Food Guide to 2020 Epcot Festival of Holidays

Our Food Guide to the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays features full food both menus, and reviews the snacks and desserts you must try, plus the ones you should probably skip. (Updated November 5, 2020.)

This year, the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays at Walt Disney World runs from November 27 until December 30, 2020. The Holiday Kitchens are all located throughout the World Showcase pavilions and the World ShowPlace event center. These food booths open each day from park opening until park closing.

In part, Festival of the Holidays is a continuation of Food & Wine, and is Walt Disney World’s Christmas “foodie event.” Unlike Food & Wine, the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is not primarily about the cuisine. Additionally, it features decorations, live holiday music at various EPCOT stages, family-friendly activities, and more. You can read about the modified slate in our 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Entertainment, which covers what’s been announced thus far.

Even this year you could spend an entire day in Epcot just enjoying the holiday entertainment without ever purchasing a snack (and we will do exactly that later in the season…well, maybe just one Yule Log). If you’re interested in knowing what not to miss in terms of the Christmas and holiday free offerings, read our EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Tips & Strategy post.

One hybrid food-and-entertainment offering during the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is the Gingerbread Capital City! This distinctly patriotic culinary creation will be on display in the World ShowPlace special events pavilion (between Canada and the United Kingdom), with gingerbread replicas created by EPCOT’s pastry chefs. Highlights include some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks including the United States Capitol Building, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and a 5-foot tall Washington Monument.

Last year, we purchased every dish from the Holiday Kitchens, in order to bring you comprehensive coverage. Shortly after the event begins this year (on November 27, 2020) we’ll fully update the reviews once again to account for menu additions, removals, and recipe tweaks. So stay tuned for that!

In the meantime, we’ll start with newly-released menus for the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays:

Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)

Foods:

• Turkey Poutine French Fries with Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Relish, and Crispy Onions

Beverages:

• T.G. Lee Eggnog (non-alcoholic)
• T.G. Lee Eggnog with Spiced Rum

Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)

Beverages:

• Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Cinnamon Cranberry Orange Wheat Ale, Tampa, FL (New)
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Selections

Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen (Showcase Plaza)

Foods:

• Kālua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes and Mango Salad (New)
• Lomi Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes, Onions, Salmon Roe, Yuzu Mayonnaise, and Yucca Chips (New)
• Haupia: Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Coconut (New)

Beverages:

• Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale, Kailua-Kona, HI
• Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Melon Breeze with Spiced Rum (New)

Holiday Sweets & Treats (Promenade Refreshments):

Foods:

• Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Peppermint Candy (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
• Minnie Peppermint Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages:

• Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)
• Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings^® Peppermint Cheer Tea (non-alcoholic)
• Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
• M.I.A. Beer Company Coquito Beer, Doral, FL (New)
• Hot Cocoa with Assorted Alcoholic Cordials (Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico Liqueur or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky)
• Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings^® Peppermint Cheer Tea and Whipped Cream Vodka

Refreshment Outpost:

Foods:

• Warm Brown Sugar-stuffed Pretzel with Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce

Beverages:

• Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola^® or Minute Maid^® Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike The Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
• 3 Daughters Brewing Spicy Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany)

Foods:

• Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce, Spätzle, and Braised Red Cabbage
• Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes
• Linzer Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages:

• Possmann Pure Hard Apple Cider, Frankfurt, Germany
• Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock, Bavaria, Germany (New)
• Regional Riesling
• Glühwein: House-made Hot Spiced Wine

American Holiday Table

Foods:

• Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Cranberry Sauce
• Holiday Pot Pie with Jackfruit, Mushrooms, Carrots, Peas, Onions, and Puff Pastry (Plant-based item) (New)
• Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake with Cranberry Whipped Cream and Candied Pumpkin Seeds (New)
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages:

• Bell’s Bright White Ale, Comstock, MI
• Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
• Playalinda Brewing Co. Peppermint Chocolate Stout, Titusville, FL
• Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
• Martin Bay Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco & France)

Foods:

• Pastrami on Rye with House-made Pickles and Deli Mustard
• Smoked Salmon Potato Latke
• Potato Latkes (Plant-based item)
• Sufganiyot: Mini Jelly-filled Donuts
• Black and White Cookie (Plant-based item) (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages:

• Shmaltz Brewing Company Hanukkah Beer: Golden Jelly Doughnut Pastry Ale, Clifton Park, NY
• Blue Cosmo Cocktail

Festival Favorites (World Showplace)

Foods:

• Blackened Bass, White Cheddar Grits, and Okra with Tomato and Onion Stew, Seasonal Southern Delights
• Duck Confit and Dumplings with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Fig Reduction, Alpine Haus
• Gingerbread Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages:

• Coquito: Tropical Eggnog (non-alcoholic)
• Frozen S’mores (non-alcoholic)
• Coquito: Tropical Eggnog with Bacardi Gold Dark Rum
• Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka

Holiday Hearth (World Showplace)

Foods:

• Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (New)
• Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie (New)
• Snowball Cookies (New)
• Peppermint Bark
• Stollen: Holiday Fruit Cake
• Mouse Crunch (New)

Beverages:

• Gingerbread Milkshake (non-alcoholic) (New)
• Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)
• Gingerbread Milkshake with Whipped Cream Vodka (New)
• Cocoa Candy Cane: Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps

Prost! (World Showplace)

Foods:

• Charcuterie and Cheese Plate

Beverages:

• M.I.A. Beer Company White Christmas IPA, Doral, FL
• 3 Daughters Brewing 70 Degree Winter Weizen, St. Petersburg, FL
• Playlalinda Brewing Co. Gingerblonde House Ale, Titusville, FL (New)
• Ciderboys Mad Bark Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI (New)
• 3 Daughters Brewing Blueberry Peppercorn Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL (New)
• Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards 1911 Honey Crisp Hard Cider, Lafayette, NY (New)

Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada)

Foods:

• Seared Scallops with Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney, and Hazelnut Croquant (New)
• Beef Bourguignon with Crushed Potatoes (New)
• Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse and Cranberry rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake
• Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages:

• Frozen Coffee (non-alcoholic)
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Maple Cinnamon Coffee Beer, Tampa, FL (New)
• Regional Icewine
• Regional Red Wine
• Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky

Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France)

Foods:

• Rillette de Saumon: Salmon Spread with House-made Bread
• Dinde Forestière, Pommes Dauphines: Turkey with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Onions in a Mustard Cream Sauce with Puffed Potatoes (New)
• Bûche de Noël au Caramel: Christmas Log with Chocolate Cake and Dark Chocolate Caramel Ganache

Beverages:

• Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Fruits Rouges Draft
• Rosé Pétillant Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise: Rosé Sparkling Wine, Pink Flamingo
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France
• Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Grey Goose Vanilla, Vodka, and Chocolate Milk

Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco)

Foods:

• Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab and Grapes with Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, and Harissa-Cilantro Dressing
• Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts, and Pinot Noir Glaze
• Sfenj: Warm Beignets with Cream, Cinnamon-Sugar, and Chocolate Sauce

Beverages:

• Mediterranean Beer
• Kasbah Prestige Red Wine
• The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparking Wine, Orange Liqueur, and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy)

Foods:

• Biancaneve Italian Flatbread with Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan
• Sacchetti alla Boscaiola: Four-cheese Mini Beggar’s Purses filled with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, and Cremini Mushrooms with a Creamy Sauce (New)
• Cannoli Siciliani: Crisp Pastry filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange

Beverages:

• Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
• Pinot Grigio
• Chianti
• Prosecco
• Rosa Regale
• Moscato
• Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
• Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
• Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China)

Foods:

• Red-stewed Beef Rice Bowl (New)
• Curry Chicken Rice Bowl (New)
• House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons

Beverages:

• “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic)
• Tsigntao Lager
• Jasmine Draft Beer
• Dragonfly: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice
• Marco Boba: Amaretto, Iced Coffee, Milk, and Boba
• The Lucky Mo: Peach Schnapps, Peach Syrup, Orange Juice, and Piña Colada Mix

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan)

Foods:

• New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Shrimp Tempura, Fish Cake, and Chopped Green Onion
• Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura, and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice
• Ichigo Mont Blanc Tart: Strawberry and Bavarian Cream-filled Tart sprinkled with Konpeito (New)

Beverages:

• Ichigo Milk Boba: Cranberry and Yuzu Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)
• Sapporo Draft Beer
• Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, Sugar, and Lemon

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico)

Foods:

• Giant Tostada de Chorizo: Chorizo served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Purée, Salsa Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Pickled Onion (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New)
• Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa topped with Mole Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
• Dulce de Leche Churros: Dulce de Leche filled Churros sprinkled with Cinnamon-Sugar (New)

Beverages:

• Tulum Mexican Craft Beer with a Blackcurrant and Ginger Liqueur Floater
• Pumpkin Spice Margarita: Tomba Blanco Tequila, Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Nixta Corn Liqueur, Pumpkin Spice Purée, and Lime-Agave Juice with Cinnamon-Sugar Rim (New)
• Horchata Margarita: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, Horchata Rum, Agua de Horchata, and a hint of Cinnamon-infused Mezcal Liqueur

As noted, we tried every food item at last year’s Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. We also actually waited in line and purchased “real” versions of all these items, meaning that what you’ll find in our reviews is not simply “ideal” stock photos provided from Walt Disney World of what this food can look like when it’s perfectly-plated with a generous portion.

Anyone who has ever attended an Epcot festival can attest to the fact that there’s a huge difference between what the official stock photos look like and what is served to actual guests. It’s probably also safe to assume there’s a difference in taste between the free food provided at media events, and what we paid to buy.

