When it comes to theme park food, hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn are usually your only option; which is exactly why Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom stands out among the crowd as Disney’s best quick service restaurant. From its inventive bowls to its delicious desserts, there are plenty of options that keep you coming back for more.

If you’re looking to try the most unique and tasty quick service food across not only Animal Kingdom’s property, but the entirety of Disney World, you need to head to the World of Pandora and eat in the Satu’li Canteen.

The Atmosphere

Satu’li Canteen’s biggest atmospheric attribute is there is very little atmosphere at all. That makes no sense on paper, but think about what the Satu’li Canteen is: A military mess hall on foreign soil. How many active military mess halls are decorated floor to ceiling with knick-knacks and decorations? None. In lieu of intense theming, the Satu’li Canteen is decorated with Pandora’s foliage and a handful of pictures in frames.

The closest the Satu’li Canteen comes to flourish are the plants which decorate the dining room, but that could even be explained away by remembering Pandora is a jungle world and plants are abundant.

Decorations aside, Satu’li Canteen is helped a lot by its dining room’s size. This is a big restaurant and offers plenty of seating, including seating specifically made for parties of 6 or more and an area where you can share tables There is even an option to eat outside under a covered patio if you so desire.

The Food

One word: bowls. Satu’li Canteen lets you customize a bowl with so many options, it’s hard to try the same combination twice.

You first choose a protein: grilled beef, grilled chicken, grilled chicken and beef if you can’t decide, panko breaded sustainable fish or chili-spiced crispy tofu.

From there, you choose a base: quinoa and vegetable salad, red and sweet potato hash, mixed whole grain and rice, or romaine and kale salad.

Finally, the bowl is finished with one of three sauces: charred onion chimichurri, black bean vinaigrette and creamy herb dressing.

There are also cheeseburger bao buns on the menu, but we stick to the bowls.

What do we get? Jessica tends to go with the fish and the red and sweet potato base topped with the creamy herb dressing. Tyler goes with the grilled beef, mixed whole grain and rice base and the charred onion chimichurri sauce (and hot sauce, lots of hot sauce).

Once you get your entree out of the way, it’s time to talk dessert. There is a traditional chocolate cake offered, but the absolute highlight of Satu’li Canteen is the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse. This dessert is gorgeous to look at and is absolutely delicious.

The mousse is tasty and light and when paired with the passion fruit curd it makes for a wonderfully fruity and refreshing treat. It’s big enough to share between two people, but because the mousse is so light you’re able to eat one by yourself without feeling overstuffed.

The Drinks

There are a couple of Pandora-specific brews (Hawke’s Grog Ale and Mo’ara High Country Ale) which are pretty tasty, as well as some themed mixed drinks (such as Sangria). Satu’li Canteen also has a selection of wines and a couple of themed, fruity non-alcoholic beverages.

Of course, there are Coca-Cola products available via fountain in the dining room. It’s one of the few quick-service places in Disney where free refills are readily available.

The Seating

A tried and true tip for any Disney quick service is to try and go during the off-peak times. Grabbing lunch a little before or after lunchtime can make for a much smoother experience.

If you are arriving during a high-peak time, you can find seating both inside and outside. We prefer to sit inside because it is really pretty and you get a different Pandora perspective. Although eating outside does afford you glimpses of the beauty of Pandora, or the bathroom depending on where you sit.

Mobile Ordering

Another plus with the dining? Mobile ordering. We’ve tried mobile ordering at a few places around Walt Disney World Resort and it’s super convenient. There is a designated spot for you to come and claim your meal – just keep an eye out for the signs.

The Verdict

There are other great options at Animal Kingdom don’t get us wrong – Tiffins, Yak and Yeti or Tusker House (if you want a good character dining experience). But if you’re looking to grab a quick-service meal, a quick drink or a tasty snack, Satu’li Canteen is one of the best choices in all of Disney.