Which One Restaurant in World Showcase to choose?

[Beeej]

I've booked a 5 night trip in February and am looking for dining recommendations (our reservation window opens soon) We want to eat at least one meal in World Showcase, and preferably in a memorable location with unique food we wouldn't eat at home. We're a group of 4 adults, and I'm the only one who's been to Disney World before.

We're from London, so I'm aware some restaurants might not appeal to us in the same way as US guests. France is a 2 hour train ride away, so nothing there is of much interest, same with anything in Germany or Italy. The UK is also out for obvious reasons!
I'm currently debating between Japan and Mexico. The Mexican places seem to get non-brilliant reviews, but we're oblivious to authentic Mexican food so would probably be impressed. Teppan Edo also look great fun, and teppanyaki restaurants aren't really a thing in the UK, even in London.

 

[River Country]

Teppan edo

Its amazingly fun the chefs are great the food is really good too. One of my faves plus the Japanese beer comes in a 20oz bottle and it goes down smooth.

I should also say that Le Cellier is usually very good in Canada, but Teppan Edo I think would be more memorable

 

[livyy]

Despite all the bad reviews, San Angel Inn is one of my favorite restaurants. I still am shocked seeing all the horrible reviews... There food is absolutely delicious. The Pollo a las Rajas is to die for (and so is the endless hot tortilla chips and dip). Fresh offerings, great service. This place is just gorgeous in general too. It truly feels like your outside in Mexico under the stars. The atmosphere is to die for alone. Even if I'm not eating there, I have to just go into this pavilion to gaze around.

 

[HatboxGhoul]

Teppan Edo

 

[NuJoy]

()

 

[robl45]

I've booked a 5 night trip in February and am looking for dining recommendations (our reservation window opens soon) We want to eat at least one meal in World Showcase, and preferably in a memorable location with unique food we wouldn't eat at home. We're a group of 4 adults, and I'm the only one who's been to Disney World before.

We're from London, so I'm aware some restaurants might not appeal to us in the same way as US guests. France is a 2 hour train ride away, so nothing there is of much interest, same with anything in Germany or Italy. The UK is also out for obvious reasons!
I'm currently debating between Japan and Mexico. The Mexican places seem to get non-brilliant reviews, but we're oblivious to authentic Mexican food so would probably be impressed. Teppan Edo also look great fun, and teppanyaki restaurants aren't really a thing in the UK, even in London.

Hibachi is fun so you'd probably like the japan restaurant. The problem is the Disney one really isn't that great. If possible I'd recommend going into Orlando for a real Hibachi meal, but if not, I would probably go for Teppan Edo. For adults nothing really wrong with the food, the steak is good, but they don't do fried rice at hibachi in Disney and that is one of the best parts IMHO.

 

[FelisLachesis]

You ask to stay away from the pavilions representing Western Europe... Well, there goes half of them

Mexico
Italy
France
Norway
United States
United Kingdom
China
Japan
Canada
Germany
Morocco

Everyone's talking about Teppan Edo, and that's a great choice. The Mexican fare at WS isn't good by Southwestern US standards. If you've never had actual "Tex Mex" food, you may be pleasantly surprised. Then again, if The Americans don't like it, that's a really bad sign.

I'm going to go a bit against the grain and say Morocco. Restaurant Marrakesh has some unique flavors. It's a definite change of pace from all the burgers and fries (chips?) you'll find everywhere else.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Teppan Edo is great & we dine there every trip.

However, I love San Angel Inn. It is a gorgeous restaurant & the chips & salsa are delicious. I love the tortilla soup too. The Mexican food there is different but good. Dining there & watching the boats go by is a very fun experience & it is usually our last lunch of our trip.

And I'm from Texas & we have lots of excellent Mexican restaurants here & we eat Mexican food very often.

 

[Kenny0]

I agree with the consensus on Teppan Edo, it's a bit pricey, but it's a fun show. If unique food is more important than the show though, I'd suggest just skipping the showcase and heading over to the Boardwalk area. There's some interesting places over there that aren't really like what you would find back home.

 

[DizDaD7]

Both are rather good/fun choices...Either should suffice for you. While one the meal experience is part of the fun(TE) & the other one has above avg. food but really awesome atmosphere. Great service at both too... Enjoy...

 

[ChrisNY2]

I think you'd enjoy Teppan Edo (unique experience for you!) or San Angel Inn.

 

[danikoski]

I'd go with Spice Road Table
If you get a 7:30-8:00 reservation, you can ask to sit on the patio for Illuminations viewing.
Mom and I did this in February and it was awesome. The food was different but amazing, service was fantastic, and the view was wonderful. It was the best meal we had all week.

 

[brnrss34]

I loved Nine Dragons in China. Nothing specially about the decor but food was good.

 

[tsme]

Both restaurants (Teppan Edo & Tokyo Dinig) in Japan are good. At Teppan Edo you do sit with other people, only mentioning it because not everyone is aware of this. Also both restaurants in Mexico (San Angel Inn & La Hacienda de San Angel)
are nice, though I have found San Angel Inn to be hit or miss.

 

[MamaMaleficent2016]

I think La Hacienda de San Angel would be perfect. We did this for our trip Jan/Feb this year. We got our reservation for about 40 min prior to Illuminations. We asked for a "show view" table when checking in. We ended up seated with a magnificent view out the windows of Illuminations. They pipe the music in. IT WAS MAGICAL. The food was delicious. Two thumbs up.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Love Moroccan food so my first suggestion would be either of the 2 Moroccan venues at Epcot: Tangierine Cafe or Restaurant Marrakesh. Complex use of Spice Road seasonings with the setting of the restaurant being transformative in a pleasant manner. Unsure of what to expect? Try the shish kebab. Ready to embrace the cuisine wholeheartedly? The bastilla may be the answer. The cafe offers items I can readily procure on most any street corner in NYC so I haven't tried it yet but it smells good from the outside looking in.

Our next trip in December, we've decided to try Tokyo Dining over Teppan Edo. "TE" offers more of a show in preparing meals and we've seen and enjoyed this version many times before. Hopefully, "TD" will focus more on the final dish. Truth be known I think both restaurants are fine introductions to Japanese cuisine.

What ever choices you make enjoy yourselves!

 

[Zipears Fan]

My vote is also for San Angel Inn. The best ambiance of any restaurant in WS. Yes, Teppan Edo is good; but frankly, it's not hard to find (really good) hibachi style dining. And as the earlier poster mentioned, Disney's hibachi is not altogether that amazing. There is only one (that I know of) San Angel Inn, where you feel like you are eating under the stars. And as far as any "bad" reviews of San Angel Inn, throw them in the trash if you order the following: 1. Queso Fundido for app; 2. Pollo a las Rajas for entree; and 3. Pastel de Queso con Cajeta for dessert. ...it'll be a dining experience you and your family will never forget.

 

[Moliphino]

La Hacienda is great, it's become one of our must-do restaurants.

 

[Krista Joy]

Teppan Edo and Marrakech are my favourites!

 

[JerseyJanice]

For the OP, I don't think either San Angel or Teppan Edo are a bad choice, but I lean more toward San Angel.

Better drinks at San Angel for one thing. Their sangria is very good and the margaritas come from La Cava. The atmosphere is unique, and if you order any dessert with the word "cajeta" in it, I promise you will love it.