Best and Worst Places to Eat at EPCOT
No theme park in the world can match the culinary excellence of EPCOT.
That’s objective truth, which makes today’s conversation a bit challenging.
Photo: Disney
When you’re visiting this park, the last thing you want to do is choose a meal you don’t enjoy.
That’s like meeting your favorite celebrity and realizing they have bad breath.
Choosing the perfect meal is, if anything, even harder due to the plethora of options.
So, let’s decide the best and worst restaurants at EPCOT, keeping in mind that you’ll almost assuredly disagree with some of the choices.
About EPCOT Dining
Everywhere you look at EPCOT, you’ll be glancing at some kind of culinary option. That goes double during festivals, which occur on most park days.
Pop-up kiosks serve all sorts of decadent dishes.
Since they’re not permanent, we won’t include them in our discussion.
Similarly, I’m arbitrarily throwing out places like Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe and L’Artisan des Glaces.
Sometimes, these quick bites deliver just what your sweet tooth needs.
The other thing to keep in mind is that some restaurants serve their purpose perfectly.
For example, Connections Cafe and Eatery would be closer to the bottom of EPCOT dining than the top.
I say this despite the fact that I often eat here. It’s conveniently located and the food is good.
Believe it or not, “good” isn’t good enough for our purposes. “Good” is what qualifies as subpar at EPCOT.
Please keep that in mind when I list the worst restaurants here, as I’m sure that someone will be a fan of all of them.
Worst EPCOT Quick Service
Choosing the best Quick Service option at EPCOT is so challenging.
No matter what I say, the “um, actually” crowd is going to come at me. Conversely, naming the worst restaurant here is quite simple.
Most people know the bottom two choices.
Katsura Grill at the Japan pavilion isn’t well-liked.
Tripadvisor voters have graded the restaurant as a 3.8/5, which by Disney standards is the equivalent of eating garbage off the floor.
Photo: Disney
As proof, this restaurant ranks 479th among 3,244 restaurants in Orlando.
At Disney World, anything ranked below #300 isn’t up to snuff.
In truth, I struggled to recall the last time I noticed a Disney restaurant ranked this low. Well… hold that thought.
Lotus Blossom Cafe at the China pavilion is looking up at Katsura Grill.
Photo: Disney
You’ll resist the temptation to order Chinese when you hear this restaurant’s reviews.
Tripadvisor grades it as a 3.6/5, and 568 out of 3,244 restaurants in Orlando.
Rix Sports Bar – Watch the Big Game
This place is graded lower than Rix Sports Bar & Grill, which is universally derided as Disney’s worst restaurant.
Hilariously, I was just speaking with a friend of mine about his favorite places at EPCOT.
Rix at Coronado Springs Resort
The first place he mentioned was Katsura Grill.
The one caveat I should mention is that Katsura Grill has just started serving sushi, which could boost its grades. I mean, who doesn’t like sushi… except me?
So, my vote is for Lotus Blossom Cafe, and I’m grading Katsura Grill as “Needs Improvement.”
However, the sushi may have already checked that box.
Best EPCOT Quick Service
Yorkshire County Fish Shop
What’s unique about EPCOT Quick Service is that many of the top options are just the faster versions of Table Service restaurants.
Blueprint examples include Yorkshire County Fish Shop and Sommerfest.
When you don’t feel like sitting down for a meal, you can grab Fish & Chips or Bratwurst on the go.
So, I’m favoring Quick Service restaurants that aren’t miniature versions of more popular establishments.
Three of them spring to mind. La Cantina de San Angel, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, and Sunshine Seasons are EPCOT’s best.
Despite the similar name, La Cantina de San Angel doesn’t share many commonalities with the nearby table Service restaurant.
Well, that’s not true. They’re both Mexican eateries, but you’re going here for tacos and empanadas.
More than one friend has told me that empanadas and margaritas are the best combo at EPCOT. You don’t need to tell me how many you have of each one.
As for Sunshine Seasons, I always gush about the fresh ingredients, which are harvested onsite.
I think this is one of Disney’s most underrated success stories.
The Land pavilion is an agricultural marvel, and the restaurant serves potent flavors.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse
Still, I’m a barbecue enthusiast, so I favor Regal Eagle, which serves three of my favorite things.
Give me Texas toast, pork, and banana pudding, and I’m happy the rest of the day.
While I realize others will hold strong opinions, I’m going with the Muppets barbecue joint.
Worst EPCOT Table Service
I’m just going to say it. There is no worst Table Service restaurant at EPCOT. Everything is varying degrees of great.
Once again, there’s a clear choice for the bottom of the barrel, though.
I swear that I have nothing against the China pavilion, but I do think the menus here could use a makeover.
Nine Dragons Restaurant is currently ranked 197 out of 3,244 restaurants in Orlando on Tripadvisor.
Somehow, that’s terrible for EPCOT, and I’m not joking when I say that.
It’s decidedly superior to its Quick Service sibling, and you’ll enjoy your meal here.
Still, you’re at EPCOT can do better. So, you should aim higher.
Best EPCOT Table Service
Photo: Disney
When we talk about the best Table Service restaurant at EPCOT, let’s be clear.
We’re discussing the finest theme park dining options in the world.
If you don’t notice one of your favorites listed here, please don’t take offense. This is a tough list to crack.
For example, I’m leaving off Le Cellier Steakhouse and Space 220 because they’re technically not Table Service.
Space 220
These are two of my favorite restaurants in the entire world though.
I thought long and hard before whittling down my list.
My top three choices are Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria.
I realize that Via Napoli is a surprising inclusion here, but I’ve had universally fabulous meals at this restaurant.
Rose & Crown Pub in EPCOT
As for Rose & Crown, this might be our overall favorite dinner dining option at Disney World.
My family loves to sit down, relax, and watch the fireworks.
As for the food, the Sticky Toffee Pudding is a life-changing experience.
We don’t dare try this recipe at home, because we know it would be nowhere near as good. Still, all things being equal, I favor Akershus.
Image Credit: Disney
I don’t know what Kjøttkaker, Kylling, Lefse, Potetstappe, or Stekt Laks are, but I know that my plate is empty every time the meal ends.
Importantly, I’m not factoring in the amazing Disney princess character meal when I rank this place at the top, either.
Cinderella at Akershus
Akershus is the only place at EPCOT that has legitimately expanded my otherwise childlike palate.
If it can do that for me, I can’t imagine the joy a foodie would feel here.
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Feature photo: Disney
