Wondering what’s the best food at EPCOT Food and Wine Festival in Disney World? The choices can be overwhelming. I have visited several times, and while the menu changes somewhat from year to year, I’m happy to share my best bites and tips for making the most of your experience.
What is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a celebration of food! Kiosks are set up across the park where you can sample delicious dishes and drinks from around the world. The festival also includes live music, chef demonstrations, beverage seminars, activities for kids, and more.
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival happens every year from September to November. You don’t need a ticket beyond your admission to Epcot, but you do pay for the food and drinks. Items generally cost between $5 and $12.
My best tip is to visit with family or friends and share, share, share! It’s best to try a little bite of something – then get another if you LOVE it – rather than eating the whole thing and being too full to try all the awesome options.
My Favorites From Epcot Food & Wine
The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival menu varies from year to year, but some offerings stay the same or are at least similar. These are some of my favorites that I look for every time.
Le Cellier Filet Mignon. Location: Canada. Canada consistently has the best food in all of EPCOT. I said what I said. Le Cellier is my favorite restaurant in Disney World, and I love being able to enjoy a “bite” of filet at the festival without sitting down to a full meal.
I make a beeline for this slice of beef with wild mushroom and truffle butter sauce. My daughter rated this 100,000,000 out of 10 – the best things she ate all day. Canada also has a cheddar bacon soup with a pretzel bun that is fantastic!
Boeuf Bourguignon. Location: France. Like Canada, I am never disappointed with the food at the France kiosk. This braised beef is slightly different each year – might be cooked in beer with bacon and onions, or simmered in a cabernet sauce and served over creamy mashed potatoes. No matter what the recipe, it’s always amazing.
And don’t forget the crème brulee!
Kalua Pork Slider. Location: Hawai’i kiosk near the Port of Entry. We all loved the amazing blend of pulled pork with sweet and sour pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise.
Hot Beef Sandwich. Location: Hops & Barley (American Adventure) Thin sliced roast beef with horseradish cream, crispy onions, and pickled vegetables – so good! The carrot cake with cream cheese icing was a perfect compliment.
Short Rib Tostada. Location: Mexico. A crispy corn tortilla is topped with short ribs or barbacoa, cojita cheese or black beans, salsa verde and spring onion. The Mariachi Loco margarita was pretty tasty, too!
Smoked Corned Beef with Crispy Potatoes. Location: Flavors from the Fire. This lean, tender corned beef with pickled onions and blonde ale beer fondue is to die for. The warm potatoes aren’t crunchy like a potato chip, but real potatoes slices with a slight crisp that serve as the perfect vehicle for the meat and cheese.
This item has been offered three years in a row, so I think it’s a crowd favorite.
Chicken Dumplings and Xi’an Pancake. Location: China. The dumplings were super flavorful and paired with a Chinese slaw, while the pancake was filled with tender beef and a light, hoisin-tasting sauce. China is often a favorite. Other years I’ve enjoyed the Mongolian beef bao bun and dandan noodles.
Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Brown Bread. Location: Ireland. The cheese dip is just the right consistency – not too thick, but perfectly creamy for bread dipping. Enjoy it with a Guinness beer or an Irish milkshake!
Frozen Lemonade with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. Location: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company at The American Adventure. This hit the spot on a 95-degree day with 80% humidity!
Chocolate Picante. Location: Flavors from the Fire. This dark chocolate mousse is flavored with cayenne pepper, paprika, and mango. It’s a fantastic dessert with creamy, rich chocolate and a spicy kick!
Was there anything I didn’t like? I have never been thrilled with the pasta from Italy. It’s just tough to do a good pasta in bulk like that. I’m also not a fan of the Raclette Swiss cheese dishes at the Alps kiosk. The cheese isn’t melty enough and quickly gets rubbery. And some of the more unique alcoholic beverages were odd tasting and not worth the cost.
Bottom line: Stick with foods you think you’ll like, show up hungry, and pace yourself!
Related: Best Disney World Thrill Rides
Favorite Grampy says
How did you narrow it down to only 12? This is our family’s favorite Disney World event. When we go to Food & Wine it is our goal to eat at every single booth. Yum!!