Coral Reef Restaurant

[CarolinaGuy21]

My girlfriend and I are going on our first Disney trip together in late July, curtsey of her dad. He was nice enough to put us on the deluxe dining planning so we are planning on doing a nice dinner on our Epcot day. We really wanted to try to eat at Coral Reef Restaurant cause the environment looks awesome. We heard the food isn't amazing but as long as its good we'd be willing to eat there for the environment.

Anyone have any experience at Coral Reef? And if you didn't like it where are some of your favorite places in Epcot?

 

[JZCubed]

Coral Reef is a lovely room, and as much as my family enjoys the food, there are plenty of folks 'round these parts that will suggest otherwise....as might happen with just about every restaurant you could have mentioned.

Trout with Beans & Greens is our favorite entree.

For other 'Uniquely Disney' experiences in Epcot - Morocco for belly dancing, and Biergarten for 'oompah' music are also fun. Spice Table is very good too and you can sit outside by the water.....with your girlfriend.

 

[bcarey2k]

We like Coral Reef. The steak is one of the better .... maybe because most order fish!?!

You didn't state how many days on the deluxe dining you're on, but by the end you'll be too full.

Look into the signature places too and use the 2 credits per person to your advantage!

It's a lot of food!

 

[Storminion]

The food at Coral Reef is good, and the experience is great. Where else can you eat with sharks swimming around you? Another great experience restaurant is La Hacienda de San Angel, as long as you can get a good table during Illuminations. The food is really good too. Hope this helps.

 

[CarolinaGuy21]

Yeah we definitely would not have done the deluxe dining plan if we were paying but he surprised us with the trip so we didn't have any input.

We're gonna go to boat house for a signature dining experience in downtown Disney and we are also just going to eat some quick service on the plan as well. We don't wanna waste a ton of time in the parks at lunch at table service places

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've eaten there twice, most recently January 2014. My DH and I have both enjoyed the food both times. I got the mahi mahi last time, and it was really one of the better dishes I've had on Disney property. It's probably nothing you'll write home about, but it's certainly more than edible!

 

[Sked081899]

We went last week and it was one of our favorite meals! Great atmosphere and we really enjoyed the food. I had the salmon and I would definitely get it again!

 

[Branflakes]

The atmosphere is cool. The food is mediocre. You can see the aquarium without dining at Coral Reef. I'd go for a meal at Spice Road table, close to illuminations. Dine and see illuminations at the same time.

 

[cassie58]

It is very cool to eat next to the tank, and the food is fine. The sea turtle is our favorite to watch - he parked himself right next to our table, and DD stared at him, and hardly ate! When you check in, ask to sit next to the aquarium - you may have to wait a little longer, but it is a great spot. We had an early dinner ADR around 4, which got us in quickly.

 

[Micca]

We were never impressed with the food, but the view is spectacular! Booked it for our next trip so our DGDs can have the experience.

 

[LaBelleVie]

We LOVED Coral Reef! I had the shrimp and grits, which I really enjoyed; my husband said the steak was one of the best he'd ever had. The Bailey's and Jack Daniels mousse is a delicious choice for dessert.

The atmosphere is absolutely lovely, and definitely romantic, and if you go at an off time (like we did), it might be somewhat quiet. We had an excellent server. All in all, it was one of the best dining experiences we've had at Disney World (or anywhere, really), and I am so glad I didn't let the bad reviews keep me from going!

 

[MotherTink]

DH and I ate there almost 10 yrs ago and had a lovely anniversary dinner there. The waiter made it very magical in addition to the setting. We have not returned mostly because of so many other options.

 

[yankebabie]

Like the food. Service is awful. We never getting out of there under 2 hours

 

[CynBeth]

We have had lunches and dinners there and have always had good food and service.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Food was meh and we thought the service was horrible. The atmopshere was cool, though. However, I think there are a lot better places in Epcot to dine.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

You will hear good & bad things about Coral Reef. The first time we ate there, it was not very good. The second and third times we ate there, it was VERY good. We plan on going back there again. The last time we ate there, we requested a table next to the aquarium. We enjoyed our meal and the view. I would not be swayed by my input or the input of others. If you feel that you really want to go there, then you should try it. If your gut tells you to stay away, then stay away. We often read reviews before trying someplace new, but we would have missed out on some good meals if we had listened to every bad review. We have found it best to try for ourselves. Do what you feel and have a great trip.

 

[jerseyjersey]

Agree with the others who've said it's a very cool place, with OK food and meh service in our experience. I definitely think it's worth trying, for the atmosphere alone.

 

[Lisa F]

I just ate there in December and have a detailed review with pictures in my dining review linked in my signature. It was the first sit down Disney restaurant i've ever done and while I don't do it EVERY trip, I have always enjoyed it whenever I have done it. Not sure why it gets so much hate, have always had good food (maybe not the best ever but good enough) and good service, the atmosphere is amazing and vintage epcot.