Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival added food booths to the celebration starting in 2013, and it’s been a popular part of the festival ever since. What began as only a dozen booths has grown to over 20. And although food and drink isn’t the main focus, like it is for the Food & Wine Festival, I actually think I prefer the options at Flower and Garden better!
I’ve been lucky to try many delicious dishes at the Flower and Garden Festival over the years. While some things remain on the menus from year to year, we have also seen plenty of changes. Some of my most favorite items have sadly disappeared.
As I was updating my Flower & Garden posts earlier this year, I found myself having to get rid of a lot of content from the reviews because they just weren’t relevant anymore. But before actually hitting that delete key completely, I had the thought to put together all of that content into one post.
I wanted to do this partly because I didn’t love the feeling of deleting some of my work, but moreso because I think preserving historical information is important. The internet, by its natura, is actually making it harder in many ways to find information from years past. A majority of websites either update their pages with the most relevant information and delete the rest, so they become inactive completely. I do appreciate that Disney Food Blog doesn’t seem to get rid of their older posts; they just publish new ones. I’m glad there’s some record of these food booths besides my own memory!
So now I introduce to you the Flower & Garden Festival food booth graveyard. Here, we can reminisce about dishes from Festivals past. They may not be available currently, but that’s not to say they can never come back again. At least, we can hope.
Throughout the years we’ve not only lost food dishes and drinks, we’ve seen entire booths come and go! Some I will miss more than others, admittedly.
Arbor at the Gardeners Terrace
This is an entire booth that no longer exists. It was around for the 2019 festival and the (very short) 2020 festival.
Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar and Focaccia Crostino
Original review: “The salmon is a nice combination of flavors – and the Arbor gets an extra point because the server was singing showtunes to herself as she prepared it!” (2019)
How much I miss it (on a scale of 1 to 10): For me personally? It’s a 3 as I’m not a huge fan of smoked salmon. The review above was from a guest post!
Cider Flight (Original Sin Black Widow, Florida Beer Company Caribe Strawberry Rose, 3 Daughters Brewery Key Lime Apple)
Original review: “The key lime cider is nice, you get the sweet of the apple and the tart of the lime and it’s a nice balance. The strawberry rose cider is lovely and sweet. The strawberry flavor is definitely there – I was afraid it would be too delicate. The black widow has a bit of….tartness? Bitterness? Its definitely a berry flavor. All 3 have good strong flavors – very distinctive.” (2019)
How much I miss it: I’ll say 4. They were some pretty good ciders, but we see a good number of cider flights at other booths.
Bauernmarkt
The Germany booth has been one of the most consistent throughout the years, at least when it comes to food. The menu has rarely changed. That being said, while there is always a beer flight, the specific beers have varied.
Original review: “While in Germany have a beer, right? I tried several as I took advantage of the beer flight that they offered. This included the Paulaner original Munich Lager, Shofferhofer Hefeweizen, Warsteiner Dunkel, and Kostritzer Scharzbier Black Lager. The first one, the Munich Lager, was fine. It was a bit bland. The Hefeweizen was probably my favorite. I wasn’t sure what I would think about the other two as I’m not a big fan of dark beers. The Dunkel I wasn’t crazy about but I actually really liked the black lager, go figure. Definitely worth it to try them all.” (2016)
How much I miss it: Another 4. Like the cider flight above, it was pretty good, but the other versions of German beer flights have been good as well.
Berry Basket
Another booth that is now extinct, this one was around for 2017 and 2018 and featured berries, of course!
Warm Wild Berry Buckle (with Pepper Berry Gelato)
Original review: “This was another very tasty dessert, with lots of delicious blackberries. Once again pairing it with a unique ice cream, like the cheesecake above, added a lot to the dessert. The gelato was really smooth and tasty, with just a hint of spice from the pepper (but definitely not overpowering or noticeable).” (2018)
How much I miss it: I’ll give it a 6. It was very good, but not a complete stand-out.
Green tea berry mint julep
Original review: “I got the non-alcoholic version. The tea/julep is really sweet – you can definitely taste the berries. The alcohol might cut the sweetness. Gonna recommend you be smarter than me and get a straw or you’ll wind up with a face full of smoothie.” (2017)
How much I miss it: The above review is another guest post, so I never got the chance to try this one. I’d give it a 6 just from the desciption though. It sounds very pleasant. The nice thing is, there is a recipe available to make it at home!
Botanas Botánico
This booth was introduced in 2015. While it didn’t return after that, I feel like it was the predecessor to La Isla Fresca. Both feature tropical and Caribbean-inspired flavors.
