Epcot

La Cantina de San Angel

Food Type: Mexican

Dining Plan: One Quick Service or One Snack

Cost: Entrées are $10-$12; Deserts are $4; Margaritas cost $9 each

Unique Items: Most everything

How La Cantina Seating Works: From 11am to around 3pm, guests may take their food from La Cantina de San Angel and eat it in the air-conditioned La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant that sits adjacent to La Cantina de San Angel.  Those eating at La Cantina may also choose to eat in the covered, outdoor seating section next to the restaurant.  After about 3:30pm, La Cantina guests must either sit in the La Cantina seating section or find somewhere else to sit because La Hacienda de San Angel begins seating guests for table service dinner at 4pm.  La Hacienda de San Angel has a capacity of about 250 people and the dedicated La Cantina seating area has a capacity of about 150 people.

Name Confusion: There are three San Angel restaurants, all of which are operated by the same company.  San Angel Inn is the table service restaurant inside of the pyramid.  La Hacienda de San Angel is the table service restaurant that overlooks the World Showcase Lagoon.  La Cantina de San Angel is the counter service location outside on the World Showcase promenade.

Advantages: Food is colorful, fresh, and presented better than most counter service meals.  The dedicated seating area is the most pleasant in Epcot, covered and overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon.  Illuminations can be seen from most tables (disclaimer in disadvantages below).  The quality of the ingredients is higher than before Cantina was refurbished.  Prices are in line with other Epcot counter service options.  Chips and salsa are filling and a nice side dish.  Churros are delicious and count as a snack credit or dessert on the Disney Dining Plan.

Disadvantages: La Cantina’s most glaring disadvantage is its lack of seating after 4pm and specifically after 8pm.  Illuminations viewing spots are in high demand and La Cantina’s seating area sits right on the World Showcase Lagoon, offering a prime view of the show.  You’ll see a lot of people sitting at La Cantina without food from 8pm until Illuminations begins at 9pm, either sipping slowly on a margarita or simply sitting with nothing at all.  This can be aggravating to those who simply want to enjoy a late meal or those who wanted to eat a meal while watching Illuminations, but arrived after all the seats were taken.  Disney does not police the area well, probably because they don’t want to make a scene telling customers who paid for Park admission to scram from a public place inside the Park.  If you see a table with empty chairs, you might ask to join whoever is sitting there.  It’s possible that a Disney employee will ask a group who isn’t eating to leave a table, but it is usually an uncomfortable experience.  If there are no empty tables and you would like to sit, I would recommend taking your food up to the Norway Pavilion, which is just a short walk away.  The seating area behind Kringla Bakeri og Café offers plentiful covered seating and it is accessible from outside, so you don’t even have to enter the counter service to get to the tables.

Portions are large enough to satisfy one, but it’s unlikely one entrée will serve two.  The menu is somewhat limited with just four entrées – beef tacos, chicken tacos, nachos, and cheese empanadas.  At $10-$12 per entrée, La Cantina is not an inexpensive meal.  It takes longer to prepare and serve the food than most other counter service locations.  There are only two kids’ meal options – fried chicken nuggets or a fried cheese empanada.  A grilled cheese quesadilla or simple taco option would be a nice addition for those who prefer something that at least appears to be “healthy.”

Value: Above average.  La Cantina serves freshly prepared food with sensible portions in a pleasant setting.  While $12 is not a cheap meal, it’s only about $3 more than you would pay for a burger and fries or small portion of teriyaki elsewhere.  In other words, the slightly elevated cost is justified considering the quality of experience you are likely to receive.

Reputation:  La Cantina de San Angel reopened in September 2010 after a lengthy refurbishment that improved the seating area, food quality, and presentation.  If you’re in the mood for a quicker Mexican meal than you would find at San Angel Inn, La Hacienda de San Angel, or La Cava del Tequila, I have no hesitation in recommending La Cantina.  For a margarita, I would still recommend going inside the Mexico Pavilion to La Cava del Tequila, which serves a superior alcoholic drink to La Cantina.  They will also provide a takeout cup if you would like to enjoy your drink on the promenade and serve appetizer-style food at prices similar to La Cantina.  While you’ll find a more gourmet experience at La Cava, the food isn’t as filling as a meal at La Cantina.  For more information on alcohol at Epcot, see my “How to Drink Around the World at Epcot’s World Showcase” guide, which provides a review of the alcoholic beverage offerings at each of the World Showcase countries.

