Sanaa Dinner Review
Sanaa, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's hands down one of my favorite restaurants at Disney World. In fact, just before the parks & resorts closed temporarily, we had enjoyed a great meal there for my birthday. In August 2020, we took a mini one day staycation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. So, dinner at Sanaa was a must on that visit.
*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.
Dinner at Sanaa
Sanaa, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's hands down one of my favorite restaurants at Disney World. In fact, just before the parks & resorts closed temporarily, we had enjoyed a great meal there for my birthday. In August 2020, we took a mini one day staycation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. So, dinner at Sanaa was a must on that visit.
COVID-19 & Reopening Notes
On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late evening seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Sanaa. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.
While Jambo House was very quiet during our mini staycation, we found that Kidani Village -- where Sanaa is located -- was a bit busier. There was a bit of crowding in the lobby area of Sanaa. We think this may have been due to guests waiting for to-go/takeaway orders along with other guests waiting to be seated. We were able to social distance as best we could, but we found the lobby to be a little more crowded than we would have liked. Currently, Sanaa is the only restaurant open between both sides of the resort. So, it's not a surprise that the restaurant was busy. Once we were seated, we felt much more comfortable with the social distancing spacing in place versus the lobby.
As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Contemporary Resort, Old Key West Resort, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.
Atmosphere
Sanaa means "work of art" in Swahili. And, the restaurant itself truly is a work of art.
Sanaa - Check-In Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Even when you arrive at the check-in counter, you'll be treated to beautiful African and Indian inspired decor.
Sanaa - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Inside the restaurant, you'll find uniquely designed chairs, bright colors, and beautiful decorations. I absolutely love the unique designs in the restaurant -- making it feel truly special.
Sanaa - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
My favorite part of the restaurant is actually above you when you dine. If you look, the main interior of the restaurant resembles a tree, its branches, and leaves. All of the light fixtures in the restaurant are especially beautiful.
Sanaa - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see from this photo, the seating area was well set-up for social distancing. In fact, so far, it might be the best social distanced seating we've experienced at Disney World. Brandon and I had a great seat right by the window where we could enjoy a view of the giraffes, zebras (including the new baby zebra), and other animals on the Savannah. But, even if you don't get a window seat, there is plenty of amazing theming to take in while you dine at Sanaa.
The Food
Like most restaurants at Disney World, Sanaa does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We also spoke directly to a chef, as well, to discuss options. Chef Kimi was excellent at helping us navigate the menu to ensure that we had the most up-to-date information about options and customizations for our special dietary needs.
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
My biggest recommendation with allergy-friendly menus is to always look at the regular menu too. Sanaa is extremely gluten free and dairy free friendly. And, many dishes that are naturally gluten free may not be listed on the allergy-friendly menu as an option. I always ask and double-check because there are so many great dishes on the menu to enjoy.
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Up first, we had to start with the Allergy-Friendly Bread Service. It's a must order anytime we dine at Sanaa. And, neither of us could ever visit the restaurant without ordering it. The Allergy-Friendly Bread Service can be customized for a variety of special dietary needs.
The allergy-friendly naan bread (which is made in-house, so use your own judgement and comfort level regarding cross-contamination) uses the Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend and is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, and Soy Allergies on the menu. To my knowledge, there are no actual tree nuts in the bread. But, they use coconut milk which is classified by the FDA as a tree nut (even though it's a fruit). Be sure to speak directly to a chef about this or any other special diets concerns that you have to ensure you feel safe consuming any item.
The dips/sauces included in the allergy-friendly bread service are all amazing. The regular line-up of dips are all gluten free & dairy free EXCEPT the cucumber raita which contains dairy. You can easily swap out a sauce and double-up on your favorite depending on your special dietary need.
We were both so thrilled that the allergy-friendly bread service was on the temporary allergy-friendly menu, as it's truly one of our favorite parts of any Sanaa meal. It didn't disappoint on this visit either!
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my entree, after a lot of debating on what to order (because everything is amazing at Sanaa), I decided to get the Sustainable Fish prepared with Geelrys Rice, Sukama Wiki, and Citrus Butter. It is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. I believe it can be made dairy free. But, you'll want to speak with a chef about that option.
Overall, this was an outstanding dish. The fish was beautifully cooked and well-seasoned. And, the rice offered a sweet and sour twist that paired really well with the fish. It's a dish I've ordered many times. And, I would definitely get it again.
I do also love the curries at the restaurant too. So, be sure to check out some of the other options, like the Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables, which is so flavorful and delicious (and naturally gluten free & dairy free).
Sanaa - The Mac & Cheese in this Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Grilled New York Strip with Roasted Potatoes Vinaigrette, Harvest Vegetables, and Bain’s Butter. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. He also ordered a side dish of the kid's Macaroni & Cheese, which was made safe for Brandon's fish/shellfish, peanut, cabbage, hazelnut, and chicken & turkey allergies.
Usually the Sanaa menu has mashed potatoes listed as a side dish option, which Brandon usually gets in place of the roasted potatoes -- which he is not a fan of. But, Sanaa is not currently offering mashed potatoes during this time. So, he thought he'd give them another try. Like previous visits, he was not a fan of the seasoning and vinegar on the potatoes. He did, however, absolutely love everything else including the steak and mac & cheese.
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
During our visit, Sanaa was offering to-go/takeaway orders for their full menu. So, even though we dined in the restaurant, I asked if I could get a dessert to go. I debated back and forth between the Kheer (which is dairy free and plant-based and can be made gluten free) and the Triple Chocolate Mousse (which is gluten free as is but contains dairy).
Ultimately, I decided to get the gluten free Triple Chocolate Mousse and enjoy it in our room later in the evening. If you're gluten free, this is a fantastic dessert that isn't overly heavy but has great flavor. Thought not listed on the allergy-friendly menu, the restaurant almost always has seasonal Kulfi (ice cream) and tapioca pudding that are both usually gluten free (and the tapioca pudding is both gluten free & dairy free). So do be sure to ask a chef about options!
If you want to get more information about our visit to Sanaa, we did film our visit and included it in our Mini-Staycation video day 1 on our YouTube channel.
Overall
Sanaa has always been and continues to be one of my most favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World. With a menu that is extremely special diets friendly and delicious food, there's truly something for everyone on the Sanaa menu. It's definitely a restaurant that we recommend to anyone visiting Disney World for something unique and delicious.
Have you been to Sanaa? What was your experience dining there?
Sanaa Dinner Review
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is a long-time favorite of mine and my family's. In fact, we've been going to Sanaa since it's opened back in 2009. I remember the days when this restaurant was totally off-the-beaten-path and a hidden gem. Of course, now everyone knows about Sanaa and its fantastic special dietary needs options. Recently, Brandon surprised me with a reservation to Sanaa to celebrate my birthday. He knows how much I love Sanaa, so it was such a sweet surprise to celebrate there on my birthday.
*This gluten free dining experience took place in February 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as a review of fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.
Dinner at Sanaa
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is a long-time favorite of mine and my family's. In fact, we've been going to Sanaa since it's opened back in 2009. I remember the days when this restaurant was totally off-the-beaten-path and a hidden gem. Of course, now everyone knows about Sanaa and its fantastic special dietary needs options. Recently, Brandon surprised me with a reservation to Sanaa to celebrate my birthday. He knows how much I love Sanaa, so it was such a sweet surprise to celebrate there on my birthday.
Atmosphere
Sanaa means "work of art" in Swahili, and this restaurant truly is a work of art. From the moment you arrive, you'll see beautiful decor inspired by its African roots.
Sanaa - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Sanaa has a variety of seating options that include excellent views of the savannah at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. On this visit, we were seated in a cozy corner away from the main seating area and the outdoor viewing areas. Given that it was late and dark outside, neither of us minded being tucked away a bit.
Sanaa - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The restaurant was quite busy and the seating areas near us did fill up quickly. I do love that it felt a bit removed from the rest of the restaurant.
Sanaa - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When you dine at Sanaa, you'll notice that the decor resembles trees in a forest. You'll see lots of interesting theming and beautiful decorations. I especially loved the light fixtures near our table.
Sanaa - Hidden MIckey / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
And who doesn't love a hidden Mickey? Not only is there a hidden Mickey in the table design, but the plates on our table created a hidden Mickey too!
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
We were both very excited to enjoy the menu that evening and enjoy a relaxing and delicious meal.
The Food
Like most Disney owned restaurants, Sanaa does offer an allergy-friendly dinner menu. Guests with special dietary needs can also speak directly with a chef if they have questions or are interested in items not listed on the allergy-friendly menu. On our visit, we opted not to speak with a chef -- primarily because we are very familiar with the menu.
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Of course, no visit to Sanaa is complete without ordering their allergy-friendly bread service. This includes allergy-friendly naan bread that is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.
The bread service also comes with a variety of sauces. All of the sauces are gluten free and dairy free, except the cucumber raita which contains dairy. If you're dairy free, simply swap out the raita with a double of your favorite sauce!
If you want to experience a unique bread service, the one from Sanaa is truly unique. The allergy-friendly naan bread is always so good, and even Brandon as a gluten eater absolutely loves this bread. We both enjoy the sauces, and each of us has our favorites. Mine have to be the mango chutney, coriander chutney, roasted red pepper hummus, and tomato date chutney. Brandon loved the tomato date chutney, tamarind chutney, and the red chili sambal.
One side note. I had heard that Sanaa might be upcharging for the allergy-friendly bread service. On our visit, we paid the $18 normal rate and were not charged an $5, and our server didn't mention it either. I'm hoping that if they were charging an upcharge that this was for a very brief period and that they have stopped. Disney has never upcharged for any allergy-friendly product in my 11 years of dining there with a special dietary need, and it was definitely be frustrating if they started this. If you've been to Sanaa recently, be sure to let me know what your experience was too!
