Biergarten Review
Biergarten is a buffet restaurant in Epcot’s World Showcase Germany at Walt Disney World that is set in the middle of a Bavarian Village celebrating Oktoberfest year round. Biergarten serves authentic German cuisine for lunch and dinner (menu). At the center of the village is a stage where costumed musicians perform traditional Oktoberfest entertainment and where guests can get up and fun fun on the dance floor.
Biergarten is a 1-credit restaurant on the Disney Dining Plan, and also accepts Tables in Wonderland. As a buffet, it’s priced slightly below average for a table service restaurant, making it a good option if you’re paying out of pocket, but a poor option for maximizing your value on the Disney Dining Plan.
Biergarten is an interesting restaurant. The exterior is somewhat understated, with only the painted name of the restaurant above a small archway at the back of Epcot’s Germany pavilion. However, once you step inside, you’re inundated by the sounds of the traditional oompah music, other entertainment, and a Bavarian Village setting (outside, no less!). The seating is communal, which may not appeal to all patrons, but was fine by us. The other guests at our table chatted with us throughout the meal and we had a good time. If you’re looking for a romantic meal or are shy, this may not be the best dining option for you.
This review covers two visits to Biergarten, the most recent of which occurred last year, after which this review was updated/basically re-written…
Let’s start with the ambiance. Aside from the communal seating, which may or may not be your thing, Biergarten has great ambiance, and is just a really fun experience.
The seminal Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center book by Richard Beard paints a vivid picture of the scene in Biergarten: “Three stories high, with tables placed around a tiered semi-circle, the indoor garden miraculously conveys the feeling of an outdoor courtyard. In one corner is a tree, in another a full-sized, functioning waterwheel.
On the opposite side of the garden is a meticulous re-creation of the best of sixteenth-century Rothenburg, complete with its residences. In the center of the town square is a stage where live entertainers, including that inevitable and beloved oompah band, dance and sing and make German music.
Served with the best German beers are such traditional tidbits as bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato dumplings, hot pretzels, sauerbraten, smoked pork in aspic, sausage…everything that is Teutonic and tasty.
The setting is simply splendid, the sort of place we would all love to visit, and many will be loath to leave the jollity of the Biergarten. But leave we must, back to the platz for a last look around…”
I quote extensively from this for a few reasons. First, it saves me the effort of actually thinking and coming up with my own words to describe the place. Second, because it really does describe Biergarten in a way that immerses you in the scene. Finally, and most importantly, because this book that was written before the opening of EPCOT Center in 1982 is still largely accurate when it comes to Biergarten.
This is what’s key for me. So much of the rest of the book is a trip down memory lane, filled with things that have long been removed from EPCOT Center, or things that never came to fruition in the first place (the same page of the book discusses the Rhine River Cruise attraction that would be opening soon in Germany!). For an EPCOT Center fan like me, one of the great things about Biergarten is that it still captures the essence of the early days of EPCOT Center, and embodies that mission of entertaining and educating.
Some might find it a bit of a stretch to claim that a restaurant set in an outdoor Bavarian party where the beer and food is flowing, but is it not? One of the things we most enjoy when traveling is sampling bits of the culture, and taking part in food, drink, and joviality in these places is key to an understanding of the culture. We’ll get to the food shortly, but for me, the setting of the restaurant and the oompah band provide a slice of that culture, and inform guests in the process.
Regardless of whether you think my take that Biergarten succeeds at being a classic EPCOT Center “edutainment” experience, I think there’s little denying that it’s an incredibly fun restaurant. It actually does feel like nighttime in a quaint Bavarian village (a setting that is conveyed quite nicely, right down to details like the moon, and lamps lighting the tables) but the band that performs makes the place come alive. Heck, even the communal seating, which we both were dreading prior to our first visit, gives the restaurant a real energy. Before you even start eating, Biergarten is a great experience.
The restaurant has two buffet “sides” like many buffets, both of which are identical–or nearly identical. The buffets start with salads and breads, then have cold meats and meat salads, followed by the warm meats and salads, before finishing with desserts. It’s also a good place to go for beer, with flights and full liters available. My top pick is the Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen.
As for Biergarten’s food, it’s mostly good but most things aren’t memorable. The highlights, I think are the Pretzel Bread, German Potato Salad, Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Pork, Rotisserie Chicken, Spätzle, and of course, the various sausages. Dessert-wise, the Apple Strudel was really the only thing that impressed me.
Food was considerably better during my more recent visit. The previous time, we found food to seem like it was sitting around under a heat lamp too long. This could be because the restaurant was slammed on the second visit (with sometimes long lines for the buffet), so food was being turned over at a much quicker rate.
It was all good, but the most memorable thing about the meals is definitely the ambiance. Since I give a lot of weight to ambiance at Walt Disney World restaurants, I consider Biergarten a winner. Even the very best in-park food typically doesn’t compare to great real-world restaurants at comparable price points, so I feel you’re paying for the superior ambiance and Imagineered environments at Walt Disney World restaurants.