In closing, I have enjoyed La Cantina de San Angel and early reports indicate that others are enjoying it as well.  If that changes, I will update this review.

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La Hacienda de San Angel

Food Type: Mexican

Dining Plan: 1 Table Service

Tables in Wonderland: Yes

Cost:  Appetizers range in price from $7-$13; entrées are $23 to $26 and there are two platters intended to be shared by two people that are $50 each; Desserts are $6-$8.  Margaritas are $12-$13 and shots of tequila cost between $7-$18.  The full dinner menu is available here and the full drink menu is available here.

How La Hacienda Works: La Hacienda opened at Epcot in September of 2010 alongside the World Showcase Lagoon in the Mexico Pavilion.  From 11am to around 3pm, the air-conditioned seating area is open to those who purchase food from the adjacent La Cantina de San Angel counter service.  La Hacienda opens as a dedicated sit-down restaurant at 4pm.  After 4pm, La Cantina counter service guests are invited to sit in the dedicated La Cantina patio area that seats about 150 people.

Setting: Like its sister restaurant, San Angel Inn, La Hacienda de San Angel is a beautiful restaurant.  Unlike San Angel Inn, which sits underneath “perpetual twilight,” La Hacienda features vibrant colors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and breathtaking views of the World Showcase Lagoon.  Each room in the restaurant is modeled after a different section of a hacienda (estate) – you might find yourself dining in the artist’s studio, family room, or grand salon.  Just walking through the restaurant to your table is a visually stimulating experience and one that is certain to get you excited about the meal ahead.

Advantages: La Hacienda’s single biggest advantage is the possibility of a fantastic Illuminations view.  The restaurant sits directly on the Lagoon and has one of the best vantage points to enjoy the evening fireworks and laser show, especially if loud noises are likely to startle youngsters (or adults).  The windows keep most of the loud noises out, while still offering outstanding visuals.  During Illuminations, the lights in the restaurant are turned down and the Illuminations soundtrack is played inside the restaurant just like you would hear outside.

La Hacienda’s margaritas are mixed well with interesting and unique flavors.  Menu items are presented beautifully, with careful attention to detail and gorgeous colors.  Appetizers are flavorful and inspired.  Service is attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly.  Kids’ menu includes chicken tacos, beef tacos, and nachos – all of which appeal to kids and are a nice change of pace from fried chicken nuggets (which are also available if your kids are so inclined).

Disadvantages: La Hacienda has a limited menu, with only six appetizer, five entrée, and four dessert choices.  Even the margarita menu is limited with only six options that will set you back at least $12 each.  Portions are small.  The churro dessert consists of about four bites of churro and a few sips of a so-so hot chocolate for $8.  While “sensible” portion sizes aren’t necessarily bad, the high prices don’t reflect the lack of food.

Value: Relatively low as far as the food is concerned.  One appetizer, two entrées, and one dessert would set you back about $70.  Add two margaritas, tax, and tip, and you’re looking at a $120 meal for two people.  The food quality, flavors, and selection are not up to par, considering the above-average prices for an Epcot restaurant.  However, the restaurant does offer additional value if you can get a reservation around 8pm in order to stay and enjoy Illuminations.

Reputation: La Hacienda de San Angel is owned and operated by San Angel Inn LLC, which is in turn managed by Palmas Services LLC.  This same company also operates the San Angel Inn inside of the Mexico Pavilion and Maya Grill, Café Rix, and Pepper Market at the Coronado Springs Moderate Resort.  All of these restaurants are generally considered to be overpriced with marginal food quality, and La Hacienda de San Angel seems like it will continue that tradition.  While San Angel Inn has improved substantially over the last two years and it appears that La Hacienda is sincere in trying to offer an experience that includes food to match the amazing view of Illuminations, they are simply not there yet.  They need to add five or six additional entrées, including one or two that are less than $20.  In addition, the kitchen needs to pay as much attention to seasoning and preparation as they do to the presentation.

