MASSIVE REVIEW: We Tried EVERY Booth at the 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

The 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is finally here!

This year’s festival runs from August 28th to November 22nd, 2025, and brings a TON of exciting eats, entertainment, souvenirs, and more to EPCOT. We’re reviewing EVERY single booth to let you know if it’s worth your money or not. We’ve got a LOT of booths to get through, so let’s dive in!

The 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival runs from August 28th to November 22nd, and there are over 35 food booths as well as some additional locations. Here is our review of each booth — we’ll be updating this page as we eat our way around the festival, so make sure you keep checking back here!

The Alps — 4/5

We’ve loved the Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese and Alpine Ham in the past, so we were excited to get it again. This beloved returning dish is accompanied by baby potatoes, cornichons, and a baguette. You can get it with Alpine Ham is $6.00, but you can also purchase the Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese without ham for $5.50, which still comes with baby potatoes, cornichons, and a baguette. 

For some reason, the dish wasn’t as phenomenal as we remembered it. The booth had some issues with the cheese earlier in the day, so that could have played a role. The bread was great, and there was a lot of it. We also really enjoyed the well-cooked potatoes, and we think you should get this with ham to add to the flavor. It was the cheese that didn’t stand out to us this time, which was a little disappointing, but it could have just been our experience!

The  Kirschwasser Torte is new this year, and we are welcoming it with a warm embrace. It’s complete with cherry-brandy buttercream, fondant, sugared almonds, and cherry compote, and costs $5.50. This was so delicious, like amazingly delicious! The flavors just melt into each other in a smooth, sweet, and fruity way. Each piece crumbles nicely, yet the icing kind of holds it all together. If you love icing, you’ll love this!

The Frozen Rosé is back again, and you can raise a glass of it for $9.50. Just a warning, this doesn’t stay frozen for long in the hot Florida weather. We really loved its tasty and smooth flavor. It was sweet but not too sweet.

Beer drinkers can opt for the Stiegl Brewery Goldbräu Austrian Märzen Lager, which is new to the Festival this year. It’s $5.75 for a 6-ounce pour, or $9.75 for a 12-ounce pour. This was fairly strong and also bitter. We found the flavor doesn’t linger very long.

Australia– 5/5

The returning Grilled Bushberry-spiced Shrimp Skewer is $7.00. The Shrimp Skewer comes plated with sweet-and-sour vegetables and a coconut-chili sauce. The sauce brings a bold punch of heat that lingers, so this one is best suited for spice lovers. Alongside the kick, there’s also a subtle sweetness from the berry, creating a nice balance of flavors. With the mix of sweet, spicy, and savory elements, this dish offers plenty of variety in each bite, making this a solid pick for shrimp fans.

The Roasted Lamb Chop for $8.75 is a returning favorite and a past fan favorite pick. It’s served with mint pesto and finished with a topping of crushed salt and vinegar potato chips. The lamb is hearty and flavorful, while the chips add a fun crunch and a tangy bite that pairs surprisingly well. The mint pesto ties everything together with a burst of freshness, giving each bite a bright, herbaceous note. Our portion leaned a little toward the chewy side, but that seemed more like a one-off than the norm. Even so, this remains one of the standout dishes worth seeking out.

For dessert, the Mixed Berry Pavlova for $4.75 makes its debut. While Australia has served variations of Pavlova in the past, including a deconstructed take, this version features a crisp meringue shell topped with macerated berries and whipped cream. The result is a true hidden gem. The meringue brings a crunchy, airy texture that softens into a chewy sweetness when combined with the fresh berry juices. The whipped cream adds a light creaminess, while the tart berries keep the dessert balanced and refreshing. Simple yet elegant, this dish is a sleeper hit and a must-try for anyone seeking something on the lighter side.

To drink, you can pick up a Wine Flight for $7.50. It features Bulletin Place Sauvignon Blanc, Fowles Farm to Table Shiraz, and Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Viognier. You may also opt to try any pour individually for $6.50. The Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Viognier from South Australia is quite dry. It does have a pleasant floral taste with a little bit of sweetness.

White wine lovers can also enjoy the Bulletin Place Sauvignon Blanc. This pour is crisp and tart with pronounced apple notes, while still maintaining a fairly dry profile. It makes an excellent pairing with the Spiced Shrimp Skewer, complementing the dish’s heat and balance of flavors.

Rounding out the beverage options is the Fowles Wine Farm to Table Shiraz, a bold pour that’s dark, rich, and peppery. If you’re only selecting one wine, this is the standout choice, especially alongside the Roasted Lamb Chop, where its depth and spice make for a perfect pairing.

Belgium — 4.5/5

Let’s start with the Beer-braised Beef for $6.75, plated with smoked Gouda mashed potatoes. The smoked Gouda potatoes melted in our mouths and were so tasty. The vegetables were very tender, which we loved, and the gravy brought everything together. All in all, this was an amazing dish. If you leave the dish out, the beef may get a little tender, which happened to ours.

Next, the Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and whipped cream is $5.50.  This one had fresh berries, and they complemented each other well. There were little seeds in the berries, giving the waffle a little bit of a crunch. It threw us off a little bit, but the waffle was still great!

Then there’s the Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache is $5.50. This may have been our favorite at the Belgium booth! The waffle was light and airy, yet also had a great crispy crust to it. This thing was just so good! The whipped cream on it was real, and it would start to dissolve – which may lead to a little mess. There was a perfect amount of chocolate, as it was drizzled on top. We liked this one more than the berry waffle.

Looking for a refreshing caffeinated drink? The Chilled Belgian Coffee, which is $5.25 for the non-alcoholic version, could be just the thing! We loved this! We’ll probably be getting this a lot more. It tasted like an iced mocha, so it’s not necessarily going to knock your socks off, but it was delicious. It was sweet, chocolatey, and overall just a great drink. If you want a little zing to your coffee, there’s a Chilled Belgian Coffee with ChocoLat Deluxe Salted Caramel Chocolate Liqueur, which costs $12.50. 

The Beer Flight is priced at $12.75 and features three brews: Brouwerij St. Bernardus Dragòn Wit Wheat Beer, Brouwerij Van Steenberge Gulden Draak Tripel Ale, and Brouwerij Verhaeghe Duchesse Cherry Red Ale.

The first beer you see on the left is the Brouwerij St Bernardus Dragòn Wit, which is a very clean European pure-tasting beer, boasting a flavor that you don’t typically experience with beers here in the U.S. Out of all three beers, this one was the lightest.

The second beer, the Brewery Van Steenberge Gulden Draak Tripel Ale, was basically the complete opposite! It was like a fresh espresso shot. It’s very strong and full-bodied, but it does take an acquired taste.

The third and final beer is the Brouwerij Verhaeghe Duchesse Cherry Red Ale, which is by far our favorite of the three. It’s not too sweet but still has a very tasty tart cherry flavor without the bitterness you’d anticipate.

Overall, the flight is a winner. It offers a variety of light, heavy, and sweet beers. Individual pours are also up for grabs for $5.75 for a 6-ounce and $9.75 for a 12-ounce.

Bramblewood Bites — 5/5

The festival menu kicks off with the Grilled Cider-Brined Pork Tenderloin for $7, a fan-favorite making its return this year. It’s served with chili-apple butter, celeriac-apple slaw, and an apple cider gastrique. The combination is outstanding. The tender, juicy pork pairs perfectly with the crisp apple slaw, creating a well-balanced bite. The grill adds just the right amount of char, giving the dish a subtle crunch that elevates the whole experience. This goes at the top of our list for one of the best items we’ve tried.

