The best (and worst) new foods at the 2026 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Festival Dates & What to Expect

The 2026 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs through June 1, 2026, at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort. During these nearly three months of springtime fun, guests can expect:

• Outdoor Kitchens featuring eats and drinks from around the world
• Garden Exhibits & Topiaries showcasing Disney characters and botanical artistry
• Live Music — Garden Rocks Concert Series
• Garden Graze Food Passport — try selected plant-based items to win a prize 

This festival is not just about flowers. It’s also a full sensory experience of visuals, tastes, and entertainment.

How Outdoor Kitchens Work at the Epcot Flower & Gardens Festival

Outdoor Kitchens, themed food booths scattered throughout Epcot, are the heart of the festival culinary scene. Each booth typically features a small, yet curated menu of food and drinks designed to spotlight seasonal ingredients or unique flavor combinations. Most items fall between $5 and $10, with specialty drinks and premium dishes slightly higher.

2026 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival new food items

Although my colleagues and I had some debate about the official list of “new” items, according to Walt Disney World, we tried all the new food items on opening day. The list includes:

• Blackened Fish Slider with fried green tomato and Cajun rémoulade on a brioche bun – Florida Fresh Menu at CommuniCore Hall
• Tuna Poke Bowl with edamame, avocado, mango, pickled red onions, seaweed salad, furikake, and umami sauce on a bed of sticky rice – Nectar Menu
• Poke Bowl with edamame, avocado, mango, pickled red onions, seaweed salad, furikake, and umami sauce on a bed of sticky rice (Plant-based) – Nectar Menu
• Coconut Panna Cotta with a cherry gelée and matcha crumb topped with a citrus cookie, plant-based meringue, and flower confetti (Plant-based) – Nectar Menu
• Orange Cream Bar with vanilla bean-orange mousse covered in a chocolate shell with marshmallow meringue – Beach Grub Menu
• Captain’s Board: Selection of cheeses and cured meats with seasonal accompaniments – Yacht Grub Menu
• Dole Whip Peach (Plant-based) -Swirled Showcase
• Shrimp and Grits: Blackened shrimp and cheddar cheese grits with tasso ham gravy, bell peppers, onions, and andouille sausage – Brunchcot
• French Toast with cinnamon cereal cream and caramel sauce – Brunchcot
• Pizza Bianca: Two slices of freshly baked pizza topped with roasted wild mushrooms, garlic cream, mozzarella, cheese blend, truffle oil, and thyme – Connections Eatery
• Mickey-shaped Lemon-Violet Macaron – Sunshine Seasons
• Cinnamon Beignets tossed in lemon sugar, lemon glaze, and honey mead-blueberry compote – The Citrus Blossom Menu (Odyssey)
• Honeycomb Bowl with herb quinoa, honey-whipped goat cheese, poached apples, and hot honey cauliflower topped with a honey tuile – The Honey Bee-stro
• Miso Cola-glazed Sticky Pork Ribs topped with spicy pickled peppers and peanuts -Trowel & Trellis Menu
• Garden Vegetable Flatbread featuring Boursin Crumbles Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese topped with roasted vegetables and arugula salad – Trowel & Trellis Menu
• Canard Confit, Sauce Romarin et Champignons, Gâteau de Polenta aux Herbes: Pulled duck confit with rosemary-mushroom sauce and herbed polenta corn cake – France
• Tarte Aux Oignons Caramelises: Caramelized onions on a flaky pastry crust topped with bacon – France
• Ceviche: Shrimp with mango, avocado, cucumber, lime, cilantro, tomato, and jalapeño served with plantain chips – La Isla Fresca
• Japanese Curry Bread: Golden, crispy fried bread filled with a fragrant Japanese vegetable curry – Japan
• Blackened Shrimp Po’ Boy with lettuce, tomato, and Cajun rémoulade – American Adventure
• Bananas Foster Funnel Cake: Funnel cake with banana-chocolate chip ice cream and powdered sugar topped with whipped cream, rum-caramel sauce, and a banana-cinnamon sugar dusting – Funnel Cake Stand
• Insalata di Pasta: Penne, apple, raisins, scallions, almonds, honey, and lemon dressing (Served chilled) – Italy
• Arancini: Risotto, beef ragoût, peas, parmesan, and tomato sauce – Italy
• Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake with ricotta cheese, raspberries, and sweet whipped cream – Italy
• Zwiebelkuchen mit Spargel: German onion cake with asparagus, caramelized onions, bacon, herbed goat cheese, and a savory custard – Sommerfest
• Nigerian Beef Pie with papaya syrup – Refreshment Outpost
• Sha Cha Beef Bao Bun filled with pan-fried beef, red onion, and jalapeño in Chinese sha cha peanut sauce – China
• Tanghulu: Skewer of strawberries and grapes coated in candied sugar syrup – China
• Lemon Bolle: Cardamom bun filled with lemon curd and meringue – Norway Beer Cart
• Chilaquiles con Carne: Corn tortillas tossed in salsa ranchera and monterey jack with shaved rib-eye, poblano peppers, onions, queso fresco, and crema mexicana
• Taco de Calamar: Flour tortilla filled with crispy calamari, fried garlic, pasilla aïoli, and chives
• Flan de la Abuela: Creamy hazelnut-chocolate flan with vanilla crème anglaise

Best New Eats at the Festival (Can’t Miss Items)

These are the standout new menu offerings from the 2026 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival. We based our decision on expected consistency in preparation, taste quality, overall value, and the item’s ability to offer something unique to the festival.

