Not all Disney World restaurants are made the same, and some are more loved than others. However, each spot seems to have its own fans, so even if it seems like everyone can’t stand a restaurant, each one has its own fans!

We recently stopped by Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT to see if this controversial restaurant ranks any higher in our books, and if you should head there on your next vacation. We’re bringing you our FULL review!

Atmosphere

Coral Reef Restaurant is located in World Nature, very close to The Seas With Nemo and Friends. It’s a bit tucked away, and many people don’t even realize there’s a restaurant here!

Inside, you’ll find the restaurant is heavily themed to look like you’re under the sea, as expected. The lights on the ceiling look like jellyfish, the walls in the check-in area look like sand, and there are hues of blue, green, and aqua in most areas to mimic the ocean.

One of our favorite details was the conch shell lamp near our table!

What this restaurant is really known for, though, is the massive windows that allow you to see into the SeaBase aquarium right nearby. It’s pretty cool to see fish swimming around as you eat…just don’t think about the fact that you may be eating their friends while you stare at them.

The seating is mostly made up of regular tables and chairs; however, you’ll also find some semi-circle-shaped booth seating.

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

The menu here consists of specialty alcoholic drinks, mocktails, and draft beers, but when it comes to the food, there’s only one signature starter, which is Lobster Bisque. There are a few Appetizers available, the Entrées change out seasonally, and there are a few desserts to enjoy as well.

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Eats

We started off with the Pineapple-Coconut Bread and Plantain Chips, which are brought out to every table. We really enjoyed that the chips had some sort of glossy cilantro oil on them, which paired very well with the different dips. There was a guacamole, a refried bean dip, and then pico de gallo. The guacamole was the smoothest we’d ever had, and it was our favorite, while the pico de gallo was solid and our second favorite, and the refried bean dip wasn’t bad, just not our favorite. As for the bread itself, it was incredibly soft, and the butter was where the coconut flavor really came in. We unfortunately couldn’t taste the pineapple at all, but even so, this was still a very enjoyable starter.

Then it was time for the Shrimp Fettuccini for $38. This is made with Garlic, Chardonnay-Cream Sauce, Lemon, and Parsley, and this was solid, but didn’t blow our socks off. The shrimp was cooked well, and you can really taste the fact that they were grilled when you bite into each one, but otherwise, there really wasn’t any seasoning. The Alfredo pasta itself was fine, but there wasn’t much of a Parmesan flavor like we normally get with this type of pasta. We feel like, for $38, the portion size should be larger, but otherwise, this was a decent meal.

We also grabbed the Grilled Snapper for $35, which is served with Coconut-Lime Rice, Mango Salsa, Avocado, Toasted Coconut, and Chili-Lime Seasoning. The snapper itself didn’t have much flavor other than the char from the grill, and the rice was also very bland. There essentially didn’t seem to be any seasoning here at all, and while the Mango Salsa and Avocado had tons of flavor, the cilantro was VERY overpowering. You’ll really have to enjoy that flavor to like this dish, and we do recommend eating everything together. The mango pairs well with the cilantro, and then the fish really ends up just being more of a textural element instead of flavor.

Finally, we snagged the Chocolate Mousse Bar for dessert. This is $11 and made with Chocolate Ganache, Almonds, and Orange Coral.

This was super rich and tasted like dark chocolate to us. The whipped cream did pair well with it, and the mousse inside the chocolate shell was incredibly smooth. However, the “coral” on top just tasted like wheat, and that wasn’t very pleasant. We think this dessert is definitely for someone who wants a rich dessert and loves dark chocolate, but we still wouldn’t come to this restaurant just for this.

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You’re looking for a really unique dining experience. Coral Reef Restaurant is one of the most interesting dining experiences available in Walt Disney World, due to its views of the massive Living Seas aquarium. Kiddos and adults alike will love dining amongst the fish in this fun environment.
• You want a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere during your meal. While this is a restaurant — meaning it can get loud — something about the aquarium setting makes Coral Reef feel quieter and more relaxed. If you’re looking for a calm break in your day, this might be a good option.
• You’re looking for lots of seafood. The menu here is primarily seafood-oriented, featuring options based on the season, but many choices will appeal to all palates.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You want a festive and exciting experience. If you’re looking for a lively meal with characters and entertainment, Coral Reef is not that. While the aquarium is certainly entertaining, it’s more of a chill vibe in here. For something more exciting, consider Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion or Space 220 in World Discovery.
• You have seafood-averse people as part of your dining party. There are non-seafood options on the menu here, but it’s primarily seafood-focused, so if you’re averse to that, consider dining somewhere else — especially if you find it weird to eat fish while surrounded by fish.
• You want a quick meal that won’t interrupt your day. Coral Reef is a relaxed atmosphere, and while meals here don’t take up as much time as some others (like character meals), it can still take a big chunk out of your day. For something quick, consider the nearby Connections Eatery.

Overall

We think this restaurant is fine — it’s not fantastic, but it’s not terrible. There are plenty of better choices around Disney World as a whole, especially in EPCOT, but people who are looking for a unique atmosphere and who like seafood will likely be happy.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!