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I debated back and forth between so many of the Sanaa entrees. I love them all! I ended up ordering the Potjie-inspired entrees because it's ages since I've ordered any of their curries. I opted to get the Goan Seafood Curry and the Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables. Both of the dishes are gluten free, and the cilantro-coconut vegetable dish was dairy free and vegan.
I'm glad I ordered the Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables because wow, was the Goan Seafood Curry spicy! In the past, it hasn't lived up to the Goan curry reputation, but it sure did on this visit. Thankfully, I had a milder and not at all spicy second dish to help cool down the spice of the seafood curry. Both were excellent, and I would definitely get this combination again.
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon ordered the Grilled New York Strip with Mashed Potatoes, Harvest Vegetables, and Bain’s Butter. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It was also safe for cabbage, chicken & turkey allergies.
Overall, Brandon said his entree was very good. He really liked the mashed potatoes, and he said the steak was well-cooked. I think the only major criticism with his steak was that it was maybe a little fattier than he would have liked. But, overall, a solid option if you're a steak fan and less inclined to order some of the more spicier dishes at Sanaa.
Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For dessert, I ordered the African Triple Chocolate Mousse. This is made with Nyangbo Dark Chocolate from Ghana, Tanariva Milk Chocolate from Madagascar, Orelys Blond Chocolate, Chocolate Almond Biscuit, and Strawberries. It is almond flour based, so the dish is gluten free, as is (but contains dairy). If you do have nut allergies, we were advised that Brandon should avoid this with his hazelnut and peanut allergies.
Overall, this is a fantastic dessert, and if you can have dairy, one I highly recommend. It's rich and decadent and the perfect way to end a meal at Sanaa.
As an aside, my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures asked if we were offered the complimentary birthday Kulfi which is often given out to guests with birthdays. Unfortunately, we were not. But, if you have a birthday, it's always worth asking about. Most of the Kulfis should be gluten free (contains dairy). You can read more about them on Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.
Overall
Sanaa never fails to disappoint. I absolutely love the flavors of all of the dishes I've had at the restaurant. And, I love that so many dishes are already naturally gluten free (and dairy free) or can be easily modified. Plus, they have one of the best bread services on Disney property! I'm so glad we got to enjoy a meal here, and even better that I got to enjoy my birthday there with Brandon. It was definitely a wonderful and memorable experience.
Have you been to Sanaa? What is your favorite thing to order when you dine there?
Sanaa Dinner Review
*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2018. Notes about dairy free options and modifications are included in this post.
Dinner at Sanaa
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite table service restaurants to dine at. While it used to be a bit of a hidden gem of a restaurant on property, word has gotten out and Sanaa is now an extremely popular dining location known for its delicious and unique food options and theming. Recently, we dined at Sanaa with friends who were visiting from out of town. They also have special dietary needs, so we're sharing some of the dishes that we ordered and they ordered on this visit.
Atmosphere
When it comes to atmosphere and theming, Sanaa is simply one of the best themed restaurants at Disney World. Inspired by the flavors of Africa and India, you'll find touches of this theme throughout the restaurant.
Sanaa Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Sanaa also means "Work of Art," in Swahili, and you'll find this restaurant a true work of art in its food and decor.
Sanaa - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I love that it feels like you are dining al fresco under the trees. You'll notice that posts and light fixtures help reflect that theme.
Sanaa - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The restaurant also has ample window seating, perfect for gazing out onto the Savannah where Sanaa is set. We had dinner in the late evening. So, unfortunately, we did not get a good view of the animals out on the Savannah that night.
If you're looking for a good time to view animals, we absolutely love the morning time when Sanaa offers a quick service breakfast. The views are stunning, and it's a perfect way to enjoy a low-key meal with an amazing view. You can read more about this in our breakfast review of Sanaa.
Sanaa - Bar Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Sanaa also has a charming bar/lounge area. We love this as a place to grab a drink and the gluten free and dairy free bread service offered at this restaurant. You can also order any items off the regular menu at the bar/lounge too.
The Food
Of course, our favorite part about Sanaa is the food. We love the African and Indian inspired options that are super flavorful and delicious. Like most Disney World restaurants, Sanaa does carry an allergy-friendly menu. But, we recommend speaking to a chef directly as many dishes not listed on the allergy-friendly menu are actually either gluten free or can be easily modified to be gluten free or even dairy free.
Sanaa - African Mint Mojito / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
While we were waiting to speak with a chef, we decided to order some drinks. Brandon ordered the African Starr Mojito which is a rum-based drink. We love the freshness of this drink, which is perfect for the summertime.
Sanaa Gluten Free Bread Service / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I just can't go to Sanaa without ordering the bread service. That's because they can make a version of their traditional bread service with gluten free and dairy free naan bread. All of the dips that come with this bread service are gluten free and only the cucumber raita dip contains dairy. So, if you're gluten free, dairy free, or even vegan, you'll have a ton of choices with this appetizer.
Though Brandon is not gluten free, he eats gluten free dishes a lot. And, admittedly, he has not always enjoyed every gluten free version of certain dishes. However, he agrees that the gluten free and dairy free bread service at Sanaa is a total winner. And, we both happily scarfed down the bread service.
Sanaa Mango Chutney / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Ever the condiment queen, many of you know that I love a good dip or sauce. Thankfully, the bread service accompaniments are all outstanding. My favorites includes the Mango Chutney, shown here, which is sweet with a slight bit of spiciness.
Sanaa Tamarind Chutney / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I am also a big fan of the Tomato Date Chutney and Coriander Chutney too. Brandon's favorite dip was the Tamarind Chutney which has a bit of a sweet and sour taste to it.
Scallop Chana at Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One of our friends also ordered the Scallop Chana which comes with Seared Scallops, Chana Dal, Wilted Greens, and Citrus Gastrique. It is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, and Soy Allergies.
Because we did not request this dish be marked as an allergy, we did not try this appetizer. Our friend said it was quite good and that the scallops were well cooked.
Sanaa - Sustainable Fish / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When it came to entrees, we had quite a few special diets dishes. I ordered Today’s Sustainable Fish with Pan-roasted Swordfish over Geelrys Rice, Sukama Wiki, and Citrus Butter. Oddly, this dish was marked as safe for Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Shellfish Allergies but not Gluten/Wheat. But, the chef said it was able to be prepared gluten free. I'm still not sure what ingredient contained gluten, as I received all the listed components.
Overall, this was definitely a solid dish. The swordfish was slightly overcooked. But, all of the components were delicious and paired well together. This was definitely an improvement from the last version of the Sustainable Fish that I had and wasn't wowed by.
Sanaa - Grilled New York Strip / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon ordered the Grilled New York Strip with Warm New Potato Salad, Harvest Vegetables, and Bain’s Butter. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. He asked for the potato salad to be swapped for mashed potatoes, which the restaurant was able to do with no issues. Overall, he said this was very good. And, as you can see, the portion was quite large!
Sanaa - Custom Meal / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One of our friends who dined with us has an extensive number of special dietary needs that include avoiding gluten/wheat, dairy, soy, corn, tomatoes, peas, onions, vinegar, and sugar. With this in mind, he definitely needed to speak to a chef about a customized option. The chef did a great job at creating a composed dish that included sautéed vegetable stir-fry and braised beef in a coconut milk sauce.
Overall, he was very happy with what he was served. And, we were all impressed with how accommodating and creative the chef was at creating something tasty and safe for my friend.
Sanaa - Tapioca Pudding / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
It was also my friend's birthday. And, the chef prepared a no sugar added (and no fake sugars) tapioca pudding made with coconut milk, cinnamon, and fresh fruit. We all had a chance to taste this. Overall, I was impressed given my friend's restrictions and the flavors of the dish served. As expected, the tapioca pudding wasn't overly sweet. But, it had a nice hint of sweetness with the fruit.
Overall
Sanaa continues to be one of my favorite Disney restaurants. I love the variety of options and how special diets friendly the menu is. Add in a great theme and amazing view of the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah, and you have a restaurant that is a must do. In fact, we almost always bring friends visiting to Sanaa for something unique and memorable. Want to learn more about Sanaa's special diets meal options? Check out this recent review from my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.
Have you been to Sanaa? What did you think of the special dietary needs options when you dined there?
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?
Sanaa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
*This dining experience took place in February 2018.
Breakfast at Sanaa
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite table service restaurants for lunch and dinner. And, back in late 2016, Sanaa began offering a quick service style breakfast daily from 7-10 a.m. Given how much I love Sanaa, I can't believe it took me this long (over a year!) to check out the Sanaa Kuamsha (which means "Awakening" in Swahili) Breakfast. But, now that I've been there, I know I'll be back again soon. Their breakfast has easily become my personal favorite quick service option at Walt Disney World.
Atmosphere
I absolutely adore visiting Sanaa for lunch and dinner not only for the food but the wonderful atmosphere and beyond amazing savanna views. But, visiting at breakfast gave me a chance to experience the Sanaa atmosphere in a totally new way.
I arrived around 8 a.m. -- the perfect time of day to see the sun shining on the savanna with mild temperatures. The bright sunshine made for an impressive view inside the restaurant.
When you arrive at Sanaa for breakfast, you may or may not see cast members at the front podium. Because it is a quick service style casual breakfast, guests can leisurely walk into the restaurant and turn right into the ordering area and find grab and go stations.
