Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2026: Best and Worst New Food Items
We tried every new food item at the 2026 Epcot Food & Wine Festival on opening day, plus some returning 30th anniversary dishes. Yes, it took all day. Our ratings range from festival hits to bites you might want to skip.
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has always operated like speed dating with snacks. One booth wins you over in a single bite, while the next has you wondering why you spent a snack credit on it.
This year the stakes felt a little higher, since Walt Disney World is throwing a 30th anniversary party for the festival. So old favorites crashed the party right alongside the new offerings.
The 2026 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival runs August 27 through November 21. This year marks the event’s 30th year. Walt Disney World is celebrating by digging into the archives and bringing back 30 legacy dishes and drinks from past festivals, alongside a fresh lineup of new food.
As a result, in this best-and-worst article, we’ll highlight some of those 30th-anniversary menu offerings guests should prioritize during their food adventure at the 2026 Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
Festival activities
Beyond the eating, the festival brings its usual mix of entertainment. Emile’s Fromage Montage returns for another year of cheese-themed scavenger hunting, and World Showcase will once again fill with the sounds of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre.
New for the 30th anniversary, “Cheers to Cheese!” is an interactive exhibit which will open in CommuniCore Hall on Sept. 18.
Not every Epcot Food & Wine Festival Global Marketplace showed up for opening day
A handful of Epcot Food & Wine marketplaces were not open on day one. For example, Coastal Eats, The Alps, and India all start serving on October 2. Also, locations like the Festival Favorites booth near CommuniCore Hall do not open until September 9. Keep that in mind if you are planning an opening week food crawl, because you will not be able to check every box right away.
List of all the new food options at Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2026
Depending on how you count (we are leaving milkshakes and coffee drinks off this list and treating them as beverages, same as last year), there are 42 new food items scattered across the festival’s marketplaces and kiosks this year. However, not all of them were available on the opening day of the 2026 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Several are also call-backs from past years, reimagined as festival food offerings. Still, here’s where to find each one.
World Celebration
- Selection of Cheeses with accompaniments featuring Proudly Wisconsin Cheese (The Wedge, CommuniCore Hall, opens September 18)
- Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese (The Wedge, CommuniCore Hall, opens September 18)
- Buffalo-Dill Pickle Wing Experiment (Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey)
- Sweet Chile-Lime Plant-based Chicken Strips with plant-based cilantro crema and spicy peppers (Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey)
- Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps (Festival Favorites, opens September 9)
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle (Festival Favorites, opens September 9)
- BBQ Braai Chicken Pizza topped with tamarind barbecue sauce, arugula, cheese blend, onions, and piri piri sauce (Connections Eatery)
- Caramel-Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen (Connections Eatery)
- Pistachio-Chocolate Mochi Doughnut (Connections Café)
Near Creations Shop
- Basil Pesto Chicken Dumplings with fonduta, tomato confit, and balsamic (Gyozas of the Galaxy)
- Edamame Dumplings with butternut squash purée, caramelized onions, sage, and walnut toasted garlic aillade (Gyozas of the Galaxy)
- Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding with chocolate ganache, vanilla bean bourbon sauce, and smoked sea salt (Flavors from Fire)
World Nature
- Lemon-Almond-Olive Oil Cake with whipped Greek yogurt panna cotta (Earth Eats, opens October 2)
- Mickey-shaped Celebration Macaron (Sunshine Seasons)
World Showcase
- Tostada de Osso Buco with chipotle black beans, salsa verde, queso fresco, and chives (Mexico)
- Taco de Camaron with crispy tempura shrimp, shredded cabbage, and chipotle aioli (Mexico)
- Paleta de Moras berry ice pop with sweetened condensed milk and chili-lime seasoning (Mexico)
