Chefs de France at EPCOT Park is one of those mainstay restaurants that doesn’t come with a ton of extra flair, but still offers up authentic French cuisine at a decent price. And while you won’t find any Disney characters here, you can still count on good food, at a decent price if you’re looking for somewhere to eat in EPCOT. Of course with easy to get reservations, you may be wondering what’s the catch? Luckily, we’re diving into everything you need to know about this Disney Restaurants in EPCOT France, and if we think it’s really worth your time or money.
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Chefs de France Epcot
As one of the Disney opening day restaurants at EPCOT Park in 1982, Chefs de France has a long culinary history worth noting, that lends to it’s excellent, authentic cuisine. Opened by French gastronomic legends Roger Vergé, Gaston Lenôtre, and Paul Bocuse it has been run since 1996 by Bocuse’s son Jérôme. Serving up regional specialties, and an atmosphere reminiscent of restaurants in France, you can find a unique experience here, as opposed to a Disney one.
Honoring the cultural theme of the World Showcase, Chefs de France is more “French” than “Disney.” As such it tends to draw guests who enjoy French food, as well as older adults, looking for a nice meal, as opposed to families with small children. That said, it’s also home to a wonderful wine list, and plant based options for those looking for a specialty dining experience at EPCOT. Serving lunch and dinner, Chef’s de France typically requires an Advanced Disney Dining Reservation. But you’re welcome to check the walk up wait at the podium if your hoping to eat here last minute.
- Casual Dining
- Lunch Hours at Chefs de France are 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM
- Dinner Hours at Chefs de France are 4:00 PM- 8:55 PM
- Cost at Chefs de France ranged from $15- $35 per entree
Chefs de France Atmosphere
At Chefs de France you can find a gorgeous mosaic tiled floor done in burgundies and creams, mahogany woodwork, and an embellished ceiling. The dining room is filled with tables that seat 4, 6, and 8. A central bar area offers a display of wines, and allows the opportunity for browsing your next choice. This restaurant boasts walls and walls of arched windows that look out onto the EPCOT midway, and towards the fountain at the center of the France pavilion. While the views aren’t the main attraction here, it does bring a lot of light into this restaurant.
A common complaint about this restaurant, is in how the dining rooms are separated. This layout lends to ambient noise throughout. Even kitchen noises can sometimes be heard depending on where you’re seated. That said, if you’re hoping for a quiet dinner, or corner somewhere, be sure to ask the host ahead of time.
What is the Chefs de France Dress Code?
While Chefs de France seems fancy, cause it’s France, Chefs de France does not have an established dress code. However, “Theme Park Casual” is acceptable for lunch or dinner here. For the most part you can wear shorts, and t-shirts or tank tops, but swimwear is not allowed. And as expected, shoes are required.
Is Chefs de France Good For Kids?
EPCOT’s Chefs de France Restaurant isn’t geared or designed for children, but there are options for families. The Chefs de France Kid’s Menu includes chicken tenderloin, beef steak, and salmon. With sides of green beans and mashed potatoes, or French fries, kids will definitely have something to eat here, but it won’t be Mickey shaped.
Chefs de France Menu
The Chefs de France Menu includes appetizers, entrees, desserts and a Prix Fixe Meal option. Check out the Chefs de France Menu for the current dishes available.
Chefs de France Bread Service
Included in the cost of your meal, is a French baguette for sharing, with salted butter. A classic crusty bread, this is a tear and enjoy type of bread, and you get one loaf.
Appetizers
The appetizer choices at Chefs de France consist of all the basic French foods you’d imagine. Cassolette d’escargots de Bourgogne au beurre persillé is the quintessential French appetizer, snails in parsley and garlic butter. Nevertheless, if you’re not up for snails, you can also choose Salmon Tartare, French Onion Soup, Salad, or Baked Goat Cheese. Prices for appetizers are between $13-$18 per dish.
Entrees
This French restaurant in EPCOT includes a variety of regional dishes. Salmon, Boeuf Bourguignon, Beef tenderloin, chicken, pork, shrimp and even charcuterie are all options here. Vegetarian options here include the Baked Macaroni and the Quinoa Ratatouille. In classic French fashion, everything is cooked perfectly. The steak is moist, the quinoa flavorful, and everything is cooked to perfection.
Boeuf Bourguignon and Linguine
Ratatouille sur Quinoa
Desserts
Classic French desserts are all part of the menu here. From Creme Brulee to Gateau Opera and Tarte au Chocolat, these are delicate, rich desserts, perfect alongside an after dinner drink.
Crème Brûlée
Tarte au Chocolat Valrhona, glace à la Vanille
Chefs de France Prix Fixe Meal
This French Prix Fixe Meal includes one (1) Appetizer , one (1) Entree, one (1) Dessert, and one (1) Glass of Wine, or Non-alcoholic beverage. Cost of the Prix Fixe Meal is $65.95, which, depending on your choice of entree, and wine could be an excellent value.
Chefs de France Cost
Cost of lunch or dinner at Chefs de France in EPCOT ranges from $15- $35 a dish. As such, you can plan on $15 for an appetizer, if ordering one, about $35 for an entree, and another $15 for dessert. As such, this would be about about $65 per person for dinner. That doesn’t include a glass wine. However, if you get the Prix Fixe Meal, then that wine is technically free… because the cost of the prix fixe is also $65.
Is Chefs de France Worth It?
If you’re headed to EPCOT and looking for a good meal, without too many strange flavors, then you’re pretty safe with Chefs de France. Note our cost estimate of $65 is for the entire meal. While this isn’t as cheap as some other restaurants, the convenience of it being in the park, is a plus. And, given the portion sizes here, you can skip the appetizer to save a $15 if you’re hoping for a more budget friendly meal. That said, Chef’s de France is worth it, if you’re looking for a good meal, at a decent price in the parks.
If you’re hoping for a more unique dining experience at Disney, then we’d say try something different. Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge offers African cuisine with views of the savanna. Toledo at Coronado Springs Resort serves up Spanish flavors in a rooftop restaurant. And Trattoria al Forno on the Disney BoardWalk offers great options, with better prices, a more varied menu and a memorable atmosphere.
Chefs de France Review
Hopefully this Chef de France Review is helpful in helping you choose your next restaurant at Disney’s EPCOT Park. Offering up classic French dining, in a sit down restaurant at Disney atmosphere, at an okay price, there is a lot to like about Chef’s de France. While it wouldn’t be our first choice for young families, or unique dining, it’s a good meal, that usually has reservations open! Let us know your thoughts!
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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