EPCOT is the epicurean heart of Walt Disney World. The best EPCOT restaurants certainly rank with some of the best spots in Orlando. There’s something to be said for wandering the pavilions around the World Showcase Lagoon, browsing menus, and sampling snacks. You may find your favorite treats from the various quick-service restaurants or through one of the classic table service restaurants.
What is the best food at EPCOT?
It’s like asking to pick the best star from the sky or flower in the field. Most of them are special in their own way. With that being said, here are some of my suggestions of things you want to try if you’re looking for the best of the best food items at EPCOT:
1. Croque Glace
L’Aritisan des Glaces, France Pavilion
The ice cream artists certainly live up to their reputation. They take a homemade brioche bun, stuff it with a scoop of ice cream – I like vanilla – and your choice of sauce. Then, it’s pressed warm. Is it practical? Non. Is it messy? Oui. Is it art? Bien sur.
2. Wood-fired Pizza
Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, Italy Pavilion
This pizzeria offers authentic wood-fired pizza made with imported flour and water that is “identical to the water found in Naples.” I don’t know if I buy the water thing, but the pizza is the real deal.
Tip: You should make a reservation for Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria.
3. Osso Buco Con Mole Negro
San Angel Inn Restaurante, Mexico Pavilion
It’s nice to go beyond what might be viewed as stereotypical Latin American flavors. This dish at San Angel Inn is slow braised pork shank over rice with mole negro. It’s served with plantains and topped with crema Mexicana and cotija cheese. Don’t forget to stop by La Cava del Tequila for a drink before or after your meal.
Tip: You should make reservations at San Angel Inn Restaurante.
4. Pomegranate-Chili Crispy Cauliflower
Spice Road Table, Morocco Pavilion
This cauliflower dish is served with red pepper Aleppo sauce. It’s a spicy and crunchy delight.
Tip: You should make a reservation for Spice Road Table.
5. Boeuf Bourguignon Linguini
Chefs de France, France Pavilion
There are several dazzling entrees at this classic French eatery, but it makes sense to me to go with some old-school, classically French dish. The Ratatouille is fantastic, but you can’t be more classically French than a good, old-fashioned Boeuf Bourguignon, which is braised beef in cabernet, baby onions, carrots and pasta.
Tip: You should make a reservation for Chefs de France.
6. Gelato
Gelateria Toscana, Italy Pavilion
This is excellent gelato. It is the perfect treat in the heat. Bellissimo. I know you’re impressed I just broke out the Italian right there.
7. North Carolina Chopped Smoked Pork Butt Platter
Regal Eagle Smokehouse, American Adventure Pavilion
Regal Eagle has barbecue from around the country. Here, we’re celebrating North Carolina pork barbecue. However, they also have Memphis dry-rub ribs, Texas-style beef brisket, and Kansas City smoked half chicken. North Carolina sauce is thinner and vinegar-based versus other regions. South Carolina is traditionally a mustard-based sauce. However, across the mountains on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains, the sauce is thicker and sweeter.
8. The Filet Mignon
Le Cellier Steakhouse, Canada Pavilion
By steakhouse standards, I’ve heard inconsistent reports about the steaks at this Canadian table service restaurant. But I’ve always had a good experience. Why am I recommending the filet? It’s known as the most tender cut, but not the most flavorful. Traditionally, the filet is a smaller cut, though not less expensive. After you leave the restaurant, if you order the heavier Signature Poutine, you still have to walk around this massive park in the Florida heat. You’ve got to exercise discretion whenever you can. Therefore, order the filet mignon and thank me later.
Tip: You should book a reservation for Le Cellier Steakhouse.
9. Taco Trio
La Cantina de San Angel, Mexico Pavilion
With the Taco Trio, you get one of each: chicken, shrimp and barbecued beef. You can get a side order of chips and nacho cheese if want, but I’d go with fried plantains or guacamole.
10. Prix Fixe Menu
La Crêperie de Paris, France Pavilion
Crêpes are the order of the day. On the Prix Fixe, you get one savory galette and one dessert crepe. I say go with ham and cheese and then the Gourmande, which is hazelnut chocolate spread, but that’s me.
Tip: You should book a reservation for La Crêperie de Paris. However, there is a quick service crepe stand, Crêpes À Emporter by La Crêperie de Paris. It is also located in the France Pavilion.
11. Ebi Sushi
Sushi Izakaya, Japan Pavilion
Look, I certainly didn’t inherit the most enlightened views on the culinary tradition of certain Asian cultures growing up. My grandparents were fine dining on mud bugs and such when our Cajun relatives came to town. But sushi? That was a non-starter. So, I came a little late to the party, but now I am a full-blown convert. I understand that recommending the Ebi paints me as a novice, but truthfully, it’s just my favorite. The tiger prawn on the bed of rice with just the right amount of wasabi? It’s delicious.
Tip: You should book a reservation for Sushi Izakaya.
12. Bangers and Mash
Rose & Crown, United Kingdom Pavilion
I’ve visited England more than any country outside the U.S., and I’ve always had an affinity for traditional English cuisine. Some of my favorite meals in the world include a good shepherd’s pie or a sticky toffee. Ultimately, I’ve found as I’ve expanded to trying other cuisines that a good sausage and potato go a long way wherever you may roam.
Tip: You should book a reservation for Rose & Crown.
13. Grilled Snapper
Coral Reef Restaurant, World Nature
Sometimes I wonder if this isn’t some sort of vegetarian social experiment. Let’s see how close we can get these people to living examples of the stuff they’re eating before they get comfortable. The result? Nobody seems to mind munching on this delicious grilled snapper, which is served with coconut-lime rce, mango salsa, avocado, toasted coconut, and chili-lime seasoning, while his cousin Gerald is over at the living coral reef just swimming his fishy tail off.
Tip: You should book a reservation for Coral Reef Restaurant.
14. School Bread
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, Norway Pavillion
The Norway Pavilion is my least favorite dining – and drinking – destination in EPCOT. The Scandinavian flavors do not suit my palate. However, for the School Bread, I will make an exception. It’s a sweet roll filled with custard and dipped in coconut. It’s not Croque Glace level good, but it’s a nice, sweet treat.
15. Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Le Cellier Steakhouse, Canada Pavilion
Should you trust Canadians? First, they load you up on soup made with cheddar cheese, beer, and bacon, and then they serve you a large cut of red meat with a side of fries covered in cheese curd sauce. And then, you are launched back out into the Florida heat with either an entire World Showcase Pavilion to march around or the other half of the EPCOT figure 8. There should probably be a triage station in the Canada Pavilion with lots of air conditioning, comfy chairs, and bunk beds where you can sleep off the itis before trying to walk more than a couple hundred feet.
Tip: You should make a reservation at Le Cellier Steakhouse.
16. Power Greens Salad
Sunshine Seasons, World Nature
It’s the heart of the basic idea of EPCOT which was about science and learning and possibly more Eugenics than any of us like to admit. At Sunshine Seasons, the menu is filled with items grown in the greenhouses of the Land Pavilion, which makes a plant-based option especially appropriate. Frankly, not being a vegetarian myself, I was surprised at how much I liked this menu item.
17. Fish and Chips
Yorkshire County Fish Shop, United Kingdom
Are these the same Fish and Chips on the menu at the Rose & Crown? Probably. I mean, it would make perfect sense not to have two fish-frying operations set up so close to one another. However, if I’m ordering Fish and Chips, I’m doing it from the fish shop. That’s just how I roll.
18. Pork Egg Rolls and Chicken Potstickers
Lotus Blossom Cafe, China Pavilion
An egg roll is a great, light snack when working your way through EPCOT’s showcase. Speaking of egg rolls, you can also choose your own crunchy combo.
19. Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
Biergarten Restaurant, Germany Pavilion
This Biergarten has buffet-style dining, and that’s okay as long as traditional sausages and sauerkraut are on the buffet. Although, I will admit that $50 a head for sausages and schnitzel seems a tad high. Come hungry, I suppose, and get your money’s worth.
Tip: You should make a reservation for Biergarten Restaurant.
20. The Croque Monsieur
Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, France Pavilion
This is not a traditional Croque Monsieur since it’s not an open-faced sandwich. It’s more of a traditional ham and cheese with two slices of bread but covered with cheese and baked. I don’t know if I like this way better. But of course, it’s still really good.
What is the best time for dinner reservations at EPCOT?
This question could mean a couple of different things. For example, if you’re thinking about the most likely time to get a reservation, think outside the traditional dinner hours of 6 pm to 8 pm. Be a little early or a little late. If you mean from a tactical standpoint, I prefer later when I’ve pretty much done all the hiking, riding, and adventuring I’m going to do.
But also keep in mind your strategy for how you’re leaving. For instance, if you drive, that walk back to the car park can be a doozy. However, the same can be said if you’re dining in the World Showcase but leaving via the Disney bus. I would rather take the Skyliner to some random Disney hotel and ask them to let me stay there for the night than walk on a full stomach from France or Italy back to the buses to go to the hotel where I’m supposed to be staying.
Do you need reservations in EPCOT?
For the most part, yes, especially for the higher-end dining experiences. I wouldn’t roll the dice. If you can’t get reservations where you want, I’d make them your backup choice and keep checking on the My Disney Experience app throughout the day. We’ve had some good luck walking up on the spur of the moment, but if you want to try a specific table service restaurant, I’d get reservations. You can book dining reservations 60 days out from the first night of your stay if staying on Disney property. Otherwise, you can book 30 days outs.
What about character dining?
You will want a dining reservation if you want to try one of EPCOT’s two-character dining options. I’m on record saying that EPCOT is my least favorite character dining park, and that Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is the lesser of the two in-park princess dining experiences. However, everyone is different. Do you like Akershus or Garden Grill? Great. Just make sure you get a reservation.
What is your favorite food at EPCOT? Do you agree with our list? If so, let us know in the comments!
