Epcot TS - your experience please

[HappyGrape]

Akershus
Biergarten
Chefs de France
Coral Reef
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
The Garden Gril
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli

Have you been to any of the above on DDP?
Lunch or Dinner?
How was it?
How do you rate the food, the service?
Any children in your party - how did they rate kids menus?

 

[loves to dive]

No kids, mine is in his 30s. We don't do the dining plan any more but have eaten at Chefs de France, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose and Crown, Spice Road Table, Teppan Edo. Dinner for all of them (well technically Rose and Crown was a lupper, we were drinking around the world and needed some food so we sat at the bar and had fish and chips) The food at Chefs de France was o.k. I actually ordered from the kid's menu because I wanted the Mac and Cheese, it was excellent. The service was pretty good the night we were there, the waiter was friendly if a tiny bit slow. Restaurant Marrakesh is one of our favorite TS in Epcot, only tied with Spice Roads. The food is excellent if you like sort of middle eastern/mediterranean. They have music and a belly dancer at night, which is fun and I've never had bad service there but I speak a tad bit of Arabic and they enjoy talking with me. Rose and Crown, since we were in the bar and just dropped in it was crowded, I'm talking wall to wall people and the service wasn't that good. The food was o.k. Spice Road, as I said one of our favorites. It is mostly small plates and is expensive but the food is good and the service was excellent. Teppan Edo, it was just like any Beni Hana type place you might have locally. The chefs do the show at the table, the food is good. We had ADRs and had to wait about 30 min. to be sat since they have to make up an entire table before sitting you.

 

[piglet1979]

We have eaten at Akershus twice, Beirgarten twice and Teppen Edo once. We do have 2 kids currently 8 and 9. We do us the dining plan. The last trip we had in September we went to all three of them. I do have to warn you that my daughter and myself are every picky eaters. Our favorite was Teppen Edo. This was the place that she ate the most all week. They were ever nice to modify the food for her. She likes her food very plain. She ate the same stuff as everyone else just without the sauces. Both of my kids loved watching the being made. They are both begging to go back on our next trip. Akershus would be my next favorite out of the 3. The food was really good and the princesses were having a lot of fun with the kids. My son did the Pirates League and my daughter did BBB earlier in the day at MK. I am not a fan of Beigarten. The food to me is just not that good and neither one of my kids eat good here and my son is not really picky. The first time we went my husband loved it, this time not so much. He did get sick after eating the food. I think it was from drinking and the heat but he swears it was from the food. My kids love the entertainment because they can dance to the music. We did not have bad service at any if the restaurants but would the best was at Teppen Edo.

 

[HappyGrape]

my son is 9, but I don't have a girl! I am not sure he will appreciate the princesses

 

[piglet1979]

I understand that. The first time we went my son was 6. I made him see the Princesses at MK. the first princess was Cinderella and he told her that he is only their because he had too to be able to see what he wanted too. She told him that he had to see the princesses so he could find his. He feel in love with them after that. Thankfully because my daughter loves them so he has had to do a lot with them. The princesses do a good job with the boys. Snow White this time was acting like she was afraid of because he was a pirate. She need to make sure that he was a good pirate before she would take a picture with him. It was a lot of fun and he got a kick out of it. With that said if I only had a boy we wouldn't of done any of this either.

 

[Baklava]

Akershus
Biergarten
Chefs de France
Coral Reef
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
The Garden Gril
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli

Have you been to any of the above on DDP?
Lunch or Dinner?
How was it?
How do you rate the food, the service?
Any children in your party - how did they rate kids menus?

Chefs De France lunch was excellent food, but on the DxDDP they insisted that there was no appetizer for kids. The waiter also told me they had no low sugar dessert but when I sent him to check I ended up with a beautiful bowl of fresh berries. Kid menu did not really impress DD (5) but it wasn't awful.

Coral Reef dinner was real let down. We wouldn't do it again.

Marrakesh lunch was loads of fun but ultimately my picky eaters (adult and child) did not eat much. This was a day the snack credits got used later. (I loved the food. It was gorgeous!) Service was excellent and my daughter enjoyed dancing with the belly dancer.

Rose and Crown dinner was one of our most universally adored meals. Everyone was happy with their food and the service was excellent!

Garden Grill breakfast was a last minute addition in order to get in place before park opening for the Baymax M&G but it was a wonderful find! The characters were fun and the food, while not exciting, was excellent. If you like standard breakfast fare this is a good one.

