My Thoughts On Biergarten - EPCOT:Germany

[>Ash<]

Hi Guys

just wanted to share some feedback on Biergarten Restraunt in Germany pavillion of EPCOT .

I read nothing but good things online about this restraunt and the Oompa Band (which are amazing btw) if it wasnt for the entertainment i dont think i would go back.

i felt a little underwhelmed at the choices of the food, i was expecting somthing with Continental flare but it left alot to be desired in my honest opinion.
i tried abit of everything, and didnt find one thing that absolutly stood out other than the band.

i didnt like the communal table layout, i was on the DDP so it didnt cost me anything really but compared to every other restraunt on property this is the only one ive found that i didnt actually enjoy.

anyone else with me on this?

 

[Nixie]

I am with you on this, though my hubby absolutely loves the place. My biggest gripe is the stairs that you have to go up and down while juggling plates. We have an ADR for our up and coming trip. I am trying to sneakily switch it out for something else.

 

[>Ash<]

Yeah im glad im not alone in this, before the trip on the boards i noticed this restraunt get really good thumbs up reviews and i was just very underwhelmed with the whole thing lol

 

[sephorachick]

I LOVED the mac & cheese,salmon,cauliflower soup,pretzel bread,homemade applesauce,& pork schnitzel! YUM! The vanilla pudding is out of this world there too! To each their own I guess? Plus the beer is AWESOME! I don't mind sitting w/ strangers personally.

 

[AliceIn]

When you say Continental food, I'm thinking France, Italy, etc. German food is more like Russian and Polish food - lots of meat, potatoes, marinated meats and sausages. I love German food, personally, but I can see that it's not for everyone.

The communal layout is how they do it in Germany. I experienced it at Oktoberfest in Munich. It was a lot of fun talking to everybody at our table. I hope when we go to Biergarten we have folks who like sharing the table. It's probably very uncomfortable for some. I think Disney should tell people up front about how they place folks so it's not a surprise.

 

[davedmaine]

Hi Guys

just wanted to share some feedback on Biergarten Restraunt in Germany pavillion of EPCOT .

I read nothing but good things online about this restraunt and the Oompa Band (which are amazing btw) if it wasnt for the entertainment i dont think i would go back.

i felt a little underwhelmed at the choices of the food, i was expecting somthing with Continental flare but it left alot to be desired in my honest opinion.
i tried abit of everything, and didnt find one thing that absolutly stood out other than the band.

i didnt like the communal table layout, i was on the DDP so it didnt cost me anything really but compared to every other restraunt on property this is the only one ive found that i didnt actually enjoy.

anyone else with me on this?

I think your review is spot on. We loved the entertainment but found the food choices/quality to be lacking.

 

[BeerMe]

I just realized we haven't eaten here in years. Have to rectify that on the next trip.

 

[Jennasis]

Why would you be expecting "continental flare" at a German restaurant? They serve German food.

Every restaurant has its lovers and its detractors. Its something people need to try and decide for themselves, like you did. I went to Ohana with high hopes and hated it. I went to Biergarten expecting to pick at Mac and Cheese while DH ate and was shocked at how much I LOVED the place.

Just gotta give it a try.

 

[Dis703]

Wow, I'm actually of the exact opposite opinion. We just ate there last week for the second time and all three adults in our party thought it was the best meal of our trip. I really enjoyed everything I tried which is pretty rare for me. And I do like the communal seating which as others mentioned is normal for Germany.

We had a couple sitting with us who lived in Germany for 4 years and it was their first time at Biergarten. I asked him if it lived up to his expectations and he said it was exactly what he remembered from his time in Germany. He loved it as much as we did.

Now I sadly didn't get to try much of the desserts but my sister had one of everything except for the chocolate cake and she also said it was the best of any of the desserts we had the whole trip. She was especially fond of some sort of pear tart and cheesecake which she put some sort of vanilla sauce on. I can't wait to go back when I'm not gluten free to try them.

We left there so full we could barely make the walk back to our resort and I had to take a pic of my super skinny sister's big food baby belly lol.

Sorry it didn't live up to your expectations though.

 

[hawkeyesparks]

I really like this place. This is the first place we eat on our trips. I love the decor and entertainment

 

[Masonmj84]

I'm an introvert by nature and still determined to try this place (haven't eaten inside the German Pavilion since the late 1980's and I don't remember it being a buffet then).

Normally, I'd be opposed to the communal seating but, given the context, I sense that I'll end up enjoying this.