Breakfast is currently offered daily from 7-10 a.m. and has a totally different vibe than any other meal at Sanaa. Things feel relaxed, quiet, and casual. There were hardly any other tables filled when I arrived and very few guests in the restaurant, making it a very low-key and easy-going meal, which I loved.
Our course, with the bright sunshine flooding in the restaurant, I chose a seat near the windows with a savanaa view. But, as you can see from this photo the entire restaurant gets plenty of sunshine in too.
The Food
Of course, what I was most excited about when visiting Sanaa for breakfast was the food. I'd read lots of reviews about the restaurant and saw that Josh from Easy WDW had given it a very positive review when it opened in 2016, so I was hoping that my experience would be the same.
When you first arrive, you'll see several grab and go options, including drinks, and an ordering station. You'll order any of the items that need to be freshly prepared, and they will be brought to your table by a cast member. It reminds me a lot of the newer quick service location offerings like Satu'li Canteen in Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom, which we love.Note, there is no allergy-friendly menu at Sanaa for breakfast (but there is for lunch and dinner). The cast member at the register said that she could let me know what options were available based on what the register told her were options. But, I did ask to speak to a chef. I always find that speaking with a chef gives you a better idea of what is actually available (sometimes menu items that are safe or just need a slight modification aren't listed on a menu) or can be customized easily.Chef Amy greeted me, and she let me know there were several options available gluten free. These included:
- Boere Breakfast (minus the Johnny Cakes)
- Savana Platter (minus the Johnny Cakes)
- Fruit Sosatie
- Fruit Plate
- Safari Waffle (served with Allergy-Friendly Simba Waffles)
- Sunrise Sandwich (served on allergy-friendly bread)
I was definitely interested in the breakfast platters and decided to get the Boere Breakfast with scrambled eggs and a Simba allergy-friendly Mickey waffle in place of the Johnny Cake. Chef Amy had suggested fruit as a substitute, but when she mentioned Simba waffles, I asked if I could have that instead and was super excited when she said yes. Once I had that decided, the order was placed, and I went to get a seat and wait.
One quick side about condiments. Sanaa's breakfast includes individual containers of ketchup, maple syrup, hot sauce, and other options. Be sure to check all the labels to ensure they are safe for your dietary need. They may look cute but may not necessarily work for you. You can always ask for condiments from the kitchen that will be safe (including things like maple syrup).
Once you place your order, you are given a table marker and can choose any seat you like in the restaurant. I loved my little giraffe placemarker.On a quick drink note, I am a huge iced tea fan. Oddly enough, Sanaa does not offer iced tea at breakfast. The cast member at the register suggested I make my own hot tea and add ice to it. I just thought that was a slightly odd thing about the breakfast. As you saw from the photos above, they don't offer fountain soda either; guests will need to buy a bottle of soda if they want one.
My wait for my breakfast was short and soon I had an amazing looking plate of food at my table. The Boere Breakfast can be made gluten free and dairy free by omitting the Johnny Cake and making sure that the eggs served are made without dairy. I checked with Chef Amy and she said the Tanzanian Hash Browns are naturally gluten free and dairy free, which is amazing.I have to tell you, this was hands down the best quick service breakfast I've ever had at Disney. The quality of the food was outstanding. And, of course, I'm partial to African and Indian flavors, so Sanaa's breakfast was a home run for me. The Tanzanian Hash Browns were a highlight. They were crispy and super flavorful and had what I believe was cilantro and some other herbs in them. I could have eaten these all day.My eggs were well cooked and very fresh. They clearly make these to order, and you could tell with every bite. The bacon was good -- nothing special, but as the kiddo at the table next to me said, "Wow! Bacon! I love Bacon." I can't argue with that!The other highlight to breakfast was the Boerewors Sausage a traditional South African style sausage. The flavors were outstanding, and there wasn't anything pre-made about these. If you like breakfast sausage, the Boere Breakfast should be on your list!
Chef Amy had told me that she loves the Allergy-Friendly Simba waffles served at Sanaa's breakfast. They are currently being made using Namaste Foods Pancake & Waffle Mix and Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix. The mixes are blended together to make one outstanding waffle. Plus, the fact that they are Simba shaped makes them even better! Adding one waffle in to my meal made it the perfect sweet ending to the breakfast.
And, don't forget to ask about 100% pure maple syrup. Mine came in this adorable little single serve cup of syrup!
Overall
I was beyond pleasantly surprised after having breakfast at Sanaa. Their quick service options were great for guests with special dietary needs and just plain delicious. I also loved the calm atmosphere and low-key vibe for breakfast. It made visiting Sanaa and the Animal Kingdom Lodge a real treat. If you're a guest staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, this is a must-do for breakfast at least one of your days on your trip. The prices were reasonable, the food excellent, and the atmosphere was great. It's definitely a spot I'll be going back to again soon as a local for another delicious breakfast. In fact, I want to go back and order several breakfast items to split since my first meal was so great!On a side note, they do not currently offer any discounts at breakfast (including Disney Vacation Club or Annual Passholder).Have you been to Sanaa? What do you think of their breakfast options?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in June 2017.
Dinner at Sanaa
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, is a table service restaurant I go back to again and again. The food is delicious, the gluten free and dairy free options plentiful, and the atmosphere is amazing. Where else can you eat a meal with zebras, giraffes, and other animals? On this particular occasion, I met up with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and her daughters for dinner.
Atmosphere
You really can't go wrong with Sanaa for atmosphere and theming. In fact, it's the restaurant I recommend most to anyone coming to Disney for the first time or for locals looking to have a unique dining experience that they can't get anywhere else. Being able to dine on the savanna and view all of the amazing animals at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is pretty special.
I recommend dining at Sanaa a bit earlier for dinner. This way, you can still see out onto the Savanna in the daylight and not miss out on seeing the amazing animals there. Around 5-6 p.m. is usually feeding time for the animals, so they are also often pretty active during that time too.
Inside Sanaa is set to resemble the African forest, with trees and tree branches above you. Sanaa also means "work of art" in Swahili, so you'll see plenty of African inspired artwork too.
The Food
Sanaa has some of the most consistent food options for gluten free and dairy free diners visiting Disney World. The food here is mostly African and Indian inspired, but, even if you don't usually like that kind of food, I would encourage you to try it. I've taken even the pickiest of eaters to Sanaa, and they've really enjoyed it.If you're not sure what you might want to order, you can also take a look at their allergy friendly dinner menu before you go. But, I always recommend speaking with a chef about options. I have ordered several things off the regular menu that can easily be made gluten free and dairy free (including the dish I ordered on this visit).
One of my must-do's on any Sanaa visit is their bread service. It comes with gluten free and dairy free naan bread, made using Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend, and accompanied by a variety of sauces and dips. It's just outstanding.Believe it or not, you can actually just order the gluten free, dairy free, and vegan naan bread a la carte instead of ordering the whole bread service (which is around $15). I ordered 2 pieces of the gluten free and vegan naan, along with a side of roasted red pepper hummus.This was a great way to enjoy naan without having to order a whole batch. I admit, that it probably wasn't the most cost effective (I think it was around $5), but it's nice if you don't want a huge portion or don't have a group to share it with.
For my entree, I ordered the Chicken Biryani, which can be made gluten free and dairy free by removing a few side accompaniments. They serve the Biryani with crispy fried onions coated in a gluten free and dairy free flour blend (I believe Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend), which are super delicious.This Biryani was different from the last version I ordered and was smaller in portion size and included a lot more sauce. I still preferred the other version, but I liked this one too. I adore the crispy Brussels Sprouts in it, along with the toasted almond slices, crispy onions, and seasonal vegetables. It's nice for something different too.I'd definitely get this again, though I might try shrimp on the next visit. You can also order this without protein to make it a vegetarian dish too (and I believe, it could be vegan, as well).
Overall
You really can't go wrong with Sanaa. It's a regular dining spot for me, and one I can't say enough good things about. I'll admit, I've been a bit dubious of their recent menu changes, but it's nice to see the restaurant switching it up with a few new options. There's always plenty for me to choose from and to try. If you want to read more about Sanaa, check out Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures for her reviews of the restaurant too.Have you been to Sanaa? What's your favorite things to order there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in March 2017.
Dinner at Sanaa
When it comes to favorite restaurants at Disney, I gotta admit, I keep going back to Sanaa. This table service restaurant, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a not-so-hidden gem these days. It seems the word on how amazing Sanaa is has gotten out, and it's become pretty popular. With African and Indian inspired food that might not seem so approachable for a lot of guests, it's a pretty big testament to how great the food is! On this particular occasion, we had dinner at Sanaa with friends who were visiting from out-of-town. I knew they'd enjoy the food and the amazing atmosphere.
Atmosphere
Sanaa is a gorgeous restaurant with a beautiful theme. Sanaa means work of Art in Swahili, and you can see lots of art and artifacts throughout the restaurant.
The restaurant is set to look a bit like you're in the African woods. It's pretty amazing. Plus, even more amazing is the view. If you're ever wanted to dine with giraffes, zebras, spring bok, and other African animals, Sanaa is the place to do it. Sanaa overlooks the savanna at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the views really are amazing.
The Food
In addition to an amazing theme and view, the food at Sanaa is delicious. Even though the food may seem a bit exotic, you'll find that Disney uses these flavors in approachable ways, so you won't end up with super spicy or totally unappealing dishes. If you're not sure what might be safe for your special dietary need, do check out the allergy friendly dinner menu for Sanaa. And, if you see something on the menu that isn't listed, ask to speak with a chef. They can often make easy modifications to dishes (you'll see that first-hand with my meal on this visit too).