 

[Dis703]

Biergarten - Our family favorite we do every trip. Food is always good, lots of variety, community seating is fun and we love the entertainment. Kids are always up on the dance floor when the band is playing.
Rose & Crown - Food is good, service is good, most seating is outdoors so be aware if you are going during a hot time of year.
Via Napoli - Didn't care for the food or service the one time we were here

We travel with 3 little ones. They don't eat your standard kids food because of allergies but they eat the best at Biergarten.

Have you been to any of the above on DDP?
Lunch or Dinner?
How was it?
How do you rate the food, the service?
Any children in your party - how did they rate kids menus?[/QUOTE]

 

[tinkerbella16]

Akershus
Biergarten
Chefs de France
Coral Reef
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
The Garden Gril
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli

Have you been to any of the above on DDP?
Lunch or Dinner?
How was it?
How do you rate the food, the service?
Any children in your party - how did they rate kids menus?

Love Via Napoli! No kids when we went there, but it is one of our favorites. Been to Teppan Edo twice, once with a 6 year old and we all loved it there. Been to Akershus, but only for breakfast - awesome use of 1 credit on the DDP, and way better than CRT as far as value goes. We are going back there in September. We are not fans of Coral Reef.. it was a one and done restaurant for us.

Garden Grill is our favorite in Epcot for dinner. We never went with kids, but this year we will have my niece with us when we go, she'll be 18 months old at the time. This will be our 3rd time back to Garden Grill for dinner. Love it there! Service, food, atmosphere and character interactions are the best!

 

[ktlm]

Biergarten -- Family favorite. Absolute must do every trip. DH and DD would be very angry at me if this was not booked. Fun show with the band and the food is good. Buffet, so easy for everyone to find something. When DD was 2, she ate more there than at any other meal at WDW during our trip, so definitely kid friendly. We have done both lunch and dinner, you can't go wrong with either. We have even gone there twice during a trip or two, when we have had friends join us for the last part of our trip.

Chefs de France-- Only done lunch here. Food was good, not great, but definitely a good meal. Atmosphere was like a whole lot of restaurants we have at home. Not our favorite, but just because there are other choices with more atmosphere or fun in WS. To us, it just felt like going to eat at home, except it felt like the tables were squeezed closer together.

Restaurant Marrakesh -- Done both lunch and dinner here, but it has been years. Food was fine, but very toned down spice wise compared to what you would get in the same type of food elsewhere. Can't recall the kids stuff at all- may have been so long since we have been there that DD was not with us.

Teppan Edo -- Pretty standard hibachi fare, but good and a lot of fun. DD really enjoys this one. Menu for both adults and kids, is pretty much the same as what you would see in any hibachi restaurant at home. We have been there more than once, but as best I remember, it has always been dinner. This is on the list of places we really enjoy at EPCOT.

Akershus - We have been here many times since DD is a princess nut. We have done both lunch and dinner- didn't notice much difference. In our opinion CRT is better. If you are not interested in princesses, I don't think there is much point in this one. The food used to be pretty good, but our last few visits it was mediocre at best. DD has not cared much for the dessert there. The tables are squeezed tight together. Our last visit, it got to be a joke that people were bumping into me constantly during the meal- guests trying to get to the buffet area which we were near, servers, princesses. It was an every couple of minute thing--DD and DH were laughing their heads off. DD finally agreed to give this one up when she hit 9- as she still likes the Princesses, but isn't quite as Princess crazy- she decided to stick to CRT and 1900 Park Fare, and I just about cheered as I can think of a lot of WS places I would rather go. There are so many great places in WS, and with limited meals I was glad to be able to put something else in place of this one. For us, the purpose of this one is to get a regular meet and greet with Belle in her yellow dress as this is the only place at WDW where that can be done. Aside of that, we skip it.

 

[rg35]

We have eaten at most of these with our triplets (two girls, one boy) over the last 3 years...so dining with three kids from a range of 4-7. We do OOP dining though never DDP.

Akershus - We have had lunch here twice. The kids all enjoyed taking pictures with the princesses. There is a buffet for appetizers - mostly cold cuts, cheeses, etc. Sort of underwhelming. The main courses were good, and the shared desserts were pretty good.

If you must do princess dining and can't get a reservation at CRT, Akershus is a fine alternative (and it's also much cheaper). Aside from the magic of dining in the royal castle, the experience at Akershus might actually be a few steps above CRT. At Akershus there is a Royal Processional that the children get to participate in (vs. the wishing ceremony at CRT), and at Akershus it feels like the princesses are less rushed and able to spend a bit more time at each table vs. at CRT. If princess dining isn't a major factor, then it's safe to skip Akershus.

Chefs de France - My wife and I ate here without the children for dinner two years ago. Food was solid and service was good.