When at WDW, I'm just more in a mood to mix it up with others than I am in day to day life (assuming the people around me are enjoying themselves). For example, in day to day life, I wouldn't typically go for the schtick at 50's Prime Time. But at WDW, I love it.

 

[disnut8]

When you say Continental food, I'm thinking France, Italy, etc. German food is more like Russian and Polish food - lots of meat, potatoes, marinated meats and sausages. I love German food, personally, but I can see that it's not for everyone.

The communal layout is how they do it in Germany. I experienced it at Oktoberfest in Munich. It was a lot of fun talking to everybody at our table. I hope when we go to Biergarten we have folks who like sharing the table. It's probably very uncomfortable for some. I think Disney should tell people up front about how they place folks so it's not a surprise.

They do. Every time I've made a reservation, the Cast Member has told me I would be seated with other people. When I've checked in, *that* Cast Member has told me I would be seated with other people.

 

[disnut8]

Hi Guys

just wanted to share some feedback on Biergarten Restraunt in Germany pavillion of EPCOT .

I read nothing but good things online about this restraunt and the Oompa Band (which are amazing btw) if it wasnt for the entertainment i dont think i would go back.

i felt a little underwhelmed at the choices of the food, i was expecting somthing with Continental flare but it left alot to be desired in my honest opinion.
i tried abit of everything, and didnt find one thing that absolutly stood out other than the band.

i didnt like the communal table layout, i was on the DDP so it didnt cost me anything really but compared to every other restraunt on property this is the only one ive found that i didnt actually enjoy.

anyone else with me on this?

I'm confused on this too but then again, I was brought up on heavy German foods, having lived in the Pennsylvania Dutch area of Pennsylvania until I was 19. It's a German biergarten, they are going to have German food. Not from any where else in Europe.

The communal seating is authentic and I like it. I'm not very social but find myself talking to my tablemates. My husband had the opportunity to travel to Germany while in the Air Force and he always tells the story of his buddy and him sitting down at a beer garden in Germany and they were sitting right across from each other. By the end of the meal, his buddy was four or five people away (still on the other side) because over there, people just come up and others move down.

But it's not for everyone. We rank this one high on our short list of Disney table service restaurants we like.

 

[SoonerSean]

We've been several times and have always enjoyed it. They make a salad with tomatoes and onions that is out of this world. We praised it once and the waitress came back with the recipe and we've made it a few times at home.

A couple of years ago I took my youngest for a Star Wars Weekends and skipped making any TS reservations except for Biergarten. We sat at a table with two other families and didn't have any issues. Aside from O'Hana it's my favorite place in the kingdom to eat.

As for the communal seating... I find with our family of 5 that we often only have a couple sitting with us since we take up most of a table. I just take the end seat and let my wife talk to the strangers.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

If you read about it, then you should have know what to expect. Sitting with other familie, all German food, the 3 tier seating? I dont understand why you would have made a ADR here if those were things you knew before you went.

We can't wait to try it in September. I am not a big fan of sitting with others, BUT it is part of the theme of the resturant. That is what they do in Germany, so that is what we will do too!

 

[dizneekrazee]

I haven't eaten here, nor have I been to Germany (yet!!). But, I understand the communal seating is the norm in Germany. I would love to add this place as one of our ADRs, just not sure how the rest of my family would like it. If we decide to cancel one of our other Epcot ADRs, this is the one I would replace it with.

I think the place sounds amazing!! To each their own.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry OP I'm not with you. I love Biergarten! I'm not sure what types of food you thought they would offer, but sauerkraut and sausage is pretty standard German food. As someone a quarter German (and half Polish) can tell you.

I have to agree too that they repeatedly tell you about the way the tables are set up. Even if they didn't I don't understand being surprised. They are set up to mimic a biergarten, after all!

 

[minnie mum]

Sorry OP that you didn't enjoy your meal. Not sure why you would expect a German beer garden serving traditional Bavarian fare to provide "continental' cuisine. Having lived near Munich for 3 years, I would have to say that the buffet offerings are spot on (if very slightly Americanized). As for the communal seating , well, you knew about that when you made your ADR. Not everyone loves every restaurant. That's OK. Now that you've tried it, you can move on to other choices.

 

[IslandAdventure4]

Funny this thread popped up, we are planning our ADR's this week and I want to put this on our list. The last time we ate here or kids were 7 months, and 3, it was very late and they were in meltdown mode, the band played one song and were done. Ever since, I felt like I needed to go back to experience the entire package. So I will report back with my after review...

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

We love the food at Biergarten! I don't love the communal seating but my social husband does!