San Angel Inn, alongside Gran Fiesta Tour

Image: Andres Alvarado, Flickr (license)

Unlike California Grill, the food at San Angel Inn is — by all accounts — merely average. But, what it lacks in culinary bite, it more than makes up for with a locale that is as uniquely Disney as it gets.

You can find San Angel Inn inside the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase — a masterful presentation of Mexican culture inside an Aztec pyramid. It is perpetually just after sunset inside this pavilion, and the festive atmosphere of a street party helps create one of the most transporting spaces in all of Walt Disney World.

At the back of the pavilion, you’ll find a boat ride called Gran Fiesta Tour — a lighthearted look at Mexican culture through the eyes of Los Tres Caballeros. And, at the shores of the ride, San Angel Inn sits with a view of the serene waters guiding the boats on their journey.

The food is acceptable, but if you score a table next to the water and watch guests embark on their voyage while you dine, you’ll find the food is almost secondary to the experience. You’ll feel like you’re in a different time and place altogether — and that’s what Disney is best at.

Narcoossee’s, during the Electrical Water Pageant

Image: christiantlambert, Flickr (license)

Still somewhat underrated, Narcoossee’s has one of the simplest menus at Walt Disney World while also boasting one of its most beautiful views. The restaurant sits right on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, with the Magic Kingdom glimmering just on the opposite side of the water.

While the restaurant does prove to be a wonderful location from which to take in the evening fireworks, there’s a different nighttime spectacular that Narcoossee’s is uniquely suited to: the Electrical Water Pageant.

Older than the Main Street Electrical Parade, and one of Walt Disney World’s last remaining pieces of classic Disneyana, the Electrical Water Pageant spends its evenings floating between each of the Monorail Resorts, as well as the Magic Kingdom itself. For many guests, the Pageant is something of a surprise — appearing in the dark outside their hotel rooms with a cheery song and a charming light show.

If you plan your Narcoossee’s dinner just right, you can pause your meal to walk out onto the restaurant’s gorgeous wraparound porch — and, with a beautifully unobstructed view, enjoy the classic water parade.

For Disney fans, it’s an experience worth having at least once — not only because of Narcoossee’s delicious food, but because it pairs perfectly with synthesized Disney songs.