Disney World is full of Hidden Secrets that most guests never learn about, but are available to everyone.  Today we visit the World Showcase in Epcot to discover the Hidden Secret at La Cantina Quick Service Restaurant.

La Cantina Hidden Secret

The very popular La Cantina Quick Service Restaurant that is found in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot has a beautiful waterfront setting with seating that overlooks the World Showcase Lagoon.


The Hidden Secret that many people do not realize is that during the Lunch hours every day diners at La Cantina may enter this door to dine inside the La Hacienda de San Angel table service restaurant that is only open during dinner hours.



While you enjoy your inexpensive (relatively speaking) food from La Cantina, you can dine in the posh setting of La Hacienda de San Angel!  This is a fact that very few people realize, even when it becomes standing room only for the outside seating, it is calm and quiet inside.  This is especially good to know on rainy days.

The restaurant affords wonderful views of the World Showcase making this a great choice for lunch.



The food is great. Whether you choose the great guacamole and chips for a snack or appetizer or get one of the freshly made taco meals, you can't go wrong.

Be A Disney World Expert!

The next time that you visit Epcot, suggest to your family or group that you visit La Cantina for lunch and steer them inside to the Disney World Hidden Secret seating to show off your Disney World expertise.  This is sure to impress and provide a great relaxing setting for lunch!

The World Showcase in Epcot is home to 11 different countries with each offering the opportunity to not only sample the culture, but the cuisine as well.  Today we visit the China Pavilion to dine at the Nine Dragons Restaurant.

Nine Dragons Restaurant

The Nine Dragons Restaurant is located in a building that has stunning architectural features that make it look like it belongs in China.  There is detail everywhere to be found and you should definitely take the time to notice.



The namesake dragons are quite evident in the  detail as seen in the ceiling panels and the large glass partitions located within.

The dark woodwork with intricate carvings is also amazing to look at.  Look closely and you will find dragons there also.




The restaurant itself is one of the easiest to get last minute reservations for in all of Epcot, so if you find yourself looking for a place to eat on short notice, give Nine Dragons a try.

Nine Dragons Menu

The menu had many familiar dishes for Americans that enjoy Chines Restaurants.  Compared to other Epcot Table Service Restaurants the food was very reasonably priced with most entrees to be found between: $15 - $22.

Appetizers:

Epcot is certainly the best Disney World theme park for dining and La Hacienda de San Angel is a great option whether you are a couple on a special night out or a family looking for a enjoyable meal.

La Hacienda de San Angel

The Mexico Pavilion is blessed with two great Table Service Restaurants: San Angel Inn, which resides within the giant Aztec Pyramid that dominates the Skyline for the Pavilion and the newer La Hacienda de San Angel which has a wonderful waterfront perch.  Both restaurants are run by the same company, but provide a different menu and experience for Disney World Guests.




The decor that can be found within La Hacienda de San Angel is amazing! It is quite different from its near neighbor and creates a much different mood.  The seating is packed closely, so don't be surprised if your table is very close to another party.  The restaurant is friendly and welcoming, so this closeness does not detract from the ambiance of the dining experience.


With its waterfront location, there are amazing views of the World Showcase Lagoon, and the waterfront window tables are much sought after for late night seatings.  It is hard to name a better way to view Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

Disney Dining Review

The ambiance is wonderful, but a restaurant is nothing without great food.  Fortunately La Hacienda de San Angel certainly has great food!

La Hacienda de San Angel Menu (Click to ENLARGE)

The menu contains several choices of Platos Principales (entrees):

• Costillas en salsa de Chile
  Braised short ribs, served with potato puree and chile de arbol sauce
• Tacos de Camarones
  Fried shrimp, chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde, all served over flour tortillas
• Pollo al Pastor
  Achiote marinated chicken served with roasted vegetables, beans and pineapple relish
• Puerco en salsa de Ciruela
  Grilled pork rib eye, served with carrot puree, caramelized onions and plum sauce
• Pescado a la Talla
  Grilled Tilapia served with esquites (roasted corn) , nopales(cactus leaves) and mango chutney

La Hacienda de San Angel Wine and Beverage Menu (Click to ENLARGE)

Every meal starts out with the complementary Chips and Salsa.  This has two kinds of salsa to sample and enjoy.

They also have two different meals that are designed to feed two people each.  One is seafood centric and the other featured beef and chicken.  Since we had four people in our party during this review we decided to try both of the two person meals called Parrillada.


The "La Hacienda" features mixed grill offering New York Strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas.

The food is certainly as good as it looks the portion for two is plentiful and the variety of tastes and flavors from the various portions of the meal are wonderful.


The Del Mar features mixed grill offering fish, shrimp, scallops and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas.

Again, another excellent choice.  This is sure to satisfy seafood fans.  The hardest choice if there are only two of you dining is choosing between the two meals.  I would recommend bringing along four people so that you can try both of these combination meals and enjoy all of the wonderful flavors.

Here is a picture highlighting all of the food that our table of 4 received.  They will bring refills of the bowls of rice and beans if you wish, as well as, additional tortillas.

Dining Review Summary

The La Hacienda de San Angel is a beautiful restaurant with great food that is sure to please whether you favor meat or seafood.  There is also a well stocked beverage menu to meet your needs.  The only drawback is that this restaurant does not accept the Tables In Wonderland Discount.  It does take the Disney Dining Plan and it also accepts a DVC Member Discount.

We highly recommend this restaurant and suggest that it would be a great way to end a day at Epcot with a window view of Illuminations: Reflections Of Earth.