A brand-new addition this year is the Cast Iron-Seared River Trout for $7.25. This dish is beautifully presented with vanilla–butternut squash purée, a Brussels sprouts salad, candied pecans, spiced pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of maple dressing. The trout itself has a mild flavor — not overly “fishy” — allowing the other components to shine. The creamy vanilla–butternut squash purée stood out as a favorite, while the Brussels sprouts salad, paired with the pecans and cranberries, added a touch of sweetness and texture. Altogether, it makes for a balanced and surprisingly complex bite.

Making its return this year is the Cast Iron-Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Root Vegetables for just $5. This plant-based option is topped with dried cranberries, spiced pumpkin seeds, and finished with a pumpkin seed vinaigrette. The dish delivers a wonderful balance of flavors with the maple bourbon glaze bringing a rich sweetness, while a subtle tang (likely from the glaze) keeps each bite interesting. The Brussels sprouts are perfectly roasted over an open grill, giving them a satisfying char and just the right amount of crunch.

The beverage lineup also leans into fall flavors with the Spiced Apple Old Fashioned–Inspired Cocktail featuring Boyd & Blair Rum for $12.50. In this seasonal twist, rum steps in for the usual bourbon or whiskey, creating a drink that’s a touch sweeter and less spirit-forward. The highlight here is the crisp, sweet apple flavor, which makes for a smooth and approachable sip.

New drink to Bramblewood Bites this year is the 81Bay Brewing Co. Nitro Bananas Foster Cream Ale. A 6 ounce pour is $5.75, and a 12-ounce pour is $9.75. Finally, wine drinkers can grab a GoGi Pinot Noir for $16.00.

Brazil — 3/5

The Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) for $5 is a fan-favorite at the festival and also counts toward Emile’s Fromage Montage. It’s a reliably delicious option, light and airy, perfect for enjoying in the Florida sun without feeling heavy. While you can find it year-round on Skipper Canteen’s secret menu, it’s less common at the Food & Wine Festival, but that doesn’t make it any less of a welcome treat for festival attendees.

​​The Feijoada Black Bean Stew for $6.50 gets a flavorful twist with tender pork belly and Brazil nut pesto, served over BEN’S ORIGINAL Long Grain White Rice. While pork belly can sometimes be heavy, this version is balanced and succulent. The beans and rice complement the rich flavors perfectly, creating a satisfying and hearty dish.

The Frozen Caipirinha with Cachaça for $12.50 is an alcoholic beverage you can grab at this booth. Despite its name, it was served more on the rocks than frozen when we tried it. The drink is fruity and easy to sip, but it lacks a standout flavor, making it less memorable compared to other festival offerings. For something more unique, you might want to explore other options.

The 81Bay Brewing Co. Bossa Nova Lager is also available at $5.75 for a 6-ounce pour or $9.75 for a 12-ounce pour.

Brew-Wing Labs — 4/5

Let’s start with the returning Garlic-Parmesan Wings, which are $7.75. These were our favorite wings last year, and they remain a favorite this year. This is a savory flavor combo that works well with the juiciness of the wings.

New this year are the $7.75 Korean BBQ Wings. They’re coated with gochujang barbecue sauce and toasted sesame. The flavor combination makes a good option for guests who want something a little adventurous without going too spicy. They’re surprisingly hefty, and the sauce is thick and glossy. 

If you’re up for a challenge, the Unnecessarily Spicy Yet Extremely Tasty Carolina Reaper Pepper-Curry Wings are also back for $7.75. These wings are a returning favorite, and this year they’re better balanced. They’re still hot enough to make us sweat, but more flavorful and exciting than punishing. The accompanying cucumber raita cools things down. 

The $5.75 returning Fried Pickle Spears are also back. These are simple yet always crowd-pleasing, with a salty and crisp coating, a briny pickle that gives a tangy punch, all given a cool balance by the dill ranch. 

Wrapping up the food, there’s the IMPOSSIBLE Chicken Tenders for $7.75. Tossed in buffalo sauce AND ranch dressing, with blue cheese crumbles, these are fully plant-based. The tenders are a bit similar to what you might find in the frozen meat-replacement aisle, but the terrific buffalo flavor makes up for that. 

The booth’s main event is the returning $6.00 Pickle Milk Shake!  Flavor-wise, it’s basically vanilla ice cream with a touch of dill pickle. However, this shake has become a festival favorite for its novelty. It’s become a part of the experience. 

While not nearly as viral, the Frozen Pomegranate & Raspberry Tea features Twinings Pomegranate & Raspberry Herbal Tea. It’s garnished with orange ice cream molecules, all for $5.00. The tart pomegranate note makes it feel crisp and surprisingly thirst-quenching, serving as a nice complement to the wings, especially the spicier ones.

The Brew-Wing Beer Flight is $12.75 and includes three new-to-the-Festival brews: Boulevard Brewing Co. Space Camper Juice Nova Superstellar IPA, BrewDog 95 Tropical Session IPA, and Crooked Can Brewing Company Raspberry Blanc Wheat Beer. Each beer is also available individually, for a $5.75 6-oz pour or a $9.75 12-oz pour.

The Hard Cider Flight ($12.75) is all new, too! BRLO Wild Berries Hard Cider, Ciderboys Pumpkin Spice Hard Cider, and Collective Arts Brewing Local Press Apple & Cherry Hard Cider are the featured ciders this year. Like the beer selections, each cider is available individually as well, at $5.75 for a 6-oz pour or $9.75 for a 12-oz pour.

Canada — 4.5/5

We were excited to grab the Filet Mignon, which had mushrooms and Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs mashed potatoes, and was finished with Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs butter for $10. 

Off the bat, the steak looked good just sitting on the counter. However, you can never tell how it might taste just by looking at it. It’s not going to be the best filet mignon you’ll have, so don’t go in with that expectation. It doesn’t cut like butter, and you can’t get it cooked to order. It isn’t chewy, but it does take chewing, if that makes sense. All in all, the whole dish has a great flavor. We really enjoyed the butter, potatoes, and mushrooms in particular.

The Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup for $6.25 is a MUST if you love cheese — we’ll be having TONS of this over the course of the festival. This is one of our favorite items to get for sure! It’s the perfect mix of cheesy and creamy. You’ll taste the bacon flavor dispersed throughout the entire soup, and it was delicious. The pretzel bread is also very good; it was soft and fluffy.

You can choose the Collective Arts Brewing Pilsner, which is $5.75 for 6 ounces or $9.75 for 12 ounces. The Pilsner was like a classic pilsner, to put it bluntly. Unlike a logger, this was big on flavor. It wasn’t too heavy, making it easy to drink in the heat.

If you ask us, you need to get the Château des Charmes Pétales Rouge for $7.50. This is up there as the best wine you can get at the festival. The wine is extremely light and fresh, and we loved it. The flavor was great, and the wine had a pepperiness.

China — 3/5

This booth is playing it a little safe this year with the Smoked Duck Bao Bun with hoisin sauce for $8.25. We thought it was gamey and chewy last year, and although it was a bit better this year, it’s just not memorable. The bao bun is light and fluffy, and there’s a nice sweetness from the hoisin sauce. The duck is rich and savory, but we didn’t get any of the smokiness from it. We also thought the pickled cucumbers just didn’t work with the other flavors.

