Coral Reef opinions

[habg1]

Need some opinions on the food at Coral Reef. We ate there for dinner in 2008. The husband's strip steak was not very good. It looked like it had been boiled in water and slapped on the plate.

Has the quality in the food went down since then or has it gotten better? We have reservations at Boardwalk durinf Christmas and need 2 more dinner reservations. We're willing to give Coral Reef another shot, but would like to hear from people who have eaten then in the not too distant past.

Thanks!

 

[butiflfeet]

I'm curious too. I made a reservation there for lunch during our trip next week but its a new restaurant for us. I made it based on some better reviews I've seen recently. Still a little worried because I remember those reviews from a few years ago too

We have reservations there in a little over a week so I guess we'll know then for sure!

 

[rznhal]

We went in September 2009 and had a great meal! The service was also great. The place was absolutely packed (free dining), but we were seated within a few min of our ADR, and our CM was excellent! Coral Reef is one of only two TS restaurants we are returning in August=)

Have a great trip!

 

[PammieJ]

I was there last September with my SIL. The food was ok, but the restaurant was incredibly noisy.....screaming kids, tables extremely close. I've been there twice, and although the food is passable, the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. I've never been able to score a table next to the windows, either.

The service was painfully slow, which would have been ok if the restaurant was one of those that you wanted to linger in. We just wanted to get the heck out of there so we could hear ourselves think. Meanhwhile, we entertained ourselves by chatting with the couple next to us.

Same story back in 2007, but the aquarium is kinda cool, and my SIL hadn't seen it, but it was kind of a moot point after experiencing the chaos in the dining room! These were both dinner ressies, so maybe lunch is a better option.

 

[Pakey]

It has not improved since 2008; it's probably the same. FYI, I thought the steak was crap here clear back to the time I had it in 2000. Every year they remove more and more unique items from this restaurant's menu. There are still a few good dishes on the menu but the service is still slow and the place is so noisy.

When it's just my family going, we skip this place now. However, we still go when guests want to try it. It's been about a year since my last meal here.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Looks like I'm in the minority based on other's opinions, but this is one of our favorite places. A "must do" every trip. Love the pan-seared seasonal catch. The New York strip and the mahi mahi both very good. I also really like the lobster bisque. Coral Reef has gotten some questionable reviews over the years, but we've been dining there at least 2 times a year for the past 3 or 4 years and I have to say the quality has been remarkably consistent.

One word of caution, if you are going for a romantic dinner for 2 and are given a table right next to the aquarium wall, be prepared to be interrupted constantly by little kids who shove their way behind your chairs and between the tables to get close while their parents chat away oblivious to the fact that little Janey or Johnny is climbing around on a 2 foot high ledge right next to your table, nearly spilling everything on your table all over your table. My advice, ask for a table on the second or third tier.

As for complaints about the noise, it's nothing compared to the echos and reverberations in Le Cellier. I've yet to be in any Disney TS restaurant that was as quiet as I prefer. It's a restaurant at a theme park. I accept it.

 

[3floridarays]

We went in February 2010 and had a wonderful meal. My DH and I both had pan-seared grouper with mushroom risotto and it was heavenly! DS had the steak and, although I have seen better steaks elsewhere, he enjoyed it. Our service was excellent - our waiter was attentive, friendly, and did not try to rush us out. We had a very relaxed dinner and it will definitely be on our list of places to return.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We had a nice lunch there in Dec. 2010. Was not crowded but we got there right at opening - 11:30am. Asked for a table by the aquarium windows and got one. You can see well from other tables too... but we liked our front row seat! We read that some people don't like these tables because kids come up closer to see better. I didn't mind at all, the couple kids that came up were very polite. Here's my review with pics and video.

 

[JZCubed]

My wife & I both enjoyed the food very much. But I also experience slow service....regardless, we're going back for lunch in December.....

Not for nothing - eat fish at a seafood restaurant; and steak at a meat place.....when in Rome.....

 

[marielynn724]

we ate there in 2009 and 2010 - DH got steak and it was great! (and he's kind of a food snob) one thing that was really REALLY outstanding is the appetizer sampler for 2 - SOOOO yummy!

 

[marielynn724]

just reading some of the other posters - we had a tankside table, and not once during our meal did we notice any kids coming up to get a closer look (unless I just didn't notice it?) that sort of thing wouldn't really bother me anyway. just thought i'd mention that it wasn't a problem.

 

[Tinker12]

My family and I will visit Coral Reef for the 5th time in October. I hope that speaks for itself. I do love the restaurant and we are hoping for the exact opposite of what every one wants... a table not next to the tank. Every visit we have set next to the tank. It was hard to eat our meal with families coming over to our table and taking pictures.

We make out lunch reservations very early so we are the 1st ones in.

It is quite nice. You will enjoy.

 

[habg1]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm still on the fence with this one. Ugh! It's my husband! He says he wants to eat anywhere they have a steak on the menu, and 1 table credit. I'm not so picky...lol

He's willing to give Coral Reef a second shot, but I don't want him to regret his decision.

We've already decided to eat at these places for our next trip: Cape May, WCC X 2, Turf Club, Grand Floridian Cafe, O'hana and Liberty Tree Tavern (awesome pot roast). need 2 more!

Going at Christmas time...hopefully I'll get my choices.

Thanks all!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I'm still on the fence with this one. Ugh! It's my husband! He says he wants to eat anywhere they have a steak on the menu, and 1 table credit. I'm not so picky.......

My NY Strip at Coral Reef was very good.

 

[River Country]

Used to be a staple on all my trips and this time I said NO THANKS.

Didnt care about noise or sitting right away, i cared about the food, and to be honest i wasn't impressed in 2008. I did not go back but that doesnt meant that i will never go back. Used to have Surf and Turf on the menu and whole lobster but i do not recall seeing them the last time i was there.

I think it is hit or miss.

 

[ReneeA]

We ate here in Sept 2010 and had a very good meal. The kids both had the kid's Mahi Mahi and loved it, DH had the halibut (not his favorite dish - was floating around in a tomato based sauce that overpowered the fish) and I had the pan seared seasonal fish over mushroom risotto. Mine was easily the best meal out of our 10 night trip. It was fabulous!

We've eaten at CR several times now, and always had a good meal. Sometimes the service is a bit slow, but we didn't experience it this trip.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I am glad to see so many postive reviews. We are eating there during our Oct. trip. It wasn't my first choice, by my mom and sis wanted to try it and since I have made every single other decision for this trip, I didn't want to tell them no it didn't get good reviews and seem too bossy.

 

[revdon64]

We were just there a week ago. DW had the mahi and loved it. DD26 had the lobster ravioli and enjoyed it. DD5 had the lobster bisque which she really loved. I had the seasonal catch (cobia) over mushroom risotto. The fish was excellent but the risotto was a bit too firm and bland. I tried a little taste of everything and overall found it all pretty good. We were sitting on the second level near the end and had a good view of the tank. Service was a bit slow and the place was a bit loud, but I'd go back.

 

[jacksmom]

We really enjoy the food, but we have also found it to be exceptionally loud on our last 2 trips! Not sure if we will keep it on our to do list for our next trip!

 

[Michele926]

We wont be doing Coral Reef this year. Our 1st visit there was in 2005 (when they had lobster on the menu) we all loved it - been back 1x every year since and each time the food and/or service has gotten worse and worse. When my husband saw my lists of restaurants and didnt see Coral Reef he was pretty happy, he thought I really liked it and didnt want to tell me how awful he thought it was. One dish that really stands out as being really bad was the pork...honestly the worst thing I have ever (tried) to eat @ WDW