What can you tell me about the Biergarten?

[kjccr]

We have dinner ressies for the Biergarten and I just dont know much about it other than its in Germany. Is this a good place? Hows the food? Is this restaurant considered to be a good choice to use a TS credit on or are there other restaurants in Epcot that would be a better value to use a TS credit on? Thanks so much!

 

[ModestMouse]

Biergarten is one of our family's favorite restaurants. The buffet has a lot of good choices--lots of salads (including a really good tomato salad), potato leek soup, baked salmon. But also what we think of as traditional German food: schnitzel, sausage, sauerkraut, sauerbraten, and desserts like apple strudel. Our kids *love* Biergarten. The oompah band is great fun and the kids like dancing down by the stage.

The beer is very good; they also have a good selection of German wine (dry rieslings that aren't too sweet and pair well with food). We have always had really good CMs here, too.

 

[catne]

Well, hope you enjoy it...but be prepared that it might not be as fun as you'd like. We really liked the food & the entertainment, but had terrible luck with the seating arrangement. You are seated community-style at tables for 8 so unless you're a party of 8 you will be seated with strangers. That was o.k. with us, we knew about it & had been told by others what great fun they had with that seating arrangement meeting great people, etc. One guy compared it to the fun time you have at wedding receptions when you don't necessarily know everyone at your table, but still a party atmosphere.

We were a party of 3- DH, myself & 18 yr. old DD. We were seated first, so had the railing edge seats (closest to the dance floor & stage view) Then another family of 3 - a guy & two grown up daughters. Well, they were friendly enough until our Beers were delivered. You would think we were doing cocaine at the table from the way they reacted...they were obviously horrified that people at their table were drinking beer. (in a BEER Garden, no less. And they'd said they were of German ancestry, and the guy speaks German so they know that Biergarten means Beer Garden!) That was the end of any pleasant conversation -- they didn't even talk to each other after that. Was obvious they wanted to get done as fast as they possibly could and get away from us horrid beer drinkers.

And then they seat an elderly couple at the last two seats - and they were outraged at sitting with strangers. The woman very carefully scoots their chairs to the very edge of the table (into the aisle actually until waitress told them they had to move because they were blocking everyone in the area.) But she scooched their plates & silverware as far away from the middle family as she could. And they both took their ice tea with them when they went to the buffet (guess they thought the rest of us would spit in their tea, or drink it, while they were gone.)

So, anyway, we liked the food & the entertainment. The beer was great as was the service. But our tablemates really put a damper on the fun.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Well, hope you enjoy it...but be prepared that it might not be as fun as you'd like. We really liked the food & the entertainment, but had terrible luck with the seating arrangement. You are seated community-style at tables for 8 so unless you're a party of 8 you will be seated with strangers. That was o.k. with us, we knew about it & had been told by others what great fun they had with that seating arrangement meeting great people, etc. One guy compared it to the fun time you have at wedding receptions when you don't necessarily know everyone at your table, but still a party atmosphere.

We were a party of 3- DH, myself & 18 yr. old DD. We were seated first, so had the railing edge seats (closest to the dance floor & stage view) Then another family of 3 - a guy & two grown up daughters. Well, they were friendly enough until our Beers were delivered. You would think we were doing cocaine at the table from the way they reacted...they were obviously horrified that people at their table were drinking beer. (in a BEER Garden, no less. And they'd said they were of German ancestry, and the guy speaks German so they know that Biergarten means Beer Garden!) That was the end of any pleasant conversation -- they didn't even talk to each other after that. Was obvious they wanted to get done as fast as they possibly could and get away from us horrid beer drinkers.

And then they seat an elderly couple at the last two seats - and they were outraged at sitting with strangers. The woman very carefully scoots their chairs to the very edge of the table (into the aisle actually until waitress told them they had to move because they were blocking everyone in the area.) But she scooched their plates & silverware as far away from the middle family as she could. And they both took their ice tea with them when they went to the buffet (guess they thought the rest of us would spit in their tea, or drink it, while they were gone.)

So, anyway, we liked the food & the entertainment. The beer was great as was the service. But our tablemates really put a damper on the fun.

Omgosh... that is horrible...

 

[RahRah573]

We had a lot of fun at Biergarten last year....dining is with whomever they seat you with to make a table of eight with your party. We were four (me, DS4 and my parents) and we were seated with another party of four (a mom, dad and girl 5, boy 7)....the kids had the center seats at the table and absolutely had a blast getting to know each other! We adults chatted about what WDW is like with kids versus without them.....when the music started the kids all went down to dance and had an absolute blast! My dad was especially happy with a few things on the buffet (he's German) that he hadn't had in quite a while - that and the beer....as he remarked, who can not enjoy beer & brats? LOL

Anyway -- it's a fun atmosphere.

If I had to make a recommendation between it or another TS restuarant, I'd favor Rose & Crown though, seating late so you have your meal on the water, overlooking the lake when the fireworks are going off - best seats in Epcot IMO, if you can get an ADR for a time that's close enough to the fireworks start time!

 

[OurDogCisco]

We went for the 1st time in November and LOVED the food and entertainment. However, now after the above poster I have to admit it is a weird way to eat a meal. We are a family of 4 and we were seated with a 2 different couples. They seemed really nice but trying to make small talk is ackward sometimes. And, I'm use to this type of seating when we go on cruises. We were the only ones that ordered beer too. I'm guessing the other couples didn't drink. We also stayed the longest too. They ate and left while we lingered to watch the entire show. We also had probably the worst seating in the place. We were close to the food but far from the stage. But we STILL had a great time.

