Epcot Eateries...

[dfluvsmick]

OK. I currently have an ADR for the Coral Reef in Epcot, but since reading all the reviews on this restaurant, I am so confused. I am traveling with dh, ds12, dd10, dd7, dd3 and my dad, 78. Most of us don't eat seafood, but I thought that the fishtank would be entertaining to the 3yr old and I could enjoy a meal. I saw they had steak so I thought I was safe.
OK..question... what do you think? Should I keep it and/or can you tell me your favorite rest in Epcot and why is it your fav? Maybe I will change.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Pirate Me]

Looks like Coral Reef's non-seafood options are

Seared Chicken Breast -served over spaetzle finished with applewood smoked bacon-chicken broth $20.99

Grilled New York Strip Steak - served with roasted potatoes, watercress and tomatoes tossed in caramelized shallot vinaigrette $30.99

Wild Mushroom Lasagna - roasted wild mushrooms, wilted arugula and spinach, fortina, parmesan, mascarpone and ricota cheese, rustic tomato ragout $16.99

Grilled Pork Tenderloin - served with sweet boniato potatoes and green beans drizzled with pecan sauce $22.99

Honestly, we didn't enjoy Coral Reef. Just IMO...I know that there are lots of people here who do like the restaurant. We, personally, wouldn't go back after our last experience at Coral Reef. The atmosphere is beautiful, however, and almost made up for it. The kids absolutely adore the fish tank. It's so much fun to watch the fish while dining.

Have you ever considered Restaurant Marakkesh? Sometimes, little kids go to the front and dance with the Moroccan bellydancer there.

Our personal favorite restaurant in Epcot is Italy's Tutto Italia. Great (but PRICEY if not on DDP!). I don't think I'd shell out $25 for a pasta bowl if I wasn't on the DDP.

 

[lala3291]

We enoyed our meal at Coral Reef in February. We are non-seafood eaters as well. DD18 and I got the steak, and DD15 and DH got the chicken. I forget what DD7 got, but everyone enjoyed their meal. We will be going back in November.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We went to CR in January with our nieces thinking they would love the huge tank...the paid attention to it for 3 seconds and then complained about how bad the pizza was and it was gross and how mushy the fries were...and they were gross too. DH had the steak and said it was pretty bad, lots of fat and no flavor. I was the only one that enjoyed it, the pan seared grouper was amazing.

 

[cb76]

We went to CR in September. It was the best place we ate at all week! I don't like seafood, but the grilled fish was the best I've ever had!

 

[paintnolish]

There are several non seafood options, but I've never tried them as I love seafood. The atomosphere is really cool and we had a great server (Dawn). Once we ate right next to the tank,and once we were on the top level. It was nice in both places. As for the kid's menu, it is nothing fab, but what is? My kids liked it. I would say keep the reservation. We have one for June-our 3rd CR dinner!

 

[rispoli]

We love the Coral Reef. My kids get steak everytime and have never complained. It is worth trying at least once. The soups are very good also.

 

[Pakey]

We went two months ago, party of 11, almost all non-fish eaters. We also went because we thought a 4 year old would enjoy the tank. I'm not even sure if he looked at it for 3 seconds; he was very bored. He ate none of his entree, don't remember what he got. He did pay with the dessert a bit.

I've eaten here many times and have discovered that the only dish I really like is the mahi mahi and it was pretty good, same as always. All of the non-fish eaters disliked their meals. I don't think anyone did the chicken breast but one had the mushroom lasagne and said it was inedible. One had the pork tenderloin (don't remember comments other than wouldn't go back). Several had the steak and they all said it was tough/fatty.

Even with that said, I think it's a unique setting. I don't think most people go for the food. It's pretty noisy in there, service is slow at best, but the tank is nice.

There are several restaurants we like better at Epcot. We like Marrakesh the best, Chefs de France is good, Teppen Edo is good. Le Celier is the most popular and it's okay. Biergarten is fun. The only one I cannot recommend at all is San Angel Inn, really disliked the food there.

 

[abc999]

teppan edo can be entertaining for a child.

 

[stephie1012]

we were going to do coral reef but i thought about it and canceled it. We ended up eating at Biergarten instead. Oh we also did teppan edo. Biergarten was much more entertaining for the kids. We sat by the dance floor and once the show started dd3.5 just got up and danced the entire time. There was something on the buffet for everyone and it was really good. Teppan Edo didnt entertain my kids long enough lol.
We are also non fish eaters that why we changed.

 

[drakes]

Our dd loved Coral Reef, we went on her request. I was looking forward to it as well. The tak views were quite amazing, there were Divequest divers and they were very entertaining doing summersaults.

My food was awful- Mahi mahi. Mom loved her tuna, Dh loved his grouper, DD loved her salmon. I actually got lightheaded and had to step outside for some air, didn't feel well until the morning. I took maybe 3 bites of my entree.
Even the Chocolate Wave dessert was disappointing- overrated.

Maybe I got sick off drinking the Octopus Juice too fast- that was yummy!
10 oz pina colada
1⁄2 oz chambord
Prepare pina colada in a blender. Pour into a hurricane glass and top with Chambord. Slowly stir until the Chambord runs through the drink.

 

[drakes]

To add- in Epcot Garden Grill has always been our favorite and most entertaining. Chip and Dale do not dissappoint.

 

[MelanieC]

We love Coral Reef. It was the first time we tried it this past trip (Jul 07). We are so sad we didn't try it earlier.

 

[oddBotkins]

Teppan Edo has always been one of our favorites.

 

[Tbelle1976]

I believe Coral Reef might be the one restaurant in WDW that you will find the most mixed reviews about (with San Angel being second). IMO I think that since that's the case with so many mixed reviews if you think it might suite everyone in your group to just go ahead and make your ADR and find out for yourself.

We had lunch there in February and was much more excited before the meal than after! It's not a bad restaurant and we would probably return, although not anytime soon. Our portions for very small for lunch (the food was good though). I got the lobster salad and was very disappointed with the puny little what seemed like a child portion that I received. DS7 ordered the kids size Mahi, and it was seriously the size of my pinky finger.

Like I said, if you feel like everyone will enjoy it then go for it.