Disney Dining Review Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot
Biergarten is an all-you-can-eat buffet for either lunch or dinner and is located in the back of the German Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. Walking to the back of the pavilion which is set up like a German town square, you will see banners to the left and to the right. If you enter to the right you will discover Sommerfest which is a quick service location with German food and tables for diners. Entering to the left under the archway and fabric banner that says “Oktoberfest” you will discover Biergarten Restaurant. You will be ushered in by a friendly German man or woman through the large wooden doors where you will see the large German village at twilight ready to share Oktoberfest with you. It is a warm and inviting atmosphere. As is traditional in Germany the long tables serve 8 people and there will be 8 people sharing a table so if you are a party of four, expect to be seated with another party of four to fill your table. I have been here several times and it has not bothered me to sit with other guests. Just be prepared for this type of European seating. Hey, it is a party, have fun!
The tradition of Oktoberfest began when Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig wanted to throw the biggest wedding party ever for himself and his bride Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hindburghausen. So in the town of Munich, October 17 in 1810 Oktoberfest was born. Today it is still celebrated in Munich, and all over the world. It traditionally lasts for about two weeks from late September into early October. In Munich people enjoy Oktoberfest in a park named after Ludwig’s bride in Theresienwiese. They will dine on the same types of dishes served here in the Biergarten.
No doubt you have heard there is a lot of beer associated with this tradition and it plays a role here as well. There is a large beer and wine menu available and sizes of mugs to choose from. My personal favorite is the Oktoberfest beer. You can select from beer and wine flights or from a single offering. Beer here comes in ½ liters and full liters. I had not brought my children here when they were young because I did not know how rowdy the atmosphere was, but I wish that I had because it is fun for children as well as adults.
The show is really very good and children as well as adults are encouraged to come down and dance while the band plays. We enjoyed the band, the long horns (think Ricola commercial), the bells and glockenspiel. The Band will also wish guests a Happy Birthday or Anniversary if you tell them you are celebrating one of these. There is a wooden dance floor in front of the band stage where guests are encouraged to dance. There are several levels for seating so you will have a good view of the stage. There are flags representing each region of Germany hanging from upper level seating areas, try to name them all!
Our waitress was exceptional, as have all of the ones we have had each time we went to Biergarten. The wait staff is warm and attentive and very willing to explain anything on the menu, give recommendations, explain beverages, and teach a little German if asked and quick to remove any plates as you find your way back up to the buffet.
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F-Food, we found the food very good. We enjoyed each dish, adding just enough to our plates to taste each item and then returning for those dishes we had to have more of. The exceptional items would include: soup, pretzel rolls, German Potatoe Salad, Tomato Salad, Bavarian Cheesecake, Roasted Potatoes, German Sausages, Sauerkraut, Chocolate Milk, and Beer. The food was kept cold or hot depending on what it was supposed to be, so there was nothing lukewarm as often happens at lesser buffets.
A-Atmosphere, one of the great things about this restaurant is the feeling of an outdoor seating in a German village that has invited you to come join the Oktoberfest celebration. There is plenty of food and drink, entertainment, and smiling faces.
S-Service, The service here is excellent. The staff is welcoming, attentive, explains everything upon arrival and offers suggestions, answers questions, takes requests for dietary concerns to the chef who comes out to the table to speak to the guests regarding that, and retrieves requested complimentary recipes when asked. The bill is delivered at the correct time, drinks are refilled without having to wait, coffee or tea offered at dessert time, you never feel rushed; it is really just very competent and attentive throughout.
T-Tip, Arrive hungry, try a little bit of everything and go back for what you want more of, leave room for desserts, try the Vanilla Sauce on the Red Berry Compote and the Apple Strudel, the Bavarian Cheesecake is very light so don’t be afraid to try it if you only have room for one dessert, make sure you stay for the show.
