We first published a Yak & Yeti Review in 2018, and it remains one of our favorite restaurants in Walt Disney World. While many venues change for better or worse, Yak & Yeti remains a must-do restaurant when visiting Animal Kingdom. So, we thought it was about time we updated our review. While a few things have changed, most of what makes Yak & Yeti brilliant remains the same.
I never liked Yak & Yeti when I first visited it. Why I didn’t, I can’t quite recollect. I think there was something we didn’t like about the service and we didn’t particularly enjoy the food. Yak & Yeti is owned by Landrys, who also owns Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex. Perhaps we were expecting a Rainforest Cafe-type meal? Yak & Yeti is nothing like Rainforest Cafe, and that is a very good thing.
Before 2017, whenever we planned our Advanced Dining Reservations, Yak & Yeti was quickly dismissed. However, the memory of why we disliked it became hazy, so we decided cautiously to give it another go. How wrong we had been! It is now on our must-do list and has been visited on most Disney World trips since.
Yak & Yeti is located in Asia at the Animal Kingdom, close to Expedition Everest. The theming inside Yak & Yeti is superb and based on the premise that a Nepalese Home has been transformed into a restaurant. Arjun is your host who has apparently fallen on hard times, which is why he has transformed his home into a restaurant for hungry tourists. Southeast Asian artifacts collected by Arjun decorate the restaurant. There is plenty to see, and it is worth spending some time having a look around the restaurant.
We mentioned Yak & Yeti is operated by the same company responsible for Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex. While large quantities of good food are offered at Rainforest and T-Rex, at Yak & Yeti, food is slightly more sophisticated and adventurous. However, portions are still very generous compared to other Disney World dining locations. Rainforest classics such as ribs will not be found here, although a burger is usually on the menu.
Yak & Yeti serves food from across Asia, which has been developed to satisfy Western tastes. Food choices include Lo Mein Shrimp, Chicken Tikka Masala, Korean Beef & Bhaktapur Duck. Unlike most Walt Disney World Restaurants, the menu has changed little in recent years, and all these dishes were also available when I originally wrote this review in 2018. However, seasonal specials seem always to be available. The menu is probably one of the largest you will find within any of the theme parks.
From the appetizers, Wok-Fried Green Beans has developed quite a fan base in the Disney Online Community. These battered green beans with sweet Thai chili dipping sauce are certainly worth trying.
The highlight of the dessert menu is the Fried Wontons, which includes skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream & honey-vanilla drizzle.
The Disney Dining Plan will be accepted once it returns and costs one Table Service Credit. Allergies are catered for, and there is a kid’s menu. Reservations are recommended, and you can book before you visit through the Advanced Dining Reservations system. As this restaurant is inside the Animal Kingdom, you must have a valid park ticket to dine. Guests who are members of Landry’s Select can get priority access to a table even when regular dining reservations are not available.
Our Opinion on The Yak & Yeti
If you fancy something different during your Disney Vacation, visit Yak & Yeti. Liking a bit of spice with your food is ideal, but there are suitable dishes for even the most fussy eaters. The menu is large and has some interesting selections you will not find elsewhere.
We previously missed out by dismissing Yak & Yeti, but we recommend you don’t!
Read More
Our Disney World Dining Guide is a great resource to plan your Disney Dining.
Read more about Walt Disney World in our Guide for Beginners
Yak & Yeti Review Video
Our video was shot in 2018 and contains highlights from the Yak & Yeti, including some of the food we were served.
We ate there 3 weeks ago and it was one of the highlights of our trip! We shared some appies- Dim Sum, Ahi tuna nachos (incredible!), garlic noodles, wonton soup and mango pie for dessert! The service was great and the meal was the best we ate at WDW by far. Highly recommend!