The Best Things I Ate At The 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Epcot's Annual Food & Wine Festival is a bastion of culinary delights, and I'm not alone in thinking that it's one of Disney's best events of the year. Fans flock to taste and sip their way around the world, touring tiny creative outdoor kitchens, called Marketplace Booths, set around World Showcase. Guests of the festival can indulge in unique flavors and culinary innovations. I loved my time at the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and thought I would share my 5 favorite dishes with you.


The Best Things I Ate At Food & Wine


In a really pleasing turn of events, one of my first festival bites remained my favorite throughout. Located in the Next Eats area at The Chew Collective the Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese was a real highlight. The beef was beautifully marinated, and romaine tossed in a very light dressing with the feta and apricots pulling it all together. $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible.


Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese


On the opposite end of the Future World festival path is the Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth, where I found my next favorite bite. Re-themed from the previous Dominican Republic Booth, Islands of the Caribbean has a charming little courtyard set up and full of planters filled with growing ingredients like pineapples and cilantro. While we tasted several things at this booth, the Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions really impressed me. In fact, I liked these black beans better than the ones I had a few days later at Frontera Cocina. The pork was moist and flavorful. $4.25, Gluten-Free, DDP Snack Eligible.


Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions


Next, we stopped at the Refreshment Port for something I had dreamed of trying for years now - and it didn't fail. Pineapple Dole Whip with Bacardi Coconut Rum is one of Disney's great gifts. A perfectly crafted combination of the fan favorite treat with a coconut kick. It's probably a good thing I can't get it at the ice cream shop down the road. Just Saying. $10.00. The Dragon Berry Refresher they're serving here also deserves a special mention.


Pineapple Dole Whip with Bacardi Coconut Rum


Around the lagoon we headed, sipping and tasting many booths. Several that I was looking forward to disappointed, until we got to the Morocco Marketplace Booth. Here I ordered one of everything, which included a favorite of mine from previous festivals, the Kefta Pocket: Seasoned Ground Beef with Slaw in a Pita Pocket. This is always like taking a bite of home to me, and the only reason I didn't order a second was because I still needed to pace myself. $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible.


Kefta Pocket: Seasoned Ground Beef


While we were sitting in the shade munching on our Moroccan delicacies, I seemed to have a sort of Disney Princess moment, in the way that I was attracting small forest creatures to my side. One cheeky squirrel in particular took advantage of the fact I had set down my food to take a picture of it, and decided to try and abscond with my Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce. My companions laughed as I tried to shoo him away, until it came to the point that he had the delicious treat in his furry little hands and I was battling for my dessert. I won, and Disney gave me a fresh Baklava (which was sinfully delicious) when I explained what had happened to it. $3.95, Vegetarian, DDP Snack Eligible.


Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce


All in all my traveling companions and I had a wonderful time at the festival, and will be sure to return for many years to come. These were my most memorable bites and I hope you enjoy them too! The 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is happening now - and will continue until November 14, 2016. If you don't have plans to visit, maybe you should.

What are your favorite bites of Food & Wine 2016? Leave a comment below and let me know!