Epcot may be the only theme park in the entire world where naming the Top 6 full service restaurants that are inside the park is actually a difficult task.  Believe it or not, but there are currently 16 Table Service Restaurants in addition to the numerous counter service restaurants and the 4 Bar/Lounges where you can also eat, all within the boundaries of Epcot!

Top 6 Restaurants In Epcot

There are many different ways to rate the restaurants within Epcot, from Disney Character interaction, unique theming & entertainment, incredible menu, superb service, and great dining value.  At Only WDWorld we took all of this into account to make our Top 6.  With a list that leaves out 10 great restaurants, we are sure that some of you will be disappointed, but that is what makes these lists so interesting.

Entrance To San Angel Inn Restaurante

View inside San Angel Inn Restaurante

6. San Angel Inn Restaurante 

The original restaurant located in the heart of the Mexico Pavilion is modeled after a 17th century hacienda at the base of Mayan ruins.  The perpetual twilight makes for perhaps the most romantic dining setting in Epcot.  The views in this restaurant are truly unique and the authentic Mexican menu makes for a great meal.

5. Les Chefs de France

A French restaurant with authentic dishes and spectacular French waitstaff make you feel that you have escaped to Paris for an evening.  The high quality of the food and the service makes this restaurant one that you will want to make part of every Disney World Vacation.

4. Biergarten

The Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion is fun, pure and simple.  This is where families and couples go to relax and enjoy.  Whether you go for the great German cuisine, the large steins of German Beer, or the entertainment, this is not an experience to be missed!

3. Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion is home to the best Disney Princess Character Meal at Disney World.  You get to meet and interact with at least 4 different Disney Princesses!  The inside of Akershus is certainly a place fit for royalty.  The food also allows for a taste of Norwegian cuisine as well as a number of other dishes.

2. Coral Reef

Located at the Living Seas Pavilion, the Coral Reef provides a backdrop that is not duplicated anywhere else.  The ability to watch the sharks, sea turtles, rays, and fish swim by while you dine makes for an amazing sight.  The views work well whether you are a family with children or a couple celebrating a special event.  The food is excellent with both seafood and steak on the menu.  As a special tip don't miss our favorite Disney World dessert - The Chocolate Wave, to cap off your meal!

1. Le Cellier Steakhouse

As one of two Disney World Signature Restaurants located within Epcot, Le Cellier features some of the best steaks and dishes that you can find.  The signature "Le Cellier" Mushroom Fillet Mignon is a dish that is hard to pass up.  The Cheddar Cheese soup is one that people crave long after they leave and can't wait until their next vacation to enjoy again.

Special Mention

Ok, we couldn't stop with a list of just 6 Epcot Restaurants, we had to give a shout out to 2 other standout dining locations.

Restaurant Marrakesh

How can we not mention a restaurant that has a live band and a belly dancer as part of the dinner entertainment?  The authentic Moroccan menu provides a variety of choices to experience and the spectacular theming within the restaurant and the entertainment make it a fun experience.

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Lastly, we could not forget Via Napoli which is home to the best Pizza at Disney World.  Their authentic recipe, which seeks to match true pizza from Naples is cooked in one of the three wood fired ovens named after famous volcanoes: Stromboli, Vesuvio, & Etna.

Where is the best place to meet and interact with Disney Princesses at Disney World?  The answer may surprise you, but it is in the Norway Pavilion in Epcot at the Storybook Princess Dining Experience.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

The building where you dine and meet the Disney Princesses is called Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.  It is inspired by the real 14th century Akershus Castle in Norway which overlooks the harbor in Oslo.

Inside Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

The interior finishes and decor continue the theme and provide a beautiful backdrop for your meal.  You really get the sense that you are inside a Norwegian Castle.

Storybook Dining Experience

Once Upon a time...
A great Viking king and queen welcomed royal visitors to the castle Akershus.
That tradition continues as we invite you to experience a feast fit for royalty of all ages.

Meeting Disney Princesses

Once you are admitted inside Akershus, you will be taken to a small alcove to have your picture taken with one of the Disney Princesses.  You don't get to choose, it will be whichever one is in there at the time.  During our meal, Belle was the Princess posing with families for pictures near the entrance.  A Disney Photographer will take you picture with their camera (and yours too if you request) and during your meal you will receive a print of the picture to remember your dining experience.

Cinderella at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Snow White Signing Autographs

During the meal there is a constant stream of Princesses coming to each table to meet guests, interact, sign autographs, and of course, pose for pictures.  Although they will not commit to a set roster, typically you will find: Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Snow White, & Ariel.

Aurora with her fans at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Ariel at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

This is certainly the best place for Disney Princess fans to meet their favorites.  As a bonus, if you are using the Disney Dining Plan, it only costs one Table Service Dining credit to dine here.

The Dining Experience

Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall also provides a unique experience.  The meal is broken up into a couple different segments in order to allow you to experience some of the flavors of Norway and their cuisine.

The meal starts by visiting the buffet line to experience the Flavors of Norway.  Here you will find some of the finest Scandinavian Seafood, Imported Cheeses, cured and sliced Meats, and a vast selection of Salads and Fruits.  This is a great chance to try a variety of different foods that you may not regularly get to try.  This serves as your Appetizer/Salad portion of the meal.

For the main course you get to order off of the menu.  The menu changes, but some of the options may include:

• Braised Short Ribs
• Grilled Pork Chop
• Mushroom Stuffed Pasta
• Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast
• Pan-Seared Salmon
• Roasted Rack of Lamb
• Traditional Kjottkake which are Norwegian Meatballs

Dining Review