I like SAI for lunch because you leave the hot FL sun and enter the cool Mexican evening. Food is standard Tex mex. I like Hacienda for dinner. A bit more upscale modern Mexican cuisine with great windows overlooking lagoon and fireworks.
8:12am on 12/28/25 by
evamarie320
We enjoyed the pyramid one. Is the other one the fast food one on the lake? We don't like that one as much. Too busy. I think that's cantina though. If there's a third one that's the one we haven't tried.
8:16am on 12/28/25 by
popupcamper
@pop there is a sit down reservation part of the quick service with a different menu that's where we did the tequila tasting
8:19am on 12/28/25 by
snelvis
Popup, I get those confused also. Pretty sure San Angel is pyramid. I did not know that La Hacienda had anything other than fast food. Might have to try a regular meal there.
8:20am on 12/28/25 by
h2olly
La Hacienda is the TS along the lagoon, and we love it! Gorgeous views of the water and WS, plus really excellent food. We much prefer it to our experience at San Angel, which felt crowded and dark.
8:41am on 12/28/25 by
utang44
La Hacienda is separate from the outdoor QS. But fun fact: If you eat at the cantina for lunch, you can take your food into the TS La Hacienda to sit in the AC and enjoy the views rather than eating outside. La Hacienda is dinner only.
8:44am on 12/28/25 by
utang44
La Hacienda can be good for fireworks viewing but you need to be lucky and get a window seat. We prefer the food at SAI.
9:23am on 12/28/25 by
Phil H. Magic
We like SAI better, too
9:35am on 12/28/25 by
cdlla
I have been to both and I don't think I will return to SAI. I thought the food was "ok". I really enjoy La Hacienda.
10:30am on 12/28/25 by
PrincipalTinker
We booked La Hacienda for the fireworks view but our window table looked towards Germany, and we had to go outside to watch. We love the dark atmosphere in San Angel. Love their tostadas and a blood orange margarita, no need for an extensive heavy meal.
10:47am on 12/28/25 by
snowdiz
La Hacienda was one and done for us years ago - too dark to read menu, crowded, and rushed indifferent service for mediocre Mexican food. Maybe it's improved in the last decade but so many places to get better Mexican....
10:51am on 12/28/25 by
Ali Ababwa
I like SAI. After they remodeled the dining room year and a half ago, it's not so dark and not so crowded. They put divider walls between some seating, installed additional lighting. The photos on Disney's site are still the old interior.
10:51am on 12/28/25 by
mkmuzzy
Ack! Correction - I meant SAI! I have not eaten at La Hacienda.
10:53am on 12/28/25 by
Ali Ababwa
SAI wasn't dark or crowded when we went in October. It was relaxing and wonderful.
11:24am on 12/28/25 by
popupcamper
It does sound like the renovations helped with that, @popup. Our last meal there was several years ago now. We got hooked on La Hacienda on our mom/daughter trips.
11:27am on 12/28/25 by
utang44
We absolutely all loved ( DH, DD25, DS23) La Hacienda and would pick it every time over San Angel. The food was excellent and we have been to both within the last year.
11:42am on 12/28/25 by
bonniem70
I echo @Eva. I do think I give the edge to La Hacienda though. SAI was sooo tight and no room to move
1:14pm on 12/28/25 by
LaurenInWonderland
I wonder if it helped that we did the inn around 3 pm iirc. There was no one around us. Biergarten otoh was bananas and I won't go there again. (We rarely do table service but did both that trip.)
1:16pm on 12/28/25 by
popupcamper
I did like the Biergarten bathrooms and service (which isn't at all what you asked but wanted to share since I said we won't go back.)
1:34pm on 12/28/25 by
popupcamper
Wow. These 2 restaurants seem very polarizing among Liner friends. I am going to reserve TS for March trip. Hopefully fireworks view. Thanks for all the different opinions.
9:55pm on 12/31/25 by
h2olly
Also excited to try Biergarten. Have never been there. Will be solo trip and I am an introvert. But do like to be around others up to a point. Will I enjoy Biergarden?
9:59pm on 12/31/25 by
h2olly
@h2lly, maybe for Biergarten. The service was amazing, there's a 10ish minute show which we enjoyed and the food was good. We just don't like spending so much money on food. We're sandwich people. But try it.
2:26am by
popupcamper
It's communal and very festive. I would still enjoy it solo just clapping along and watching others have fun. Good food and great atmosphere.
2:35am by
aliceinwonderla
They haven't done the communal seating at Biergarten since the pandemic so you won't have to sit with anyone else. They never seem to fill the restaurant anymore.
3:08am by
melcort10