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Planning a trip to Disney World? Looking for a quick service restaurant that has delicious food for a great price? Then look no further than Flame Tree BBQ! This Animal Kingdom eatery is, by far, the best counter service restaurant at Disney World! Keep reading to find out why!
Every time my family is in Animal Kingdom, we eat at Flame Tree BBQ. It is a no-brainer for us. We don’t even think about eating anywhere else. This is our all time favorite quick service restaurant!
Theme/Decor
Like everything in Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ is a uniquely designed restaurant.
It is comprised of a pavilion where you order and get your food and several other open-air pavilions where you can sit and eat. These are tucked into the environment next to and behind the main building. You have to walk down small trails to reach the best of them.
The theme of the restaurant is predator and prey. It is presented in an artistic, yet subtle manner with lots of colorful details throughout.
Each dining pavilion is covered by a wooden roof that has a different predator/prey relationship carved into or painted on the wood. It may take a while to notice the theme, but once you do, it becomes very obvious.
At one pavilion, you will see lines of ants with anteaters nearby. Another pavilion features rabbits and owls. A third location is decorated with eagles and snakes.
Because the small dining pavilions are tucked into the natural environment, the restaurant has a very quaint and tranquil feel to it. Several of the pavilions have water views, with either the river or reflecting pools nearby.
Even if you aren’t into nature, you can’t help but feel a connection to your surroundings while dining here. Of course, the ducks and birds that linger close by waiting on a bite to eat also help with this feeling of being close to nature!
Don’t worry though! The birds are not usually aggressive enough to disturb your lunch.
Location
You will find Flame Tree BBQ in Animal Kingdom on Discovery Island, near the center of the park. You will see the front of the restaurant on the main pathway as you head towards Dinoland USA.
The seating pavilions are tucked away down little paths nearby. They are not readily visible when you order your food. However, if you will wander down one of the paths around the restaurant, you will be rewarded with an amazing view while eating.
Although, it is a bit of a pain to walk so far to sit when you are holding a tray full of food, I actually like that the seating areas are spread out.
Not only does this create a sense of coziness, but it also allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of the park. It gives you a chance to take a break from all the crowds while you have a quiet meal in a beautiful setting.
Food
Flame Tree BBQ, as you probably guessed, serves barbecue. This is one of the few quick service restaurants at Disney World that doesn’t serve hamburgers and chicken nuggets! It’s a very nice change of pace from most of the quick service places.
The food here is so delicious! The meats are juicy and flavorful. The cornbread is yummy. At Flame Tree BBQ, you get table service quality and quantity at counter service prices.
In addition to smoked chicken and ribs, the menu also includes a pulled pork sandwich, onion rings, and pulled pork mac and cheese.
The children’s menu offers a hot dog, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, turkey sandwich, and a baked drumstick.
For dessert, Flame Tree serves a couple different cupcakes.
For a look at the full menu, visit allears.net.
Entertainment
Other than the birds, the only entertainment at Flame Tree is provided by a very unlikely source: the riders on Expedition Everest!
Go sit in the seating pavilion on the edge of the river, directly across from Everest. While eating here, you can hear the screams coming from people on the ride.
Beyond that, there is no entertainment at the restaurant. But, neither you nor your kids will notice the lack of entertainment because the surroundings are so beautiful. It’s a great place for your kids to look up from their screens and notice the outside world around them, while you take a well-deserved break.
Disney Dining Plan/Cost
You can use your Disney Dining Plan at Flame Tree BBQ. It will cost you one counter service credit per person.
This is a great use of your counter service credits for a couple of reasons. First, you get a ton of food. You will not walk away hungry from this one. Most of the time, I am not able to finish my meal because there is so much food.
Secondly, this is the only place on Disney World property where you can get ribs for a counter service credit! It is such a great value!
If you are paying out of pocket, you can expect to pay between $12-17 per adult meal. Side dishes are approximately $5 each. The kids’ meals cost between $7-8.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Flame Tree BBQ is one of the best quick service restaurants at Disney World. It is a great value for your money. You get a ton of delicious food that is different from the standard theme park fare.
The theme is presented in a playful way that doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of your meal. The small seating pavilions are nestled into the lush environment with peaceful water features scattered about.
We have eaten here at least once on every trip and have never had a bad meal. I highly recommend Flame Tree BBQ whenever you are in Animal Kingdom. I know you will enjoy Flame Tree BBQ as much as we do!
For more on Disney dining, see the best quick service restaurants, the best character meals for boys, how to save money on food, and a complete list of character meals.
For help planning your Disney World trip, see my step by step guide, quick planning tips, and the best resources for planning your trip.
Happy travels!
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