EPCOT Dining - Help

[Doofenshmirtz]

We are doing the DDP for the first time and are looking at having a sit down meal in EPCOT. We are a family of four with two kids (9) and (8). Looking for suggestions and thoughts.....

Thanks for any information.

 

[MichVick]

One of my favourite restaurants in Epcot (all of Disney really) is Garden Grill. They have the best salad and your meal is served buffet style to your table. Also if your children like the characters - this restaurant features Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Chip and Dale

 

[WC*123]

Depends on you kids, but my kids like Akershus. Food is pretty good, 4 or 5 Princesses visit your table, and I believe you still get a picture of your group with one of the Princesses (usually Belle). All for one TS credit per person.

 

[disneybliss2]

I'm not for sure if your kids are girls or boys. My daughters love Akershus (they're 4 & 9). They love the castle-like feel, seeing the princesses, and they (we as a family) really enjoy the food. A photo package is included in the price of your meal. It only requires 1 TS credit, unlike CRT that requires 2. My girls actually prefer Akershus better. They have eaten at CRT twice and Akershus three times. After the second time, I learned my lesson to not shell out 2 TS credits to CRT.
Another restaurant that's fun for the whole family is Biergarten. It's a German buffet with a large variety of food that has something to please everyone. It has a really neat atmosphere inside. The restaurant also has a dance floor for the kids to dance on while a German band plays. Lots of fun!
We haven't eaten at either yet (reserved for our upcoming trip) but both Via Napoli and Teppan Edo gets great reviews too.

 

[kamikazecat]

Teppan Edo is our top choice for dinner in Epcot. If you are leaning towards lunch you can't really go wrong with Le Cellier either (I wouldn't do dinner as it is signature).

 

[Doofenshmirtz]

My kids are both boys. Princesses are a no go for this trip.

Thanks!!!

 

[tina.tina]

Here are my thoughts on Garden Grill in Epcot for dinner with Mickey, Pluto, Chip, & Dale-

DH & I really enjoyed the food. The kids got a separate platter and enjoyed theirs as well. Garden Grill had really good food. We all thought it was neat that some of the food was raised there in the greenhouses we saw on the Living with the Land boat ride. Our server was funny & very attentive. Pluto played with my DD10 with our misting fans. She had them on turned toward her & he turned them on himself. We got some adorable pictures. Mickey participated in a sword fight with a couple of little boys at a table near ours. It feels like a more private interaction with the characters than at Chef Mickey's because of the way the tables are set up. When we were planning the trip, I told DD that the restaurant rotated. She insisted that we eat there!

I've seen a lot of suggestions for Coral Reef because of the aquariums but I didn't care for the menu.

 

[OldGrizzly57]

Try the Rose and Crown. Book for about 45 - 60 minutes prior to Illuminations (you have to book early or walk up last minute on a "wing and a prayer") then try to be seated out on one of the patios. Fish & chips are usually a hit with the kids and you can watch the show from your table. A cold brew at the end of the day (not covered under DDP) is a plus for Dad & Mum if you enjoy that type of beverage.

Griz

 

[tigger536]

Personally I would skip teppon edo as you likely have one or several hibachi grills in your own hometown.

While it is a lot of fun, I would also skip garden grill. There are other character meals elsewhere in the "World" and if you have only one meal in Epcot I would go for something in one of the countries. Biergarten is fun, but if you do that, add it on and pay oop since its pretty reasonable especialy for lunch.

I would pick Rose and Crown (before illuminations, trying for patio seating like others have said) or San Angel Inn. You eat inside the pryamid, with views of the boat ride going by. Plus I love the food there and the margaritas are outstanding!

Other fun options I'd consider:
Chefs de France (Remy makes an appearance)
Restaurant Marakesh (belly dancers)
LeCellier (but its 2 credits for dinner if that is a factor)

If I had only one day in Epcot, I would do LeCellier for lunch and either San Angel Inn or Rose & Crown for dinner.

 

[mkleinbe]

We tried Rose and Crown for the first time this summer and loved it. The surf and turf are yummmm!!! We also like Le Cellier, but refuse to use 2 dining plan credits for dinner for it. We have not tried Via Napoli, but I want to.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

yeah via napoli...young boys and pizza.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

I would choose Garden Grill. DS8 and DD7 both picked that for our Epcot dining, and DD is a total princess . They enjoyed the character interaction, DD was wearing a chip & dale shirt and ds pluto and mickey. Pluto saw DD's shirt and got upsetand started to walk away. They pointed out he was on the back of DS's he came back started hugging him and DD as well.

 

[chs27]

Love this place during the fireworks show! My DS11 wants to do this again, he was 9 last time. Most memorable meal of the week.

 

[Bama_C]

Coral Reef is very good. Every seat has a view of the huge aquarium with sharks, sting or manta rays, turtles and many fish. They give you a guide which tells you all the types of fish, etc. that you will see in the tank. Took my two boys when they were 10 and 8, and they both loved it. It is a must do for us now for every trip. My middle son talks all year about the Chocolate Wave dessert... his favorite on property. Also, middle son is not a fish eater, but thinks their NY Strip is one of the best steaks on property.

Whichever restaurant you choose, it'll be great because you'll be in Disney World.

 

[Sheaboys]

We have 5 boys. We have done Teppan Edo in the past. This trip will be Teppan Edo and Coral Reef. What is better than a chef with a knife, flipping food in the air and big fish and sharks. Both of the these restaurants were chosen by the boys.

 

[LAMountJoy]

I'm also looking for ideas for sit-down dining in Epcot.
My kids are 10, 6. We're already planning the castle with the princesses, but we'd like another Epcot reservation for another day. Suggestions?

Coral Reef sounds good- but we don't eat much fish- do they have other options on their menu?

Garden Grill- read it here as a good one ??

The one in Mexico- is it super spicy foods that the kids wouldn't like? We like "Americanized Mexican" foods!

Thanks for your tips!!

 

[Summer Daydream]

I have to vote for Rose and Crown or San Angel. I love both of these restaurants. The Coral Reef is good too, if you like seafood, but I feel like sometimes the food is outstanding and sometimes it is only so-so. Haven't been to garden grill but so many people seem to love it. I do not recommend Akershus, I had bad experience there!

 

[kathie859]

How about a late lunch at Chefs de France? You can catch Remy and his handler there and the food is good

 

[Bama_C]

I'm also looking for ideas for sit-down dining in Epcot.
My kids are 10, 6. We're already planning the castle with the princesses, but we'd like another Epcot reservation for another day. Suggestions?

Coral Reef sounds good- but we don't eat much fish- do they have other options on their menu?

Garden Grill- read it here as a good one ??

The one in Mexico- is it super spicy foods that the kids wouldn't like? We like "Americanized Mexican" foods!

Thanks for your tips!!

Coral Reef actually has a very good steak option and usually has a chicken and/or pork chop, as well. We all love it, plus the view of the aquarium is such fun!

 

[pixieMandy]

We ate at Akershus and it was great! We got a pic with Belle included with our meal, plus all of the princesses stopped by the table. The food was REALLY good too!