- Caramel Cream and Gjetost Norwegian Brown Cheese Bolle (Norway Cart)
- Dumplings Trio (China)
- Sweet Potato Mealie Pap with a stew of beans, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes, plant-based (Refreshment Outpost hosted by Coca-Cola)
- Tartiflette featuring potatoes gratin, caramelized onions, bacon, thyme, crème fraîche, and brie (Alps, opens October 2)
- Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese on a baguette with jambon and apple-mustard relish (Alps, opens October 2)
- Wiener Schnitzel breaded veal cutlet with warm Yukon Gold potato salad, bacon, watercress-radish salad, and lemon (Germany)
- Paella Caldoso (Spain)
- Croquetas de Jamón with saffron aïoli and shaved Jamón Serrano (Spain)
- Stromboli baked ham and provolone roll with Parmesan and tomato sauce (Italy)
- Almond Panna Cotta with orange marmalade, whipped cream, and candied almonds (Italy)
- Pollo al Marsala with roasted chicken drumstick, creamy potato gnocchi, mushrooms, and Marsala sauce (Italy)
- Blackberry Buckle with blackberry gelato and streusel (Regal Eagle Smokehouse)
- Smoked Brisket and Cheddar Melt with caramelized onions, tangy barbecue, and cheddar sauce on a potato roll (Hops & Barley – American Adventure)
- Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake with pumpkin pie ice cream, dark chocolate sauce, cinnamon streusel, and powdered sugar (Funnel Cake Stand, between America and Japan)
- Beef Wagyu Temaki Hand Roll with American Wagyu beef, pickled ginger, and spicy mayonnaise sauce (Japan)
- Spicy Temaki Hand Roll with spicy tuna, cucumber, rice cracker, and spicy mayonnaise sauce (Japan)
- Chicken Souvlaki Gyro with shaved lettuce, tomato-cucumber relish, and tzatziki on warm pita (Greece)
- Chermoula Chicken Hummus Bowl with apricot chutney and grilled shishito peppers (Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina)
- Spiced Flank Steak Hummus Bowl with harissa yogurt and roasted peppers (Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina)
- Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie (Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina)
- Ras el Hanout Cauliflower Bowl with chickpea salad, golden raisin relish, and parsley served with pita (Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina)
- Moqueca de Camarão plancha-seared shrimp, bell peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes in a coconut milk broth over rice (Brazil)
- Boeuf Braisé vin Rouge et Echalottes, Gâteau de Pommes de Terre red wine braised short ribs with shallot confit and potato gâteau (France)
- Crème Brûlée Pistache, Confiture de Fruits Rouges pistachio crème brûlée with berry compote (France)
- Belgian Waffle with cookie butter and whipped cream topped with speculoos cookie pieces (Belgium)
- Seoul, South Korea: Bo Ssam Pork Poutine with gochujang gravy, kimchi pickles, aïoli, and sesame (La Poutinerie hosted by Air Canada)
Walkway between Imagination! Pavilion and World Showcase
- Brûléed Sweet Potatoes with dried cranberries, walnut streusel, and orange goat cheese (Bramblewood Bites)
- Spicy Black Bean-Mushroom Chili with plant-based sour cream, plant-based cheddar, and cornbread croutons, plant-based (Forest & Field)
That is a lot of new food to track down across one park, and this list does not even include the new beers, wines, cocktails, milkshakes, and coffee drinks scattered throughout the festival. For those seeking to try everything new at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2026, we salute you.
However, we made our best attempt on opening day. We also plan to fast this weekend, but not for religious reasons. Please do not tell our medical professional or personal trainer that we tried this much food in one day.
Better options returning this year
Before you fill up entirely on new dishes, know that plenty of returning favorites are still well worth your snack credits and hard-earned theme park dining money. Chicken Tikka Masala and the Potato-Pea Samosas are back in India. The Fry Flight is still slinging Truffle-Parmesan Fries near Test Track. Of course, Filet Mignon and Cheddar and Bacon Soup remain steady in Canada. The scent of Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese continues to anchor The Alps.
Photo by Jon Self
A few dishes we specifically praised in last year’s roundup made the cut again, too. The Rodizio-style Grilled Beef Skewer, our pick for one of the best new items of 2025, is back at Flavors from Fire, and it is officially a legacy item this time, dating back to Argentina’s 2009 debut.
