Address	Epcot Walt Disney World
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-939-3463
Price	$$$

Let's face it: more people go here for the belly dancers than for the food. The food is just OK -- without the entertainment it would be a lot less appealing. The menu features Moroccan and Middle Eastern specialties, such as roast lamb meshoui, couscous with a variety of meats or vegetables, fish tagine, and shish kebab. (For most people, it will be the first time they've ordered a shish kebab that costs nearly 28 bucks.) The Royal Feast, a table d'hote for $42.95 per person, offers a six-course menu with a variety of flavors. If you're really hungry, that's the way to go.... Read more

Address	Britsh Isles Pavilion Epcot
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-939-3463
Price	$$$

If most people choose to eat at Restaurant Marrakesh for the belly dancers, most people who choose to have dinner here do so because of the great view of Illuminations. Tip from the Disney folks: If you want to view Illuminations from here, "take a seat on the popular patio before sunset." Before sunset -- the show is at 9 p.m. That's a lot of pints to pound down while you're waiting. And what will you eat? Bangers and mash? Fish and chips? Sorry, I can't recommend the food here. And I've always been disappointed with the staff. I love my visits to England -- the real one, across the Atlantic -- and the people there are always wonderful. But the cast members at this pub are usually surly. (And why not -- they've got people camping out on their patio tables for four hours waiting for the fireworks to begin.)... Read more

Address	Mexico Pavilion Epcot
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-939-3463
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

It’s a perennial nighttime scene, affected by its location inside the pavilion. The dining area is set up next to the waterway, which transports people in boats on their way to the pavilion’s themed ride, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. All the elements work nicely together to produce a terrific atmosphere.

I wish they’d spend a little effort on making the food better.

The menu at least stays true to Mexican cuisine, rather than pandering to Americans’ concept of it, which has been muddled by Tex-Mex, Southwestern and even San Francisco-style burrito restaurants. Here you’ll find no fajitas, an American invention, or cheesy quesadillas. You will receive a conical basket filled with tortilla chips, accompanied by two salsas -- an American tradition that even authentic Mexican restaurants must follow.

That’s the last thing you’ll get for free. Everything else you’ll pay for, and you’ll pay way too much.

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Address	1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Walt Disney World Dolphin
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-934-1362
Price	$$$$

Shula's is consistently one of the best steakhouses in Central Florida. The decor is high-toned and classy, with a wood-trimmed corporate boardroom mien. Large black and white photos of football action that adorn the walls are tasteful and appropriate. The only real bit of kitsch is the menu, which is printed on the side of an official NFL football (don't even think of trying to walk out with it -- you'll be tackled so fast you won't even see the hostess coming up behind you.)

The steaks here are first-rate and expertly cooked. It ain't cheap, but quality this good is worth the price.

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Address	200 Epcot Center Drive
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-939-3463
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

Spice Road Table is the newest restaurant to open at Epcot, part of the Morocco pavilion in the World Showcase. Not inside the pavilion, mind you, outside, in front of it, on the shore of the lagoon. It’s a setup much like what opened last year at the Mexico pavilion. The menu isn’t exclusively Moroccan. By giving it a Spice Road theme, the developers were able to widen the scope, borrowing from the dishes and flavors of the countries along the legendary explorers’ route. And the various dishes are presented as Mediterranean Small Plates (thank you for not calling them tapas). Oddly, given the name, most of the dishes have rather muted spicing. Ask for a side of harissa with whatever you order and you'll be fine.... Read more

Address	Japan Pavilion, Epcot Walt Disney World
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-939-3463
Price	$$$

Teppan is short for teppanyaki, the Japanese steakhouse style meal where you sit around a large grill with a bunch of strangers while a cook makes a big show of chopping your vegetables and grilling them with a lot of banging and clattering. Fun. The food is good, but ultimately overpriced.

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Address	Walt Disney World Dolphin Walt Disney World
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-934-1111
Price	$$$$

Todd English, of course, is the charismatic celebrity chef best known for his Olives restaurant. I’m not sure English even knows where this restaurant is -- his name is used in a licensing arrangement -- but the people using his name do their best to keep his reputation intact. Occasionally they succeed. Still, at these prices - $18-$52 – it should be wonderful every time.

English did name the restaurant, or at least his kids did. During a trip to an aquarium one of them commented that it looked like a large blue zoo. Putting the two words together and not capitalizing them was someone else's idea, I'm guessing. One of the restaurant's design elements, which were orchestrated by the estimable Jeffrey Beers, is a circular grill where whole fish are supposed to spin around. English told me he calls it the Dancing Fish. Never seemed to work quite as expected whenever I was there.

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Address	Japan Pavilion, Epcot Walt Disney World
City	Orlando
Phone	407-939-3463
Price	$$$

Renovated in 2008, the dining room of the Japan pavilion now offers a serene setting inside and a gorgeous view of the World Showcase outside. Sushi is a forte here, although there also are kitchen foods. Most of the sushi chefs at Tokyo dining are women, so while the restaurant attempts to give a taste of Japanese culinary traditions, it does so by breaking down gender barriers. Very nice.

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