Epcot Dining Dilemma - opinions, pls!

[PeaMuff]

I need some opinions from my fellow DISers... I need your thoughts on the best dinner restaurant at Epcot. We are a family of 4 with 2 young girls (4 and 6 at time of travel). I was thinking Teppan Edo, but I'm reading some not-so-great reviews about the food. My girls aren't picky eaters, but I'm not sure I want to try something like Spice Road Table or Restaurant Marrakesh, and I also don't think it's worth using 2 TS credits each for Le Cellier. We are already eating at Akershus for the breakfast, so we don't want to eat at the same place for dinner. We're booking our ADRs tomorrow.

Any suggestions? Thank you!

 

[sullyfam]

I would recommend Teppan Edo! We were just there in September and my 5 and 7 year old loved it. It's entertaining for the kids to watch the chefs cook at the table and they do have kid selections to choose from. My kids also enjoyed the dessert at the end

 

[minnie mum]

I would suggest that unless you have no Japanese steak house types of places where you live, try something else. I agree that Spice Road table might be beyond the palates of most youngsters (although this was our favourite place on our recent visit) but you might be surprised by Restaurant Marrakesh. A lot of families with younger children like it. Biergarten is a very popular choice, even though it is a buffet. Lots of choices for just about every taste, and a fun environment. Les Chefs de France is also pretty decent.

And I'm pretty sure someone will be along shortly to say that no visit to Epcot is complete without a meal at Via Napoli. So if you can't get pizza where you live...

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Biergarten might be an option also if you have never been. The times we have eaten there the kids really seem to enjoy the show and can come down and dance to the music. I was really surprised how good the food was the first time we ate there. There's a good variety of food options to choose from. Lunch is only $27 adults/$15 kids. We have been to dinner also and don't think the choices were much different so lunch saves some $$ when you are paying OOP like we do. Also, just learned there is a discount if you use your Disney Visa!

 

[verleniahall]

What about Garden Grill in "The Land"? Its a character meal, 1 credit, and i believe that the restaruant slowly rotates! It is only available for dinner

 

[luvdisdogs]

We enjoy Via Napoli for pizza/Italian. Biergarten was lots of fun but you are seated with other people. Chefs de France was also enjoyable. Coral Reef was nice and the atmosphere was great. Love watching the fish while you eat.

 

[Googilycub]

My daughter loves teppan edo, not only for the show but the food is awesome. All the restaurants have mixed reviews, I wouldn't let that deter me from trying one.

 

[L&Lfan]

I'd vote for Restaurant Marrakesh, Spice Road Table, Biergarten, Les Chefs de France, Monsieur Paul or Rose and Crown simply because we have all the other types of cuisine where we live. Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Japanese Hibachi style, steakhouses etc are a dime a dozen here.

 

[Beth06015]

My kids aren't as impressed with hibachi as we are and we have great places at home so that's not one we are scheduling. I reserved for Biergarten and Via Napoli based on reviews but haven't been to either. We went to Chefs last time and it was nice but nothing special in our opinion, and super expensive if not for the free dining we had! We loved Akershus, you will have such a great time! We have gone twice so are trying some other things this time.

 

[Belle61513]

I would agree with Biergarten, but also San Angel might be cool for you guys...it's a neat atmosphere that your DD's may appreciate.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Via Napoli and Chefs de France are both good options for families as well.

 

[supersnoop]

I'd say Biergarten or Garden Grill, especially on the dining plan. If you were paying out of pocket, I'd suggest Via Napoli.

 

[ThistleMae]

What about Garden Grill in "The Land"? Its a character meal, 1 credit, and i believe that the restaruant slowly rotates! It is only available for dinner

I agree, Garden Grille is great! The tables rotate slowly like a carousel and there are characters that come by. The food is really good.

 

[PeaMuff]

I would suggest that unless you have no Japanese steak house types of places where you live, try something else. I agree that Spice Road table might be beyond the palates of most youngsters (although this was our favourite place on our recent visit) but you might be surprised by Restaurant Marrakesh. A lot of families with younger children like it. Biergarten is a very popular choice, even though it is a buffet. Lots of choices for just about every taste, and a fun environment. Les Chefs de France is also pretty decent.

And I'm pretty sure someone will be along shortly to say that no visit to Epcot is complete without a meal at Via Napoli. So if you can't get pizza where you live...

Yes, a few people have suggested Via Napoli... but we have pizza everywhere where we live... wanted to try something different. I'm intrigued by Biergarten and Garden Grill. I somehow missed Garden Grill in my restaurant search, and I was worried that Biergarten might be a little loud and crazy! LOL!

 

[PeaMuff]

I'd say Biergarten or Garden Grill, especially on the dining plan. If you were paying out of pocket, I'd suggest Via Napoli.

Luckily, we're on the Dining Plan (yay for Free Dining!), so it's nice to not have to consider prices! I think we may go with Garden Grill, if I can get an ADR (which I suspect shouldn't be an issue). Thanks!

 

[PeaMuff]

Thanks everyone for the awesome recommendations! I've printed out the menus for Biergarten, Garden Grill and San Angel. I'll show my DH and we'll make a choice tonight (although I think I'm now leaning towards Garden Grill).

You guys are great!

 

[WriterGina]

I would vote for Marrakesh as well...my kids absolutely loved it, and it's such a gorgeous space.

 

[Beth06015]

Thanks everyone for the awesome recommendations! I've printed out the menus for Biergarten, Garden Grill and San Angel. I'll show my DH and we'll make a choice tonight (although I think I'm now leaning towards Garden Grill).

You guys are great!

Good luck! I did our reservations this morning at our 180 day mark - my husband doesn't like thinking six months ahead as to what he may like to eat so just told me to do it. It's hard to decide!!

 

[GillianP1301]

Biergarten, Coral Reef or Garden Grill are all Epcot meals that my family enjoys.

 

[supersnoop]

Luckily, we're on the Dining Plan (yay for Free Dining!), so it's nice to not have to consider prices! I think we may go with Garden Grill, if I can get an ADR (which I suspect shouldn't be an issue). Thanks!

Considering prices wasn't really the point of my post. Via Napoli is a terrible "value" on the dining play, but a great value out of pocket, because they will not let you split or share if you're on the plan. I think it's a negative for the dining plan.