There are a grand total of 18 restaurants within Epcot, with more coming in the next few years. You've certainly not got a shortage of options for your days in Epcot, but which should you choose? Here we will cover the potentials and our personal recommendations.
Epcot Table Service Restaurants: Future World
Epcot is split into two areas. Future World is at the front of the park, with the main entrance and is where you will find the bulk (but not all) of the rides. In this section you have just two restaurants - Coral Reef and Garden Grill. These both offer really unique experiences.
The entire wall on one side of Coral Reef is glass, looking into the Living Seas aquarium. It is a really fun experience, although a little odd as it is primarily a seafood restaurant, (meat and vegetarian options are available) to see their friends swimming past you.
Garden Grill is a character meal, where you can meet Mickey in his farmer outfit, plus Chip, Dale and Pluto. But the additional draw of this restaurant is that it is revolving, taking you on a tour over the 'Living with the Land' boat ride. It is very slow - you're not really aware that you are moving, apart from the fact that the scenery is changing. It serves a family-style meal - meaning there is no menu - all the food is brought to the table and you can ask for more of anything as you want it. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and includes ingredients grown right there in the Land.
Farmer Mickey at Garden Grill
Chip at Garden Grill
In our experience the two Epcot restaurants have one thing in common - they are unpredictable. We have had fantastic meals at both of them, but also some disappointing meals. There are definitely better restaurants for food in Epcot, but you don't go to either of them for the quality of the meal. If either of them appeal to you and your family, especially if you've got kids, I wouldn't hesitate to give them a try.
Epcot Table Service Restaurants: World Showcase
World Showcase is made up of 11 countries, located around a central lagoon. All but the United States has at least one table service restaurant, serving food from that country:
- Norway: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall — Princess Storybook Restaurant. This is a character meal buffet and a really good alternative to Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom as a way to dine with the princesses. It is easier to secure a reservation here and less expensive. One thing to be aware of is that the food is Scandinavian, including items such as smoked fish etc. which is not always popular. Breakfast has more American style items than lunch or dinner, if you have picky eaters.
- Germany: Biergarten Restaurant - a German buffet, with Oktoberfest entertainment
- France: Les Chefs de France - French bistro - think onion soup and crème brulée.
- France: Monsieur Paul - a French signature restaurant, meaning it is expensive, or requires 2 credits on the dining plan. This has a very good reputation for excellent cuisine. Children are allowed, but it is a little bit more straight laced and quiet than most of the restaurants in Disney. Time it right and you can get a window seat for a view of IllumiNations.
- Mexico: La Hacienda de San Angel - Mexican cuisine served inside the Mexican pavillion.
- Mexico: San Angel Inn Restaurante - Mexican restaurant with a view of World Showcase Lagoon and IllumiNations.
- Canada: Le Cellier Steakhouse - an extremely popular steakhouse, where reservations can be hard to secure, partly because it is quite small. Now a signature restaurant, meaning it is expensive, or requires 2 credits on the dining plan. The food here is almost always excellent.
- China: Nine Dragons Restaurant - your typical Chinese. Nothing wrong with it, but it won't be much different to the one in your local town. We've not had a bad experience here, but it does get mixed reviews.
- Morocco: Restaurant Marrakesh - featuring Moroccan food, music and belly dancing. We've never had a bad meal here - the food is lovely. And as you'd probably expect, the baclava is not to be missed!
- Morocco: Spice Road Table - serving tapas style food, this is right on the World Showcase lagoon, and a good spot for catching Illuminations if you time it right.
Morocco pavillion in World showcase, Epcot
- United Kingdom: We have never actually visited Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room - there are too many other fantastic options to want to try food we can get at home - cottage pie, fish and chips etc. If you're missing your favourite beer or cider, you might find it here though.
- Japan: Teppan Edo Restaurant - tempura and grilled meat, seafood and veggies, cooked on a large grill, in front of you. The chefs are part of the show. Good food and a fun experience.
- Japan: Tokyo Dining - sushi and sashimi, with a view of IllumiNations if you get it at the right the time. Not too expensive and one of the easier restaurants to get a reservation at.
- Italy: Tutto Italia Ristorante - there are a number of Italian restaurants in Disney World, but this is supposedly one of the most 'authentic', in beautiful surroundings. It is also one of the pricier options so a good use of your dining credits if on the dining plan, as it only takes 1.
- Italy: Via Napoli - the main draw here is the wood-fired Italian style pizzas, although it sells pasta and meat dishes too. It is one credit on the dining plan - if you're splitting a sharing pizza, 1 credit is taken from each of you.
- Italy: Tutto Gusto - small plates, Italian meats and cheeses and pasta, located right next door to Tutto Italia.
Epcot restaurants, and in particular, World Showcase dining, are less 'Disney' than in most parks, and provides a real range of cuisines. Recommendations here can be tricky as it will depend hugely on the culinary preference of your travel party - whether they will eat Moroccan food, or sushi, for example. If you have picky eaters, one of the Italian restaurants might be a good choice. If you are travelling with any princess loving little ones, consider giving Akershus a go. If you're looking for fine dining, I'd suggest Monsieur Paul, if you've not got small children. Le Cellier, Tepan Edo and Restaurant Marrakesh are among our personal favourites.