However, we liked the new Beijing Zhajiang Noodles for $8.50, which are served with stir-fried minced beef, cucumber, chili, and carrots in a savory douban sauce. These are everything you want noodles to be. They’re saucy in a way that really good takeout noodles are. They have a nice savory flavor that pairs well with the saltiness of the beef. 

The Pan-fried Chicken Dumplings with house-made sweet-and-spicy sauce are back again this year for $5.75. Last year, these reminded us of the kind of dumplings you can get from your local Chinese restaurant. So again, they’re safe, but satisfying. 

There’s almost always a bubble tea available at this booth, and this year’s flavor is Mango Peach Bubble Tea for $8.25. 

The Baijiu Punch for $14.50 is the same as the previous “ByeJoe Punch”. The new name honors the Baijiu spirit in it, which is mixed with lychee syrup, sparkling water, and piña colada mix. This drink has a tropical vibe with a strong coconut flavor.

This year also brings two new cocktails, including the Hainan Prosperity, made with Tequila, vodka, Minute Maid Orange Juice, and mango syrup for $14.50. This is probably our new favorite drink at the festival. It’s got a nice fruitiness without being heavy on the alcohol. The tanginess of the orange juice cuts through the sweetness for a balanced drink. We’ll be coming back for this one. 

The Frozen Strawberry-Jasmine Cocktail is made with Light rum, jasmine tea, and strawberry syrup for $14.25. This new drink didn’t wow us as much. It leans way too heavily on the strawberry flavor, but we couldn’t taste the jasmine tea at all. It’s basically a strawberry slushie with booze. 

Coastal Eats (Opening September 28th) — X/5

Stay tuned for this review when the booth opens!

Earth Eats — 4/5

Looking for a good savory and hearty snack? The Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib for $8.50 comes with goat cheese polenta, puttanesca sauce, shaved pecorino, and petit herbs. The meat is very tender, plus the portion size is good. It also comes with olives and capers, which might be a dealbreaker, but we thought they added a nice acidity to the tomato sauce. We didn’t get a lot of polenta, but it was creamy.

We loved the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake for $4.50 last year, and this year is no different. It has a wonderful, sweet lemon flavor, and the cake itself is light and moist. The thin layer of lemon icing adds a nice extra bit of sweetness.

The Minute Maid Strawberry-Hibiscus Aguas Frescas for $4.75 is new this year. It’s a nice non-alcoholic light drink that’s very refreshing on a hot day. The strawberry is the most predominant flavor, but you get a hint of hibiscus with each sip. 

A wine is also available at this booth: the Harken Wines Barrel Fermented Chardonnay for $6.

Flavors of America — 4/5

First, we tried the Gulf Coast-style Seafood Roll with warm-water lobster, rock shrimp, lobster bisque, and sherry-crème fraîche on a toasted brioche bun for $8.75. For the price you get this at, there is a large portion of lobster. The shrimp was also an amazing addition. Overall, the dish was perfectly meaty and didn’t feel fishy. The sherry-crème fraîche on top was phenomenal, and bringing it all together was the brioche bun. It was toasted to perfection and was also so soft at the same time. This is 100% one of the best of the fest items you can get!

Next, we tried the New England Slider. This dish is slow-braised beef pot roast with spicy giardiniera, horseradish cream, and crispy fried onions on a potato roll for $6.00. The potato roll was very soft with an incredible crust, giving a great mixture of textures. Our first few bites of the braised beef were flavorful, but it started to get drier the more we ate. The horseradish cream wasn’t crazy, and didn’t pack that punch that you would expect. If you’re looking for a kick with the horseradish, it’s not really there. This essentially feels like you’re eating a pot roast on a roll!

And last up from the bites menu is the returning Freshly Baked Chocolate Pudding Cake with Kentucky bourbon caramel for $5.00. The cake is very dense! If you love chocolate, you’ll love this, because this is super chocolatey. The caramel didn’t stick to our teeth, and it wasn’t crazy thick, with a very rich flavor. It also wasn’t super gooey, despite the amount that’s on this.

We picked up the Beer Flight here, which included the Harpoon Brewery Flannel Friday Hoppy Amber Ale. It was a dark and rich beer. A lot of the flavor of the beer rests at the back of the mouth rather than the front. Hoppy is the perfect word for this drink.

The Playalinda Brewing Co. Pumpkin Cheesecake Blonde Stout. This drink was sweet with a very subtle pumpkin spice taste. The cheesecake gave us a little bit of a vanilla flavor as well.

Lastly, we tried the von Trapp Brewing Natür Helles Lager. It might sound bland, but it tasted like a normal lager to us. It was light and breezy, and it was very easy to put down.

Flavors From Fire — 5/5

First up, the returning Montreal-Style Burger Slider for $6.00, features IMPOSSIBLE Beef with plant-based cheddar, tomato jam, Bibb lettuce, and plant-based garlic aioli on a sesame seed bun. This surprisingly gourmet slider tastes like a table-service creation, with a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The seeded bun, bright tomato jam, and creamy aioli elevate the plant-based beef, creating a satisfying bite that feels bigger than a typical slider. We love the idea of pairing it with vinegar fries from The Fry Basket next door for a complete, delicious meal.

Next up is the new Rodizio-Style Grilled Beef Skewer for $7, which is served with marble potatoes, charred shallots, roasted baby peppers, and chimichurri. The beef is juicy, flame-grilled to a perfect medium-rare, and finished with vibrant chimichurri. The combination of smoky meat, tender vegetables, and bold seasoning makes this skewer a standout for meat lovers and a must-try at the festival.

Rounding out the food offerings is the Smoked Corned Beef Plate for $6.50, which features house-made potato chips, cheese curds, pickled onions, and a drizzle of beer-cheese fondue. This returning favorite delivers tender, flavorful corned beef atop subtly smoky chips, with the onions and cheese curds adding texture. The fondue ties everything together, creating an indulgent, satisfying bite that’s rich without being overwhelming.

The Swine Brine Cocktail for $12 returns this year with the same bold flavor as before. The Jim Beam bourbon is noticeable from the first sip, but the taste is smoother than the aroma suggests. Tangy, pickled notes are balanced by apple-cinnamon cider and a hint of lemon, creating a quirky yet surprisingly harmonious drink.

If the Swine Brine isn’t exactly your thing, you can try the new Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter, which is $5.75 for 6 ounces ($9.75 for 12 ounces). If you are more into wine, grab the returning Four Virtues Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel, which is $6.50.

Forest and Field — 4.5/5

Here, we tried out three eats and two drinks, so quite the spread! This booth is all about fall flavors, and they’ve got some interesting items on the menu. First, we had the Autumn Chili for $6.50. This is made with IMPOSSIBLE Beef with root vegetables, plant-based cheddar, and plant-based sour cream in a bread bowl. We were honestly impressed by how delicious this was for a plant-based dish, and it was quite hearty! The spices warmed it up, and the chili itself was on the drier side rather than being soupy or runny. We’d totally try it again, and Breedlove was a big fan!

The Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli is made with brown butter vinaigrette, pecorino cheese, pomegranate seeds, and hazelnut praline. It costs $5.50. This was one of our favorite items last year, and it reigns supreme yet again! The various elements balance really well together, and the flavors are sophisticated. If you’re a pasta fan, this is a MUST.

The Schiacciata Sandwich is a new item on the menu for $6.25. It’s made with Mortadella, prosciutto ham, sun-dried peppers, arugula, stracciatella cheese, fall squash mostarda, and pistachio pesto on warm focaccia. We were shockingly impressed by this item as well! It was similar to a Caprese, and it was nice and light on a hot day while serving up a decent portion. The bread was a smidge dry, though.

