Our Top Picks for the 2023 Epcot Food and Wine - PREP 370

Our top picks for the 2023 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Shannon chats with WDW Prep team members Heather, Allyson, and Felicia about the 2023 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. They discuss their experience at the first three (very hot!) days of the festival and share how they each would spend $75 when enjoying a day at the festival.

In this article

Overall Thoughts

It’s very hot.
The food was better this year than in previous years.
There was less wine and perhaps they should call it food and beer!

Similarities and Differences

As compared to previous years, the quality was better but the prices also increased.
Earth Eats isn’t available this year but the popular Impossible Slider at Flavors from Fire. Two booths aren’t opening until mid-August: Noodle Exchange and Hawaii. Four new booths will be opening in September for the 100 Celebration.

Logistics

There are so many booths and many food items to try.
They are also enforcing two drinks per person for each booth. If you plan on trying different drinks, you will need to coordinate your ordering.
When ordering one of everything from a booth, you will need to name out each item and size specifically. You cannot just say you want one of everything.

How would you spend $75?

Shannon asks each team member how they would spend $75. This budget is reasonable to try lots of different things for one person. By setting a budget, it is more than just naming their favorites, but what items are the best value, portion sizes, and a variety of options.

Allyson

Allyson is a vegetarian and doesn’t eat meat or seafood. She does eat some cheese and eggs, but many of the plant-based options at Food and Wine are vegan.

Brew-Wing: Impossible™ Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Plant-Based Blue Cheese, Plant-Based Ranch and Celery (NEW) (plant-based item) ($7.50)AND Brew Hub French Connection IPA, Lakeland, FL ($5.50) – It was slightly spicy but nothing too hot. The IPA was the best IPA of the whole festival. Rope drop this booth. This is a new addition this year.
Flavors From Fire: The Impossible™ Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun (plant-based item) ($6.00)
The Fry Basket: Adobo Yuca Fries with Garlic-Cilantro Aïoli (plant-based item) or Pickle Fries(both $5.50) – The plant-based fries were a very large portion.
Greece: Spanakopita ($4.75) – a great booth! Allyson didn’t like the plant-based option.
Flavors of America: Freshly Baked Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing ($4.50) – some new items, but the carrot cake is a favorite and is a returning item. The cream cheese icing does melt, but Allyson says it’s one of the best desserts of the festival.
India: Potato and Pea Samosa with Coriander-Lime Cream (plant-based item)($5.50)
Japan: Brew Hub Momo Amber Ale, Lakeland, FL (NEW)($5.50) – Spoiler Alert! This was a favorite across the board!
Refreshment Outpost: Ciderboys Mango Tango Hard Cider ($11.25) – really great booth. Full-sized beers and drinks. It’s a good option overall. The plant-based option (Spicy Githeri) is really good as well.
Spain: Sangria Flight ($13.00)
Brazil: Xingu Brazilian Black Lager($5.50) – it’s a dark beer but it’s very light and really good.

Felicia

She doesn’t have any dietary restrictions but she doesn’t enjoy the seafood at the festivals. She was the only one able to eat them in this group which was challenging. She also doesn’t enjoy super sweet drinks or desserts.

Flavors of America: Beer Flight($10.00)
The Fry Basket: Pickle Fries with Dill Ranch($5.50)
Tangierine Cafe: Stone-Baked Moroccan Bread with Hummus, Chermoula and Zhoug Dips ($5.00)
India: Chicken Tikka Masala with Fennel-Spiced Yogurt and Naan Bread ($6.25) – This was very spicy and really good. A great portion.
Spain: Sangria Flight ($13.00)
Spain: Charcuterie with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, Olives and an Herbed Serrano Vinaigrette ($6.50) – Charcuterie and sangria flight goes well together. The charcuterie is in a cup so you don’t get your fingers messy.
Refreshment Outpost: Gulf Stream Brewing Co. Cloud Watermelon Hibiscus Lager, Ft. Lauderdale, FL ($11.25) – Felicia says this was her favorite beer.
Brew-Wing: Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Buffalo Sauce, Plant-Based Blue Cheese and Plant-based Ranch ($5.00) – Felicia says she liked the impossible tenders, but she loved the Brussels Sprouts more.
Flavors from Fire: Smoked Corned Beef with House-made Potato Chips, Cheese Curds, Pickled Onions and Beer-Cheese Fondue ($6.50) – This could easily be a full meal.
Japan: Brew Hub Momo Amber Ale, Lakeland, FL ($5.50)

She liked the taco in Mexico but it was $8 and couldn’t justify it. She also considered the frozen Rose in the Alps. It’s a good option as well.

Heather

Flavors of America: Left Hand Brewing Sawtooth Amber Ale, Longmont, CO($5.50)
Greece: Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey($5.00)
Tangierine Cafe: Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Peach Party Peach & Blackberry Hard Cider, Armada, MI ($5.50) – not a big cider fan but she really liked it.
India: Potato and Pea Samosa with Coriander-Lime Cream ($5.50)
Spain: Charcuterie with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, Olives and an Herbed Serrano Vinaigrette ($6.50)
Spain: Viña Borgia Macabeo White Sangria ($6.50)
Mexico: Tostada de Carnitas: Braised Pork on a Fried Corn Tortilla with Black Beans, Avocado Mousse, Queso Fresco and Chives ($7.75)
Refreshment Port: Braised Beef Poutine: French Fries with Braised Beef, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce, Cheese Curds, Crumbled Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs ($10.00) – This is so good. Expensive but the portions are very large.
Refreshment Port: Boulevard Brewing Co. Quirk Pineapple Orange Whip Hard Seltzer, Kansas City, MO ($11.25)
Flavors from Fire: Smoked Corned Beef with House-made Potato Chips, Cheese Curds, Pickled Onions and Beer-Cheese Fondue ($6.50)
Japan: Brew Hub Momo Amber Ale, Lakeland, FL ($5.50) – All three of them loved this beer!

Booths not mentioned

France

They did rope-drop the booth but they didn’t think it was as good as everyone says. They did like the cheese beignet, but it wasn’t their favorite. The slush was not good this year.

Italy

This has typically been the worst booth both in terms of food quality and price. They really do not like that they tell you the brand of alcohol. It’s also expensive. The total cost of all items at the festival was $1,145 and Italy was $104, making it a very expensive booth compared to others.

Worst Items

Pickle Milkshake

Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie from Ireland – It is too hot to eat stew like this.

Flavors of America has a seafood stew as well and it makes everything smell like a fish market.

Belgium Delirium Red Beer and it’s very thick and no one liked it.

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