If you’ve eaten at most of the other Epcot restaurants and you’re looking for something different, I would recommend La Hacienda de San Angel if you can get a reservation that will include viewing Illuminations.  It certainly isn’t a terrible restaurant, but there are plenty of better options if you haven’t eaten at other Epcot restaurants.  In addition, I don’t think La Hacienda de San Angel offers enough value to recommend it without an Illuminations viewing.  The restaurant is beautiful, but it isn’t strikingly novel in the same way that San Angel Inn is, overlooking the Three Caballeros boat ride and sitting underneath the volcano.  In closing, if you’re interested in Mexican, I would recommend La Hacienda de San Angel if you can get in after 8pm or San Angel Inn for a reservation earlier in the day.  If Mexican isn’t a must, I wouldn’t highly recommend either.  A reservation that includes Illuminations is really the key.  Without it, La Hacienda is an overpriced restaurant with great service, marginal food, and an attractive interior.

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Wondering how Akershus Royal Banquet Hall stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Character Meal

Food Type: Norwegian, American.

How It Works:  Akershus is a little different than other buffets.  For the all-you-care-to-eat breakfast, the hot items will be brought to the table by a waiter and served family style.  You may also enjoy the “cold bar” that features a variety of pastries, yogurts, and fruit    For lunch and dinner, there is a cold bar with appetizers, bread, sliced meats, and a variety of other foods.  You may go to the cold bar as often as you like.  Instead of a family style meal, lunch and dinner features a set menu where you will choose the entrée and a waiter will bring it to the table.

Dining Plan: One Table Service

Cost:  Breakfast: $28.99 for adults, $17.99 for children    8:00AM-11:10AM

Lunch: $30.99 for adults, $18.99 for children    11:40AM-2:50PM

Dinner: $35.99 for adults, $19.99 for children      4:20PM-8:40PM

Setting: The restaurant is a beautifully themed 14th century Scandinavian castle.  High-beamed ceilings, leaded-glass windows, and archways compliment the white stone interior.  Each meal features four to five princesses.  Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and Snow White are usually present and Cinderella and Mulan make special appearances as well.

Imaging Package:  A photographer will take a picture of your party with Belle before you are seated.  Akershus is one of the only character meals where the picture will be presented to you for “free.”  The same imaging package would cost about $30 at Tusker House.

Advantages: The imaging package is a nice bonus and most pictures turn out well.  The breakfast buffet offers a wide variety of fantastic entrées and sides, including the potato casserole which is exceptional.  Character interaction is as good as or better than Cinderella’s Royal Table and the price is about $20 less per person.  Breakfast is the stand out meal with better food and a wider variety of options.

Disadvantages: It is expensive and reservations are almost always required.  The lunch and dinner entrees are hit or miss.  The restaurant is always full and tables are close together.

Value: It depends on your situation, expectations, and what you’re looking for in the meal.  If you want the pictures and the princess interaction then this is an excellent value, especially on the Dining Plan.  If you’re just here for the food then you could probably do better elsewhere.

Reputation: Akershus is highly rated, especially for a buffet style meal.  The character interaction is excellent and this is one of the only opportunities to meet five princesses so easily.  I would recommend Akershus for breakfast in particular.  If you can get a reservation before the Park opens in the morning then you will also be admitted into Epcot before the official rope drop.  Overall, Akershus is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a character meal featuring the Disney princesses.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 3rd out of 15

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Wondering how Biergarten stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Food Type: German

Dining Plan: One Table Service

Cost:  Lunch: $19.99 for adults, $10.99 for children

Dinner: $32.99 for adults, $13.99 for children

Setting:   Biergarten is set in a Bavarian village during Oktoberfest and is complete with stage, dance floor, and live music.  Biergarten features a 25 minute long show that occurs throughout the day.  The schedule should be as follows, but is subject to change:

Sunday-Wednesday at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:15, 5:45, 7:05 & 8:15pm
Thursday at 12:15, 1:30, 2:45, 4:10, 5:45, 7:05, 8:15, 9:40 & 11:00pm
Friday & Saturday at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:45, 5:55, 7:05 & 8:05pm

You’ll want a reservation about 30 minutes before the start time.  This way you can be sure that you’ll be seated and have an opportunity to hit the buffet before the music starts.  You’re welcome to enjoy the show even if you’ve finished eating.

