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 realizing the place to seek out an important meal, a fast snack, or a soothing drink is simply as essential as planning which animals to see. In contrast to a conventional zoo, the eating places and snack stands are unfold out throughout huge distances, so just a little planning goes a great distance.

This information will stroll you thru each eating possibility, from the spectacular full-service restaurant overlooking the savanna to the perfect spots for a fast chew or a craft beer. I’m by no means in meals photograph mode after I’m there so I’ll fill these in with extra visuals over my subsequent few visits.

See additionally: My information to San Diego Zoo eating

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 funds.

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 enables company to convey their very own meals and non-alcoholic drinks. ^{This can be a implausible technique to handle prices and cater to choosy eaters or particular dietary wants.}  

Nonetheless, there are a number of essential guidelines to comply with ^:  

• No giant coolers: Small, soft-sided coolers (no bigger than 12″x12″) are permitted.  
• No glass containers or alcohol: These things are strictly prohibited for the security of the animals and company.  
• No outdoors meals on particular safaris: Should you ebook an upgraded expertise just like the Wildlife Safari, you can not convey your personal meals or drinks on the tour truck.  

Use the Safari Park App to Verify Hours & Menus

I extremely suggest downloading the official San Diego Zoo Safari Park app earlier than your go to. It has a GPS-enabled map that can present you the eating areas nearest to you, their working hours, and infrequently their present menus. I exploit this at each parks.

How A lot Does Safari Park Meals Value?

Meals costs are what you’ll count on for a serious attraction. I feel you’ll be able to plan on spending roughly:

• Counter-service meals: $15–$20
• Youngsters’ meals: $10–$12
• Full-service eating at The Watering Gap: $17–$20+ for entrees (plus gratuity)

To save cash, the perfect technique is to pack your personal lunch after which splurge on a number of particular park treats. Additionally, bear in mind to convey a reusable water bottle, as any restaurant or meals kiosk will refill it with ice and water free of charge.  

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 checklist. For these with critical allergy symptoms or advanced dietary wants, your most secure choices are to both convey your personal meals or dine at The Watering Gap, the place the full-service kitchen can higher accommodate particular requests.}  

See additionally: My insider ideas 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 you probably have the time.

It provides what’s arguably the perfect eating view in any theme park within the nation: a sweeping, panoramic vista of the African Plains savanna. You possibly can loosen up 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, contemporary salads, and shareable appetizers.  

• Rhino-Sized Pretzel — This huge pretzel served with beer cheese and mustard is ideal for sharing and a visitor favourite.  
• Kilima Burgers — A strong 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 — An effective way to pattern totally different native craft beers or African-inspired margaritas.  

Finest 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 distinct theme and menu. Currently, that is the place we’ve been spending plenty of our time.

Barking Deer BBQ & Beer: Finest 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 every day till they promote out. ^{It’s an important possibility 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 gadgets within the morning, burgers, fish and chips, and contemporary salads. ^{It’s a dependable alternative with loads of seating.}  

Mombasa Cooker: Traditional Park Fare in Nairobi Village

In case you have children with you, Mombasa Cooker is a secure 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: Finest Cease After the Africa Tram

Located proper on the exit of the Africa Tram, that is the right 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: Finest for Baja-Impressed Flavors

Conveniently positioned between the Benbough Amphitheater and the Mawazo Playground, this spot serves South of the Border-themed entrees like tacos and salads. ^{It’s an important place to eat whereas the youngsters burn off some power on the playground.}  

Finest Snacks & Treats

Generally 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 loosen up within the lovely Sambutan Longhouse with a drink or mild snack and watch the Sumatran tigers roam their habitat.  It will possibly get busy right here although.

Tucker Truck: Distinctive Bites in Australia

For one thing just a little 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.  

The place to Discover Beer, Wine & Cocktails

The Safari Park provides an important choice of native craft beer, wine, and specialty cocktails for adults seeking to loosen up.

• The Watering Gap at Kijamii Overlook: The most effective spot for a full bar expertise with the perfect view.  
• Oasis on the Rocks: Situated in Nairobi Village, this can be a devoted bar that includes specialty cocktails and draft beer.  
• The Sheared Sheep: Take pleasure in Australian-inspired snacks with cocktails or a craft beer in Walkabout Australia.  
• Most Informal Eating places: Almost the entire counter-service areas, together with Barking Deer BBQ, Thorntree Terrace, and Mombasa Cooker, serve a choice of draft and craft beers.  

The place to Discover Espresso

For that important morning or afternoon caffeine increase, there may be one foremost 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 right first cease of your day.  

Your Safari Park Eating Technique

To sum it up, right here is my really helpful method to eating on the Safari Park:

• Determine: BYO or Purchase? Bringing your personal 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 examine which areas are open and to seek out the closest possibility when starvation strikes.  
• E-book The Watering Gap Early. If you’d like the full-service expertise with that unbelievable view, make your reservation on-line a number of days upfront.  

What Eating places Are Close to the Safari Park?

The Safari Park is positioned 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.

Should you’re in search of a meal earlier than or after your go to, you will have to drive to close by areas in Escondido or Rancho Bernardo. I like stopping at Orfila Vineyard you probably have the time or power. The again patio is gorgeous and the wine is native.