World Showcase Restaurants

[bctripp]

As many times as i've been to Epcot / WDW, I have never been to any of the World Showcase restaurants. We have Biergarten and Restaurant Akershus scheduled for our upcoming trip, but i'm worried I won't like one of them / or both of them. For those who have been, how were they? I guess it's almost a little too late to worry about it, but i'd love to hear opinions. What are your favorites in the World Showcase, and why? Thanks!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Biergarten was great for my family... They all enjoyed the entertainment and the food... The food was on the rich side for me (touchy stomach) and the food sat very heavily in my stomach for the nite. Don't know about the Akershus.

 

[pkp]

I love World Showcase, but have never been that excited about the food anywhere (not the beer is another story - there's a huge selection in each country, if you're into that). I would say stay away from the Mexican place inside (the counter service is fine). Although the atmosphere is great, the food is not good at all (you're much better off at pretty much any local Mexican joint) and it is quite expensive for what you get. Also, Alfredo's in the Italian section is disapointing. It's not bad, but I've been the the original in Rome, which is superb. Supposedly this is the same place but you can get about the same at Olive Garden, which I wouldn't be caught dead at (I'm a bit of a food snob). Now, your two choices are better, I think. I've not eaten at the Norwegian place, but I've heard good things. And, if you like the whole sausage and kraut deal (I happen to), the German place is good as well.

The Chinese place is pretty good, as is the Japanese place, though I thought the sushi was sub-par. I don't think any of the french places are that good. The Canadian steakhouse is quite good and the upscale English place is pretty good - although I have never known the English to be famous for their food.
If you like Middle Eastern/Med food, Marrakesh is actually pretty good as well.
In Future World, the Coral Reef resturant is good and has a great atmosphere. I live in the Gulf Coast and typically never eat seafood anywhere else, but their's is actually quite good.

 

[SpectroMagic*o*]

I love love love Alfredo's di Roma in Italy. The atmosphere in Mexico is awesome too, but I didnt like the last dish I got. My DBF's was good though. Also good are the hibachi steakhouse in Japan and the restaurant in China.

 

[kd2226]

We went to a princess breakfast at Akershus. The food was standard breakfast fare - tasty but nothing special (except for the cheesy breakfast potatoes, they were special). Expensive for breakfast, but we went for the characters - and it was worth it to us because our children loved them.
We went to Biergarten because my mother-in-law is from Germany and we thought it would be a great educational experience for the kids to learn more about it. We actually really enjoyed the food - something a bit different, and the show and atmosphere were a lot of fun.
In WS we also went to:
Teppanyaki - expensive, food was fine, but not particularly tasty or anything special. I think you go for the show. IMO probably not worth it if you have already done the teppan thing before. Also, they limit your choices if you are on the dining plan (I think it was no sushi or lobster).
San Angel - we really like this place. It is a beautiful atmosphere and we enjoy the fact that the food is different - more authentic Mexican instead of the Tex Mex type food often found in the USA.
Le Cellier - my husband thought this was one of the best meals of the trip. I didn't, but I'm not a huge red meat fan, so no big surprise. Expensive if paying out of pocket - but doesn't matter if on the dining plan.

 

[Gina35]

My family was VERY impressed with LeCellier (Canada) last trip and all INSISTED on going again in August. So we have ADRs for LeCellier, Chefs de France (never have been there), and San Angel Inn (Mexico). The one place my family ALWAYS insists upon is San Angel. No, the food is not top notch, but it is very good authentic Mexican; and you just can't compare the atmosphere with any other place!

 

[Axel]

Biergarten is good. I've only eaten there once, though, and it was a few years back. My personal favorite is Le Cellier over in Canada. I love eating there. We go just before X-Mas, so we eat there as part of the Candlelight Processional Package. For lunches, Les Chefs de France is a repeat, and we've stopped at random food vendors selling samples of a countries treats over the years, too. My favorite time to visit EPCOT is during the Food and Wine Festival. While I can't drink, I do love the food.

 

[bctripp]

Thanks for the help. I think i'm going to try Biergarten for sure, my husband would like the beer and the food at Biergarten. But I'm not sure about Restaurant Akershus, we have dinner reservations. I know that my little girls want to go because of the Princesses, but I wasn't sure about the menu. I guess we'll end up trying Restaurant Akershus.

We ate at the Coral Reef a few years back, it was ok. It didn't help that we got caught in a downpour an hour before our reservations though, we were all cold and wet.

I find myself already planning a trip for next year, so this will definitely help. I've seen the flower and garden festival before, so i'd defintely like the food and wine festival, I love to try different wines.

 

[Hopefully]

Our favorites are Le Cellier, Marrakesh and Teppanyaki. We also usually go to the Rose and Crown and we enjoy this too. WS is our favorite place to eat. We have not dined at the Biergarden in years, before it was a buffet. We ate at Alfredo's years ago and it was okay, nothing special. I have never tried Norway, so I can not comment on that.
Enjoy.