The Street Corn-style Dumplings survived the cut at Gyozas of the Galaxy as well, while last year’s Buffalo-style and French Onion Soup-style dumplings were retired to make room for this year’s Basil Pesto Chicken and Edamame Dumplings. Also, the Gulf Coast-style Seafood Roll at Hops & Barley is sticking around next to this year’s new Smoked Brisket and Cheddar Melt.
The Paella Caldoso got a total makeover
Now for the change we were most curious to see. Last year’s Paella Caldoso easily landed on our worst-new-food list in Spain. That version leaned on rock shrimp, bay scallops, and smoked mussels. However, the mussel flavor overwhelmed everything else in the bowl. We also called out that a caldoso, a soupier style of rice dish, was an odd fit under the paella name.
For 2026, Spain scrapped that seafood-heavy recipe entirely. The Paella Caldoso returns as one of the festival’s 30th Anniversary Legacy Items, tracing back to its 1997 roots: chicken, chorizo, gigante beans, romano beans, and saffron rice, for $7.99. There is not a single mussel in sight this time.
We tried it on opening day, and the swap improved it. The chicken and chorizo give the rice real depth instead of relying on shellfish brine. The gigante and romano beans add texture without turning mushy. The saffron rice tastes like saffron instead of just yellow food coloring, which isn’t always a given at a festival booth. It is a completely different dish under the same name, closer to a classic Spanish paella than the brothy seafood version we struggled with last year.
Sure, it is not a perfect dish. We would have enjoyed better rice preparation. Still, it’s far from one of the best dishes at the 2026 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. However, it is strong evidence that sometimes going backward is the right move forward.
Best new food at Epcot Food and Wine 2026
- Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie – $4.29 (Morocco)
- Blackberry Buckle – $4.79 (Regal Eagle Smokehouse)
- Spicy Temaki Hand Roll – $9.00 (Japan)
We tasted our way through as much of the new lineup as one stomach could reasonably handle on opening day. Of course, then, we kept going! A few dishes stood out enough that we are already planning return trips.
However, we should mention a few additional 30th anniversary dishes that were close to the best, but did not make the cut.
- Rodizio-style Grilled Beef Skewer (Flavors from Fire) – As we have already mentioned, these were on our best list last year. The quality of preparation and seasoning makes this a must-have!
- Taco de Camaron (Mexico) – This offered surprisingly good flavor with great balance between the shrimp, cabbage, and aioli.
- Pollo al Marsala (Italy) – Yes, we are praising a savory item from the Italy Global Marketplace. We had this twice on opening day. Both times, the chicken was very well prepared. The Marsala sauce and mushrooms made it a quality dish.
- Cheddar & Bacon Soup (Canada) – a staple of the Epcot Food & Wine event
- Filet Mignon with Mushrooms & Mashed Potatoes (Canada) – another staple of the Epcot Food & Wine event
- Liquid Nitrogen Almond Truffle Mousse (Swirled Showcase) – A nice callback to previous days.
Photo by Jon Self
While we want to give credit to several new food options this year, like the Buffalo-Dill Pickle Wings and the dumplings at Gyozas of the Galaxy, only a few can be the very best. Those include:
Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie – $4.29 (Morocco)
Taking inspiration from the viral Dubai chocolate trend, the Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie easily lands as one of the best sweet treats of the entire festival. Priced at just $4.29, this stuffed pastry delivers big on value without compromising quality. The rich cocoa exterior encases a smooth, nutty pistachio center, creating a delicious contrast that feels far more luxurious than its price tag suggests.
What really sets this dessert apart is the balance of textures. As you bite past the soft baked outer layer, you are met with a decadent, creamy filling that carries a distinct pistachio flavor. It is a dense, satisfying dish that feels like an absolute steal at under five dollars, making it an essential stop for dessert lovers exploring the festival menus.
