Best Vegetarian Options at Epcot Food and Wine 2021

If you’re a vegetarian, we need to talk about the best vegetarian options at Epcot Food and Wine this year.

The hard truth: there aren’t that many choices at this year’s festival.

And the menu items that are available for my fellow vegetarians? Well, only a handful are worth your time and money.

While traveling around the World Showcase (and parts of Future World), I knew I wouldn’t be eating as much as my fellow team members.

We visited every single booth and tried each food and beverage offering.

For some perspective, there’s a total of 34 global marketplaces this year, with 25 that opened on July 15, 7 more that opened on Aug. 15, and the final 2 booths opening on Oct. 1, the same day Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary began.

More often than not, I found myself relegated to just eating desserts and drinking the beverages because there weren’t that many savory vegetarian options available. (There are even less plant-based offerings.)

Sometimes, I even had to get food from a nearby Quick Service location so that I didn’t go hungry as we worked our way around the festival booths.

All in all, out of the 34 marketplaces, there are a total of 13 booths that I’d recommend to vegetarians and/or those with plant-based diets.

Unlike the Flower & Garden Festival, which is packed with lots of amazing vegetarian and plant-based options, Food & Wine always seems to struggle when it comes to providing plentiful menu items for people with different diets.

As difficult as it was for me to find worthwhile dishes that actually tasted good, there are quite a few I walked away loving.

I want to help my fellow vegetarians navigate the festival, so here are the best vegetarian options at Epcot Food and Wine.

(FYI: I don’t eat meat or seafood, but I do consume dairy. The following is what I personally tried and recommend. There may be other options available that you prefer or fit into your diet.)

In this article

The Best

Here are the best vegetarian dishes from this year’s Food and Wine.

Earth Eats

Earth Eats is a strictly plant-based booth hosted by Impossible.

Thankfully, this marketplace continues to be a hit each year. You really can’t go wrong with any of these choices, but there are two standouts.

You can find the booth between the Imagination! pavilion and Refreshment Port (close to Starbucks before you enter the World Showcase).

The Impossible Burger Slider

Price: $6.00
Special Diets: Plant-Based

This Impossible Burger Slider is served with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun and it is fantastic. This has been an offering for several years and it continues to be a favorite.

Impossible Three-Bean Chili

Price: $5.50
Special Diets: Plant-Based, Gluten/Wheat-Friendly

This is truly a *great* bowl of chili. The flavors are top-notch. Plus, you get a lot for your money. That said, it’s not necessarily the best choice on a hot, summer day. You may want to wait until later in the festival to eat this, or at least try it in the evenings when the sun goes down and temperatures are a bit cooler.

Read more about Earth Eats, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina

It’s wonderful to see Tangierine Café back open for business! Typically, this location is a regular Quick Service spot, but it’s remained closed since the reopening of Disney World.

Now, the restaurant is part of the festival as its own marketplace. In usual Morocco pavilion fashion, there are several quality choices here.

Stone-baked Moroccan Bread

Price: $5.00
Special Diets: N/A

Bread? Good! Dips? Good! You can’t go wrong with this dish, which is served with Hummus, Zaalouk (the red; eggplant and tomato-based), and Zhoug (the green; spciy cilantro) dips.

Fried Falafel Pita

Price: $5.25
Special Diets: Plant-Based

You can’t see it in the photo, but this Fried Falafel Pita has a bright and refreshing salad mixture at the bottom of the pita. It’s also served with Tahini Sauce. Tangerine Café’s falafel never disappoints. Admittedly, there have been mixed reviews about the falafel, but it was very good when we ordered it.

Pistachio Cake

Price: $4.75
Special Diets: N/A

This Pistachio Cake is more than a pretty face. It is a stellar dessert made with Cinnamon Pastry Cream and Candied Walnuts. So tasty!

Read more about Tangierine Café, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Refreshment Outpost

Refreshment Outpost (located between China and Germany) only has two festival items, but they are both worthy offerings.

First, you need to try the 3 Daughters Brewing Allspice Hard Cider. You get a full-sized glass for $9.75. It’s worth every penny.

Second, there’s the Spicy Githeri!

Spicy Githeri

Price: $4.75
Special Diets: Plant-Based

Can you believe this only costs $4.75? Look how much you get! It’s served with White Beans, Pigeon Peas, Ben’s Original Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley, and Kachumbari Slaw. The flavors are similar to what you can find across dishes at Animal Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom resorts — and so so good!

Read more about Refreshment Outpost, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Refreshment Port

Located as you enter the World Showcase towards Canada, you’ll find the Refreshment Port.

This is definitely a must stop, specifically for an extremely delicious piece of cheesecake, which you can read about below.

If you’re also looking for a refreshing beer, try the Luna Lemonade Ale by Playalinda Brewing Company, which is another Food and Wine offering.

Maple Boursin Cheesecake

Price: $4.50
Special Diets: N/A

This year for Food and Wine, Refreshment Port has festival items sponsored by Boursin cheese. And this Maple Boursin Cheesecake is a must. It’s made with Whipped Boursin Maple Bourbon Cheese and Candied Pecans. A seriously awesome dessert with an unforgettable caramel taste.

