Coral Reef questions

[kimis]

I am trying to decide if we want to try CR this trip? Any opinions? Is the food good and what about the atmosphere? I would appreciate all that you have to say. thank you

 

[_queenie_]

It's a nice place, but you have to like fish or you're pretty limited. The atmosphere is good, but the fish tank is what makes it. You definately want to ask for a seat next to it. The food is flying fish esque, and it is said to be one of the top WDW restaurants. I don't know if it is quite there, but it is one of the best in Epcot.

 

[sunny04]

We ate at Coral Reef in September for lunch and really enjoyed it. Our food was good, our service was good, and the atmosphere is great. It's a neat restaurant with the tanks and divers. We really liked it.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Although there are quite a bit of negative reviews on this place, I have to say that DH, DD and I really enjoyed it last year. Food was excellent. We had the steak and it was perfect. Service was pretty good, but I thought our waiter was a bit wierd.
When we entered the lobby area, it was packed, but we checked in and were called within 3 minutes. I was very happy about that and very satisfied by this place overall. Also, the restaurant itself is beautiful.
My DD loved watching the fish so request a table near the tank.

 

[Heluvsme]

My dh and I both ordered steak when we were there this past summer and I have to say we both thought it was one of the best meals we've ever had! EVER! And we eat out a lot, LOL!! My dh is extremely picky and he raved about this meal to everyone we know! Everything was fabulous, the salad, the potatoes, the dessert......the atmosphere was nice, but really, the meal sold us on it! We will always be huge Coral Reef fans!

 

[Pakey]

We go to Coral Reef every trip as we love watching the fish swim by. I do prefer the dinner menu over the lunch menu but both are fine--we are doing lunch on our upcoming trip. We have several in our group who do not enjoy eating fish and they enjoy CR as much as we do. There are several non-fish items to choose from.

My biggest complaint about CR is that we are never seated at our ADR time, even when we go in non-peak times. They always seem to be running behind. Just go prepared to have to wait a bit longer for you table and you'll be fine.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've been for both lunch and dinner, and I had the same thing at both meals-I strongly prefer lunch. It's so much more relaxing, and I'm always fortunate to get a tank-side table. I love it there.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

I am happy to see that most people love CR. We have ADR there for lunch in March. My 5 yr old son is obsessed with Scuba divers, so we are hoping that some will be in there at that time. Or at least if we can get a tank side table. My 2 yr old will love the tanks.

 

[hildarumpole]

CR was one of the best meals of our last trip. Terrific service, wonderful food, and beautiful atmosphere. We had a noon ADR and were seated right on time. My kids loved watching the diver and trying to identify the different fish.

 

[BriarRose59]

Its one of our favorites also. I ate there again this past April. I always ask for the 11:30 seating since that is when they open. Get there a few minutes before and you will get a tank-side table.

Enjoy!

 

[apostolic4life]

We just got back a few days ago and we have collectively agreed that CR was our favorite meal of the entire trip. DW had the chicken breast with jasmine rice and thought it was wonderful, DD14 had Mahi Mahi with couscous and loved it and I got the Blacked Catfish served on pepper jack cheese grits and will be back for it again. The menu is heavy on seafood but worth every dime we spent. I would suggest going and experiencing the atmosphere, the wonderful food and great service.

Every time we have gone in the past we have always gotten in before our ADR time......this past trip it was an hour early.

 

[Stitchfans]

So happy to see all these great responses about Coral Reef. I have an ADR for Easter dinner there. Looking forward to it. Have to remember to ask for a table by the tank.

 

[DaisyLynn]

After reading some not-so-good reviews on CR in the past, we did not make an ADR for our visit last spring. However, my mother and myself decided to be adventurous and walk in, no ADR. Much to my surprise, we were seated after a short 10 minute wait. The food was great, our server was great (and handsome, to boot) and well...you can't beat the atmosphere. I will say, it ended up being a pricey lunch (near $90, including tip...for two people). But that's because we couldn't say no to a delish afternoon cocktail and of course, dessert.

This is a must-eat for the next trip. I think you'll really enjoy it!

 

[TLSnell1981]

This will be our first visit to CR in Feb. I can't believe we have never eaten there, but we haven't. I hope things go well. I don't have really high expectations, so just pretty good will make me happy.(Isn't that sad?)

 

[scrump]

This is one of my favorites for atmosphere, I really love the tank! The food has always been good for us, though I know this place gets a lot of negative reviews. Enjoy!

 

[kimis]

Thank you all of you for your responses. I can't wait to get there in a little less than a month.

 

[scrappystamper1]

I was a disney dinning virgin until this past December I made the most of every credit and we went all over "the world" to eat! I had heard horrible reviews about Coral reef however, I took a chance and was expecting NOTHING. It was our first ADR for the trip.
The place was B E A U tiful, the server was very friendly, the view was awesome. The food was very yummy. I felt it was out best meal of the trip;.
The crab legs were crazy good, you didn't even need butter, they had great flavor. I say try it our for yourself!

Janet Paddock

 

[scrappystamper1]

I was a disney dinning virgin until this past December I made the most of every credit and we went all over "the world" to eat! I had heard horrible reviews about Coral reef however, I took a chance and was expecting NOTHING. It was our first ADR for the trip.
The place was B E A U tiful, the server was very friendly, the view was awesome. The food was very yummy. I felt it was out best meal of the trip;.
The crab legs were crazy good, you didn't even need butter, they had great flavor. I say try it our for yourself!

Janet Paddock

 

[beroh2253]

What a great steak and the desserts

 

[cjb-nc]

I ordered the steak, and got the shoe-leather.

DW and my parents, all seafood lovers, had excellent meals.

So... par for a seafood restaurant in my experience: great if you like seafood, not so much if you don't. Sometimes you just go to appease the DW.