Coral Reef - Ate dinner here last year. The room could probably use an update, but our kids liked looking at the aquarium. There is tiered seating, so you can pretty much see from anywhere. However, a lot of kids were going and walking down front to get a closer look at the action. A lot of people like to **** on this place, but we were seated promptly and the service was good. Everyone enjoyed their meals, although we were underwhelmed by the desserts.

Spice Road Table - We are eating here in June and looking forward to trying it.

The Garden Grill - We are also trying this place in June for lunch.

Via Napoli - At lunch here last year. Pretty standard pizza and pasta. Solid. I did wish that the pizza crust was a bit more crispy and less floppy, but that's a personal preference.

 

[LSLS]

Akershus - I liked it better a few years ago. Not getting the free picture anymore stinks. That said, on the Dining Plan, it's a pretty good deal, especially with a girl that loves princesses.

Coral Reef is sweet for kids to see the aquarium, but the food has really dropped in quality since like 10 years ago.

Spice Road had great food, but the kids menu wasn't anything special. If your kid needs entertainment at sit down meals, may not be the place. If not, interesting option.

Biergarten to me is everything you would want. Food is great. Lots of options for kids. Fun entertainment for the kids. Huge beers (if you partake) for the non-kids. Love that place.

Those are the ones I have been to recently, so I'll leave the rest for others.

 

[nilla]

All dinner:

Akershus - Good princess interaction (better than CRT, IMO). Food wasn't the best, or at least not my favorite.

Biergarten - Decent, if not great, food, but you can't beat the entertainment. Or the beer.

Chefs de France - Like Biergarten, the food was decent, but not fantastic. Largely a forgettable meal for me.

Coral Reef - One of our favorites. Fantastic dinner options, and the best desserts I've found on property. Also love the atmosphere.

Rose & Crown - Good food, if you like British food, but I prefer Raglan Road. The atmosphere wasn't anything special

Teppan Edo - Typical hibachi place. Good food, and fun, but really nothing different than where we eat at home. They did have a chef who knew what state we were from based on a visit two years prior, which impressed me

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Chefs de France - been twice, once for lunch paying out of pocket with no kids and once for dinner on the DDP with 2 "kids" -- 21 year old daughter and 17 year old son. Liked lunch better simply because it was really loud and crowded at dinner. The food is good and our "kids" enjoyed it I think. Service was better at lunch but then the restaurant was much less busy. The bread service is good and you don't really need an appetizer, which we'll sometimes pay for even on the DDP. Some of the better desserts you'll find at a non-signature.

Via Napoli - went last trip (October 2015) using DDP. "Kids" were there as well. Our daughter thought her pizza tasted burned but I think that's just how they prepare them. I enjoyed my pizza and wife and kids really liked their desserts (I'm not a dessert person). We asked to be seated outside because it was so loud inside (Chefs de France and Via Napoli are the only two restaurants I've been to at Disney that I thought were noticeably loud). We were on the DDP and ended up paying a fair bit extra for my son and daughter to build their own pizzas. If the weather is good you should ask to be seated outside -- we did this last October (October 30th to be exact) and it was great -- was too loud inside so we asked them to move us and then when still too loud asked to be moved outside and sat on the patio as the sun was going down in Italy. Wife and daughter really enjoyed their sangria.

Teppan Edo - have been twice using the DDP, last October and before that I believe was in 2012. "Kids" insisted we return this time and, sort of amazingly to me, we had the exact same chef we had at our prior visit. I really like the food here (equivalent to a Benihana if you've ever been) and the service has always been good. I'm a beer snob (according to my wife) and the beer selection here is really lacking but otherwise a nice dinner. Dessert selection here is a bit "weird" -- for example, green tea cheesecake -- but still good. The show is also good. I think this is one of the safer/better bets at Epcot.

Rose & Crown - ate here in 2012 on the DDP. I thought it was one of the more underwhelming dinners we've had. Not bad by any means just nothing stood out. Three of us had the strip steak and they weren't particularly memorable. My recollection is that the service was fine. I'd be willing to give it a second chance but the wife and kids don't want to return so we haven't.

 

[nkereina]

Biergarten - Dinner - As 2 adults, we did not care for the communal table. We were squished between a family who didn't speak English and another couple. Even though it was a bit uncomfortable, we enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

Chefs de France - Dinner - Good food but we found the seating really cramped.

Rose & Crown - Dinner - Food was decent, came out very quick, which made it difficult for us to stall for Illuminations viewing. We were seated 35 minutes past our ADR time too. Illuminations is the busiest time of day for Rose & Crown, so next time we may try lunch. Agree with a PP that it was nothing special.

