New Restaurant at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Offers Elephant Views with Dining

A new African-inspired restaurant named Mkutano House has opened at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, offering patrons the unique experience of dining with views of African elephants.

The two-story restaurant, which debuted in March, is situated within the park's new Elephant Valley. Diners can choose patio tables that overlook a lagoon frequented by the herd. The restaurant's name, "Mkutano," means "gathering" in Swahili and is reflected in its interior design, featuring a large faux Heritage Tree with handcrafted beadwork from Kenyan female artists.

Mkutano House is reportedly a popular destination, with weekend reservations nearly sold out through the end of the year. This popularity persists despite the requirement for visitors to pay park admission in addition to the restaurant's dining costs. Executive Director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Pat McTigue, noted that the restaurant operates with "different operating parameters" due to its proximity to the wildlife, emphasizing that the herd's well-being is a primary consideration.

The menu at Mkutano House features a range of dishes, including koji-marinated chicken wings, vegan spicy rigatoni, broiled black cod, and braised beef short ribs, with prices for entrees ranging up to $42 for a ribeye. Even sides like cornbread are priced at $12.

The restaurant offers views of the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, an $80 million, 13-acre habitat that opened in March. The valley was designed to allow visitors close proximity to the nine African elephants that reside there, with some viewing areas as close as 15 feet.

For those unable to secure a table at Mkutano House, the upstairs Ona Lounge offers cocktails and small bites, and a quick-service window provides food options for guests who prefer to dine in other areas of the park. However, the outdoor patio seating at Mkutano House is highlighted as the prime dining experience.