Best Epcot Restaurants and What to Skip

The best places to eat at Epcot are sometimes not “places” at all… and more like some outdoor kitchen at one of the annual festivals. Thus is our current issue with restaurants at Epcot. Of all the Disney Parks, Epcot is by far the most blessed when it comes to restaurant options thanks to the World Showcase. But, just because there are tons of food options, doesn’t mean they’re all good! You can, however, find some fantastic food at Epcot, if you know where to look. 

The Best Restaurants at EPCOT Park

There is so much amazing food to be had at Epcot, and even more at the festivals, that there is no reason to not eat the best. While dining at Disney Springs is quickly rising to #1 in regards to food at Walt Disney World, Epcot has held the title for years! Here are our favorites. 

Tokyo Dining | Japan

• Where: World Showcase-Japan
• Views: Japanese Gardens, Epcot
• Theme: Japanese
• Character Dining: No
• Food: Sushi, Japanese Artisan, Meats, Soups

We Recommend it Because:

Really, we were so impressed with Tokyo dining. The Udon soup and plum steak were amazing. And if we were sushi eaters, we’d be in heaven! With good views, food and a nice price this is a great Japanese restaurant. Terribly underrated, the service here was fantastic, and the food was flavorful. Focused on quality over quantity, the dishes are the appropriate portion sizes, but you won’t find overfilled plates here. Miso soup, meats, sushi, noodles, and desserts make up this Asian simple menu. And it’s budget-friendly! Tokyo Dining Menu

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie | France

• Where: World Showcase- France
• Views: Gift shop interior or french street outside
• Theme: French
• Character Dining: No
• Food: Breakfast, sandwiches and decadent desserts

We Recommend it Because:

This is one of our favorite places to grab an early breakfast before the World Showcase opens. Freshly baked croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and delectable little french pastries make this one of our favorite indulgences. Grab a mimosa or cappuccino to go along with whatever you’re having. It’s the second-best thing to actually being in a Parisian cafe. Enjoy it. Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie Menu

Chefs de France | France

• Where: World Showcase- France
• Views: Fancy Restaurant
• Theme: French Dining
• Character Dining: No
• Food: French country staples

We Recommend it Because:

We love that this is one of the cheaper, and yet still cultural and fancy, restaurants in Epcot. You can get basics like Ratatouille, Lasagna and Chicken, or step it up a notch with braised Duck, Salmon, Escargot and more exquisite cuisine. The Gateau au Chocolat is by far one of the best chocolate cakes layered with mousse you will ever have. Be sure to indulge in dessert while you’re here. Chefs de France Menu

Regal Eagle Smokehouse Craft Drafts and Barbecue | America

• Where: World Showcase- America
• Views: Casual Restaurant
• Theme: Southern Barbecue
• Character Dining: No
• Food: BBQ meats, pulled pork, burgers

We Recommend it Because:

As the new kid on the block in Epcot’s quick service lineup, the BBQ Smokehouse has tons of flavors, options, and a plant-based burger too. We like this new addition as a casual sit-down restaurant if you want something a little more unique than your typical burger and fries. Be sure to try all the BBQ sauces! Regal Eagle Smokehouse Craft Drafts and Barbecue Menu

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizza | Italy

• Where: World Showcase- Italy
• Views: The Pizza Ovens
• Theme: Italian
• Character Dining: No
• Food: Pasta, Italian meats, salads, and Pizza

We Recommend it Because:

You can find some pretty great Margherita Pizza at Via Napoli. It’s also one of those classier places where if you have two hours and want to lounge about eating Italian and sipping wine you absolutely can! And as far as Italian on Disney property this one is pretty close to the top! Withstanding Disney Springs’ multitude of up-and-coming Italian restaurants, of course. What we don’t love is that it’s all kind of pricey here! But it’s still worth at least one visit because the food is divine. Via Napoli Menu

Katsura Grill | Japan

The quick-service restaurant in Japan, Katsura Grill comes with limited seating and a limited menu. Serving teriyaki, ramen, miso, and more if you’re in the mood for Japanese, hold out for Tokyo Dining instead. The food will be of much higher quality and not that much more expensive. 

Epcot Restaurants On Our List TO TRY

• Tangerine Cafe
• Spice Road Table
• Monsieur Paul
• La Cellier

Epcot Restaurants YOU CAN SKIP

Lotus Blossom Cafe

This is your basic fast-food Chinese. The pork and vegetable egg rolls here are decent, and the peach oolong tea is nice. Almost everything else on the menu has the standard high msg found in Chinese foods so finding somewhere else to eat, especially when it’s hot out, could be good for your heart and hydration levels! If you’re looking for Chinese we recommend heading to Disney Springs to visit the Morimoto Asia Street Food counter instead. 

La Hacienda de San Angel

We’ve given this restaurant several tries, without much luck due to a changing menu. As a result, we’ve had both great and sub-par meals here. On the plus side, La Hacienda de San Angel offers a great atmosphere, on the water, and a variety of Mexican flavors. The limited plant-based options here keep us looking for something better. Note, the quick service counter of this restaurant is QUITE GOOD!

Restaurant Marrakesh

Restaurant Marrakesh offers little in the way of a unique dining experience, amidst a rushed dining experience. In and out in 45 minutes, every course came fast. With foods that were mostly overcooked, or potentially sitting under hot lamps. This one was a disappointment for us, and apart from the belly dancer show that happens while you eat, there isn’t much that differentiates this from basic middle eastern fare you’d find anywhere. You can grab the couscous and meats with more authentic flavor over at Spice Road Table, with better views. 

Coral Reef

This restaurant can be found at The Seas building in the EPCOT World Nature area. Known for the fish tank feature that allows you to watch the tank while you eat, Coral Reef is more about the view than the food. While the food is adequate, if you’re a seafood person, you’re better off heading to the Boathouse at Disney Springs. 

San Angel Inn Ristorante

Found in the Mexican Pavilion, this restaurant is themed to be outdoors at nighttime. That said it’s candlelight dining at best. The food is average but if we’re picking a Mexican place at Epcot, La Hacienda de San Angel is better for both counter-service lunch and table-service dinner. 

Nine Dragons

Ok, so just know we’re pretty hard on Chinese Food. Nine Dragons is decent Chinese, but nothing compared to Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs. The experience and food are just better. So for our money, the Best Chinese Restaurant at Walt Disney World is Morimoto Asia, so why settle?

Akershus

This table service restaurant in Norway gets you all the Disney princesses in one place. The only other place on the property where you can get this is the Cinderella’s Royal Table, for twice the price. Since the food here is heavy, a la classic Norway, it’s not our cup of tea, but may be worth it if you can scratch those Princess signatures off your Disney To-Do List. And get close to the Frozen Ever After line at the rope drop. 

Best Restaurants in Epcot

Epcot, hands down has cultural cuisine covered. Whether it’s the awesome Japanese over at Tokyo Dining or the classic cheddar soup in Canada, there is a ton to eat at Epcot.