Via Napoli - Dinner - Loved it. Been wanting to go back but so many other places to try!

 

[Stefecatzz]

Biergarten - Good entertainment & beer, mediocre buffet food for the most part. Ok service.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Also good entertainment & mediocre food. Good service.
Rose & Crown - One of my favorites. Especially for the viewing area for Illuminations. Good service.
Spice Road Table - Very good, well seasoned food & great service.
Teppan Edo - I can find better in my area for better quality & less $. Hostess & chef were both nice.
The Garden Grill - Another of my favorites. Good food & love the character interaction. Always good service.
Via Napoli - Gave this a try twice for pizza. Just alright. Not much of a fan of the charbroiled taste on the bottom. No complaints about the service.

Have you been to any of the above on DDP? Garden Grill twice on DDP, the rest paid OOP.
Lunch or Dinner? Lunch for R&C (have also had dinner here) & Biergarten, dinner for the rest.

 

[Ava]

Akershus - We had breakfast here in both 2014 and 2015. The first time we thought it was very good, but last year were not as impressed. They had done away with the cold buffet, which was an excellent addition to the food offerings, and replaced it with a chocolate cinnamon bread brought to the table. At the time they were experimenting with different replacements for the buffet, so I'm not sure what they are offering currently, but it's definitely not as good without the buffet. Princess interaction was also better for us in 2014. We probably won't repeat this one again.

Chefs de France - We had lunch here in 2011, but not on DDP. Food was very good and Remy coming around was cute. Not sure if they still bring him around, though. I would eat here again, as I think its a good value OOP.

Via Napoli - We had dinner here in 2015, and thought it was excellent. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and even the kids spaghetti marinara and cheese pizza were very good. (I find a lot of times the kids menu food is dumbed down and not the same as the adult offerings even if its the same item, like pizza, but these were both comparable in quality to the adult meals we had.) The only disappointment for the kids was the dessert; they bring a menu with pictures of all the adult desserts, but the kids choices are not pictured anywhere. My DD6 ordered the kids ice cream sundae and was disappointed when it was just vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and not the elaborate creation pictured on the adult menu. Be prepared to trade or share your dessert with your kids.

 

[CynBeth]

Akershus
Biergarten
Chefs de France
Coral Reef
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
The Garden Gril
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli

Have you been to any of the above on DDP?
Lunch or Dinner?
How was it?
How do you rate the food, the service?
Any children in your party - how did they rate kids menus?

We don't have kids and don't do the dining plan. The 3 places I am mentioning below are the only ones on the list we have been to and had great food and service.

Chefs - we usually have dinner there under the CP package every trip.

Coral Reef - we have had 1 dinner and 2 lunches and we really like it.

Tutto - we had lunch there for the first time in November and loved it

 

[sleepydog25]

Have done them all, but only two have we visited within the past few months: Coral Reef and Marrakesh.
Restaurant Marrakesh: Tasty, quiet, and good service. If your child has an adventurous palate, it would be a fun place to eat, though as one poster mentioned, the spices and herbs aren't really all that exotic.
Coral Reef: Appears to be an inconsistent gem. We had a very good meal there just two weeks ago, but I know others have had issues. Our dishes were tasty; service was excellent; and, of course, there is the tank. We had 16 divers at one time while we dined (dinner), so that was quite the show along with the aquatic life.

 

[EmilyTeresia]

Akershus
Biergarten
Chefs de France
Coral Reef
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
The Garden Gril
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli

Have you been to any of the above on DDP?
Lunch or Dinner?
How was it?
How do you rate the food, the service?
Any children in your party - how did they rate kids menus?

I have been to all but Spice Road Rable for dinner in the past year/year and a half. Marrakesh isn't that great if you're used to really good middle eastern food. Chefs de France is so so. Rose and Crown is ok. But I've been to France and live in a larger city full of good ethnic foods. My favorites that you listed are Via Napoli, Tokyo Dining, and Biergarten. Tutto Italia is good but has a limited menu. Teppan Edo is probably my least favorite Hibachi style restaurant I have ever been to. The food was pretty bland and the hibachi tricks were limited. My personal favorite in Epcot is La Hacienda de San Angel. In my opinion, besides Monsieur Paul, it has the best tasting food. But unlike Monsieur Paul, it's a lot cheaper. My 7 yr old son likes Toyko Dining the best because he loves sushi and the food comes in a kawaii (cute) little monorail tray. He loves Beirgarten for the entertainment and dancing. We experienced the worst service at Rose and Crown. We had the best service in really all the rest.