Navigating the culinary panorama of the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park requires a technique. As a longtime member, I’ve discovered that figuring out the place to seek out a terrific meal, a fast snack, or a calming drink is simply as essential as planning which animals to see. In contrast to a standard zoo, the eating places and snack stands are unfold out throughout huge distances, so slightly planning goes a great distance.
This information will stroll you thru each eating choice, from the spectacular full-service restaurant overlooking the savanna to one of the best spots for a fast chunk or a craft beer. I’m by no means in meals picture mode after I’m there so I’ll fill these in with extra visuals over my subsequent few visits.
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Pre-Go to Playbook: Eating Logistics & Technique
Earlier than you even step foot within the park, a number of key choices can form your day and your finances.
Safari Park Meals Coverage: Can You Carry Your Personal Meals?
Sure, you’ll be able to! The Safari Park has a beneficiant meals coverage that permits visitors to deliver their very own meals and non-alcoholic drinks. This can be a incredible solution to handle prices and cater to choosy eaters or particular dietary wants.
Nevertheless, there are a number of essential guidelines to observe :
- No massive coolers: Small, soft-sided coolers (no bigger than 12″x12″) are permitted.
- No glass containers or alcohol: These things are strictly prohibited for the protection of the animals and visitors.
- No outdoors meals on particular safaris: If you happen to e-book an upgraded expertise just like the Wildlife Safari, you can’t deliver your individual meals or drinks on the tour truck.
Use the Safari Park App to Test Hours & Menus
I extremely advocate downloading the official San Diego Zoo Safari Park app earlier than your go to. It has a GPS-enabled map that may present you the eating places nearest to you, their working hours, and infrequently their present menus. I take advantage of this at each parks.
How A lot Does Safari Park Meals Price?
Meals costs are what you’d count on for a serious attraction. I believe you’ll be able to plan on spending roughly:
- Counter-service meals: $15–$20
- Children’ meals: $10–$12
- Full-service eating at The Watering Gap: $17–$20+ for entrees (plus gratuity)
To economize, one of the best technique is to pack your individual lunch after which splurge on a number of particular park treats. Additionally, bear in mind to deliver a reusable water bottle, as any restaurant or meals kiosk will refill it with ice and water without cost.
Dietary Wants and Allergic reactions
The park does job of providing vegetarian and gluten-free choices at its bigger eating places. You possibly can ask employees at any location for an ingredient record. For these with critical allergy symptoms or complicated dietary wants, your most secure choices are to both deliver your individual meals or dine at The Watering Gap, the place the full-service kitchen can higher accommodate particular requests.
See additionally: My insider suggestions for visiting San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The Premier Eating Expertise: The Watering Gap at Kijamii Overlook
The Watering Gap is the Safari Park’s solely full-service, sit-down restaurant, and it’s an absolute must-do when you have the time.
It provides what’s arguably one of the best eating view in any theme park within the nation: a sweeping, panoramic vista of the African Plains savanna. You possibly can calm down with a craft beer or a cocktail whereas watching giraffes and rhinos roam only a few hundred yards away.
What to Order
The menu options tasty sandwiches, recent salads, and shareable appetizers.
- Rhino-Sized Pretzel — This monumental pretzel served with beer cheese and mustard is ideal for sharing and a visitor favourite.
- Kilima Burgers — A stable alternative, with choices together with a basic cheeseburger, a turkey burger, and a plant-based burger.
- Wedge Salad — A basic wedge salad with bacon, roasted tomatoes, and blue cheese crumbles.
- Margarita or Beer Flights — A good way to pattern totally different native craft beers or African-inspired margaritas.
My Insider Ideas
I like to recommend reservations, particularly on weekends. Ask for a desk alongside the railing for one of the best, unobstructed views of the savanna. The ambiance is relaxed, making it the proper spot for a noon break to flee the warmth and relaxation your ft.
Greatest Informal Eating on the Safari Park
For a faster however nonetheless satisfying meal, the park has a number of counter-service eating places, every with a special theme and menu. Currently, that is the place we’ve been spending a whole lot of our time.
