Which WS restaurants are most authentic?

[fitzperry]

I see people rave about the food in WS, but I've always been kind of underwhelmed. Maybe it's because we eat out all the time and my standards are pretty high, but I'd like to have some more interesting dining experiences on our next trip.

Here are the WS restaurants we've tried:

Teppan Edo (ok, but not as good as the hibachi restaurant we frequent here)

Chefs de France (did lunch here last year, and it wasn't bad, but the menu seems fairly Americanized)

Marrakesh (I think we were about 50-50 on whether the people in our party enjoyed it; desserts were good, as I recall)

Le Cellier (don't find it worth the hype)

We've also tried the Mexican and Chinese counter service. I don't really remember the Mexican, but the Chinese was mediocre at best.

What else is good--ts or cs? We probably won't be on the dining plan next time, so anything goes.

Thanks!

 

[DizneyLizzy]

The Tangierine Cafe (Morocco counter service) is great. Never crowded, good portions, and fresh food. It's a must do for me in terms of WS eats!

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

We've dined at the Italian restaurant (under many different names) and always enjoyed it. England's restaurant is also good. Of course you need to enjoy these types of food. I too think the Chinese is just average.

 

[Pakey]

Do you mean Authentic to the country? I've only travelled to Canada, England, France, Italy, China and Mexico of the Epcot countries.

I thought Via Napoli's pizza was closest to the food we had in Italy. The other restaurants, not so much.

My favorite is Biergarten but I have no idea on its authenticity since I haven't travelled to Germany.

 

[MouseMomx2]

If you are looking for great ethnic food head to Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It offers food with a mix of Indian and African favors and everything we have tried has been wonderful. It is located in the Kidani Village Building, not the main building, Jambo House.

 

[minnie mum]

When it comes to ethnic cuisine, ALL of the restaurants, whether in Epcot or in one of the resorts, have been dumbed down to appeal to the average American palate. So if you are a discriminating diner with prior experience of authentic cuisine from a particular country, you will most likely be disappointed. This is not a general heavy handed slam of these restaurants- we have seldom had a BAD meal at any of them. Just saying that none of them have truly authentic cuisine.

 

[Melodious]

If you're used to eating out at nice places, they might not be as 'nice' a dining experience as you are used to but I have found the flavors of some places to be consistent with the actual countries. I found the meatball dish at dinner at Akershus to be authentic to Norway as well as many items on the cold bar. As another poster mentioned, Via Napoli has very authentic Italian pizzas. The scotch egg and mixed beers at the Rose and Crown Pub were also authentic in my opinion.

Other places I find fun even if they're not totally authentic, Biergarten being one that stands out.

 

[chartle]

Do you mean Authentic to the country?

Yes OP you need to define authentic.

For instance Teppan Edo is probably more authentic than the your local places and stick more to the original teppanyaki style. For instance they don't make fried rice since its Chinese not Japanese.

Oddly enough teppanyaki is pretty much just an American thing, like fortune cookies. It was created after WW II to cater to the US GI's stationed in Japan. It then moved to the US and if you go to Benihana's in Japan its called Benihana's of New York since that's where the chain started.

But anyway, most post that the food in the WS is toned down or modified for American tastes.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

The tacos at the Mexican cantina are pretty consistent with the flavor and presentation of tacos you can get in Mexico at local taco places. The salsa, however, is not and the chips are not.

Some of the food at Biergarten is pretty authentic.

I have also found some of the food in France to be authentic, both in Chefs and in the pastry shop.

You also have to keep in mind that just like anywhere else, you can get multiple versions of the same dish based on where you go to eat it. Each restaurant has their own recipes. So one person may not think it's authentic because it wasn't like what they experienced in that country. Another person may think it was authentic because it was like what they experienced.

 

[redrosesix]

We eat out a lot at authentic international restaurants too, so like you our standards are pretty high. We haven't eaten everywhere in WS but I do have to say the Chinese take-out was NOT authentic and not very good either. Akershous was pretty close to authentic and good too. Sad that the other restaurants we've eaten at weren't even memorable.

 

[LoriABil]

I agree with the PP. The tacos at the Mexican pavilion remind me of Mexico. The salsa is just wrong - almost Cuban? It's hard to put my finger on it.

