We’ve successfully made it through the FIRST DAY of the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

From now through November 23rd, the Festival will offer a variety of culinary events around Walt Disney World’s Epcot. Of course, the bites and sips from the Food Booths are a festival highlight. Not sure what items to sample? Here are our Best of the Fest recommendations!

If you’re planning a visit to this year’s Festival, then you’ll want to start putting together your MUST EAT list… and that’s where we come in! The DFB Team taste-tested every item at the Festival to show you the items you can’t miss!

Be sure to click over to our Marketplace Booth Page to see pictures of every single dish at the Festival. Just click through the links for each booth to see pictures of all your favorite dishes, along with every single new one for 2019!

Are you ready? Because it’s time to DIG in!

Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese at The Alps

Let’s start with warm cheese at The Alps! This one is an AJ favorite!! You guys know that I lived in Switzerland for a year, and raclette (melty raclette cheese poured over bread, boiled potatoes, gherkins, and other goodies) as a staple.

And Disney’s actually done a great job with it here! The half-wheel of raclette is melted right in the booth, and shaved off beautifully onto the veggies and bread. Pungent and delicious, this one is a must-do for my cheese-fans out there.

Spanish-style Paella with Botifarra and Roasted Chicken at Spain

Spain

is serving a Spanish-style Paella with Botifarra and Roasted Chicken with a little bit of heat! Flavorful and cooked to perfection!!

If you’re looking for a larger portion, this is a great buy.

Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt at Islands of the Caribbean

For Islands of the Caribbean, Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt is a stand-out!

While this dish hasn’t wowed us in previous years, this time around the chicken is cooked on an outdoor grill! You WILL taste the difference. It was a DFB team favorite!

Citrus Sunrise and Chai-Quila at Joffrey’s

For a refreshing beverage, stop by Joffrey’s for a Citrus Sunshine in Canada. Opt for this drink over the Aulani Sunrise at Hawai’i.

At the Odyssey cart by Joffrey’s, we like the Chai-quila.

Roasted Lamb Chop and Deconstructed Pavlova at Australia

At Australia, the Roasted Lamb Chop had great flavors. It’s a twist on the lamb chops of the past at this booth and we loved the update.

For a not-too-sweet dessert, one member of the DFB team really enjoyed the lightness of this option.

Spicy Hummus Fries and New York Strip Steak Green Shermoula Flatbread at Morocco

The Spicy Hummus Fries at Morocco were delicious, as always, even with the sauce update — we needed more sauce, though!

The flatbread (it was a taco) had a really good kick to it!

Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake AND Blueberry Wine at The Cheese Studio

Let’s look at two returning favorites. First, The Cheese Studio is worth a visit for the Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake.

This creamy, decadent treat is made better-than-your-usual-cheesecake (and that’s saying something!!) thanks to that hint of bourbon in the caramel sauce.

BUT, the Sparkling Blueberry Wine by Florida Orange Groves Winery wowed us again!

The berry flavors gave an already cool, refreshing sip something truly extra. Find them both at The Cheese Studio!

Frothy Ramen and Teriyaki Chicken Bun at Japan

The Frothy Ramen at the Japan Booth was super intriguing, and will be a go-to for more adventurous eaters in Epcot. It’s made with chilled noodles and Dashi broth and is topped with a light foam.

We want you to be aware that this dish is very strong and the flavors are powerful. If you like that sort of thing, give this one a try.

A returning item that we recommend again — The Teriyaki Chicken Bun — is filled with chicken, bits of veggies, and mildly sweet teriyaki sauce.

And, of course, it’s all tucked in a super soft steamed bun!

Trio of Artisan Cheeses and Butternut Squash Ravioli at Wine and Dine Studio

Try the Trio of Artisan Cheeses at Wine and Dine Studio!

Featuring Gorgonzola with Cow and Sheep’s Milk, Artigiano Aged Balsamic & Cipollini Onion, and Italico, this dish makes a tasty sampler.

