We’re heading to Biergarten — where it is always Oktoberfest!

You can find this unique restaurant nestled in the back of the Germany Pavillion at EPCOT. The Biergarten is a theater-style restaurant filled with long, family-style tables. Up on stage, German performers showcase authentic Oktoberfest numbers throughout the day.

So bring your appetite and come with us to Biergarten!

Atmosphere

To find Biergarten, head to the back of the Germany Pavillion. The German-style architecture creates the feel you are in the middle of another country. The red roofs, wooden accents, and flowers help set the tone before you even enter the restaurant.

Outside of the restaurant, you’ll find a fountain and clock tower.

You’ll find the painted Biergarten sign above an arch way to the left of the fountain.

Once inside, you are transported to a small German town that is celebrating Oktoberfest, complete with a stage, and even the moon.

There is a mix of long tables that fit up to 8 people and smaller tables that serve parties of 4 of fewer.

Throughout the evening, musical performers will come on stage to entertain you — and the entertainment is definitely a highlight here!

The performers sing, dance, and play polka music.

You can even see traiditonal German bell ringing. With all of this music, people can’t help but get up and dance. Even the Cast Members take part and dance with guests.

Drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price of your meal including soda, tea, coffee, and German Spezi, which is Coca-Cola and Fanta Orange mixed.

You can also look at the drink menu for a selection of beers to choose from. You can get a beer flight, a 1/2 Liter pour, or a Liter pour, as well as a wine flight or red or white wine.

We ordered a Coca-Cola, and it came in this glass that was pretty heavy.

We got the beer flight to try. This is $16 and comes with four 5oz pours. From left to right, Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, Konig Ludwig Weissbier, Warsteiner Dunkel and Beck’s Pilsner.

If you like a variety of beer types and flavors or are looking to try them all in a small amount, this is the way to go.

Buffet

The best part about buffet is that it has so much to offer — we love trying a little bit of everything!

Salads

To start there is a mixed greens salad with a ranch and honey mustard dressing.

Next, there was a Bean Salad, Macaroni Salad, German Potato Salad, and Tomato Salad.

Next, a Cucumber Salad, Beets, Butter, and Cheddar Cheese.

For more adventurous pallets, they offer Liverwurst, Sausage Salad, and King Bologna.

Do not skip this next part! The Cheese and Beer Soup and Pretzel Rolls are a must.

Entrees and Sides

As we head down the line you can grab Roasted Chicken, Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes, Sauerkraut, and Traditional Sausages (usually Bratwurst and Bockwurst).

There was also Seasonal Fish and Red Wine Sauce…

… and Meatballs and Pork Schnitzel.

The Carving Station

Next, we’re heading to the carving station for Red Cabbage and Warm German Potato Salad…

…and Sauerbraten. For anyone not familiar with Sauerbraten, it is the German cousin to pot roast, usually served with a rich gravy. Plus there are loads of sides like Spätzle (the most nummy tiny buttery pasta bites with a slight herb flavor. if you have kids, prepare for them to ask for a plate of JUST this, it’s so good!)…

Finally, you can get Pork Lion cut for you right there.

The Kids Section

For kids, they offer Frankfurter, Macaroni and Cheese, Potato Pancakes, and Peas and Carrots.

Desserts

There’s a lot to put on your plate here, so let’s go! The Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake and Cheesecake…

Next, the most amazing Brownies and Black Forest Cake…

For a healthier option, they do have Pineapple for dessert.

The kids and kids at heart will be happy to see Chocolate Chip Cookies on the buffet.

And of course, you can get the delicious Apple Strudel and drizzle with the Vanilla Sauce on top.

Eats

We tried the mixed greens salad, the macaroni salad, the German potato salad, and the tomato salad. Each salad was just as you would expect and nothing out of the ordinary for these traditional items. The star of the show was the pretzel roll. It was warm, dense and perfectly salted.

Next, we tried the roasted potatoes, green beans, roasted chicken, and meatballs, and yes — we did get a second pretzel roll. It is that good. The roasted potatoes had a lot of flavor and were crispy. The roasted chicken had a lot of seasoning and was very juicy. The green beans did not have a ton of flavor and were — just OK. The meatballs were dense and delicious.

Finally, dessert was a hit for us. The brownie was our favorite. It is very rich, so you’ll need to love chocolate for it — which we do. The apple strudel was fluffy and warm with the perfect amount of apple filling. And we really enjoyed the cobbler. It had a nice crust, and the berries tasted very fresh.

With its traditional fare, talented entertainers, and fun atmosphere, Biergarten is a crowd pleaser. Can you find more upscale fare in EPCOT’s World Showcase? Absolutely. And if you’re looking for that, we’d recommend checking out Le Cellier, Takumi-Tei, and even Spice Road Table. But that lively atmosphere at Biergarten does win hearts. In fact, Biergarten is the No. 1 ranked restaurant in EPCOT, according to Yelp users. 

Nosh or Not

Raise your glass if…

• You want a dinner and a show. This place is full of laughter, music, and the sound of glasses toasting together. You will be entertained and have a great time if you enjoy live music.
• You want an authentic German experience. There were many authentic German foods offered on the buffet that you can experience. You also get the chance to hear live German music and watch them perform.
• You are looking for a buffet that is not a character dinner. Most buffets at Disney World are Character Dining. If you are looking for a buffet without the character interaction, this is a great option.

Pass and head elsewhere if…

• You’re on a budget. The meal here isn’t cheap — it’s $49 per adult and $27 per child for lunch and dinner. While it is cheaper than other buffets offered at Disney World, it could still be a large bill for a big party.
• You’re tight on time. This can be a long meal, considering you want to stay and watch the musical performances multiple times and make a few trips to the buffet. If you’re on a time crunch or you’re rushing to do rides, this might not be the right choice.
• You have picky eaters. While it does offer milder options like roasted chicken and mac and cheese, they don’t have chicken tenders and fries. If you have picky eaters in your party, they might not have many options here.
• You’re looking for a quiet meal. You can expect loud, boisterous performances here! It’s a fun atmosphere, but if you’re looking for a quiet respite from the noise of the park while you eat, this isn’t the place.

Overall

We really enjoyed the overall experience. The performances are engaging and entertaining to watch. We found all of the food options delicious, and the beer was good, as well. The Cast Members here were great. They are very attentive, knowledgeable, and kind. Our server wanted to make sure everyone around was having a good time. We would recommend giving this buffet a try the next time you are in EPCOT.

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What is your favorite buffet-style restaurant at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below. 

The post REVIEW: It’s EPCOT’s Liveliest Restaurant, But Is There Anything Not to Love About Biergarten? first appeared on the disney food blog.