Seafood ceviche
Original review: “While pretty good, it didn’t quite live up to some of the other things I tried at the festival. I found the flavor of the cilantro to be really overpowering to the rest of the dish, but there was a nice amount of seafood in it.” (2015)
How much I miss it: Eh, a 3. Having a ceviche option is nice, but this one didn’t really impress me.
La Tizana (non-alcoholic)
Original review: “This was such a good, refreshing drink! It was very sweet and I can’t imagine what it would be like with the added orange liquer. I loved the fact that it had fresh fruit in it as well.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10. It was good, and a unique option that fit in well at the Flower and Garden Festival.
Coconut Tres Leches
Original review: “This cake is an absolute must if you are a fan of coconut desserts. It was super moist, sweet, and just delicious!” (2015)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10. Tres Leches cake is something you can find elsewhere, but this happened to be a very good version of it.
Cider House
For the cider fans, there used to be a booth focused on it! I quite miss this booth, because it was in the UK area and was basically the booth dedicated to British fare and drinks. Now there’s really nothing from that part of Europe that is special for the festival.
2016 Cider and Beer Flight
Original review: “Although called the cider and beer flight, there was only 1 beer and 3 ciders included. The beer was the Cigar City Brewing Tampa-style lager, and I was not impressed personally. I loved the ciders though – they included the Sonoma “The Pitchfork” Organic Pear Hard Cider, McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, and the Keel and Curley Mad Man Blueberry Hard Cider. I kept going back and forth on which one was my favorite, but I think it was the pear. Or maybe the blueberry! They were all good if you’re a fan of ciders. (2016)
How much I miss it: 8 out of 10. While you can find a number of ciders at other booths, I liked having a UK booth dedicated to it. Plus, that blueberry cider! And also because RIP to when you got 4 drinks as part of a flight instead of 3.
2017 Cider Flight (black cherry, blood orange, strawberry)
Original review: “The black cherry is sweet, but with a nice tart zing. Blood orange is a little drier, but the orange flavor is crisp and refreshing. Strawberry tastes like candy. I like it but it might be too sweet for some palates. It really reminds me of those candies in the strawberry wrappers, you know? I loved those as a kid.” (2017)
How much I miss it: These are the words of guest blogger Kristin, but I suspect I would have enjoyed it as well! I’ll say 7 out of 10 for the same reasons above, but we’re down to 3 drinks on the flight now.
2018 Hard Cider Flight (McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, Florida Beer Company Caribe Pineapple Tropical Hard Cider, Ciderboys Grand Mimosa Apple Orange Hard Cider)
Original review: “We really enjoyed all three of these ciders – even Jason, who insisted before we ordered it that he “doesn’t really like cider.” I’d had the black cherry before but I enjoy it for the fact that it’s a bit less sweet. Jason loved the pineapple. And my favorite was the Grand Mimosa, because it really did taste like a mimosa mixed with cider! Very refreshing.” (2018)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10 for the same reasons above, but we’re down to 3 drinks on the flight now.
Corned Beef (pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef with Braised Cabbage and Branston Dressing with Pears)
Original review: “Salty, but the mustard and pears add delightful flavors, and the portion is generous (something two people could share). However, I did get a large glob of fat in mine.” (2017)
How much I miss it: This was another guest post, and corned beef is not something I enjoy myself. So I’d say a 2.
Biscuit (House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare)
Original review: “this had a much lighter flavor, but still tasty. Harder to share because it’s like a mini sandwich with a biscuit as bread, and could get messy.” (2017)
How much I miss it: Also part of the guest post, and if you recall above I’m not a fan of smoked salmon. But I’ll give it a 4 because a potato and cheddar biscuit sounds amazing.
Freshly Baked Lemon Scone with Crème Fraîche and Mixed Berries
Original review: Lots of tasty sounding items were at this booth in the UK, but as I was hitting it up at opening around 11 I decided to start with “breakfast” and have the lemon scone with crème fraiche and mixed berries. Lots of good stuff going on here I thought, and the crème fraiche and berries were an awesome accompaniment. (2016)
How much I miss it: 6 out of 10. It was very good, and I loved the creme and berries. Having a scone was a nice option!
Citrus Blossom
The Citrus Blossom booth made its debut in 2019, and luckily it has stuck around because it’s one of my absolute favorites! That being said, there are a few items they used to serve here that are not there now, and I miss them a lot.
Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado and Pappadam Crisp
Original review: “The tuna was pretty good, but a little salty for my taste. Not the tuna itself I guess, but the pappadam.” (2019)
How much I miss it: The 2017 and 2019 reviews are all from a guest post from my friend Kristin, so this is another one I didn’t actually try. It sounds pretty good though – I like how unique the combination is. I love salty things but tuna isn’t my favorite, so I’ll say a 6 out of 10.
Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
Original review: “Orange wine slush is delicious and refreshing!” (2019)
How much I miss it: I did have this one in following years, and I can confirm it is delicious and refreshing! 7 out of 10.
Citrus-Baked Brie with orange-lemon marmalade, limoncello-macerated blueberries, and spiced marcona almond
Original review: “Wow, this is delicious and rich! It’s baked cheese, so that’s a good start, but when you top it with some of my favorite flavors (orange and blueberries!) you have a really unique and super tasty dish. Of course the citrus blossom is going to be a win overall for my citrus-loving palate, but I appreciate some of the more unique ways they’ve incorporated citrus at this booth.” (2025)
How much I miss it: I’ll give this one a 10 out of 10. Honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve had at the Flower and Garden festival.
Festival Favorites
This booth popped up in 2021, when we were in the weird part of the COVID era. They held back on actually calling it the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, instead calling it the “Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.” I believe there was a bigger focus on the food booths that year, since they cancelled the concert series. The Festival Favorites booth was a special one just for that year.
Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad with Remoulade and Smoked Paprika Oil
Original review: “There was a generous mound of delicious crab with some great spiciness from the remoulade and paprika which paired nicely with the crispy fried tomatoes.” (2021)
How much I miss it: 8 out of 10. It was really tasty! I also miss this booth and its location inside of the World Showplace building. It was nice having that for several festival booths.
Flavor Full Kitchen
From 2019 to 2022 we had the Flavor Full Kitchen. It was sponsored by AdventHealth and had a focus on using items “straight from the garden.”
Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Citrus Greens
Original review: “The salmon is very nice but nothing out of the ordinary.” (2019)
How much I miss it: 5 out of 10 – I think the concise review above says it all.
From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese and Micro Herbs with Lemon-oil Dressing
Original review: “From the garden is really neat – a lot of different textures. But I also like beets so keep that in mind. Also I assumed the flower was edible so I had a bite, but it doesn’t really taste like anything. You don’t need to eat it.” 😉 (2019)
How much I miss it: 6. Not my favorite, but it is nice to see them really get creative with the vegetables, since it’s the heart of Flower and Garden.
Fleur de Lys
France’s booth remains one of the most popular, though you will no longer find the below food and drink items there.
Strawberry maracon
Original review: “I love maracons and this did not disappoint. The sweet marshmallow went well with the differently textured strawberry filling. Although I will say that I find the ice cream macaron over at Glaces to be superior.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 5 out of 10. A nice macaron, but just go get the ice cream one!
Raspberry and chocolate macaron
Original review: “I love macarons, so I had the raspberry and chocolate one that they offered here. I have to say it wasn’t my favorite. There was a ton of fudge in the center that really seemed overpowering to the raspberry flavor.” (2016)
How much I miss it: 3 out of 10. Not the best macaron.
Kir pomegranate (Sparkling Wine, Pama Pomegranate Liquor)
Original review: “Omg delicious. Possibly the French-iest drink I’ve ever had.” (2017)
How much I miss it: The words of Kristin above (and her photo!) make this sound delightful. I’ll say a 7 out of 10.
Confit de Canard aux Gnocchi a la Parisienne (Braised duck confit with Parisian gnocchi)
Original review: “Jason really wanted this and was very pleased with it. We didn’t know Parisian gnocchi was a thing, but he enjoyed it a lot, even more than the duck part of the dish, which was also good.” (2018)
How much I miss it: 5 out of 10, though Jason might have a higher rating. They often have some sort of duck confit on the menu still, but not served with the gnocchi.
Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette
Original review: “Of course as a chocolate lover I needed to get the chocolate macaron! It was rich and chocolatey and just about what you’d expect.” (2018)
How much I miss it: 6 out of 10. I appreciate the attempt to do something a little different with a macaron. And this is one of my favorite food photos I’ve taken haha. But another flavor with the chocolate might have stepped it up.
Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Soup
Original review: “It’s lovely! Creamy and a little sweet. Fairly rich, so sharing might be a good idea.” (2019)
How much I miss it: Being totally honest, a chilled cucumber soup does not sound appealing to me. That being said, I’d be curious to give it a try (though I doubt they’ll bring this one back, so I probably never will try it). 4 out of 10?
