Coral Reef Restaurant/Epcot Area Restaurants; Thoughts?

[UDFlyer12]

I made a reservation today for dinner at Coral Reef in Epcot, but then I went and looked at their reviews and they were mediocre at best. What are your thoughts if you've been? Also, are there any other restaurant in Epcot or the surrounding areas, such as the Boardwalk, etc. that you would recommend? Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm not a huge fan of Coral Reef. I'm really mostly interested in the food and don't care much about the aquarium. The food was okay (the dessert was really good) but none of what I had last time is on the menu anymore.

I quit going there because it was loud and chaotic. I don't know if it's like that every day.

I don't know what you like and what you are looking for, but I prefer Via Napoli, the Mexican restaurants (not everybody likes these), Flying Fish, Kouzzina or any of the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin except the buffet (haven't been to Shula's)

Also, you shouldn't base your decisions about restaurants on reviews on this site. Now that you've posted, I am predicting there will be several responses saying positive things about Coral Reef (sorry, I can't really say much). They may also say that my choices aren't all that great. I usually say if you think the menu looks good, or it otherwise appeals to you, then go for it and find out for yourself.

 

[SAT887]

We were just there in December. Our group really enjoyed it. We had a fabulous server, and the food was fresh and prepared well. I had the crab cakes and goat cheese salad. I can't remember what our group had but it was all seafood- there was no complaints though. The portions were on the smaller side for Disney but that works well for us.

There is also many good places at the Boardwalk, we've enjoyed Kouzzina in the past. We have also fined at the Cape May Cafe for breakfast and dinner. Dinner is a seafood buffet and was a little much and more on the basic side to me.

I've heard a lot of great reviews of Epcot Restaurants, the only other we have dined at is Akershus which we had a poor experience at but the food was pretty good.

 

[ErinsMommy]

TDC Nala is correct in her predictions as we all personally really enjoyed Coral Reef. DH is a picky steak eater and said it was one of the best strip steaks he had. I had some kind of fish and enjoyed that as well. DD on the other hand was mesmerized by the aquarium and barely ate.

ETA: And I do agree with the theory, look at the menu and if you find it appealing give it a shot. Not everyone's tastes are the same, so what doesn't work for one, works for another.

 

[SAT887]

Also, you shouldn't base your decisions about restaurants on reviews on this site. Now that you've posted, I am predicting there will be several responses saying positive things about Coral Reef (sorry, I can't really say much). They may also say that my choices aren't all that great. I usually say if you think the menu looks good, or it otherwise appeals to you, then go for it and find out for yourself.

This is so true!! I'm willing to give everywhere a try because tastes are so different. Also while I have no issues with negative reviews, I usually take the worst reviews and discard them and the best reviews and discard them and see what the middle is saying

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd pretty much agree with what TDC Nala says, but just because we don't care for it doesn't mean its not right for you.

What are you looking for in a meal? Is the food important? Is the overall dining experience (including the environment) important?

Lots of people are attracted to the Coral Reef because of the view into the tank. We found it was interesting for the first 15 minutes or so. After that, the restaurant needs to stand on its own.

 

[mjohn9083]

Not sure if this will help at all, but I was there the second week of Sept. for lunch and had a lovely time.

It was me, DCousin (25), DCousin's Husband (35), and their 4 yr old little girl.

I had steak (it was to DIE for... the rest of the table wished they had ordered it), cousin had lobster mac (I tried it was pleased - we're from MS so it tasted like comfort food), her hubby had the fish (I think salmon - also good, but he wanted my steak ha), and thier daughter had the kids fish and veggies.

One thing I didn't like was that the glasses for adults are a dark blue, heavy weight wine-glass/goblet type, which made it difficult to keep a straw stuck down in to drink. But the server did just bring out a pitcher of water after she had refilled my fourth glass

As for dessert - I had the chocolate wave and enjoyed it very much. My crew wasn't sold on the rasberries but I liked it a lot.
I will say the key lime did have a great flavor as well.

I say go for it. If you don't have the best experience, move on next trip. But, if it's your first time, go try it for yourself and I think you'll enjoy it.

Happy Disney!

 

[fredtom]

My DW and I had lunch at Coral Reef in November and were both very happy with the food and service. The grilled Mahi Mahi was one of, if not the best, I've had. A few years ago, I had the NY strip, and it was better than Ruth's Chris.

 

[Megsie1000]

Went there for lunch a couple years ago and would not go back. The food was OK but the service was not good. There was hardly anybody there and they still refused to seat us near the aquarium even though we requested it and told them we would wait. Yes, I understand that seating isn't guaranteed it was a request only, blah blah blah but it their attitude about the whole thing got old and the tables at the back are *really* far away from the aquarium - especially for kids.

That was also the only restaurant that would not work with us at all on helping my 10-year old nephew, who is a picky eater, find something he could eat. We were on the dining plan so it was tough since he was expected to order off the adult menu. We didn't expect people to bend over backwards but again the bad attitude just left a sour taste.