To drink, we got the Daou Vineyards Chardonnay for $6.50, which was dry but didn’t have much depth of flavor.

We also tried the Famille Hugel Classic Pinot Noir for $6.50. It was on the lighter side, but also lacked that richness we were hoping for. Neither wine was much to write home about.

For beer drinkers, you can get the Brewery Ommegang All Hallows Treat Chocolate Peanut Butter Imperial Stout. It’s $5.75 for 6 ounces or $9.75 for 12 ounces. Ultimately, this booth is a WINNER in the food category, for sure! Definitely stop by to get some of the fall-themed eats.

France — 3.5/5

First, we had the Boeuf Bourguignon, Pommes de terre roties! It presents braised short ribs in a red wine sauce with potato puree. It’s $8.95. It doesn’t look like the most pleasant dish, but this one holds a special place in our hearts. The short rib literally falls apart in your mouth and on the fork. The red wine braise was so savory and complementary to the meat, and the potatoes *chefs kiss*. The portion was small enough to enjoy eating, but also gave a decent filling.

Next, we had the Brioche aux Epices Avec Une Garniture Mornay de Trois Fromages, a spiced brioche with a three-cheese mornay filling for $8.50. The brioche is probably the BEST thing we’ve EVER had at the France booth at ANY festival! When it comes to bread and cheese, France goes to WORK.

The brioche had a soft and moist texture and was easy to pull apart. The spices paired with the three cheese mornay sauce perfectly! The cheese was warm and gooey, and the sauce was creamy. We’re not exaggerating when we say this snack was literally perfect. The brioche is topped with crispy torched cheese bits – just to make it even more LEGENDARY!

We also had the Trio d’Escargots, Garniture a l’ail et au Persil. This is a trio of escargot bites in croissant dough served with a garlic-parsley dip for $8.95. We’ll be honest, this disappointed us! The escargot was good, as well as the garlic sauce.

So what was the problem? It was the overly chewy croissant. It basically quadrupled the texture of the escargot, instead of adding a good balance. Despite the good flavors of the sauce and escargot, unfortunately, the texture of the pastry ruined it.

For a treat, we grabbed the Crème Brûlée Vanille, Confiture Myrtilles et Citron Vert. This is a creamy vanilla crème brûlée with blueberry-lime compote for $6.95. This was tasty, but it gets cooked in the Florida heat. The shell was great, but the custard quickly got runny from the heat.

The flavors are great, with a balance between vanilla and blueberry. However, the texture gets very weird quickly because of the heat.

To drink, we started with the Chilled French Cosmo. This refresher brings together vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, Grand Marnier, and cranberry juice and costs $14.95. The cranberry is the flavor that pops out, but the drink does have a balance of other flavors that really pop. It’s a dangerous drink because of how tasty, refreshing, and easy to put down it is.

Then we had the Instant Becot Bordeaux for $7.95. This was a great wine! It was fruity with a nice peppery bite to it on the back of the palate. There was also a nice cherry flavor on the front.

The Fry Basket — 5/5

Over the past several years, Fry Basket has become one of the Food & Wine Festival’s most beloved booths, and 2025 will only continue this trend! Let’s begin with the famous Fry Flight, which features Truffle-Parmesan Fries, Sea Salt-Malt Vinegar Fries, and Sweet Potato Casserole Fries all for $8.00. 

The Truffle-Parmesan Fries are excellent. They feel extra gourmet, with the zing of the truffle delightfully playing off the Parmesan.

Next, the plant-based Sea Salt Malt Vinegar Fries are similar to what you might expect with Fish and Chips; these are some THICK fries.

Finally, the Sweet Potato Casserole Fries present all of the components of a Thanksgiving dish – with candied pecans, toasted marshmallow cream, and bourbon maple syrup – in fry form! The sweet consistency of these fries really translates well. 

Next, the $5.75 plant-based Adobo Yuca Fries with garlic-cilantro aïoli remain a fan favorite. They’re nice and thick – even thicker than the potato fries – and the garlic aïoli gives them a wonderful kick. 

The returning Boyd & Blair Grapefruit Mule, which costs $12.50, was refreshing and would be a good choice for grapefruit or vodka fans. 

Also on the drink menu is the NEW 3 Daughters Brewing Mojito Blonde Ale, which is $5.75 for 6 ounces or $9.75 for 12 ounces. This may have been the sleeper hit of the booth. It was delicious, very light, and offered a nice round taste profile. 

Germany — 4/5

If you love German food and beer, well, then you need to head to Germany. The Schinkennudeln has been a favorite of ours for years. It’s a pasta gratin dish with ham, onions, and cheese for $5.25. Note that this item is also part of Emile’s Fromage Montage cheese crawl, so if you’re doing that, it’s a must. It’s like a really good baked macaroni and cheese with a nice crispy layer of cheese on top and some nice crispy ham inside. 

The Bratwurst for $6.25 is also a good standard here. It’s served on a pretzel roll, so it’s a tougher roll than a soft bun, but the sausage is flavorful without being too strong. The mustard is also softer than it might be if you were grabbing this in the actual country of Germany. But it’s tasty and should be a people-pleaser.

Another people-pleasing snack is the Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce for $5. You’ve got the lovely taste of apples, cinnamon, and powdered sugar working well together with this nice custard-like vanilla sauce on top.

When in Germany, you have to try the beer, so we grabbed the beer flight for $12.75, which includes three German beers. The new Schöfferhofer Berry-Lime Hefeweizen tastes like berry and lime, and we got Sonic limeade vibes from it. It’s smooth and doesn’t really taste like a beer, which should please those who don’t like beer.

On the other hand, the Weihenstephaner Festbier tastes exactly what you would expect from a classic beer. It’s got some bitterness and is sharp with a bit of a bite.

The von Trapp Brewing Dunkel Lager is somewhere in between the two. It still tastes like a traditional beer, but it’s a lager, so it’s a touch smoother than the Festbier. It’s also got some nice carbonation that bubbles on your tongue.

You can get each beer individually for $5.75 for 6 ounces or $9.75 for 12 ounces. A wine, Selbach-Oster Riesling QbA, is also available for $9.

Greece — 3/5

First up, we grabbed the Spanakopita, which is a savory pastry with a filling of spinach and cheese. This is priced at $5. We’ve found that this item is a hit or miss every year. We really enjoyed this, it was both flaky and buttery, while having a creamy inside! All of that created a delicious Food and Wine item. It contained the perfect amount of spinach and cheese.

 Now, let’s move on to the Griddled Cheese with pistachios and honey, which is part of the Festival’s Cheese Crawl.. It is also priced at $5.25. A hot cheese dish in the hot Florida weather can be tough, but it really hit this year. It was very cheesy, and the pistachios gave it a great crunch. The honey added an element of sweetness that was phenomenal. We were surprised the dish didn’t feel oily, which we were happy about.

Next is the returning Lamb Gyro with shaved lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki on warm flatbread. It is priced at $7.00. We loved the fresh vegetables, but the lamb was a miss for us this year. The lamb was extremely dry, to the point where it was falling apart in a unique way. We were disappointed!

The IMPOSSIBLE Moussaka is back, and you can grab it for $5.50. It was heavy, rich, and felt like a mini meal. We’re not exaggerating when we say that this may be the best plant-based dish of the festival. You really can’t tell if it’s impossible beef or not. The food had lots of spices, yet wasn’t spicy or hot. There was cinnamon and nutmeg that would sit at the front of your mouth. Its savoriness and softness reminded us of shepherd’s pie.

