UPDATE 9/5/17: We hit up the 2017 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opening weekend. Even though it was the first weekend, coupled by the Labor Day holiday, it wasn’t overly packed… but it was busy with hungry folks tasting around the world. As we sample some of the food from the different countries, I’ll update this post with photos and a quick review.
If you plan on going, be sure to pick up this year’s Festival Passport (it’s free). Inside you’ll find a guide to all the food and drink options, plus the center fold has stickers you can put on the individual “passport” pages signifying you’ve been there!
One of the most anticipated events at Walt Disney World is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival held annually each fall. Food booths (aka “marketplaces”) are set up all around the World Showcase where park visitors can sample food and drink from around the world.
This year, there will be 35 marketplaces for the event that runs August 31 – November 13. Here’s a rundown of the marketplace menus that you can use to start planning your visit. Be advised, park admission is required.
Epcot Legacy Showplace
- Chilled Scotch Egg wrapped in Sausage with Mustard Sauce
- Zesty Cheeseburger and Cheddar Cheese Macaroni Handwich
- L’Orange Cotton Candy: A mixture of Lime and Orange Cotton Candy (vegetarian)
- Bright Horizons: Sprite® with Multi-flavored Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)
- M.I.A Beer Company 305 Golden Ale, Doral, FL
- Playalinda Brewing Company Blonde Ale, Titusville, FL
- Florida Beer Company Passport 35 Triple Chocolate Milk Stout, Cape Canaveral, FL
- JDub’s Passion Wheat, Sarasota, FL (REVIEW: This beer is also available inside AbracadaBAR on Disney’s Boardwalk. I had a few cans of it there. It’s a passion fruit flavored wheat beer, much like Blue Moon, but with a fruity rather than organ-ey flavor.)
- Central 28 Trekkerbier Farmhouse Ale, DeBary, FL
- Cigar City Guayabera Citra Pale Ale, Tampa, FL
- Eastern Florida Flight
- M.I.A. Beer Company 305 Golden Ale
- Playalinda Brewing Company Blonde Ale
- Florida Beer Company Passport 35 Triple Chocolate Milk Stout
- Western Florida Flight
- JDub’s Passion Wheat
- Central 28 Trekkerbier Farmhouse Ale
- Cigar City Guayabera Citra Pale Ale
Flavors from Fire
- Piggy Wings: Roasted Pork Wings with Korean BBQ Sauce and Sesame Seeds
- Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions, and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue featuring BelGioioso Romano and American Grana Cheeses
- Sweet Pancake with Spicy Chipotle Chicken Sausage, Onion Jam, and Maple Butter Syrup
- Chocolate Picante: Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, and Raspberry Dust
- Orlando Brewery Smokin’ Blackwater Porter
- Ravenswood Zinfandel, Napa Valley
- Swine Brine featuring Evan Williams Bourbon
Light Lab Beverages
- T=C2: Tonic Water and Cotton Candy (non-alcoholic)
- RGB: Citrus Apple Freeze (non-alcoholic)
- Bleu Spectrum: Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux with Boba Pearls
- Left Hand Brewing Company Polestar Pilsner, Longmont, CO
- Playalinda Brewing Company Robonaut Red Ale, Titusville, FL
- Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA, Seattle, WA
- Sixpoint Brewery Mad Scientist Radiant Flux, Brooklyn, NY
- Founders Brewing Company Green Zebra Watermelon Gose Ale, Grand Rapids, MI
- Blue Point Brewing Company Hoptical Illusion IPA, Patchogue, NY
- Space Flight
- Left Hand Brewing Company Polestar Pilsner
- Playalinda Brewing Company Robonaut Red Ale
- Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA
- Light Flight
- Sixpoint Brewery Mad Scientist Radiant Flux
- Founders Brewing Company Green Zebra Watermelon Gose Ale
- Blue Point Brewing Company Hoptical Illusion IPA
Earth Eats Inspired by ABC’s “The Chew”
- Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce (vegetarian)
- Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots, and Feta Cheese
- Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle (gluten friendly)
- Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines Chardonnay “Goldie,” California
- Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines Pinot Noir, California
- Redstone Meadery Black Raspberry Mead
Active Eats
- Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers, and Green Onions (REVIEW: If you’re looking for something substantial, this is for you. The small portion is filling… and it has a kick! It’s a bit on the spicy side, not too spicy but just enough to say “oh!” Was disappointed there wasn’t much bacon.)
