food IS a theme park
When it comes to unique dining experiences in Disney World, you’ve got a PLETHORA of options.
Coral Reef Restaurant
You could dine in castles or with your favorite characters. You could eat at a table shaped like a car, in a restaurant that’s made to mimic a drive-in movie theater. Or you could go incredibly upscale and try a AAA Five-Diamond restaurant with a multi-course meal. But today, we’re taking you along with us to EPCOT, where we recently visited a restaurant in an aquarium!
Gorillas, frogs, and dinosaurs — oh my?! That’s right, we’re talking about the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe!
Rain Forest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe just announced new, limited time only menu items, and we’re drooling on our phone screens.
We’ve been a little obsessed with Fish and Chips recently. Maybe it’s because we saw those AMAZING Minnie Mouse Fish and Chips Ears (and all that other cool Fish and Chips merch). Or maybe it’s just because we’ve had a craving for some fried goodness.
Yorkshire County Fish Shop
So that’s why we got excited when we found out that the Yorkshire County Fish Shop at the U.K. Pavilion at EPCOT would reopen soon! We’ve wanted some fish and chips there since…well…since before Disney World reopened!
We were already excited that Yorkshire County Fish Shop is set to be open on the weekends now in EPCOT, but now we’ve found a way to celebrate our love for fish & chips all the time…
Yorkshire County Fish Shop
…Fish & Chips Minnie Mouse EARS!
As we’ve previously seen before select Disney Springs dining locations and Disney World resort restaurants reopened, sweeping menu cuts are now occurring at several theme park restaurants.
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Just recently, Disney has shared with us which Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom restaurants will be reopening on July 11th as well as which dining locations will be available when Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot resume on July 15th. Disney is offering limited menus at many of the resorts and Disney Springs restaurants for the time being. And, now it looks like the parks are following suit.
Time to dig into another delicious dish at Raglan Road!
The authentic Irish pub, located at Downtown Disney in Orlando, is one of our favorite spots for its warm atmosphere and fantastic live entertainment. But the food is incredible too. Fans obviously agree that it’s the total package — the pub was awarded Best Restaurant honors by Orlando Magazine earlier this year.
And Chef Kevin Dundon has knocked it out of the park on this one. (Well, he does that quite often, but that’s beside the point.) I first had Smokie City — a chunky, hot, cheesy dip that features potatoes and the rich flavors of smoked fish — at the recent Signature Dinner that I attended at Raglan Road. Chef Kevin was on hand to present each course, and while they were all first rate, this one was my favorite. I loved it so much that I made it for a recent family dinner!
Smoked Haddock, Potato, Tomatoes, and Vintage Dubliner Cheddar Bake — Up Close
And after you read about it, I think you’re going to want to make it, too. So here’s the recipe!
Smoked Haddock, Potato, Tomato, and Vintage Dubliner Cheddar Bake
Serves 4
If you can’t find smoked haddock, go for an all-natural, firm smoked fish such as cod or coley. I also used Irish cheddar cheese.
Ingredients: [Read more…]
A visit to Walt Disney World includes dining at some unique restaurants! In Epcot’s Germany pavilion, the Biergarten is more than a place to eat; it’s also an entertaining venue! Welcome back guest author Rebecca Dolan with a fun review.
Everyone has a restaurant or two that, for them, make a trip to Disney World complete. For me, that’s Biergarten.
This all-you-can-eat smorgasbord in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion is one of the few restaurants I insist on visiting nearly every time I’m in Orlando. Like Rose and Crown, Biergarten was one of those places my mom made me eat as a kid and I hated it. But, now it’s one of the few places where I truly relish getting my meat and potatoes on. And, if you’re a meat and carbs kind of a guy/gal, then this is definitely the place for you!
The back of the Germany Pavilion.
The Biergarten can be found at the back of the Germany Pavilion, under the big bell. The hostess stand is located outside, under the stone arch to the left.
They’re a bit particular about how things are run here, and you won’t be allowed inside the restaurant until your name is called and your party is complete.
Once you’re party is called, you’ll be shown in through these doors.
Walking inside is actually like being transported back outside, as the cavernous restaurant is designed to look like an Oktoberfest celebration being held in a town square.
A semicircle of Bavarian-style buildings, draped with flags of various German locales, arches around a central stage, while a full moon oversees the action.
Inside the courtyard.
At least once during your seating, the stage will come alive with the sounds of a lederhosen-clad band that plays everything from alpine horns to polka.
The band takes the stage. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes.
Playing the alpine horns.
More cowbell!
It’s important to note that the party atmosphere comes complete with [Read more…]
La Hacienda de San Angel is special to both my husband and I for sentimental reasons, because this was one of the first restaurants we dined in for our honeymoon. While I wasn’t too impressed with this restaurant during that reservation, I was willing to give it another shot.
