Reviews of Coral Reef – Lunch/Dinner
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Menus at Coral Reef Restaurant
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 12/16/2020
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
This was our least favorite restaurant in Disney. This restaurant was loud, crowded, and kind of felt like you were in a giant box. If you were not sitting next to the fish tank, it is very lack luster. Seafood was mediocre at best especially if you live somewhere that you would be used to great seafood (ex. new england).
Pros:
fish tank tables are uniqueCons:
noise, food quality, ambiance, space, overall experienceReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 11/03/2020
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
Total let down. Go for the view and that's pretty much it.
Pros:
The atmosphere and castmembers were great.Cons:
The food was below expectations for the price. You can find better options at Epcot.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 10/27/2020
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
This restaurant is big flash for a lot of cash, but it lacks the quality control of other restaurants on property. If you are looking for amazing seafood, skip it. If you’re ok with not so great food but having the unique experience of eating in the bottom of a fish bowl, you might love this place.
Pros:
Eating dinner in a fish tank.Cons:
Food quality is mediocre at best.Reviewed by ReynoldsMomOf5 Review Date: 10/21/2020
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
Very mediocre food for one of the more expensive menus. Lobster mac and cheese was awful with almost no lobster. Like bad catering.
Pros:
The aquariumCons:
expensive and not good.Reviewed by HowardVincentKurtz13 Review Date: 09/12/2020
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
On Thursday, September 10 we had reservations for lunch at the Coral Reef restaurant to celebrate my birthday while at WDW. I made reservations online and checked the box concerning dietary restrictions.
When we arrived at the restaurant I was given a menu for allergies, however, I don’t actually have an allergy, but a necessity for a low sodium diet. When the waiter arrived at the table I asked him for a low sodium menu, or if it would be possible for me to speak to the chef? He assured me he would take care of it and he suggested the rib eye steak with no seasoning. He later returned to the table with rolls and olive oil saying the butter would be too salty and that he was replacing the side dish of mashed potatoes with steamed broccoli.
The dinner arrived and my plate was piled high with broccoli and a grilled steak. The steak was filled with fat and gristle, and by the time I cut away the uneatable portions, I was left with less than half of the meat. I asked to speak with the manager. The manager arrived at the table and said, “is there a problem.” I showed him the remains of the fat and gristle and the half eaten plate of broccoli. He explained, “that is the way our meat is cut and marbled, it has a lot of fat on it.” He never apologized, nor did he attempt to correct the poor meal that I was served, and he just walked away. I assumed as a manager of the restaurant that he would try to make amends, but he did nothing and the waiter brought the check with no correction or apology.
We paid the bill, which amounted to over $90 for our meals, before the tip. I know the Coral Reef is an expensive restaurant, but the expense was definitely not worth the price and the ineffective Disney employees did not make the situation any better. Here are three things that I have learned after eating at the Coral Reef restaurant and want to share: 1) Never order steak at a sea food restaurant, 2) Never have a waiter order for you instead of allowing you to talk to the chief, and 3) Never eat at the Coral Reef at Disney or any other Disney owned restaurants where the manager displays little or no concern for his guests.
Pros:
There were no pros for this dining experienceCons:
1) Never order steak at a sea food restaurant, 2) Never have a waiter order for you instead of allowing you to talk to the chief, and 3) Never eat at the Coral Reef at Disney or any other Disney owned restaurants where the manager displays little or no concern for his guests.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 09/12/2020
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
On Thursday, September 10 we had reservations for lunch at the Coral Reef restaurant to celebrate my birthday while at WDW. I made reservations online and checked the box concerning dietary restrictions.
When we arrived at the restaurant I was given a menu for allergies, however, I don’t actually have an allergy, but a necessity for a low sodium diet. When the waiter arrived at the table I asked him for a low sodium menu, or if it would be possible for me to speak to the chef? He assured me he would take care of it and he suggested the rib eye steak with no seasoning. He later returned to the table with rolls and olive oil saying the butter would be too salty and that he was replacing the side dish of mashed potatoes with steamed broccoli.
