Thirty years in, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has a number of all-time favourites that return year after year.
Certain dishes come back because guests would notice if they did not: the cheddar soup, the lamb chop, the pierogi, the cheese bread.
To celebrate those dishes, as Disney marks its anniversary of the festival with 30th-anniversary throwbacks, we take a look at some of the ones you must try (if somehow you haven't before).
Why this year is worth planning around
The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs from 27 August to 21 November 2026.
Disney is serving up 43 festival menus and marketplaces, more than 100 new items, and 30 anniversary throwbacks that have either returned unchanged or been reimagined.
Park admission is required, and everything at the marketplaces is bought separately.
Review coverage this year converges on a handful of marketplaces, and if you only have time for a partial lap these are the ones to prioritise.
As well as favourite returning dishes, year-in-year-out favourite booths return too.
France was named best booth of the festival by Disney Food Blog, on the strength of a deep menu rather than one standout item. Spain was the close runner-up, with the Croquetas de Jamón and Basque Cheesecake both drawing strong notes.
Canada is the most reliable single stop for returning classics, carrying two 30th-anniversary items that both outlets endorsed. Germany is close behind, with a throwback pasta gratin, a throwback apple strudel and the new Wiener Schnitzel that reviewers rated among the best things at the entire festival.
Hawai'i, Australia and Milled & Mulled round out the list, each carrying at least one item that reviewers have backed repeatedly across years.
The fifteen crowdpleasers and staples
Cheddar and Bacon Soup
Canada — $6.29 · 30th anniversary item
First introduced in 2000, over the next twenty-six year has become one of the festival's genuine institutions. Cheddar and bacon soup served with a pretzel roll for dipping.
And, in 2026, its still highly rated by parkgoers thanks to its smoky bacon, creamy cheese, and the pretzel roll.
Schinkennudeln
Germany — $5.29 · 30th anniversary item
A pasta gratin with ham, onions and cheese. It was first introduced in 2010.
Guests rate it highly, and it counts toward the "cheese crawl".
And if that's not enough going for it, the Schinkennudeln is one of the cheapest savoury items on the festival map.
Filet Mignon
Canada — $10.49 · 30th anniversary item
This festival classic is as tasty as it is simple. First introduced in 2011, it's filet mignon with mushrooms and mashed potatoes.
It might be simple, but it is also a delicious piece of meat and one of the most expensive single food items at the festival.
Filet is Canada's second entry on the list, alongside the cheddar soup, and these are among the good reasons that Canada is always a popular spot every year.
Slow-roasted Pork Slider
Hawai'i — $5.99 · 30th anniversary item
Introduced in 2012. This is one is very much as advertised. Slow-roasted pork with a sweet-and-sour DOLE pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise on a Hawaiian roll.
At $5.99, it is one of the better value savoury items on the festival map.
Roasted Lamb Chop
Australia — $8.79 · 30th anniversary item
First introduced in 2006, the roasted lamb chop with mint pesto, and crushed salt and vinegar crumbs, can definitely be listed as a favourite.
The crisps - or chips - sound like a gimmick, but take a bite and you'll see they're more than that. They give the salt and acid that stop the dish from feeling heavy, and the mint pesto does the rest.
Pumpkin-Mascarpone Ravioli
Forest & Field — $5.49 · Emile's Fromage Montage
On paper, maybe one of the festival's fanciest items. It's ravioli with brown butter vinaigrette, pecorino, pomegranate seeds and hazelnut praline.
It's also another one for the cheese crawl.
Freshly Baked Carrot Cake
Milled & Mulled — $4.99 · 30th anniversary item
First introduced in 2014 at the Hops and Barley booth, and now at Milled and Mulled, it's a carrot cake with walnuts and cream cheese icing.
It is the cheapest item in this guide and among the best-rated desserts at the festival.
Gulf Coast-style Seafood Roll
Hops & Barley, The American Adventure — $8.99 · 30th anniversary item
A warm-water lobster and rock shrimp in lobster bisque with sherry crème fraîche, on a toasted brioche bun.
First introduced in 2006, this one is the festival's most substantial seafood item, and one of the menu features that eats like a real small meal rather than a tasty bitesized offering.
Apple Strudel
Germany — $4.99 · 30th anniversary item
One of the true originals, introduced in 1996, it's an apple strudel with vanilla sauce, and it has barely changed in three decades.
This is the second highlight from Germany, along with the Schinkennudeln (and spoiler-alert: there may be a third downscroll from here).
Potato Pierogi
Festival Favorites, CommuniCore area — $5.99 · 30th anniversary item
This one makes a fashionably delayed entrance, on the menu from 9 September.
The Potato pierogi with kielbasa, caramelised onions and sour cream is a dish that was first introduced at the Poland marketplace in 1996.
Served from the Festival Favorites booth specifically, its one of the returning items whose original booths no longer feature on the festival map.
Chicken Souvlaki Gyro
Greece — $6.99 · 30th anniversary item
Almost, but not quite, one of the oldest menu items, this one was first introduced in 1997.
The Greek classic is a chicken souvlaki with shaved lettuce, tomato-cucumber relish and tzatziki on warm pita.
Dumplings Trio
China — $7.35 · 30th anniversary item
Pan-fried chicken, pork and vegetable dumplings with a house-made sweet-and-spicy sauce.
First introduced in 1996, and an ideal sharer, it is easy to see why these three dumplings, with three fillings, are on the favourites list for many guests who love the food and wine festival.
Chicken Tikka Masala
India — $6.49 · 30th anniversary item
This fantastic returning favourite waits until 2 October, when the India booth opens, to make its first appearance for 2026.
First introduced in 2004, it is a chicken tikka masala with fennel-spiced yoghurt and naan.
Guests won't be disappointed if they pair these with India's Potato-Pea Samosas, priced at $5.49.
Pão de Queijo
Brazil — $5.19 · 30th anniversary item · Emile's Fromage Montage
For less-travelled guests, this South American delight is Brazilian cheese bread that's described as warm and fluffy
It was introduced in 1999, and like a number of others on this list, it counts toward the cheese crawl.
And at $5.19, it's one of the cheapest things on the festival menu.
Belgian Waffle
Belgium — $5.49 · 30th anniversary item
Who doesn't love a Belgian waffle?
It's simple, sweet and delicious. A waffle with cookie butter and whipped cream, topped with speculoos pieces.
Introduced in 2010.
Do we need to say more?
One new item that belongs on this list
Wiener Schnitzel
Germany — $7.29
Not a returning item, but a highly rated 2026 debut and, judging by guest reviews, a potential festival staple of the future.
It is a breaded veal cutlet with HEINZ Brauhaus mustard, warm Yukon Gold potato salad, bacon and a watercress-radish salad. Thin and crisp, with the mustard and salad cutting the richness.
Before you go
Menus change, and booths sell out of individual items, so check the official Foodie Guide or the My Disney Experience app on the morning of your visit.
