Exploring Gluten-Free Options at Epcot's 2024 Food & Wine Festival

Dish: Braised Beef Poutine (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $10
Description: A hearty serving of French fries topped with tender braised beef, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese sauce, cheese curds, and gherkin relish.

My Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised by how exceptional this dish was—definitely one of the highlights of the festival! Although there was a short wait for our order, it was worth it for the freshness. The fries were crispy, and the generous toppings included flavorful beef and rich cheese sauce. The only minor downside was that the cheese curds had a slightly chewy texture, reminiscent of uncooked halloumi cheese. Despite this, the overall taste was outstanding.

Our Rating: 8/10. This item is on the pricier side for festival food, but the portion size and delicious flavors justify the cost. I would absolutely order this again and recommend it to others.

Drink: Boyd & Blair Pumpkin Spice Mule (New) – $12
My Thoughts: This was the largest drink we tried, and the flavor was quite potent. It reminded me of the strong cinnamon scent of fall-themed cinnamon brooms, with intense cinnamon and nutmeg notes and a subtle hint of alcohol. My partner wasn't a fan, but I grew to like it more with each sip.

Our Rating: 4/10. The portion size was good for the price, but the flavor was overwhelming initially. It was enjoyable, but it wouldn’t be my top choice for a repeat.

Dish: Grilled Chermoula Chicken Kebabs with Carrot-Chickpea Salad and Garlic Aïoli (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $6.25
My Thoughts: This dish was a delightful surprise! The chicken kebabs were tender and flavorful, perfectly complemented by the garlic aïoli. The seasoning was savory without being overpowering. The carrot-chickpea salad, with its notes of nutmeg and subtle sweetness, was a standout. It paired wonderfully with the chicken, but the salad was so delicious that I could have enjoyed it on its own.

Our Rating: 7.5/10. Absolutely wonderful and definitely worth ordering again.

Drink: Sparkling Fig Cocktail – $11.50
Description: A refreshing blend of Kleiner Feigling Fig Liqueur, sparkling wine, and cranberry juice.

My Thoughts: This drink didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Served in a slender flute and garnished with loose rosemary leaves, the cocktail had a light fig flavor but also a slight chemical aftertaste. The stray rosemary leaves made it tricky to drink without occasionally getting a stem in your mouth.

Our Rating: 2.5/10. While it was drinkable, it was not enjoyable. I wouldn’t order it again.

Dish: Paella Negra (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.00
Description: Squid ink rice with shrimp, bay scallops, and octopus, served with garlic aïoli.

My Thoughts: I chose this dish because it was the most unusual gluten-free offering. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. The paella had been under a heat lamp for some time, which resulted in a dried-out texture and an overwhelming smell. Despite this, I tasted the rice and one of the scallops. The rice had a pleasantly savory flavor and could have been quite good if it were fresh. However, the scallop was dry, hard, and spongy. Due to its lack of freshness, I didn’t try the shrimp or octopus and ended up discarding most of the dish.

Our Rating: 1/10. The dish had potential, but due to its lack of freshness, I cannot recommend it.

Drink: Red Sangria – $7.50
My Thoughts: As a fan of sangria, I found this one to be fairly average. It had the classic deep red wine flavor with a subtle hint of fruit, but nothing stood out. It was a decent drink to enjoy by the water on a hot Florida day.

Our Rating: 4/10. An average sangria that was decent enough but didn't impress.

Dish: Flauta de Barbacoa (New) – $8.00
Description: Fried tortillas filled with barbacoa beef, topped with salsa verde, crema Mexicana, and queso fresco.

My Thoughts: According to the QR code allergy menu in the festival passport, specific items at the Mexico booth aren’t listed, and it advises checking directly with the booth. I confirmed with the cashier that this dish is gluten-free and was informed it is the only gluten-free option available at this booth. I didn’t have any adverse reactions, so I believe it is safe, but I suggest ordering with caution as it’s not listed on the official Disney website. That being said, the Flauta de Barbacoa was another standout dish with tender beef encased in a crunchy fried corn tortilla. This was my partner’s favorite item and a delightful snack to end our day.

Our Rating: 7.5/10. A tasty and satisfying option, definitely worth trying again.

