Anyone like Marrakesh?

[SSH]

I'm late to the game for CP dinner packages as my Dec trip was just planned a few weeks ago. Marrakesh was the only avail restaurant for last two shows on night of Dec 7th or 9th. I really wanted Via Napoli, but very unlikely given its popularity. I'm not finding many Marrakesh reviews when I search dining link and threads - a couple here and there. I get the sense this is the "red headed stepchild" of the EPCOT restaurants. It's one of the lowest price CP pkgs. I did read a review somewhere that they added a new chef a while back and it was better than before.

Anyone have dinner here in the past 6-12 months and like it? I'm paying out of pocket for CP pkg - no dining plan - and it's gonna run 160+ for two of us (me and DH) with a couple of beers, tax, tip, etc. I don't mind forking it over for a good dinner with show seating, but if M is mediocre, I'd much rather take my chances in standby line or sit outside America with a hot dog and beer! We like spicy Med food in general, but not sure about cumin, saffron, etc. (We hate curry - diff cuisine I know - but just giving an example.)

Any opinions/thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

 

[lostpro9het]

Yup, ate there last month, still very good:

The not as bad as the Griswalds report as we go....Now with Wild Africa Trek pics!

We were not on the DDP but used our TiW card. The service was great and, what I don't think many realize, the live music and dance act were great too. We shared a carafe of house red wine and decided to go tapas and shared:
Assorted Mediterranean Salads for Two
Appetizer Combination for Two
Goat Cheese with Crispy Bread for Two
Moroccan Salad Combo For Two

It was all very good.

The menu, IMO, is really good and I think scares the average 'Merican Disney guest. I mean, if there isn't grilled chicken and NY strip steak then it's far too foreign for most..

 

[Catyat]

I've eaten there twice, most recently in May 2013. I've ordered the same thing both times - Cous Cous with Chicken - so can't speak for the whole menu, but I really liked it what I ordered! Plus, the bellydancing is fun to watch! I'm not sure why it gets less attention than the other EPCOT restaurants. Everyone in my party also enjoyed what they ordered too. Give it a try!

 

[NiarrNDisney]

IMHO I feel it is one of the better places to eat on property! I love Mediterranean, Moroccan and Persian food and Restaurant Marrakesh seems to mix them all together to make a very tasty combination of flavors. Though it might not be what the average everyday Guest to the World would expect or normally eat I can tell you it is a experience you will not forget!

 

[TRONorail12]

Had the couscous with chicken as well. Let me tell you, I felt like I just left Hoop-Dee-Do! The chicken was huge! They really packed the plate full. One of the best roasted chickens I've ever had!

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Had the couscous with chicken as well. Let me tell you, I felt like I just left Hoop-Dee-Do! The chicken was huge! They really packed the plate full. One of the best roasted chickens I've ever had!

Have to agree with you - They certainly know how to overwhelm you with portion size, I always leave with a leftover box.

 

[zurgandfriend]

We have been several times and we enjoy it. My DS learned to eat couscous there, and fell for the belly dancer, but I digress.

 

[SSH]

Yup, ate there last month, still very good:

The not as bad as the Griswalds report as we go....Now with Wild Africa Trek pics!

We were not on the DDP but used our TiW card. The service was great and, what I don't think many realize, the live music and dance act were great too. We shared a carafe of house red wine and decided to go tapas and shared:
Assorted Mediterranean Salads for Two
Appetizer Combination for Two
Goat Cheese with Crispy Bread for Two
Moroccan Salad Combo For Two

It was all very good.

The menu, IMO, is really good and I think scares the average 'Merican Disney guest. I mean, if there isn't grilled chicken and NY strip steak then it's far too foreign for most..

Thanks for sharing your good experiences, lostpro9het...especially the menu specifics. Haven't read your trip report link....looking forward to it later today. I definitely like the idea of a little music/entertainment vs just eat and go like most of the other EPCOT places...gives it more of a true dinner show value. I'm sure my DH won't mind the belly dancing too much!

 

[SSH]

I've eaten there twice, most recently in May 2013. I've ordered the same thing both times - Cous Cous with Chicken - so can't speak for the whole menu, but I really liked it what I ordered! Plus, the bellydancing is fun to watch! I'm not sure why it gets less attention than the other EPCOT restaurants. Everyone in my party also enjoyed what they ordered too. Give it a try!

Catyat...that sounds good...I do love Cous Cous and Chicken...and lamb. M really does get very little attention at EPCOT or on the boards...even from WDW diehards who have tried pretty much everything.