Tarte au Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a flaky Pastry Crust
Original review: “The tarte is scrumptious. Looks like it’s been sitting awhile, so maybe I just came at a bad time? It tastes great though. It is a little greasy.” (2019)
How much I miss it: I do not care for onions at all, and goat cheese is just okay. I wouldn’t have ordered this myself, so I can’t say I miss it much. Let’s say a 2.
Canard Confit à la Provençal: Braised Duck Confit with Tomatoes and Olives on Polenta
Original review: “The duck is really good. The polenta seems a little dried out but the sauce perks it right up. The duck isn’t fatty at all, which is a pleasant surprise because it often is.” (2019)
How much I miss it: Again, not really my thing. I’m just meh about duck, and I don’t like olives. No thank you! I’ll say another 2.
Florida Fresh
The Florida Fresh booth was part of the original lineup of 13 food booths introduced in 2013. It hasn’t always consistently been there every year, but it has made an appearance at the majority of the festivals since then. But even if it is there, these items are no longer available.
Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale
Original review: I first tried the Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale made by the Florida Beer Company. I couldn’t pass this up as it’s an ale made especially for the festival, so you can’t get it anywhere else. I’m glad I tried it because it was a really pleasant ale. It also started pouring rain after I got it so I ran under cover in France and was able to enjoy my drink while I attempted to wait out the rain.” (2015)
How much I miss it: I’ll say a 6. I really enjoyed it as a beer, but they have some other good options now.
Shrimp and stone ground grits with andouille sausage, sweet corn, tomatoes and cilantro
Original review: “I also had the shrimp and stone-ground grits with andouille sausage, sweet corn, tomatoes and cilantro. I love shrimp but am not the biggest fan of grits, but I thought this dish was great. The shrimp were large and tasty and the flavors all blended together really well.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10. Delicious but perhaps not the most unique.
Lemon Blueberry Tart
Original review: ” The lemon blueberry one was SO GOOD. I mean, sweet with a hint of tang, and just pure deliciousness in every bite. Definitely a contender for my favorite item from the booths in 2015.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 9 out of 10. I mean, I obviously loved it.
Hanami
Hanami has been around since the beginning, and is known for their frushi (which I would be surprised to ever hit the graveyard!). In addition to that they typically have 1-2 savory items plus some drinks, and these change pretty often year-to-year.
Salmon sushi
Original review: “It’s kind of standard if you like sushi, but the sauces on top were excellent. I don’t know if I would get it again because it’s not something that’s very different, but I’m glad I tried it.” (2015)
How much I miss it: I’ll give it a 4. A decent enough dish, but I concluded my review saying I probably wouldn’t get it again.
Teriyaki Salmon (with Furikake-seasoned brown rice)
Original review: “I will say it was a bit hard to enjoy this as we got it during the height of the rain, so it was pouring at the time. We grabbed it and ran undercover with everyone else outside the shop in Japan and had to eat it standing up. It was good, just typical Teriyaki Salmon.” (2018)
How much I miss it: Another 4, for the same reason as the salmon sushi.
Tuna Poke (Ahi Tuna Poke Sesame Ginger)
Original review: “nice and light for a hot day and a good amount for 2 people if they want to try something “adventurous” and aren’t sure if they’ll like it. The dressing is delicious!” (2017)
How much I miss it: Let’s say a 5. It’s not really my thing, but the flavors sound interesting enough that I would share it with someone if it was available.
Chicken Edamame Bun (steamed bun filled with chicken and edamame and topped with curry sauce)
Original review: “I was very tempted to go with the frushi, which I’ve loved in the past here, but I decided to try something new. The curry sauce was hands down the best part of this. It had great flavor and a little spice. The bun by itself was pretty bland, so I actually wished I’d had even more curry sauce on this.” (2016)
How much I miss it: 3 out of 10. It definitely needed more flavor.
Honey Bee-stro
One of my two favorite booths at Flower and Garden Festival. This location has some of the best food in Disney World in my opinion. And although the current menu is still really solid, I actually preferred some of the dishes that were there in past years.
Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread with Jalapeños, Bacon and House-Made Whipped Honey Butter
Original review: “It’s had a wonderful combination of sweet and savory, between the honey, bacon, and jalapeno. Add the whipped honey butter on the top and it’s even better.” (2021)
How much I miss it: 11 out of 10. My favorite Flower and Garden dish of all-time. They have a waffle on the menu made out of cornbread, but it’s not the same as the spoon bread. I am sad every year since 2023 when the menus come out and that waffle is there instead of the spoon bread.
