The Absolute Best Snacks in EPCOT: Top 8 Foods You Should Try

Choosing the best snacks in EPCOT?

It is chasing an impossible dream. In other words, it’s trying to know the unknowable; flying too close to the sun.  

It’s a fool’s errand. Luckily, I am just such a fool. 

Before we begin in earnest, we’ll begin with a few statements of fact. 

The best snacks come from EPCOT’s World Showcase. No offense to the Refreshment Port or Sunshine Café. But we don’t go to Epcot to dine in Nemo’s shadow. 

By definition, the best snack options cannot come from a sit down dining experience. That doesn’t mean we won’t discuss Chefs de France or Le Cellier Steakhouse, but a massive steak or a three-course meal is not a snack. 

Nothing from EPCOT Festivals will be included. The International Food and Wine Festival is great. But if you can’t get it year-round, it’s not up for consideration in this fool’s errand. 

Now, a couple of questions to make sure we’re all on the same page. 

What food is at EPCOT?

In addition to being the remnants of Walt Disney’s utopian pipe dream, EPCOT is an epicurean paradise. It features tastes from around the globe.

Of the Disney parks, EPCOT has by far the best places to eat. Sure, the Magic Kingdom has some really fun and interesting restaurants, but it can’t compete with the international flair at EPCOT. 

Read Also: Best Magic Kingdom snacks: Top 13 snacks at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Can a theme park really be a great place for foodies? 

I can only speak for myself and my experiences, but yes. Look, while I can’t claim to have been to every country in the international showcase, I’ve been to Paris.

I’ve been to England. I’ve been to New York where they serve some of the best versions of international food. 

I can’t claim a sophisticated palette, but the meals I’ve had from Chefs de France rival what I’ve had in Paris. Same for the Yorkshire County Fish Shop or La Crêperie de Paris.

Plus, it’s fun. It’s festive. And it’s a great way to expose your family to various flavors without spending the money to circumnavigate the globe. 

At the time of this writing, some eateries may be closed due to construction. We recommend checking your app for updates.

What countries in EPCOT have the best food? 

It depends on the day and my mood, but let’s try to break this down scientifically. 

The 11 sections of the World Showcase and their best offerings are: 

France Pavilion	Chefs de France, La Crêperie de Paris, L’ Artisan des Glaces and Monsieur Paul
Germany Pavilion	Sommerfest, Biergarten Restaurant, Das Kaufhaus and Karamell-Küche
Morocco Pavilion	Tangierene Café, Spice Road Table and Restaurant Marrakesh
Canada Pavilion	Le Cellier Steakhouse and Popcorn in Canada
Mexico Pavilion	La Hacienda de San Angel, La Cantina de San Angel, Choza de Margarita, San Angel Inn Restaurante and La Cava del Tequila
Norway Pavilion	Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
Italy Pavilion	Gelateria Toscana, Tutto Italia Ristorante, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Japan Pavilion	Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Katsua Grill and Kabuki Cafe
China Pavilion	Joy of Tea, Lotus Blossom Café and Nine Dragons Restaurant
United Kingdom Pavilion	Rose & Crown Pub, Yorkshire County Fish Shop
American Adventure Pavilion	Block & Hans Regal Eagle Smokehouse and Fife and Drum Tavern

Bonus: Refreshment Outpost has African-style decorations. It is a great spot between Germany and China that offers hot dogs, ice cream and cold drinks.

The above is a daunting list, but let’s take a closer look.

Which areas in EPCOT can you skip?

If you must skip over a few, there are some that I exclude from the greats. A handful of pavilions are out on sheer volume. Norway, for instance, at the time of this writing only has one open eatery.

And even if open, the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is fine. However, as a princess dining experience, it pales in comparison to Cinderella’s Castle.

I love eating in the Morocco Pavilion but with Marrakesh currently closed, it’s hard to make a case for it being the best. Nobody in the world has ever said let’s go eat Canadian tonight, so even with the excellent Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada, it’s out.

America and England are also eliminated by volume. 

I personally find the food at the Mexican pavilion to be too Americanized and the same with Japan. 

My top three countries for food at EPCOT

That leaves China, Italy and France. 

With the caveat that I may well be biased, I think the best food is in France. Most recently we ate at the Chefs de France and it was excellent. I worried that I was an obvious tourist when I ordered the ratatouille sur quinoa, but it wasn’t anything like I make it at home.

The quinoa was at the center of the dish, surrounded by vegetable stew. Certainly like something you’d expect but served over a puree that was absolutely delightful. 

For a place that is likely expected to serve it up as the rat made it in the movie, it was bold, unexpected and delicious. Also, they have crepes in France and crepes are a gift from the Lord. So France wins.  

Read Also: Where to find turkey legs at Magic Kingdom inside Disney

Can you get a great snack in Epcot?

So John, we’re 800 words in and no mention of snack options. Can we get a great snack or not?

Sure, in fact, there are a lot of traditional snacks floating around the place. Snacks include things like funnel cakes, egg rolls, vanilla ice cream, caramel popcorn, French fries and hot dogs. 

