Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
*This dining experience took place in December 2017.
Breakfast at Boma
Boma: Flavors of Africa is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. And, their all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet breakfast is one of my favorites too. As you'll learn in this review, even though it's a buffet, there are plenty of safe options to enjoy with special dietary needs. So, much so that I always end up beyond full by the end of my meal. Recently, my family and I went to Boma for breakfast during the holidays.
Atmosphere
I love everything about Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. And, the inside of Boma is no exception. The word boma means enclosure. And, the restaurant reflects this theme with lots of thatched roofing and coverings.
I also love the dark wooden tables and chairs that make you feel super cozy and comfortable during your meal.
The Food
But, my favorite part about Boma is the food. Because it's a buffet style restaurant, you might be wondering how safe it is to eat there. Luckily, the chefs at Boma are fantastic and will work with you to not only show you safe items on the buffet but also make you food in the kitchen, to avoid cross-contamination.
When you arrive at your table, you will be presented with a breakfast allergen guide. This guide tells you what allergens are contained in the dishes typically served on the buffet. But, don't be discouraged by this list. My recommendation is to always ask for a chef to discuss additional options, as there are many dishes that can be easily modified or prepared in the back in the kitchen. If you go to Boma for breakfast chances are Chef Frank will be on duty. If so, you're in luck. He does an excellent job with special dietary needs and always makes sure I get plenty to eat.
While waiting for Chef Frank to come to the table, our server brought us Jungle Juice. This juice is a combination of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava juices. It's super sweet but super delicious.
When Chef Frank came out, we chatted about options that would be safe for me gluten free and dairy free. While you can get custom omelets, Chef Frank said he would make mine in the back. I opted for a custom omelet with ham and onion in it. This is one of my Boma breakfast must-do's and is always really good. You can get just about anything you want in your omelet, so feel free to customize and load up on your favorite meats and veggies.Because I know Boma really well, I did opt to get a few things off the buffet line at the pods where cross-contamination is less of a risk. So, I got grilled asparagus, sausage, bacon, carved ham and carved turkey -- all of which are gluten free and dairy free.
If you check out your allergen guide, you'll see that pap (essentially grits) is made with dairy. But, if you speak to a chef, they can actually get you pap from the kitchen that is dairy free. Chef Frank also made me tater tots -- which are one of my favorites at Boma -- and are not listed as safe on the allergen guide due to a shared fryer. This is one of the biggest reasons I ask to speak to a chef. If I hadn't, I might not know these would be an option.And trust me, tater tots are ALWAYS worth asking about.
Boma also carries a selection of gluten free and dairy free breakfast pastries that are not on the regular buffet. Chef Frank brought me a Kinnikinnick vanilla glazed donut and Udi's Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin, toasted with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. This is one of those tips that Chef Frank turned me onto a while back. And, now I always have to get my Udi's blueberry muffin toasted. So good!
I also got a bowl of the hot quinoa with raisins and apples. You can top it with brown sugar. But, be sure to avoid the toasted quinoa that's also a side option, because it is fried in a shared fryer. I wouldn't say the hot quinoa is my favorite breakfast item at Boma. But, I always feel like I should get it to be a little "healthy."
One of the best parts about Boma are the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. These are the stuff dreams are made of. And, the ones at Boma are some of the best at Disney World. These appear to be made currently with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and are so good. Super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they really are my favorite part of any breakfast.Chef Frank is always so great at making suggestions, and the one he suggested a few years ago is a version I still order. I always get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles with 100% pure maple syrup and a side of toasted banana chips and walnuts. I don't know what it is but the combination is SO good.
These waffles make for one decadent and sweet way to end your meal at Boma and a must-do on any breakfast trip to this table service restaurant.
Overall
Boma continues to be one of my favorite breakfast spots on Disney property. It may be a little pricey, but it's totally worth it. Not only is the atmosphere great, but the food is outstanding. There are so many gluten free and dairy free options to choose from, that I never worry about going hungry at Boma. Add to that amazing chefs like Chef Frank who really truly work to make sure you have safe and delicious options, well, that truly makes it even more special.Have you been to Boma? What meal do you prefer when you go there?