Epcot Recommendations

[PrincessWithABlaster]

So I need to figure out my ADRs before Mon. I'm set on the other parks but Epcot is a bit overwhelming. What 1 credit places would you recommend - not Akershus just because we did it last year. We are a family of 5 with kids young enough to eat off the kids menu so as long as there is a cheeseburger, mac and cheese, or nuggets, they're good. DH and I are adventurous eaters but it doesn't have to be in Morocco. But I am looking for something a little distinctive that would make it more special in some way than what we can easily find in the Chicago area. I hear Via Napoli is good, for example, but if it's your typical Italian place, I'm not that excited about it. Help me, please.

 

[wench]

I can't speak to whether Via Napoli is typical Italian or not, as I've only eaten the pizza. But, I can say that the pizza there is very very good. We've got 2 ADRs there on our upcoming trip & seriously considered a third.

Our other favorite Epcot meal is Teppan Edo. Really good food, great customer service & it's very entertaining. My son was 7 the first time we ate there & laughed so hard at the jokes the chef made.

The other places I would think about are maybe the character meal at Garden Grill. We haven't eaten there yet (trying it in December), but I've heard good things about it. Or maybe Coral Reef. The food isn't amazing, but it's ok. The real thing there is the atmosphere with the giant salt water aquarium in the dining room. If you opt for that I'd recommend arriving a little early & requesting a table by the aquarium. I'm sure your kids would love it.

 

[jimmytammy]

Here are our favorites at Epcot and reasons why
Rose n Crown...Pub style food, unique atmosphere, very good food
Nine Dragons...Honey Sesame Chicken,mmmm. I will say this, Chicago probably has places similar to this
Via Napoli...Piccante Pizza is the draw for me, but again, Chicago may have similar
San Angel Inn...wonderful atmosphere, not Tex Mex but more unique and closer to authentic meals
Biergarten...Wonderful tasty buffet, great setting and great entertainment
Based on the info you shared, I would go Biergarten and San Angel would be a close second

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I know you said it doesn't have to be in Morocco, but . . . Spice Road Table is one of our favorites in EP. The food is very good, atmosphere is lovely and the staff are so nice. Via Napoli's pizza is very good, but I wouldn't say the atmosphere is very special. Tokyo Dining is lovely as well, I just don't know if the menu would appeal to your kids.

 

[need2travel]

San Angel Inn is a really good option, the food is yummy & the atmosphere is great. Watching the boats go by & the volcano spew smoke will keep your kids occupied & you can bribe them with a boat ride after dinner if they behave .

 

[Tigger's ally]

Kids........My recommendations would be Garden Grill (Characters) if they are into that. Beirgarten for other reasons. Rose and Crown does not have a very good childs menu but we love eating on the veranda and watching Illuminations. Via Napoli is a fun family night.

 

[astromom]

We love Garden Grill. It is a wonderful character interaction experience. CHip and Dale are so much fun! Plus the food is really good. I have 3 kids with favorites similar to your and that was their favorite place.

 

[Owl X]

Biergarten: German Buffet with various Meats, Breads, Potatoes, Sauces and Deserts.
Plus they have live entertainment.

One advantage to a Buffet is that you don't have to wait to order and then wait for your food to be prepared and delivered.

 

[alex9179]

Our kids were young enough, on our first trip, that buffets with them was a lot of work. Their parents were short-changed on the relaxing TS experience and food at the proper temp! That's something to keep in mind if you'll need to accompany them to serve the food and/or stay behind with a young one and, they never wanted to go up at the same time or to the same area. Food courts with multiple bays weren't our favorites, either, as we always compromised to make ordering for everyone easier.

I love waitstaff. They allowed me to enjoy my meal with young kids in tow.

 

[ssmurphy28]

We really enjoyed Via Napoli on our last trip! It was good value!

