Sanaa Breakfast Review
*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2018.
Breakfast at Sanaa
Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is a table service restaurant for lunch and dinner that offers a quick service style breakfast from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. daily. I had the chance to stop by and try this breakfast for the first time back in February 2018. And, I loved it so much, that I was super excited to go back again recently when I had breakfast with my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures who was at Disney World on vacation with her family.
Atmosphere
I have written many blog posts over the years about Sanaa and its amazing theming. It's beautifully decorated. And, you simply cannot beat the view of the Savannah and the animals there.
Sanaa Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One of the things that I love about breakfast is that the restaurant is very bright during the daytime. It gives it a totally different feel from the evening.
Sanaa - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When you arrive at the restaurant, you do not have to have a reservation or check-in at breakfast. Simply walk-in to the right, where you will find a grab and go station and a cash register for ordering freshly prepared meals too.
Sanaa Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Seating is up to you. And, you can sit wherever you would like. We had a lovely view of the side of the Savannah and got a chance to see lots of animals throughout our breakfast.
Sanaa Table Number / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I also love that you get these adorable numbered animals for your order. This helps the cast members identify what tables to bring food too. Ever the cat lover, I love that I got a cheetah.
The Food
Unlike lunch and dinner, Sanaa does not carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. The cast member at the cash register can let you know what items are currently marked gluten free on the register. But, we recommend speaking to a chef to discuss options, especially if you have questions or additional dietary needs. If you're just gluten free, you'll find a ton of options and almost every item on the menu can be made gluten free, easily.
Sanaa - Boere Breakfast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I opted for the Boere Breakfast with Two Cage-free Eggs served any style with Tomato Chutney, Tanzanian Hash Browns, Boerewors Sausage, and Bacon. It is normally served with a Johnny Cake, but it is not gluten free. In speaking with Chef Fallon who was working at Sanaa when we visited for breakfast, I asked if I could get a single allergy-friendly Simba Waffle in place of the Johnny Cake, and she was happy to accommodate.
The Boere Breakfast can be made both gluten free and dairy free, which is great. As I learned on my last visit, the hash browns don't contain any dairy either -- another great feature of the menu. Overall, it's hard not to order this entree because I really enjoy it. The savory sausage (which is my favorite) works really well with the eggs, hash browns, and the tomato chutney. This is an all-around delicious breakfast entree.
Sanaa - Allergy Friendly Simba Waffle / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I absolutely adore the Allergy-Friendly Simba Waffles served here. They're just so cute! They currently make these waffles using a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and prepare them in a dedicated allergy waffle maker. Topped with some maple syrup, and you have one sweet ending to your meal.Alexis ordered the Safari Waffles which included four allergy-friendly Simba Waffles that were topped with Seasonal Berries. These looked delicious. And, I might have to order these on another visit. You can read more about Alexis's dining experiences at Disney on her blog Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.
Overall
Sanaa continues to be a great quick service breakfast option. If you're looking for a bit more variety or items like Bobotie, we recommend heading to The Mara at Jambo House at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. But, they both offer something unique and tasty for breakfast. I think I prefer Sanaa just a little bit over The Mara mostly for those delicious hash browns, the sausage, and those adorable Simba Waffles. They make for a perfect way to start your day.
Have you been to Sanaa for quick service breakfast? What did you order when you dined there?