Epcot Dining Reccomendations

[KyGeo]

Hey everyone!
I am going to be in Epcot for one day in early July to catch the Flower and Garden Festival as it winds down. It's my first time in Epcot and first time in WDW in general. I've decided that I want to do a sit down dinner (or late lunch) at one of the many table service restaurants. Right now I have two places in mind.
The first is Via Napoli. I've heard great things about it and I love pizza. The problem is that I'm going solo and I'm not sure if the individual size pizza will be worth it for the price. Obviously it's Disney so it's going to be expensive, but of course I want to save as much money as I can.
The other place I'm strongly considering is San Angel Inn. I know it doesn't have the best reviews but the atmosphere looks amazing to me. The ambiance looks incredible and it's just really interesting to me! The pyramid and the volcano and just the overall darkness is so cool. It's totally up my alley. Like I said, I know food isn't top tier but there's a couple things on the menu that I think I would really enjoy. Also the chips and salsa that comes with your meal!
Which would you choose? Or should I look into something else entirely?
Thanks in Advance!!!

 

[KristaZ]

I would 100% go for Via Napoli.

 

[Nate Ricci]

I'm a huge pizza fan and Via Napoli actually exceeded my expectations - it's one of the few restaurants that's actually worth the Disney price point in my opinion.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I love both restaurants, and have a special pizza that I only order at Via Napoli every time I go. That being said, it is an extremely loud, and boisterous restaurant, and like you said, the pizzas aren't cheap. On the other hand, I love the whole night-time vibe inside the Mexico Pavilion! The food isn't top-notch Mexican, but I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal there. It's just such a relaxing meal to me, and I love watching the boats go by, and the volcano backdrop! You can't go wrong with either place in my opinion!

 

[Nate Ricci]

I love both restaurants, and have a special pizza that I only order at Via Napoli every time I go. That being said, it is an extremely loud, and boisterous restaurant, and like you said, the pizzas aren't cheap. On the other hand, I love the whole night-time vibe inside the Mexico Pavilion! The food isn't top-notch Mexican, but I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal there. It's just such a relaxing meal to me, and I love watching the boats go by, and the volcano backdrop! You can't go wrong with either place in my opinion!

Excellent point! Totally depends on the vibe you're looking for - my fiance and I love Via Napoli after a few drinks around the world but would go elsewhere for a more relaxing meal. I'd also suggest Rose & Crown, especially if you can request the outdoor seating (assuming you don't mind the July heat); it's another one that's among our favorite spots.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

Which would you choose? Or should I look into something else entirely?
Thanks in Advance!!!

Don't let negaitive reviews from random people dissuade you from dining at San Angel Inn. My wife and I eat there once per trip and we are from Texas and know the difference between "Tex-Mex" and "Mexican Food". I've eaten at the real San Angel Inn in Mexico City, surprise, in Mexico they serve Mexican food, not Tex-Mex food. Haha
San Angel Inn is "Mexican Food" I'm pretty sure most people don't understand the difference between Mexican food from Mexico and Tex Mex which is what most people eat around the country. Being from Texas and eating in Mexico for my entire life, I'm very aware of the difference between the two, so my expectations are different. If you keep in mind that Tex-Mex Queso isn't the same as Mexican Queso Fundido and green enchilada's are not the same as Tex-Mex chili con carne enchilada's then you probably will enjoy the food and experience. The Queso fundido is very good. The Ribeye Tacos, the Green Chicken enchilada's are very good, the Snapper is good and the Carne Asada is very good as well. I hear the soup is good although I've never had it myself and all the desserts offered are good.
The pizza at Via Napoli is good, but it's pizza and I have great pizza in my home city. I don't get the San Angel Inn atmosphere anywhere else, that's why we eat there.

 

[OhThePain]

If you are going to be there for F&G, why not just sample the kiosks around the WS? SAI and VN are fine, but in the end it is just Mexican food or pizza, which you can probably get most anywhere in your every day life. Grazing around the kiosks of F&G will give you a chance to try things you don't normally get to try on a normal basis.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I think both have their plusses and minuses. The pizza at Via is good but I wouldn't say it was great. That said, it is REALLY loud inside, and that level of noise is a problem for one of our parties and just annoying generally, so we only sit outside. It's usually very nice outside after the sun goes down. And it may not be as loud if they are spacing tables due to COVID restrictions. We liked San Angel Inn, and has a great atmosphere, but thought the food was a bit hit or miss.

 

[Mazz519]

We love both places... San Angel Inn is so cool... sitting inside you see the boats going by from the ride and every so often the Volcano erupts !!

