Restaurant Marrakesh?

[phyllis1966]

Really, don't give up before you try it because a few posters had bad or less-than-stellar experiences. Including our first dinner there in 2002, we've had dinner at Marrakesh four times, and each experience has been very good. The food may well be Americanized, but most of the appetizers and entrees are tasty (the lemon chicken's a bit bland). Last year I had a couscous dish with caramelized onions, eggs and other tasty tidbits that was really delicious. The Iced Moroccan Mint Tea is a perfect accompaniment to your meal.

We've also always had prompt and very pleasant service, and the musicians and belly dancers are great (we never saw the dancer just sitting in a chair).

Try it for yourself. You may like it as much as we do.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

With 50+ visits to WDW, I've eaten at most places 10 times over, and I judge them all to be about the same, especially witht the introduction of the DDP/FD. With that said, I've eaten at Marrakesh many times and we've always received courteous services, never had rude waiters, and the belly dancer has always put on a great show. The food has been good, and yes, typical Disney it's Americanized but just as I can get better Japanese Steak house fare at home, certainly better than Tepan Edo, it still does not prevent me from eating there. I think Disney would probably have a harder time satisfying the typical diner if they did offer authentic ethnic foods. American chinese food bears no resemblence to the actual food served in China, nor will you get a fortune cookie there, it's an American invention!

Over the years I've eaten at Marrakesh as many as 10 times, the last in June of 2010 and I've never had a bad meal. My son(14) loves the kabob, we love the cous-cous. Tangerine Cafe is one of my favorite QS meals but I still like TS at Marrakesh!

Make up your own mind, give it a try! What do you have to lose, it's just one meal!

 

[tlbwriter]

We always enjoy it.

 

[travlnman1]

I haven't eaten at Marakesh in years. I remember it being "ok".
This past spring I grabbed a lunch at Tangerine. Oh my gosh! It was so good! The best lunch in EPCOT hands down. (and I've eaten most evey place). It's now a must for me.

 

[Tiger926]

Marrakesh is my favourite restaurant, so we've eaten there for lunch and dinner, many times (at least over 10x).

Good food, great service and fabulous entertainment. You can usually walk-up at all hours of the day, as many guests don't even know it's back there.

We've eaten pretty much everywhere, so we have lots to compare to, and it really is good, but we love chicken, lamb, couscous and veggies.

It's funny that people are mentioning Tangeriene Cafe as being better - I would totally disagree. The Cafe has gone down in quality over the years, and the last 2x times we've eaten there, the meat and bread were dry. Much prefer the restaurant.

Happy eating to all, Tiger

 

[smidgy]

Really, don't give up before you try it because a few posters had bad or less-than-stellar experiences. Including our first dinner there in 2002, we've had dinner at Marrakesh four times, and each experience has been very good. The food may well be Americanized, but most of the appetizers and entrees are tasty (the lemon chicken's a bit bland). Last year I had a couscous dish with caramelized onions, eggs and other tasty tidbits that was really delicious. The Iced Moroccan Mint Tea is a perfect accompaniment to your meal.

We've also always had prompt and very pleasant service, and the musicians and belly dancers are great (we never saw the dancer just sitting in a chair).

Try it for yourself. You may like it as much as we do.

maybe Deb barone made it (everybody loves raymond!)

 

[LaurenT]

It's ok...not horrible, not great. The atmosphere is unique and the belly dancer is fun. The food has been so-so both times we've gone. Not on my list for my next two trips, but I may find myself there again at some point. However, Tangierine Cafe is a place I almost always stop at while in WS! I may skip it this time, but that's only because I'll be so full from the F&W booths!

 

[phyllis1966]

maybe Deb barone made it (everybody loves raymond!)

Oh, how I miss that show! Been watching it in syndication lately - still hilarious!

OT: Smidgy, I've been reading Nebo's TR the past few days (I'm a Nebo Newbie!) and I'm really enjoying it (except for the unfortunate BTG incidents, of course)...Nebo is so funny! I'm only up to page 38 so far...

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We had a great time at Marrakesh in Oct. 2009!
I'm still trying to figure out what restaurant I'm giving up to go to Marrakesh again. We want to try new restaurants, but I just have to go back here.

Entertainment -- We arrived about 12:30 for lunch. There were two entertainers playing Moroccan music that was very relaxing. We felt like we really stepped into Morocco. The belly dancer was very fun, danced at our table stopping for a second to pose for a quick photo, and later invited children to the dance floor to belly dance -- the children were loving it. The service was excellent.