One that I'll throw out there is Coral Reef. We also had a great time there and it does provide a very unique experinence. Our kids loved eating within feet of all the fish, turtles, etc! The food was fine, and it is a good option if some of your family likes seafood.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Thank you all. I think we're going to do Coral Reef one night and I'll decide between Teppan Edo and San Angel for the other.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Thank you all. I think we're going to do Coral Reef one night and I'll decide between Teppan Edo and San Angel for the other.

We're not the biggest fans of Coral Reef. We find the food inconsistent, however, that's our opinion. That's not to say you won't enjoy it and you kids will probably love the tank. However, do know that there are only a few tables within the restaurant with a solid view of the tank. And, if you're near the tank, you may have a few little ones and brazen families standing right up on top of you to take pictures and look at the tank.

We love Teppan Edo. We have a rule we go by: never eat at a restaurant more than two consecutive trips, otherwise we'd be going back again. I know, it's like any other Benihana, but we feel that we get a solid amount of food for the value and the chefs are always very entertaining. Plus, we don't go to hibachi restaurants back home, so it's a nice change of pace.

I'd also recommend Rose and Crown. We try and go back every other year. I love the food there. My grandma is from England so it reminds me of her and makes me feel as though I'm getting in touch with my heritage.

The Biergarten was very good, but you kind of have to be in the mood for that food. While we enjoyed our meal, we all agreed that "we tried it and probably won't be back."

This year we're trying Via Napoli. As NYers, we haven't found an Italian restaurant we like down there, except Il Mulino. Our friends are from NY and rave about Via Napoli, so it's worth a try.

 

[SuperPreparo]

Biergarten is one of our favorites. We've been there with kids, and they really enjoyed the food and entertainment. We also like Rose and Crown, but I'm not sure what kind of kids menu they have.

 

[LSLS]

Put me down for Biergarten as well. Our 3 year old loved the entertainment and found plenty to eat.

 

[Mousetopia]

So I need to figure out my ADRs before Mon. I'm set on the other parks but Epcot is a bit overwhelming. What 1 credit places would you recommend - not Akershus just because we did it last year. We are a family of 5 with kids young enough to eat off the kids menu so as long as there is a cheeseburger, mac and cheese, or nuggets, they're good. DH and I are adventurous eaters but it doesn't have to be in Morocco. But I am looking for something a little distinctive that would make it more special in some way than what we can easily find in the Chicago area. I hear Via Napoli is good, for example, but if it's your typical Italian place, I'm not that excited about it. Help me, please.

Coming from Chicago you have all the best in ethnic food. You will not find something better or different at Epcot. I then suggest choose based on the location or experience. The one that pops to the top in my mind is Coral Reef for dining watching the aquarium residents swim by. Fabulous!!! Unique and not found in Chicago! Second is Garden Grill where the restaurant rotates and gives you a view of the ride scenes below, and last Mexico for that unique beautiful setting where you can also watch the ride go by.

 

[ajwolfe]

My vote would be for San Angel. We all loved it when we tried last year. The food was wonderful, service good and the atmosphere great. And our kids loved being able to do the boat ride while they were waiting on food and after dinner.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We're not the biggest fans of Coral Reef. We find the food inconsistent, however, that's our opinion.

Yes, that's actually my opinion too but the kids claim it's their favorite restaurant even though we weren't seated by the tanks. So one restaurant for them, one for us.

Coming from Chicago you have all the best in ethnic food. You will not find something better or different at Epcot. I then suggest choose based on the location or experience.

Yes that's probably one of the reasons I find Epcot dining a little disappointing. I like AK for the African food options which I could probably get somewhere in Chicago but I haven't gone looking for.

My vote would be for San Angel. We all loved it when we tried last year. The food was wonderful, service good and the atmosphere great. And our kids loved being able to do the boat ride while they were waiting on food and after dinner.

Oooh, I didn't think of the option to take the kids on the ride while waiting for food. That might just tip the scales.

For those of you who've been to Teppan Edo, I'm a little concerned about how close the hot cook surface is to where you're eating. Is it right up to it like at a Benihana? DS is 4 and wouldn't intentionally touch it, but if it's right in his space I could see an accident happening.