Epcot dining, what am I missing?

[Masonmj84]

We've eaten at the following Epcot table service restaurants:

Le Cellier
Coral Reef
Chefs de France
Biergarten
Via Napoli
Teppan Edo

Three of those, Le Cellier, Coral Reef, and Biergarten, are probably one and doners for us. I loved the filet at Le Cellier but everything else about the restaurant was subpar for a signature. Biergarten had a fun atmosphere but we thought the buffet was just okay. We didn't like anything about Coral Reef.

We like Chefs de France for lunch (but not dinner) but find the food to be very rich/heavy for a mid-day meal.

So we find ourselves sort of locked into Via Napoli and Teppan Edo, both of which we like so much that we're hesitant to try new places (on a typical trip, we usually have time for two table service meals at Epcot).

Other reasons we've been hesitant to try other places are that we go to WDW, at most, once per year and don't have any Japanese hibachi or wood fired Neapolitan pizza places in our area (so there's a high opportunity cost in missing a favorite) and, in addition our research suggests the following:

San Angel Inn - too dark, tables too close together, and food reported to be just okay
La Hacienda - only open for dinner and we stick to mostly signatures at dinner
Akershus - CRT is sort of our go-to princess place (can't beat eating in the castle)
Nine Dragons - gets consistently reviewed as being unremarkable
Tutto Italia - some view this as signature-lite, but one Italian place per trip is enough and we love Via Napoli
Tokyo Dining - we're not really into sushi/tempura, etc.
Marrakesh - seems too exotic and gets a lot of negative reviews (and DW would not appreciate the belly dancing)
Monsieur Paul - we're actually interested in trying this for dinner, but a bit scared by the mixed reviews
Rose & Crown - we're not big pub food fans (too greasy and heavy)
Garden Grill - we only do character meals for breakfast

So are we missing out by not being adventurous and trying one or more of these places or are we better off sticking with our tried and true favorites (Via Napoli and Teppan Edo)?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sounds to me like you have already made up your mind and are going to be "negative" on other options. Personally I really like Marrakesh. Not to mention it's a BEAUTIFUL restaurant.
La Hacienda is great.

Personally most of the food at Epcot is just so so (that includes your "go to" so...)

 

[kwdw]

So - La Hacienda feels like a signature restaurant to me. I think it's worth the visit for dinner. I've had great meals there and think the atmosphere and service is better than Le Cellier and California Grill, IMO.

Marrakesh is an interesting restaurant. It's different. My food was great the day I went. And well, I'm female and I don't find belly dancers offensive. It's a cultural tradition. I did make the mistake of going on a day when it was about 45 degrees outside - and the restaurant was COLD. So - I'd probably never plan it on a winter trip again. But, it's on my list to go to again.

Garden Grill is on my list for some point. I, too, usually do character meals for breakfast, BUT that one has Chip and Dale..... And I don't think they do any other character meals. Haven't eaten there, so I can't comment on that - but for me, there's a reason to go to that one.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I personally really like La Hacienda. I think the food is pretty good, plus you get some great margaritas there!

 

[minnie mum]

Add me in as someone who has enjoyed their meals at la Hacienda. And I prefer the ambiance over San Angel. I notice that Spice Road table wasn't on your list. We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and level of service on our last visit. If you are there on a cool evening, though, I'd recommend a table inside.

 

[jenjersnap]

Spice Road Table would be worth a try.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with Orange County Commuter. It really sounds like you have made your judgements. In this case I would go to your tried and true favorites that you enjoy. We are big Epcot dinner fans, but I also agree that none of the food is "outstanding" It is what it is for theme park dining. And with that expectation we enjoy our meals.
We like Restaurant Marrakesh and the belly dancer is very tasteful. We like La Hacienda and will be going back in October. We too love Via Napoli, it is a must do for us. I do not really care for Biergarden, but I don't particularly like German food. We like Teppan Edo and have also enjoyed Tokoy dining for a change.
Good Luck in what ever you decide.

 

[ariane37]

I take reviews with a grain of salt, so unless something about the menu/restaurant really turns us off we'll give it a try. DH and I finally tried Marrakesh in March and loved our dinner; we're going back with our boys in Nov. As Hopefully said the belly dancer is totally tasteful-she has kids join her to dance-and one doesn't really need to "appreciate" belly dancing to enjoy the food. I know San Angel is dark & tables are close but we're still trying there for the first time in Nov. If we don't like it we won't go back. Easy

Maybe you can manage to step out of your comfort zone and try Akershus? We've enjoyed it in the past......still Princesses

 

[itchin2go]

We liked San Angel Inn. Yes, the tables are close together, but the setting is magical and we found the food to be quite good. We're back and forth on whether to do this one again next trip or try La Hacienda. I want to try La Hacienda, but dining at the foot of the volcano is just so special.

We also liked Rose and Crown. The food was good, the service was excellent, the restaurant was charming and we accidentally timed it perfectly for Illuminations. Our daughter was chosen to "start the fireworks" (do they do this anymore?), and it was a magical night.

We had lunch at Akershus once. We thought the food was better than the food at CRT, for what it's worth. Character interaction was great.

We also like Teppan Edo, and are thinking of trying Via Napoli, so I don't think you're making bad choices.

 

[Dean Marino]

Just an opinion - you are missing the best restaurant(s) at EPCOT. Where are they?

The boat.

Get OUT of that park, hit the boat, and consider Shula's at the Dolphin, Blue Zoo at Dolphin, IlMulino at Swan, Yachtsman's Steak House (oddly at the Yacht Club), Flying Fish at Boardwalk.... we go to several of these on a regular basis. They are all Sigs, they are all REAL Sigs (not "crowd control" Sigs), and they are all VERY good .

 

[nat8199]

Monsieur Paul is FABULOUS. One of our best meals last year. We were on the DxDDP and tried a lot of signatures. I cannot wait to go back.

 

[amandals2007]

i personally feel that you have pigeon holed yourself into this situation. im not trying to be negative, because people like what they like. for example we always stay at POFQ, we like so many specific things about it that we cant find another resort that will make us happy. with what you have said how you want signature for dinner, only character for breakfast, etc, i dont think you have many more options.