Restaurant Merrakesh

[Mitzie]

Might be stopping in to Epcot in a few weeks and looking to eat at Merrakesh...any thoughts out there? This would be completely new for us. When looking at the menu we noticed the 'feasts'...if one is on the dining plan, can you select one of those? Also, does the whole party have to have that or can an individual order it? Thanks for your imput.

[MNNHFLTX]

My son and I ate there about 1-1/2 years ago on the dining plan and were told that the feasts and sampler platters are not included; you can order them if you want, but you end up paying an extra charge. As far as your second question, I do not believe it is necessary for the entire table to order the feast.

[DisneyMom12]

The atmosphere and belly dancer is nice, but we really did not like the food. I would never eat there again.

[ElenitaB]

I'll start this by saying that I really do like Middle-Eastern food and have it on a regular basis. I was not impressed in the least by Marrakesh. I found the food to be overly greasy; I wasn't too impressed with the waitstaff either. I'll be back to Tangierine Cafe but I doubt we'll be back to Marrakesh.

[Mitzie]

Much of what you guys are saying mirrors what I read on another site. I just value your opinions. Our youngest DD is a picky eater so it looks like we will save a trip to Morocco for another trip. Thanks Intercotees.

[TheDuckRocks]

If you just wanted to try a taste of Moroccan food use a counter service credit at Tangierine Cafe the platters are huge and and you all could share one. I agree with Ellen the counter service is much better than the restaurant.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I'll start this by saying that I really do like Middle-Eastern food and have it on a regular basis. I was not impressed in the least by Marrakesh. I found the food to be overly greasy; I wasn't too impressed with the waitstaff either. I'll be back to Tangierine Cafe but I doubt we'll be back to Marrakesh.

[Mickey'sGirl]

We've enjoyed Restaurant Marrakesh several times at both lunch and dinner. Our children eat well there, and I can get a lovely lamb shank and couscous. Because we are a family of four, we are usually placed up next to the dancefloor, and get to enjoy the musicians and the bellydancer up close (which my DS12 REALLY enjoys ).

I have no comments on the feasts, as I have nut allergies, and order pretty specific items off the menu.

[MarkC]

Some people may really enjoy this place, but I will caution you that just walking into the restaurant you will smell the different spices that they use. It can easily turn away the average person from trying it, so be forewarned.

[Ayndi]

We love this restaurant. Big portions and the couscous is fantastic. The lemon chicken is really good.

Have eaten here many times.

[mouseketeer mom]

We loved Marrakesh. The food isn't so exotic that picky eaters cannot find something to eat..there are basic kabobs and dishes that are mild and would appeal to most anyone. It sounds way more exotic then it is. The belly dancer was a surprise. I expected a "Disney" belly dancer, but thats not what happened!! Without going into too many details, lets just say my 10 year olds eyes popped out of his head, and my husband enjoyed it the same. Ahem. That was a surprise!!!

[MarkC]

We loved Marrakesh. The food isn't so exotic that picky eaters cannot find something to eat..there are basic kabobs and dishes that are mild and would appeal to most anyone. It sounds way more exotic then it is. The belly dancer was a surprise. I expected a "Disney" belly dancer, but thats not what happened!! Without going into too many details, lets just say my 10 year olds eyes popped out of his head, and my husband enjoyed it the same. Ahem. That was a surprise!!!

Yes, this old married male noticed that too. The last two belly dancers I've seen bordered on stunning. So you males out there who don't want to tag along with your wives, you may want to reconsider.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Well....although we didn't enjoy the food my teenage son quite enjoyed the entertainment as well

[stlcards]

Anybody have any recent experiences with Marrakesh to share? Also, is the belly dancer just at dinner, or also at lunch? TIA!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

We had a belly dancer at lunch in 2008

[thatkindofday]

We went about 3 weeks ago and we really enjoyed it. The food was very good. We've never had middle eastern food before though, which was one of the reasons we wanted to go there. We both had the feasts. (we have TIW, we didn't use the DDP) I had the goat cheese appetizer which was absolutely delicious! All of our food was good and the only complaint was that my husband had sausage that was very very spicy and he was not expecting it to be that spicy. The belly dancer and the music was cool. The music played for about 15 minutes at the beginning of the hour and the belly dancer came out and danced for 2 songs then they all took a break until the next hour.

[RAIDER]

Go for it ..You will not regret it . Marrakesh is one of those places thats tends to be a tad underated in my view .The food cant be faulted ( make sure you have an empty stomach as the portions are large ) The service and atmosphere is second to none .The entertainment is unique ...

Weve eaten there a few times and always enjoyed the experience

[Janmac]

While we have not eaten at Marrakesh since January of 2010, I will say that over the years, the food has been uneven. I generally get the lemon chicken because it was awesome the first time we ate at Marrakesh. The next trip it was definitely blah. Better the next trip. My sister usually gets the lamb and loves to eat at Marrakesh. We brought some newbies with us in 2010, not really adventurous eaters, and they thoroughly enjoyed their fish selections.

One big reason Marrakesh has - in the past - been one of our favorite restaurants is that the tables have not been crammed together, nor have we been rushed to get through our meal. Service has usually been very good - can't drink a [non-alcoholic] beverage even down to half before it's topped off. Any sort of paper (wrapper, etc.) does not stay on the table. And other than the somewhat atonal music (which we don't mind), the restaurant has been quiet, especially compared to, say, Coral Reef.

One trip we were very late due to a complete deluge while we were walking in from the Beach Club. The CMs couldn't have been nicer, and we were still seated promptly (as soon as we removed our ponchos and recuperated some from the drenching).

As to the belly dancer, my sister had been taking lessons before one trip, and was excited to find that she knew what the different hand motions meant. They apparently tell a story. Her granddaughter, on our last trip, had a great time, with other little girls, dancing with the belly dancer.

We are hoping to eat at Marrakesh again on our next trip, and hopefully it will still be a nice quiet leisurely place to eat. Even if the food is not always wonderful.

Jan

[darthmacho]

I loved the food and atmosphere at Marrakesh, and of course the belly dancer. Although, we ate there way back in 1998, so my review is just a tad outdated.

If you're wondering why we haven't been back, we're still trying to get to all the restaurants in World Showcase, and don't get to WDW as frequently as we'd like.

The bastilla is the best dessert I've had at WDW.

[Jared]

I'll start this by saying that I really do like Middle-Eastern food and have it on a regular basis. I was not impressed in the least by Marrakesh. I found the food to be overly greasy; I wasn't too impressed with the waitstaff either. I'll be back to Tangierine Cafe but I doubt we'll be back to Marrakesh.

I agree with this entire post. I eat Middle-Eastern food at least once or twice a week, and I was disappointed by Marrakesh. Like Ellen, I much prefer Tangierine Cafe. It's probably my favorite World Showcase counter-service location.