Coral Reef, the real picture

[beccasmom]

In my family of four, I am the only one who likes it there. I adore seafood and I have not had a bad meal here. However, the prices are absurdly high. And - venting here! - we prefer to sit in the booths rather than near the tank. Tables near the tank are really close to each other and we had table neighbors who saw fit to comment on everything we chose to eat! Really annoying. Lunch is probably the most sensible choice if you are concerned about prices. Not that it is cheap then, but cheaper. However, I can't convince anyone in my family to go back, so it must turn many people off.

 

[MamaQuack]

We always eat lunch there. Yes it is expensive and sometimes I will just get lobster bisque and a salad. However, we have never had a bad meal. The desserts are really pretty. The atmosphere is like no place I've ever been before. They have a nice wine-by-the glass menu that does not charge $12 for a sip. The staff is informed and attentive. My child, since age 3 has adored it and now at age 13 cannot imagine not lunching there - he will forego dessert to get his beloved mahi mahi if money is tight.

Try it and enjoy!

 

[dawgfan]

Good seafood is hard to find at WDW. At least that is what I think. I have eaten here twice. Both times were for lunch. Once was with my wife and the secoidn tiem with the wife and two kids, ages 9 and 6. We all enjoyed our food ...on both trips. The atmosphere is wonderful and we had tank side seats both occasions. The menu is "jazzed up" with high end sounding entre's. The price is high and that is why lunch is a better option. I too have seen the good and bad reviews of this place. It seems that you either love the place or hate it. I have seen some posters equate it to a high priced Red Lobster. I happen to like Red Lobster for seafood on a pinch and I also know that the Coral Reef is WAAAAY better than the RL. I have had better seafood, but I have had worse too. On a 1 to 10 scale for food alone I give it an 8. The service is very good and the atmosphere rounds it out. I have heard someone here say go to Fultons for seafood. Talk about reviews that are all over the place. I have seen people say Fultons is over priced to beat the band. I have seen them also add that Fultons was the greatest as well as some that said they got food poisoning there and will never return. Fultons is probably the most confusing place to get a line on in WDW as to whether it is worth trying. Check out the Coral Reef. I am sure that you will find something you like. The Mahi is very good as is the Tuna. It is the only way you will know for sure. Whenever I see a restaurant that is a love or hate place on the Boards I know that I have to check it out for myself to be sure (ala Fultons-I plan to check this out on the next visit). Those places must be tried to see for sure. The great thing here is that you can see the menu prior to your trip and decide if this is something for you. Mousesavers has the menu.

 

[MissionMouse]

I really want to eat at this restaurant cause it just looks so neat but I have heard so many bad things about it. What is your honest opinion of this restaurant?

If you really want to eat here, then go ahead and Just Do It. Don't worry about what others say and think...you want to eat here, so do it.

You already know the mixed reviews on the food, which deals with price and quality. This place take a hit from us on the quality side (freshness, taste, and short menu), but there are still good safe choices (shrimp, salad, dessert).

Experience the Coral Reef Restaurant first hand and develop your own experience and memories. If you want to, you can just go here and eat dessert.

 

[Tabetha]

Well, the menu describes it as:
Chocolate Wave - Warm dark chocolate cake with white chocolate grand marnier center, white chocolate ice cream, dried-cherry compote $8.00 (from allearsnet.com)

But to me, it was a little rich chocolate cake, with a warm gooey centre.

Yum.

And no. I don't write food reviews for a living, thanks for asking!

 

[Lesley]

Funny that everyone says the atmosphere is so wonderful here....we've only eaten at Coral Reef once and the atmosphere was what I found most disappointing. Granted it was over 10 years ago....but I made a reservation expecting (partially from my impression of the menu and the prices) that it would be a quieter, upscale, romantic meal. Unfortunately the atmosphere was noisy and not nearly as upscale and romantic as I expected. Dh and I joke that it was like eating at the Crabbers' Cove (Dewey Beach DE) ...only the food was better. We also had a 40 minute wait from the time we checked in....and this was before the priority seating system, when you actually got a reservation.

The food was quite good...and we're considering going back next year with our kids because we think they might enjoy watching the fish as we eat (anything to distract them so we can eat in peace, really).

Give it a try and make up your own mind.

 

[palmtreegirl]

We just ate there on Saturday night and it was great, expensive but really good.

 

[angel's momma]

Thanks Tabetha.



Another question: I just looked at the menus at allears - is dessert not served during lunch hours?

 

[Docsknotinn]

Looking at all the comments in regards to expense I went to www.allears.net and pulled up several menues. It looks to me like this is one of the most cost effective seafood restaurants at Disney. I'm certainly not saying it's inexpensive, but compare the prices to the flying fish or narcoosees. Overall all the restaurants at Disney are pricey.