- Roasted Verlasso® Salmon with Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri (gluten friendly)
- Sweet Avocado Crema with Strawberries, Yellow Cake, and Tortilla Streusel (vegetarian)
- M.I.A. Beer Company HRD WTR Cucumber & Lemon Lime Hard Sparkling Water, Doral, FL
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling, Washington
- Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Coastal Eats
- Lump Crab Cake with Napa Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Lemongrass Cream
- Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip with Sourdough Baguette
- Seared Scallops with Roasted Corn and Butterbean Succotash and Chili-chipotle Butter Sauce
- Erath Pinot Gris, Oregon
- Soter Planet Pinot Noir, Oregon
The Chocolate Studio
- Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel (gluten friendly)
- Sweet Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Dust (vegetarian)
- Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
- Banfi Rosa Regale, Piedmont
- Lenotti Recioto della Valpolicella, Italy
- RL Buller Fine Muscat
The Cheese Studio Hosted by Boursin® Cheese
- Braised Beef “Stroganoff” with Tiny Egg Noodles, Wild Mushroom, and Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce
- Savory Caramelized Onion Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Tart with cold Arugula Salad and Aged Balsamic (vegetarian)
- Cheese Trio: Profiterole topped with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese and Orange Apricot Jam; Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with Boursin® Shallot and Chive Cheese and Everything Seasoning; Strawberry Macaroon with Boursin Pepper Cheese
- Leth Steinagrund Gruner Veltliner, Austria
- Liberated Pinot Noir, California
The Wine & Dine Studio
- Seared Scallops, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts, and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce
- Pulled Duck Confit with Cannellini Bean Ragoût and Zinfandel Reduction
- Trio of Artisan Cheese (vegetarian): Fromager d’Affinois de Excellence with Toasted Baguette; Point Reyes Original Blue with Apricot Jam; Point Reyes Toma with Honey
- Artist Palette of Wine and Cheese: Trio of Artisan Cheese Paired with Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc, St. Francis Chardonnay and Recuerdo Malbec
- Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford
- St. Francis Chardonnay, Sonoma County
- Recuerdo Malbec, Argentina
- Eden Canyon “Jolie” Red Blend, California
- Meiomi Rosé, California
Islands of the Caribbean
- Jamaican Beef Patty with Mango Salsa
- Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions (gluten friendly)
- Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce (vegetarian)
- Carib Lager
- Caribbean White Sangria
- Frozen Mojito
New Zealand
- Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Breadcrumbs
- Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney
- Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce and Kumara Purée
- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
- Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir, Marlborough
- Frozen Wine Cocktail featuring Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
Australia
- Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion, and Snap Peas (gluten friendly)
- Grilled Lamb T-Bone with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies (gluten friendly)
- Lamington: Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut (vegetarian)
- Coopers Brewery Original Pale Ale
- Robert Oatley McLaren Vale Shiraz
- Hope Estate “Wollombi Brook” Semillon, Hunter Valley
The Almond Orchard Hosted by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze®
- Cauliflower Risotto with Pulled Chicken, Artichokes, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese with Aged Balsamic
- Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus topped with Blue Diamond® Salt & Vinegar Almonds served with Blue Diamond Nut Thins®
- Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Crunchy Chocolate Oats
Patagonia
- Beef Empanada (REVIEW: The presentation was pretty uninspiring. Just an empanada in a paper basket. The taste? Well, let’s just say it was “ok.” The beef was similar in texture and taste to what you would get in a beef taco. There are definitely better, more creative, dishes to be had.)
- Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée (gluten friendly) (REVIEW: This is a solid choice with a nice amount of perfectly seasoned beef that’s tender. The puree is similar to mashed potatoes.)
