Welcome to the enchanting world of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World, a highlight of our year and an event we eagerly anticipate! As devoted Disney enthusiasts and annual passholders, we consider this festival an absolute must-do. It’s a vibrant celebration that transforms Epcot into a global culinary playground, inviting guests to embark on an extraordinary journey of tastes and aromas from around the world. Each year, the festival pushes the boundaries of culinary innovation, showcasing an incredible array of dishes and beverages from dozens of Global Marketplaces scattered throughout the World Showcase and Future World.
The sheer volume of unique and exquisite offerings makes it virtually impossible to experience everything in a single visit. This is precisely why we find ourselves returning multiple times throughout the festival’s run. Our annual passes are truly a golden ticket, allowing us the flexibility to savor the experience at our own pace, discover new favorites, and revisit beloved classics. For the 2018 festival, we were fortunate enough to make two memorable trips. Our first visit was a lively family affair, shared with my daughter and her friend, creating cherished memories as we explored the diverse culinary landscape together. Our second journey was a special celebration of our 16th wedding anniversary, a romantic escape for just my husband and me, where we indulged in delightful food and drink, reminiscing about our years together amidst the magical ambiance of Epcot.
Four years ago, my husband surprised me with Walt Disney World annual passes, a gift that, to this day, remains the absolute best. It opened up a world of spontaneous adventures, from quick park hops to in-depth festival explorations. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival stands out as one of the most rewarding perks of being a passholder. Each year, we prioritize getting there early in the festival season, eager to kick off our culinary adventure by sampling the offerings from the myriad of global marketplaces. Having already visited twice, we’re still hoping to squeeze in one more trip, especially to catch the legendary Boys II Men perform during the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series, a fantastic addition to the festival’s entertainment lineup.
Discover more about our Disney annual pass journey here!
Navigating the Festival: Dates, Concerts, and Exclusive Passholder Rewards
The 2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival offered an extensive window for exploration, running from August 30th through November 12th. This generous timeframe allowed ample opportunity for multiple visits, a true blessing for anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in the festival’s diverse offerings. For dedicated annual passholders, the incentives to return are even more enticing. Beyond the sheer joy of repeated culinary escapades, passholders are often treated to exclusive perks and gifts. In 2018, the reward for a fourth visit was a special festival cutting board, a delightful souvenir to commemorate the experience. While we hadn’t quite reached our fourth visit goal at the time of writing, it certainly provided extra motivation to keep exploring!
One of the true highlights of the festival, beyond the incredible food, is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Hosted at the America Gardens Theatre, this series features nationally recognized musical artists performing multiple shows nightly. It’s the perfect way to cap off a day of gastronomic adventures, swaying to the rhythms of your favorite bands while savoring the lingering flavors of the World Showcase. Planning your visits around your preferred performers can add another layer of enjoyment to your festival experience.
A Culinary Journey: Our Top Picks from the Global Marketplaces
With so many incredible options to choose from, narrowing down our favorites is always a delightful challenge. Yet, after much sampling and many satisfied smiles, we’re thrilled to share some of the standout dishes and sips that truly captivated our taste buds during the 2018 festival. From savory to sweet, and refreshing sips in between, these are the culinary memories we’re still savoring.
Brazil: A Taste of South America
Stepping into the Brazil booth, the aroma of freshly baked goods immediately captivated us. Among the many tempting offerings, the Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo), as shown above, stood out. This unassuming yet incredibly popular item had been buzzing through the festival crowds, and after hearing multiple rave reviews, we knew we had to try it. True to its reputation, this delightful cheesy bread was an absolute triumph. Each bite offered a perfect blend of a subtly crispy exterior and a soft, wonderfully chewy interior, bursting with savory cheese flavor. It’s the kind of comfort food that universally pleases, and it certainly became a staple for our visits. How can something so simple be so profoundly satisfying? It’s the magic of Epcot’s culinary craftsmanship!
Brewer’s Collection & Spain: European Delights
The Brewer’s Collection always offers an intriguing selection, and this year, the Schofferhofer Hefeweizen Pomegranate Beer (pictured left) caught our eye. This refreshing brew was a fantastic balance of crisp wheat beer notes with a delicate, fruity pomegranate twist, making it a perfect palate cleanser on a warm Florida day.
Next door, Spain beckoned with its rich culinary heritage. The Charcuterie in a Cone with Imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, and Olives with an Herb Vinaigrette (pictured top right) was a brilliant concept for a festival setting. It offered a sophisticated array of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and briny olives, all perfectly portioned in a convenient cone, allowing us to savor the authentic flavors of Spain as we strolled through the World Showcase. Equally impressive was the Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (pictured bottom right). This light yet flavorful dish was a celebration of the sea, with perfectly cooked seafood enhanced by a bright vinaigrette and the smoky depth of paprika.