The first thing I ordered on this visit was the African Starr Mint Mojito. It's my hands down favorite drink at Sanaa. It's made with rum (typically gluten free), fresh mint, and simple syrup. So tasty and a refreshing alcoholic drink on a hot day.
Up next, our group ordered the Sanaa Bread Service, which is a must do. All of the dips are currently gluten free, and only one dip contains dairy. How awesome is that? Plus, they make gluten free & vegan naan. So, I'm basically in heaven when I get bread service...because...gluten free carbs and dips! The gluten free & vegan naan is made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend, which is gluten free and dairy free. If you're craving it at home, you can even make yourself with this recipe for the gluten free and vegan naan.
The chef served my bread on a separate plate, and before everyone else dug into the dips, I made sure to scoop what I wanted onto a safe clean plate for myself. You can always ask for separate containers of dip too (though this may include an upcharge, depending on how many dips your group orders). My favorite dips still include the roasted red bell pepper hummus, tomato date chutney, coriander chutney, and mango chutney. They are so good (and all are gluten free and dairy free).
For my entree, I asked about the Sustainable Fish. I thought it would be similar to the old version of their sustainable fish dish, which included a light curry broth and vegetables. I was told that they could make it gluten free with a few modifications (I did not ask for it to be dairy free, as I have been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet). So, you can imagine my surprise when the tile fish I ordered arrived.I gotta admit, it looked nothing like what I imagined. The little peppers included were actually quite sweet and not spicy at all. They added a bit of punch and flavor to the fish and pap (aka grits) which were both a bit bland. The sauce tasted like coconut milk, but since the dish wasn't listed as dairy free, I'm guessing there was either butter, cream, or milk in the sauce and/or the pap. Everything was tasty, but it definitely wasn't the best thing I've ever ordered at Sanaa. Next time, I'd skip this and go back to some of my favorites like the Durban Shrimp, Goan Seafood Curry, and Grilled New York Strip.
Overall
I can't say enough good things about Sanaa. The restaurant theme is amazing. The view is incredible. And the food is outstanding. There are a ton of gluten free and dairy free options on the menu, and the chefs there are amazing at customizing and modifying dishes. Plus, they have one of the best bread service options for guests with special dietary needs, which is a rarity!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you enjoy about dining there?
Sanaa -- Dinner Review -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. Serving up African and Indian inspired food, the offerings here are not only delicious but very special diets friendly. Not only do they carry an allergy-friendly menu, but they also have some really great dishes, like the gluten free, dairy free, and vegan naan bread (more on that in a minute!).Sanaa has recently updated its menu and after a not-so-great experience this summer, I had been wanting to check out the menu changes for a while now. Thankfully, I had a good excuse to visit when Travel Planner Mary Morales invited me to dinner.On a side note, if you are interested in booking a vacation, I can highly recommend Mary. Her services are free (score!) and she takes care of all the planning and work for you (double score!). You can find out more info about Mary on her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMoralesTravelPlanner/ 
First things first, we decided to get the Sanaa bread service, which is always a winner. We decided to split it, so I was able to get 2 pieces of the gluten free and vegan naan bread and Mary could get the regular naan. Then, I made sure to scoop up some of the dips on my side plate so we could both enjoy without worry of cross-contamination.
I was a little surprised to see the new Sanaa bread service platters, and I can't say I'm that impressed. I actually miss the rustic boards they used to use with the sauces surrounding the bread. Plus, the ramekins just seem smaller to me. That being said, I know change can be a good thing...just as long as they don't remove my gluten free and vegan bread option!
Of the dips, all of them are gluten free and dairy free, except the cucumber raita, which is just gluten free. I'm a huge huge fan of the roasted red bell pepper hummus, mango chutney, coriander chutney, and tomato date chutney. The others are good, but these four are my jam! I highly recommend combining the mango chutney and coriander chutney together. They make for a delicious chutney on chutney combo!The naan itself is made from Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is gluten free and vegan. The restaurant gave me the recipe, and I've since re-created it on my cooking video series, "My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen," for you to check out! It's fairly easy to make and is sooooo delicious!
Brandon and I had been at the Epcot Festival of the Arts that weekend to check out the new gluten free options and to enjoy the festival. So, to say I was a bit over-indulgent is an understatement. I was craving something simple, so I asked Chef Fallon if she could re-create the tandoor chicken dish that used to be on the menu. Ultimately, she ended up just making me some rice, grilled chicken with tandoor seasoning and seasonal vegetables.It was exactly what I wanted for my meal -- something simple and easy. I could eat rice for days, and I loved the combo of the flavorful chicken and mild bland rice and sauteed veggies. It wasn't anything special but definitely was perfect for the evening.
Mary got the Potjie-inspired dishes which has definitely changed some since my last visit. Instead of getting your choice of 2 meat or vegetarian dishes, you are given one meat and one vegetarian dish along with rice. For a $10 upcharge, you can get a second meat item, but you will keep the vegetarian dish, for a total of 3 dishes. Chef Fallon noted that they are doing this to give guests more composed dishes, but I'll be honest, it feels like it's an excuse to be a bit cheaper on the entree since typically vegetarian dishes are cheaper to prepare. I like having variety, but I know that a lot of folks are disappointed by this change.That being said, Mary really enjoyed the Chickpea Wat (which is gluten free and vegan) with her meal. She also got two gluten free options -- the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef (which is also dairy free). The dishes are also served with yogurt but it can easily be left off the plate, as it's served in its own dish.I will say the portions did seem bigger, so that's at least an upside to the changes.
For dessert, I decided to get the Chai Spiced Tapioca Pudding with fresh berries. The restaurant always has a gluten free and vegan version on hand made with coconut milk, and it's delicious. It's very comforting to the stomach too if you've overindulged or have a tummy ache. It was another simple and tasty dish and rounded out my meal nicely.Overall, you can't go wrong with Sanaa. I love the flavors and options for all courses the meal here. Plus, their ability to customize and cater to special dietary needs is pretty outstanding. Big shoutout to Chef Fallon who always does a really amazing job there too!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love to order there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
*This dining experience took place in August 2016.
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite restaurants at Disney. I love the Indian and African inspired dishes, the amount of gluten free and dairy free offerings, and of course, the amazing views.On this particular occasion, I visited with my mom and stepdad who were in town briefly, having just arrived back from a trip to Europe. Their tradition every time they come back from vacation is to dine at Sanaa. And who am I to argue with their tradition?!I looked over the Sanaa allergy friendly menu but asked to speak to a chef, as I had a few questions about some of the new regular menu dishes that are not listed on the allergy friendly menu. As I learned from a recent visit to Sanaa, many of the dishes on the regular menu are gluten free and dairy free but oddly not listed on the allergy friendly menu.Chef Fallon who assisted me and my friends back in April is a rockstar and helped me out on this visit. She deserves some huge kudos.
For an appetizer, we had to get the Sanaa bread service. It's a must. I love that I can get gluten free and allergy friendly (and vegan!) naan bread. Because we were splitting it, I ordered two pieces of the special diets naan while my mom and stepdad got regular naan.
Before anyone else dug in, I immediately scooped up some dipping sauces for myself. I'm a huge fan of the Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney (which I recently made on My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen!), and the Roasted Red Bell pepper Hummus. I also really enjoy the Tomato Date Chutney.The gluten free and allergy friendly naan was good, but probably the least well cooked compared to other visits where it has been divine. It wasn't bad, but it seemed a bit dry. Thankfully, I had lots of dipping sauces to help with that.The gluten free, allergy friendly, and vegan naan bread is made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is listed as gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergy friendly. 
This is a photo of the traditional bread service. This naan is egg, fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergy friendly.
For my entree, I ordered the African-inspired Biryani which was listed as Fragrant Rice with Seasonal Vegetables influenced from the Cape of Good Hope. This is a vegetarian dish (I believe it was also vegan).Chef Fallon noted that many people ask for protein in the dish and that she could do so for me. I told her to surprise me for whatever was easiest for her, as I'm not fussy and like most proteins. This would later come back to be an issue with the check, but more on that later.The Biryani was served with crispy fried onion straws on top. Because I was unsure about the safety when it arrived (I've had the wrong thing given to me before at Sanaa), I asked server Jonathan to ask Chef Fallon and confirm its safety. I learned it was made with a gluten free flour, so that was great.Unfortunately, I had to wait a good 10 minutes before I could even talk to a server about this (Jonathan was not our server was a total rockstar; sadly, our server Eddie virtually ignored us throughout our meal and sent over other servers to assist us, while waiting on tables located directly next to us.). It did take another 5 minutes or so before I got confirmation, so I waited at about 15 minutes before I could eat my meal.Overall, once I finally got to eat it, I really enjoyed this dish. I loved the protein addition (Chef Fallon noted they will be updating the menu soon, and the protein add option will be listed), and I thought the rice was well cooked. The crispy fried onions were amazing!My only slight negative was the vegetables in the Biryani. I'm all about a nice vegetable melange but Brussels Sprouts, Green Beans, Carrots and some other root veggies seemed an odd combo to me. I love all of those, but they seemed a bit out of place with my dish.
My mom got the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef with Basmati Rice, all of which is gluten free. The Butter Chicken contains dairy, but the Braised Beef is dairy free. I've had the Braised Beef on a previous visit and thought it was just OK.