 

[EmilyGahr]

If I were to recommend 1 restaurant in Epcot, it would be Le Cellier in the Canada pavilion. The atmosphere is amazing, and the food is even better!

 

[heartpumper]

We actually loved the San Angel inn (I also had heard bad reviews ahead of time) But the ambiance, the food and the delicious avocado margarita made for a perfect night!

 

[holden]

I say skip a dining reservation and eat your way around the world at the booths. Grab a glass of wine or limoncello in Italy and a margarita in Mexico. You can take in the ambiance of Mexico just walking around and riding The Gran Fiesta Tour.

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

^^^what he said.

 

[DisneyDadWV]

As others have said I think being solo I would consider eating and drinking (if so inclined) around the world for the festival. You can spend as much time as you want shopping and absorbing the atmosphere inside the Mexian pavilion. If you definitely want to do a sit down, I'll throw a vote down for Teppan Edo. It's a chance for a great meal, some entertainment and maybe a chance to make a new friend if the virus allows enough contact at that time. That's a big if though....

 

[Timandalicia]

Hey everyone!
I am going to be in Epcot for one day in early July to catch the Flower and Garden Festival as it winds down. It's my first time in Epcot and first time in WDW in general. I've decided that I want to do a sit down dinner (or late lunch) at one of the many table service restaurants. Right now I have two places in mind.
The first is Via Napoli. I've heard great things about it and I love pizza. The problem is that I'm going solo and I'm not sure if the individual size pizza will be worth it for the price. Obviously it's Disney so it's going to be expensive, but of course I want to save as much money as I can.
The other place I'm strongly considering is San Angel Inn. I know it doesn't have the best reviews but the atmosphere looks amazing to me. The ambiance looks incredible and it's just really interesting to me! The pyramid and the volcano and just the overall darkness is so cool. It's totally up my alley. Like I said, I know food isn't top tier but there's a couple things on the menu that I think I would really enjoy. Also the chips and salsa that comes with your meal!
Which would you choose? Or should I look into something else entirely?
Thanks in Advance!!!

I would go with your gut and do San Angel. The food is good and you’re right about the ambience, it feels magical. Ask to sit near the water. Get something light to save some money, and take the opportunity to relax.

 

[gharter]

Love the ambience of San Angel. We love real Mexican food and have had terrible food the 2 times we ate there (it's been a few years). Maybe its improved and we should try again?
I don't mind Via Napoli, but there are so many better options than pizza at WDW.
I agree with some PP about just eating at the kiosks. Its not table service but there are so many good options.

 

[mouseRD]

Also consider La Hacienda de San Angel if fireworks are restarted by then. Great views ! We loved the queso there and the margaritas- had something with blueberry last time that doesn’t look like it’s on the menu anymore but it was good and not overly sweet.

 

[bakerworld]

Hey everyone!
I am going to be in Epcot for one day in early July to catch the Flower and Garden Festival as it winds down. It's my first time in Epcot and first time in WDW in general. I've decided that I want to do a sit down dinner (or late lunch) at one of the many table service restaurants. Right now I have two places in mind.
The first is Via Napoli. I've heard great things about it and I love pizza. The problem is that I'm going solo and I'm not sure if the individual size pizza will be worth it for the price. Obviously it's Disney so it's going to be expensive, but of course I want to save as much money as I can.
The other place I'm strongly considering is San Angel Inn. I know it doesn't have the best reviews but the atmosphere looks amazing to me. The ambiance looks incredible and it's just really interesting to me! The pyramid and the volcano and just the overall darkness is so cool. It's totally up my alley. Like I said, I know food isn't top tier but there's a couple things on the menu that I think I would really enjoy. Also the chips and salsa that comes with your meal!
Which would you choose? Or should I look into something else entirely?
Thanks in Advance!!!

As you are specifically going for the festival - forget restaurants and enjoy the kiosk food.

 

[DisDad05]

Via Napoli is good pizza, not great. I personally don't care for the food at San Angel Inn, but I do have to admit the ambience is great and the drinks are good. So if I had to choose one over the other I'd pick the San Angel Inn. It's at least worth a try.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I say skip a dining reservation and eat your way around the world at the booths. Grab a glass of wine or limoncello in Italy and a margarita in Mexico. You can take in the ambiance of Mexico just walking around and riding The Gran Fiesta Tour.

I would have agreed with that a decade ago, but I feel like the last time we were there the booths were a pretty big letdown. So I'd pick a TS restaurant instead.