10 Highest Rated Restaurants in World Showcase
Sometimes, I like to take my own opinions out of the equation, especially when it comes to food. The meals at Walt Disney World are designed to appeal to as many guests as possible. While I have my favorites (forever and always, Sci-Fi Dine-In!), I take my own opinions out of the equation, especially when it comes to food. In today’s discussion, I’m going to talk about the finest cuisine at Epcot, only I’m going to use TripAdvisor rankings to list the best of the best. Here are the eight highest graded restaurants at the World Showcase according to TripAdvisor reviewers.
10) Biergarten Restaurant
I’m going to preface this list with two statements. The first is that I arbitrarily decided to rule out bakeries and dessert shops. If not for that, the top five would be dominated by places where you can’t eat a full meal. Also, I should go ahead and warn that democracy just doesn’t work at Walt Disney World. Some of the most beloved restaurants such as Akershus and Le Cellier Steakhouse don’t quite make the cut. More than anything, this fact reflects the depth and quality of the restaurants at the World Showcase.
Here’s the staggering stat about Biergarten and the rest of this list. The German family-style buffet is ranked #309 out of more than 3,000 restaurants in Orlando. Despite being in the 90th percentile for the entire city, it barely earns a spot in the top 10 on this list. Folks, the food at the World Showcase is pretty good. At Biergarten, you’ll relish in the Bavarian ambience while eating a hearty meal full of schnitzels and brats. No matter the month when you dine here, it’ll be Oktoberfest in your heart.
The most frequent criticism is that the food could be a bit authentic. This complaint summarizes the struggle Disney faces with their menus. They must create dishes that appeal to the largest common denominator, a situation that frustrates some opinionated foodies.
9) Tokyo Dining
A few pavilions at the World Showcase have earned multiple positions on this list. My beloved Japan Pavilion is one of them, which explains why Disney is currently constructing a third restaurant that will open over the next year or so. For now, you’ll have to struggle to get by with Tokyo Dining, which only offers delicious food and a breathtaking view of IllumiNations.
Photo Credit: www.mommymusings.com
The current reviews of the place suggest that the meals range between good and excellent, although several people went out of their way to point out that Teppan Edo is better. Even though I agree with that sentiment, it’s borderline cruel to compare any restaurant to something that great.
8) Rose and Crown Dining Room
So, let me be clear that I don’t agree with several of the rankings here. For example, I feel like the reviewers got #1 and #8 reversed. I’ve probably just given away the ending there, but it needed to be said.
Rose and Crown Dining Room is a tradition for my family, a place where we hang out for about two hours. It’s our place for an IllumiNations viewing, and my review is one of the 5-star posts on TripAdvisor. We love the appetizers and entrees, but it’s the Sticky Toffee Pudding that makes our hearts sing.
Disney knows where its bread gets buttered, which is why this particular dessert’s picture is the one shown on the official Rose and Crown page. The reviews, however, lavish praise on a different dish, that classic staple of British cuisine, fish and chips. We’ll touch on that more in a bit.
7) Tutto Italia Ristorante
I can’t quite put my finger on why, but when I think of the World Showcase, Tutto Italia Ristorante is one of the first places that pops into my head. I suspect it has something to do with my perception of entire concept. The World Showcase is supposed to be a daily World’s Fair just as Walt Disney had dreamt his people would build. International cuisine was integral to that vision, as Disney and his Imagineers adored that part of their World’s Fair experiences.
Sometimes, people just want good Italian food or Japanese food or French food or…you get the idea. Tutto Italia Ristorante borders on a cliché. Who hasn’t been involved in a conversation when someone says, “I’m in the mood for Italian.”? At Epcot, the best way to satisfy this particular hunger is at the Italy Pavilion, where Tutto Italia Ristorante is just what the doctor ordered. Current reviews describe it in glowing terms like, “best meal of our trip.” You know what you’re getting here, and it’s exactly what you wanted.
6) Restaurant Marrakesh
The Morocco Pavilion is another one that claims multiple spots on this list. The food is so good here that the lowest ranked place is #202 in all of Orlando. As a point of comparison, Be Our Guest is currently #358. You will eat well at this pavilion, my friends.
