Today is the FIRST DAY of the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

From now through November 12th, the Festival will offer all sorts of extra culinary fun around Epcot. And a HUGE highlight are the Food Booths lining World Showcase and popping up in Future World celebrating global cuisine with enhanced food offerings.

If you’re planning your 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 tried 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 from this year!

Are you ready? Because here we GOOOO!!!

The BEST of the FEST!

Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake AND Blueberry Wine at The Cheese Studio

The Cheese Studio

doesn’t disappoint with 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 also came as a surprise!

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

Teriyaki Chicken Bun at Japan

The Teriyaki Chicken Bun at the Japan Booth 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!

Waff-Ale at Craft Drafts

The hint of sweetness in the Waff-Ale at Craft Drafts makes this a memorable brew. But the sweetness isn’t so overwhelming that it doesn’t still taste like a great, solid beer. It’s like a breakfast beer, according to our tasters.

We enjoyed it as part of one of the two Beer Flights at Craft Drafts, but it can also be ordered on its own.

Phosphorescent Phreeze and RGB Flight at Light Lab

The non-alcoholic Phosphorescent Phreeze at the Light Lab is not only an ice cold, fruity refresher (served in air conditioning, no less!)…

You also get to keep the Light Lab beaker! But the best part is that you receive a little decoder with this drink, so you (or your kiddos!) can solve the puzzle of what the flavor layers in the drink are!

What’s an RGB Flight (also found at Light Lab)? Why, it’s red, green, and blue!

Red Cherry Tart, Green Kiwi Blonde (made with kiwi puree), and Blue-berry Golden Ale make up this super fun assortment!

Butternut Squash Ravioli at Wine and Dine Studio

Welcome the flavors of autumn with the Butternut Squash Ravioli at Wine and Dine Studio!

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.

Moosehead Radler at Canada

The Moosehead Radler at the Canada Booth infuses refreshing fruit flavors into this iconic Canadian lager.

You can pick up on the grapefruit, grape and lemon juices… while you’re pairing it with your famous Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon at the same booth 😉 .

Carbonade de Boeuf and St. Germain Sparkling Kir at France

We were a little surprised to learn that the Bouef Bourguignon would not return to France this year.

But France isn’t going to let us go without a meat and potatoes dish at Food and Wine, and we really enjoyed the new Carbonade de Boeuf. Beer-braised beef with BACON! And we still get mashed potatoes with it! Score!

Another standout — the lovely and highly recommended St-Germain Sparkling Kir with St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur and sparkling wine here is refreshing.

Moqueca Brazilian Seafood Stew at Brazil

A hearty addition 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!

Mango Lassi at India

BACK AGAIN in the Best of the Fest! At India, 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!

Steakhouse Blended Burger at Earth Eats

The Steakhouse Blended Burger at Earth Eats is a great addition.

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 Impossible Burger is also here for vegetarians!)

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 😉 !

Fromosa and Tropical Mimosa at Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar

The new Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar is FOR SURE the place to start your day! (It opens at 9 AM in the Festival Center!) Our team was pretty addicted to the Fromosa — a frozen Mimosa made with White Claw Lime Hard Seltzer. This tasted a lot like a daiquiri to me…but I only had three of them.

And the Tropical Mimosa is a wonderful twist on the classic. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Madras mimosa or the Blood Orange (a little bitter), but the Tropical and the Key Lime were outstanding.

Poutines at Refreshment Port

You knew it was coming, didn’t you? It’s POUTINE TIME at the Refreshment Port!

Choose from traditional cheese curds with brown gravy (a standard at the Port), the new autumnal Sweet Potato Poutine, and the new Beef Brisket Poutine. Or don’t choose anything and just GET. THEM. ALL!

OK, I’ll be honest here and say that the new versions didn’t wow me. The Sweet Potato Poutine with caramel sauce and marshmallows is sweet on sweet on sweet. Which usually, you know, I love. But…well this was just a little over the top. And while the brisket and cheese option was good, it didn’t come close to the flavor and textures that make the traditional poutine my winner. So…get them all if that’s your jam, or stick to traditional. I’m in favor of either.

Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip at Coastal Eats

Get a load of the Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip returning to Coastal Eats!

As I said in my instagram story…I will 100% give this shrimp scampi dip my phone number ANY DAY.

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.

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip and Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae at The Almond Orchard

The Almond Orchard

gets THREE winners this year! The Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip (there’s pulled chicken in there, too, but you don’t really even need it) is totally addicting, and comes with plenty of Nut Thins® to spoon it all up.

The Banana Almond Soft-Serve Sundae comes back for year two, and it’s just as tasty. The thing that lands this on the best of the fest list 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.

Mariachi Loco and El Padrino at Mexico

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. You should NEVER miss the Mexico Booth! And this year? That’s due to two beverages, in particular. The Mariachi Loco margarita is comprised of Libelula Tequila Joven, mango purée and Chamoy. It’s sweet meets heat in the best possible way.

And the El Padrino is a Blackberry Mexican Punch made with Velo Blanco Tequila. There’s a depth of flavor here, so don’t write it off as spiked punch from your youth, my friends.

Cheers!

Fritto Misto at Italy

The Fritto Misto is something to look forward to at the Italy Booth this year!

Crispy shrimp, zucchini and sweet potatoes are fried up and covered in a slightly spicy sauce with a kick! 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 and BASICALLY ALL THE MENU ITEMS at the Ireland Booth

It won our hearts (and tastebuds) at the Food and Wine Festival Preview, so we’re SO glad to say that the Guinness Baileys Shake at the Ireland Booth is every bit as tasty here at the Festival!

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!

The truth is, though, that Ireland is a booth is packed full of all good things. Both new and 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.

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.

Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese at Active Eats

We don’t know what we’d do if the Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers and Green Onions didn’t return to the Festival. It’s on our best of the fest list in perpetuity.

You’ll find it at Active Eats.

Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup at Canada

Though you’ve been able to find the beloved Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup at Refreshment Port for the last several months, it’s 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!

Dole Whip at Refreshment Port

Dole Whip. In Epcot. With or without Bacardi Coconut Rum. At the Refreshment Port.

There ya go!

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 2018 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 of 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!

Ready to Plan for Your 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip? Order the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2018 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% off the cover price!

Want More Epcot Food and Wine Festival Info?

Don’t forget — it’s not just Food Booths at the Festival! There’s everything from Seminars and Demonstrations to Special Events and more Family Friendly Fun at this year’s Festival than ever before. Be sure to check out all of the info below to prepare for YOUR visit to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

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