Marrakesh, Coral Reef or Beirgarten?

[tjmw2727]

Ok - I can't believe I am tyring to figure out where and what we are going to eat next Easter vacation but my ps times are almost here

We are very experienced WDW travelers and my dd's (13 and 11) eat "almost" anything. Since we have visited many of the WDW restaurants I am looking for something fun with entertainment but not characters and a little different for a couple dinners.

I am trying to decide between Coral Reef, Marrakesh or Biergarten and may book two. I know the Coral Reef isn't really entertainment but my dd's love fish and both have fish tanks however of the menus that is the least appealing to the group esp as one dosen't like fish. Both of the others are appealing menu wise and I know they would enjoy the music and belly dancing at Morocco as they would the "show" at Germany so maybe you can help me decide.

I would love to hear your pros and cons on those restaurants for a party of 3, me, dd13 and dd11.

Thanks
TJ

 

[helenabear]

I don't do seafood at all, so I am no help to you with Coral Reef. However, I have done both Biergarten and Marrakesh even in the same trip and to me, there is no comparison. The "show" at Biergarten was cute, but we felt like we had to schedule our dinner around it since it only plays every so often. The food was mediocre at best to me. Both my DH and I didn't really care for much of it. That's odd to me because I stayed in Germany for about a month and loved all the food I had there.

Marrakesh is a repeat for us always. We do love the live music and the belly dancer (great with kids too!). The food is usually very good and if you like it a bit spicier or authentic, just ask and they'll comply. The inside of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. We've had great servers and they were very happy to talk about the food options and what they all were for first time visitors.

So that said, I'd do Marrakesh for sure

 

[ms.ojo]

We've eaten at all 3. Have to tell you, ds said the buttered noodles at Coral Reef were the BEST he ate anywhere in the world!!! And he really LOVED watching the aquarium while we ate lunch. The lobster soup is divine!!!! They offer steaks too. Catch of the day is usually wonderful. (and pizza or grilled cheese for picky eaters) This is one of our favorites!!!!!

Marakesh. Loved the entertainment...found the food to be very dried out and overly spiced. An interesting experience, but a real waste of $$ as we all had to eat again an hour or so later.

Germany: Lots of fun. Very loud. Good food. I think you'd certainly enjoy it. But it is loud, and part of it's charm is you are seated w/ other families on long tables. You really can't help but have a good time...

Another restaurant I'll toss out for you is San Angel in Mexico. So peaceful in the twilight, watching the boats go by,the volcano glowing in the distance. And the food is delicious, though like Coral Reef, it is expensive for what you get.

Good luck w/ your decisions!!

 

[TheRealDoraExplorer]

Biergarten was delicious and tons of fun. Im kind of shy so I didnt think I would enjoy it, but I had a great time. It was very loud, and they do several different shows. All the kids I saw seemed to have tons of fun. I laughed a lot, and met several interesting people. Wonderful atmosphere, great food.

 

[smep013]

We have eaten at all three.

I don't eat seafood, but if I had to choose which of the three we'd go back to, I'd choose Coral Reef, simply because of the experience. It's so unique!

Not a fan of the food at Marrakesh or Biergarten. Service at Marrakesh is spotty.

At Coral Reef, I had a pasta dish which was just OK. But the chocolate wave dessert was amazing!

I would not recommend any of the three you mention, and would suggest Teppan Edo or even San Angel Inn as alternatives.
Just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions...

 

[kimnkel]

Oh...another long range planner! The family makes fun of me, but I'm sure they enjoy being able to eat before 10 pm! It seems things need to be planned out eariler and earlier every year.

I know, I know...this isn't going to help much because it will just be another opinion that seems to contradict other posters' opinions, but we liked Marrakesh a lot. I wasn't thrilled about eating there initially, but it was the only resturant that still had space availability with the CP last Christmas, so Marrakesh it was. Our service was good, the food was good, and the entertainment was really nice. It's a little quieter than Biergarten, with a more relaxed atmosphere. I don't know about Coral Reef. I've heard some negatives about them lately, but who knows?

We are going back this year because I think my 2 year old DGS will get a kick out of the belly dancers and the music. Have fun, and I'm sure you will enjoy whichever one you choose!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks all - I appreciate all the feedback so far, the good and bad and especially why

I choose these three because we have been to most of the other WS restaurants over the years and I wanted something new.

Love to hear more if anyone cares to share.

