New Bites and 30 Years of Favorites at the EPCOT ® International Food & Wine Festival

Fall at Walt Disney World means a lot of things, but for anyone who loves to eat their way around the world, it means the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival is finally back. A walk around World Showcase can easily fill an entire day during the festival, especially once you start comparing menus, splitting small plates with your friends, and deciding which frozen drink to try next. The festival celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 and runs through November 21.

I made my way around the park on opening day to taste as much as I reasonably could, and these are a few new and festival favorite items that stood out. The list has a good mix of savory dishes and sweets, including two dishes I liked much more than I expected! Here is what is worth adding to your list, and where you can find each one.

Celebrating 30 Years of Food and Wine

Part of what makes this year’s EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival feel special is the milestone behind it. The festival first debuted in 1996, and to mark three decades, Disney has brought back 30 returning or reimagined dishes, each marked with a special anniversary icon in the Festival Passport. If there is a festival dish you order every year, check the anniversary menu. Several longtime favorites made the list.

The Rodizio-style Grilled Beef Skewer, Belgian Waffle, and Pumpkin-Mascarpone Ravioli are all back, but there are plenty of new dishes on the menus, too. I like having both options. I can order a favorite I already know I love and still try something new that was added this year. First-time guests also get to see why some of these dishes have remained fan-favorites for so long.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen at Connections Eatery

Starting strong with dessert, because life is short and the festival is only here for so long. This Caramel Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen at Connections Eatery in World Celebration is a layered German-style cake, and the caramel apple and cheesecake flavors together taste exactly like fall in the best way. It is rich without being too heavy, and the layers give it a texture that feels a little more special than your average festival sweet. It’s pretty big too, so a good bang for your buck, and to share.

Street Corn Style Dumplings at Gyozas of the Galaxy

Over near the Creations Shop, Gyozas of the Galaxy is serving one of my favorite savory picks. The Street Corn-style Dumplings are topped with tomatillo salsa verde, street corn salad, cotija, lime crema, and cilantro. The dumplings are tender, with plenty of tangy and creamy flavor from the toppings. The generous serving of street corn salad also makes the dumplings feel more like a complete dish than just a quick snack.

Taco de Camaron in Mexico

The Taco de Camaron in the Mexico pavilion keeps things simple, and it might end up being one of your favorite dishes. Crispy tempura shrimp, shredded cabbage, and chipotle aioli on a flour tortilla are simple ingredients that pack a great flavor. The shrimp stays crisp under the toppings, and the aioli adds a little heat without overpowering the other flavors. It is a simple taco, but a really good one. You’ll see why it’s a 30th anniversary menu item.

Cinnamon Pretzel Cold Brew at Sommerfest

Tucked into the Germany pavilion, Sommerfest is serving a drink that is not your typical cold brew. The Cinnamon Pretzel Cold Brew is Joffrey's cold brew coffee topped with sweet cream, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and actual pretzel pieces on top. The combination may sound unusual but stir everything together before you judge it. The salt from the pretzel balances the cinnamon and caramel, giving the coffee a nice mix of sweet and salty flavors. This was one of my favorites at the festival.

Mango Apple Fruit Pearl with Wasabi-Soy Sauce Flavored Chips in Japan

The Japan pavilion is always one of the prettiest stops, and this year the new Mango-Apple Fruit Pearl is a fun, refreshing addition. It is a sweet mango and apple drink with creamy calpico and apple popping pearls. You can order the drink on its own or pair it with wasabi-soy sauce flavored potato chips. The sweet drink and spicy chips work better together than I expected. Alternating between the two balances the flavors, and it is an easy option when you want a drink and a snack from the same stop.

Trio d'Escargots in France

The Trio d’Escargots from France is a good first order if you are curious about trying escargot. It comes with three pieces baked in croissant dough with a garlic-parsley dip on the side. The buttery dough and garlic make the dish feel more familiar, even if escargot is completely new to you. The buttery, garlicky flavor wrapped in flaky pastry is comforting and rich, and it is a great one to split with someone if you want to taste a little bit of everything as you go.

Boeuf Braise vin Rouge et Echalottes, Gâteau de Pomes de Terre in France

Staying in France for one more, because this dish earned it. The Boeuf Braise vin Rouge et Echalottes, Gâteau de Pomes de Terre is red wine-braised short ribs with shallot confit and a potato gateau. It is easily one of the more elevated bites of the day. The beef is tender, and the sauce has a nice mix of sweet and savory flavors. Do not skip the potato gateau underneath, especially once it has soaked up some of that sauce. This is the dish to order when you want to sit down for a minute and eat something a little more filling.

Liquid Nitrogen Almond Truffle Mousse at Swirled Showcase

For a little dinner-and-a-show energy, head to the Swirled Showcase on the walkway between the Imagination Pavilion and World Showcase. The Liquid Nitrogen Almond Truffle Mousse with whiskey-caramel sauce is as fun to watch being made as it is to eat. It is light and airy with a nutty, caramel flavor, and the liquid nitrogen moment makes it one of the more memorable stops. A returning favorite, but one absolutely worth revisiting.