Lavender Honey Mustard-Marinated Chicken Flatbread with Whipped Honey-Ricotta Cheese, Marinated Vegetables and Purple Haze Lavender Goat Cheese
Original review: “This was probably the best booth of the festival. The flatbread was really good, with an interesting combination of savory and sweet.”(2021)
How much I miss it: 9 out of 10. I really enjoyed both versions of this flatbread.
Honey-glazed Cauliflower with Honey-roasted carrot puree, wild rice pilaf, spring vegetables, honey-blistered grapes, and sunflower brittle
Original review: “Look, this was just fine. It’s nice to have a vegetarian option at this book, but they could do better (and hopefully they have, with this year’s new Honeycomb Bowl). There was nothing bad about it, but I didn’t think there was enough flavor here and it was kind of boring compared to so many other festival dishes.” (2025)
How much I miss it: 3 out of 10. I’m okay with this one being in the graveyard for good.
Jardin de Fiestas
Mexico’s menu is constantly changing – I’m not sure anything is ever the same year to year! They do often have similar items, but they aren’t usually identical.
Sope de Chorizo Plant-Based Ground Chorizo on Fried Corn Dough with Black Beans and Avocado Mousse (2021?)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10. I don’t know where my review went… lost in the wide old world of the web, I guess. But I do know this one made the cut for my top 10 food items that year.
Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita
Original review: “I love blueberries. I love pomegranate. I love margaritas. How could this go wrong? Somehow it did, horribly. The taste of tequila was very strong, and I didn’t really taste any of the fruit flavors I was so hoping for. Instead, along with the tequila, I tasted a really sickly, fake fruit taste. I literally had to force it down because I was not wasting a $9 margarita.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 1 out of 10. Mexico’s margaritas can be pretty hit or miss during the festival. Please never bring this one back.
Watermelon white sangria
Original review: “If you like watermelon at all you NEED to get this. Like for serious whoa this is delicious. I would be very tempted to get a bottle if they had it for sale.” (2017)
How much Kristin misses it: I’m going to assume she would say a 9 or a 10! Considering that review.
Damiana Flower Margarita: Damiana Flower Liqueur, Blanco Tequila, Agave Nectar and Citrus Juices served on the rocks with a Black Ant Salt Rim
Original review: “I think it tastes similar to a standard margarita but I like the spicy salt on the rim. It might be just a bit sweeter than a regular margarita.” (2017)
How much I miss it: We’ll say a 3. I wouldn’t be mad if they brought it back, but I don’t need it.
Chilaquiles (served with ranchera sauce, chorizo, mexican cream, and cotija cheese)
Original review: “I’m not sure a food booth at Epcot is ever going to produce really amazing Mexican food, but this was a decent bite. The portion size was pretty big and it was tasty enough, if not something to really stand out.” (2018)
How much I miss it: 5 out of 10. Not a stand-out.
Rosa Margarita
Original review: “Oh Mexico. When will I ever learn not to try the margaritas from the Flower and Garden booth? I did last year and I was super disappointed with it. This year they had a Rosa margarita which I decided to try. I’m not going to lie, I thought it was awful. To begin with I’m normally not a fan of a lot of ice in my drinks, but this one needed more because it was slightly warm when I got it. The drink was overly sweet in that sickly sort of way. I drank about 2/3 of it and threw out the rest. Two things you should know about me – I’m kind of cheap and I love margaritas. So for me to throw out part of a $9 margarita means it must have been pretty bad.” (2016)
How much I miss it: Another margarita that will rank a 1. Ew, no thank you!
La Isla Fresca
Serving up tropical flavors since 2016.
Conch salad (Caribbean Conch Salad with Avocado, Mango and Onions)
Original review: “A nice arrangement of tropical flavors, though I find the onion a bit overwhelming.” (2017)
How much I miss it: 2, because I hate when onion is overwhelming. I like the idea of a conch salad, though!
Shrimp skewer (Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut Lime Sauce)
Original review: “Not sure how I feel about the shrimp. The sauce is creamier than I expected. And it’s a little difficult to get them off of the sugarcane skewer.” (2017)
How much I miss it: 4 out of 10. I like the tropical flavors, but it wasn’t an amazing dish.
Lotus House
China’s offering to Flower and Garden Festival.
Vegetable spring rolls
Original review: “The spring rolls were pretty typical, and would be totally unimpressive on their own, but when paired with the spicy sauce it was served with they were quite tasty. Basically using them as vessels to scoop up that sauce was what made this dish worth it. (2018)
How much I miss it: 3 out of 10. Nothing special here.
MSG wine cooler (A cooler of Mango Wine, Strawberry and Ginger Ale)
Original review: “Wow, I really like that. Good fruit flavors with a nice zing. Definitely shareable, too.” (2017)
How much I miss it: 5? I didn’t try this one, but Kristin really liked it. I’d order it if I had the chance!
