Opinions on Biergarten

[eeyore45]

we were there on Sunday night and they changed a few things that I was disappointed in...I loved the potato leek soup and they put in cream of asparagus...not my favorite..they also got rid of the salmon and put in mustard sauce over cod...but most of the food was not bad...I probably wont go on our next trek to the House of the Mouse...probably find another place.

wow! Thank you for that update!

 

[IWRBIE]

Overall, I’d say the food is okay at best, but there is certainly enough variety that everyone should be able to find something they like. The main draw of Biergarten really is the atmosphere, entertainment, and, of course, liters of beer.

 

[csmommy]

One of our families favorites - we go every trip.

 

[HopperFan]

We enjoy and while my kids would go every trip, I like to spread the wealth so we go off and on = we eat there about 2-3 times a year. Going next week!
- Food is good, typical German fare somewhat Americanized
- Wide variety so most folks should find plenty to eat
- Plus with buffet if you don't like it after you try it, get something new
- Pretzel Rolls, honestly could eat a dozen
- LOVE LOVE their desserts and I could fill up on just those
- Wide variety of beers available and fun to drink in the atmosphere, try the flight if you aren't sure
- German students working are full of great info, explaining about foods and home - talk to them!
- Musical entertainment, dancing optional
- Dark, cool, food, music - all a plus in the middle of our day
- Great for any combination of guests - families, couples, groups, singles
- Be prepared for communal seating. Unless you can fill a table, that is pretty much non-optional. We've had all kinds of combinations and have to say only once did our table mates not speak to us .... but I'm sure we had more fun anyway.

 

[NuJoy]

I don't live for buffets and I've never been impressed with German cuisine in the past; so Biergarten remained one of the Epcot restaurants we had pushed aside in favor of others that appealed to us more. We were feeling adventurous, was attracted by the advertised live entertainment, and the interior looked lovely in the pictures I had seen online.

We ate there for dinner in September. I did like the theming/atmosphere. Our table mates were pleasant and friendly; therefore, I wish I could say I didn't mind the communal arrangement; but I tend to have stranger anxiety (unless/until sufficiently imbibed) and am very self-conscience of perceiving others "watching" me eat. My husband is very good with people, and I had psyched myself for it, so it was fine that one time to be able to have the full experience. The entertainment was much shorter lasting than I expected it would be. IIRC, they began as we walked in and by the time I had sat down from my trip to the buffet, they were finishing up. They did not perform again the duration of our meal. The food was exactly as expected, so it didn't raise nor decrease my enjoyment level of German cuisine. It was the mostly mono-toned colored, brick-in-the-stomach feeling food I had remembered from my few experiences before.

I have one rave, though. I am accustomed to drinking German Rieslings and they had a good variety to choose from. I asked the waiter to suggest one that had a mid sweetness level; and what he brought back may be the best Reisling I have ever had...very memorable and blissful. All-in-all, I am glad to say we experienced Biergarten; but I'm good with German fare for another 15-20 years.

 

[minnie mum]

we were there on Sunday night and they changed a few things that I was disappointed in...I loved the potato leek soup and they put in cream of asparagus...not my favorite..t

Hmmm. I wonder if this isn't a tip of the hat to Germany's infatuation with asparagus. In Germany, May is Spargel (asparagus) Fest time. Almost every restaurant will feature multiple asparagus dishes.

 

[samsteele]

I've been twice for lunch and enjoyed the first visit much better than the last. During my last visit, over this President's Day Weekend, they just couldn't handle the crowds efficiently & it became a huge time black hole. My ressie was for shortly after 11 am, I waited 20 mins in the check-in line, waited another 20 mins to be grouped by the hostess for a table, and was bumped from my first group as I was a solo diner and a couple fit better into their grouping plans. Once seated, the line for the buffet was at least another 20 mins. So . . . an hour from arriving at the restaurant to getting my plate of food. I had assumed that being a beer hall, and having such strong legs in Epcot for so long, they would have a better established strategy for seating large numbers of guests during high volume holiday weekends. I should not have assumed & I would likely have had a more pleasant lunch at a less popular table service such as Marrakesh. Lesson learned. I will now stay well clear on busy park days. Biergarten IMHO is a much better choice during non-peak times and on the week days. However, I have always enjoyed the food and found Biergarten can be a great chance to try different foods. eg I had never tried beets before last Feb, had them on the buffet, loved the flavour, and now find myself sneaking cans of rosebud beets into my shopping cart The entertainment is very good and for the price of a buffet, you almost get a full dinner show experience. Another tip I have learned: once the host/hostess starts to gather your group to bring you into the beer hall and to your table (they seat each long table at once) try to get right behind him/her as you walk in so that you have the option of sitting at the end of the table closest to the stage. Much better view and should your new dining companions not be terribly friendly, at least you aren't surrounded on all sides by awkward silence.

 

[midnightlouise]

I am not a fan of German food and neither is DS11, but DH and DS15 adore it, so we go every year for them. (The lovely beer and German wines ease my pain haha). I've never left hungry, so if you like German food, you definitely need to try it. The atmosphere is a lot of fun, too.

 

[PantherPete]

Just wondering how the food is. It will be family of three not picky eaters.