Hops & Barley: American Classics with a Twist
Situated within the America pavilion, the Hops & Barley booth consistently delivers some of our all-time favorite festival fare. The New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise (pictured above, top right) is a quintessential taste of the East Coast. The tender, sweet lobster meat, lightly dressed in a fragrant herb mayonnaise, transported us straight to a seaside clam shack. Its simplicity and quality make it a perennial favorite.
However, the true star for us at this booth is often the New Brunswick Slider: Slow-braised Beef Brisket “Pot Roast Style” with Horseradish Cream and Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables on the side (pictured above, bottom right). The beef brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender, incredibly savory, and perfectly complemented by the creamy horseradish and crunchy fried onions. But what elevates this dish to an absolute must-have are the accompanying pickled vegetables. Their vibrant acidity and subtle spice cut through the richness of the brisket beautifully, creating a harmonious and utterly delicious bite. This booth is, without a doubt, one of our absolute top picks every single year.
Sweet Endings: The Cheese Studio & The Chocolate Studio
In previous years, we surprisingly overlooked this section of the festival, but we are incredibly grateful we decided to explore it this time. It turned out to be a hidden gem for dessert lovers, offering sophisticated and inventive sweet treats.
From The Cheese Studio, the Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake with Maple Bourbon Cream, Caramel, and Pecan Crunch (pictured above, back) was a revelation. It was a dessert that truly showcased innovation, blending the creamy tang of Boursin cheese with the warm, inviting notes of maple and bourbon. The delicate balance of flavors, along with the delightful crunch of pecans and a drizzle of rich caramel, made every spoonful a moment of pure bliss. It was surprisingly light yet incredibly satisfying, a truly unique cheesecake experience.
Equally captivating was The Chocolate Studio’s offering: the Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel (pictured above, front). This dessert was not only a feast for the taste buds but also an exciting spectacle, prepared with the dramatic flair of liquid nitrogen. The truffle itself was intensely chocolatey and rich, with a delicate almond essence, perfectly contrasted by the warm, boozy sweetness of the whiskey-caramel. Both of these desserts soared straight to the top of our festival favorites list, proving that sometimes the best discoveries are made by venturing into the unknown.
Flavors from Fire: Smoky & Savory Sensations
You simply cannot walk past the Flavors from Fire booth without being drawn in by its incredible aromas. The smoky scents wafting through the air are utterly captivating, signaling a culinary experience unlike any other. This booth consistently delivers bold, inventive flavors that make it a definite favorite.
While not pictured, the Piggy Wings (Roasted Pork Wings with Korean BBQ sauce and sesame seeds) were a fantastic start. The pork was incredibly tender, falling off the bone, and coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory Korean BBQ sauce that left us craving more.
The Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions, and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue (pictured above, left) was an absolute triumph – we LOVED this! The corned beef was succulent and deeply smoky, perfectly complemented by the comforting warmth of crispy potatoes. The pickled onions added a bright, tangy counterpoint, while the rich, creamy blonde ale beer fondue brought all the elements together into a truly satisfying dish. It was hearty, flavorful, and incredibly well-balanced.
Another showstopper was the Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak on a Smoked Corn Cake with Pickled Vegetable Slaw and Cilantro Aïoli (pictured above, top right). The skirt steak was cooked to perfection, with a beautiful char and infused with the vibrant, herbaceous notes of chimichurri. Serving it atop a smoky corn cake added a delightful texture and sweetness, while the pickled vegetable slaw provided a refreshing crunch. The creamy cilantro aïoli was the perfect finishing touch, tying all the robust flavors together. This booth truly exemplifies culinary excellence, making it one of our top recommendations for sure.
Islands of the Caribbean: Tropical Treats
The Islands of the Caribbean booth offered a delightful escape to tropical flavors. Sharing dishes with my daughter and her friend was especially fun here, as their excitement for trying new foods was infectious! They truly are cute little foodies.
The Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli (pictured above left, forward) was a flavorful parcel of tender, shredded beef, seasoned perfectly and encased in a crispy pastry shell. The accompanying tomato aïoli added a creamy, tangy kick that truly enhanced the savory empanada.
For a sweet contrast, the Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce (pictured above left, back) was an absolute dream. The flaky puff pastry enveloped a rich, sweetened cream cheese filling, which was then adorned with a luscious, fruity guava sauce. It was a wonderfully light and sweet treat, perfect for satisfying a dessert craving with a tropical twist.
