Another Excellent Epcot Meal!
We’re back in Epcot’s World Showcase for our second meal at an in-park table service restaurant since Walt Disney World’s reopening. Following a surprisingly good meal at Tony’s Town Square in Magic Kingdom, a restaurant we don’t normally love (mild understatement), we opted to hit another restaurant that has underwhelmed us in the past.
While preparing for a trip this spring that ended up being cancelled due to all of this, I put together several posts about Walt Disney World to publish while we were gone. Several of those might never be posted (e.g. “Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Still Worth It?”), but others, like our Epcot Table Service Restaurant Rankings, will be when the time is right.
On that list of the best and worst Epcot dining options, Spice Road Table ranked #13. (Still better than Le Cellier!) It probably goes without saying, but Spice Road Table was closer to “worst” than it was “best.” However, we’ve recently heard some praise from friends and Spice Road Table has outdoor seating, so we decided to give it a shot…
As we’ve mentioned in numerous posts, we are only dining outdoors for the foreseeable future while visiting Walt Disney World. Sorry if you’ve already read our rationale this, but we’re going to continually reiterate the point because we think this is a huge key to risk mitigation.
Epidemiologists point to growing evidence that transmission via fomites (touching objects, then touching eyes, nose, mouth) is minor, unlikely, and exaggerated. By contrast, there’s growing belief that aerosol transmission is much more likely, especially with prolonged personal contact or via enclosed indoor settings where aerosols remain airborne and accumulate over time.
If those studies and research are a bit dense, check out “We Need To Talk About Ventilation,” which breaks things down in lay terms. Of particular import is the super-spreader-event triad’s three V’s: venue, ventilation, and vocalization. As that also points out, in one database of over 1,200 super-spreader events, just one incident is classified as outdoor transmission.
Suffice to say, we’d strongly recommend restaurants with open air seating if you want to mitigate some risk while visiting the parks. See our Best Outdoor Dining Options at Walt Disney World for recommendations on that front.
Spice Road Table is a relatively recent addition to Epcot, having been added around five years ago. Located on the World Showcase Lagoon side of the Morocco pavilion, the restaurant features a design that could practically be described as “minimalist” as compared to the ornate and lavish Morocco pavilion on the other side of the promenade.
Nevertheless, the restaurant and its open-air setting is lovely. Even though its simple by comparison to its Morocco counterparts, Spice Road Table has a number of nice details and thematic touches. These include light fixtures, tables, and tile-work, all of which give it sufficient texture and personality.
Still, it’s the outdoor atmosphere, views across World Showcase Lagoon, and pleasant breezes off the water that define the setting. Even on a 95º day with triple-digit ‘feels like’ temperatures, our waterfront table at Spice Road Table was lovely. (The only downside is that our paper menus kept trying to blow away!)
Moving to the menu, Spice Road Table has changed pretty dramatically since opening. Originally, this was a Mediterranean small plates or tapas restaurant. That’s still a section on the menu, but it’s basically just a synonym for appetizers at this point. The rest of the menu has been converted to more substantial entrees.
We were joined for dinner at Spice Road Table by our friends Jenny and Adam, the brains behind the smash sensation, Burke Head Toys. For an appetizer, we started with the Fried Calamari with spicy Harissa and Caper-Aïoli Sauces.
This was one of my two favorite items on the previous menu of Spice Road Table, and it holds up. In fairness, there’s only “good” and “great” calamari in my book, but this definitely skews towards the latter. Hearty portions of flavorful seafood plus a comparatively light amount of batter is a winning combination. Highly recommended.
Next, we’ll dispense with their entrees pretty quickly. Jenny ordered the Mix Grill Skewers: Marinated Beef and Chicken with French Green Beans, Toasted Almonds, and Rosemary Potatoes.
She thought these were good but not great, and also a fairly straightforward option. I would add that for over $30, the value proposition with these leaves something to be desired. There are better options for the carnivorous consumers.
Adam ordered the Chili-rubbed Salmon: Quinoa Fresh Chick Peas, Orange, Raisin, Pomegranate syrup.