Welcome the flavors of autumn with the Butternut Squash Ravioli

Yep, you can pretty much get a trendy Butternut Squash Ravioli just about anywhere these days, but the flavors in this one — a sweet and sour Brown Butter Vinaigrette along with a strong Parm cheese — make it a little extra special. It debuted at the festival last year and we’re still fans.

Fondue of Imported Cheeses at France

We were happy to see a Fondue at France this year.

We think this one could use more bread — maybe an entire baguette! Whaddya say, France???

Moqueca Brazilian Seafood Stew at Brazil

A hearty dish returned to the menu at Brazil! The Moqueca stew features Scallops, Shrimp and White Fish with Coconut-lime Sauce and Steamed Rice.

This traditional dish is a stand-out!

Madras Red Curry and Mango Lassi at India

At India, the Madras Red Curry is spicy but not hot. It was a serious favorite of one of our taste-testers! There’s just enough sauce to mix with the rice. Score!

We appreciated that the Cauliflower was not soggy. And those chickpeas were cooked perfectly – they’ll melt in your mouth!

BACK AGAIN in the Best of the Fest! The Mango Lassi is refreshingly chilled for those hot jaunts around Epcot’s World Showcase.

Non-alcoholic, this beverage is fun for the whole family; and our team has loved it for years!

Kalua Pork Slider and Teriyaki-Glazed Spam Hash at Hawai’i

Aloha! Served with with Sweet and Sour DOLE® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise, the Kalua Pork Slider is once again a favorite festival pick from Hawai’i!

You’ll love the blend of sweet and spice! Next up, we had to include that Teriyaki-Glazed Spam Hash again. Unexpected, sure — but apparently we have a thing for packaged lunchmeat.

Boasting a combination of Potatoes, Peppers, Onions and Spicy Mayonnaise, your stop at the Hawai’i Marketplace should include this dish!

Mini Funnel Cake at Funnel Cakes Stand

A perfect portion for one! You’ll find this mini funnel cake at the Funnel Cakes Stand. Fresh, cool berries and melty ice cream create a tasty combo.

While the Mini Funnel Cake topped with Vanilla Ice Cream and Mixed-Berry Sangria Compote was very good, we didn’t taste any sangria.

Kung Fu Punch in China

The vodka and triple sec that make up the returning Kung Fu Punch at the China Marketplace make this drink as strong as it is tasty.

Don’t say we didn’t warn ya 😉 !

Frozen Mimosa and Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae at Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar

The Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar is FOR SURE the place to start your day! Our team loves the returning Frozen Mimosa — a frozen Mimosa made with White Claw Lime Hard Seltzer. It’s tart and we’ll take four, please!

Unfortunately, the other mimosas did not have enough champagne for our liking. Hopefully, it was a first day mishap. Cheers!

The Banana Almond Soft-Serve Sundae comes back for year three at the festival, and it’s just as tasty.

The thing that lands this on the best of the fest again is the fun frozen banana flavor (kiddos will like it; parents will, too), the huge serving size, and the yummy crunchy chocolaties. Which I’m sure is the technical name for them.

Duck Confit Poutine and Dole Whip at Refreshment Port

You knew we’d end up here, didn’t you? It’s POUTINE TIME at the Refreshment Port!

The new Duck Confit Poutine was our favorite this year. While the cracklins didn’t have a lot of flavor, the cheese and confit duck made up for them.

Dole Whip. In Epcot. With or without Bacardi Coconut Rum.

Pacifico True Striped Bass Tostada, Short’s Brewing Co. Mule Beer, and Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip at Coastal Eats

Get a load of this menu at Coastal Eats!

And this year, we’re washing it all down with that incredible Mule Beer!

Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip returns to our Must Eat list EVERY time.

Think about the most amazing alfredo sauce meets cheese dip you’ve ever seen…and then add even MORE flavor. And there’s buttery sourdough bread for dipping. So…yay. Just get it.