Drink: Mango Loco Frozen Margarita (from the nearby Choza de Margarita Stand) – $14.00
My Thoughts: We initially planned to try the Mango Sunrise Margarita listed on the Mexico Booth Festival Menu, but it was unavailable that day. Instead, we opted for the frozen mango margarita at the nearby Choza de Margarita Stand. This drink was a refreshing treat with a mango flavor that tasted closer to fresh fruit rather than artificial. It had a good amount of alcohol and was incredibly refreshing. We plan to try the Mango Sunrise Margarita on our next visit and will update this review accordingly.

Our Rating: 7.5/10. A great drink from one of our favorite stands in the park. We’ve enjoyed other drinks from this location and will continue to return.

Dish: Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.50
Description: Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with goat cheese polenta, puttanesca sauce, shaved pecorino, and petit herbs.

My Thoughts: The portion was smaller than I expected—about the size of my palm—but despite the size, the flavors were satisfying. The beef was incredibly tender, with a rich, slow-cooked quality that reminded me of a hearty stew. The goat cheese polenta, while light on flavor, had a lovely creamy, buttery texture that paired well with the beef. The puttanesca sauce brought a bold, briny contrast, packed with olives, giving the dish an intense, salty tang that reminded me of tapenade. It definitely added depth, but if you're not an olive lover, this sauce might be overpowering.

Our Rating: 5.5/10. Overall, we both enjoyed the dish, and it felt like a good value for the complex flavors. However, given the small portion size, I’m not sure I’d rush back for it, especially when there are larger, similarly priced options at the festival.

Drink: Harken Wines Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (New) – $6.00
My Thoughts: The wine was served in a small plastic stemmed cup, with about 2oz of wine—not the most generous pour, but fairly typical for festival offerings. The Chardonnay itself was much sweeter than anticipated, with a hint of oak but dominated by a somewhat sharp, vinegary aftertaste. As someone who enjoys a more balanced or drier Chardonnay, this one didn't hit the mark for me. It leaned more toward a dessert wine in sweetness, which might appeal to some but wasn't quite what I was expecting.

Our Rating: 4/10. While not bad, it wasn’t quite to my taste. If you prefer a sweeter Chardonnay, you might enjoy it more, but for regular Chardonnay drinkers like myself, it felt a bit too sweet and lacked the crispness I typically enjoy.

Dish: Burrata with Seasonal Fall Fruit (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) — $5.50
Description: Burrata with seasonal fall fruit, spiced pecans, apple purée, and fig vinaigrette.

My Thoughts: The portion size for this dish was fair, and for the seasonal fruit, we received cooked figs. The burrata was creamy and refreshingly cool, which was a nice touch on a warm Florida day. Flavor-wise, the autumnal combination of cinnamon, apple purée, and fig worked well with the salty, creamy burrata. However, there was an odd aftertaste in the dish that I couldn't quite pinpoint, which detracted from the overall experience. The topping of crystallized sugar added a texture that clashed with the softness of the burrata that I personally didn’t enjoy.

Our Rating: 3.5/10. Despite being huge burrata fans, both my partner and I found this dish underwhelming. While we enjoyed the cheese, we ended up scraping off most of the toppings due to the strange aftertaste and the unappealing texture contrast.

Dish: Pão de Queijo (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) — $5.00
Description: Brazilian cheese bread.

My Thoughts: Wowzers, this one was fantastic! The texture on the outside is similar to a soft dinner roll with a slight crust, but once you bite into it, you’re met with a warm, melty cheese center—almost like a cheese curd or mozzarella stick. The texture inside was soft, slightly dense, and chewy, making it so satisfying. Flavor-wise, it reminded me of a mild cheddar—savory with just a hint of sharpness.

Our Rating: 9/10. If you’re a cheese fan like us, I highly recommend trying this one. It’s out-of-this-world delicious and easily one of my favorites from any festival I’ve been to. I’ll definitely be getting it again (both here and anywhere else I can find it!).

Drink: Frozen Caipirinha with Cachaça — $12.00
My Thoughts: Being frozen made it super refreshing, which was perfect for the Florida heat. The flavor was sweet and tangy, with a taste that reminded me a bit of apple juice. There wasn’t much of an alcohol flavor, which could be a plus or minus depending on what you’re looking for. It was a decent-sized drink for a festival booth offering.

Our Rating: 5.5/10. We both enjoyed this drink, but it wasn’t a standout. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it again, but I might order it if I’m already grabbing something else from the booth.