 

[SSH]

IMHO I feel it is one of the better places to eat on property! I love Mediterranean, Moroccan and Persian food and Restaurant Marrakesh seems to mix them all together to make a very tasty combination of flavors. Though it might not be what the average everyday Guest to the World would expect or normally eat I can tell you it is a experience you will not forget!

THanks NiarrNDisney: so glad to hear your comments...I was getting a bit concerned. Only read a couple on the forums and the ones I read were negative. Said food was bland, etc.

 

[SSH]

Had the couscous with chicken as well. Let me tell you, I felt like I just left Hoop-Dee-Do! The chicken was huge! They really packed the plate full. One of the best roasted chickens I've ever had!

TRONorail12...I LOVE Hoop Dee Do! Thanks for sharing your opinion...looks like M does have some fans after all. Maybe it's Disney's hidden gem?

 

[SSH]

We have been several times and we enjoy it. My DS learned to eat couscous there, and fell for the belly dancer, but I digress.

LOL! Yeah...can imagine the belly dancer wins over a few reluctant husbands and sons.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Ate there with a party of about 6......not one of us liked the food, primarily because it was bland and tasteless. We all had different dishes, and all ended up agreeing it wasn't a place we'd go back to.

 

[SSH]

Ate there with a party of about 6......not one of us liked the food, primarily because it was bland and tasteless. We all had different dishes, and all ended up agreeing it wasn't a place we'd go back to.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Disney Junkie. Sorry it wasn't quite the meal your group hoped for. Most of the WDW TS restaurants are pretty pricey, so it's extra disappointing when it doesn't live up to expectations. (Unless you're on the free DDP plan, I guess and have lots of TS meals to look fwd to. Then maybe not such a big deal.) This will be our only TS during our trip...so hoping we like it if I do keep the ADR.

 

[slappy magoo]

Not gone in the past year, but I've gone. It would not be my restaurant of choice, but that's more a factor that Moroccan food is not my food of choice, but I certainly did not regret going. Food was good, portions were generous, entertainment was delightful. We wound up going on a whim, no reservations, party of 2, we were seated within 5 minutes. As I said I don't think I'd plan on going if I'm making all the plans on a trip, but if I were with someone who wanted to go, I'd go in a heartbeat, no complaints.

 

[englanddg]

I ate there last August, and it was as good as previous trips. I wouldn't get what I got again, though...

 

[Bairstow]

Ate there with a party of about 6......not one of us liked the food, primarily because it was bland and tasteless. We all had different dishes, and all ended up agreeing it wasn't a place we'd go back to.

Same here. Ate there this past April and thought the food was very bland. We had the chicken couscous and the couscous m'rouzia and neither were particularly good, especially for the price tag. The couscous m'rouzia was the more interesting of the two, what with the plum and beef tastes clashing together, but as neither meal comes with any side items, we got tired of them both very quickly. The interior of the restaurant is also quite ordinary, especially if you're the kind of person who likes the over-the-top theatrical presentation of something like San Angel Inn or Biergarten.

We won't be going back.

If you're wanting Marrakesh, I'd highly recommend you go to Tangierene Cafe and take your food to the outside eating areas.
It's more interesting food, greater variety (especially if you get any of the shawrama or vegetarian platters), better ambiance, and all for a fraction of the cost.
Use the money you save to buy some German beers and some desert pastries or gelatos from elsewhere in the showcase.

Haven't eaten at Spice Road Table yet, though.

 

[Chernaboggles]

In February we ate at all three: Spice Road, Marrakesh, Tangerine Cafe (on different days, of course!).

Spice Road: The food was tasty but the value was VERY poor. I like "small plates" type dining, but not when the small plates are each priced that high.

Marrakesh: We went for Valentine's Day and greatly enjoyed it. I had one of the feasts (I forget which one), so there was a soup, an appetizer, an entree and dessert. Mr. CBs had some kind of chicken and only ordered the entree, but my feast, while officially for one person, was more than enough to share so he got to try everything as well. Everything was delicious and the prices were very reasonable, especially for Disney. As I recall, Mr.CBs enjoyed his chicken but the real fun was in trying many different things, so my meal was the winner.

Tangerine Cafe: We liked it so much that we ate there twice. Very generous portions and much less expensive (since its QS instead of table service). You could certainly eat here instead of doing a sit-down at Marrakesh and still have a great meal, but if Marrakesh is part of a CP package that you want, don't be afraid to give it a try.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Eaten there 3 times and never had a good meal. Food has been horrible every time. The entertainment is nice and they also offer wine by the carafe which I think is the only restaurant in WDW to do so.

 

[jaklgreen]

I like their beef couscous. They have a spicier red pepper based sauce you can ask for that is really yummy with the couscous.