That and the food was not all that great. I certainly would have been more upset paying OOP but since we were on the dining plan I was just "meh"

 

[artemis908]

I like Coral Reef, but that's because I have always gone during the early hours and so always got a seat right next to the glass. The food is fine, but what I am really paying for is the atmosphere. I think the restaurant is nicely themed in decor and also I love watching all of the fish. I LOVE aquariums, I could just sit there all day and watch the various fish, so I enjoy it.

There is also a nostalgia factor for me because I considered Coral Reef my favorite restaurant as a child, so I love going back every time we are back in Disney.

 

[DEA]

It's been a few years since I was last at Coral Reef, but I got a really good piece of fish there when I did. My daughter, who was around 2.5 at the time, really enjoyed the bread. I have a picture of her somewhere digging into the loaf that you get before dinner. It is a bit larger than her head.

We had one of the worst tables in the place, far from the aquarium and by the walkway. I can't say that the atmosphere and the overall experience was great, but the food and the service were good. All that said, we haven't been back since. Too many good options in the Epcot area.

We like Teppan Edo, Chefs de France, Bistro de Paris, Tangierine Café, Kouzzina, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Flying Fish. Some inside, some outside the Epcot gates, but all an easy walk from the park.

 

[Peter Fan]

We love Coral reef. Never had a bad meal.

 

[Ro Z]

We had lunch in Nov. Dinner in Dec. Very good. Service has always been good except getting the check. Almost every time the server disappears when they should be giving us the check. You would think they would want us out of there and another group in. Otherwise it is one of our favs! Steaks, chicken, apps and desserts! All good!

 

[SEASONK]

We had dinner there this past October. The food was very good (I had the fish of the day, DH had the steak) and the service was ok. But what stands out the most in my mind is the noise level, not sure if it was the acoustics of the room or the fact we were seating along the back wall. It wasn't unbearably loud, but it was a distracting background noise.

 

[lilo12]

I've never eaten there, however my family always loves to have dinner at the Rose and Crown when we go to Epcot. The service is great, and the view of the fireworks from the deck is the best. If you decide to eat here and seeing illuminations is important to you then I would recommend getting a later reservation, closer to the time of the show. Have fun!

 

[Pixie Princess]

We've eaten at Coral Reef several times, and have always enjoyed it. I have always stuck with the mahi mahi or tilapia. And haven't been disappointed. We've always eaten here for lunch. The one thing that I don't particularly care for is that the service has always been slow. Luckily we are never in a hurry to leave. If they don't seem to be interested in turning the tables, I'm happy to be off my feet in an air condition location.

We have also come to really like La Hacienda de San Angel (or whatever the official name is. We just call it La Ha). We always get the seafood dish for two. Soooo good! Yum! I love the black beans and the salsa selection. Yum.

My DD is pretty picky so we haven't tried too many TS in Epcot. Via Napoli is good if you stick with the pizza. I've had mixed service experiences there though. Teppan Edo is okay I suppose. We have an amazing Japanese steakhouse locally, so it had some tough competition on the food front.

 

[UDFlyer12]

Thank you for everyone's responses! We looked further into it and haven't really tried any of the authentic cuisine to World Showcase in any of our 378578345 visits or during my college program, so we ultimately picked San Angel Inn Restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion. It had really good reviews and whenever I ride Three Caballeros boat ride, I've always been intrigued. Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

My Mahi Mahi at CR in November was one of my food highlights. And my DDs dessert was her favorite all week. I agree with PPs who say you get all kinds of reviews about all restaurants.

We were seated quickly, served quickly and the waiter was attentive, even finding my DD a drink he thought they might not have (chocolate soy milk).

It was a very last minute switch (the evening before) due to unforeseen circumstances and park switching. I was nervous because I know the reviews, and my last meal there wasn't my favorite (not awful, we weren't going to go there again though in the interest of trying new places) and it would up being a great last meal in the World.

 

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

Thank you for everyone's responses! We looked further into it and haven't really tried any of the authentic cuisine to World Showcase in any of our 378578345 visits or during my college program, so we ultimately picked San Angel Inn Restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion. It had really good reviews and whenever I ride Three Caballeros boat ride, I've always been intrigued. Thanks so much for the advice!

The meal I had to cancel was La Hacienda. I so wanted to try the food in Mexico. Oh well. Enjoy!

 

[goofy4prez]

Thank you for everyone's responses! We looked further into it and haven't really tried any of the authentic cuisine to World Showcase in any of our 378578345 visits or during my college program, so we ultimately picked San Angel Inn Restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion. It had really good reviews and whenever I ride Three Caballeros boat ride, I've always been intrigued. Thanks so much for the advice!

San Angel Inn was a place that also had a lot of negative reviews; I almost let that sway my decision of not going there. Glad I didn't listen, my DW and I both love SAI. As for Coral Reef, I almost let the opinions of others sway my decision and not go there; I have been back to Coral Reef three times and have enjoyed it three times. With that said, I did allow overwhelming and almost euphoric opinion sway me to try Le Cellier... I won't be back. I guess what I am saying is take opinion with a grain of salt and give something a try for yourself.