Barking Deer BBQ & Beer: Greatest for a Hearty Meal
Situated in Safari Base Camp close to the park entrance, that is the spot for smoked meats and native beer. Their tri-tip sandwich is a standout, smoked each day till they promote out. It’s a terrific choice for a filling lunch early in your day.
Thorntree Terrace: Most Selection Close to the Entrance
Additionally in Safari Base Camp, Thorntree Terrace provides the widest number of meals choices, together with breakfast objects within the morning, burgers, fish and chips, and recent salads. It’s a dependable alternative with loads of seating.
Mombasa Cooker: Basic Park Fare in Nairobi Village
If in case you have children with you, Mombasa Cooker is a protected wager. Situated on the water within the coronary heart of Nairobi Village, it serves basic theme park fare like hand-battered hen. There are a handful of salads, too.
Okavango Outpost: Greatest Cease After the Africa Tram
Located proper on the exit of the Africa Tram, that is the proper place to refuel after your tour of the savanna. They provide comforting pasta dishes, sandwiches, and salads. Don’t miss the churro sundae for dessert.
Mawazo Kitchen: Greatest for Baja-Impressed Flavors
Conveniently situated between the Benbough Amphitheater and the Mawazo Playground, this spot serves South of the Border-themed entrees like tacos and salads. It’s a terrific place to eat whereas the youngsters burn off some power on the playground.
Greatest Snacks & Treats
Typically you simply want a fast snack to maintain your power up. These are my go-to spots.
Macan Market: A Snack with a Tiger View
Situated on the Tiger Path, this is among the most scenic snack spots within the park. You possibly can calm down within the lovely Sambutan Longhouse with a drink or gentle snack and watch the Sumatran tigers roam their habitat. It may get busy right here although.
Tucker Truck: Distinctive Bites in Australia
For one thing slightly totally different, head to Walkabout Australia. The Tucker Truck, parked between the platypus habitat and the Bonsai Pavilion, serves up tasty french fry cones and different snacks.
Kibo Cones & Snacks / Kalahari Cabinet: For Ice Cream & Churros
If you want a basic candy deal with, these two spots in Nairobi Village are your vacation spot. They serve soft-serve ice cream, churro sundaes, pretzels, and ICEEs.
Let’s Focus on the Refillable Cup
The place to Discover Beer, Wine & Cocktails
The Safari Park provides a terrific collection of native craft beer, wine, and specialty cocktails for adults trying to calm down.
- The Watering Gap at Kijamii Overlook: The most effective spot for a full bar expertise with one of the best view.
- Oasis on the Rocks: Situated in Nairobi Village, it is a devoted bar that includes specialty cocktails and draft beer.
- The Sheared Sheep: Get pleasure from Australian-inspired snacks with cocktails or a craft beer in Walkabout Australia.
- Most Informal Eating places: Practically the entire counter-service places, together with Barking Deer BBQ, Thorntree Terrace, and Mombasa Cooker, serve a collection of draft and craft beers.
The place to Discover Espresso
For that important morning or afternoon caffeine increase, there may be one important vacation spot.
Safari Espresso Outpost
Situated in Safari Base Camp close to the doorway, that is the park’s major espresso spot. They serve espresso drinks, nitro espresso, and snacks like doughnuts, making it the proper first cease of your day.
Your Safari Park Eating Technique
To sum it up, right here is my really useful strategy to eating on the Safari Park:
- Resolve: BYO or Purchase? Bringing your individual lunch is one of the simplest ways to save cash and time. You possibly can eat at any of the picnic tables or restaurant seating areas.
- Obtain the App. Use the official park app on the day of your go to to verify which places are open and to seek out the closest choice when starvation strikes.
- Ebook The Watering Gap Early. If you would like the full-service expertise with that unimaginable view, make your reservation on-line a number of days upfront.
What Eating places Are Close to the Safari Park?
The Safari Park is situated within the San Pasqual Valley in Escondido, about 35 miles from downtown San Diego. In contrast to the Zoo in Balboa Park, there aren’t any eating places inside strolling distance.
If you happen to’re searching for a meal earlier than or after your go to, you have to to drive to close by areas in Escondido or Rancho Bernardo. I like stopping at Orfila Vineyard when you have the time or power. The again patio is gorgeous and the wine is native.