Tx
TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh...another long range planner! The family makes fun of me, but I'm sure they enjoy being able to eat before 10 pm! It seems things need to be planned out eariler and earlier every year.
snip

Yep it's crazy isn't it? Since I have the DDE I like to have at least one TS meal per day, usually a late lunch. DH makes fun of me (kindly) through my entire planning process and then sits back and appreciates my hard work during the trip. My 13 yo is helping me quite a bit this time so that's a fun thing to share with her. So far she is leaning toward Coral Reef and Biergarten and I am leaning toward Coral Reef and Marrakesh.

TJ

 

[septbaby]

Another vote for Coral Reef. If you haven't dine under the sea do so. It is a respite from the hustle and bustle of the parks. It poured down raining and we did not have clue until I saw someone with a poncho on when we got up to use the restroom.

The sourdough bread is wonderful. The menu has non fish choices. Pizza and mac and cheese are available on the kids menus. We were there for lunch on Aug. 1st.

 

[Lisa Hale]

We loved Coral Reef! Couldn't say enough about it, and it was only halfway about the food. Don't get me wrong, we all loved our meals - even my very picky teen. The turf half of the menu is great (my DH never eats seafood) and something we didn't know until our oh-so-friendly and helpful server told us is that on the appetizer that has land and sea combo (1 skewer each with bbq and shrimp), it can be changed to be just land and land or sea and sea, so he was thrilled with that.

The best part of the experience were the kids watching the fish and then seeing Mickey Mouse diving with them! It was so very cool and he was swimming for quite some time, waving at the kids and such. It was a very enjoyable evening all the way around and we'll definitely repeat it next year and I'd recommend anyone and everyone so inclined to try it, too!

 

[tjmw2727]

Another vote for Coral Reef. If you haven't dine under the sea do so. It is a respite from the hustle and bustle of the parks. It poured down raining and we did not have clue until I saw someone with a poncho on when we got up to use the restroom.

The sourdough bread is wonderful. The menu has non fish choices. Pizza and mac and cheese are available on the kids menus. We were there for lunch on Aug. 1st.

That's another consideration - if they will let my 11yo order off the childrens menu that would be ideal. Not for the cost as much as for the choices, she loves the new kids menus choices. Either way it looks like Coral Reef is probably one of the three. They love Rainforest just for the fish tanks so imagine the coral reef will be a great choice.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

One last bump to break the tie between Biergarten and Marrakesh.

Anyone else want to comment on either?

TJ

 

[JnK]

We love all three, but I would put in the order of : Biergarten, Coral Reef, then Marrakesh. Go for Biergarten!

 

[joyjoy]

I would totally go for Marrakesh. We ate there a week ago and it was awesome. Chef Hamsen (something like that) made me a special veggie platter so my vegetarian boyfriend and I could order different entrees. It was yummy, the service was terrific and the belly dancer was GREAT. She lets the little kids join her at the end and they all loved it. Oh, also. We saw someone famous while we were there. Actress Catherine Keener and her family were a few tables over.

 

[Lisa Hale]

We must be weird or something (at the very least, somewhat anti-social, ), but we really don't like sitting with other families for dinner at the Biergarten. I don't mind talking in grocery store lines, while browsing through clothing racks, while waiting for a bus or even riding a bus at WDW. But, we just have never enjoyed the whole "close encounter" experience there. Might have something to do with the two families we've been seated with both drinking a tad too much and one getting overly friendly and the other being it's polar opposite and the husband and wife arguing the entire time. If you do end up choosing Biergarten, be sure that you're prepared for sharing the experience.

***disclaimer*** This is not a judgment on anyone who enjoys this dining experience in any way, shape, fashion or form. (- just heading off the posters that are offended that "we" don't enjoy this experience, the one's who drink to excess and just love everyone, the one's who share family arguments along with the apparent "lack of paternity of the husband" and the likening of the wife to a female dog, and anyone else that my opinion has offended due to the recent lack of acceptance of any differing opinions on this and any other thread.

 

[kid-at-heart]

The entire family, esp the 8 year old, loved Marrakesh - food and entertainment.

 

[icesk8rmom]

Another vote for Coral Reef. I asked my husaband and children and they chose Coral Reef hands down.

 

[djlexus]

Went to Marrakesh last week. I had the royal fest and found it to be okay but not great. The show was good though. I do love Biergarten the food is great but I dont like the fact you get put next to another group. Have not benn to Coral reef in a while so i can't say. I would go Biergarten love the bratwurst!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Coral Reef.

 

[Frothy]

Coral Reef for us.