If you’re looking for wine, try the Wine Flight, which comes with small glasses of each of the wines on the menu, which are the Mylonas Winery Assyrtiko White Wine ($6.50 on its own), Skouras ‘Zoe’ Rosé ($6.00 on its own), and the Kir-Yianni Naoussa Xinomavro Dry Red ($6.50 on its own). The wine flight is $7.50.

​​The white wine was really dry, while the rosé was more on the sweeter side – all in all, still dry. The red wine was dry as well. If you hadn’t picked up on it, this is a DRY wine flight. So don’t expect sweetness or surgery when it comes to this.

Finally, the Greek Melon Limenade! It is made with Kleos Mastiha Spirit, Aelred Melon Apéritif de Provence, Pearl Vodka, and lime sour mix, and you can grab it for $12.00.

Be careful with this drink because you can’t tell there’s alcohol in this at all. It’s very sweet and very light, and it’s refreshing on a hot day.

Gyozas of the Galaxy (Opening September 28th)– X/5

Stay tuned for our full review when this NEW booth opens!

Hawai’i — 4/5

Starting us off here is the Slow-roasted Pork Slider for $6, which is a fan-favorite. It’s made with sweet-and-sour chutney featuring DOLE Pineapple and spicy mayonnaise. This has that sweet and savory flavor combination going on, and the pineapple flavor really comes through for some fruitiness. Don’t let it sit too long, or it’ll get soggy, though.

Next on our list was the Hawaiian Rice Bowl made with Spam, eggs, eel sauce, spicy mayonnaise, and furikake for $6.25. This is a BIG winner in our book and Fry Bucket’s pick for the item you MUST try at the Hawai’i booth. It has an excellent combination of flavors and textures, and it’s not too heavy.

For dessert, you can try the Pineapple Cheesecake with passion fruit curd and macadamia nuts for $5.25. This wasn’t quite as fruity as we were hoping – the flavors were pretty muted overall. But it’s fun to look at!

And to drink, we got the Oahu Sunrise made with vodka, DOLE Pineapple Juice, and grenadine for $14.50. This was formerly the Aulani Sunrise, but this year it changed its name. It’s fruity and refreshing, and pairs well with the food items here.

That’s a wrap on our visit to Hawai’i – we definitely recommend waiting in line to get that rice bowl!

India — 4/5

First up, we grabbed the plant-based Potato and Pea Samosas with coriander-lime cream for $5.50. These were one of our best of the fest picks last year, but sadly, they were a downgrade this time around. The filling is loaded with potatoes, which makes them hearty, but also a little bland. The coriander-lime cream leaned more herbal than zesty, so it didn’t deliver the punch of flavor we were hoping for.

Next up is the Chicken Tikka Masala with fennel-spiced yogurt and naan bread for $6.50. In 2024, we loved how hearty this dish was with thick pieces of chicken, and this year it’s still just as solid. Honestly, you could make a full meal out of it. The naan isn’t anything standout on its own, but it pairs perfectly with the tikka masala, and we would definitely miss it if it weren’t there. This ended up being a Best of the Fest for us! The portion is generous, the flavor is bold, and for the price, it’s one of the best values you can get.

A highlight of the India booth is the Mango Lassi for $5.25. This is one of our absolute festival favorites! It’s thick and creamy, like a mango yogurt smoothie, and ours even had fresh chunks of mango at the bottom, which we loved.

You can also get the Mango Lassi with Camikara 8-Year-Old Cask Aged Rum for $12.50. If you are looking for a spiked version of this drink, we recommend grabbing this. You’ll just want to stir it as the drink tends to separate and become thin at the top. 

Other drinks include the returning Sula Tropicale Brut Sparkling Wine for $7.50.In the past, we’ve found this wine to be very refreshing! It was sweet, but not overly sugary. It would pair nicely with the spice of the food flavors here. 

And finally, the United Breweries Taj Mahal Premium Lager returns and is priced at 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75.

Italy — 2/5

Italy has such potential every year, and yet, it usually just doesn’t impress us, and this year is no different. Let’s start with the Bacetti ‘Kisses’ di Pizza, Traditional Napoli Street Food made with Pizza dough, pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce for $8.75. First, the pizza dough is way too thick and a little too hard. The tomato sauce is fine, but there’s nothing special about the flavor. This feels like a pizza, and kids will probably love it, but we just don’t think it’s all that unique. 

We pretty much felt the same way about the Tortellini alla Vodka, made with four-cheese tortellini, vodka sauce, parmesan, and calabrian chili oil for $8.00. The tortellini tasted like it came directly from the grocery store. The sauce was a little lighter than the pizza sauce, but again, there was nothing about it that made us think “wow.” 

The sweet treat here is Chocolate Spuma, made with chocolate mousse, caramel sauce, espresso whipped cream, and puffed rice for $5.75. It’s a basic chocolate mousse, and although it has a rich chocolate flavor, it’s nothing more.

There’s one new drink on the menu at Italy this year — Sorsi d’Oro ‘Sips of Gold’ Italian Pilsner, available in 60z and 12 oz pours for $7.50 and $12.50. However, the Prosecco, Moscato, Chianti, and Red Sangria are all returning. We grabbed the Red Sangria, which is frozen. It’s a nice, refreshing, and fruity drink for a hot Florida day. 

The Italian-inspired Blood Orange Margarita is also returning for $12.00. This cocktail is made with Tequila, triple sec, and blood orange liqueur. We’ve loved this in the past and thought it was good again this year. It’s nothing special, but it’s refreshing. It is sweet, and you get a bit of the alcohol taste, but it’s also a great summer drink.

Japan — 4/5

We tried the Beef Wagyu Don for $9.50. This is a traditional Japanese rice bowl with American wagyu beef blend over steamed white rice served with homemade pickles, shredded togarashi pepper, and pickled ginger. At first bite, we were in love. The homemade pickles had a subtle kick from the wasabi, but weren’t overly spicy, while the beef was so tender and flavorful. The pickled ginger added a freshness that complemented the savory flavors of the beef and the spiciness of the pickles. We wish there were a bit more beef compared to the amount of rice, but this could be a great filling meal if you’re looking for a bigger dish during the festival.

We also had the Osakana Karaage, which is crispy-fried pollock with spicy mayonnaise and a sweet-and-creamy yuzu sauce for $8.50. We were ready to dig in, but as soon as our forks hit the outside layer, we knew we were in trouble. While the outside is typically crispy and crunchy, ours was served very chewy. We enjoyed the fishy flavor of the pollock, and the yuzu sauce made the whole dish a little sweeter, especially with the fish’s saltiness. The mayo was spicy in some bites, but in others, we couldn’t tell there was spice at all, so it could be really hit or miss at times. It wasn’t our favorite at this booth, but we’re willing to go back and try it again to see if we just had an off batch.

Finally, we had the Teriyaki Chicken Bun for $7.95. This steamed bun is filled with minced chicken, vegetables, and teriyaki sauce, and we’ve loved it in the past, but sometimes, it can be more bun than filling. If you’re looking for a dish with familiar flavors, this can be a great one to try. The inside was delicious and packed with flavor. You can taste the savory meat, and the bun was like a cloud — fluffy and soft! Picky eaters, don’t worry, you can’t taste the vegetables here, and the sauce makes the whole dish a little sweeter. We’ll definitely be getting this again.