My stepdad had the Braii Lamb with Apricots, Squash, Bacon, Cashews, and Goat Cheese. It looked amazing. It wasn't listed as gluten free, but I am thinking it might have been easily gluten free, if not naturally gluten free, as all of the lamb dishes at Sanaa have been gluten free in the past.The Braii Lamb, I've had before was gluten free on the Braaivleis - South African Braai Sample Plate. Next time, I will ask because it looked incredible and was a great value compared to the other dishes at $22.Everyone enjoyed our meal, but I was a bit shocked when I got my bill and noticed a $15 upcharge for the protein I got. I definitely don't mind upcharges and am used to them at restaurants (thought to be honest, it's not all that rare at Disney), but I was shocked that it was so much and not communicated to me prior.I did speak to the manager Zach who basically said the restaurant charged that much because they needed to recoup their cost. He also noted that the new menu will be coming out and that this price was reflective of new price increases at Sanaa. I did explain to him that had I known there was an upcharge that high, I would have ordered my standard faves. I also let him know that I at no point specifically requested those proteins (he indicated the seafood made it a higher price, which I do understand, of course) and that the chef came up with those.He did reduce the price down to $26 total, which was the same price as the current pricing for the curries on the menu. Still, I was a bit stunned at the experience, and it's definitely not something I've experienced at Disney before without telling me prior to ordering.Overall, we enjoyed the food and atmosphere, but the experience with service was a bit lacking on this visit. I'm sad to hear that a new menu coming out will now price the curries from $26 to $34 and include 3 choices. My guess is the portion size will be lowered for each of the sauces, but that remains to be seen. Of course, menus and prices are always subject to change, so I will let you know if this new proposed change takes place.I love Sanaa, but I think I may skip it for dinner for a while and maybe only go at lunch where the prices are a bit more reasonable. It's a shame because it's my favorite restaurant, but this particular visit makes me want to take a bit of a Sanaa break for a while.As an update, I did speak with Disney's Guest Services, and they were also surprised by the upcharge I received and assured me that this is not a new common practice at Sanaa or other locations. Hopefully, others will not experience the same issue I did on this visit to Sanaa. This was a rare occurrence, and I'm glad it's not the norm.Have you been to Sanaa? What is your favorite dish there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.
Sanaa continues to be one of my most favorite restaurants at Disney with warm decor, outstanding food, and one amazing view of the Savannah. They also have some of the consistently best (and tastiest!) special dietary needs options on Disney property. You can check out their full allergy friendly dinner menu here on the blog.On this particular occasion, I met up with Travel Planner Mary Morales for dinner. I don't know about you but I can't think of a better place to have a business meeting, can you?
After being seated and taking in the sites, we were greeted by Chef Joe, who is a Disney rockstar chef in my books (his photo above proves his rockstar status!). He was great at discussing options, especially, as I noticed that the regular menu had some options listed that used to be on the allergy friendly menu but weren't listed there anymore.Chef Joe also seemed surprised as the Goan Seafood Curry, which I'm a big fan of, was not listed but is indeed both gluten free and dairy free. Additionally, there were a ton of what I figured were vegan items that included: Cilantro-Coconut Milk Seasonal Vegetables and Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew that were not on the allergy friendly menu.Chef Joe assured me that these were all options for me gluten free and dairy free. I was having a hard time deciding but ultimately, based on his recommendation, went with the Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew. It sounded unlike anything I'd had there before, and Chef Joe really sold me on this one.
First up though was the bread service. You really can't go to Sanaa and not get it. Mary and I split this, and I was able to get two pieces of gluten free & vegan naan. This bread was the best version of it I have ever had, and I'm loving that they use Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour in it. This bread is actually pliable, and it really is the stuff dreams are made of.Because we shared the bread service, Mary kindly let me scoop up all the dipping sauces I wanted onto a separate plate before digging in. Then, I could enjoy safely to my heart's content.
On my last visit, I tried the braised beef for the first time, along with a standard favorite, the Durban shrimp. This time, I was so excited to get the Goan Seafood Curry again and so curious about the Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew.I have to say, Chef Joe was right. The Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew was unbelievably good. Okra can be one of those "love it" or "hate it" kind of veggies, and cooked poorly it becomes a gummy nasty mess. This version was slow roasted and just delicious. With the tomatoes it had a slightly sweet taste to the dish, and the crunch of the cashews on top really pulled it all together. I would definitely get this again.And, of course, the Goan Seafood Curry was just as delicious as always. Although despite the name, I don't think the Goan Seafood Curry is very spicy, so don't let the name fool you.
Mary is allergic to fish and shellfish and was very interested in the Durban dish but without shrimp. Chef Joe was able to make that with chicken instead (which is one of the ways you used to be able to get it in the restaurant), so it's nice to know that's an option.Both of her dishes were gluten free, but the Butter Chicken, is not dairy free. Mary raved about these dishes, especially the Butter Chicken.
We definitely enjoyed a tasty meal and enjoyed the view. One of the resident birds at the Animal Kingdom Lodge joined us by the window. Truth be told, I think he was just jealous of my Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew and gluten free and vegan naan!Overall, I can never say enough good things about Sanaa. It's always a favorite of mine, and I can literally go there and get something different every time. Except that gluten free and vegan bread service. It's a MUST every time I go!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love at this table service restaurant?
Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in December 2015.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. I've often referred to it as a hidden gem of a restaurant, and in many ways, it still is. However, the word has definitely gotten out about this African and Indian inspired restaurant, which proves that good food and great atmosphere will bring guests to even the more remote locations on Disney property. It's that good!On this particular occasion, I had lunch with my friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. You can read her full review of our dining experience at Sanaa on her blog.Like most Disney restaurants, Sanaa now carries an allergy friendly menu for both lunch and dinner. Both Alexis & I looked over the options, as there were some new dishes added. Because many of the sandwiches were not listed, I asked if I could speak with a chef to discuss potential gluten free and dairy free sandwich options.Chef Marilyn came out to greet us, and she answered any questions that we had about the menu. She did let me know that I could get either a Local Oven bun or the house-made gluten free and vegan naan as a wrapper for my sandwich. Of course, after hearing about the naan recipe update, I couldn't pass up getting a naanwich!
First up, was the Indian style bread service. This is a must at Sanaa and even more so now that they have a newly modified gluten free and vegan naan. Using Cup4Cup's dairy free Wholesome Flour Blend, the naan was a huge improvement on this visit from the previous version made with Bob's Red Mill. Though I liked the BRM version (it was more like a cracker/flatbread), this one with Cup4Cup was actual pliable! It's the little things in life that make me excited and naan that actually bends is one of those things!This version was delicious and paired really well with the accompaniments. My favorite dips include the mango chutney, coriander chutney, red bell pepper hummus, and tomato-date chutney. Ever the condiment queen though, I adore pretty much all of the dips they have at Sanaa.
My sandwich took a bit of extra time to make, so while we were waiting, Chef Marilyn sent out a Sanaa salad sampler. The salads included: Watermelon and Fennel, Chickpea and Cucumber, and fresh fruit. The chickpea, cucumber, and tomato salad is one of my favorites, and I could eat it all day. It's very light and refreshing.I also ate the fruit, though I prefer the pineapple, grapes, and apples over the melon included in this dish.And, the watermelon, cucumber, and fennel salad went to Alexis and her daughters. Oddly, I really dislike watermelon, so I happily gave it to them. They all enjoyed it, though no one was a big fan of the fennel, as it often has a sharp licorice taste.
For my entree, Chef Marilyn suggested the Peri Peri Chicken Sandwich. Served on the gluten free and vegan naan with pickled red onion, rocket (a bitter lettuce), tomato, and a side of sambal mayonnaise, this sandwich was outstanding. The chicken had been marinated and grilled and was cooked perfectly. No dry chicken here. With the warm naan and the sambal mayonnaise, this sandwich might be my new favorite lunch item at Sanaa. The naan versus a gluten free bun is absolutely the way to go too!For my entree side, I was given roasted regular and sweet potatoes. These are a wee bit bland but topped with sambal mayonnaise were quite tasty.As always, Sanaa hit this lunch out of the park. I'm so impressed by the latest version of the gluten free and vegan naan. To have a truly pliable and tasty bread made my dining experience here even more magical. And, the fact that you can get the naan as a sandwich bun substitute is pretty magical too. Naanwich for the win!I can't wait to go back soon for lunch or dinner. I literally could eat at Sanaa once a week and be a very happy Disney camper.Have you been to Sanaa? What was your favorite dish here?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*These dining experiences took place in August, September, and October 2015.
Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, continues to be one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. Not only is the food amazing but the atmosphere is unlike any other. Where else can you sit and watch zebras and giraffes while eating dinner? It really is incredible.This review covers 3 separate visits that I had throughout the months of August, September, and October. Many times, I went just for drinks and appetizers which is a great way to cap an evening. I could sit at the Sanaa bar area for days. It's so relaxing! And, if you don't have a reservation and want a quick bite, the bar is the perfect place to grab a meal, as you can order everything off the regular menu in the bar area.
Perhaps my most favorite drink on Disney property is the African Starr Mint Mojito. The simplicity of rum, fresh mint, and simple syrup makes this a refreshing drink, perfect for cooling off after a long day in the hot parks. This drink never disappoints, and I think Sanaa has the best mojito on property!
Bread service is a must whenever I go to Sanaa. Since the launch of a gluten free and vegan naan bread offering this summer, I have been back a ridiculous amount of times to order their bread service. It's best piping hot from the oven and tastes amazing with any of the dips offered.Equally amazing is the Sanaa soup. Though not currently listed on the allergy friendly menu, the soup is still gluten free. It can be made dairy free by removing the addition of cream. Trust me, this soup is so delicious you won't miss the cream at all! I can highly recommend the soup and bread service combo as a winning option when dining at Sanaa.