Service - Everything was timed perfectly, the waiter was very personal, talked with us and answered questions about Morocco, and posed for photos. The waiter's approach to service was a great combination of formal service and being personal with us. The restaurant is big inside but open and airy, the lighting was nice - dim but not dark, white tablecloths.

Food - The food was excellent... and I'm very critical of food. The seafood bastilla appetizer was delicious. There was an appetizer beet salad with goat cheese and other stuff that was very good. The roast lamb meshoui was delicious and anything but ordinary. Chicken kababs good. DS has a food allergy so the chef served him up whatever he wanted -- delicious pasta, french fries, peas, and strawberries. He loved the pasta. Fries and strawberries very good - I ate some! The marrakesh delight desert with mint ice cream was very good. I needed a light dessert. The mint ice tea was great too - It was a hot day... I had about 8 glasses or so...

Marrakesh is one of those places that gets very mixed reviews. Love it or Hate it. I think people want it to be something it is not....

• The food and experience is not going to be as authentic as your urban Moroccan restaurant. It's in a theme park and has to appeal to the masses.
• The belly dancer is fun and entertaining, but it may not be the best belly dancing in the world, and she will be covered up with more clothes than I dream of Jeannie. Again, this is Disney.
• People who just like meat and potatos for dinner should not go here. The food is a little different.

 

[RMulieri]

WE LOVED it..Yes it is blander than traditional Morroccan, but it was still pretty good.Dining opinions are SO SUBJECTIVE.I happen to think Le Cellier stinks, but I am one in the minority.Go and try for yourself at least once and then decide.

 

[mainegal]

So happy to read good stories about Marrakesh. I am really looking forward to my meal there.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

We were there a few days ago, and it was a great experience. The staff was friendly and very helpful, and the service was good. The belly dancer was wonderful with our kids-- she talked to them, danced with them. They had a really good time. The food was good-- not as heavily spiced as I would have expected (but then, this is Disney, and I suspect that they have toned down the strong ethnic flavors), but tasty nonetheless. We will definitely go back!

 

[mdsoccermom]

We had a great time at Marrakesh in Oct. 2009!
I'm still trying to figure out what restaurant I'm giving up to go to Marrakesh again. We want to try new restaurants, but I just have to go back here.

Entertainment -- We arrived about 12:30 for lunch. There were two entertainers playing Moroccan music that was very relaxing. We felt like we really stepped into Morocco. The belly dancer was very fun, danced at our table stopping for a second to pose for a quick photo, and later invited children to the dance floor to belly dance -- the children were loving it. The service was excellent.

Service - Everything was timed perfectly, the waiter was very personal, talked with us and answered questions about Morocco, and posed for photos. The waiter's approach to service was a great combination of formal service and being personal with us. The restaurant is big inside but open and airy, the lighting was nice - dim but not dark, white tablecloths.

Food - The food was excellent... and I'm very critical of food. The seafood bastilla appetizer was delicious. There was an appetizer beet salad with goat cheese and other stuff that was very good. The roast lamb meshoui was delicious and anything but ordinary. Chicken kababs good. DS has a food allergy so the chef served him up whatever he wanted -- delicious pasta, french fries, peas, and strawberries. He loved the pasta. Fries and strawberries very good - I ate some! The marrakesh delight desert with mint ice cream was very good. I needed a light dessert. The mint ice tea was great too - It was a hot day... I had about 8 glasses or so...

Marrakesh is one of those places that gets very mixed reviews. Love it or Hate it. I think people want it to be something it is not....

• The food and experience is not going to be as authentic as your urban Moroccan restaurant. It's in a theme park and has to appeal to the masses.
• The belly dancer is fun and entertaining, but it may not be the best belly dancing in the world, and she will be covered up with more clothes than I dream of Jeannie. Again, this is Disney.
• People who just like meat and potatos for dinner should not go here. The food is a little different.

Actually, that's belly dancing. True, authentic dancing will have the dancers pretty covered up. I am a belly dancer and have costumes that weigh more than 30 lbs and have multiple pieces.

 

[bookends]

We have eaten there the last two times we have been at Disney and loved it both times. I just had a "new" item. It was beef with prunes and I know it sounds kind of weird, but it was delicious. My wife tried it, and while she loved what she got, she thought mine was even better. We prefer not to be seated right next to the belly-dancer because the music is a little loud. I wouldn't want to be back against the wall, but not right next to the dance floor. As far as the early poster saying she just sat in a chair, that isn't true. Why would you have a belly-dancer that just sat in a chair? Get real. I appreciated that the musicians played for about 5 minutes alone (and were quite enjoyable) and then she joined them for about 10 minutes, and then they played another 5 minutes after she left. Then a 15 to 20 minute break.