EPCOT dining: recommendations wanted!

[DisneyDukie]

Hi all!

We are just a few days out from our ADR window, and I'm at a loss with EPCOT dining. We've eaten at a handful of places over the years (Via Napoli, Coral Reef, Akershaus, to name a few), and want to try somewhere new for a table service meal. We'll have a 7 year old and 5 year old at time of travel. I'm thinking Teppan Edo, Biergarten, La Hacienda de San Angel, and San Angel Inn Restaurante. Would you recommend any of these as a MUST do? If so, what sets it apart?

 

[Schneewittchen]

My kids were 5 and 3 during our last trip to WDW. There's a lot at EPCOT that they're willing to eat:
Teppan Edo - they both like teppanyaki and seemed to enjoy this place, but I wouldn't call it a must.
San Angel Inn Restaurant - it's pretty standard Mexican fare, but the setting is so lovely, I am tempted to call it a must. I really enjoy the views of the ride, the volcano, the dimly lit plaza, etc. And of course the kids like quesadillas.
Restaurant Marrakesh - for my family, this is a must. We have ADRs for our next trip in a couple of months. The food is tasty and the chance for the kids to get up and dance with a belly dancer is one of their favorite things to do.
Akershus - also a must for us. We have ADRs here for the next trip as well. My daughter is a princess nut, and my boy wants to be a prince. The food is okay, but really the chance to meet our favorite princesses without standing in line for an hour is worth every penny.

 

[PEPPER2029]

Think about rose and crown. My kids loved the fish and chips,

 

[s&k'smom]

We ate at Rose and Crown last November and had a fabulous time. CM (waiter) was fantastic. Food delicious. We also like to head over to Morocco quick service and again food was delicious. My daughter loves the China Pavailion and had a quick lunch there (Lotus Blossom I think it's called) and thought food was great.

 

[zurgandfriend]

My DS loved the Restaurant Marrakesh belly dancer and all. he also enjoyed Via Napoli, pizza and pasta are two of his favorites. Biergarten is always fun and a buffet so there are lots of choices. He did not enjoy Chefs du France or San Angel neither is his favorite type of food. We have lots of Tappen Edo type restaurants and he has been many times in our area so that was never a big thing for him. Enjoy.

 

[docdebbi]

We always get reservations for Rose and Crown at about 7:30 so that we are seated about 8:00 and finishing dinner around 9:00 for illuminations and watch from our seats or the patio. Advantage? not trying to entertain 3 little kids while we sit around for an hour waiting for it. We are enjoying a meal instead.
Our kids also love Biergarten- usually try to do lunch there. since it is a buffet, we get them to try new things and if they don't like them, no big deal, try something else. also old kid friendly standards if you run out of new things to try. They really enjoy the band.

 

[ItlngrlBella]

We love The Garden Grille at The Land so much, that its a "must do" on every one of our trips.

Food: Healthy food (they say they grow the veggies and raise the tilapia and catfish there - and they're always amazing). Served family style and all you can eat.

Atmosphere: The restaurant rotates and you see some scenes from the boat ride.

Bonus: You get great "FaceTime" with Mickey, Chip & Dale and Pluto. We feel it's the best bang for your buck dining wise at Epcot. Our kids got more FaceTime here than ANYWHERE we've been in the parks for M&G or character meals.

Tips: Do the earlist or latest ADR seating for your meal *(and note that you'd like the lower level seating - better view and room to get pics with characters). We had heard they only seat larger groups of 4 or more or people only staying on property but we were able to note it on our ADR (2 families of 4 a staying off property) and we got the lower level, each family in their own booth. We always do the earliest dinner seating and it's always pleasant and keeps us full for the rest of the day. I understand they may have added lunch and breakfast now but we love the dinner.

 

[DisneyDukie]

We always get reservations for Rose and Crown at about 7:30 so that we are seated about 8:00 and finishing dinner around 9:00 for illuminations and watch from our seats or the patio. Advantage? not trying to entertain 3 little kids while we sit around for an hour waiting for it. We are enjoying a meal instead.

Do you have to request a special seat at R&C to see Illuminations? Or can you get a good view from anywhere in that restaurant?

 

[righttrack]

Do you have to request a special seat at R&C to see Illuminations? Or can you get a good view from anywhere in that restaurant?

If you time your dinner in the 7pm hour, typically they will escort you to a section to the patio where you can watch.

 

[docdebbi]

Do you have to request a special seat at R&C to see Illuminations? Or can you get a good view from anywhere in that restaurant?

Sometimes we are lucky enough to be seated on the patio. Covered and warm btw in foul weather . Sometimes we are inside. If you tell your server when you order, they will time when you courses are brought out so that you can go out to the patio and watch and then sit down again for the next course, or sometimes you are just finishing up at show time and they will just take you out.
Just be warned, this is a very popular ADR so be sure to be online at 6 am the day you can make ADRs, and if you are going later in your trip you have a better chance of the right time still being open

 

[ekutchey]

I would check into Via Napoli in Italy. It is wonderful!!

We also love Biergarten they is a fablous choice!! Just know you will sit with other people as they do in Germany.

 

[belledream]

Out of your list, I'd say Biergarten is a classic that everyone should experience! The atmosphere is inside-but-outside like San Angel, which we love for atmosphere, but the entertainment is what makes the experience fun for both kids and adults. The food is pretty good for buffet stuff since it's not the typical fare. With a party of 4, you'll probably be sharing a table with 4 others, but it adds to the fun and festive atmosphere!

 

[Bparso87]

Teppan edo is good but just like any habachi
San Angel is one of my favorite
Garden grill is underrated would be better if it didn't have so many other great options

 

[DaGoof00]

San Angel Inn - Love it there, eaten there many of times.

 

[rael ramone]

My hands down favorite place to eat at Epcot is Restaurant Marrakesh. Real good food, great entertainment, great surroundings and atmosphere - especially for lunch (dinner with more people they brighten the lights and the extra people takes away from the ambiance).

And if your on the fence on it for lunch - no worries. They take walk ins and I've always been seated immediately - no need to decide now.

 

[Weather_Lady]

We love the Biergarten. (Warning: the tables are long ones eating 8 or more, so you're likely to be seated with another party.) The buffet is terrific, and has the typical kids' section with American-style staples, if German fare is not your thing. The live band (Oktoberfest Musikkanten) is great -- we try and schedule our ADR about 30 minutes before they start, so we have time to wait to be seated and make a trip to the buffet before they begin.

 

[TXDisney]

Teppen Edo is good for kids with the hibachi style. While I like biergarden. I think it's highly over priced for the quality of food. You can get sausage QS in the pavilion for 1/4 the price.

 

[The_Frizz0516]

The garden grill! I'm turning 16 soon and I still love it! China, Nine Dragons was awesome, and Canada, OMG Canada! It's wonderful there. Best food you'll ever eat! The poutine is to die for! The steak is beyond amazing!

 

[mf1972]

I'd recommend Garden Grill also. especially for kids. character meal with Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale.
food is good, & it keeps coming if u want more. as previously posted, the restaurant overlooks living with the land boat ride.

 

[GeoDonJac34]

We book Biergarten for lunch almost every trip. Lunch is about ten dollars cheaper per person and almost the same meal as dinner.