5 Must-Eat Treats at the 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has arrived for 2025, bringing new flavors, returning favorites, and plenty of surprises. With a festival passport in hand, dog-eared pages, and a pen ready to mark what’s new, I set out with my dear friend Erica to taste our way around World Showcase. These five dishes stood out as the must-eat treats of the season.
1) Greece: Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
The Greece Global Marketplace delivers comfort food at its best. The Griddled Cheese ($5.25) arrives caramelized on the edges, drizzled in honey, and topped with large chunks of toasted pistachios. The combination is creamy, balanced, and satisfying, all for just $5.25. It also counts toward Emile’s Fromage Montage, which makes it a smart and delicious choice for anyone collecting stamps. This is an annual favorite of mine and deserves a spot on anyone’s list.
2) Spain: Paella Caldoso
I’m happy to report that the Spain Global Marketplace has redeemed itself this year with a return to a more traditional paella after last year’s miss. Served in a mini plastic paella pan, the Paella Caldoso ($8) features rock shrimp, bay scallops, and smoked mussels cooked in rich, saffron-seasoned rice. The seafood was tender, the rice full of flavor, and the overall presentation elevated the experience. It felt like a complete dish that was hearty enough to share, and easily one of the most dynamic festival offerings this year. We simply couldn’t get enough of this dish.
3) Spain: Trio de Pintxos
Also found at the Spain booth, the Trio de Pintxos ($7.25) brings the flavors of tapas to EPCOT. The Pan con Tomate is bright and flavorful, with olive oil and tomato soaking into crunchy bread. While incredibly tasty, I wished that the portion was bigger. The Tortilla Española is hearty but could have been lighter and fluffier, while the croquetas are fried to golden perfection with a creamy béchamel center. The combination of three small bites makes it a perfect sharing plate and a great way to sample classic Spanish flavors in one stop.
4) The Fry Basket: Fry Flight
The Fry Basket remains one of the most popular booths, and the Fry Flight ($8) proves why. The Truffle-Parmesan Fries are creamy and rich, with the cheese flavor front and center. The Sweet Potato Casserole Fries lean sweet with a large dollop of marshmallow cream and candied pecans, turning the dish into an almost-dessert. And the Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries provide a tangy, classic fry flavor that feels just right for EPCOT snacking. Together, the three styles create a well-rounded, crave-worthy dish that can even be modified for a fully plant-based version.
5) Mixed Berry Pavlova: Australia Booth
Toward the end of World Showcase, you’ll find one of the most delightful desserts of the entire festival: the Mixed Berry Pavlova ($4.75) at the Australia booth. At first glance, it’s gorgeous; the chef sprinkles strawberry sugar glitter into the macerated berries, and it sparkles in the sun like a festival treat should.
The Pavlova itself is a crisp meringue shell filled with whipped topping and freshly macerated berries. Inside you’ll find strawberries and blueberries with a bright, citrusy flavor. The meringue has a touch of lemon, giving every bite that refreshing pop of flavor that wakes you up and balances the sweetness.
This dessert is fruity, light, and fun, with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s everything you want at an August-through-fall festival in Florida: sturdy enough to hold up in the heat, but still refreshing and not too heavy. For me, this was pure joy and truly a must-try if you’re looking for a sweet ending to your day.
Skip It: Nitro Pumpkin Cheesecake
Although beautiful in presentation, the Nitro-frozen Pumpkin Cheesecake ($5.50) misses the mark. It looks like ice cream but eats like a very dense mousse, leaving it more drying than refreshing. The flavor is pumpkin-forward, but the texture makes it less enjoyable compared to other sweet options available throughout the festival. I hate to say it, but most of this treat went into the trash can. If you know me, you know that that doesn’t happen often. I’m spending my own snack dollars, and I’ll eat just about anything that’s placed in front of me.
The Final Bite
From the honey-drizzled griddled cheese at the Greece Global Marketplace to Spain’s seafood-laden paella and a glittering strawberry trifle at Shimmering Sips, the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is filled with can’t-miss bites. With smart planning and a hungry tummy, you’ll be ready to enjoy these five treats and plenty more.
And when it comes to the Paella Caldoso, there’s only one rule: no paella left behind.
It’s not too late to experience all the flavors and fun of the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival for yourself! Start planning your visit today by browsing Confirmed Reservations with DVC Rental Store and lock in your perfect stay. Your foodie adventure awaits!