For our drinks, we tried the Peachy Mango Boba, a non-alcoholic beverage made with Calpico Peach Juice and mango popping boba, priced at $7. This drink was light, sweet, and refreshing. The flavors on the front are all mango, but then the back notes were more peach, so it’s great for those who love fruity flavors.

Finally, we had the Sake-Politan Cocktail made with Sake, Simply Cranberry Juice, and a hint of yuzu for $8.75. This drink really packed a punch of flavor! It was extremely tart, and there is a subtle hint of sweetness from the yuzu, but keep in mind that this flavor is very subtle and that you’ll mostly taste the cranberry juice. 

Mexico — 5/5

The Mexico booth is the one we come back to time and time again, and it never disappoints. We tried the new Tostada de Carnitas made with braised Pork atop a fried corn tortilla with chipotle black beans, salsa ranchera, crema Mexicana, and queso fresco for $8, and were wowed by the nice crispy corn tortilla, the flavorful beans, and the tender pork that even had a hint of sweetness.

The Flauta de Barbacoa is a returning dish this year. It’s made with fried tortillas filled with barbacoa beef, topped with salsa verde, romaine lettuce, crema Mexicana, and queso fresco for $8.75. We enjoyed this just as much as we did last year, with its wonderful flavor and nice crunch. The meat is tender and juicy, and the queso fresco adds a nice cheesiness.

For a sweet treat, we ordered the Flan de Cajeta, a creamy Mexican custard with caramel sauce and toasted almonds. This was not some store-bought flan. No, this was homemade and was wonderfully creamy and tasty without being overwhelmingly sweet.

Let’s try some drinks. The Clarita Margarita is made with Cristalino Tequila, orange liqueur, and clarified lemon juice for $13.75. We loved how the freeze-dried fruit on top blended into the drink to make a pretty violet color. This tasty margarita is simple, but perfect.

We also enjoyed the Strawberry-Pomegranate Margarita featuring 100% Agave Blanco Tequila, Joven Mezcal, pomegranate liqueur, strawberry purée, and spicy agave for $13.25. We do advise mixing it up good because the strawberry-pomegranate syrup sits on the bottom. It is a heavier drink, but we loved both looking at it and sipping from it. The strawberry flavors also blended nicely with the spicy agave rim.

You can also order Mexican craft beer from this booth for $6 to $11.

Milled & Mulled — 4/5

First, we grabbed Butternut Squash and Ginger Bisque for $5.50. This soup is garnished with cinnamon cream, toasted pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin seed oil. This is easily being put on our Best of the Fest list! The only thing that we didn’t love about this dish had nothing to do with the dish, but with the weather. It was too hot for us to fully enjoy how delicious this was. That being said, we really loved this!

It’s mostly savory, with hints of sweetness to it. We loved the mix of tastes! The texture gave us both creamy and crunchy, thanks to the pumpkin seeds. The perfect fall season dish – we just wish the weather were cooler so we could get cozy with this.

Now, the new Apple-Cinnamon and Caramel Mini Churros Sundae gives you the autumnal flavors topped with vanilla bean gelato to help you keep cool for $5.25! This is a great option for kids! You get a decent-sized portion, especially for the price, and you can definitely share this. The mini churros have this thick caramel sauce drizzled on top of them – and it was too thick. The vanilla gelato just made it even better. There was this applesauce on top as well, with chunks of apples in it. That part might not be a hit for kids, but it was for us. It was a very popular buy amongst guests while we were at the festival.

We were super excited to try the Fall Fruit Cheesecake, which features Boursin Fig & Balsamic Cheese with pomegranates and candied pecans. It’s $5.50. The cheesecake had a balanced sweet and savory taste. It was creamy and tangy at the same time. It does tend to lean more on the tart side with the fig in the pomegranate. A really nice crunch was given to the treat thanks to the candied pecans.

The Freshly Baked Carrot Cake with walnuts and cream cheese icing for $5.50 has been one of our favorites in the past, and it is once again this year! It’s your typical carrot cake with all of those walnut and cream cheese flavors in it. The cream cheese is such a treat, as it’s very sweet and very rich. It will harden a little bit if you let it sit for too long.

Milled and Mulled has 3 Daughters Brewing Apple Strudel Hard Cider available for $5.75 for a 6-ounce pour or $9.75 for a 12-ounce pour. The Apple Cider has delicious notes of baked apple and cinnamon – so if you like those flavors, you’ll love this. We found the drink was very light and easy to drink. It falls more on the sweet side, and it will get you in that fall season mood! 

There’s also this Maple Harvest Hard Cider, which is available for $5.75 for a 6-ounce pour or $9.75 for a 12-ounce pour. When you drink this, you’re going to get a subtle and light maple syrup taste. We found it’s just a smidge sweeter than the apple cider.

Refreshment Outpost — 3/5

New to the entrée selection this year is the Berbere-spiced Beef Stew. The dish, available for $6.75, is plated with sweet potato mealie pap and kachumbari slaw.

Overall, we found this stew quite tasty, with prominent flavors of tomato and warming spices like cinnamon dominating. The meat itself was tender and easy to chew, and the dish featured veggies including carrots, onions, and tomatoes, as well as chickpeas. The portion size was very solid for the price, though eating in the Orlando heat was not ideal. Perhaps it’s best served waiting for fall to give it a try.

The stew was joined by the returning IMPOSSIBLE Spicy Sausage for $6.50. The vegan sausage is paired with peri peri peppers and onions and plant-based peri peri aïoli together on a sub roll.

The booth’s dessert menu saw the South African Cream Liqueur Chocolate Mousse return for $6.25, though this year’s version seemed slightly different. The mousse is covered with white chocolate ganache and garnished with chocolate-covered popping candy.

The dish’s biggest surprise was the chocolate popping candy, which popped far more – and for far longer – than we anticipated. Then the mousse itself is on top of the dish, served over a soft chocolate cookie and a moist chocolate cake, making the whole dish a dream for chocolate lovers craving a lighter dessert.

New to the drink menu was the Bold Rock Apple Crumble Hard Cider, which costs $12.00.

This cider was smooth, combining an initial nice crisp apple taste with a slight bit of bitterness in the aftertaste. Overall, the cider was on the sweeter side, which lends itself nicely to the “apple crumble” aspect. This isn’t super hoppy or wheaty, making it a good option for someone who wants a lighter sip with crisp flavors.

The cider joins the Gulf Stream Brewing Cloud 9 Watermelon Hibiscus Lager and Habesha Breweries Cold Gold Pilsner, both of which are returning with $12.00 price points.

Refreshment Port — 4.5/5

Let’s begin with the Braised Beef Poutine, which costs $10. The dish offers French fries topped with braised beef and a mushroom sauce featuring Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese, cheese curds, and a gherkin relish.

For $10, this offering is loaded with tender braised beef, perfectly complemented with gherkin relish and cheese curds. One word of warning on those fries, though: If you don’t like them having a soggy consistency, eat this dish quickly.

There are several drinks on the Refreshment Port’s 2025 menu, including the Boyd & Blair Pumpkin Spice Mule for $12.50 and the $11.00 Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Peach Wine.

However, the sleeper hit is the Brewery Ommegang Oak-Aged Watermelon Kolsch. This $12.00 beer surprised us. While it certainly tasted like watermelon, it was not overly sweet. In fact, it was a bit acidic, tasting almost like something out of the cider family, as opposed to a fruit beer. It was one of our favorite drinks, and it pairs perfectly with the poutine.