Szechuan Spicy Red-braised Beef Shank over Rice
Original review: “It’s fine but not really spicy at all. And one of the pieces of beef is mostly fat. Overall, a bit of a disappointment.” (2019)
How much I miss it: 2. A disappointment that can stay in the grave.
Papa Cakes Potato Cakes Filled with Shrimp and Water Chestnuts Served with House-Made Strawberry Sauce
Original review: “This appealed to me because it was all things I liked, but I’d never had them combined before. A shrimp, water chestnuts, and strawberry sauce surprisingly worked for me!” (2021)
How much I miss it: 8 out of 10, I’ll say. A unique combination of delicious flavors! I will sometimes skip the China booth completely because the food is somewhat commonplace (like the spring rolls above), but this was a neat dish.
Magnolia Terrace / The Smokehouse
This is the booth that is located at the American Adventure pavilion. It’s gone through a few different identities through the years, though it’s currently known as Magnolia Terrace. When the festival first started it was called The Smokehouse, and the emphasis was much more on barbecue. I believe they shifted it once Regal Eagle opened, and now the menu has more cuisine inspired by Southern America (and especially New Orleans).
2015 Beer flight
Original review: “We sampled all the beers here, and they were an interesting mix! About as different as you can get. The Floridian was my favorite, with a light, sweeter flavor to it. The IPA was super hoppy, even for an IPA. The maple bacon stout was probably the best dark beer I’ve had, and I’m not super into dark beers. It had a really nice maple/smoky flavor. And the Billy’s Chiles… well, that was certainly the most unique beer I’ve had. It had a ridiculously spicy aftertaste! I’m not one to waste beer, but I couldn’t take more than a few sips. It feels more like a novelty than something you’d actually drink a whole bottle of.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 6 out of 10. They weren’t all my favorite beers, but I liked the opportunity to try some interesting ones. And 4 beers instead of 3!
Beef brisket burnt ends hash with white cheddar fondue and pickled jalapenos
Original review: “People absolutely rave about this dish and I understand why. I will say I’m just not really a fan of beef brisket, I’m not crazy about the flavor or the texture of it. I loved the potato part with the cheese and jalapenos though.” (2016)
How much I miss it: 3 out of 10, mostly because of my personal tastes.
2016 beer flight
Original review: “I also got another beer flight here. I tried the Funky Buddha Floridian Hefeweizen, which was decent, Traveling grapefruit ale which I really enjoyed, 3 Daughters Rod Bender Red Ale (not a fan), and the Shipyard Maple Bacon stout (which has a really interesting flavor even though I’m not big on stouts).” (2016)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10. The Floridian Hefeweizen is now a favorite of mine, but you can get it a few different places in Disney World.
Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider (with Garlic sausage, chorizo, cheddar fondue, and house-made pickle)
Original review: “I’d heard a lot of good things about this in reviews, but it didn’t do much for me. It just felt likew ay too much going on, and not enough cheese. And the pickle was a sweet pickle which I wasn’t a fan of. You also can’t really pick this up and eat it like a slider so we had to fork and knife it. Again, not horrible, but for the $7 price point I wouldn’t get it again.” (2018)
How much I miss it: 4. I wouldn’t get it again (and you know they would charge more for it now).
Central 28 Brewing Co. Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale
Original review: “This was a pleasant wheat ale with a hint of orange flavor. I’d get it again but wouldn’t go out of my way for it.” (2018)
How much I miss it: I’ll say a 5, since I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.
2019 Beer Flight (orange hibiscus wheat ale, spicy double IPA, maple bacon stout)
Original review: “The orange hibiscus wheat ale is really refreshing on a hot day. The flavors are subtle but they’re there. The IPA is… an IPA. I’m not an IPA fan so I’m not a good person to review this one – it kinda tastes like dirt to me. I got the flight because I wanted the other two beers. But the maple bacon stout is fantastic. I thought about getting a whole one of those but I didn’t feel up to a full stout when it’s so warm and humid. The flavors definitely come through.” (2019)
How much I miss it: I’ll say a 4, although it was Kristin who tried this flight.
Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue and House-made Pickle
Original review: “The slider is tasty and filling but a bit messy and a bit dry. I’d definitely recommend adding some barbecue sauce to it.” (2019)
How much I miss it: Let’s say 5 out of 10. Lots of good flavors here but it wasn’t a slam dunk.
