Epcot Dining Conundrum

[JennGA]

We are going to Disney for the first time with two elementary aged kids and for dining are looking for more experience and environment that we can't have anywhere else than the worlds best food (but if we can have both, that would be nice!) So Epcot has been tough - we are looking at the following- San Angel Inn, Biergarten, Restaurant Marrakesh (we are definitely doing Akershus for the whole princess thing.) I fell in love with the pics of San Angel Inn, but got scared by the reviews - are they trending a little more positive? Any thoughts or recommendations (or maybe other places that I haven't considered?) Thank you so much!

 

[maxiesmom]

How about the Coral Reef? They could watch the fish swim by while you are having dinner.

 

[rtbreneman]

Biergarten experience is great! Food may be average to your kids but I enjoy it. I would definitely choose that over the others you mentioned for the experience.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I'm not a fan of Mexican food so can't speak to San Angel.

I think Biergarten depends on your area. I'm from a Milwaukee suburb, so we have no shortage of German food in the setting that Biergarten provides. It isn't a novelty to me, but if that's not something you have in your area, I think it would be a great choice. Food is decent at Biergarten, too. Have you considered Coral Reef? The food isn't spectacular (but it's certainly not bad) and the atmosphere is really cool, though the food isn't as unique as you would find it World Showcase. Garden Grill is a character meal, but the restaurant rotates in a circle.

Via Napoli is very good, but at the end of the day it's Italian food. Chefs de France is absolutely delicious though, at least from my experience. Can't say the atmosphere is as exciting as some other restaurants, though.

 

[jdisnut]

To be honest, I've always found San Angel Inn to be perfectly fine. I've also read negative reviews, but my family has eaten there now probably three or four times and have never had a bad experience. Is it better than your local Mexican restaurant at home? Maybe not, depending on where you're from. But the atmosphere is lovely and the food is more than adequate if you can stomach the price.

 

[alex9179]

With kids and looking for atmosphere I agree with the above. You're going to see positive and negative reviews about all of them. Look at the menus and pick which you think your family will enjoy most.

Garden Grill
Biergarten - communal seating. If you don't want to dine with people you don't know then cross this off the list. We're trying this on our upcoming trip. We're flexible and will chat, or not, depending on the vibe of our table mates.
Coral Reef

San Angel is very dark and the tables are extremely close. Not something I'd like when helping kids.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

The atmosphere at San Angel is phenomenal! While it's true that the restaurant doesn't have the rave reviews that it's neighboring eaters do, I think it's been improving recently. Check out this review http://www.disneytouristblog.com/san-angel-inn-restaurante-review/ which was fairly recent. If the food is the most important thing to you, go elsewhere (particularly Restaurant Marrakesh which is delicious and very easier to get an ADR for). But if you want a good mixture of ambiance and food, San Angel will be just fine. I'm sure you kids will be thrilled watching the Gran Fiesta Tour boats go by throughout the meal.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

If you think the atmosphere at San Angel is a good fit then I'd say go. We really enjoyed our meal there - the salsa was not good at all but the meal itself was fine. We are thinking about giving it another shot this next trip. And the experience there is better than just about any restaurant at Disney other than Be Our Guest.

 

[amberpi]

San Angel is certainly unique and the food is fine to really good.
Marrakesh is out of this world interesting decor and belly dancing. The mosiacs were laid by workmen from Morrocco and the tesserae themselves were produced there. I really love the food there, but I usually stick to apps just by eating preference.
Biergarten, most larger cities have the exact same thing.

 

[ktlm]

My DD would tell you Biergarten. It has been a must do for DD and DH since she was a toddler and still is now that she is 11. The show with the band is fun and there is a dance floor where the kids can get out and dance. She has always liked the food there too, and she can be picky.

 

[tcufrog]

My top choice is Marrakesh. I'm from Texas though so I'm not interested in eating Mexican food at Epcot. The music was fun at the Biergarten but the food wasn't very good.

 

[loves to dive]

If you want different, Marrakesh is the way to go. The food is good, the entertainment is good -belly dancer - the service is good. Can't go wrong.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You can't beat the atmosphere at San Angel Inn, but to us the food is just ok. But my husband is Mexican so I'm used to really amazing Mexican food.
Biergarten is a lot of fun and the food is really good. I will also throw out Garden Grill as a great option for character dining, specifically the breakfast. The food is delicious, the character interactiom is great, and the restaurant rotates slowly past the Living with the Land ride.

 

[HopperFan]

Biergarten: The atmosphere of sitting in the middle of a German village is cool. I think most don't take in all the details of the room. Add the musical entertainment and a good buffet.

Marrakesh: Certainly different than most will experience. The decor is appropriate but simple. The music is good and fun added with the belly dancer. We have always enjoyed the food but lately do a spread of appetizers to try more.

San Angel: To me the entire experience here would be based on the environment BUT all of that can be seen/experienced without eating there. Ride the boat, enjoy the marketplace and shops and you have seen all they see from the restaurant. I have no desire to pay those prices for the food there .... and not even get an atmosphere I can only get by eating.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

You can't beat the atmosphere at San Angel Inn, but to us the food is just ok. But my husband is Mexican so I'm used to really amazing Mexican food.
Biergarten is a lot of fun and the food is really good. I will also throw out Garden Grill as a great option for character dining, specifically the breakfast. The food is delicious, the character interactiom is great, and the restaurant rotates slowly past the Living with the Land ride.

How much can you feel the restaurant moving when you eat?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

How much can you feel the restaurant moving when you eat?

You really don't feel it at all. The scenery changes, otherwise you probably won't even notice.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

I'd suggest Teppan Edo and Coral Reef. Many can tell you that you can get hibachi anywhere but this is above and beyond for me and I make it a priority every trip.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

You really don't feel it at all. The scenery changes, otherwise you probably won't even notice.

Thanks! I always want to try it but I can't handle any spinning rides and so wasn't sure about GG.

 

[kboo]

I second GG (good food, really private character interaction), and Restaurant Marrakesh - food is eh (we are from NYC, lots of better Middle Eastern food), but the belly dancer is fun and there is a dance floor. Last time we were there, all the kids, including my 2yo daughter, got up to dance. Also - Spice Road Table in Morocco was lovely - lovely setting and view (outdoors on the water), reservations are pretty easy to get and you can get just small plates too. And the food is better than Marrakesh.

 

[JennGA]

Thank you all for the feedback - this has been so helpful!