Dining At Yak and Yeti in Disney's Animal Kingdom

During our Summer 2016 Walt Disney World vacation, we tried several new restaurants including Yak and Yeti located in Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Yak and Yeti offers both a sit down, table service location and a quick service, counter location.  We made Advanced Dining Reservations for the sit down, table service location.

Big doors greet guests.  If you weren't looking for this restaurant, you would most likely walk right by.  The counter service location is around the corner.  How do we know this?  While we were waiting to be seated, several guests entered and asked.  In a matter of minutes, this question was answered several times so I can only imagine the number of times the same question is asked and answered for the entire day.

When Advanced Dining Reservations are made, guests are advised to check-in 15 minutes prior to their reservation.  We did just that, but as our reservation was at 11:00 am, our check-in would be at 10:45 am, which is prior to the time the restaurant officially opens.  The door was unlocked, and we did go in, and eventually a Cast Member greeted us and took our name.  We thought we were checked in.  But alas, when 11:00 am came and went, other guests were being called to their table, so I approached the counter and we had not been checked in by the original Cast Member that took our name.  Glad I double checked.

Our name was called a few minutes later and we were told that we were going to be seated upstairs and given the choice to take the stairs or the elevator.  We chose the stairs and walked through the lounge area to the stairs.  We were seated, given menus, and began taking in the decor.

The menus tell the story of Yak and Yeti--a family who opened a trading post and collected artifacts from all of Asia.  The theming and decor is a feast for the eyes!

Yak and Yeti is a Landry Restaurant, owned and operated by Landry, just like Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe.  If we hadn't used our Disney Dining Plan entitlements, we could have racked up points for our meal as we are Landry Select Club Members.  Since we did use your Dining Plan entitlements, we did not earn rewards.  The Dining Plan allowed us to order an entree, a dessert, and a non alcoholic beverage per person.

The husband to order hot tea as his beverage.  Yes, it was steaming outside, but he wanted to try it.  He was offered unlimited hot water, but only one tea bag was allowed without an extra cost.

We also decided to order an appetizer and pay for it out of pocket, as it wasn't included in the plan.  The photo above is of the empty plate that held the Pork Egg Rolls with chili plum dipping sauce.  They were delicious and we were glad we tried them. 

The boy ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken.  He gave it a thumbs up.

I went for the Tempura Shrimp, which was similar to what I had had at other Landry restaurants.

The husband ordered the Teriyaki Mahi Mahi and indicated it was mouth watering.  Next up, dessert!

The boy went for the New York Cheesecake.  There wasn't a bit left when he was done.

I had the Fried Wontons which are skewers of pineapple and cream cheese wontons.  I'm glad I tried them but would order the Pinapple Upside Down Cake next time.

The husband ordered the Sorbet which had three flavors:  Mango, Lemon, and Raspberry. 

Click here to see the menu including prices for Yak and Yeti.

Since all of us ordered different entrees and desserts, bites and samples were shared all around to give each of us a taste of it all.  Glad everyone is willing to share!

Our overall impression was that Yak and Yeti is a unique respite from a theme park.  After the bumpy entree and uncertain first impression, we were pleasantly surprised once we sat down, ordered, and enjoyed our meal.

The service needs to work on timing.  While wait staff takes orders and brings drinks, the food is delivered by different staff directly from the kitchen.  Our food all came at the same time, but we watched a table right next to us with a family of two adults and three children, have to eat in shifts.  The kids meals came first, while the adults waited (and were on their phones) and then the adult meals arrived.

Final verdict:  We're glad we gave Yak and Yeti a try.  Next time we eat here, we may decide to use our Landry Select Club benefits rather than the Dining Plan.  And, again, the decor is amazing!