Shredded Beef Brisket with Smoked Potato, Chorizo Fondue and Green Tomato Relish
Original review: “The potato is good but a little hard to eat. I can’t pick it up or it falls apart. The sweet barbecue sauce is really good; the hot sauce is okay but isn’t very hot. A caveat on my spiciness level: I think a “good” amount of heat is when your lips tingle after you eat.” (2019)
How much I miss it: I didn’t get to try this one but it sounds very good! So I’ll give it a 7 because I would have liked the chance to sample it.
Northern Bloom
The menu at this Canadian booth has been pretty consistent the past ten years, seeing very few changes (especially compared to the other booths!). But we’ve got one entry for this list.
Maple popcorn shake (non alcoholic version)
Original review: “This is absolutely my favorite of the smoothies. It actually tastes good without the alcohol. Good maple flavor without being overwhelming.” (2017)
How much I miss it: 6 out of 10. It wasn’t my favorite, but I know a lot of people enjoyed it. I’m surprised they got rid of it!
Pineapple Promenade
Mostly focusing on all things pineapple! You’ll probably always find dole whip and the spicy hot dog here, but there are a few other items that change.
Violet Lemonade Ale Playalinda Brewing Co., Titusville, FL
Original review: “Also over at Pineapple Promenade we now have a craft beer version of the violet lemonade! This violet lemonade ale is not quite the gorgeous color that the frozen lemonade is, but it captures some of the flavors. It’s nice and tart, and good for a refreshing drink on a hot day.” (2021)
How much I miss it: I’d rate it an 8. This was a really tasty beer, and I liked the violet lemonade twist!
Mixed Berry tea cocktail
Original review: “This was so delicious and refreshing. I know that the booths usually give smaller than usual sized drinks, but for the price I was hoping this might be full size, especially considering that it was a mixed drink. It was so refreshing and good though, and probably the best alcoholic beverage I had.” (2015)
How much I miss it: I’d say another 8. A tough one because it was delicious, but expensive for the portion size.
Pineapple Beer Flight (Coco Pina Gose, Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Pineapple Mana Wheat)
Original review: “The gose is really nice – the pineapple flavor is strong but not overwhelming, and a little sour. The wheat is a not as strong with the pineapple flavor- it’s more subtle. And the IPA has just a hint of pineapple. So, there’s something for everyone!” (2018)
How much I miss it: I will rate it a 6. There are one or two pineapple beers still available at this booth, but not 3 for a flight.
Primavera Kitchen
Italy is notorious at Epcot festivals for being overpriced and low-quality. I rarely stop at this booth, but the few things that I have tried are nothing special.
Fior di Latte, Prosciutto e Pane di Casa
Original review: “This has everything I like: mozzarella, prosciutto, olive oil, and bread. And it’s no surprise that they all go well together. My only complaint would be that it felt like a pretty small portion for the price.” (2015)
How much I miss it: A 4. It was tasty, but a very straightforward dish that you can get anywhere.
Bellini (Sparkling Wine and Peach Puree)
Original review: “Italy is somewhat notorious for producing mediocre and extremely overpriced food, so we avoided it here and went with a Bellini. It hurt a little to pay $9 for a bellini after having them at brunch on the cruise for $4.50, but it tasted good with a rich peach flavor that had a good bit of sweetness to it.” (2018)
How much I miss it: I give it a 4. It was fine, but I certainly don’t miss it.
Mezze Lune Primavera
Original review: “Pasta is my favorite food in the world, so of course in Italy I had to try the pasta dish. This was the Mezze Lune Primavera – egg pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach in a creamy sauce with spring vegetables and pecorino cheese. It was all right, but nothing to write home about. It just felt like a very generic pasta dish to me. I think it was about $6 and at least for that the portion size was pretty decent. This was one that I wished I had someone to share with me because it filled me up pretty well.” (2016)
How much I miss it: 3. I don’t need a generic pasta dish at the festival.
Tangierine Cafe / Taste of Marrakesh
Morrocco has an interesting history with the festival. In recent years, what used to be the quick service restaurant has been converted to the festival booth for all of Epcot’s festivals. The menu actually stays pretty similar for each festival too, with just one or two items that are new. These items are all from before these changes were made.
Mint iced tea
Original review: “This is an unsweetened iced tea, and it tasted like you were drinking just pure liquid mint. We added some sugar and it helped a bit. They also filled the cup up completely with ice before pouring in the tea, so we got very little actual beverage. For me that makes it so that I would not recommend it because you definitely do not get your money’s worth.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 2. It really wasn’t worth it.