Shimmering Sips — 2/5

We started with the new plant-based Strawberry Champagne Trifle for $5.75. This sweet treat is very sugary, almost overly so. The texture is similar to yogurt (though it’s not, since it’s plant-based), with a super-sweet strawberry purée and syrupy berries at the bottom. On top, there’s an almond crumble that reminded us of cereal, but it does add a nice crunch. This dessert is non-alcoholic, which makes it a fun option for kids – though parents, be warned, it’s a sugar bomb!

The Mimosa Flight for $14.50 never disappoints us. You get a trio of sparkling drinks: a Berry Mimosa, a Blood Orange Mimosa, and a Tropical Mimosa. They can also be ordered individually for $7.50. This flight is always a reliable pick because you know exactly what you’re getting: juice and champagne, and we love it for that.

The Berry Mimosa mixes La Gioiosa Berry Fizz with white cranberry juice, the Blood Orange Mimosa pairs sparkling wine with blood orange juice, and the Tropical Mimosa features sparkling wine and the famous Minute Maid POG juice (Passion Fruit Orange Guava). That’s right – POG juice and wine! This was our reporter’s favorite of the three.

Spain — 5/5

First, we had the Trio de Pintxos for $7.25, which is made up of Jamón (ham) croqueta, pan con tomate (tomato-topped bread), and a tortilla Española (Spanish omelette). The croqueta was crispy on the outside and soft inside with little pieces of ham, while the pan con tomate was bright and fresh on crispy bread. The tortilla Española was a bit milder, but delicious nonetheless. This was a fun new addition to the festival!

Next up was the Paella Caldoso for $8. This is made with rock shrimp, bay scallops, and smoked mussels. It was rich and seafood-forward. The scallops were a little overdone, but otherwise this was quite sophisticated for a festival dish.

For dessert, the Basque Cheesecake is $5.25. It was creamy and smooth with a bright citrus flavor from that orange sauce. We would get this 10 times over, for sure!

And to drink, we had the Summer in Spain for $12.50. It’s made with Frozen Simply Lemonade with both Yellow Chartreuse Liqueur and Green Chartreuse Liqueur. This was suuuuper lemon-forward, so beware of that before you order.

We really enjoyed our trip to Spain! Time for a real vacation to the country, anyone?

Swirled Showcase — 5/5

It’s hot out, and a nice cold treat is awaiting you at Swirled Showcase, including the brand new Liquid Nitrogen Frozen Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse featuring Philadelphia Cream Cheese with candied pecans and maple-caramel sauce for $5.50. Not only did we really enjoy watching Cast Members prepare this treat, but we also enjoyed eating it. You’re going to taste mostly the pumpkin and the cheesecake (a great combo), but you’ll also get a nice crunch from the candied pecans and a hint of sweetness from the sauce.

You can also grab three flavors of soft-serve: vanilla, apple cinnamon, and salted caramel. Each waffle cone is $6.50, although you can also pay that and get it in a cup. We really liked the apple cinnamon ice cream last year and thought it tasted like a vanilla bean ice cream with a touch of caramel. The Salted Caramel was sugary, thick, and rich. The ice cream floats available here are cool and refreshing.

For drinks, the Frozen Apple Pie is returning, but this is one we always thought looked better than it tasted. You can grab it for $6.75.

However, the Früli Strawberry Belgian White Beer for $12 is new this year, as is the Strawberry Beer Float made with Früli Strawberry Belgian White Beer and vanilla soft-serve for $13.25. The float was the big surprise for us. It’s very light with very little beer flavor. In fact, once it gets all mixed up with the ice cream, it gives us strawberry milkshake vibes. So if you’re craving an adult strawberry milkshake, this could be right up your alley.

Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of Medina — 4/5

Disney got a little tricky this year with the Tangierine Cafe menu. Previously, we’ve had the kabobs here – and they were always good. Well, this year, instead of kabobs, we’ve got the Moroccan Wrap for $6.25 with tomato-cucumber relish and garlic sauce served on warm Moroccan bread. This is actually the same meat from the kabobs turned into a wrap. We’ll forgive Disney, though, because the wrap might be even better.

You do get a choice of meat, and we went with the lamb wrap and the falafel wrap. The falafel is a lighter and healthier option at the festival that has a nice herby flavor and a creamy garlic sauce. The falafel itself is also crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. 

The lamb wrap was just as flavorful, with a more savory, meaty flavor that was complemented well by the tomato-cucumber relish. This would make a great light meal!

The Stone-baked Moroccan Bread with assorted dips is also back this year for $5.25. This one has been a favorite of ours for several years.

The Pistachio Cake with cinnamon pastry cream and candied walnuts for $5 is also back. This is one of those desserts we generally add to our best of the fest lists every year. This year is on different. The cake is light and moist with a lovely light pistachio flavor. The custard has that nice touch of cinnamon and is super creamy.

For drinks, the Fig Cocktail for $12 is back. This is made with Kleiner Feigling Fig Liqueur and white cranberry juice. It’s sweet, refreshing, and very easy to drink. Although you can taste the cranberry in the drink, the fig is really the standout flavor. 

A hard cider flight for $12.75 is back on the menu this year, with two new ciders: Keel Farms Blackberry-Pear Hard Cider,  Keel Farms Golden Apple Chai Hard Cider (New), and Playalinda Brewing Co. Fig, Rhubarb, Orange, and Ginger Hard Cider (New).

Additional Festival Locations

Block & Hans — 2/5

The Frozen Pineapple Chipotle Lemonade at Block & Hans is made with Minute Maid Lemonade and chipotle pineapple syrup, served with a chili-lime salt rim, and offered either non-alcoholic for $6.75 or spiked with Tito’s Handmade Vodka for $17.50. This drink does well with the lemonade and pineapple flavors, balancing beautifully to create a drink that’s tart, sweet, and refreshing without one flavor overwhelming the other.

The “chipotle” comes entirely from the chili-lime rim, which delivers intense heat. It left our reporter’s mouth on fire, not exactly ideal for a frozen refresher. While the rim turns it into a more savory-spicy experience that some will enjoy, the slush itself is excellent and can easily be ordered without the rim to let the lemonade-pineapple combo shine on its own. If you’re a fan of cocktails with a kick, this might be your festival go-to, but if you prefer your frozen lemonade light and refreshing, skipping the rim gives you the best version.

Funnel Cake Stand — 3/5

We tried EPCOT’s new Huckleberry Funnel Cake for the Food & Wine Festival. This funnel cake has huckleberry ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, blackberry brandy glaze, and powdered sugar, and is available for $12.00. 

The ice cream was perfect. Not just for its flavor, but it also held up amazingly in the heat. It wasn’t super messy, which is also the issue with getting ice cream treats. The huckleberry had a floral lavender flavor, rather than fruity. That caught us off guard, but it wasn’t a bad taste. The chocolate sauce really adds to the treat and makes it more complex. The fruity taste of the treat came from the blackberry glaze, and we like it!

This treat is a great shareable item, especially for the price. We also appreciated that the ice cream held up so well. This isn’t something you need to go out of your way for, but it is an interesting and different treat nonetheless.

Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Carts — 2/5

The first drink we got was the Butterscotch Cookie Cold Brew made with Joffrey’s French Roast Cold Brew, cookie butter syrup, and butterscotch syrup topped with whipped cream and sea salt caramel toffee sauce. The drink is $6.79. The drink is both very sweet and very smooth. The taste of the cookie butter and butterscotch syrups is very much there. They gave the drink a really great, sweet flavor. It is topped with whipped cream and some caramel toffee drizzle. We recommend this drink option if you aren’t a huge coffee fan, but want a caffeinated and sweet drink. The coffee taste is still there, but it isn’t super overpowering or bitter, and the sweetness and butterscotch flavors are more prominent.

Next is the Fudge Brownie Cold Brew for $6.79, made with Joffrey’s Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew, Irish cream syrup, and dark chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream, dark chocolate sauce, and chocolate powder.
Ok, this one is IT Joffrey’s, well done! What is described, is exactly what it tastes like. You can really taste the fudge and brownie flavors, and it was VERY chocolatey. Just like the other one, the coffee flavor isn’t very strong. That being said, we do think it’s mixed beautifully with coffee flavor and sweet flavor. If you like chocolate and coffee, GET THIS! This is our favorite of the four drinks.

Our next coffee is the Crème Brûlée Cold Brew for $6.79, Joffrey’s French Roast Cold Brew and crème caramel syrup topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. We found this drink to be very watered down, to the point our first few sips were a taste of like mercury water with cinnamon in it. Even after we stirred it up, nothing really changed. Once the whipped cream melted into the drink, it got a little better, but didn’t make it great. With it’s watered down taste, and it’s off crème brûlée flavor, we think this one can be skipped.

And finally, we got the Churro Latte made with espresso, your choice of milk, dulce de leche sauce, and cinnamon syrup, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. You can get it for $6.79. If you love churros, we’re going to save you from feeling disappointed, and say not to get this. We didn’t get much of a churro taste from the drink. The only flavor we got was cinnamon…and a lot of it!

We also couldn’t taste the dulce de leche sauce. We’re sorry to say this, but this one was a flop. We’d even go as far as to say it might be a rip-off — you’re paying for churro, but that’s not what you get.

Sunshine Seasons — 4/5

For the 2025 Food & Wine Festival, The Land’s Sunshine Seasons features the $10.99 Remy Milk Shake. Based on the mega-popular Ratatouille character, this non-alcoholic beverage is a strawberry-cheesecake shake topped with a cookie, mini cheesecake, white chocolate Eiffel tower, and a strawberry!

So what did we think of it? Well, let’s start with the shake’s most dominant feature: It’s SWEET. VERY sweet.

That may seem obvious for a shake, but this offering is exceptionally so. At times when drinking it, it felt like the sugar was coating our throat (A side cup of water is a necessity). That said, the shake isn’t bad. In fact, those with a sweet tooth or a taste for strawberries will probably feel it’s a hidden gem of the festival.

The yellow cheesecake on top was spongy and moist, with a nice flavor. It did stain our hands yellow, though, so be aware of that unless you want to look like a Simpsons character. The strawberry, cookie, and white chocolate accoutrements were a bit basic in flavor, but did give the drink a whimsical aesthetic. We think kiddos especially will love this one!

Sommerfest — 3.5/5

Sommerfest’s festival offering is Zwiebelkuchen, AKA a German onion cake, which sells for $9.79. 

While Zwiebelkuchen translates into onion (zwiebel) cake (kuchen), upon presentation, it’s more reminiscent of a tart or pie filled with caramelized onions, bacon, herbs, and a savory custard make up the additional components.

The Zwiebelkuchen is filled with loads of caramelized onions, small pieces of well-dispersed crispy bacon, some herbs, and a custard that is reminiscent of a quiche filling. While this was a highlight and gave the dish some flavor we enjoyed, the portion size was large, and we almost felt onion overload by the end. If we got it again, we’re probably going to want to share. 

If you’re a big fan of onions, you’ll love it. Beyond that, fans of quiche-style dishes would probably enjoy it as well, making it worth a detour as you make your way around the World Showcase.

Connections Cafe & Eatery — 1/5

First up, we grabbed the $6.49 Chocolate Baumkuchen. This dish is made with chocolate ganache and whipped cream, and truth be told, we were disappointed in this. The ingredients didn’t mesh well, leaving the whole offering a bit bland and dry, even with the presence of the ganache.

We then moved on to the French Onion Burger. For $14.49, this gourmet beef blend burger features caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese on a toasted brioche bun. So, the titular onions on the burger were a problem. There were so many of them that they completely dominated the texture of the burger. However, they offered little actual onion flavor, leaving the whole offering again bland, especially compared to other offerings around the festival.

We also had the Passion Fruit Cream Slush for $6.49. It’s made with passion fruit, evaporated milk, vanilla syrup, and coconut cream. We thought this was a fun and fruity drink, and we loved how the passion fruit wasn’t too tart. It was on the sweeter side and was a great combination of milkshake and slushy. It was thick and creamy, but with ice bits like a slushy that instantly melted on your tongue.

While we wouldn’t go out of our way for it, if you’re there and a huge passion fruit fan, you’ll want to check it out.

Regal Eagle — 2.5/5

We tried the Cherry-Lime Slush for $6.49, which is made from Frozen Minute Maid Cherry Limeade with cherry syrup and is non-alcoholic.  While it’s a Cherry-Lime Slush, the flavor was far more lime than cherry. The lime stole the show, but it still wasn’t too tart and had a more rounded flavor than sometimes lime can be. We wish the cherry flavor came through more, but we loved how refreshing the drink was.

Next time, we might try grabbing a shot of tequila from the outdoor bar and mixing it together for a fun cocktail.

Festival Favorites — 3/5

Festival Favorites was a surprise addition to the festival this year, arriving on September 21st. There are four offerings to enjoy here this year.

Starting off strong, we have the Frozen S’more for $5.25, which is a Chocolate Milk Shake with marshmallow syrup topped with mini marshmallows and a graham cracker. This is a simple chocolate shake with graham crackers and marshmallows, but we’re not mad at it. It tastes like melted chocolate soft serve, which is great for picky eaters and kiddos. You can’t go wrong with a chocolate shake, right?

We also grabbed the Irish Milk Shake for $13, which is made with Guinness Stout, Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur, and Vanilla Ice Cream. This is so fun! It’s light, but you can clearly taste the vanilla ice cream, though you don’t feel it in the texture. The alcohol is certainly present — you can taste the stout right at the end of the sip, but it’s not overwhelming, which we appreciated.

The Potato Pierogi with Kielbasa are BACK (we love these) and are available for $6. This dish is served with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream. The texture is a little chewy compared to the inside, which is light and fluffy potato. We loved the flavors and the caramelized onions (which were perfect) and sour cream, and the kielbasa is a fun addition that is super savory compared to the onions and brings in some salt. It’s got good flavor, and this returning menu dish is gonna be popular. 

Finally, we have the Curry-spiced Fried Cheese for $5.25, which is served with Mango-Curry Ketchup. These are basically mozzarella sticks with a curry flair, and we enjoyed the crispy exterior of each of the four sticks. The sauce it comes with is spiced, but not spicy, and while the breading and cheese itself are coated in curry, it’s not an overwhelming flavor. We think they’re good, especially if you’re a fan of mozzarella sticks and want something a little different, but they’re not something that will blow your socks off.

Whew! We made it! Stay tuned to AllEars for more of the latest from Disney World. And keep checking back to the AllEars YouTube channel for a video on the festival!

EVERYTHING You Need To Know About the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 2025

Which booth would you run to first at this year’s festival? Let us know your pick in the comments!

 

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