Tuna Poke Bowl — Nectar – $8.79

This makes a refreshing, perfectly balanced bowl with sweet mango, creamy avocado, edamame, tangy pickled red onions, seaweed salad, and savory umami sauce over sticky rice. This is a higher-end festival food experience, fresh, light, and beautifully presented. This can also be purchased as a plant-based option at the same location. Our only concern is that some guests may not enjoy seaweed salad. Of course, why are they ordering a poke bowl? This makes a nice, light, refreshing festival menu item.

Why it’s great: Excellent texture contrast and flavor balance — one of the best savory new dishes.

Blackened Fish Slider — Florida Fresh – $6.79

This qualifies as a festival slider done right: crispy blackened fish paired with tangy Cajun rémoulade and fried green tomato makes this handheld a fun bite with serious flavor. While our group had some concerns about the quality as the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival continues, the quality on opening day gave us hope that this would continue to shine.

Our only concern relates to the fried green tomato. It can overwhelm the fish and remoulade sauce. Still, the fish is very well prepared.

Best for: Seafood lovers who want something more than a snack.

Miso Cola-Glazed Sticky Pork Ribs — Trowel and Trellis – $7.29

At Trowel and Trellis, the new Miso Cola-Glazed Sticky Pork Ribs are a standout savory item with bold umami and sweet notes. Topped with spicy pickled peppers and peanuts, they bring an exciting fusion flavor that’s rich but still fits the festival’s playful theme. The portion size is good.

Our main concern is the potential mess. Still, two good-sized and well-seasoned ribs for under eight dollars is tough to beat at a theme park.

Why try it: Creative fusion flavor and satisfying texture — one of the more adventurous savory options.

French Toast – Brunchcot – $5.29

The 2026 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival has introduced a breakout star at the Brunchcot outdoor kitchen: the French Toast with cinnamon cereal cream and caramel sauce. This new addition successfully balances nostalgic comfort with festival-level execution.

The dish features a thick slice of French toast topped with a rich cinnamon cereal cream that provides a contrast to the sweetness of the caramel sauce. It offers an excellent texture, maintaining a soft center without becoming soggy. It tastes indulgent without being overwhelming. Priced at $5.29, it has quickly earned a reputation as a “must-buy” for those seeking a sweet start to their festival stroll.

Our only concern relates to consistent preparation. We had this several times on the opening day of the event. The quality of the toast varied throughout the day. This could become a “burnt toast” issue on days with poor preparation.

Why try it: Anyone looking for kid cereal nostalgia and an indulgent treat should order this.

Worst (or underwhelming) new food options

While there’s much to love, not every new item is a winner! Some feel forgettable, too simple for the price, or just don’t pair well with the festival vibe. While the 2026 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is packed with colorful, creative dishes this year, not every new bite is worth your booth budget. With small plates averaging $6–$9 (and some pushing past $10), expectations are understandably high. Unfortunately, a few 2026 additions feel more like filler than festival standouts, due to portion size, flavor imbalance, or price-to-quality ratio.

Arancini – Primavera Kitchen Italy – $7.75

While the 2026 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is a feast for the eyes, the Arancini at Primavera Kitchen in the Italy Pavilion has unfortunately sprouted a reputation as one of the festival’s worst items. Despite a promising description of risotto, beef ragoût, peas, and parmesan, the reality is a significant letdown for foodies.

The primary complaint is that the dish is bland. While the exterior offers a decent crunch, the interior risotto lacks the rich, savory depth expected from a traditional ragoût. Guests will find the filling to be under-seasoned and the accompanying tomato sauce too passive to provide the necessary acidity or punch. At a festival known for vibrant, “fresh-from-the-garden” flavors, this heavy, uninspired fried ball feels out of place and overpriced. Additionally, the Insalata di Pasta, also at this location, was not much better.

Cinnamon Beignets – The Citrus Blossom – $5.29

The Flower and Garden Festival usually delivers on sweets, but the Cinnamon Beignets at The Citrus Blossom feel like a weak choice this year. While the lemon glaze provides a bright, enjoyable zing that hits the right citrus notes, the rest of the dish fails to rise to the occasion.

The honey mead-blueberry compote is particularly frustrating; it’s tough to use as a dip and lacks any punchy fruit flavor, leaving it feeling like an afterthought. Furthermore, the beignets themselves miss that iconic airy, pillowy texture. Instead of a light pastry, guests are served treats that are often dry and chewy, making them a chore to finish. At a festival with so many standout desserts, these heavy, inconsistent beignets simply don’t make the cut.

Tips for eating your way through the festival

Here are a few smart ways to maximize your bite budget and bellies:

Do the Garden Graze

Collect stamps on nine plant-based items and once you collect five, you can pick up a free treat at Pineapple Promenade — a great incentive to try lesser-known booths.

Share Dishes

Although it is not always possible, sharing is caring when it comes to festival food.

Use a Gift Card

If you load the maximum you want to spend on one of the cute new Orange Bird Disney gift cards, you’ll know when you’ve reached your limit.

Final Flavor Verdict: Hits vs. Misses

Overall, the 2026 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival delivers more hits than misses, with exciting new global twists and a noticeable push toward fresh, plant-centric, and refreshing festival cuisine. There are a few underwhelming snacks and beverages, but with over 30 new food items rolled out across dozens of outdoor kitchens, there’s plenty worth discovering at this year’s festival.