- Verum Pinot Noir, Rio Negro
- Bodega Noemía de Patagonia “A Lisa” Malbec, Rio Negro
Hawai’i
- Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour DOLE® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
- Grilled Tuna Tataki with Seaweed Salad, Pickled Cucumbers, and Wasabi Cream
- Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, and Spicy Mayonnaise
- Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts
- Maui Brewing Company Bikini Blonde Lager
- Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine
- Mai Tai featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum
Farm Fresh
- Crispy Chicken with Griddled Cornbread and Red Eye Gravy
- Roasted Beet Salad with Green Beans, Feta Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette, and Toasted Walnuts (vegetarian and gluten friendly)
- Gumption Citrus Freak Hard Cider, Middlebury, VT
- Woodchuck Raspberry Hard Cider, Middlebury, VT
- Two Henrys Elderberry Cream Hard Cider, Plant City, FL
- Florida Orange Groves Mango Mama Wine
- Cider flight
Greece
- Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki (vegetarian)
- Taste of Greece: Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Dill Sauce, Grilled Octopus and Feta Cheese Dip with Warm Pita
- Spanakopita (vegetarian)
- Bougatsa: Warm Phyllo Dough Strudel with Sweet Vanilla Custard, Lemon Honey Syrup and Cinnamon (vegetarian)
- Domaine Skouras Moscofilero, Peloponnese
- Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko, Santorini
- Argyros Atlantis Red Blend, Santorini
Thailand
- Marinated Chicken with Peanut Sauce and Stir-fried Vegetables
- Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cake with Cold Noodle Salad
- Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice
- Helfrich Gewürztraminer, Alsace
- Singha Lager
Mexico
- Rib Eye Taco: Marinated Rib Eye, Roasted Chipotle Sauce, and Grilled Scallions on a Corn Tortilla
- Tequila Chipotle Shrimp: Served on a Black Bean Huarache garnished with Red and Green Cabbage, Queso Fresco, and Crema Mexicana
- Cajeta Mousse served with Cajeta Sauce and White Chocolate Flakes
- Prickly Pear Margarita
- Classic Pomegranate Margarita
- Mexican-style Sangria
- Pacifico Lager with Floater
China
- Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce (REVIEW: How many ways can you say “awesome?” Last year, China had the teriyaki beef version of these buns available for Flower & Garden and they were incredible. Just when I thought they couldn’t get a better bao bun for Food & Wine… these came along. Plenty of duck, a sweet bun, great sauce.. simply incredible. We had several. Add some sriracha sauce for a bit of a kick, and they’re even better!)
- Spicy Chicken Bao Bun
- Black Pepper Shrimp with Garlic Noodles
- Chicken Potstickers (REVIEW: There wasn’t much to like about these. Think generic. Think something you get frozen at Publix and make at home. Spend your money on some of the other items, these simply aren’t worth it.)
- Mango Bubble Tea with Assam Black Tea and Milk (non-alcoholic)
- Tsingtao Lager
- Ritzy Lychee with Courvoisier Cognac VS and Smirnoff Vodka
- Happy Peach with DeKuyper Peach Liqueur and Myers’s Dark Rum
- Kung Fu Punch with Smirnoff Vodka and Bols Triple Sec
- BaiJoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice
India
- Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa and Coriander Pesto Dips (vegetarian)
- Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas, and Basmati Rice (vegetarian and gluten friendly)
- Korma Chicken with Cucumber Tomato Salad, Almonds, Cashews, and Warm Naan Bread
- Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake with Chocolate Coconut Mousse (vegetarian)
- Mango Lassi (non-alcoholic)
- Sula Chenin Blanc, Nashik
- Sula Shiraz, Nashik
- Kingfisher Lager
Africa
- Berbere-style Beef Tenderloin Tips with Onions, Jalapeños, Tomato, and Pap (gluten friendly)
- Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew with Vegan Yogurt and Quinoa (vegetarian)
- Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket with Mint Raita (vegetarian)
- Ernie Els “Big Easy” Chenin Blanc, Western Cape
- Simonsig Pinotage, Stellenbosch
- Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz, Western Cape
- Wine flight
Brewer’s Collection
- Lebkuchenherz: Decorated Gingerbread Heart
- Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered)
- Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse Naturtrüb
- Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen Pomegranate Beer
- Beer flight
Germany
- Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham and Cheese
- Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll
- Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce (vegetarian)
- Lebkuchenherz: Decorated Gingerbread Heart
- Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered)
- Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett, Mosel
- Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Sacträger Riesling Spätlese, Rheinhessen
- Selbach Riesling Classic Dry, Mosel
- Wine flight
Spain
- Charcuterie in a Cone with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, and Olives with an Herb Vinaigrette
- Traditional Spanish Paella with Shrimp, Mussels, Chicken, and Crispy Chorizo (gluten friendly)
- Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops and Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (gluten
- friendly)
- Sweet Olive Oil Cake with Powdered Sugar and Lemon Curd
- Rafael Palacios Bolo Godello, Valdeorras
- Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu Garnacha Rosado, Navarra
- Casa Castillo Monastrell, Jumilla
- Wine flight
Italy
- Crispy Calamari with Spicy Pomodoro Sauce (REVIEW: Small. Bland. Not very crispy. Move on.)