Sanaa also has some new appetizers out, and one evening I did try out the Oxtail Umngqusho, which is made of cracked hominy, black-eyed peas, and braised oxtail. I enjoyed this dish a lot though I would have liked to have had a bit more oxtail in the dish. This dish has a unique taste and was very filling. The oxtail tastes a bit like short ribs, so while oxtail might not sound appetizing, it's actually quite delicious!
Whenever I get bread service, the biggest decision is to get all of the dips or just 3. I'm partial to the mango chutney, red pepper hummus, and coriander chutney, but I love so many of the others too. The only one that isn't dairy free is the cucumber raita, and you can easily swap out that dip for a second of your favorite one when ordering the full bread service. For me, that always means more red pepper hummus! I have to admit though, the tomato date chutney has been my new favorite dip that they've added recently. So good!
The Sanaa dinner menu has changed somewhat, and I was curious to try some of the dishes. On my most recent visit, my friend and I both ordered the Braaivleis, which is marked as gluten free and dairy free naturally. It comes with Boerewor (a sausage), lamp chop, pork tenderloin, Tunisian olive oil crushed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.I loved the Tunisian olive oil crushed potatoes, as they were very flavorful. The sausage was milder than I expected it to be, which was great. I loved the pork tenderloin, though I should have asked to have it cooked longer. Cooked medium still seems a bit to raw for my tastes. And speaking of raw, if you are concerned about raw meat, avoid the lamb or ask them to cook a wee bit longer (which be warned, may toughen the meat). My lamb was entirely too rare for my liking but I found the flavors of the lamb delicious.Overall, if you visit Sanaa, you won't regret it. It's a one of a kind restaurant at Disney, and is very affordable and approachable. The bread service is a must! I can't wait to go back again to try some of the new dinner offerings.You can also read Gluten Free in Orlando's reviews on Sanaa too.Have you been to Sanaa? What did you love about this restaurant?
Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in July 2015.
Sanaa located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village has long been one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. I'm such a fan of all types of Indian-inspired food, so I've always been impressed with the palate of flavors that Sanaa presents its guests. I love how approachable the food is, despite being a bit exotic for most folks. And, it doesn't hurt that they offer amazing gluten free and dairy free offerings, set in one of the most gorgeous restaurant settings at Disney World.
On this particular visit, my mom and I stopped by for lunch during a very full day of shopping in Orlando. Shopping clearly makes me hungry, and I couldn't think of a better place to grab a bite than Sanaa. It's been ages since I've been, so it was long overdue.
After we were seated, I was given one of the new allergy friendly menus that have been appearing throughout the Disney restaurants. The first thing that popped out on the menu was gluten free AND vegan naan. WHAT!? Yes, you read that right, gluten free and vegan naan. Sanaa has long been serving a gluten free naan, but it has been very dairy-filled, which meant I had been still eating falafel chips.Of course, ever the skeptic, I asked to speak with a chef, as I was very curious if this bread was really gluten free and dairy free, or if this was too good to be true. Chef Michelle let me know that it was indeed gluten free and vegan. The restaurant now uses Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour instead of cup4cup. I hadn't planned on ordering bread service that on this visit, but gluten free and dairy free naan. I had to have it.We ordered the full bread service with all the dips (minus the cucumber raita which contains dairy), and I was excited to see 5 pieces of naan available with the bread service. This girl loves a good carb, especially one smothered in delicious dips and chutneys.
Overall, I have to say, I was pretty pleased with the naan. It was a bit more like flatbread, rather than traditional naan. But the flavors were delicious, and the chickpea flour, in this instance, works really well with the Indian flavors. They were also piping hot from the oven (which is where they prepare them), so I enjoyed immensely. My favorite dips, of course, continue to be the coriander chutney, mango chutney, and the roasted red bell pepper hummus. These are my hands down musts every time I order bread service. I also enjoyed the pickled garlic and the tomato date chutney a lot too. My verdict on the naan? Really good (not amazing but really good), and something I wouldn't hesitate to order again.
For my entree, I went with the Durban Shrimp and Goan Seafood Curry. I have to admit, I still very much miss the green curry shrimp and wish it was still around, but I do also really enjoy the Goan Seafood Curry. The first time I tried it, it lived up to its goan (aka spicy) name, but since then it's become very toned down and is quite mild, in my opinion. Which works perfectly with the spicy Durban Shrimp which is ridiculously but deliciously spicy. If you do not like spicy food, avoid this one.
Overall, I was really pleased with my meal at Sanaa. It's hard not to love everything about this restaurant - from the food, the special diets accommodations, to the atmosphere. All that was missing on this visit was an African Starr Mint Mojito.Chef Michelle said the dinner menu has changed quite a bit, so I can't wait to check it out sometime soon, especially so I can order the bread service again. They are also working to tweak the recipe, so I can't wait to see how it changes and evolves. If you're curious about other folks' thoughts on the new gluten free and vegan naan bread, check out Alexis' review from Gluten Free in Orlando!Have you been to Sanaa? Are you looking forward to trying the new gluten free and vegan naan? What about the other offerings on the menu?
Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in July 2014. 
As many of you know, Sanaa is one of my favorite restaurants on Disney World property. From the curries to the impressive bread service, I can't say that I've ever had a disappointing meal at Sanaa. It's a restaurant that might seem a little bit exotic but the food is prepared in such an approachable way that you can't help but love the African and Indian inspired flavors. It seems like I've been to Sanaa quite a bit lately (no surprise since it's such a favorite of mine) - from dinner with friends Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and Jennifer from Gluten Free Go-To Guide in April to a recent lunch in June to check out the new menu offerings. 
On this particular visit, I knew I wanted to get something different for lunch. I was given the special diets menus that are available at Sanaa, which you find on the menus page. While going over the menu, I was greeted by Chef Trish who is a terrific mainstay chef at Sanaa. It had been a while since I had seen her. I think the last meal I had where she was on-hand was the fabulous dinner she prepared for Laurie Sadowski & I in October during the dessert party weekend (vegan, gluten free "samosa" were amazing!) I mentioned that I was interested in the Sanaa burger on the menu, and she said they could work to make it gluten free and dairy free. She also talked about the new Local Oven buns that are now available at the restaurant, and how they toast them to make them extra tasty with the burger. She also mentioned adding a chutney to the burger and making a side salad that might pair well with it too. One thing I love about Chef Trish is that she knows how adventurous I am with food, so I can usually tell her to surprise me and get treated with something amazing. She is exceptional with flavors and pairings! There was a bit of a mix-up in the kitchen, and they accidentally served me a burger with cheese, which I noticed immediately. Somehow, while Chef Trish was preparing my salad, they made my burger only gluten free. Thankfully, we were able to sort it out, and they prepared my burger and sides promptly and safely the second time around. 
And boy, it was worth any bit of a wait. The burger itself wasn't anything to rave about. It was the traditional pre-formed beef patties you find at quick service locations. It makes me wish I had ordered the burger when it was the Bison burger before the menu change. However, the chutney made up for the ordinary burger.Served on a toasted Local Oven bun (which is good, though I still prefer Udi's buns), the chutney was fabulous. It was basically a modified version of their mango chutney which is one of my all time favorites that they serve at the restaurant. It was messy but worth it.I was also served roasted potatoes, made up of a blend of potatoes, including sweet potatoes. These were perfectly roasted and really delicious. The star was the salad. Made with a bright lemony vinaigrette, it wasn't over-dressed, and was perfectly seasoned. It was really fresh and vibrant and was a great contrast to the rest of the meal. Overall, despite the slight hiccup, this was a fantastic lunch offering at Sanaa. I'm not usually a burger person, but this one was a nice twist with unique side options. I would definitely order it again.I'd give this a solid 8.5 out of 10.Have you been to Sanaa? What's your favorite item to order there?
Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in June 2014. 
Sanaa is one of those restaurants at Disney that I can dine at again and again. With Indian and African inspired flavors, there's just something about it that keeps me coming back. The quality of food, the variety of gluten free and dairy free offerings, and the price make it one of the most delicious and affordable restaurants on property. Between this location and Boatwright's, I have to say these are both my picks for affordable and quality special diets meals and are among my most favorite restaurants at Disney.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for lunch. I had heard that there was gluten free naan being served at Sanaa now, and I was hoping to find out more information about whether or not it could be made gluten free and dairy free. Seeing Gluten Free in Orlando's review made me really want gluten free naan!I was greeted by Chef David, who has helped me on many occasions and has done a great job making sure I have delicious and safe offerings. First thing, I asked about the gluten free naan. Unfortunately, it does contain dairy, as they are using Cup4Cup as the base (a gluten free flour mix that has dairy in it) and additional dairy products. Rats! Here's hoping that in the future they might be able to make a gluten free & dairy free version as well. I definitely expressed that I'd love to see it.
One of the things I love about Sanaa is that they have special diets menus for certain special dietary needs. It's great because i get a gluten free menu and a dairy free menu and can easily cross-reference which items are safe or not. Sanaa is one of several restaurants that carries these types of menus. You can check out a full listing on my menus page.
We decided to get bread service to split at the table and ordered all 11 dips and sauces. We asked for double orders of red pepper hummus at my request because it's amazing! Honestly, I ate an entire dish of it myself! You know me and my dips! Ever the condiment queen! The table was able to get regular naan and I got lentil pappadums. Some of the other dips I love include mango chutney and coriander chutney. But the dips in general are delicious and flavorful! Some of spicy so check with the chef if you're worried about spice level.
For my entree, I chose the chicken vindaloo and the goan seafood curry -- both of which are new menu items. I asked about the spice level as vindaloo is traditionally very spicy. Chef David said that the Durban shrimp would be the spiciest option on the menu, and since I know the spice level of this very well from previous meals, I decided to try the vindaloo.