Cabbage, sausages, buttered dumplings, oompa band and beer. So in other words, heaven on earth. My family's traditional last night at Disney. We get there in time to see the band's last set. We eat, drink, and are merry. Then we walk out and see Illuminations. I'll be there on Friday, 11/13. The beer can be very strong and it comes in very large steins and glasses. I think they are about 1/2 liter or more. I had 3 one year and tipped the waitress in cash (we had DDP, so that was already paid for). She was extremely thankful. Like over the top thankful. Next morning, I noticed that a $50 bill in my wallet was gone. I intended to tip her $20 (the dinner check was around $100 or so). I apparently gave her $50. If I get her this year, I'll stiff her and make up for it. (I'm kidding of course)

 

[Pit46]

Thanks y'all

 

[Tardisblue]

I've never been in all the years we've visited WDW. Hoping against hope to get in on Father's Day this year - not holding my breath. Sounds like a fun time with decent food and great beer.

Cheers!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

As a conesuire of cased meats...I thoroughly like it...it's almost like a "dinner show"
With oompah band there as well...

But...it pretty heavy for our "chickenized" palates and as with all buffets... There is a bit of inconsistency/freshness issues at times.

You have to like that type of food or be open to heavy to get the proper enjoyment out of the place.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I've never been in all the years we've visited WDW. Hoping against hope to get in on Father's Day this year - not holding my breath. Sounds like a fun time with decent food and great beer.

Cheers!

You should book it and bail out on 6/20 before your 24 hour mark if you change your mind.

That is right in my birthday/fathers day window and I might drag the rest of the crew there or beaches and cream...haven't fully decided yet

 

[Kevin355]

Just wondering how the food is. It will be family of three not picky eaters.

Not picky eaters...then Biergarten is a slam dunk. Great atmosphere, plenty of choices, and fun. They had to wheel me out of there.

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

We ate there for the first time last week and really enjoyed it! Great selection of food and loved the whole atmosphere. We'll definitely be going again on our next trip!

 

[TexasPete]

I grew up in Germany and think the food is quite authentic and delicious. I always overeat. For me, though, the best part is the entertainment.

 

[ArmyVet80]

The biergarten is the only place my DW and I could get into on our honeymoon. We ate there 2 times. Our TA didn't mention making ADR's and it was both of our first trips in about 15 years to WDW. We have been every year for our disneyversary for the last 5 (going on 6) years. We always make the biergarten our first lunch destination on our arrival date.

The food is pretty good and authenticish. I was stationed in Germany while in the Army.
Beer/wine are really good. My DW only drinks wine and fruity drinks (orange slushes) but gave rave reviews of the wine flight she ordered. Now the winekellar is a must stop on our trips also.
Atmosphere is fantastic. We always enjoy the oompah band and have plenty of pictures to prove it. Neither of us can dance very well but with a little "liquid courage" we can make complete fools of ourselves for the sake of others amusement.

 

[Tardisblue]

Much to my surprise, we were able to get an ADR for 1:35 on Father's Day. Looking forward to trying a liter or two of beer and checking another restaurant off my list.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We enjoy and while my kids would go every trip, I like to spread the wealth so we go off and on = we eat there about 2-3 times a year. Going next week!
- Food is good, typical German fare somewhat Americanized
- Wide variety so most folks should find plenty to eat
- Plus with buffet if you don't like it after you try it, get something new
- Pretzel Rolls, honestly could eat a dozen
- LOVE LOVE their desserts and I could fill up on just those
- Wide variety of beers available and fun to drink in the atmosphere, try the flight if you aren't sure
- German students working are full of great info, explaining about foods and home - talk to them!
- Musical entertainment, dancing optional
- Dark, cool, food, music - all a plus in the middle of our day
- Great for any combination of guests - families, couples, groups, singles
- Be prepared for communal seating. Unless you can fill a table, that is pretty much non-optional. We've had all kinds of combinations and have to say only once did our table mates not speak to us .... but I'm sure we had more fun anyway.

OMG those cheese cake things (the white fluffy cake thing with powdered sugar) are amazing...I could eat just those and be done. As for the rest of Biergarten, my family really likes this restaurant. There is a great variety of food for each of my family members who seem to like different things. Plus, as others have already mentioned, the beer is awesome there. The only thing I have to say about this restaurant is, it really depends who you are sitting with will decide if your experience is a good/great one or an awkward one. The first time DH and I ate there (on our adults only trip) we sat with a family that you can tell did not like the fact that DH and I were sitting there (someone in the party rolled their eyes as DH and I were seated...very awkward but we still had fun). Now the second time we went back we brought our kids because they wanted to try it out and we had a really great time with the family that we sat with (they were a really fun crowd) even though I was hesitant to try it again due to our last experience there, then this last time it was just myself and my 2 DDs and again we had a great time with the family we sat with.

 

[Catvondita]

I love the food there, the atmosphere, the beer everything. There are a lot of options but keep in mind also a lot of meat. It's all buffet style so just choose what looks good. The communal tables are fun and you get to talk to other families. Also get the Bavarian Cheesecake it's seriously the best cheesecake I ever had!