He seemed more keen on this dish, which offers commensurate value for money and is more ambitious while remaining fairly approachable.
Sarah ordered the Mediterranean Vegetable Platter: Harissa-Hummus Fries, Rice-stuffed Grape Leaves, Couscous Salad, and Babaganoush served with Pita.
This is probably the most adventurous item on the menu. We (sort of) shared this along with my entree, and both really enjoyed it.
The Harissa-Hummus Fries here are different from those elsewhere on the menu (and those served at Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival); this version is definitely better, with a complex spiciness (and thus a bit of a kick). Sarah loved the Babaganoush, finding it creamy and offering the perfect smoky flavor. To my surprise, I really enjoyed the Rice-stuffed Grape Leaves; I don’t know what it was about these, but they were really good.
In looking at the photos, the Mediterranean Vegetable Platter might not look that impressive or filling, but it earns high marks. It’s an especially good option for sharing.
Saving the best for last, I ordered the Coriander-crusted Rack of Lamb with Saffron Basmati Rice, Roasted Tomatoes, and Zucchini. At least in theory, this is also a good option for splitting.
In practice, that would be a colossal mistake because this is fantastic. I’ve had some really good lamb in the last year at Walt Disney World, with Jiko, Three Bridges, Be Our Guest, and other restaurants serving up solid dishes. None–not even Jiko’s iconic Lamb Shank–can touch this.
I prefer lamb dishes that lean into its natural and unique gaminess rather than trying to minimize or conceal it, and this did that perfectly. The spice-crusting complemented the meat, the lamb was tender with just the right amount of fat for flavor, and this was perfectly-prepared. This was absolutely excellent–possibly a top 5 entree in all of Epcot.
One thing I’d like to try at some point is the Three Lamb Sliders, about which a couple of friends have raved. I had the original lamb slider (that’s it above) when the restaurant first debuted, and it was one of the few bright spots on the menu then. However, I’ll be hard pressed to order anything aside from the Rack of Lamb.
Ultimately, I don’t want to heap too much praise on Spice Road Table because I do think the prices are a tad high for the portion sizes (this would be the perfect candidate for a prix fixe ‘value menu’ for lunch) and our friends didn’t have as glowing of an experience as we did. Then I think back to that glorious Rack of Lamb…and am tempted to proclaim Spice Road Table one of the top 3 restaurants at Epcot on the basis of that dish alone.
In reality, Spice Road Table is not an elite Epcot restaurant. While what we ordered was excellent, this was still not on par with our superlative experiences at Takumi-Tei shortly before the parks closed, or Monsieur Paul last year…but both of those are closed right now. With that in mind, Spice Road Table might just be Epcot’s #1 restaurant of what’s currently operational. I’d give Via Napoli the overall edge, but it really depends upon whether you want pizza (never a bad choice) or rack of lamb.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you dined at Spice Road Table in the last year or two? What did you think of the meal? Anything you ordered that you particularly liked or disliked? Where do you think Spice Road Table ranks among the restaurants that are currently open at Epcot? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Based on this review and the photos, I booked a dinner reservation for 9/8/20 at 6:55 (with the park closing at 7). This was the only way we’d get to see Epcot at night during our weeklong Disney stay, which started on this day–the first day where closing hours were cut from 9 PM to 7. My group of four all ordered different meals and everyone loved what they ordered. It may have been the best meal we had all week. Thanks for steering us to a delicious lakeside meal with an amazing view.
Enjoyed your food reviews. Thanks
Totally agree Tom! I go to Spice arable almost every trip and always get the lamb. It is terrific!
Spice Road Table is probably my least favorite restaurant (of all the Disney restaurants). We ate there in Feb. I had the little lamb burgers and my daughter had the veggie plate. I think this is a one and done for me. By the end, we were both nauseous and we are pretty adventurous eaters. I will take Le Cellier any day!
I’m glad you mention why the outdoor dining policy every time. The safer we all become, the sooner it becomes safe.
What a timely review! We’re trying to figure out where to dine for our upcoming October trip and our reservation window opens up next week. Spice Road Table has been on our list for a long time now. We got completely rained out of Epcot in Spring 2019 and has reservations that Disney cancelled on us for April and October 2020. Hopefully this time will be the charm.