Pistachio baklava
Original review: “It had a really great flavor to it, though I didn’t taste much Pistachio. Since we shared it we tried to eat it with a knife and fork, and it was really difficult to cut through. Very good though.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 3, as you should be able to get a baklava at the snack stand that is permanently there in Morocco.
Fried Cauliflower (with capers, garlic parsley, and chili-ranch sauce)
Original review: “This is a fairly simple dish but surprisingly good! The breading on the cauliflower was crisp and and tasty, and the sauce was delicious. Kind of like eating chicken bites but you can convince yourself it’s healthy because it’s cauliflower! A good option for vegetarians.” (2018)
How much I miss it: 7 out of 10. It was very good!
Trowel & Trellis
This booth was previously hosted by Impossible, so it used to feature vegan options. The past few years it is no longer sponsored and there are meat options on the menu.
Twinings of London® Energize Matcha Cranberry & Lime Green Tea with Hanger 1 Makrut Lime Vodka Served in a Mason Jar
Original review: “I thought it lived up to its name very well and was in fact quite energizing and refreshing! Plus, you got a fun collectible jar.” (2021)
How much I miss it: I’ll say an 8. It was good, and a fun collectible cup!
Urban Farm Eats
I’m not quite sure what the exact theme was of this booth, other than just generally “garden-inspired” (which, isn’t that the point of all of Flower and Garden?)
Blackberry cider
Original review: “I love cider and blackberries, so I had high hopes for this. While it was nice, it wasn’t all that I was expecting. The blackberry flavor was very subtle, and I was hoping for a more bold flavor.” (2015)
How much I miss it: 4. Good, but nothing special.
Mushroom Gnocchi
Original review: “My friend got this and I took a bite. I wouldn’t eat the whole thing because I don’t do mushrooms, but it had great flavor to it. He loved it and said he would definitely eat a whole dish of it as a dinner if it was available.” (2015)
How much I miss it: For me personally, I’d give it a 3 out of 10. I just don’t love mushrooms, but would love to see this without mushrooms.
Vegetable and White Bean “Naanwich” with arugula pesto and oven-dried tomatoes and quinoa
Original review: “This was super tasty, and a good combination of flavors. It’s something I would love to get a full size of for lunch if they offered it year round. I love that it’s vegetarian too. All of the flavors worked really well together and I especially liked the pesto. And of course anything on naan bread is great.” (2015)
How much I miss it: I’ll give it a 7. It was much better than I expected, and a really nice vegetarian option!
Waatermelon salad
Original review: “I was only planning to order the naanwich here, but at the time I ordered they didn’t have any ready to go so it was a little bit of a wait. The cast member in the booth felt bad about making me wait and offered me a free watermelon salad! I’m so glad she did because it ended up being one of my favorites at the festival. I originally didn’t order it because it had pickled onions and I’m not an onion fan, but they were just two big pieces that were easily removed. The rest of the salad was arugula topped with watermelon, feta, and a balsamic reduction. The sweet of the watermelon was complemented really well by the balsamic and it was the perfect light snack on a hot day in a theme park.” (2016)
How much I miss it: 8, I think it really exemplified what the festival does best. A nice, light salad.
Urban fairy cocktail
Original review: “Absinthe and cucumber and lime. Licorice flavor, cool and refreshing.Would recommend sharing with someone if you’re not sure if you’d like it. I wasn’t sure about this one at first but it really grew on me.” (2017)
How much I miss it: 5. Something different, but maybe not for everyone.
What I miss the most
If the leaders of the Flower and Garden Festival came to me right now and said I could bring back any 5 of these items, which ones would it be? Here would be my top picks:
- Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread (Honey Bee-stro)
- Citrus-Baked Brie (The Citrus Blossom)
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad (Festival Favorites)
- Lavender Honey Mustard-Marinated Chicken Flatbread (Honey Bee-stro)
- Lemon Blueberry Tart (Florida Fresh)
And then if they were very interested in my opinions and let me add some runners-up, I’d choose the Papa Cakes, La Tizana, and having a Cider House booth back (or at least a UK-inspired booth).
Related Posts
What are some past Flower and Garden Festival dishes that you really miss? What would you bring back if you could?
mmmm what a great selection of treasures 🙂 We love the strawberries as well. Thanks for sharing with us and joining Favorite Food Friday!
Thanks for hosting!
OMG Robin McKinley flashbacks!!! Did you read Deerskin? That one effed me up.
Also that spoon bread was awesome, lol at the MSG cocktail, and for some reason I have a distinct memory of watching you get the Trowel & Trellis cup shot. 😂
I did not read it!
I feel like I did get rather picky about that cup shot, but the lighting was good! So much potential I needed to take advantage of!