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Here’s the thing about Walt Disney World: you never have to go far to find some incredible food. EPCOT (or the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) in particular is known for food and drinks, especially around the World Showcase area. That said, table service restaurants aren’t always worth it. I think that’s especially true for EPCOT restaurants.
You hardly have to shell out for table-service dining to enjoy some of the best food EPCOT offers. Even so, you may want to take a break from the unrelenting Floridian heat by retreating to the comfort of an air-conditioned dining room. Take it from this unashamed Disney adult: if you’re going to spend money at table service restaurants in EPCOT, let it be at one of these.
TL;DR
| Top Pick | Best Dishes |
|---|---|
| Coral Reef Restaurant | Shrimp and Grits, Baileys Almande and Jack Daniel’s Mousse |
| Le Cellier | Le Cellier Filet Mignon, Maple Whiskey-glazed Brussels Sprouts |
| Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria | Tortellini, Tiramisù |
Best Restaurants in EPCOT
1. Nine Dragons Restaurant
Located inside the China pavilion in the World Showcase, the Nine Dragons Restaurant is a chic Chinese cuisine spot. Here, you’ll find dishes from all over the country, from Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan, and Kiangche-style cuisines.
You’ll get some of the better prices for table service at EPCOT here at Nine Dragons Restaurant. And there are quite a few options for even picky eaters here.
There are the classics like pot stickers, sesame chicken, and stir fry if you need old standbys. Otherwise, if you want to try something new, be sure to grab an order of crispy duck bao buns, Canton pepper beef, or strawberry-red bean ice cream.
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2. Le Cellier Steakhouse
I won’t lie; I was never very interested in doing the fine dining options at the EPCOT restaurants. That’s mainly because I was dubious that anything served there would be worth the cost. And, as Mickey would say, oh boy, was I wrong.
Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion in the World Showcase? Easily one of the best restaurants in EPCOT, not to mention Disney World.
Folks clamor nonstop about the French onion soup that smells terrific, though I’ll admit I don’t like onions enough to try it. Meanwhile, the signature filet mignon and maple Brussels sprouts left a big impression on this former Disney fine dining naysayer. Plus, the dining room is so cozy and, despite being Canadian, felt decidedly reminiscent of Midwestern supper clubs.
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3. Coral Reef Restaurant
If you’ve ever wondered what’s the deal with the restaurant next to the Finding Nemo ride, I’m here to tell you. That’s the Coral Reef Restaurant, a charming casual dining room spot with incredible views of the massive aquarium.
You can see this aquarium without reservations from the other side at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, though it’s more fun to watch the fish with some delicious food. Somewhat ironically, most of the menu at Coral Reef is, well, fish.
Should the prospect of eating salmon in front of oceanic life feel weird, there are plant-based options. For everyone else, sorry, Dory, the clam chowder and shrimp and grits should not be missed. And if you care for a signature cocktail, the Sparkling Hibiscus is divine.
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4. Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
Formerly known as Tokyo Dining, the new Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya brings us back to the World Showcase. This sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurant in the Japan pavilion serves up individual or group sushi platters and traditional dishes like beef udon.
You can also grab some delectable Wagyu beef dumplings to add more flavor to your meal. Shiki-Sai is not a fine dining restaurant, and anyone should feel comfortable here.
This is one of the more extensive menus you’ll find in an EPCOT dining room, too, so kids and more cautious eaters will also have plenty to choose from. If you’ve never tried sushi before, why not try it from the comfort of Walt Disney World?
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5. Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
When you’re just on the hunt for a charming dining room with comforting Italian food, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in the World Showcase is your best bet. With familiar Italian cuisine, Via Napoli is one of my standby favorite EPCOT restaurants.
My favorite dishes here are the tortellini and the tiramisù to finish the meal. Basic? Sure, but you can’t go wrong with the classics.
Via Napoli is one of the best restaurants in EPCOT for picky kiddos, too. You won’t have to worry too much about a royal meltdown with chicken tenders, a pared-down margarita pizza, and spaghetti on offer for kids’ entrees. If all else fails, what better place to order some good old-fashioned buttered noodles but the Italy pavilion?
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6. Chefs de France
Although Chefs de France doesn’t have outdoor seating, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better views of the France pavilion or the World Showcase lagoon than here. Contrary to the dishes’ French titles like Jarret de porc braise au miel, this is a casual dining restaurant.