Advantages: The price includes the meal and entertainment.  There are plenty of options for picky eaters and the more adventurous alike (roasted chicken, bratwurst, spaetzel, macaroni and cheese, several salads, fruit, pretzel bread etc.).  Food is better than most buffets.  The German band is fun and kids and adults can enjoy the dance floor.  All you can eat pretzel bread and dessert, both of which are excellent.

Disadvantages: Tables seat 8 and if your party is smaller then you will be seated with others (which may or may not be bad depending on who it is).  Dinner only adds a couple of items for the $13 additional cost.

Value: Above average.  Biergarten features an excellent variety of food and a fun show.  Out of pocket I would go for lunch and on the Dining Plan I would recommend Dinner.  The additional entrées at dinner don’t justify the extra $13 for most people.

Reputation: Biergarten is a must do for a lot of returning Disney guests.  Don’t be frightened by what might appear to be “weird” food.  There is something for everyone here and it’s likely you’ll be surprised with what you end up liking.  Plus, there’s plenty of delicious pretzel bread and dessert just in case.  The potential downside is that you will be seated with others unless you have a party for 8.  Overall, I would recommend Biergarten to anyone looking for an entertaining buffet meal with slightly more adventurous food.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 6th out of 15

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Wondering how Bistro de Paris stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Bistro De Paris

Food Type: French

Dining Plan: NO!

Cost:  Appetizers are $10-$16, Entrees are $29-$42.  There is a four course fixed price menu for $59.  Wine pairing with the fixed price menu is an additional $30 per person.

Setting: Located above the Chefs de France, Le Bistro is Epcot’s fanciest restaurant.  According to Disney, “Brass scones, milk-glass chandeliers and leaded glass adorn this quiet bistro.”  It is a much classier feeling restaurant than the Chefs de France downstairs.

Advantages: Because it’s not on the Dining Plan and there is no kids menu, the Bistro de Paris is usually one of the quietest and calmest restaurants at Disney.  Bistro is also one of the more romantic and intimate dining experiences available at any Park.  The wine list, food, and service are usually excellent.

Disadvantages: Bistro de Paris is one of the most expensive restaurants.  The dress code is rarely enforced.  Some tables are too close together.

Value: Above average.  Although Le Bistro is one of the most expensive restaurants at Disney, it is also classier and quieter than just about anywhere else on property.

Reputation: I would recommend the Bistro de Paris to any couple that’s looking to share a special meal at Disney World.  Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian is even more romantic, but it is also more than twice as expensive, difficult to get reservations, and you will have to dress up for it.  Bistro de Paris is a nice alternative, especially if you can get a window seat to view the fireworks during Illuminations.  The food, service, and atmosphere are better for adults than any other restaurant at Epcot, but you’ll be paying extra for that premium.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 7th out of 15

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Wondering how Les Chefs de France stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Food Type: French

Dining Plan: 1 Table Service

Cost:  Lunch appetizers are $5-$10 and entrées are $12-$20.  There is a three course fixed price menu for $20.  Dinner appetizers are $10-$12 and entrées are $19-$35.  There is also a three course fixed price menu for $37.

Setting: One floor beneath Le Bistro is this elegantly themed French “Brasserie.”  The atmosphere is relaxed and more casual than Le Bistro upstairs.

Advantages: You can order the fixed price menu on the Dining Plan, which includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.  Chef Remy (of Ratatouille fame) may make an appearance during lunch.  The relaxed atmosphere and lower prices are more appealing to families.   The fixed price lunch menu offers a nice variety of food at a reasonable price.  Hot baguettes are served throughout the meal and the desserts are wonderful.

Disadvantages: The tables at Les Chefs are right on top of each other and it gets noisy and crowded.  The children’s menu leaves something to be desired.  Service is usually slow.

Value: The $20 fixed price lunch is a good value out of pocket.  On the Dining Plan, the $37 fixed price dinner costs almost as much as a day on the Plan, making it an excellent value.

Reputation: Chefs de France is a solid table service option.  Lunch is moderately priced and dinner on the Dining Plan is a good value.  The restaurant is themed well and the food is usually good.  Seeing Remy at lunch is an added bonus.  If you’re dining in the evening, try to get a table near the window to view the fireworks during illuminations.  The onion soup, macaroni dish, and profiteroles are all recommended.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 9th out of 15

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Wondering how Le Cellier stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Food Type: Canadian – Steak, mostly

Dining Plan: As of March 1st 2011, lunch is now one table service credit and dinner is now two table service credits

Cost:  Lunch appetizers are $5-$18 and entrées are $15-$32.  Dinner appetizers cost $9-$16 and Entrées cost $23-$42.