Biergarten Buffet: Lunch noon to 3PM Adults $24.99, Guests ages 2-9 $13.99; Dinner from 4PM Adults $37.99, Guests ages 3-9 $17.99; Tax and non-alcoholic drinks are included; gratuity is not included. The prices tend to change often, so please check the Walt Disney World site for the price of the day you are making your reservation for.
SALADS:
Gemischter Salat: Mixed Greens
Creamy Herb Dressing
Tarragon Dressing
Tomaten Salat: Tomato Salad,
Gurken Salat: Cucumber and Bacon Salad
Bohnen Salat: Garbanzo Bean Salad
Bayrischer Kraut Salat: Bavarian Cabbage Salad
Rote Beete Salat: Pickled Beet and Onion Salad
Nudel Salat: Macaroni Salad
Senfgurken: German Sliced Pickles
Cold German Potato Salad
Snow Peas
Herringssalat: Herring Salad
Wurstsalat: Sausage Salad
Cold meat and cheese tray with raisin chutney
BREAD BASKET: Pretzel Rolls, Pumpernickel and Crusty Rolls and Butter
SOUP: season selections that include Beer Cheese Soup, cream of Potato and Leek or Cream of Asparagus Soup
MEAT DISHES:
Wurst Auswahi: Sausage Selection (Cold meats) Wurst Platte mit Schinkenwurst, Landjager, Ham Bologna, Ring Bologna
Sauerbraten: Pot Roast Bavarian Style
Gerostetes Huhnchen: Roast Chicken
German Meatloaf hand carved
Roast Pork hand carved
Schweineschnitzel: Breaded Pork Schnitzel with Zigeuner Sauce: Zesty Paprika Sauce served in separate pan
Rinderrouladen: Beef Rouladen with Gravy
Sausages: Bratwurst, Mini Regensburger, Kassler Ripchen, White Veal Sausage
Frischer Kabeljau in Senf-Sahne-Sauce:Fresh Cod in Mustard Cream Sauce
HOT SIDES:
Sauerkraut
Gebratene Kartoffein: Roasted Potatoes
Kartoffel Salat: Warm German Potato Salad
SIDE DISHES:
Kartoffelklosse: Potato Dumplings
Rotkohl: Red Cabbage
Rosenhokl mit einer Speck-Vinaigrette: Brussesl Sprouts with Bacon Vinaigrette
Nudel Gratin: Baked Macaroni with Cheese Custard
Hausgemachte Spaetzle: Homemade Spaetzle
SAUCES:
Ketchup, Mustard, Curry Ketcup, Sweet Mustard, Apple sauce, Apricot Chutney
DESSERTS:
Vanilla Pudding
Black Forest Cake
Bavarian Cheesecake
Fresh Pineapple
Red Berry Compote
Vanilla Sauce
Apple Strudel
Linzertorte
BEVERAGES for additional charge:
German White Wine Flight, three pours, 2 oz. each for $1500: Villa Wolf Pinot Gria, J.H.Selhuch Blue Label Riesling and Valckenberg Madonna Riesling Spiltlene
German Beer Flight, four pours 5oz. each for $10.50: Radeberger Pilsner, Schofferhofer Weizen, Altenmunster. Oktoberfest, Hovels
Beer Selection: ½ liter $8.50, Liter $13.50
Schnapps and Shots: Jagermeister or Apple Berentzen $7.25; Rarenjiger Honey & Bourbon $8.50
White Wines: Villa Wolf Pinot Gris, Pfalz $9./$39.00; J.H. Selbach Blue Lavel Riesling, Mosel $8/$35; Dr. Loosen, Dr. L Riesling, Mosel, Dr. Bergweiler Noble House Riesling, Mosel $9/$39. Valckenberg Madonna Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen $9./$39.; Heinz Eifel Auslese Riesling, Mosel $9/$39;
Red Wines: August Kesseler Pinot Noir Spatburgunder, Rheinhessen $11/$49;Niersteiner Splegelberg Dornfelder, Rheinhessen $9/$39
By Cassie