I have to say that I really enjoyed both of these entrees. The chicken vindaloo wasn't that spicy at all and very flavorful. A rich gravy with chicken that paired perfectly the other entree choice - the goan seafood curry, which I particularly enjoyed. This dish tasted like it had coconut milk and lemongrass in it. Flavors I love a lot, as a fan of Thai curries. The seafood included shrimp and fish, all of which were well cooked.
I don't normally get dessert at Sanaa but I really wanted to try the new tapioca pudding with chai spiced berries that replaced the Bamboo Rice Pudding. It sounded interesting, though I have to say I was a wee bit skeptical of tapioca pudding. It makes me think of the bland tasteless pudding of my childhood.
I have to say that I also really enjoyed this as well! The tapioca was unlike any that I've had before, I really enjoyed the chai spiced berries. They were the perfect accompaniment to the dish. The fresh berries on top were also quite nice. I will say, as a caveat, if you are not a fan of mushy textures, you might want to avoid this dessert. It's definitely a creamy delicious version of tapioca, but it's still tapioca at the end of the day which means it's texture will be a bit mushy.Overall, I had a wonderful meal at Sanaa and I'm looking forward to going back again soon. I can't say I've ever had a bad meal there. And considering how much I eat there. That's saying a lot!I'd give this a solid 9 out of 10.Have you been to Sanaa? What are your favorite dishes?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in April 2014 and includes my gluten free & dairy free review as well as two gluten free reviews.
Ah, Sanaa. Many of you know this is one of my favorite restaurants on property. I adore the Indian and African inspired flavors, the decor, and well...just about everything that this restaurant has to offer. I recommend this restaurant a lot to Disney guests looking for a great special diets meal that is just a little different than burgers and fries. It's so friendly for many special dietary needs - gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian and more. Plus, they have gluten free & dairy free menus which is pretty awesome!On this particular visit, I was joined by my friends Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and Jennifer Harris from Gluten Free Go-to Guide. We were all really hungry after a busy day at Blogger U for the Gluten-Free Living Conference in Orlando. So, this was definitely a much needed meal. We were greeted by Chef Carroll who really took the time to go over the special diets offerings, as well as how the restaurant prepares special diets dinners. And then something funny happened. She asked if I was Sarah and explained that she had actually been one of the Disney's Catered Events teams that worked on the Special Diets Dessert Parties that I host at Disney. How cool is that? She said she worked on the menu development but didn't get a chance to be at the tastings or the event. So, it was really neat to meet her in person. She's now moved on from catering to work in Sanaa, and I'm looking forward to seeing a familiar face the next time I go in to dine.
The group decided to order drinks - white & red sangrias for both Alexis and Jennifer (which looked fabulous) and an African Starr Mint Mojito for me. Yes, I'm totally addicted to these. One thing I will say is that the bartender didn't do quite as good of a job on my drink. It wasn't as balanced as it could have been and almost seemed like it was missing something. For our appetizers, we all chose different items. Alexis got the Butternut Squash Soup which looked good, but very dairy filled. Jennifer got the salad sampler which has one of my favorite lunchtime salads - the chickpea and cucumber salad. I usually get it with the turkey sandwich and it's delicious. For my appetizer, I restrained myself from the bread service (which I normally get) and ordered the Chana Tikki - chickpea cakes. I have been eyeing them for a while, and decided to switch it up.
Taste-wise, these were very good. I really enjoyed the taste of the cake - though I will say the texture was a little "mushy." I think they could have been a wee bit more textured or crispier and that would have worked better. The accompaniments were spot on. I never met a chutney or coriander sauce I didn't like and both were fabulous. For entrees, I was torn. I really love the sustainable fish entree, but I also loved the curry/gravy dishes. I still really really miss the green curry shrimp because it was the perfect balance with Durban chicken. Chef Trish recreated it for me the last time I had dinner there, but it's not the same without it on the menu. I opted for the Durban chicken and spicy Goan Fish Curry. Now, this seemed like it may not be a good decision on my part - so much spiciness, but I decided to be a gambling lady that night. Both Jennifer and Alexis ordered the lamb dish and both raved about it. 
The Durban chicken was spicy but flavorful as it always is. I really do love this dish. There's a lot of complexity to it, and the flavors (though spicy) meld really well together. The Goan Fish was actually not at all spicy like it had been the time before. The last time it was practically nuclear and my mouth was on fire for what seems like forever. But, this time it was pleasantly spiced and seasoned and the mahi mahi was excellent in it. If it stays like this, I'll readily order it again.Alexis also ordered dessert, while the rest of us were too stuffed to attempt it. You can read Alexis's full review of Sanaa from that visit on her website Gluten Free in Orlando.Overall, it was a fantastic meal with great company and ambiance. I love sharing new Disney restaurants with friends, and it was great to hear what Jennifer thought of it as well. I'd give this experience a solid 8 out of 10. Have you been to Sanaa recently? What are your favorite dishes there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in October 2013 and includes a gluten free & vegan dining review in addition to my gluten free & dairy free review. This review includes my comments, as well as comments from Laurie Sadowski, the Allergy-Free Cook, who accompanied me on this meal! Laurie's comments are in green! Ah Sanaa… This continues to be one of my hands down favorite restaurants on property. I adore the Indian & African inspired flavors and the variety in which I can get as a gluten free & dairy free diner. I don’t think I could ever get bored eating at this restaurant! Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, this restaurant is often seen as a “hidden gem,” which always surprises me given it’s wonderful food, service, and location. But then again, it is off-the-beaten-path if you don’t have a car or don’t want to resort hop. For me, I will always go out of my way to visit Sanaa.On this particular occasion, I was lucky enough to be heading to dinner with my friend and food allergy cookbook author, Laurie Sadowski. If you attended the dessert party weekend festivities, you’ll likely met Laurie! This was a great place for us to relax and enjoy a meal as we prepped for the weekend festivities.Before we visited this location, I contacted Chef Trish ahead of time, not only to see if she was going to be on-duty that night, but also to check in with her on options for Laurie & I that might be slightly “off the menu.” Normally, I don’t do this, but this was a special occasion, and we were really looking forward to the meal. Laurie jokingly mentioned samosas (which are definitely not gluten free) to Chef Trish, and little did we know we would be in for a treat when we arrived.I, too, love Sanaa, and my top dish there is their tomato soup. When Sarah and I were choosing our weekend restaurants, we decided to each pick our favourites, and I was happy to oblige when I discovered Sanaa is hers.Our server was Brenda, and she’s taken care of my tables in the past. She’s always very good and knowledgeable. Chef Trish came out to greet us, and boy was she prepared for us! She had decided to make something special - a gluten free & vegan version of a “samosa.” Instead of a pastry dough, she created a pastry type coating out of quinoa which she ground and left some coarse to provide texture. Inside were potatoes & peas. Then she lightly fried them in a pan and garnished with a mint chutney and tamarind sauce (which normally is not GF but was for us!) and a mango chutney along with micro-greens. Though the texture wasn’t really samosa like, the taste profiles were nice & very samosa reminiscent.
The tamarind sauce had a lovely flavor to it, with a hint of coriander spice, it had fresh cilantro and mint, a squeeze of lemon and lime and was finished with coconut milk. The samosa, topped on the same had flavors that were good, though more of a quinoa patty, rather than the pastry. It was fried in a Tunisian olive oil, which was a nice way to complement it as a whole. Topped on it was the mango chutney, which included creamed papaya, achar spice, and the microgreens. Big, big fan of this. The balance of flavors with the spice of the samosa and the creamy tamarind sauce was spot on.Believe it or not, I’d never had the tomato soup at Sanaa -- one thing that surprises most people, especially since they have a reputation for making wonderful soups (my mom says the tomato soup here is the best tomato soup she’s ever had!).My mom and I will second this!Chef Trish made a nice option for me, a gluten free & dairy free tomato soup made creamy with coconut milk. YUM! This was amazing. It had a nice coconut foam on top and was topped with arugula which is a nice peppery green. There was a lot of depth of flavor to this, and this was easily one of the best soups I’ve ever had GF/DF or not! I also got the chance to try out Laurie’s version of the tomato soup which had no coconut milk in it and spinach. This was also divine, though I admit, I preferred the coconut milk version (I’m a sucker for coconut milk).
The version that I had is the one that I always get, and my top favourite. The traditional tomato soup on the menu contains slow-slow-slow (as in multi-day) cooked tomatoes, which gives it the richest flavor. It generally includes paneer (cheese), which isn’t dairy free, but the same base is used for the dairy-free (as well as soy-free and vegan) version on the menu, with spinach instead. I could eat my life in this!
Laurie & I also shared the bread service with lentil pappadum and several dipping sauces. We picked the coriander chutney, red bell pepper hummus, and mango chutney. All three are my hands down favorite dipping sauces. Of course, at this point I was feeling very full, but we hadn’t even received our entrees yet!Full? What’s that?
For my entree choices, I ordered the Goan Fish Curry and Chef Trish said she could re-create my favorite dish Green Curry Shrimp which is no longer on the Sanaa menu. I was so excited that she could re-create it!The green curry shrimp was very close to the version that used to be on the menu. It wasn’t quite as spicy (which wasn’t very spicy at all to be fair) as the original, but the flavor profile was very close. Next up was the Goan Fish Curry. It featured mahi mahi which is a nice firm fish and worked perfectly with the goan curry. Fair warning, this was spicy! And I mean spicy! I think it was almost more spicy for me than the Durban chicken. Yikes!! I enjoyed the flavors, but spice intensity wise, it was a bit much for me. I ended up picking out the fish and eating the fish with rice just because the sauce was a little too much on the spice scale. I would go with the Durban chicken next time.