Blackberry Buckle – $4.79 (Regal Eagle Smokehouse)
If you prefer a lighter, fruit-forward dessert, the Blackberry Buckle is a refreshing highlight you shouldn’t miss. At under $5, this charming sweet treat offers a fresh, sweet option in a lineup often dominated by heavier festival fare. The bright acidity of the blackberries cuts through the warm, comforting cake, delivering a balanced palate cleanser as you walk between World Showcase pavilions.
The warm, tender crumb structure pairs wonderfully with the juicy berries folded throughout the dish. It delivers a rustic, homemade feel while keeping every bite bursting with fresh fruit sweetness. For festival-goers seeking quality that will not break the bank, this sweet treat is an easy recommendation to add to your tasting card.
However, we have one word of warning. The blackberry gelato will melt because the other parts are served warm. The combination works nicely. Still, stay in the air conditioning when you eat this!
Spicy Temaki Hand Roll – $9.00 (Japan)
On the savory side, the Spicy Temaki Hand Roll stands out as a genuine crowd-pleaser for guests looking for bold flavors. This dish brings a legitimate spicy kick that sets it apart from typical theme park offerings. The heat is present and noticeable, elevating the roll beyond a mild seafood option and giving spice enthusiasts something truly exciting to sample.
Beyond the initial heat, all of the individual components work together seamlessly. The tender, well-seasoned filling complements the crisp rice and seaweed wrapper, ensuring that every bite delivers a great combination of crunch and depth. It is a well-balanced, flavorful option that showcases how thoughtful execution can make a simple hand roll one of the top savory hits of the festival.
Worst new food at Epcot Food and Wine 2026
Every festival lineup has a few misses, and this year these new items landed in that category for us. On the positive side, festival food changes as the event progresses. Perhaps these will be better during your visit.
- Croquetas de Jamón – $6.99 (Spain)
- Stromboli – $8.00 (Italy)
- Dumplings Trio – $7.35 (China)
Croquetas de Jamón – $6.99 (Spain)
We wanted these to be good. Spain’s Trio de Pintxos was one of our least favorite items of 2025, largely because the croquetas in that sampler lacked any real ham flavor. Sadly, this year’s standalone Croqueta de Jamón runs into the exact same problem.
The exterior fries up nicely and shatters the way a good croqueta should, but the filling tastes like warm béchamel with barely a whisper of Jamón Serrano anywhere in it. The shaved ham on top helps, but only on the bite that includes it, and the small portion (three croquetas) makes that a coin flip. Put your snack money toward the Paella Caldoso instead. Maybe we are spoiled from visiting Jaleo by José Andrés at Disney Springs often, but this should be way better.
Stromboli – $8.00 (Italy)
This is going to be an unpopular opinion for anyone who wants cheesy bread, but the Stromboli felt like the least Epcot item on the entire festival menu. It is a below-average ham and provolone roll, nothing more and nothing less. If you closed your eyes, you could not tell the difference between this and something from a strip mall pizzeria back home. It was hard to cut, lacked cheese flavor, and barely had any ham.
Stromboli is widely credited as a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania invention from around 1950 rather than a dish with deep roots in Italy itself. This makes it an odd fit for a pavilion that otherwise leans hard into showcasing genuine regional Italian cooking, especially sitting right next to a reimagined Pollo al Marsala that draws on Italy’s actual culinary history. It is not offensive. It is just forgettable, which might be worse.
Dumplings Trio – $7.35 (China)
This 30th-anniversary item should have stayed in the past. The dumplings lacked flavor. The sweet-and-spicy sauce didn’t pair well with the dumplings. Some members of our group couldn’t help but show their dislike. With far better dumplings at the Gyozas of the Galaxy Global Marketplace, there is no reason to choose these.
The Epcot Food & Wine Festival runs through November 21
This year’s 30th anniversary lineup gave us plenty to be excited about, between reworked menu items and a genuinely large batch of new food worth tracking down. We wish you happy eating during the 2026 Epcot Food & Wine Festival, running daily through November 21. So, plan your food budget wisely and grab a stretchy pair of pants.
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