Read more about Refreshment Port, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Rotunda Bistro

Rotunda Bistro is one of the new booths this year and it requires a stop, but only for one item — the Wild Mushroom Truffle Tart.

Better yet, you can even eat it at tables inside The American Adventure rotunda while enjoying the air conditioning.

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Tart

Price: $5.00
Special Diets: N/A

This picture doesn’t really do this tart justice. If you’re a mushroom fan, then you’ll definitely want to try this. It’s flaky, has great flavor, and is served with Gruyère and Crème Fraîche.

Read more about Rotunda Bistro, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

France

There’s no denying France is always a popular booth — and for good reason.

Overall, the Food and Wine menu items here were a hit, especially the drinks. Just a tip: this line builds (and can sometimes evn get up to an hour wait), so plan accordingly.

Now, if you want some cheesy goodness in your life, try the Beignet aux Trois Fromage.

Beignet aux Trois Fromage

Price: $5.75
Special Diets: N/A

What exactly is this? Oh, it’s just a Warm Beignet filled with Three Cheeses! It’s as good as it sounds. There’s a bit of sweetness thanks to the beignet. Then, there are the three cheeses that add even more oomph to the already delicious dish.

Read more about France, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Greece

The Greece booth is back this year for Food & Wine (located between Morocco and Japan) and there are two worthwhile vegetarian dishes.

Griddled Cheese

Price: $4.50
Special Diets: Gluten/Wheat-Friendly

The Griddled Cheese is served with Pistachios and Honey and it may not look that appetizing, but it is! If you’re a cheese fan, then you definitely need to try this. The pistachios add a nice crunch and the honey brings out a sweetness. This is also shareable, because it’s a lot of cheese. But, is there really anything as *too* much cheese?

Spanakopita

Price: $4.50
Special Diets: N/A

The Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie that’s filled with, you guessed it, spinach and feta cheese. That’s also a flaky phyllo dough wrapped around the filling. Not only is this delicious, but you get two pieces – perfect for sharing!

Read more about Greece, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Hawai’i

The Hawai’i booth (near Disney Traders at the beginning of World Showcase) is yet another destination that offers a truly great dessert.

It also happens to be another cheesecake option, just like at Refreshment Port.

Passion Fruit Cheesecake

Price: $4.25
Special Diets: N/A

The Passion Fruit Cheesecake is served with Toasted Macadamia Nuts and it’s oh-so-good. This was super creamy and the macadamia nuts added a nice crunch. Really nice flavors here and an almost perfect sweet treat.

Read more about Hawai’i, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Hops & Barley

As usual, Hops & Barley is located in the America pavilion. If you’re in the mood for a really, really good piece of carrot cake, go no further.

Freshly Baked Carrot Cake

Price: $4.50
Special Diets: N/A

As you can see, this Freshly Baked Carrot Cake comes loaded with Cream Cheese Icing. This dessert didn’t disappoint last year and the same can be said this year, too. Trust me: you don’t want to sleep on this carrot cake.

Read more about Hops & Barley, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Shimmering Sips

Finally, there is Shimmering Sips (near Port of Entry in the World Showcase), which features a plant-based dessert.

Shimmering Sips also has strawberry soft-serve ice cream and mimosas, but this plant-based Banana Bread should be your go-to.

Banana Bread

Price: $4.50
Special Diets: Plant-Based

The Banana Bread is served with Mixed Berry Compote ad whipped cream. Yes, it’s all plant-based. To be honest, it doesn’t taste like your traditional banana bread, but it’s still a quality dessert. It’s full of flavor, plus the mixed berries and whipped cream add to the texture.

Read more about Shimmering Sips, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

The Alps

You can find The Alps in the Germany pavilion. The marketplace is located right next to the Germany booth.

There is one offering here that is worth your time and money. You get a lot for your money! It is none other than the Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes.

Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes

Price: $4.50
Special Diets: N/A

As you can see, you get a lot with the Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes. It’s filling and makes for a great mini-meal, if you don’t want to share. Be warned that there is a similar version served with ham, so you’ll want to avoid ordering that one.

Read more about The Alps, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

India

The India booth is a pretty good one, especially since it has several vegetarian options, including one plant-based item.

There are two solid choices: the Warm Indian Bread with dips and the Madras Red Curry with rice and vegetables.

Warm Indian Bread

Price: $5
Special Diets: Kid-Friendly

This is along the same lines as the famous bread service you can order at Sanaa over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas— Kidani Village. The bread is served with three delicious dips: Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa, and Coriander Pesto. This makes for a good snack and is shareable.

Madras Red Curry

Price: $5
Special Diets: Gluten-Friendly, Plant-Based

There’s no denying you get your bang for you buck with this dish. The madras Red Curry is served with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas, and Ben’s® Basmati Rice. Warning: this is very spicy, so do not order if you don’t like heat.