I thought the food in England was authentic, but Raglan Road at DTD was a better dining experience. Of course, I like authentic, regional flavors that are turned into something new! If you want ethnic, I agree with another PP - I think any of the restaurants at the AKL would be hands down better than WS! We have only tried Sanaa and Boma.

For dining experience, my favorite remains The Yachtsman, but I've heard some have had mediocre experiences even there! And that's not exactly authentic to any particular region, but I've always found it authentically Disney.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

Have you ever walked into an Indian restaurant and asked them to make it the way they would prepare it for themselves? It's unbearably hot! So just like Indian food is made to cater to it's customers, so is the food in WS. You are not going to get 100% authentic food as you are still in America. It's like being from New York and ordering pizza or bagels in another state. It will never be the same as even the water affects the taste. With that in mind, I like the food in WS. It is good for what it is and it keeps me coming back for more

 

[chartle]

Have you ever walked into an Indian restaurant and asked them to make it the way they would prepare it for themselves? It's unbearably hot! So just like Indian food is made to cater to it's customers, so is the food in WS. You are not going to get 100% authentic food as you are still in America. It's like being from New York and ordering pizza or bagels in another state. It will never be the same as even the water affects the taste. With that in mind, I like the food in WS. It is good for what it is and it keeps me coming back for more

In a similar vein isn't "traditional" Chinese food mostly rice with a small amount of meat.

We have a Chinese restaurant and I know its authentic because everyone is arguing with each other in Chinese but anyway I saw someone on break and they had probably 2-3 cups of rice and just a few pieces of meat.

I think if you go to a restaurant in China and want real Chinese food you have to go with a local and have them ask for the "other" menu.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

In a similar vein isn't "traditional" Chinese food mostly rice with a small amount of meat.

We have a Chinese restaurant and I know its authentic because everyone is arguing with each other in Chinese but anyway I saw someone on break and they had probably 2-3 cups of rice and just a few pieces of meat.

I think if you go to a restaurant in China and want real Chinese food you have to go with a local and have them ask for the "other" menu.

Yes, this is very true. Chinese people do not eat the Chinese food they sell Americans. Their version is healthy without the addition of grease and sauces. Their portions are very small and plain. I have a friend who is of the Asian culture and her dad is a chef at a hotel in Maryland. He does not cook for his family like he cooks for the restaurant. She said that when they are very young they are given a small piece of meat and some rice. This actually keeps their stomachs from growing as they become accustomed to eating a small portion and become full very fast. She would eat one French fry and then say she was full. And that is why we are fat and they are not lol. Well except if they are Americanized.

 

[fitzperry]

Do you mean Authentic to the country? I've only travelled to Canada, England, France, Italy, China and Mexico of the Epcot countries.

I thought Via Napoli's pizza was closest to the food we had in Italy. The other restaurants, not so much.

My favorite is Biergarten but I have no idea on its authenticity since I haven't travelled to Germany.

In terms of WS countries, you and I have traveled to the same places, except I haven't been to China or Italy. I think we might need to try Biergarten. Our kids would probably enjoy the entertainment. And I've heard good things about the Morrocan cs for years, so maybe we'll give that a shot. Also, we've never ventured over to AKL, but the restaurants there intrigue me, so maybe we'll do that next time.

Have you ever walked into an Indian restaurant and asked them to make it the way they would prepare it for themselves? It's unbearably hot! So just like Indian food is made to cater to it's customers, so is the food in WS. You are not going to get 100% authentic food as you are still in America. It's like being from New York and ordering pizza or bagels in another state. It will never be the same as even the water affects the taste. With that in mind, I like the food in WS. It is good for what it is and it keeps me coming back for more

There's (almost!) no such thing as too hot for dh and me, and our 9yo seems on her way to the same type of palate. We have Indian friends who have cooked for us and we enjoyed it very much. I agree that there are many factors that keep an experience from being truly "authentic." Just trying to come as close as I can within the confines of WDW, and I haven't yet found anything in WS that I want to go back for. In fact, the only restaurant in all of WDW where I would return for the food alone is California Grill. . . . at others--the atmosphere or entertainment, yes, but the food alone, not so much. Which is kind of a bummer for me because I love WDW and I love to eat.

Yes OP you need to define authentic.

