Ratatouille's Restaurant Review: The Biergarten
- larablancarte
- Aug 26, 2016
- 4 min read
Epcot has always been one of my favorite parks to enjoy. I love the different cultures and the beautiful architecture, but let's be honest, I am a foodie and this is where you'll find some of Disney's finest cuisines. Prior to this year I had not had the pleasure of eating at any of the World Showcase Restaurants. The counter service restaurant that I had probably eaten at the most was Sommerfest at the German Pavilion. This is a much more limited menu with very little outside table seating available but it's a fraction of the cost of the Biergarten and no reservations are necessary. You absolutely must try the Bratwurst wrapped in a freshly baked German roll with Sauerkraut and oh-so-yummy Paprika Chips. I'm drooling just thinking about it. I digress, this is not a review of Sommerfest but of the sit-down restaurant, the Biergarten.
Snagging a Spot:
This isn't really a restaurant that you can just walk into without a reservation. There are times in which crowds are lighter and that will be a possibility but it is highly recommended, from both Disney and myself, that you make a reservation. You can make reservations up to 180 days in advance by phone, My Disney Experience.com or your MyDisneyExperience App. When deciding on when you would like to stuff your face at the All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet consider that there is a lot of heavy food here. This is a good option for lunch, but I would only recommend doing this if you are going to be taking it easy afterwards. Once you're tummy is full of the delicious, but heavy, Bavarian goodies you will only be ready for a nap. Lunch hours are 12:00pm to 3:10pm and Dinner is from 4:00p until 9:00pm. Another reason why lunch is the better optio
n is because it is $15/children and $35/adults vs. $35/children and $60/adults at dinner.
A Quick Trip to Bavaria:
Very easy to spot, this restaurant is directly next to the Sommerfest counter service restaurant. When you are taken into the restaurant you leave the sun and heat of Florida behind and step into a Bavarian village on a cool evening in which a great never-ending Oktoberfest celebration is going on. In the center of the village are long biergarten-style tables set up perpendicular to the stage where the Oktoberfest festivities will take place. Those festivities are brought to you by the German Oompah band of Oktoberfest Musikanten. The shows are at 1:15pm, 2:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:45pm, 5:55pm, 7:00pm, and 8:05pm. Keep in mind that showtimes are subject to change. The band has a range of instruments and music styles of which they play. The tuba is of course present (giving that Oom-pah beat), along with a German Cow Bell Ringer and Accordionist as well as a couple of Alphorn players. Just so you know, the Alphorn is a long wooden horn used by mountain dwellers - think of the Ricola commercials. The show was very enjoyable and they ask for audience participation for parts of it. My favorite part was the Alphorn players; I had never experienced this in person and was amazed with the performers' strength and talent. Overall the ambiance is great. The biergarten-style tables just mean that they're long Pine plank tables with benches. You will be seated with other parties at the same table. This can be fun! Talk to your neighbors and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
I Want It All:
So now we are at the best part... the delicious Bavarian spread! First off, Lisa and I each had our favorites from the buffet; mine was the spätzle while Lisa's was the mac & cheese. I won't lie, I went back for the spätzle a couple of times. This delicious buttery egg noodle was some of the best I've ever had. The entrees, which include the delicious Bratwurst, are quite plentiful. I was not a big fan of the Pork Schnitzel but was surprised that the German Meatloaf was so very scrumptious. The mac & cheese, while Lisa's absolute favorite, was a little too cheesy for my preferences. There are several cold items, consisting of various salads, of which the Cabbage salad I was particularly partial to. The dessert options include several Bavarian cakes but also some lighter fare of fruits and cookies. The dessert portions are on the small side but that's probably for the best as most likely you will have eaten a little too much of the main course. Personally, I had eaten a little too much of the Spätzle and only partook of a little nibble of the Black Forest Cake and the fresh fruit. Along with a nice selection of German beers and wines you can get the regular fountain drinks, coffee or tea for an additional charge.
Link to Menu: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/biergarten-restaurant/menus/
They do accept some dining plans, such as: 2016 Dining Plan, 2016 Deluxe, 2016 Platinum & 2016 Premium Dining Plans. For those Annual Passholders, you can use your 10% discount here. The Biergarten also accepts Tables in Wonderland.
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