PLEASE BE AWARE: Coral Reef Restaurant is temporarily closed as of September 8th, 2026. It is currently accepting Advance Dining Reservations on the Disney World website again for dates starting September 29th, 2026.
UPDATED: September 10, 2026
Coral Reef Restaurant
Located in EPCOT’s World Nature, the Coral Reef Restaurant is one of the most interesting dining experiences available in Walt Disney World.
The dining room is lined with massive picture windows looking into the giant, indoor Living Seas aquarium. Throughout your meal, watch for different sea creatures.
The Meal at Coral Reef Restaurant
While we love the atmosphere, the food’s quality and taste are inconsistent. Note that the entrées change out seasonally.
The menu is primarily seafood-oriented, featuring seasonal options, but there are choices that will appeal to all palates. This is one of the pricier EPCOT restaurants; the food — it’s not fantastic, but it’s not terrible. Of course, many people will come for the truly unique setting regardless.
Coral Reef Restaurant
Service: Table Service
Type of Food: Seafood
Location: EPCOT, World Nature
Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Table Service Credit
The Coral Reef Restaurant Menu
Click any of the links for our full review of the menu item:
Starter (brought to every table)
Pineapple-Coconut Bread and Plantain Chips at Coral Reef
Adult Appetizers
- Lobster Bisque — Sherry, Rock Lobster Relish
Lobster Bisque
- Chicken Wings — Jamaican-spiced Rum Glaze, Green Onions
Grilled Chicken Wings
- Caribbean Salad — Tomatoes, Onions, Avocado, Crispy Plantains, Pigeon Peas, Key Lime Vinaigrette (plant-based)
- Coconut Fried Shrimp — Mango Chutney
Coconut Fried Shrimp
Adult Entrees
- Seafood Macaroni & Cheese — Lobster, Shrimp, Bisque Cheese Sauce, Bread Gremolata
- Coastal Palm Cakes — Hearts of Palm, Quinoa, Kale, Pearl Peppers, Toy Box Tomatoes, Red Onions, Roasted Corn (plant-based)
- Mojo Chicken — Caribbean Rice, Black-eyed Peas, Crispy Garlic Plantains
- Shrimp Fettuccine — Garlic, Chardonnay-Cream Sauce, Lemon, Parsley
Shrimp Fettuccini
- Surf & Turf — Filet Mignon, Grilled Shrimp, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Key Lime Chimichurri
Surf & Turf
- Grilled Snapper — Coconut-Lime Rice, Mango Salsa, Avocado, Toasted Coconut, Chili-Lime Seasoning
Grilled Snapper
- Guava-braised Short Rib — Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Field Greens, Florida Citrus
Beverages, including Cocktails, Mocktails, Beer, and Wine
- Beverage Menu featuring Non-Alcoholic Specialty Beverages, Cocktails (The Abyss), Beer and Hard Cider, Specialty Coffee, Sparkling Wine, and Wine
Abyss Drink
Desserts
- Key West Sunset — Key Lime Tart, Chantilly, Raspberries
Key West Sunset
- Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding — Vanilla Ice Cream, Warm Rum Caramel, Shaved Coconut
Bread Pudding
- Chocolate Mousse Bar — Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Chocolate Ganache, Almonds, Orange Coral (plant-based)
Chocolate Mousse Bar
Kids’ Appetizers
- Jr. Garden Salad — with Ranch Dressing
- Chicken Noodle Soup
Kids’ Entrees
- Fish of the Day
- Grilled Chicken with Barbecue Sauce
- Grilled Shrimp
- Braised Short Rib
- Macaroni & Cheese
Kids’ Selections
- Broccoli
- Corn on the Cob
- Plantain Chips
- Caribbean Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
- Yuca Fries
- Fresh Fruit
- Kakamora Coconut Treat
The Atmosphere at Coral Reef Restaurant
Coral Reef Restaurant is located in World Nature, tucked in a nook next to The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
Coral Reef Restaurant
Entrance
Inside, the restaurant is heavily themed to look like you’re under the sea.
The check-in area
The ceiling lights look like jellyfish, the walls in the check-in area look like sand, and hues of blue, green, and aqua mimic the ocean.
Coral Reef
One of our favorite details was the conch shell lamp near our table!
Conch Shell lighting
What this restaurant is really known for, though, is the massive windows of the SeaBase aquarium.
Coral Reef Restaurant
The seating is mostly made up of regular tables and chairs; however, you’ll also find some semi-circle-shaped booths.
It can be a little dark
The near floor-to-ceiling windows are placed all around the restaurant, allowing a full look at the aquarium no matter what level of the dining room you’re seated in.
And it’s constantly changing!
Throughout our meal, we saw sharks, sea turtles, rays, and even a group of divers.
Reviews
March 2026: REVIEW: We’re STILL Waiting for This EPCOT Restaurant to Impress Us
July 2024: REVIEW: Does This EPCOT Restaurant Really Deserve Its Poor Reputation? We Found Out!
February 2023: Review: We’re STILL Confused About Our Meal at This EPCOT Restaurant
October 2021: LOOK at the Fish But…Maybe Don’t EAT the Fish at This Disney World Restaurant!
October 2019: Disney Food Blog Review! Does The Little Mermaid Menu at Epcot’s Coral Reef Sink or Swim?
October 2018: Disney Food Blog Review: Can Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant Rise to the Surface?
September 2014: Disney Food Blog Review: Lunch at Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant
June 2011: Disney Food Blog Review: Coral Reef Restaurant Review
Nosh or Not
This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…
- You’re looking for a really unique dining experience. Kiddos and adults alike will love dining amongst the fish in this fun environment.
- You want a quieter, relaxing atmosphere during your meal. If you’re looking for a calm break in the chaos of your day, this might be a good option.
- You’re looking for lots of seafood. The menu showcases many seafood options.
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 the best choice. While the aquarium is certainly entertaining, it’s more of a chill vibe. For something more exciting, consider Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion or Space 220 in World Discovery.
- You have seafood-averse people in your dining party. There are non-seafood options on the menu, 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 have a jam-packed day planned. While meals here don’t take 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!
Place Setting
Important Information
- The living coral reef that guests view while they dine is home to over 2,000 sea creatures!
- Coral Reef Restaurant offers Mobile Dine Check-In.
- You may find last-minute availability for Coral Reef on the Mobile Dine Walk-up Waitlist.
- Coral Reef is only open for dinner service, typically opening at 5PM each evening.
- Annual Passholders, Disney Visa Cardholders, and Disney Vacation Club Members should inquire about a discount.
Famous Dishes: Lobster Bisque, Surf and Turf, Shrimp and Grits
Surf and Turf
Disney Food Blog Posts Mentioning the Coral Reef Restaurant
You Might Also Like: Ale & Compass Restaurant, Flying Fish, The BOATHOUSE
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