The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT at Walt Disney World – Intimate Dining with a Spectacular View
When you’re looking for a delicious bite to eat at EPCOT, look no further than the Coral Reef Restaurant at the Living Seas Pavilion. Their delicious menu features impeccable seafood dishes inspired by worldwide flavors as well as time-honored favorites – all with an amazing underwater view.
Underwater Ambience
Can you think of any other place you can dine in full view of a living coral reef? Unless you’re counting nibbling fruit snacks at your local aquarium, we bet you can’t!
Experience the multicolored magnificence of over 2,000 amazing sea creatures who call this reef home. Every table gets a panoramic view into this awesome underwater world. It’s like dinner and the best show ever!
Explore the Wonder of the Seas Right From Your Table
The Seas aquarium is one of the largest man-made ocean environments on the planet. It holds enough water to fill 54 Olympic-sized swimming pools! And it’s no wonder – it has to be big enough to hold and support the lives of over 60 different aquatic species.
This meticulously crafted habitat was designed by marine scientists to help support conservation and biodiversity efforts (as well as to give guests like you an amazing experience). While you eat, peer through the glass and look for sharks, sea turtles, rays, and more – you never know what you’ll find! You might even see a scuba-diving Mickey taking a dip and saying “hi” to all the creatures, as he enjoys taking the occasional dive!
Why Does the Coral Reef Matter?
Did you know coral reefs are crucial to the world’s biodiversity? They cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, but provide shelter and food to over 25% of all ocean creatures – up to 2 million species! To create an underwater environment that could support so many fish and creatures, Disney’s marine scientists knew they also needed to create a thriving coral reef. It’s both a beautiful and rare sight.
Disney’s scientists and conservationists work day in and day out in Florida – and all over the world – to help preserve endangered species like coral, sea turtles, and sharks. You just might find yourself falling in love with ocean life as you dine and admire the fruits of their labor!
A Maritime Menu
The Coral Reef Restaurant serves both lunch and dinner. Pricing is reasonable and about what you’d expect for a regular sit-down dinner at EPCOT.
However, the menu is truly something special. They offer ocean-fresh specialties from around the world, seasonal dishes, and classic gourmet favorites for you to enjoy.
Sea-Worthy Starters
Looking for a classic? Start with a shrimp cocktail alongside charred lemon for a bite of citrus. The lobster bisque comes highly recommended – and with flavors like fresh cream, brandy, and chervil, it’s no wonder why! We also love the look of the smoked wild mushroom cioppino with crunchy toasted crostini – a delicious plant-based option.
Entrancing Entrees
After your appetizer course, dive into fresh favorites inspired by the flavors of the ocean. For a taste of Southern flair, try the sautéed shrimp and cheddar cheese grits with local corn succotash, a Creole spice emulsion, and Andouille sausage. For a simpler option, try the sustainable seared salmon with a seasonal risotto. And for island flavors, you’ll definitely want the Mahi Mahi. It’s served with jasmine rice that’s been flavored with a sauce that incorporates coconut, lime, and cilantro with a Caribbean shrimp salsa – yum!
Not a fan of seafood? No worries! Try the hearty oven-roasted citrus-marinated half chicken. It’s served with seasonal vegetables and a vibrantly colored saffron beurre blanc sauce that tastes absolutely divine. Whenever saffron is on the menu, you always know it’s something special.
Deep Sea Desserts
The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT is known for The Chocolate Wave – a warm, flourless chocolate cake dessert served alongside luxurious, creamy raspberry gelato.
We also love the tropical flavors of their key lime tart. The toasted meringue, sprinkles, EARidescent shimmer, and chocolate garnish kick this favorite dessert up a notch and turn it into something truly special. For something with a little more kick, try the Bailey’s almande and Jack Daniel’s mousse with chocolate ganache and candied almonds.
Kids’ Menu
We love any restaurant that lets the kiddos build their own meal. Let them pick from entrees like the grilled fish of the day, Junior Reef Steak, grilled shrimp, or grilled chicken with a sweet soy sauce.
Next, they can pick sides like cheddar mashed potatoes, broccoli, green beans, corn, and jasmine rice. Or, for something extra special, let them try a specialty like Nemo and Squirt’s Noggin Concoction (a super-special brookie dessert!) or the Sea Breeze Gelatin Cup.
For a special treat, order the kids’ specialty character drink: Minute Maid sugar-free lemonade with cotton candy flavoring served in a souvenir Character Cup they can take home!
Dive Into The Drinks
Mocktails
We’re obsessed with the EARidescent Sip-a-bration. It’s fruity strawberry punch and lemonade, blended and served in a souvenir 50th Celebration Cup featuring a surprise character (and a little dash of magic). The menu also features lemonade with your choice of pomegranate or watermelon flavoring.
Adult Drinks
Those looking for a classic beer, wine, or cider will find some good options, but personally, we’re more drawn to the cocktail menu, especially since they draw heavily from tropical flavors.
We’re talking the spicy poblano margarita – yum! Or the Whiskey Breeze with Jim Beam bourbon, Cointreau, lime juice, guava, and mango. Looking for a classic? You can’t go wrong with a Mai Tai.
The Pina CoLava is a welcome twist on the pina colada with raspberry rum to add color and flavor to the classic pineapple and coconut drink. Or try the aptly named The Abyss – vodka, rum, blue curacao, and pineapple juice.
And don’t miss out on the chance to get a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube in the Magical Star Cocktail! Not to mention the drink itself is delicious – mango and passion fruit liqueur, coconut rum, and pineapple juice.
Specialty Coffees
One of our favorite things about The Coral Reef Restaurant’s menu is their specialty boozy coffee menu – what’s not to love about perking up and relaxing at the same time after a great meal?
Try the Spanish coffee with Kahlua and brandy, the Nutty Fisherman with Frangelico and Bailey’s Irish cream, or a bold Irish coffee with Jameson and a generous dollop of whipped cream to add a bit of luxury.
Know Before You Go
This EPCOT restaurant strongly recommends booking advance reservations. And book your table as far ahead of time as possible, since this hot spot fills up fast!
One TripAdvisor review recommended getting a table right in front of the glass aquarium to make sure you get a full panoramic view of the habitat behind the glass. Otherwise, it might be hard to fully appreciate the aquarium view.
What’s your favorite type of seafood? Let us know in the comments! (And in case you’re wondering, we’re into a classic tuna sandwich.)
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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