ate:
Once seated, our server promptly arrived to take our drink orders and inquire about any special dietary requests. To start, I opted for the gluten-free dinner rolls as an appetizer. Marked clearly as allergy-friendly, these rolls were reminiscent of classic yeast rolls in both taste and texture. My partner remarked that he wouldn’t have been able to tell they were gluten-free if he hadn’t been informed.
For my first plate from the buffet, I selected a variety of dishes: Nut-Crusted Salmon, Carved African-Spiced Strip Loin, Spiced Green Beans, and Peanut Rice. Each item was impeccably cooked and seasoned, delivering an explosion of flavors with every bite. The salmon was tender and the nut crust added a delightful crunch. The African-Spiced Strip Loin was juicy and flavorful, perfectly complemented by the spiced green beans and fragrant peanut rice. I must have exclaimed “wow” at least five times while devouring this plate—each dish was so delicious, it was hard not to.
For my second plate, I ventured into a selection of new flavors: Bobotie, Olive Oil Herb Crush Potatoes, Sweet Corn Pudding, Watermelon and Tomato Salad, and Spiced Cottage Cheese with Pineapple Chutney.
The highlight of this plate was definitely the Bobotie, a traditional South African dish. It had the taste and texture of a meaty, sausage-filled quiche, offering a unique and satisfying flavor experience. The Olive Oil Herb Crush Potatoes were perfectly seasoned and a delightful accompaniment. The Sweet Corn Pudding was rich and slightly sweet, adding a comforting touch to the meal.
The Watermelon and Tomato Salad, topped with feta cheese, provided a creamy, savory contrast to the sweet, juicy fruit. The Spiced Cottage Cheese with Pineapple Chutney was particularly intriguing, with flavors reminiscent of gingerbread snaps—a surprising and pleasant twist.
After finishing my first two plates, our server asked if I was ready for dessert and informed me that the allergy chef would prepare a special plate of gluten-free offerings. Despite being quite full, I couldn’t resist the chance to enjoy some sweet treats.
The special dessert plate featured gluten-free versions of popular items from the buffet, all clearly marked as allergy-friendly: Zebra Domes (without the cake layer), Cookies, Roasted Pineapple Cheesecake (my favorite), Passionfruit Mousse, and a Mini Chocolate Cupcake. Each item was a delectable treat, perfectly crafted to satisfy my sweet tooth. The Zebra Domes, even without the cake, offered a rich, creamy indulgence. The cookies were delightful, while the Roasted Pineapple Cheesecake stood out with its exceptional flavor. The Passionfruit Mousse was light and refreshing, and the Mini Chocolate Cupcake provided a sweet, indulgent finish to the meal.
Around the Resort:
After our delightful meal at Boma, we ventured out to the savannah to take in the incredible sights of the animals. The expansive views included giraffes gracefully roaming, various colorful birds fluttering about, zebras grazing, and wildebeests meandering across the landscape. The savannah offers a truly immersive experience, with many hotel rooms featuring balconies that overlook this stunning vista, allowing guests to enjoy the wildlife directly from their accommodations.
Guides are readily available around the resort to answer any questions you might have about the animals or the property. Additionally, there’s a cozy fire-pit where you can purchase a s’mores kit for $9.99 (as of 7/25/24), perfect for a sweet treat while enjoying the evening ambiance.
Additional Tips & Information:
- Reservation Tips:
- Making a reservation is easy through the My Disney Experience app or by phone. You can book up to 60 days in advance. While reservations at Boma are generally easier to secure compared to other dining spots, it’s still a good idea to plan ahead.
- If you don’t find your preferred time and date, check the app or call to check for last-minute cancellations.
- If you need to cancel a reservation, do so at least 2 hours in advance to avoid additional fees.
- Parking Information:
- There is ample parking available in front of the main entrance to the lodge, and you can park there even if you’re not staying at the resort.
- Parking is free with a dining reservation.
- Accessibility Features:
- When making your reservation, be sure to note any dietary or accessibility needs so the staff can prepare accordingly.
- If you need additional assistance while on-site, ask a cast member. In my experience, they have been extremely friendly and willing to help.
- Price Breakdown (as of 7/25/24):
- Breakfast: $37 per adult, plus tax and gratuity; $22 per child, plus tax and gratuity
- Dinner: $56 per adult, plus tax and gratuity; $33 per child, plus tax and gratuity
- Alcoholic Beverages: Not included in the buffet price; prices are listed on a separate menu (average $15-$18 per drink)
- Dining Options for Kids:
- While there is no specific kid’s menu, the buffet offers many child-friendly options, including Chicken Bites and Mac & Cheese.
- Nearby Attractions:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge provides free bus transportation to the nearby Animal Kingdom and other surrounding parks on property.
Overall Impressions:
Dining at Boma – Flavors of Africa was an exceptional buffet experience, even for those with food allergies. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, and the extra attention and care from the staff and chefs made a significant difference. Even my notoriously picky partner enjoyed every food item.
The only downside, which might be a deterrent for some, is the price. For two adults, each having one alcoholic drink, the total bill came to $180 with tip (as of 7/25/24). However, considering the wonderful food, the meticulous attention to dietary needs, and the inviting atmosphere, I believe this cost is justifiable, especially for a vacation or special occasion. We would definitely return and highly recommend Boma to others.
If you enjoyed this review you may also enjoy Gluten-Free Cocktail Hour at Nomad Lounge, Animal Kingdom & Gluten-Free Dining at San Angel Inn (EPCOT’s Mexico Pavillion).
If you have any questions, found this review helpful, or would like to share your own experience, please leave a comment below. I love to hear from you and your feedback is incredibly valuable. Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more delicious recipes, travel inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.