Photo Credit: Kristen Doyle, Dine & Dish
Coastal Eats: Fresh Seafood Favorites
For seafood lovers like us, Coastal Eats is an essential stop. This booth consistently showcases the freshest flavors of the ocean, prepared with creativity and flair. We were big fans of both exquisite seafood dishes offered here.
The Lump Crab Cake with Napa Cabbage Slaw and Avocado-Lemongrass Cream was a masterpiece. The crab cake itself was packed with sweet, succulent lump crab meat, with minimal filler, and perfectly seared to a golden crisp. The crisp, refreshing Napa cabbage slaw provided a lovely textural contrast, while the avocado-lemongrass cream added a silky, aromatic, and slightly zesty note that beautifully complemented the delicate crab.
The Seared Scallops with Roasted Corn, Butterbean Succotash, and Chili-Chipotle Butter Sauce (pictured above) were another triumph. The scallops were impeccably seared, boasting a tender interior and a beautiful golden crust. The vibrant succotash, bursting with sweet roasted corn and creamy butterbeans, created a wonderful bed for the scallops. A drizzle of the smoky, subtly spicy chili-chipotle butter sauce brought a perfect warmth and depth, making this dish an unforgettable highlight for any seafood enthusiast.
Photo Credit: Kristen Doyle, Dine & Dish
Light Lab: Exploring Unique Ciders
The Light Lab always provides an exciting and experimental atmosphere, and it’s a great spot to discover unique beverages. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the diverse offerings in the Cider Flight, which included:
- Original Sin Dry Rosé Hard Cider, New York, NY: A beautifully balanced dry rosé cider, offering crisp, refreshing notes.
- 3 Daughters Brewing Blueberry Peppercorn Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL: An intriguing blend of sweet blueberry with a surprising peppery kick, providing a complex and delightful sip.
- Ciderboys Zen Berry Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI: A wonderfully fruity and subtly tart cider, perfect for those who enjoy a berry-infused sweetness.
Each cider offered a distinct profile, making the flight an excellent way to sample a range of innovative hard ciders.
More Food We Loved (Without Photos!)
Even without photographic evidence, these dishes left a lasting impression on our taste buds and are highly recommended for future festival-goers:
Active Eats:
The Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers, and Green Onions was an instant hit, especially with my daughter who declared it her absolute favorite. It was a comforting, creamy, and wonderfully savory dish, elevated by the smoky crunch of pepper bacon and the freshness of green onions and peppers. A truly decadent mac ‘n’ cheese experience.
Australia:
My husband thoroughly enjoyed the Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies. The lamb was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, beautifully complemented by the bright, herbaceous mint pesto. The “potato crunchies” added a playful and satisfying textural element, making it a well-rounded and delicious dish.
Japan:
The Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed bun filled with Chicken, Vegetables, and a Sweet Teriyaki Sauce was a delightful and authentic taste of Japan. The fluffy steamed bun encased a savory filling of tender chicken and crisp vegetables, all coated in a classic sweet teriyaki sauce. It was a perfectly handheld and satisfying snack.
Mexico:
The Mexico pavilion never disappoints with its vibrant flavors. The Short Rib Tostada: Corn Tortilla topped with Short Ribs, Black Beans, Salsa Verde, and Spring Onion was a culinary masterpiece. The succulent short ribs were incredibly tender and flavorful, providing a rich base for the crisp corn tortilla. The addition of creamy black beans, bright salsa verde, and fresh spring onion created a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
To accompany the food, the Smoky Margarita with Gracias A Dios Mezcal, Lime Juice, and Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur was an exceptional choice. This margarita was perfectly balanced, with the intriguing smokiness of mezcal, the tartness of fresh lime, and a subtle, warming kick from the Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur. It was a sophisticated and refreshing beverage that perfectly complemented the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Beyond the incredible food and drink, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is also a treasure trove of delightful merchandise. We always love spotting Figment, Epcot’s beloved dragon, adorning various items, from kitchenware to apparel. The festival-themed gear, often featuring charming culinary designs, is a wonderful way to bring a piece of the magic home with you. It’s also always a joy to encounter our favorite pals, like the one and only Chef Mickey, adding an extra layer of Disney charm to the entire experience.
As another incredible Epcot International Food and Wine Festival draws to a close, we’re left with cherished memories, satisfied palates, and an eager anticipation for what next year’s festival will bring. It truly is a celebration that captures the heart of Epcot, blending global culture, exquisite cuisine, and the unparalleled magic of Disney. Until next year, we’ll be dreaming of those unforgettable flavors and experiences!
Discover More Disney Magic and Planning Resources
Planning your next Walt Disney World adventure? Explore these additional resources for more tips, insights, and magical moments:
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts
- 5 Ways To Maximize Your Time At Disney World Parks
- Walt Disney World In The Fall
- Best Restaurants In Disney World