- Absolut Penne: Vodka Sauce with Shrimp
- Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli Filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit
- Pinot Grigio
- Chianti
- Prosecco
- Corbinello
- Moscato
- Frozen Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
- Moretti Lager Beer
- Moretti La Rossa Double Malt Beer
Hops & Barley
- New England Lobster Roll
- Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese served on Griddled Garlic Toast
- Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing (vegetarian)
- New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire White Ale, Fort Collins, CO
- Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale, San Francisco, CA
- Orange Blossom Brewing Foxtail Cold Brew Coffee Pilsner, Orlando, FL
- Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands
- Atalon Pauline’s Cuvée Red Blend, Napa Valley
- Beer flight
Japan
- Wasabi Shumai Steamed Pork Dumpling (REVIEW: I liked them, my husband did not. They had a bit of a wasabi kick to them. The pork was gelatinous in texture which may be a turnoff to some. What the pork lacked in flavor, the wasabi made up for. Definitely not a must-try, but worth a shot.)
- Salmon BLT Sushi Roll
- Teriyaki Ginger Pork
- Pom Pineapple Sake Cocktail
- Kara Tamba Tarekuchi Dry Sake
- Yukikiage “Snow Shadow” Junmai Sake
- Sapporo Lager
Morocco
- Kefta Pocket: Seasoned Ground Beef in a Pita Pocket (REVIEW: The “ground beef” threw us off when we tasted this. Expecting to see beef crumbles, it was more like a sausage patty with compressed beef with a bit of spice. It even tasted more like sausage. We only had a few bites and tossed it out.)
- Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce (vegetarian)Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce (vegetarian
- Mimosa Royale: Sparkling Wine and Orange Juice topped with Orange Liqueur
- Les Trois Domaines Guerrouane White Wine, Meknes
- Moroccan Sangria
- Casa Pale Lager
Belgium
- Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes
- Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream (vegetarian)
- Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream (vegetarian) (REVIEW: What can you say about a Belgium Waffle? Nothing negative other than it wasn’t Mickey shaped. Standard fare.)
- Hoegaarden Witbier
- Leffe Blonde Belgian Pale Ale
- Stella Artois Hard Cidre
- Chilled Coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
- Beer flight
Brazil
- Escondidinho de Carne – “Little Hidden One”: Layered Meat Pie with Mashed Yucca (gluten friendly)
- Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato, and Onions (gluten friendly) (REVIEW: A winner. Although it wasn’t crispy, the pork belly had a great smokey flavor, was tender and the black beans made for a nice compliment.)
- Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread (vegetarian and gluten friendly)
- M.I.A. Beer Company Barbosa Black Beer, Doral, FL
- Lidio Carraro Chardonnay
- Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça
France
- Moelleux au Fromage de Chèvre et Épinards: Warm Goat Cheese Pudding with Spinach (vegetarian and gluten friendly)
- Croissant aux Escargots: Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley
- Boeuf Bourguignon, Purée de Pommes de Terre: Cabernet Sauvignon Braised Beef with Mashed Potatoes
- Crème Brûlée à la Confiture de Framboises: Crème Brûlée with Housemade Raspberry Jam (vegetarian and gluten friendly)
- La Passion Martini Slush: Vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, Cranberry and Passion Fruit Juice
- Chardonnay, Bouchard Ainé & Fils
- Château les Graves de Barrau Merlot and Cabernet Blend, Bordeaux
- St-Germain Sparkling Kir: Sparkling Wine and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Pale Lager
Ireland
- Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy
- Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread (vegetarian)
- Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard
- Twinings® Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake (non-alcoholic)
- Bunratty Meade Honey Wine
- Guinness Blonde American Lager
- Twinings® Pumpkin Chai Tea Frozen Cocktail with Caramel Vodka
Scotland
- Fresh Potato Pancake with Scottish Smoked Salmon and Herbed Sour Cream
- Traditional Scottish Lamb Stew with Neeps and Tatties
- The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked Cake with Lemon Cream and Toasted Oats (vegetarian)
- Belhaven Brewery Scottish Ale
- Citrus Thistle featuring Hendrick’s Gin
Canada
- Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup served with a Pretzel Roll
- “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce (gluten friendly)
- Moosehead Radler: Lager infused with Grapefruit, Grape and Lemon Juices, New Brunswick Neige Premiere “Apple Ice Wine”, Québec
- Fielding Estate Red Conception, Niagara Peninsula
For more information, please visit epcotfoodfestival.com.