We all laugh about the increasingly ever present festivals throughout the year at Epcot. But truth told we’re so spoiled by them at this point that it can be a bit of a shock to our system when we walk into Epcot from early June to mid-August and there *aren’t* food booths everywhere.
So what in the world are we supposed to eat during these hot summer months?
Don’t fret. I’ve got you covered. Here are 14 ways to happily stuff your face with light fare when there aren’t food booths every 20 feet at your disposal.
1. Fish & Chips at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop at the UK Pavilion
Come. to. momma. And bring a beer. Whether you do yours up with vinegar or tartar sauce or just plain ketchup, you’ll be craving it again after you’re home from your trip.
2. Gelati in Italy
Whether you want it plain or pressed between 2 cookies, the gelati booth in Italy will cure what ails you. And if it doesn’t, opt for one of their cocktail popsicles instead!
3. Pastries at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in France
While most of World Showcase doesn’t open until 11 a.m., Les Halles in the France Pavilion knows our needs and opens along with Future World (and Frozen Ever After) at 9 a.m. Enjoy a pastry for breakfast and come back at lunch time for a sandwich.
4. Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwiches at L’Artisan des Glaces in France
But save room because there’s nothing in the world like ice cream at L’Artisan des Glaces just outside Les Halles in the France pavilion. And if you want to kick it up a notch?? Press your choice of ice cream and sauce into a warm fresh brioche. My personal favorite? Coconut ice cream with raspberry sauce pressed between slices of a warm brioche.
5. All of the Popcorn
Whether you want sweet or savory, the popcorn at Epcot will suit you just fine. You can go with cheddar cheese, buffalo bleu cheese, or sour cream and chive outside the Imagination pavilion.
Or satisfy your sweet tooth with maple popcorn at the Canada pavilion or this fresh caramel popcorn in the Germany pavilion.
6. All of the Snacks in Japan’s Mitsukoshi
Then satisfy your inner Japanophile by venturing into Mitsukoshi at the Japan pavilion and exploring all of the incredible Japanese drinks and snacks. My personal favorite are the wonderful green tea mochi filled with sweet adzuki bean paste.
7. Kakigori at Japan’s Kabuki Cafe
But don’t roam far after that, because you can enjoy some kakigori just around the corner. This flavored shaved ice is even better when you spring for the sweet milk topping.
Or, if you’re in the over 21 set, opt for the sake mist alcoholic version…
8. Pretzels in Germany
And then head back to Germany to cut your sweet with some salty. Don’t get me wrong – I love a good Mickey pretzel as much as the next girl. But there’s just something better about the huge, chewy pretzels that you can get at the bier carts in Germany that’s just that much better.
9. And Also Caramel Everything in Germany’s Karamell-Küche
And now that you’ve calmed your palate with that salt, it’s time for more sweets!! Which is just in time – because you cannot possibly leave the Germany pavilion again without at stop at the Karamell-Küche!! From s’mores to apples to strawberries to pineapples, absolutely everything tastes better covered in caramel. Especially when you eat it in Disney World.
10. Donuts at Joffrey’s
And my kids would kill me if I didn’t throw these bad boys in. Don’t get me wrong – croissant doughnuts are delicious. But there’s just something about those Joffrey’s iced donuts that are the size of your head that will take down the most discerning sweet tooth.
11. Schoolbread and more at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Norway
Then make your way directly to the Norway pavilion’s Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. This place is loaded with specialty Norwegian treats and other seasonal goodies – but if you want the most iconic thing in the house, opt for the skolebrød – a springy sweet roll filled with vanilla custard and topped with icing and coconut. I also dig the lefse, which is basically a soft tortilla-like wrap spread with butter, cinnamon, and sugar and rolled up for easy consumption.
12. Turkey Legs at Fife & Drum at the American Adventure
Keto eaters and other protein lovers rejoice!! There’s something here for you. Hit up the Fife & Drum at the American Adventure for a massive turkey leg and fuel that day at the parks right.
13. Funnel Cake at the American Adventure
Or skip that protein altogether and hit up the funnel cake stand, also at the American Adventure, for one of these classic treats. If you want to make it “healthy”, opt for some ice cream on top to get your dairy in.
14. Cupcakes (and more) at Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion
And last but not least, make your way to Future World and head down to Sunshine Seasons on the lower level of the Land pavilion. You’ll find countless treats here, from seared tuna salads to fish tacos to mac ‘n cheese. But they’re also known for their sweets. You’ll find unique seasonal cupcakes here, along with strawberry shortcake and other confections. It might not be World Showcase – but this is the spot that we hit when we want to satisfy a wide range of taste buds.
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So there you have it. Our survival guide to eating in Epcot without an ADR when there’s no festival underway. So now that you’ve seen my list – what’s at the top of your snack list for this park??