Brûléed Sweet Potatoes at Bramblewood Bites

One of the most fall-inspired dishes I tried was the Brûléed Sweet Potatoes from Bramblewood Bites. Dried cranberries and walnut streusel add sweetness and crunch to the sweet potatoes, while the orange goat cheese adds a tangy finish. It was a standout dish and reminded me of something I would go back for seconds of at Thanksgiving. It is sweet and savory with a nice crunch, and it is a lovely change of pace if you have been leaning into heavier bites.

Mickey Shaped Celebration Macaron at Sunshine Seasons

Ending the way every good festival day should, with something sweet and a little bit magical. The Mickey-shaped Celebration Macaron at Sunshine Seasons is just as cute as it sounds, and it feels especially fitting to celebrate the festival's 30th year. It is a simple, pretty treat that photographs beautifully and makes for the perfect final bite before you call it a day.

Tips for Planning Your Food and Wine Festival Day

Look through the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival menus before you arrive, knowing that you will not be able to try everything. Download the My Disney Experience app before your trip and make a short list of the marketplaces and dishes you do not want to miss. You can always add something that catches your attention once you are there.

Most festival booths open at 11:00 AM, even when EPCOT opens earlier. Use the morning for rides or another part of the park, then start visiting the booths closer to 11:00 AM. Some marketplaces may also have later opening dates during the festival season. If a specific booth or dish is a priority, check the app before your visit to confirm it will be available.

One to watch for is The Wedge Hosted by Dairy Does More, a cheese-lover's dream of a marketplace coming to CommuniCore Hall a little later in the festival, running September 18 through November 8.

Grab a Festival Passport near the front of the park to keep track of everything you want to try, and if you love a good challenge, look for Emile's Fromage Montage. This returning cheese-focused food stroll gives you another reason to keep your Festival Passport handy. Purchase five qualifying dishes and collect a stamp for each one, then turn in the completed page for a Key Lime DOLE Whip in a souvenir cup. It can also help narrow down your choices when every marketplace menu item sounds good.

Share dishes whenever you can, especially if you have a long list of foods you want to try. The portions may be small, but they add up quickly. Splitting them with your group lets everyone try a few bites without getting full after the first two or three stops.

When you need a break from the heat, head to Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey. This spot is indoors and has tables, making it a great place to sit down in the air conditioning while you enjoy something from the menu. It is especially helpful during the afternoon, when you are ready to cool off and rest your feet for a few minutes before heading back to the outdoor booths.

More Than the Food at This Year's Festival

As much as the food is the star, the festival gives you plenty to enjoy between bites. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series is back at the America Gardens Theatre, with live music nightly through November 16. Well-known headliners take the stage Friday through Monday, while local Central Florida bands bring a more laid-back vibe Tuesday through Thursday, and there are usually three shows a night at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 PM. 

Eat to the Beat concerts are included with EPCOT® admission, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular artists can draw long lines, so arrive early if a specific performance is a priority. Another option is an Eat to the Beat Dining Package, which includes a meal and guaranteed reserved seating for a concert. It is a great way to rest your feet, enjoy a sit-down meal, and end a full festival day with a little music.

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak is a great way to give kids something to do between food stops. Purchase the map and sticker set for $11.99 plus tax, then look for Remy statues holding different ingredients around World Showcase. Add the matching sticker to your map as you find each one and turn it in for a keepsake when you finish. It is easy to complete at your own pace and encourages the whole family to look around the pavilions instead of walking straight to the next marketplace.

You cannot leave without at least browsing the festival merchandise. This year's collection celebrates the 30th anniversary with everything from kitchen pieces and Spirit Jerseys to Minnie ears and Loungefly bags, plus collectibles featuring Remy, Mickey, and friends. Even if you are not a big souvenir person, it is a fun stop, and the anniversary designs make for a nice little reminder of the year you were there.

Making a Full Trip Out of Your Festival Visit

The festival is better if you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it. A full day of walking, tasting, and sipping your way around the world is fun, but it can also be a lot. By the end of a long festival day, I am ready to change into something comfortable and relax for the evening. Staying close to EPCOT® makes it easier to get back to your hotel after your last food stop or concert without ending the evening with a long drive.

For this trip, Caribe Royale Orlando worked well because it is only minutes from Walt Disney World® and our suite gave us plenty of room to relax. The resort also offers shuttle service to the theme parks, along with several on-property dining options. When you want time away from the parks, the tropical pool has a waterfall, a 75-foot waterslide, and private cabanas if you want to make an afternoon of it.

The EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival has always been one of my favorite ways to spend a day at EPCOT®, and this year’s 30th anniversary lineup does a good job of mixing returning favorites with new dishes. I left with a few new favorites and several dishes still on my list to try during my next visit. Go in with a plan, but do not let the list take over your day. Order what sounds good, share whenever you can, and make time for the concerts and activities that make the Food & Wine Festival more than a collection of booths.

Author bio: Shannon Devine is a Tallahassee-based travel and lifestyle blogger and travel advisor specializing in Disney and Universal vacations. Through Devine Fairytale, she shares practical theme park tips, travel guides, and lifestyle finds. When she is not exploring somewhere new, Shannon is likely enjoying an iced coffee, catching up on Bravo shows, or cheering on the Seminoles. Follow her travel and lifestyle content at @devinefairytale and Disney and Universal vacation planning tips at @shannondevinetravel. You can also visit DevineFairytale.com.