Setting: Le Cellier is housed inside of a dark, dark cellar hidden away in the Canada Pavilion.  If this wasn’t the most popular restaurant at Epcot, you probably wouldn’t know it’s there.

Advantages: Le Cellier offers a wide variety of quality meats, including filet mignon, prime rib, New York strip, chicken breast, pork chop, scallops, and veal.  Pretzel bread and cheese soup are among the most recommended dishes at Disney.  Food is prepared to order and executed consistently.  Service is attentive and servers are knowledgeable about the menu.  Kids menu includes a smaller portion of the cheese soup, steak, and ice cream.  One of the best beer lists you’ll find at Disney.

Disadvantages: Now that Le Cellier is a “signature dining experience,” prices have risen, but quality remains the same.  Appetizers are overpriced out of pocket.  Restaurant is dark and not necessarily inviting.  It’s still difficult to get a reservation.

Value: Above average.  Le Cellier’s prices have risen, but they are still in line with general Disney pricing.  That is, entrees are about $10 “overpriced,” compared to what you would pay at a similar restaurant in the “real world.”  This would be an expensive meal out of pocket, but it’s also one of the highest quality meals at Disney, both in terms of food quality and service.

Reputation:  Le Cellier was once the most coveted dining reservation on Disney property, but the price increase and switch to a “signature dining experience” has lessened its popularity.  It’s still one of the better meals in any theme park in the world, but it’s difficult to justify a $42 8oz steak or $9 cup of cheddar cheese soup.  I would shy toward a lunch reservation and then perhaps a dinner reservation on a subsequent trip if you love it.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 2nd out of 15

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Wondering how Nine Dragons stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Food Type: Chinese

Dining Plan: 1 Table Service

Cost:  Lunch appetizers cost $6-$12 and entrées cost $13-$22.  There is a two course (soup and entrée) fixed price meal available for $19 per person.  Dinner appetizers are $6-$11 and entrées are $16-$26.  There is a three course (soup, entrée, dessert) fixed price meal available for $24 per person.

Setting: Inside of the Chinese Pavilion at Epcot is a wonderfully themed Chinese restaurant.  Nine Dragons is one of the larger restaurants at Epcot and it was renovated in September 2008.  It now features a beautiful glass mural of two dragons chasing a glowing pearl, rosewood wall panels, and is lighted by traditional Chinese lanterns.

Advantages: Nine Dragons is large and it’s likely that you can get a reservation when other restaurants are booked.  The menu features entrées similar to most American Chinese restaurants and also includes several more traditional entrées like the Five-Spiced Fish.  The restaurant is beautifully themed and a lot of attention is spent on the presentation of the food.

Disadvantages: The entrées are expensive and portions will be smaller than your local Chinese takeout.  The Peking Duck entrée is long gone.

Value: Average.  The entrées are $5-$10 more than they would be at a local Chinese restaurant, but the quality of the food and presentation is probably higher.  Nine Dragons is priced in line with other Disney restaurants so nothing should be shocking.

Reputation: This used to be one of the least recommended restaurants on property, but since the September 2008 renovation it has improved immensely.  If you’ve eaten here in the past and hated it, you might give it another chance, especially if getting a reservation elsewhere is proving to be difficult.  Food tastes fresh, service is attentive, and the restaurant is beautiful.  Both Japanese restaurants are better, but if you’re looking for something a little different, Nine Dragons is in no way a poor decision.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 10th out of 15

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Wondering how Restaurant Marrakesh stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Food Type: Moroccan

Dining Plan: 1 Table Service.  The Sampler Platters have an extra $5 surcharge.

Cost:  Lunch appetizers: $6-$16, entrées: $15-$28.  Dinner appetizers: $7-$14, Entrées: $21-$43.

Setting: Marrakesh is a beautifully themed Moroccan palace.  If it weren’t for all the kids, shorts, and Mickey ears you’d probably think you were really in Morocco.  There is a belly dancer and Moroccan band for your entertainment as well.  The band plays for about 15 minutes and the belly dancer performs for about 10 minutes.  The show should start at 12:50, 1:50, 2:50, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and 8:10pm.  I would recommend a reservation about 30 minutes before the start of the show so you can be sure you are seated and have a chance to order before the show starts.