Smokey Margarita and Chocolate Bread Pudding at Mexico

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. You should NEVER miss the Mexico Booth! The smokey margarita is a particular taste — if you don’t like smokey drinks, you won’t enjoy this one. But if that flavor profile is a favorite for you, don’t miss it.

And the Chocolate Bread Pudding is huge, my friends.

Plus, the sauce is just awesome.

Pork Ribs at Italy

The Pork Ribs is something to look forward to at the Italy Booth this year! HUGE portion (super sharable), super flavorful. While they’re not necessarily something that makes sense on a super hot August day, if you’re in Epcot in the evening, this will make a great dinner.

The Italy booth delivers with this dish this year! Plus, the Italian Margarita remains one of my all-time favorite Food and Wine drinks, so grab that one, too!

Guinness Baileys Shake, Roasted Irish Sausage, and Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip at the Ireland Booth

It won our hearts (and tastebuds) in 2018, so we’re SO glad to say that the Guinness Baileys Shake at the Ireland Booth is every bit as tasty this year!

Get ready to join the line for this one even if you think you’re not all that into the taste of Guinness. The most pronounced flavor here is chocolate…and Baileys…just, you know, with a kick! PLUS.. we’re loving the mini serving glass!

Ireland is a booth packed full of all good things. Returning favorites make our list this year, like the Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy, and the delicious Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread.

This booth is the best bang for your buck in my opinion, but note that it’s all pretty heavy food…so hard to eat on these SUPER HOT days. But this one will be great once it starts to get a little cooler.

Frangipane Peach Tart at Sommerfest

Yep, that’s a half of a peach atop the Frangipane Peach Tart at Sommerfest! Super tasty, not too sweet, and very light — add this to your must try list!

Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Spice-Crusted Verlasso Salmon at Active Eats

This one missed the mark a bit this year with less spicy and smoky flavors. We’ve recommended the Loaded Mac ‘n Cheese highly in past years. Still we’re keeping it on the list because it might be a more family friendly dish this time around.

You’ll find it at Active Eats. And while there, try the salmon dish if you’re looking for a healthier option. It was awesome!

The salmon was cooked perfectly. It had that just right flaky and falling apart texture. The fresh slaw pairs very well!

Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup at Canada

The beloved Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup is back home at Canada for the Festival!

Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing at Hops & Barley

Is it the Freshly Baked Carrot Cake or the Cream Cheese icing that makes this Hops & Barley classic so completely awesome every year?

Okay, who are we kidding? It’s totally the gooey, oozing icing. But that cake sure isn’t bad, either and we won’t go a year without it! LOVE YOU CARROT CAKE!

VERY BEST OF THE FEST!

Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Tenderloin at Africa

The Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Tenderloin at Africa can easily earns a best of the fest nomination!

Smoked Corned Beef at Flavors from Fire

We’re so glad the Smoked Corned Beef at Flavors from Fire is back!

That’s as much due to the tender corned beef as it is to the accompaniments: crispy potatoes, pickled onions and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue featuring BelGioioso® Romano and American Grana Cheeses! Seriously amazing flavor…you MUST get this one.

The Steakhouse Blended Burger is SO good. The blend in the name mixes beef and wild mushroom, and tops it with a creamy brie fondue and even a blue cheese potato chip – which is the real flavor powerhouse.

The chips give it a crunch. And the meat is flavorful!

There ya go! Our Best of the Fest for 2019!

Festival Map

Maps are always available at Epcot to pick up at the park’s entrance as needed. But if you’d prefer to strategize your Food Booth visits in advance, check out our DFB 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Map! (Click the image to enlarge for easier reading.)

But wait… there’s more!!!

Though it has been a blast bringing you our Best of the Fest this year, don’t forget that we’ve got pictures and pricing for every single item at the Festival, just like we do every year.

Remember, to see the full list — and pictures and prices for EVERYTHING — click over to our Marketplace Booth page, where the provided links will take you to each booth’s individual page. That’s how you can see pictures of every single dish at this year’s Festival!

What items tops YOUR list to try at this year’s Festival? Please let us know with a comment!