This is one of the smaller EPCOT restaurant menus, though it does include a price-fixed meal option. The France pavilion, specifically Chefs de France, might be a better fit for couples looking for a casual but romantic meal.
It’s one of the best EPCOT restaurants for couples, in part because of the food but also because of the vibrant brasserie setting. This dining room easily could’ve been lifted right from Paris.
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7. San Angel Inn Restaurante
Fans of the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros will be familiar with the San Angel Inn Restaurante in the Mexico pavilion. This is the “outdoor” (indoor) seating area you meander past in your boat as you pass the recreated Mayan temple.
Fashioned after a 17th-century hacienda, the San Angel Inn offers some of the best people-watching of the EPCOT restaurants. Don’t worry; you won’t be subjected to nonstop Three Caballeros music from here.
However, you may want to choose somewhere else, like the Hacienda de San Angel, if you prefer a quieter space. This indoor/outdoor-esque spot in the Mexico pavilion is where you’ll want to be for affordable yet filling Mexican cuisine.
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8. Teppan Edo
Back in the Japan pavilion, Teppan Edo serves up Teppanyaki-style meals. Similar to a hibachi-style restaurant, the difference is the heat source for the grill. Hibachi is usually electric, while Teppanyaki uses propane.
Since the food is cooked right before you (unless you get sushi, of course), you may walk away from this EPCOT restaurant smelling like food. So perhaps it’s best to save this spot for dinner.
Since no other EPCOT restaurants have this cooking style, Teppan Edo has the best views for diners. Dinner easily becomes dinner and a show in the Japan pavilion when you’re here.
Asakusa, or steak and shrimp, is always my go-to at restaurants like this. I highly recommend choosing one of the combination dinners if you go the Teppanyaki route.
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9. Regal Eagle Smokehouse
I can see the shock now. How dare I list quick service locations, in the World Showcase no less, in this round-up of best restaurants in EPCOT? How could a BBQ joint possibly square up with restaurants in the France pavilion or Italy pavilion?
Tell that to the loaded burnt ends fries at Regal Eagle Smokehouse. Seasoned fries with burnt BBQ ends, mac and cheese, and giant onion rings? Amazing.
Sometimes, you need sumptuous junk food. Where better to find that than the America pavilion? With indoor or outdoor seating, you can admire the 1700s Americana or watch the birds take off over the World Showcase lagoon. Or if you’ve inadvertently stumbled into the 30-minute animatronic American Adventure, you’ve earned those fries.
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10. Garden Grill
We couldn’t possibly list out the best restaurants in EPCOT and leave out the Garden Grill, the character dining experience in the Land pavilion. Here, the whole family can eat and say hi to Chip, Dale, and a bunch of their pals, all while having incredible views of Living with the Land. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Garden Grill is a buffet-style meal.
Garden Grill is one of two character dining options in the EPCOT restaurants. The other is Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, where you can meet princesses like Snow White and Tiana in the Norway pavilion. It’s also a terrific way to teach kiddos about growing food since Garden Grill serves produce grown in the Land pavilion greenhouse.
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| Restaurant Name | Price Range | Type of Food |
|---|---|---|
| Nine Dragons Restaurant | $$ – $$$ | Chinese |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse | $$$ – $$$$ | Steakhouse |
| Coral Reef Restaurant | $$ – $$$ | Seafood |
| Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya | $$ – $$$ | Japanese |
| Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria | $$ – $$$ | Italian |
| Chefs de France | $$ – $$$ | French |
| San Angel Inn Restaurante | $$ – $$$ | Mexican |
| Teppan Edo | $$ – $$$ | Japanese Hibachi |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse | $$ – $$$ | American Barbecue |
| Garden Grill | $$ – $$$ | American Farm-to-Table |
FAQs
What is EPCOT most known for?
EPCOT in Walt Disney World is best known for its eating or drinking around-the-world options. That points to the different pavilions around the World Showcase, which offer foods and beverages from their given destinations.
How many restaurants are at Epcot?
There are a total of 47 dining locations in the EPCOT area. Not all of them are considered true EPCOT restaurants, though most are located around the World Showcase Lagoon.
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Amanda is a Chicago-based queer travel, arts, and lifestyle writer who is passionate about exploring the world. Her work has been featured in Newcity Stage, The Chicago Reader, Huffington Post, and Yahoo, as well as the November 2022 book, “Chicago Like a Local” and other travel journals available on Amazon. Amanda’s favorite destinations include Costa Rica, Prague, Dublin, Hong Kong, and every Disney park she’s visited.