Sarah was sweatin’ a little, but definitely talking about how good the dish was. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it! Too bad we can’t have that milk and white bread to mop up the intensity. Thank goodness for rice!My entrée was done off the cuff, which is my favourite way to dine at Disney World. I didn’t want to have the sampler—I’ve had it in the past many times, since it’s pretty much the only option—so Chef Trish put together a mash-up of other things that were on the menu.The appetizers on the menu included (not gluten-free) tikki chickpea cakes, and she made me a version of these. She asked if I liked the mango chutney from the appetizer (yes!) because she said the flavors went really well with what she had in mind. I ended up getting a version of the chickpea dish, sitting on a mango, papaya lime juice “sauce”. It was topped with a shaved fennel salad that included red onions and fresh cilantro.One nice thing I also ordered was the African Starr Mojito which was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. It was so refreshing and filled with fresh mint. This is perhaps now one of my favorite Disney World cocktails. I’ll definitely be ordering that again.
By the time dessert came around, I was just way too full to order any. Though it was nice to see Laurie’s rice pudding that she got. It looked divine!Oh, and it was. It was a warm bamboo rice pudding, cooked to perfection, and topped with fresh berries. Nice and simple, both in presentation and flavor, but just the right amount.Overall, I very much enjoyed this meal. I was so stuffed by the end of it but everything was so flavorful and delicious that it was worth it. I can’t thank Chef Trish enough for providing that lovely samosa treat and the special soup. I would definitely request both of those again for a special occasion.I’d give this meal a solid 9 out of 10 for delicious food & terrific gluten free and dairy free options.
Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in February 2014.
Sanaa means work of art, and there's no shortage of art in this restaurant -- from the decor to the food. I still consider this restaurant a hidden gem on Disney property. Guests who might be apprehensive about the Indian & African inspired fare need not be worried. Sanaa has some of the most delicious and approachable fare that even the most skeptical of diners will love (and I hear regularly from guests who consider this a new favorite restaurant).On this particular occasion, I stopped by during my pre-runDisney race day festivities. I popped in for a carb filled lunch after coming back from the expo to pick up my race bib. As always, Sanaa did not disappoint both in options and in price.I was greeted by Chef David, who has assisted me before. Prior to chatting with Chef David, I received two special diets menus from the cast member who seated us. The menus have slightly changed (but not much) and mostly in the area of pricing. Yikes! I long for the days when many of these dishes were under $20! You can find the updated menus on the menu page.I actually decided to order something not listed on the special diets menus. I ordered the Roasted Turkey Sandwich - served on ciabatta with avocado, smoked bacon, pickled red onion, lemon mayonnaise and choice of chickpea salad or fruit ($13.99). It can easily be modified by using a gluten free/dairy free bread (in this case Udi's Gluten Free). I also really like the chickpea salad which is fresh and filling (and great for a pre-race meal).
As always, this is a great sandwich. It's one of my favorites and really quite affordable as far as Disney table service lunches go. The turkey is roasted in house using some African spices and is very mild and tender. The avocado goes perfectly with the turkey and bacon. My favorite parts of this sandwich are the lemon mayonnaise (so fresh) and the pickled onions. The pickled onions totally make this dish. And the chickpea salad is a winner hands down. Even my mom who isn't a huge fan of cucumbers and other veggies that are in this dish really likes it.Overall, I'm always pleased after eating at Sanaa. The food can't be beat, as far as quality, and who can dislike dining at a restaurant overlooking the Savanna with all of the amazing animals. It's a hands down favorite and a must-do for Disney special diets diners. If you're vegetarian or vegan, this is definitely a place to go!I give this a solid 9 out of 10 for great meal and service, especially for special dietary accommodations.Have you been to Sanaa? What are your favorite dishes here?
Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge -- Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in September 2013.
 |
| Ceiling in Sanaa |
Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, continues to remain one of my favorite restaurants on property. With African & India inspired food, it offers the best of both cuisines. The restaurant is dramatically themed like a forest and is set upon the African savannah with a view of many of the animals that call the Savannah home (think giraffes and zebra). One of the best parts about this restaurant is that it easily accommodates gluten & dairy free diners, as well as vegetarian and vegan diners.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for lunch eager to try something different. Normally I tend to get the dishes themed as "Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned" which are traditionally a lot of curry type dishes. My favorites include the Durban chicken & shrimp and the now gone green curry shrimp. I also adore the bread service with it's lentil pappadums & dipping sauces. Anything that involves red pepper hummus & chutneys is OK by me!
 |
| Bar area in the restaurant |
Today, however, I wanted to get some type of nice lunch sandwich. I wasn't looking for a big meal and was hoping that I could get a reasonable option. On this visit, I was greeted by Chef David who went over the menu with me. Luckily, upon arrival I was given both the gluten & dairy free menus for the restaurant. This is one thing that I love about Sanaa--actually custom menus that I can cross-reference and consult before the chef comes to the table! You can actually see the gluten free menu HERE and the dairy free menu HERE.Of course, the menu item that I was interested in trying was not listed on either of the menus. It was the Turkey Club Sandwich - served on multigrain bread with turkey, avocado, bacon, pickled onions, and lemon mayonnaise plus choice of chickpea salad or fresh fruit. I asked Chef David about this and he told me that everything was actually safe, except the bread, but that they carried the Udi's sandwich bread on hand and I could have it if I wanted. Yes!! I love it when things work out like that. And it's a lesson that it doesn't hurt to ask, even if you don't see it listed on the menu. He told me that they roast the turkey in-house and make the lemon mayo in house as well. It sounded delicious. I also opted for the chickpea salad instead of fruit, mostly because the fruit was a lot of melon and I'm not a melon fan.
 |
| Two small sandwiches turned out to be one huge meal! |
 |
| Close-up of the sandwich inside |
First things first, I wish Disney got the commercial Udi's sandwich bread at all of their locations. Some (like Kouzzina) have it but most have the wimpy small sandwich bread. I mean, I guess it works out because I end up getting a lot of food, but still! I'd like a regular sized sandwich sometimes!First up, this sandwich was excellent. The roast turkey was all turkey breast meat, very moist and nicely seasoned. The bacon was of good quality. The avocado was perfect on this. And the two best parts: the pickled onions (which they also make in house) and lemon mayonnaise. Both divine! Everything really complimented the sandwich. I also adored the chickpea salad. It had cucumbers and tomato in it and was a really fresh, light side.Overall, I really enjoyed this lunch. It was really affordable (somewhere around the $15 mark with tip!) and delicious. This to me was a hands down winner, and a much better option since I was over at the Animal Kingdom Park and don't always love the QS offerings there. I'd definitely get this for lunch again.I'd give this a solid 9 out of 10 as usual for amazing food, service, and customization. This continues to be an outstanding restaurant!
Sanaa -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- AKL
*This dining experience took place in April 2013.I feel like it's a bit of an end of an era as I write this post. I just dined at Sanaa the other night and found out that the menu is being completely revamped, so I've officially had my last taste of some of my favorite Sanaa dishes. On the one hand it's exciting to hear about the new changes, but it's also kind of sad because I've been such a fan of the Sanaa menu. Ahhh, times are changin'! More about the new menu at the end of this post, but first up...a look at my favs as I experienced them on my last visit with this menu. (*note: Eating at WDW has a menu update with pics on their blog!)
Sanaa is one of my favorite restaurants at Disney property. It's not for everyone. Some of the flavors may be spicy for some but for me, it's one of my all time favs. Plus, I love the relaxing atmosphere. On this trip, I was greeted by Chef Jake (who has helped me quite a few times). Our group ordered the Bread Service, as usual. I got the lentil pappadums and the rest of the group got the other breads (sorry I never actually pay attention to them more than there's naan bread). For dips, we ordered most of our favorites: red bell pepper hummus, coriander chutney, mango chutney and then we also ordered a new fav the coconut chutney and my brother got the sambal. Yikes, was that ever spicy. Like, spicy enough I wouldn't eat more than a bite of it.
 |
| Pappadums |
 |
| Dips--watch out the one of the bottom left, the chili sambal...spicy and NOT in a good way! |
For my entree, I ordered what I got on my last trip--the Durban chicken and green curry shrimp with the Basmati rice. Soooo good. I was glad I chose it, especially after Chef Jake told me about the new menu. I must say, whoever was making the Durban chicken that night was heavy handed with the spice. It was EXTRA spicy that night. Thank goodness I got the green curry shrimp or my mouth would not have cooled down.
 |
| My last of the Durban chicken and green curry shrimp... |
So now onto that new menu I was talking about...you didn't think I'd leave you hanging did you?! :) Chef Jake said the menu is being completely revamped. He didn't go into all of the details, but he did say the only one of the slow cooked dishes that is staying is the butter chicken--and that's the newest addition from last year! Gone is Durban chicken. Gone green curry shrimp. Can you tell I'm bummed? He said the sustainable fish dish will be completely re-worked and different. He said the tandoori items on the menu will be completely revamped too. He said they are adding a Bison dish, so for you fans of red meat--this might be a great dish. He didn't say what the rest of the changes were, but that they would be very interesting.While I'm bummed, I am glad to see some changes and a revitalized menu. It is important to have change in the menus. For my part, I'm excited to see and taste the new menu items and I can't wait to share them with you. If you go in the next week, you'll get to see that new menu in place. (*note: Eating at WDW has a menu update with pics on their blog!)
What do you think about the new changes? Are you excited? Bummed? My biggest hope is that the menu continues to be gluten and dairy free friendly!A solid 9 out of 10 but stay tuned for a new review.