Read more about India, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Mac & Eats

You can’t usually go wrong with macaroni and cheese. And, well, the Mac & Eats booth is a success.

The booth is located in World Discovery near the Lobster Landing marketplace, the Creations Shop, and Mission: SPACE.

At this new booth, there is a Traditional Macaroni and Cheese that’s good, but there are two other versions that are the true standouts.

Truffle Macaroni and Cheese

Price: $5.75
Special Diets: N/A

The Truffle Macaroni and Cheese is undeniably fantastic. If you don’t like truffle flavor, you should probably skip, but, overall, this is very, very, very good.

Plant-Based Macaroni and Cheese

Price: $5.75
Special Diets: Plant-Based

Yes, this is a plant-based macaroni and cheese served with house-made Italian sausage and peppers. It’s just like last year’s plant-based mac and cheese, meaning I can eat this all day long. It’s that good.

Read more about Mac & Eats, including our own personal reviews and ratings.

Other Vegetarian Items

The list above features all the things that I think are the best vegetarian items from this year’s festival, but, there are a few more options at other Food and Wine booths.

I don’t think they are as good as the menu items above, but you might want to try them for yourself.

Appleseed Orchard: Apple Crumble Tart
Australia: Deconstructed Pavlova (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
Belgium: Belgian Waffle (with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream); Belgian Waffle (with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream)
Brazil: Pão de Queijo, aka the famous Brazilian Cheese Bread
Brew-Wing: Cheese Flatbread
The Donut Box: Candy Jar Donut
Funnel Cake: Mini Candied Bacon S’mores Funnel Cake (can order without bacon)
Italy: Mezzelune Croccanti (breaded mozzarella filled ravioli with pomodoro sauce)
Ireland: Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake (with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard )
The Noodle Exchange: Tofu Pho (Plant-Based and Gluten/Wheat-Friendly); Also try the Yaupon Brothers Green Tea Pale Ale, which is a fantastic beer.

Nearby Quick Service Spots with Good Vegetarian Choices

If you’re traveling in a group with people who have different diets than you (aka they eat all of the meat and seafood), you might just find yourself in a pinch when it comes to finding something to eat as you navigate your way around the festival.

You certainly don’t want to go hungry, especially during a long, hot park day and/or if you’re indulging in adult beverages.

If one of the above options isn’t available nearby, here are a few Quick Service spots in Epcot that have pretty good vegetarian and/or plant-based choices.

La Cantina de San Angel (Mexico Pavilion) — For $13.50 you can get Empanadas con Queso, which are cheese empanadas served with Mexican slaw and some of the best black beans you will ever try. You can even order just a side of the beans (for $1.99!), which I’ve done and have never regretted.
Rose & Crown Pub (U.K. Pavilion) —Attached to the Rose & Crown Dining Room, you can order plant-based Fish and Chips at the bar for half the price of what you’d pay in the dining room (around $12). If you want a good beer, I also recommend the Golden (a pub blend that’s half Harp and half Bass Ale).
Pizza al Taglio (Italy Pavilion) — This is the pizza window next to Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. Pizza by the slice is served here and they are a pretty decent size. But, keep in mind, the window isn’t always open.

Cheese Empanadas with Black Beans - Epcot Mexico Pavilion

Regal Eagle Smokehouse (America Pavilion) — You can’t go wrong with the plant-based BBQ Jackfruit Burger ($12.99). It’s a Plant-Based burger that comes on garlic toast and is topped with BBQ Jackfruit, plant-based mayonnaise, and lettuce. You also get your choice of side. Speaking of the sides, you can order any of them individually. The macaroni and cheese ($4.99) is superb, but it is not plant-based.
Yorkshire County Fish Shop (U.K. Pavilion) —This is a popular spot in the U.K. pavilion. You can even Mobile Order here now! If you need a snack along the way, I recommend the “Chips,” or French fries. These are some of the best fries in all of Disney World and you get a lot for just $3.99. I’m not sure if these are made in the same fryer as the fish, but you can always ask.

Overall Thoughts

It would be nice if the booths with vegetarian and plant-based choices would be open all at once. As a whole, you might look at this list and think, wow, there’s a lot of options.

But, in reality, and based on the booths that opened July 15, there were only 14 — 14! — that are good choices for vegetarians. And with a total of 223 menu items (including beverages), that’s not a lot — at all.

For plant-based eaters? There were only a total of 6 plant-based food items available beginning July 15. When you add the booths that opened in August and on Oct. 1, that makes a total of only 8 plant-based offerings. Again, not a lot.

Keep in mind that there are some items that you might be able to modify (like the funnel cake), but that’s not always the case.

As nice as it would be to have more vegetarian and plant-based choices, that shouldn’t discourage you from trying the above favorites. They are very good!

Compared to several years ago, Disney has definitely stepped up its plant-based/vegetarian game. Let’s hope that continues, especially at festivals.

2023 Food & Wine Booth Map

Check out all the booths from the 2023 Food and Wine Festival on the map below, including our favorite overall booths. We’ve also listed locations for indoor and outdoor seating.