For instance Teppan Edo is probably more authentic than the your local places and stick more to the original teppanyaki style. For instance they don't make fried rice since its Chinese not Japanese.

Oddly enough teppanyaki is pretty much just an American thing, like fortune cookies. It was created after WW II to cater to the US GI's stationed in Japan. It then moved to the US and if you go to Benihana's in Japan its called Benihana's of New York since that's where the chain started.

But anyway, most post that the food in the WS is toned down or modified for American tastes.

By "authentic," I do mean close to what you would get when dining in that country. I'm perfectly aware, of course, that dishes and ingredients vary depending upon region and other factors. Really I'm looking for the least Americanized and good quality.

I agree with you about Teppan Edo, and the one we love here is pretty Americanized (fried rice, for instance--but they use high quality ingredients and their salad dressing (that pink ginger and carrot based one that every Japanese restaurant in the U.S. serves) is the best; they also serve good sushi, so I can eat that while my kids and husband do the hibachi thing).

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[scojos]

i would say that the food is traditional, but the choices have been made to appeal to american palets... eg in the french restaurant, the choices could have been more "French" but they HAVE respected the french traditions, eg the profiteroles are served with icecream filling, and not cream, as would be traditional elsewhere. The UK restaurant again, serves UK food, with americanised twists... not what id serve at home, but not far off iyswim.

i can only comment on the UK, france and Italy, having spent time living in all 3 countries. the german one, from holidays there, seems pretty realistic too xx

 

[chartle]

And that is why we are fat and they are not lol. Well except if they are Americanized.

Americanized like in China KFC is opening a new franchise like every 10 seconds and they still can't get enough.

 

[fitzperry]

Americanized like in China KFC is opening a new franchise like every 10 seconds and they still can't get enough.

Too bad the part of American culture we seem to share the most is fast food. Really, it's not a very nice thing to do to the rest of the world!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Hmmmm - not sure you will find authentic so much at the World Showcase. I have lived overseas most of my adult life and visited several countries/regions of the world, I do enjoy dining at the WS just not expecting authentic as if I were to actually visit the country - I haven't tried many of the table restaurants, so I can mostly comment about quick service.

A few thoughts/ observations - the hummus at Tangierine cafe is "spot on" really reminds me of the hummus man next door to the post office where I lived in Jordan. When I want some good hummus here I go to Tangierine Cafe - which is often - I order the swarma platter though - NOT the meze plate. Sorry I thought the meze plate was not so good - olives put me off I think - very "American" out of a can olives.

The chicken last time I had it was great - the lamb is the "Americanized Gyro" - in many parts of the Middle East you actually see the chunks of lamb added to the skewer in the morning - roasting all day - the lamb at Tangierine is more like the mall gyro food joint. The tabboule at Tangierine Cafe is good though may be not quite as "fresh" looking as is usual at a Middle Eastern home for example - where they chop it by hand hours before. IMO the shwarma platter is the way to go at Tangierine Cafe because you get the good hummus, decent tabboule, good chicken and decent lamb - and thought the couscous good as well on that.

So I would recommend Tangierine Cafe - for a quick service and especially the swarma platter.

I thought Chefs de France was very good - though I do agree the menu adjusted for Americans. I enjoy it and will probably eat there occasionally. I thought it was good food cooked in a French way - but not like being in France.

The sushi rolls in Japan I enjoy at the quick service - as an alternative to the ordinary - but yeah not like if you were in Japan - or in my case if your Korean roommate made kim bop fresh for you which she did often - she hated to see me eat that "evil" pizza again. Was it the best sushi roll I've had - no - but it was a good option if you are looking for something a bit different than a hamburger - yeah!

The tacos were ok in Mexico - not the best I've eaten but good none the less if you are craving taco. Now I am from Texas originally so seems like everyone in Texas has an opinion about Tex Mex or what good Mexican food should be - .

Anyway - hope you can find some good meals you enjoy at the World Showcase - it does make dining days at WDW much more interesting IMO and gives variety of options. At least have fun trying them!

 

[PrincessSamanthaC]

If you are looking for great ethnic food head to Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It offers food with a mix of Indian and African favors and everything we have tried has been wonderful. It is located in the Kidani Village Building, not the main building, Jambo House.

I agree 100%