Advantages: Staff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the menu.  The entertainment is a nice bonus and its short duration will give you an opportunity to chat as well as enjoy a little bit of Morocco.  This is an opportunity to try something a little “different,” although the food is still catered to “American” tastes and sensibilities.  I would recommend the refreshing Moroccan Mint Tea as your beverage.

Disadvantages: Another expensive meal that can be noisy and has tables close together.  The belly dancer is only out for a short time and not all views are great.  The menu may not appeal to all guests, especially children too old for the children’s menu, but not old enough to appreciate different tastes. The menu is limited on the Dining Plan.  The kids menu doesn’t have any interesting entrées.

Value: Average.  Marrakesh can get expensive, especially once you start considering the various $35+ platters and the $42 per person feast.  I would recommend sharing a platter to experience a variety of Moroccan flavors economically.

Reputation: Marrakesh is not as popular as it should be because many people find the perceived exoticness of Moroccan food unappealing.  This is unfortunate because Marrakesh is suited to American tastes and many of the entrées are simply marinated meats in traditional sauces.  If you’ve tried a few of the other “safer” Epcot restaurants I would recommend giving this one a try.  On the other hand, the Moroccan counter service is also excellent and an even better value on the Dining Plan, as you can easily get a $20 meal for one quick service credit.  Overall, Marrakesh is on my list of top five Epcot restaurants, but it’s probably on the lower end of that list.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 13th out of 15

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Wondering how Rose & Crown stacks up against the other Epcot Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of all 15 Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.

Food Type: British

Dining Plan: 1 Table Service.

Cost:  Lunch appetizers: $6-$13, entrées: $11-$16.  Dinner appetizers: $4-$13, Entrées: $16-$25.

Setting: Located in the United Kingdom Pavilion, Rose and Crown is modeled after a traditional British pub.  As you might expect, there is a lot of shiny wood and alcohol.  The restaurant also houses a bar where you can order beer and drinks.  Ideally, you want to sit outside on the patio during Illuminations as this is one of the best and most comfortable places to view the fireworks.  If Illuminations is scheduled for 9pm then you’ll want a reservation around 7:45-8PM to make sure you get seated.  If you do get seated inside, tell your waiter that you would like to step outside to the viewing area for Illuminations and they should be able to time your meal so your food isn’t sitting cold while you’re outside.

Advantages: This is one of the more consistent options at Disney both in terms of food quality and service.  Most everything is good, from the bangers and mash, to the pot pie, to the fish and chips, to the sticky toffee pudding for dessert.  Beer and alcohol are abundantly available.  Prices are relatively inexpensive.  A solid sandwich at lunch is around $12 and most entrées are under $20 for dinner.  The opportunity to sit outside and enjoy a Guinness and a Shepherd’s Pie during Illuminations can’t be beat.

Disadvantages: Officially, the Rose and Crown will not guarantee a patio seat and you have to take the table they offer.  My recommendation would be to tell the person checking you in that you would like to sit on the patio and will wait as long as it takes.  In practice, this usually works since many people aren’t even aware that patio seating is available.  The menu is somewhat limited and changes more often than others.  We miss several past entrées and desserts.

Value: Above average to excellent.  This is one of the cheaper sit-down restaurants at Epcot.   A $12 sandwich at Rose and Crown beats an $8 bacon double cheeseburger at counter service for lunch by a long shot.  Those looking to “maximize” the Dining Plan can also get the $25 steak and fish combo at dinner.  Although it’s cheaper than other restaurants, I don’t think affordability should be held against it on the Dining Plan.

Reputation: The Rose & Crown is a great spot for lunch or dinner, on or off the Dining Plan.  If you can get a table on the patio during Illuminations then this is probably the best meal at Epcot.  There is also indoor air-conditioned seating on hot or rainy days or during lunch.  The bar is a convenient and fun way to pop inside and enjoy a beer with other like-minded adults.  I recommend the Rose and Crown to anyone.  It’s a great meal and if you can get outside on the patio for Illuminations it is truly magical.

Overall Rank on The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants: 1st out of 15

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