The Coral Reef Restaurant located in Future World of Epcot inside the Seas with Nemo and Friends is one of my family’s favorites. When my children were young the attraction was the giant glass wall through which they could watch all the fish while they ate and if we were really lucky would see one of the divers interacting with the sea life. The food at that time was mediocre at best, but my kids loved to watch the fish while they ate so each trip the Coral Reef Restaurant was on our agenda.

Originally opened in 1986, The Living Seas, as the pavilion was known at that time, housed the largest saltwater tank in the world at 5.7 million gallons. (In 2005 this was surpassed by the Georgia Aquarium). In 2003 Disney began to re-theme this pavilion. This total transformation took several years. Finally all was complete in October, 2006 and the pavilion then became known as the Seas with Nemo and Friends. Since that time, in my opinion, the food as gotten progressively better. My last meal there, I can honestly say, was one of the better meals I had all week.

The entrance to the restaurant, however, leaves a little to be desired. Most restaurants in Epcot have an inviting entrance, large sign and a podium. The Coral Reef is hidden to the rear of the pavilion, with only one small sign on the lawn outside to guide diners in the right direction. The entrance is set back under a large over-hang and is rather dreary and gloomy. You enter through a set of very dark glass doors. Once inside you wait for your table in a long, somewhat unattractive hallway. I am happy to say that I have rarely waited more than five minutes past my reservation time.

The restaurant is a three-tiered room with all the tables facing the floor to ceiling glass aquarium. Every table has a decent view. As someone who travels without small children I would recommend asking for a table along the back wall. The last few times I dined there I was bothered by children moving around trying to get close to the aquarium. Because of this, my server trying to avoid a small child spilled food on the back of someone’s shirt. Even with the servers and management consistently asking parents to keep their children in their seats, there always seems to be that one little rascal that sees a big fish and can’t contain his/her excitement.

The menu has changed throughout the years and during my last visit (I was with my husband, son and daughter) we each tried something different and we were all pleasantly surprised. The Coral Reef serves both lunch and dinner and you can enjoy a great meal using one table service credit if you are using the Disney Dining Plan.

The menu, as of December 2012:

LUNCH MENU: Appetizers/Starter

• Appetizer for two – Crab cakes with tropical fruit salad and Tequila Aioli. Crispy fried shrimp with jicama slaw and spiced remoulade and a taste of our creamy Lobster Soup. – $16.99
• Crab Cakes - With tropical fruit salsa and Tequila Aioli – $10.99
• Land and Sea - Grilled shrimp with cucumber salad and BBQ beef tenderloin skewer with creamy polenta – $11.99
• Steamed Mussels - With cilantro Sofrito, fennel, tomatoes, and toasted ciabatta – $11.99

Soups/Salads

• Creamy Lobster Soup – Made with Chervil and Brandy. – $7.99
• Salad of golden and red beets  - With fresh goat cheese, garden greens, toasted walnuts and herb Vinaigrette. – $6.99
• Seasonal Soup  - Chef inspired creation – $6.99

Entrees

• Caesar Salad - With Chicken $14.99  with Shrimp $16.99
• Grilled Mahi-Mahi - with laughing bird shrimp, hearts of palm, jasmine rice and a coconut lime sauce – $24.99
• Grilled New York Strip Steak - Served with horseradish smashed potatoes and market fresh vegetables – $28.99
• Lobster Ravioli - With bay scallops, fresh tarragon and lobster cream – $25.99
• Mushroom Phyllo Crisp - Roasted mushrooms, wilted arugula, aged cheeses and rustic tomato ragout – $18.99
• Roasted Pork tenderloin  - with sage polenta cake, glazed root vegetables and calvados reduction – $22.99
• Seared Chicken Breast  - Served over Spaetzle finished with applewood smoked Bacon chicken broth. – $20.99
• Seared Rainbow Trout - With warm salad of white beans, Arugula, tomatoes,Crispy bacon, aged Balsamic vinegar and brown butter – $19.99
• Seared Scottish Salmon - with fennel radish slaw, green beans and a citrus emulsion – $20.99

DINNER MENU- Appetizers/Starter

• Appetizer for two - Crab cakes with tropical fruit salad and Tequila Aioli. Crispy fried shrimp with jicama slaw and spiced remoulade and a taste of our creamy Lobster Soup. – $16.99
•  crab cakes - With Tropical fruit salsa and tequila Aioli – $11.99
• Crispy fried Shrimp  - With Jicama slaw and spiced remoulade – $11.99
• Fish Tostadas  - With napa cabbage, avocado cilantro cream and fresh lime – $8.99
•  Steamed Mussels  - With cilantro Sofrito, fennel, tomatoes, and toasted ciabatta – $11.99

Soups/Salads

• Caesar Salad  - Topped with shredded parmesan cheese and croutons. – $7.49
• Creamy Lobster Soup  - Made with chervil and Brandy – $7.99
• Seasonal Soup  - Chef inspired creation – $6.99

Entrees

• Coral Reef Lobster Orecchiette Pasta - With white cheddar cheese and basil oil – $26.49
• Grilled Mahi-Mahi - With ragu of rock shrimp served on Jasmine rice topped with hearts of palms – $24.99
• Grilled NY Strip Steak  - Served with horseradish smashed potatoes and market fresh vegetables – $32.99
• Mushroom Phyllo Crisp  - Roasted mushrooms, wilted arugula, aged cheeses and ruxtic tomato ragout – $18.99
• Orange ginger glazed scottish salmon  - With vegetable stir fry – $22.99
• Pan seared Seasonal catch  - With wild mushroom and Bay Scallop Risotto, Celery root Nage, and Parsley truffle oil
• Seared Chicken Breast  - Served over Spaetzle finished with applewood smoked Bacon chicken broth. – $21.99
•  Seared Rainbow Trout  - With warm salad of white beans, Arugula, tomatoes,Crispy bacon, aged Balsamic vinegar and brown butter – $19.99
•  Slow Braised Beef Short Rib  - With Celeriac Puree and Roasted Root Vegetables – $26.99

DESSERT MENU – same for both Lunch and Dinner

• Baileys and Jack Daniel’s Mousse  - Topped with a ganache and chocolate cigar. – $7.99
• Cheesecake Napoleon  - No sugar added, with seasonal fruit compote – $7.99
• Key Lime Mousse  - With roasted pineapple, mango glaze and chocolate pearls – $7.99
• Passion Fruit Creme Brulee  - with seasonal berries – $7.99
• The Chocolate Wave  - Served with brandied cherries. – $7.99

The restaurant also offers a nice price fixed children’s menu. For $8.99 children age 9 and under will get juice, milk or small bottled water and can choose 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 1 dessert from the following: (french fries and soft drinks available upon request) 

Appetizers: celery/carrot sticks; soup of the day; whole-grain pilaf; green beans and carrots; or sliced apples

Entrees: seared mahi mahi; grilled chicken breast; meaty macaroni; cheese pizza; or grilled fish of the day

Desserts: fruit cup; Coral Reef brownie; yogurt parfait; or sliced apples

Overall, I think most will be pleasantly surprised by how good the food is at the Coral Reef. Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended.

All photos courtesy of disneyworld.disney.go.com.