Restaurant Marrakesh is a Table Service restaurant straight out of a James Bond movie. Belly dancers entertain you while eat, and the food includes a lot of kebabs and lamb shanks. People love the show, although the consistent criticism is that prices are a bit high. You’ll understand why by the end of the list.
5) Teppan Edo
You’re noticing a pattern by now, I’m sure. The big winners at the World Showcase are the Japan Pavilion, the Morocco Pavilion, and the United Kingdom Pavilion. These are the places that are clearly the people’s choice.
Teppan Edo serves a lot of the same cuisine as Tokyo Dining. The difference is in the presentation. It’s a Teppanyaki meal; in fact, the restaurant was once called Teppanyaki Dining Room. This style was made famous by Benihana. It’s a bit on the silly side but somehow still a real crowd pleaser with young and old alike. That’s where most towns have some sort of Teppanyaki restaurant. Teppan Edo is that, only with elevated cuisine.
4) Spice Road Table
3) Tangierine Café
I’m lumping these two together for fear of belaboring the point. TripAdvisor reviewers LOVE the Morocco Pavilion. The Mediterranean cuisine strikes a chord with a lot of people, many of whom aren’t used to such powerful flavors. The spices border on overwhelming…but in a good way.
Photo Credit: ExploringOrlando.com
From the meta perspective, the cuisine is similar at these two places as it is at Restaurant Marrakesh. Spice Road Table is the Table Service version while Tangierine Café is Quick Service. Both places are cheaper than Restaurant Marrakesh, too, although it’s a thin line with Spice Road Table.
The current reviews at Spice Road Table emphasize the explosive flavors. At the café, guests are delighted by the prices. Almost all of the entrees are $15 or less, making it one of the most cost-effective meals at the World Showcase.
2) Monsieur Paul
This restaurant is the only Signature Dining experience on the list, which shows that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to satisfy your stomach at the World Showcase. The one that guests feel is undeniably worth the money makes a lot of sense, too.
The late Paul Bocuse was a titan in the culinary world, a Michelin 3-star chef who founded the Bocuse d’Or, the Olympics of fine dining. Forget Top Chef or Iron Chef or MasterChef. The Bocuse d’Or isn’t a reality television competition. It’s where the most accomplished chefs in the world compete to prove who the best among the elite is.
I say all of this to point out that no restaurant earns more immediate stature than one named after Bocuse and managed by his son, Jerome. The friend here is the ultimate in French cuisine, a type of food already known as the foodie’s favorite. When you eat at Monsieur Paul, you’re dining at one of the best restaurants in America, not just at Disneyland. And it deserves every bit of praise that it receives.
Photo Credit: MealTrip.com
If not for the price, I’m confident the restaurant would rank higher than #129. A current review says, “Je Suis un amazed.” I don’t speak French, but that sounds like a glowing review. Okay, Google tells me it’s “I am a bit amazed,” which isn’t quite as great as I’d hoped. You get the point, though. Monsieur Paul is the place to go at the World Showcase for special occasions.
1) Yorkshire County Fish Shop
This counter service restaurant is the stripped down version of Rose & Crown. It’s the ultimate grab-and-go place due to its menu. You eat here if you want Fish & Chips or beer. Along with a sponge cake and some fruit, those are the only options available.
Photo Credit: Disney.Wikia.com
TripAdvisor readers respond to the elegant simplicity of this eatery. It’s ranked #121 out of all Orlando restaurants, proving that it’s better to do one thing well that many things mediocrely. Again, I’d take Rose & Crown all day and all night, but for fans of the Fish & Chips here, it’s the perfect way to savor a staple of English cuisine without spending an hour or more in a restaurant.
I am so surprised that Chef de France didn’t make your list. We just spent 10 days at Disney and this was absolutely the best meal of the whole ten days. We were on the deluxe dining plan and ate at many signature and great restaurants. This was the best by far.
Wow, I really liked the Mexican place inside the Temple. Great atmosphere and the tacos I got were delicious. They were pricy, but never had tacos like that. Good Margaritas too.