Many of the items at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays are returning from last year (essentially, everything that doesn’t have “new” next to it above). For reviews of those items, consult our Holiday Kitchen booth reviews from last year. For the new items, check back in late November 2020 for an update to this food guide.

We’ll start with our booth rankings (ordered from best to worst), and then offer some commentary (note: all of this is based upon last year’s event):

1. Yukon (Canada) Holiday Kitchen – We’d rather eat here than Le Cellier…
2. American Holiday Table Kitchen – Ham v. Turkey for the holidays? Why not have both!
3. Sapphire (Morocco) Holiday Kitchen – The most underrated culinary country in World Showcase delivers again…
4. Le Marché De Noël (France) Holiday Kitchen – Does France ever disappoint?!
5. Shanghai (China) Holiday Kitchen – A twist on the holidays, and one dish that brings the heat!
6. Bavaria (Germany) Holiday Kitchen – One of the best and most filling options of the event is here…
7. Tuscany (Italy) Holiday Kitchen – A surprisingly good option for those on the Disney Dining Plan…
8. Feast of the Three Kings Holiday Kitchen – Hey, at least it’s better than Mexico…
9. L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen – Cookies that evoke memories of Seinfeld, but otherwise underwhelm…
10. Holiday Sweets & Treats Kitchen – Skip the Cookie Stroll, take the Peppermint Sundae…
11. Las Posadas (Mexico) Holiday Kitchen – It’s no Taco Bell, that’s for sure…
12. Shi Wasu (Japan) Holiday Kitchen – Maybe Japan should get KFC & 7-11 to sponsor for real holiday classics…

Each one of those links above opens a new window with our full review of each Holiday Kitchen. We would strongly encourage you to read those rather than just blindly follow these rankings, as there are bad items at the good kitchens and good items at a few of the bad kitchens.

The only exception to this is Yukon. Just order everything on the menu there–it’s all fantastic.

It probably goes without saying for Epcot regulars, but in case you’re new to the Epcot ‘Festival Scene’, almost everything at the Holiday Kitchens is overpriced. This is not just by real world standards, but by “normal” Walt Disney World standards. You’re unquestionably paying a premium for the festival experience, which is a fun one, to be sure.

It’s fun to graze from the booths, but worth noting that these portions are generally small and pricey. There are a few exceptions to this “rule,” and it’s very important (we think) to buy these items first as “stomach filler” before grazing around World Showcase. We’ve identified these as ‘good value’ options in each of our reviews.

Starting with the good value items as stomach filler is great strategy. This will make you far less likely to ‘casually’ drop $100/person as you slowly taste your way through World Showcase. You might laugh at the idea of spending over $100 in a day on snacks, but it is far easier than you might think if you’re not paying attention.

We obviously spent way more than that to taste and review all this stuff (don’t bring it up–I’d prefer not to think about it), but on other days when we’ve gone ‘just for fun’ we’ve been surprised by just how much we spent. (Learn from our mistakes!)

In terms of other strategy, here are some quick hits…

• Order Turkey: There are 3 turkey dishes at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, and they’re all very good.
• Yule Log Overload: This festival features approximately 37 different varieties of Yule Log (slight exaggeration). The best options are at Yukon, Le Marche De Noel, and the Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles bakery in France.
• Egg-ceptional Desserts: I liked or loved every single egg nog dessert (not drink) option we tried. Others in our group were far less enthusiastic about most of these choices, but they were admittedly not egg nog fans.
• Skip the Holiday Cookie Stroll: Unless you’re doing it solely for fun, pass on these cookies. Yes, they’re all cheap and you get a “free” one at the end, but nothing here is better or more interesting than what you could get at Publix.
• Comfort Foods Are Best: We love the ambitious ‘foodie’ dishes at Epcot’s festivals, but by and large, this event does comfort foods and variations thereof best. There are certainly exceptions, but generally the more daring items often fall flat or are bland.

That’s a wrap on our food coverage from the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. We’ll return throughout the event for updates here and there, but this post coupled with our individual booth reviews cover pretty much everything you need to know in terms of what to buy and what to avoid.

We’d again stress that you don’t need to purchase anything to have a great time at Epcot this Christmas season. If you choose to do eat your way around World Showcase (or just have a few desserts!), hopefully our resources help you make wise decisions so you don’t waste any money or Disney Dining Plan snack credits!

For comprehensive tips for planning your Christmas-time trip to Walt Disney World, check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World. For Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and related articles.

YOUR THOUGHTS…

Do you have any favorite snacks from Epcot International Festival of the Holidays? Do you plan on completing the “Yule Log Challenge” by eating every single Yule Log in the same day? What are you looking forward to trying at the Holiday Kitchen food booths? Any questions? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments!