5 Must-Try Food Booths Returning to the 2023 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Hey there, foodie friends! Are you ready to start planning your eats for the 2023 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? The event is just around the corner and we're sharing a few must-try food booths that will be returning once again to tantalize your taste buds.
You know the ones - the booths that you have to hit up each year because their menu items have become as much a tradition as the festival itself. From sweet to savory and everything in between, these five booths should be at the top of your list. Grab your fork, get ready for some delicious dishes, and let’s dive in!
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Passport
5 Tips for Attending the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Pick up your Festival Passport when you enter the park or at your first food booth. You'll need this to get a lay of the land to know where to find each food booth, the menus, the entertainment, merchandise and this is where you will track your Emile's Fromage Montage stamps
Which brings us to our next point. You should have a plan when attending this or any of the other EPCOT festivals. Have a general idea of which items are must try dishes for you so you don't miss out on anything that is important to you
If you have the Disney Dining Plan, be aware that the dining plan is not accepted at the festival
We suggest that you pick up a Mini Festival Gift Card at the Port of Entry, Creations Shop, World Traveler, the International Gateway or Gateway Gifts before you get started and load a set dollar amount to help you budget
The Eat to the Beat Concert Series only takes place Fridays through Mondays and is included in the price of your park admission
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 101
In case you've not visited this festival before and are wondering what you need to know to navigate the event, we've got you covered!
How long does the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival run for?
This year the festival runs from July 27 - November 18th.
How many booths are there at the Festival?
There are 24 Global Marketplaces or booths coming to this year's festival.
What time does the Global Marketplace open?
Generally speaking, the booths will open at 11:00 am and stay open until the park closes.
How much does it cost to attend the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot?
The Festival does not have an admission fee. However, you must have valid admission and if needed a theme park reservation to enter EPCOT.
EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Dining Packages
As with all EPCOT festivals, this one comes with a special concert series, the Eat to the Beat. The performances take place in the America Gardens Theatre at the American Adventure Pavilion.
The shows will run the length of the festival from July 27 - November 13, 2023 with showtimes at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm.
There's quite a variety of musical acts, you can find the full line-up on the festival website.
If you want to be sure to grab a seat at the concert of your choice you may want to check out the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages. There are 8 restaurants to choose from and you can choose to have breakfast, lunch or dinner to be eligible for the package.
The prices range $35 - $74 for adults and $20-$48 for children. The meals include an appetizer, entree and dessert or one full buffet/family-style meal (where applicable) as well as a nonalcoholic beverage.
The exception is Spice Road Table where your package will include 2 small plates, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage.
For a full list of restaurants, check out the festival website.
Global Marketplace Booth Menus
You can find the menus for each food booth at the festival site.
How Much Does the Food Cost at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival?
The prices of the items at the festival vary from booth to booth and dish to dish. Generally speaking, at the 2022 festival we paid as little as $5 plus tax for some dishes and drinks but know the prices can go higher.
For instance some of the drinks can be pricey with the Mimosa Flight at the Shimmering Sips booth coming last year at $14 and some of the dishes coming in at just under $10 per plate.
Kids' Activities at EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
There are scavenger hunts designed just the kids and the young at heart; Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak along with Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit.
We've had the pleasure of trying the Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak on multiple occasions and have enjoyed it. You'll need to purchase your map and stickers from any number of the shops around the World Showcase including the Port of Entry and the World Traveller at the International Gateway.
A “Hidden” Remy on the Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
Search the Global Marketplaces for statues of Remy and match the stickers to the statues to "earn" your prize at the end.
While we've never had an opportunity to complete Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit, it works similarly to Remy's and runs for a limited time between September 29th - October 31, 2023.
Counting Down Our Top 5 booths Starting With Kenya
From the Kenya booth, we enjoy the Kenyan Coffee Barbecued Beef Tenderloin. This savory dish is packed with authentic African flavors and spices. The grilled beef is served with sweet potato corn mealie pap, a maize-based porridge, and Kachumbari slaw made of pickled vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and onions.
Kenya, Kenyan Coffee Barbecued Beef Tenderloin, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The tenderloin simply melts in your mouth with each bite. For adventurous eaters looking to explore new cuisines, this is a must-try.
Australia
Coming in at number four is the Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp.
The plump, juicy shrimp are unexpectedly fresh and well-seasoned. While the coconut chili sauce packs a kick of heat that some may find mild while others need to brace themselves. Either way, the blend of spices and coconut milk is full of flavor.
Australia, Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The snap peas, bell peppers, and onions provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the savory shrimp. For a taste of the Outback without leaving Epcot, head to the Australia booth.
The Fry Basket
Moving on to our third favorite booth we have The Fry Flight.
New to the festival last year, The Fry Basket quickly became a must-try stop. We love with a capital LOVE The Fry Flight.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the fries in the flight. You’ll find Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries, Barbecued Bacon Fries with Smoked Aioli, and what everyone calls the dessert fries - the Sweet Potato Casserole Fries.
The Fry Flight at The Fry Basket, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The Yuca fries here are also worth a try! This booth is a perfect shareable snack to grab with friends and family while making your way around the Global Maketplace.
Canada
In the second spot we have, the Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll. This hearty soup is also served at Le Cellier, the table service restaurant in this pavilion.
This creamy soup is filled with the flavor of sharp Canadian cheddar cheese and bacon bits. While it does have a bit of a kick to it, even those who don't love really spicy food (like me!) will thoroughly enjoy this dish.
Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The pretzel roll that accompanies the soup is the perfect for sopping up the creamy broth. This dish is so satisfying and filling that one serving is really all you need and it never disappoints.
Hawaii
In the number one spot we have Hawaii. This is the booth to beat this year with it's Kalua Pork Sliders. The sliders are served with a Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple, Chutney and Spicy Mayo.
The pork is tender and sweet. You can not go wrong with a stop by this booth.
While you’re there try out the Aulani Sunrise, a refreshing adult beverage served with Vodka, Dole Pineapple Juice and Grenadine. This fruity cocktail is light and refreshing.
Kalua Pork Slider (left) pictured with Aulani Sunrise, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
This booth does not open on the first day of the festival, you’ll have to wait until August 15th and it is worth the wait.
Our honorable mention: The Noodle Exchange
It may seem crazy, but the Noodle Exchange deserves a nod.
The Noodle Exchange, Traditional Spicy Vietnamese Beef Pho, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
It’s Florida in the summer and if you can take the extra heat, the soups here are worth a try. This booth opens on August 15th and is filled with hot and spicy soups that you might enjoy.
Emile's Fromage Montage: Cheesy Heaven
Who doesn’t love cheese? For those of you who do, Emile’s Fromage Montage is cheesy heaven.
Be sure to check your Epcot festival guide to see the 10 cheese-centric dishes available as part of the cheese crawl. Try just five dishes and get your festival passport stamped for a special item from the Shimmering Sips Marketplace.
Three of our favorite cheese dishes are back!
From Germany, we like the Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions and Cheese. You really can’t go wrong with combination of cheese, noodles and ham
Greece is up next with the Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey. We find this one to be sweet and savory at the same time
And no surprise our favorite item on the cheese craw takes us back to Canada and the Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll.
Greece, Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
We have room for two more items to complete the crawl and we're thinking of giving these cheesy dishes a try:
From Brazil, the Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread. This one has a solid reputation and we can't wait to try it
Rounding us out will be Spain and the Charcuterie in Cup which is served with Imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, Olives and an Herbed Vinaigrette
Now, A Moment of Silence
Unfortunately, some of our favorite dishes will not be back at this year's festival because their booths did not make the cut.
We will miss you Mac n' Eats and your Mac and cheese multiple ways. They were inventive here sometimes hitting and sometimes missing but when they got it right it was delicious.
Now Defunct Mac n’ Eats, Cowboy Mac n’ Cheese, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
Swanky Saucy Swine, where will we go for our ribs and all things pork. We really don't understand how this one is not coming back. The ribs here were truly among the best items at the festival.
Now Defunct Swanky Saucy Swine, Soy Glazed Sticky Ribs, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
And Lobster Landing, can Coastal Eats carry the seafood weight? With only 2 seafood options on the menu, this doesn't seem likely.
While change can be good, we will miss these booths that have become some of our favorites. Here’s to the booths that won’t be back in 2023. You will be missed.
Trying Something New
This year, in addition to our top picks, we have our eyes on three booths in particular.
The Italy booth will feature a new to the festival item this year. A freshly baked focaccia topped with beef meatballs, tomato sauce, and burrata cheese. We're hoping this dish does not disappoint
At the Odyssey Festival Showplace, the Brew-Wing booth is calling our name. How have we missed out on their wings until now? We’re ready to remedy that and dig into an order of their signature wings
Finally, Coastal Eats always offers seafood delights, and we're looking forward to trying their lump crab cake with lemon aioli and vinegar slaw
Coastal Eats Booth (2022), EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, five booths that should be at the top of your list for the 2023 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. With over 20 food booths and 100+ menu items, the festival can be overwhelming.
But focusing on a few new selections each trip helps us slowly make our way through the options without missing out on our tried-and-true favorites. The diversity of cuisines and flavors from around the world is what keeps us coming back year after year.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your trip now for a foodie adventure you’ll never forget.
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
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