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-$12 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. It’s also one of the easiest walkups in the theme parks. 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. The atmosphere is relaxed and service is attentive. Finally, the Kids’ Menu includes interesting items like Pot Stickers, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and Ginger Ice Cream.
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. The $19 lunch is a good value out of pocket.
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.