The 2025 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival offers a delightful culinary journey with its diverse outdoor kitchens. This year's event boasts an impressive array of dishes, ranging from flavorful meats to innovative plant-based options. While some booths have maintained their traditional offerings, others have introduced exciting new creations that elevate the festival dining experience.
Among the standout features are five exceptional outdoor kitchens that should not be missed. These booths serve up remarkable dishes that capture both local and international flavors, making them essential stops for any food enthusiast. Conversely, there are certain locations where skipping might be advisable due to lackluster or overpriced selections. Understanding personal taste preferences is key, as opinions on what constitutes 'best' can vary widely among visitors.
This section highlights the top outdoor kitchens at the festival, emphasizing their unique contributions to the overall gastronomic adventure.
Five specific outdoor kitchens stand out above the rest. Each of these venues provides multiple menu items worthy of attention, ensuring a memorable dining experience. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken from La Isla Fresca, featuring rich spices balanced by sweet accompaniments, exemplifies this excellence. Similarly, Fleur de Lys in France offers a goat cheese-filled croissant that combines tangy and earthy notes beautifully. Northern Bloom’s perfectly cooked scallops provide another highlight, paired with a zesty vinaigrette for added depth.
Other notable mentions include Magnolia Terrace near American Adventure, offering regional specialties like spicy gumbo and grilled oysters. Beach Grub brings coastal vibes with its Seafood Bake and S'mores Bar, delivering satisfying flavors through inventive preparations. BRUNCHCOT serves up hearty breakfast favorites such as shrimp and grits alongside lighter choices like avocado toast. Lastly, Florida Fresh showcases local ingredients in dishes like conch fritters and a classic Cubanito sandwich. Together, these booths form a must-visit list for anyone seeking to savor the best of EPCOT's springtime offerings.
Here we delve into individual dishes that truly shine across different outdoor kitchens, providing detailed insights into why they deserve recognition.
Starting with La Isla Fresca's Jamaican Jerk Chicken, diners enjoy a drumstick marinated in bold seasonings served atop pigeon pea rice and roasted sweet plantains. Its moderate spiciness contrasts delightfully against sweeter elements, creating balance. Moving onto Fleur de Lys, their Croissant au Fromage de Chèvre impresses with layers of creamy goat cheese encased within flaky pastry dough enhanced further by aromatic herbs.
Northern Bloom's Seared Scallops deliver tender seafood complemented by smoky bacon vinaigrette, adding complexity without overwhelming delicate flavors. Meanwhile, Swirled Showcase presents Liquid Nitro Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake, which though visually less appealing than previous versions remains decadently rich thanks to honey-infused mascarpone cream mixed cleverly with blueberry compote. Finally, Connections Eatery's Lemon-Lavender Baumkuchen stands tall as perhaps the finest cake option available during the festival - light yet flavorful enough to satisfy dessert cravings thoroughly.