But EPCOT is no ordinary theme park and we don’t come for the ordinary snacks. 

So let’s go. Here are the best snacks at EPCOT. 

8. Spicy Roll at Katsura Grill in Japan

This is a quick service establishment with sushi, udon and ramen noodles as well as teriyaki options.

Katsura is a great place for a meal. Plus, when you need a little protein to help get you around the world, a Spicy Sushi Roll with tuna and salmon hits the spot just fine. 

7. School Bread at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Norway

If I’m being honest, my experience with Norwegian food at Royal Akershaus was disappointing. But not having been to Norway or any place that has Norwegian food, I don’t know whether I have a general aversion to the tastes of Scandanavia or just had a bad night.

Whatever the case, the School Bread at Kringla gives me hope that if I ever find myself in Oslo, I’ll be okay.

The School Bread is a sweet roll filled with creamy custard – and dipped in coconut, which is what I think of when I think of Norway. Whatever the case, it’s a great sweet treat when you need a snack while waiting on the Frozen Ever After ride to get back up and working. 

Read Also: What Is School Bread at EPCOT? Where You Can Find It

6. Empanada de Barbacoa at Choza de Margarita in Mexico

I think I do the International Showcase backward. I always start in Canada and work my way around. But in most Disney listings, I see people talking about going clockwise and starting in Mexico.

Here’s the thing: Canada’s main snack shop sells popcorn. Mexico’s main snack shop sells margaritas and empanadas. If I went to Mexico first, I might not make it to the next country. When I start in Canada, I know a reward will be waiting at the end of my long quest.

What are Empanadas de Barbacoa? An empanada is a pastry usually filled with meat. In this case, barbecued beef and topped with a Chipotle Sauce, Crème Mexica and Queso Fresco.

It probably strides the border between snack and meal. But I say wash it down with a Black Magic Margarita and you’ve got yourself a high-quality pit stop.

5.  Croque Monsieur at Les Halles in Paris

I could spend all of my time and dining budget in Paris and be a happy man.

But my connection to this sandwich doesn’t come from Paris. During a European vacation in high school, we visited Brussels. I knew very little about Belgium and therefore had few must-dos, so I had a lot of time on my hands.

On the first day at lunch, we went to a little café and order the Croque Monsieur and open-faced toasted ham and cheese sandwich and Cokes.

The waiter – who was a young guy who seemed to enjoy us – dug around in the back and found two massive glasses to serve our sodas in. We sat around and talked with him asking about Belgium and life in Europe and the whole thing.

We tipped aggressively and returned for every lunch and dinner while we were there. It was great. I can’t promise such an association for you, but if you want a snack that’s less than a meal and more than a morsel, you could do a heckuva lot worse. 

4. Bratwurst at Sommerfest in Germany 

Ah. Beer and bratwurst. A match made in heaven. Get the Warsteiner Dunkel and the brat served on a fresh roll with sauerkraut and be transported to your own private Oktoberfest.

Dad joke alert. This one was stolen from the Val Kilmer classic “Top Secret.” Whenever we go to the Germany Pavilion, I tell the kids “I know a little German.” Then, after a pause, I say “He’s sitting over there.” I do not, however, point to any person in particular.

I wouldn’t want to set a bad example. 

3. Café Glacé at L’Artisan des Glaces in Paris

Ah, Paris. L’Artisan des Glacés serves a variety of cooling ice creams and sorbets in a variety of decadent ways.

The made-to-order pressed brioche ice cream sandwich, known as the Croque Glacé is always a popular pick. As are the macaroons.

But sometimes you need a little jolt of energy with your cooling treat to help carry you around the world.

Enter the Café Glacé, an iced cappuccino with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream. Delicious, cooling and functional for a long day of touring the world and eating. 

Read Also: What Is the Croque Glacé at EPCOT and Where To Find It

2. Kakigōri at Kabuki Cafe in Japan

More often than not, it’s hot in Orlando. Often it’s very, very hot. A cold sweet treat located about halfway around the world showcase lagoon? Perfect to cool off.

Kakigōri is Japanese shaved ice available in a variety of flavors. The Sake Mist is an adult beverage with shaved ice if you want something a little more spirited. They offer Blood Orange, Coconut Pineapple or Blackberry flavors.

1. Hazelnut & Chocolate Spread Crêpe at Crêpes À Emporter in Paris

Finally, Crêpes À Emporter is the quick service sidecar to La Crêperie de Paris’s sit-down restaurant.

Both serve sweet dessert crepes and savory buckwheat crepes known as Galettes. Both can make for a perfect snack or together serve as a whole meal.

I am a fan of savory crepes, but for the purposes of the perfect snack, it’s hard to beat the Hazelnut and Chocolate Spread (Nutella) crepe.

Sweet, sugary and delicious. It’s the perfect treat for a day in Paris – either the real one or Epcot’s version. 

What is your favorite snack at EPCOT? Let us know in the comments!