My usual theory with buffets is that you can get unlimited amounts of decent food versus a decent amount of good food at a normal restaurant. I think that definitely holds true at Biergarten. I like being able to try a variety of different German foods here, and eating a lot of it is definitely a selling point, but even my favorites above aren’t true stand-outs. The only exception to this, I think is the potato salad and the sausages, all of which are really good.
Isn’t that sort of the point, though? Biergarten has good beer, good sausages, and good potatoes. I just named three of the major food groups, and so long as a German restaurant gets these things right, it’s a winner by me. Throw in the party ambiance, and it’s a great pick.
Overall, I highly recommend Biergarten, in large part due to its exceptional ambiance, which makes it one of the best themed restaurants at Walt Disney World. After our first visit, I wasn’t terribly high on the food at Biergarten, but I found it to be considerably better the second visit (and have increased the restaurant’s score to 8.5/10 as a result). Still, it’s not for everyone, nor does it have the best food in Epcot’s World Showcase. The food is fairly good and is a departure from the standard buffet fare at Walt Disney World, and provides the opportunity to sample a number of German foods. It’s not too adventurous (this is not a Boma-level buffet), which could be good or bad depending upon your perspective, but in fairness, I wouldn’t say that German cuisine is particularly exotic for most Americans. It has good beer, good sausage, good potatoes, and good times. Enough said.
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Your Thoughts…
If you’ve been to Biergarten, did you like it? Do you think it’s a great option for dining in the World Showcase, or do you think the food falls a little short? Planning on going? Share your questions or thoughts in the comments!
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I’ve been eating at the beer garden for decades. It is usually very good. Mostly we look forward to eating there more than any place else on Disney. We have been eating German food all our lives and obviously love it. We ate there one night after Christmas and it was not very good at all. I love the hot food was cold and greasy. The sauerbraten was barely edible. After eating there so many times it was a shock. The music was amazing. We would have had a better meal almost anywhere.
Liking most German food and atmosphere my family made Advanced Reservations for our trip several years ago ( we arrived on 12-21 for XMAS 2013). When we arrived there was only one line to get in, NO LINE for those who had reservations. We stood in line for more than 45 minutes before being seated. Once inside, we were seated with others and knew we would be since we we were a party of 5. The wait staff was overwhelmed, and let me say that we have been to WDW many times. the food was average at best. My wife makes better schnitzel. Most of the meats were dry.
I have eaten at many WDW options and this was the most underwhelmed I have ever been.
Well believe it or not, my husband wants to eat here during Food and Wine Festival 🙁 I am thinking that because the table restaurants will not be as popular during FAWF, a buffet is probably the worst choice (food sitting under a lamp for hours). I do agree it’s a whole lot of fun, but thinking FAWF not a great time to go.
I enjoyed the atmosphere. Leo was the host seating me but when he took me to table the people at the table where very rude. Keep in mind in the German atmosphere you share tables. Leo apologized and took me to another table which the that table was more pleasant and interacted with them. Edsel I hope I have his name right he was an excellent waiter. Will return eventually. Great place and great atmosphere.
Well, I’m bringing my family to WDW for the first time in November and if I hadn’t booked the Biergarten, they would tar & feather me and hang me off a glockenspiel! LOL
We lived in Germany for 5 1/2 years – both near the French border in Kaiserslautern and on the Bavarian side in Munchen. So we will have to report what we thought after we come back 😉
I could eat the pretzel bread with every meal for the rest of my life.
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I honestly LOVED the food at Biergarten. Favs were the schnitzel, roast pork, sauerbraten, and nudel gratin. Apple strudel dessert was also amazing. I actually found it quite high quality and also loved the ambiance. Probably my favorite restaurant in World Showcase, honestly. (Previously have eaten at Rose & Crown, Chefs de France, and Nine Dragons, and enjoyed them in that order.)
We were here for Christmas last year and thoroughly enjoyed it as part of the candlelight processional dinner package! The Christmas entertainment is really unique and the food is satisfying and mostly delicious. I will say the “bad” part of the Biergarten experience was standing in the heat for 45 minutes or longer while waiting to be seated.
Tom- have you ever been to Frankenmuth, MI? I’m assuming you have since you’re a former Michigander. The biergarten reminds me a lot of being in Frankenmuth.
Yeah, I’ve been to Frankenmuth a number of times, but not for years. I think I can recall the similarities you reference. I really should get back there sometime…
I love all the pics. I would die to get pics like these from Disney World. Most of your shots look like HDR with only a smig of post processing. I think it gives tge perfect type of picture to capture disney.
You love all my pics…of Biergarten? It’s a great place, but I’m not so sure about it being the perfect type of photo of Disney! 😉
I am glad that there are at least two Tom’s on this Earth who decided to Review Biergarten because they enjoyed it so much.