In your opinion, will the Mediterranean Vegetable Platter (your wife’s dish) work as a share appetizer for two?
We’re normally big fans of Food & Wine, but the booths seem less compelling this year. (And the inability to park hop really messes up our planning.)
“In your opinion, will the Mediterranean Vegetable Platter (your wife’s dish) work as a share appetizer for two?”
Yes. It might actually be a bit large for that, but it’ll certainly suffice.
We loved our meal here! I had that veggie platter too and love it. I dream about being able to have those harissa fries again someday. Love the outdoor dining rule you have implemented. It’s a sound decision. We were at Spice Road Table in December and if memory serves there were heat lamps? Course, as Canadians we don’t need the heat lamps…..lol.
Spice Road has been one of our favorites, maybe because the waitstaff enthusiastically seated us near the window and encouraged us to linger to watch the Epcot Nighttime Spectacular. My son talks about the lamb sliders all year ’round. Great comments from everyone.
My husband and I eat here at least once every trip. We usually have a late lunch, sit waterside, order a bunch of tapas and a bottle of wine and just relax and take in the scenery. It’s one of our favorite spots in Epcot, glad to hear you enjoyed it.
We ate there last August. We went there to get out of the heat. Or maybe it was a storm. Or both. But have to say it was very good and also pricey. We also enjoyed eating at Restaurant Marrakesh and look forward to going back.
Tom, thank you. This does sound yummy. I am almost definitely adding this to my list when we’re there next. I love lamb!
But I am either going to have to up my packed lunch game or quit reading your restaurant reviews on my lunch hour. Tuna salad in a pita sounded very good this morning while I was packing it, but it’s lacking something now.
rosemary and garlicky Lollipop lamb chops are one of my favorite things to eat and I remember many joyous occasions cave manning my way through a bunch of them. However at the store they are $24 a pound which bothers me. But if salmon can be obtained at half that price then those chops are easier to justify in the restaurant. It’s odd to reach an age when I really have no money worries and yet that same longevity which allowed wealth to accrue also is accompanied by memories of prices that are a fraction of what today passes for normal. I actually used to live a month on what our current combined cable and cell phone bills tally to!
I know exactly what you mean. After having limited money for about a decade (school plus a couple of years after), I still waste time in the grocery store comparing per unit prices. I still place my exact same orders at fast food restaurants based on value for money. Still immediately go to the clearance section at clothing stores.
I no longer need to do any of these things, but the frugality is engrained behavior at this point–it’s pretty much automatic. When it comes to Walt Disney World prices, I either don’t look until ordering or do some mental gymnastics to justify it (“for the sake of research/a post!” comes up a lot).
well, Tom, that you have earned your ‘old man’ credentials relatively early in life is one of the many things we love about you!!! Next assignment (should you decide to accept it) : drive fifty miles to save 20 cents per can of tuna,..
Oh and make sure to leave the left turn signal blinking for the entire drive!
I keep meaning to try Spice Road, but when it comes down to it, reviews have been “meh,” and the menu looks pricey. I am a fan of lamb, though, so this just moved way up my priority list!
We did the dining event at Spice Road Table last year during the Food & Wine Festival. I’m not a very adventurous diner and my husband worked in the Middle East and lived in Greece before we met many years ago. He loved the food. I found it okay, but there were some items I didn’t care for so he got a double portion. He would love the rack of lamb and I would probably go for the skewers of beef and chicken. We would go there again.
Thanks for the feedback! We’ve always wanted to do one of the in-restaurant events at Food & Wine, and have heard generally good things. Maybe next year, I guess…
We’ve only eaten at Spice Road Table once, back when it was newer and still a tapas menu. I liked the smaller portions and prices! $30 for 2 small skewers with some potatoes and green beans is pretty crazy.
I feel like the skewer price is the most outlandish when viewing the menu as a whole. Everything is probably a bit overpriced–even by Walt Disney World standards–but that really sticks out.
Hopefully a lunch deal comes sooner rather than later. Restaurant Marrakesh has done that even when times were good!