We are going again in June but there will be 7 of us going so, we'll probably get our own table.

 

[ModestMouse]

In fairness to Catne, yeah, bad tablemates could make the meal less enjoyable. We have been lucky in that regard (and several times our friends/ family have taken up the whole table, so not an issue). Some people are quiet and don't really want to talk with anyone but their party; others will be more outgoing. You don't get much talking done when the oompah band is playing, anyway.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We love it! We were seated next to a couple who didn't want to talk with us, and we didn't mind. We had our own fun. : ) Everyone at our table (well, besides our kids ) ordered beers.

We are eating there again, and this time we're meeting friends for our meal which would mean we'll be a party of 6 instead of a party of 4. I know we'll be catching up with our friends during the meal, and is is kind of strange to know that another couple will probably be seated with us while we're using the meal to visit with each other, but hopefully they'll be nice people.

The food and service are both good. I'm looking forward to eating at Biergarten again.

 

[freewill]

Does anyone know if they fit parties of 9 at a single table? I'd expect so, especially where 4 are kids, but thought someone might know for sure?

 

[NaplesRI]

We ate at biergarten in March, family of 6 included our 6 yr old grandson. We had another family of 2 adults and 2 kids at the table. They pretty much kept to themselves which was ok.

We were on what I'd call the upper level which is where the food is.
The lower level is down by the floor where the kids can dance to the band.
I think I'd request to be there next time to make it easier for the kids to get up and still be near us. But that means going upstairs to get your food.

It was fun and the CMs were great there. Food was good, beer was good, fun time. Good place for kids if you are afraid they may be a little loud

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We loved Biergarten! My kids (7 and 5) ate more at this restaurant than any other place during our stay. They loved the band and the dancing. DH said next time we go - he absolutely wants to go there again.

 

[Kelblum]

Can you fit more than 8 at a table if we have a bunch of children?

 

[kris-co]

We thought the Biergarten experience was O.K. My son's ages 7 and 8 at the time only ate the pretzel bread and a bit of salad - they are picky eaters and they didn't like any of the meats or sides. My DH and I were also the only ones seated w/ our group that ordered 1 beer each. We were seated w/ 2 other single couples, one around our age (early 40's) and one couple in their 60's - no other kids. It was akward small talk the whole time and the lady next to me told me not to get "sloshed" on the one beer I ordered My boys were very well behaved and enjoyed the show, but we didn't like the uncomfortable feeling during dinner time - plus they were starving as soon as we left

 

[Gina35]

How is Biergarten for grown children? My family of 7 has our usual favorite restaurants, but I've been thinking of trying Biergarten. Ages are 19-29 for the "kids." I know one of them will love it b/c he's a real meat eater, but not sure about the others. Will they enjoy the oompah band or find it corny? Thanks.

 

[debbielou]

I have eaten at the Biergarten two times, the most recent being June 2008. We are a family of four, so we were seated with another party as expected. If you are unsure how to break the ice, talk about anything Disney! That's why everyone's there in the first place, for the LOVE of DISNEY! If the other party isn't responsive, start drinking, you'll forget about them in no time! If they are offended that you are drinking, then they shouldn't have come to a place with the word "beer" as part of the restaurant's name.
The buffet is extensive and even the PICKIEST of eaters should be able to find something they like! Don't skip the desserts! The Biergarten has a festive ambiance and the music adds to the lighthearted atmosphere. My nine year old says it's a must do every trip! Prost!

 

[RCharnay]

The first time we went, we made reservations at the restaurant day of. My husband always remembers the way the host reminded us "Your reservation is for 6:15. You will be here at 6:15-no earlier, no later." Such a unique German experience!
We weren't very happy because of our table mates. The older couple who were already seated at the table were seated against the rail on either side of the table. We were surprised thinking that maybe they would sit together on one side and allow us to have our two small sons to sit on the other side of the table and be able to see. Instead, they turned their heads away from us and refused to talk. After a few attempts at pleasantries, we gave up and ate our meal. When the entertainment began, we told the boys they could go up to the rail so they could watch what was going on. But the elderly couple pushed their chairs back from the table so they could double the space and not allow the kids (quiet, well-behaved, clean, etc) any space. We were flabbergasted. Can't imagine why anyone would be so cold but, in the end, you just try to use those as teaching moments for your kids so they understand the meaning of sharing and being kind to strangers.
Since the food was nothing special, we've never been back. I guess we should give it another try since the boys are out of college now and beer drinkers to boot. Maybe next trip.

 

[arielmomma]

We have eaten at Biergarten a few times and have always really enjoyed it. We have always been placed next to kind, fun loving families and the food has always been tasty and plentiful. My children and I enjoy dancing to the music. I would recommend it and am certain that we will go their again.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We LOVE Beirgarten, the food is awesome, the entertainment and the atmosphere are the best!

 

[ModestMouse]

Does anyone know if they fit parties of 9 at a single table? I'd expect so, especially where 4 are kids, but thought someone might know for sure?

Our experience is when you make the ADR, they will split you at two tables on the reservation. But when we were seated, they put us a table in the back so we could all be together and not be in anyone's way (but we had three really small kids with us, so we could fit). I don't know if that is standard operating procedure, though.

 

[Donald&Tinkerbell]

I am not crazy about German food, but I have to say there are so many different things on the buffet that anyone can find enough to eat & the desserts are very nice. DH loves German food & we both enjoy the entertainment. Tablemates are hit or miss but there is nothing you can do about the rude people you run into anywhere.