Love the food, ambiance, and entertainment!
We visited this place for the first time just over a week ago. We tried it because it was one of the few places we hadn’t tried despite visiting EPCOT more than a hundred times over the years and because it was the only place available at short notice for the Candlelight Processional dinner package. We were pleasantly surprised with both the ambiance and the food. I don’t eat sausage, but I found a lot of good things to fill up on. What I want to know is WHY DID YOU NOT MENTION THE BEER CHEESE SOUP?!?! That was by far they very best thing on the buffet in my opinion–that pretzel bread was incredible with it. We didn’t have the array of desserts that you had. There was the apple strudel, little cups of Black Forest cake, fruit compote, and store-bought chocolate-chip cookies.
Not sure about the first time, but there was no beer cheese soup last time I was there. That’s disappointing, as it sounds awesome with the pretzel bread.
Husband loved the atmosphere and food, I however was not a big fan of either. We did sit with a very nice family though! I think it is hard for me to like it as we have a Hofbrauhaus where we live and it’s hard not to make comparisons.
There were some unique choices of meats. I made it a point to try them all. Most were very good; some were not what you may be used to. Don’t worry, there are plenty of safe, familiar options as well. The atmosphere and entertainment make it a festive dining choice. The beer choices are very good. The staff is very nice and the place retained a decent family atmosphere. Our family was seated at a table with another family and they seemed to be frustrated after a long day. There was whining and sharp voices from the parents. This took away from the experience a little but overall this dining experience makes the grade with me.
Totally agree with you in every regard. I recently revisited Biergarten (update to this review coming soon) and enjoyed the restaurant even more. It’s a nice way to sample a variety of meats and other options from Germany, most of which are fairly “safe” and also provides a fun cultural experience. It’s not the best restaurant in World Showcase, but it’s definitely a solid option.
so the bratwurst isn’t as good as the you might find in Frankfurt but its a great experience none the less. we have been there seven times and only once had tablemates who were boring apes. we are looking forward to heading back in 30 days!!
My husband introduced me to the Beirgarten on our honeymoon. It was the must place to dine at Epcot for him. I really loved the decor and theme. So beautifully designed. And I love buffets when I am not sure about the food. Love options. Food and company was great. I think it is a lot of fun to eat at a table with others. Make new friends. We enjoyed going back with family a couple years later and again during our 5th anniversary trip. Is it our favorite place in all WDW to dine with the best food? No. But the atmosphere is so amazing and so much fun, we keep coming back every other trip.
Spot on with the review! Great atmosphere and tough to beat entertainment, but the main courses just weren’t quite there. I do have to admit though, some of those desserts were GREAT! I do occasionally feel the need to stop for some Bavarian Cheesecake at the quick service stand outside.
Yeah, the desserts were pretty good. I don’t recall ever having had a dessert at the quick service stand outside. Do they have anything different or unique there?
Biergarten and indeed the Germany Pavilion is a place I hang out in a LOT, much to my families annoyance. The food is as you say fine, not outstanding but I totally love the vibrancy of the Bierkellar and the fact you get so many biers in such vast quantities to choose from. We have not had a bad experience with diners yet and indeed I am going to Munich in September, which I believe is the place built in tribute to the Epcot Pavilion….might be wrong on that but hey-ho.
The Germany pavilion is one of my favourite areas to take pics in at night and one day I will get the shots I have in my head actually in the camera.
If, “the place built in tribute to the Epcot Pavilion….might be wrong on that but hey-ho.” was intentional and not a typo, that’s awesome. Even if it wasn’t intentional, just pretend it was!
I’m pretty much with you on the review. I wouldn’t give it any higher of a rating at all. The atmosphere is great, provided you have good table mates. The food is, well, just mediocre. Having grown up in a house where these foods were a staple, I may be a bit biased, but it wasn’t great German food…just okay. We were on the dining plan thankfully so we didn’t feel too bad about using a credit there but I’m just not sure if we’ll go back. The quality of the food had diminished over the last 3-4 years. There are so many other great places to eat in ‘The World’ that I just don’t know if it ranks high enough.
This is exactly where we stand (except neither of us have grown up eating German foods). It’s good, and someplace we might eat if there weren’t other great options, but it’s tough to justify the ambiance given the price and the quality of the food. Why is it the restaurants with the coolest “shows” seem to have the worst cuisine?!
My wife and I love Biergarten, but we don’t go anymore unless we are going with 6 other friends. We’ve had a few experiences with downright grumpy tablemates in the past.
We would also recommend going during the holidays. Our last visit was in early January, but they were still doing the holiday show, and the decorations were still up. We loved it. And the food seems to go better with crisp, cold weather than a muggy, hot summer night.
Good idea about the 6 friends. Maybe it’s a Reunion-type activity? (Probably not this year for us, as we want to mix it up, but I’d be willing to give it a go in a year or two.)