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Tasty Tuesday – Biergarten Restaurant Review

Biergarten Sign

Biergarten Restaurant Review by Guest Blogger Jenn Paul-Koch

Whether you’re a Disney veteran or going on your very first trip, food can be a big part of the fun. In our case, we are Disney veterans and all around food lovers!  Planning our Disney meals is something we talk about throughout the year and ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) day is like Christmas morning to me!   Being able to snag a reservation at one of our favorite spots is like opening up the present you wanted all year!

 

We are a family who loves traditions, and food is no exception.  On our annual trip to Walt Disney World we have a first night tradition of eating dinner at Biergarten in Germany at Epcot.  While I am usually one to avoid buffets, Biergarten offers more than your typical meats and sweets, and has something for everyone to enjoy!

 

Biergarten is designed to look like a Village in Germany.  When you walk in, you will be transported to a whole new world.  As with everything else, Disney has done their homework, and you feel like you are actually in Germany . Their attention to detail is delightful. Even the wait staff is from Germany!

Biergarten interior
 

Once your name is called you will be seated. Be warned though, you are not seated alone. You are seated at long tables with other people. This is something I did not know the first time I went and I was initially turned off. Why would I want to sit with strangers on MY vacation?

 

I quickly got over this when we met some pretty great people! However, I have also been seated with people who have flat out ignored us.  We try to be engaging and friendly! If we get the “leave me alone vibe,” we do so.  But I think it’s fun to spark a conversation; you never know who you might meet!  If you choose to eat here, don’t be shy.

 

In case you need something to make you a little less shy, you can grab yourself a BIG LITER (or half) of beer! We drive to Florida from Pennsylvania, and this is a nice treat for my husband!  I don’t know much about beer, but I do know that he is pleased with the selection year after year!

 

"Beer"garten

 

Once seated, you are free to roam around and grab whatever delicious food you like! The buffet is all-you-care-to-eat and I find that there is something for everyone. In addition to traditional German foods like Spatzle, Bratwurst, and Pork Schnitzel, you will find other foods like salads, macaroni and cheese, and a carving station with roast beast.  (No, not Belle’s Beast.  Calm down, people!) My personal favorite is the pretzel bread and cheddar cheese soup!  If dessert is more your thing, you will be happy to see items like apple strudel, bavarian cheesecake, puddings, and fresh fruit.

 
BG4BG5Biergarten Food 3
 

What really brings us back year after year is the entertainment! About every hour, a wonderful Oompah band comes out! The floor opens up and everyone is invited to dance. Don’t be shy, this really is great fun! They engage everyone in the restaurant by playing traditional German instruments, singing songs, and performing on things like hand bells. My kids LOVE this, and it is a ton of fun to watch them! For us, this makes our first night back complete!

 
German Man Playing Instrument

 

Riiiicola!

 

Dancing at Biergarten
 

While this may not be a “signature” dining experience, it is still top notch! The food is fresh, the fun is plentiful and so is the beer! I’d recommend this dining experience to both Disney first-timers and Disney veterans. If you’re using a Disney Dining Plan , Biergarten is a great value for food and entertainment at just one table service credit.  If you’re paying out of pocket, this meal will run you about $37.99 per adult and $17.99 per child.  A ½ liter of beer will be $8.00.

 
Biergarten Receipt
 

So if you’ve heard so-so reviews in the past, take some advice from Frozen: Let It Go and give Biergarten another chance! Its not always just about the food.. although the beer, pretzel bread and soup are enough to keep us going! We find it to be one of Disney’s best kept secrets and plan on keeping the tradition going… unless they stop serving beer.

Jenn Paul-Koch is married to her best friend Bob. Together they have 3 wonderful children.  When she’s not busy running her dog-walking business, Merry Pawpins Pet Sitting, she enjoys planning Walt Disney World trips for her family and friends.  Her Disney favorites are Snow White,  Dole Whips, Spectro Magic, California Grill, Haunted Mansion, and Toy Story Midway Mania. 

 

3 Comments

  1. Chris

    I am going to have to give this one a try. As a rule I am not fond of exotic foods though. Is the carved roast beef about what one would expect at any Disney restaurant?

    • MousePlanning.com

      Chris – There really isn’t much there that classifies as exotic. There certainly isn’t anything there that most people in the United States don’t eat on a regular basis. I’d describe it as very wide variety of German dishes that are really more like comfort food — various German Potato Salads, all kinds of sausage, etc. But if you don’t know what it is, you might be afraid to try it. Spaetzle is just a type of egg noodle. The very delicious veal sausage is white, so people are hesitant to try it. My advice is to just ignore what it looks like and just try a bite. As far as the carving stations, you’ll usually find a special meat loaf and a pork roast. There are different kinds of sauces for the meats, such as red wine sauce, different types of mustard & ketchup, applesauce, etc. They also serve rotisserie chicken and other meats. Click here for the full menu.

  2. Denise

    Biergarten is amazing! We had one of the sweetest young ladies, Lena as our waitress there. The food is incredible especially the Rotkohl and Spaetzle. I cannot wait to go back in November.

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