The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a culinary event for foodies everywhere. This year promises no shortage of innovative dishes and classic favorites, ready to try. With a wide array of booths and a fresh lineup of flavors, here are the dishes we’re most excited to try in 2024.
Macatizers – Location: CommuniCore Hall
Kicking things off, CommuniCore Hall brings us space for new booths at this year’s festival. The first one is Macatizers which will feature a variety of mac and cheese dishes. The one I’m most excited for here is the Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese which adds shaved beef, peppers, onions, and breadcrumbs to an already tasty dish.
Festival Favorites- Location: CommuniCore Hall
Also in CommuniCore Hall will be the new Festival Favorites booth. The Kielbasa and Pierogis with caramelized onions and sour cream look especially good. There are several interest beverages her including a non-alcoholic Frozen S’mores and an Irish Milk Shake with Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream.
Connections Eatery -Location: In World Celebration
Inside Connections, they are offering a few special items. The Korean BBQ Sandwich looks great here with pickled cucumbers and a brioche bun.
Coastal Eats- Location: Near Mission Space
The Coastal Eats menu this year features a Roasted Warm Water Lobster Tail with garlic butter. Those are always popular amongst festival goers.
The Fry Basket- Location: Near Refreshment Station (Test Track area)
The Fry Basket is back with another Fry Flight, this time offering up Truffle-Parmesan, BBQ Bacon, and Sweet Potato Casserole fries. It’s always a solid choice.
Flavors from Fire- Location: Near Refreshment Station
My favorite booth, Flavors from Fire, will be offering their beloved Smoked Corned Beef with house-made chips, cheese curds, pickled onions, and beer-cheese fondu. This dish is not to be missed. The booth also has a burger this year made with beef and mushrooms served with truffle brie cheese fondu, arugula, and truffle potato chips on a sesame seed bun. Lots of truffle this year it seems and we aren’t complaining.
Brew-Wing Lab- Location: The Odyssey
Inside the Odyssey pavilion, the Brew-Wing Lab is back although we don’t see any mention of Muppets this year. We enjoyed the Muppets theming last year. The Pickle Milk Shake is once again gracing the menu, but I think we’ll pass this time around. There are a few decent looking wing options including the PB&J ones they had last year. I am honestly most excited for the Fired Dill Pickle Spears with Dill Ranch. I also noticed they have Frozen Pomegranate and Raspberry Tea. Yes, please.
The Noodle Exchange- Location: Near Disney Traders
We have the Noodle Exchange near Disney Traders again this year with a few yummy looking Ramen dishes. This is more of a wait until the weather cools down type of booth, but the Thai Shrimp with Rice Noodles, Shiitake Mushrooms, Basil in a Coconut Curry Broth sounds right up my alley.
Mexico
The Mexico booth menu is one that always seems to change entirely from year to year. This year, the Tostada de Camerones is calling my name with Tempura Shrimp, guacamole, cabbage, chipotle aioli, diced mango, and chili lime powder. There is an interesting dessert of Mexican cornbread with chocolate sauce and queso fresco I might have to try. Not sure about the combination of cheese and chocolate on cornbread, but you only live once.
China
The China menu brings back the pan-fried chicken dumplings which are always good. but there is a new Shanghai Scallion Noodle and Shrimp dish I want to try. I may turn into a shrimp by the end of this festival.
India- Location: near China
The menu over at the India booth brings back the Potato and Pea Samosas. To me, this booth has the best smells wafting through the air. I love the Indian spices and the samosas are always a must get.
The Alps- Location Near Germany
Speaking of smells, let’s talk about the worst smelling booth (in my personal opinion), the Alps. Over in Germany, you’ll find the smelly raclette cheese on not one, but two dishes. It must be popular because it comes back year after year. I’ve never enjoyed it, but didn’t want to skip mentioning any booths. Think I’ll pass by this one or grab a Frozen Rose and run.
Refreshment Outpost
The Refreshment Outpost has what appears to be a Zebra Dome lovers dream in the form of a Chocolate Amarula Moussse Dome. It even looks the part and I can’t wait to try it.
Germany
One of my favorites over in Germany is the Schinkennudeln which is a pasta gratin with ham, onions, and cheese. I do recommend waiting for the weather to cool before enjoying this hearty dish. There is also a new Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen on the block, Lemon Zest. I’m not a huge lemon person, but I love a good Schöfferhofer so I may have to try it.
Spain- Location: Between Germany and Italy
The Spain booth has a new Charcuterie dish with Spanish ham, Manchego cheese, and pan con tomato (tomatoes on bread). This dish sounds right up my alley and is one of my favorite Spanish appetizers. Can’t wait to taste it.
Italy
Most interesting from Italy this year is the Italian-style “Nachos” made with beef ragoût, pasta chips, tomato sauce, and dried ricotta. It looks like a fun dish to experience.
Flavors of America- Location: The American Adventure
The American Pavilion used to be one of my favorites, always having some sort of New England based seafood roll. However, this year, they are stepping away from the ocean and into the world of American hot dogs. The New York-style dog is a little reminiscent of the Gray’s Papaya dog I recently enjoyed in NYC. Paul will love the Chicago-style dog. I always enjoy a good Carolina-dog with coleslaw. Lastly, there is a Southwest-style dog. While I’ll miss the New England menu this pavilion previously had, this new theme looks promising.
Japan
Japan has a few new handheld sushi dishes that look interesting. I think I’ll pass on the eel though. They have brought back the popular Teriyaki Chicken Bun which is always a solid choice.
Greece- Location: Between Japan and Morocco
Greece has a new Griddled Cheese option. Instead of savory, they went with a sweet dish with pistachios and honey. It looks interesting for sure.
Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Media- Location: Morocco
Over at the Tangierine Cafe in Morocco, you’ll find the Flavors of the Medina and the Fired Falafel with tomato cucumber relish and tahini sauce is a great choice.
Belgium- Location: Between France and Morocco
It’s nice to see something over in Belgium aside from waffles (no offense waffle lovers). The beer-braised beef with smoked gouda mashed potatoes looks and sounds amazing. I’m not a coffee drinker, but the Belgian Chilled Coffee also sounds worthwhile.
Brazil- Location: Between France and Morocco
Brazil has brought back the Pão de Queijo or Brazilian cheese bread and it’s always a good choice.
France
In France, we have the Brioche aux Escargots or “snail croissant “. In my opinion, this is one of the most accessible ways to try snail. Just don’t ask Jeff Haslam what he thinks of it. There is also a new dish called Moelleux aux Oignons Caramélisés et au Fromage de Chèvre which is basically an egg, goat cheese, and onion souffle type item. It sounds flavorful. The cocktails in France are always popular and the new Cocktail au Gin et Aux Fraises sounds like a hit with strawberry gin, cranberry and pineapple juices. Sign me up.
Canada
Canada is back with it’s typical dishes that are always well-loved, the cheddar cheese soup and filet minion. Both are always popular options.
Refreshment Port- Location: Near Canada
The Refreshment Port has its typical Poutine which DVC Fan’s DVC Dan who hails from Canada always loves. This one is a little different this year with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese sauce and gherkin relish added to the typical poutine ingredients.
Australia- Location: Near Disney Traders
Moving on the Australia, the grilled Bushberry spiced shrimp skewer is always very good. I’m not a lamb lover, but Paul always enjoys the roasted lamb chop here.
Swirled Showcase- Location: Near Port of Entry
Swirled Showcase has a new nitrogen dish which is the Liquid Nitrogen Frozen Sweet Potato Mousse. The words “frozen” and “potatoes” don’t seem to go together, but I didn’t mind Salt & Straw’s potato salad and chocolate swirl ice cream last year. I’m interested to see how this turns out.
Shimmering Sips- Location: Near Port of Entry
Shimmering Sips has brought back their Guava Cake which was very good and a variety of lovable mimosas.
Hawaii
While the Hawaii menu no longer lists Spam Hash, they have a new Hawaiian Rice bowl which appears to be very similar. As someone who typically avoids anything with the word Spam in it, I have to give credit to this booth for making Spam enjoyable. They also brought back the Aulani Sunrise which is a great cocktail based on the amazing DVC resort.
Bramblewood Bites- Location: Near World Showcase and Imagination!
Another new booth is gracing us this year called Bramblewood Bites. This will be located between World Showcase and Imagination! Pavilion. The theme seems to be meat and vegetables with a bit of a sweet twist. This whole booth has Paul written all over it. I’m not particularly interested, but can see where many might like the pork tenderloin or grilled bison.
Milled & Mulled- Location: Between World Showcase and Imagination!
The Milled & Mulled menu this year has a new Fig & Balsamic Cheesecake which sounds intriguing. They also have a new Cinder Hill Donut Hard Cider from Blake’s Hard Cider Co. I wouldn’t mind testing that one.
Forest & Field- Location: Between World Showcase and Imagination!
Forest & Field also over in the same area features a new Autumn Chili with bison, lamb, pork belly, root vegetables, and jalapeno cornbread. This is definitely one of those wait for the weather to break dishes.
Earth Eats
Earth Eats is back with all new dishes. The Red-Wine braised beef short rib with goat cheese polenta looks promising.
Other locations
There are some additional extras at locations such as Sunshine Seasons and Jeoffrey’s throughout the park. I do have to point out the Carmel Apple Milkshake at Sunshine Seasons. It look adorable and delicious.
This list of festival items seems to go on forever. It’s a good thing they give you several months to try. However, if I didn’t live locally, I’m not sure how I would decide what dishes I want to try!
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