The views out of the windows are breathtaking, and if nothing else, I could get a great margarita.
Orange Mango Fire Margarita at Epcot’s La Hacienda de San Angel
La Hacienda is located directly across from the temple pyramid that is the focal point of the Mexican pavilion. The entryway can be somewhat hard to miss, especially if you are in the throngs of a major crowd with strollers!
Just look for the sign in the picture below. There is a hostess stand underneath the sign where check-in is required to gain access to the restaurant.
The check-in podium is underneath this sign!
We arrived at the restaurant over 30 minutes before our reservation time just to check in, and to our wonderful surprise they seated us early! We were directed to the foyer/lobby area that contains beautiful blue lanterns. Another hostess in the foyer directed us to our seats.
Lobby area.
The restaurant atmosphere is relaxed with an afternoon siesta feeling and is elegant without being stuffy. The decorations are subtle – at least much less subtle than stereotypical Mexican restaurants – with patterned ceilings, clean walls, star lanterns dangling from the ceiling, and wrought-iron accents.
Booth and Artwork
While it’s not as scenic as a volcano or Mayan river with a Mariachi band playing in the background (San Angel Inn) – it did set a pleasant atmosphere for a meal.
Dining Room at La Hacienda.
The wall of windows overlooks the lagoon and the rest of World Showcase. If you’re able to get a window seat during IllumiNations, it is a great place to watch the show!
A wall of windows provides a great IllumiNations Fireworks view
When we arrived at 5:30 PM, there were hardly any other diners there; but by 6:00 PM the restaurant was packed. After our meal, my husband said “They don’t need a volcano here! The food is the main attraction!” Needless to say, our meal this time around was OUTSTANDING!
I’m not a margarita person (tequila – bad experiences – won’t go there), but I made a promise to myself to be adventurous on this trip, so I went with [Read more…]
Ready to meet some Disney princesses?!? We’re headed over to check out lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot!
Akershus offers a terrific alternative to the extremely hard-to-get advance dining reservation for Cinderella’s Royal Table. A mainstay of World Showcase’s Norway Pavilion, the grand restaurant offers old world Scandinavian charm and character dining encounters with a cast of Disney Princesses.
You still get to eat in a castle (albeit a much smaller one), and you still get to meet at least five Disney princesses. (Cinderella is usually included.) Plus, the price is going to be quite a bit lower than it is in Cinderella Castle. Time to take a closer look.
Located to the right as you make your way back through the Norway Pavilion, Akershus is is situated across from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, Norway’s charming counter service location.
Akershus Sign
The inside (once you GET inside…more on that later) offers a welcome respite from the bright, hot Florida sunshine. Immediately upon entering, you pick up on the medieval decor. Heavy, ornately carved wooden “thrones” can be found in the entryway.
Akershus is modeled after a medieval castle outside of Norway’s capital city, Oslo. The fortress was completed in the 14th century, and the interior features the same white walls as the Disney replica.
Entryway
The whitewashed stone walls lend to the cheerful, cool feeling. The low windows look out on the pavilion and allow for lots of natural light to flood the pretty space.
First Dining Room and Seating
In the main dining room, you get a real sense of the [Read more…]
With Lent on the horizon — and with a few questions from readers recently about where to get a great fish fry in Disney World — I knew that now would be the perfect time to check out the best places to find that golden battered goodness at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Let’s check out some of the best fried fish in Disney World…
You can’t go wrong for fish and chips in the delicacy’s home pavilion in Epcot.
Fish and Chips from Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Whether you take a load off at the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room or grab some fried food to go from Yorkshire County Fish Shop, you’re in for a mild but authentic taste of one of England’s best exports.
While you’re there, enjoy a beer and a performance by The British Revolution or the Pub’s Hat Lady.
If you find yourself in need of a fish fix while you’re “Downtown,” head over to the Pleasure Island District for two authentic and delicious options. The One & One at Cookes of Dublin is one of our favorites on property.
Cooked to order and served piping hot, the fish is flaky and tender.
Fish and Chips from Cooke’s of Dublin
But if you have the time for a slower meal, you may want to consider the famous beer battered fish and chips on the lunch menu at Raglan Road Irish Pub right next door.
Here in Liberty Square, you can enjoy a counter service battered fish basket with broccoli, apples, or French fries at Columbia Harbour House counter service restaurant. The proportion of breading to fish is perfect, and the fish isn’t too oily.
Fried Chicken and Fish at Columbia Harbour House (photo from Kelly Amey via the DFB Flickr Group)
For a slightly more upscale take on the English classic, take a monorail ride to the Grand Floridian and pull up a chair at Citricos. There, you should order the melt-in-your-mouth pan-fried Florida black grouper, which gets [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe via email