One unique dining experience at Walt Disney World is at Disney’s Coral Reef Restuarant where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the world’s largest aquariums as you dine!

Disney’s Coral Reef Restaurant
Disney’s Coral Reef Restaurant is located at The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion. The entrance is located to the right of the ride entrance. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan the meal is 1 Table Service credit. If you are not on the dining plan, prices are around $15-$35 per person. Advanced dining reservations are recommended.
The atmosphere is much quieter than a lot of other Disney restaurants. The restaurant has three levels. My party was seated on the top level and we still had good views of the tank. The best views would be right in front of the tank on the first level. Feel free to ask to sit at your preferred level, they will try to accommodate you. I was injured this time and was on a scooter and could not walk at all so that is why we were seated on level 3.
Did you know this is a great engagement opportunity as well? If you request it ahead of time, Disney will have a diver dive down holding a sign with the proposal worded your way.
Coral Reef Restaurant Review
Don’t let the fact that this restaurant is sea-focused keep you away from trying this place if you are not a seafood lover. There are options for those of us who do not prefer seafood.
My party started off with some fantastic appetizers! We had the Crispy Rhode Island Calamari with roasted corn relish and tomatillo sauce and Charbroiled Octopus paired with Nori Sushi Rice, sesame slaw, and soy reduction.
It was my first time trying both of the appetizer dishes and I really liked the calamari. It was cooked perfectly because it was not rubbery in texture.
As for the Octopus, it was not for me. My husband and another in our party loved it though!
They also bring rolls to the table for everyone to enjoy! The rolls were soft and good, but nothing spectacular.

For our main course, we enjoyed several different dishes. We also had 2 people request substitutions. I requested a change in the side item, as did another person. I am sort of picky and love that Disney not only caters to those with food allergies but also those with picky palettes.
In December 2018, Disney added a new menu option, a whole stuffed Maine Lobster. It comes with crispy baby potatoes, asparagus, béarnaise, lemon, and butter. Check out the Disney Parks Blog to read all about it!

Two people in the party ordered the oven-roasted herb chicken breast served with wild mushroom and baby spinach risotto, parmesan-chicken jus, and white truffle oil drizzle. One person substituted mashed potatoes for the risotto. Both people said the chicken was juicy and tender and they both enjoyed their dish a lot!
One person in our party had the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. This comes tossed with Applewood-smoked Bacon, Baby Spinach, Peppadew Peppers, Herb Toasted Panko. He said it was tasty and it had lots of lobster in it so it is a good value.

Baxter T. Bear enjoyed his Shrimp and Grits. The dish has Sautéed Shrimp, Cheddar Cheese Grits, Local Corn Succotash, Andouille Sausage, with a Creole Spice Emulsion. Baxter T. Bear goes on a lot of Disney and other adventures, check out his Instagram!

My husband had the seared Mahi Mahi served with Jasmine Rice, Coconut and Cilantro-Lime Sauce, and Avocado-Mango Salsa. I tried a bite of his dish and loved it. Very flaky tender fish with a light refreshing flavor. All other flavors blend well together and give the dish a taste of the islands.

I enjoyed my Roasted Pork Belly and Grilled Cider-brined Pork Tenderloin. It comes with a Sweet Potato Purée, Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onion, Smoked Bacon Lardons, and Apple Gastrique. I substituted the Brussel sprouts with broccoli. It was good, but I have had a similar dish at the California Grill that was executed better. This was a bit on the dry side and just not as good.

We were all adequately stuffed so we did not order dessert. Overall the meal was lovely and my friends and I enjoyed it very much. I think my favorite part was how quiet it was. We dined on Dapper Sunday so the park had more people in it and this place was not crowded at all for lunch.
Have you ever dined at Coral Reef, how was your experience? Let me know in the comments!

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