The dinner arrived and my plate was piled high with broccoli and a grilled steak. The steak was filled with fat and gristle, and by the time I cut away the uneatable portions, I was left with less than half of the meat. I asked to speak with the manager. The manager arrived at the table and said, “is there a problem.” I showed him the remains of the fat and gristle and the half eaten plate of broccoli. He explained, “that is the way our meat is cut and marbled, it has a lot of fat on it.” He never apologized, nor did he attempt to correct the poor meal that I was served, and he just walked away. I assumed as a manager of the restaurant that he would try to make amends, but he did nothing and the waiter brought the check with no correction or apology.
We paid the bill, which amounted to over $90 for our meals, before the tip. I know the Coral Reef is an expensive restaurant, but the expense was definitely not worth the price and the ineffective Disney employees did not make the situation any better. Here are three things that I have learned after eating at the Coral Reef restaurant and want to share: 1) Never order steak at a sea food restaurant, 2) Never have a waiter order for you instead of allowing you to talk to the chief, and 3) Never eat at the Coral Reef at Disney or any other Disney owned restaurants where the manager displays little or no concern for his guests.
Pros:
There are no Pros on this dining experienceCons:
1) Never order steak at a sea food restaurant, 2) Never have a waiter order for you instead of allowing you to talk to the chief, and 3) Never eat at the Coral Reef at Disney or any other Disney owned restaurants where the manager displays little or no concern for his guests.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 07/06/2020
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
We ate here on the last day of our trip because we realized we had an extra sit down credit on our dining plan that was unused. It was very easy to get a reservation. The atmosphere of the restaurant is great, but the service was pretty slow. We didn't have the most attentive server, but that could be different for you. We also ranked it low because there really wasn't anything super interesting on the menu. I used to like their scallop appetizer but when we went it was gone. Their lobster bisque is also really good, our 1 year old even loved it! Overall, there are many better places to get a reservation at Epcot but it will do in a pinch.
Pros:
Aquarium, Easy to get a reservation, lighter foodCons:
Nothing super exciting on the menu, slow serviceReviewed by AmberMac Review Date: 02/06/2020
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
The first time I ate here in 2005, it was amazing. Every time I’ve been here since the quality just seems to get less and the service gets worse.
Not worth the price I paid. Service is slow and inattentive.
Pros:
Great atmosphere and views.Cons:
Slow service VERY long waits even when getting one of the first reservations of the day Food and desserts are just so-so.Reviewed by magicalcouple Review Date: 11/25/2019
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
I have given this restaurant a much higher mark in the past but this recent visit, I have to agree so many other naysayers.
Yes, the tank is lovely to look at and yes, the restaurant has that certain Disney appeal. However, the ambiance was overshadowed with how extremely noisy it was.
My 3 year old son and I had a Mother Son date and we received our appetizers quickly but waited nearly another HOUR for our main dishes. At this point, my DS was whimpering and could not sit still any longer. We waited it out for our food anyway. I had the shrimp and grits which turned out to be cold. My server took them off the check because I did not eat them. But I was sorely disappointed, as I have loved this restaurant for so many years. Bad night? Maybe. But a review is still a review and this one was mine.
Pros:
Tank, Ambiance, Lobster BisqueCons:
Noise, Slow Service, Cold FoodReviewed by Schawn Review Date: 04/24/2019
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We ate at Coral Reef as part of the Candlelight Processional Dinner package. It was the worst experience that we've had at Disney. The service was super slow and very lacking, which made us late for our showing. We ended up behind a tree. It was hard to see the aquarium from our seats. We had a food allergy (shell fish) in our party, and her food was very bland and tough. We all had steaks. The rest of us without allergies had flavorful meat. Desserts were good, not great. Overall food (non allergy was awful) was just ok. I expected more from a Disney experience. I will not go back to Coral Reef. Waste of money in my opinion.
