A day at EPCOT will really take you places. One minute, you're blasting off on a mission to Mars. The next, you're wandering a marketplace in Morocco. Minutes later, you've filled up your bag with imported treats and Hello Kitty souvenirs at a department store in Japan. All of this traveling will leave you hungry. This post will solve that problem — we've scoped out some of the best quick-service EPCOT restaurants for famished world (and space) traveling frog families.
While there is almost always a festival at EPCOT offering special food, there is still great consistent options to enjoy all year-round. Hopping around the park, we've focused on dining spots that will let you experience some of the wide-ranging foods available in the park. The country pavilions of World Showcase allow you to take a culinary journey. At the same time, we know that your tadpoles may not be very worldly when it comes to food and would rather stick to their old standbys.
While everyone will have their favorites, we feel that these five quick-service restaurants at EPCOT will give you the best value for your money and satisfy the tastes of all of the diners in your party. Dig in!
The Best EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurants
EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurant #5: La Cantina de San Angel – Mexico Pavilion
If starting clockwise around World Showcase, you'll first hoppen upon La Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion. This quick-service location offers classic favorites like tacos, empanadas, nachos, guacamole, and serves up beers, margaritas and Mexican sodas. It's outdoor location with covered seating right on the water makes this a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. There can be a decent line during lunch and dinner, so we recommend dining at non-peak times. Hop tip: This is a great place to ask for a free cup of water to stay hydrated!
EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurant #4: Regal Eagle Smokehouse - The American Adventure
In America, ~we the frogs~ are proud of our many different regions of barbecue, and this newer quick-service restaurant forms a perfect union of them all. Regal Eagle Smokehouse is the site of a centennial cook-off with Sam the Eagle as the judge.
The menu features different barbecue styles from all over the country, including Kansas City smoked chicken, sliced Texas beef brisket, Memphis dry-rub pork ribs and North Carolina chopped smoked pork butt. Entrees come with a side of your choice (we loved the mac and cheese!). If you'd rather have no meat at all, you don't have to miss out. A BBQ Jackfruit burger is available, and the creamy coleslaw — believe it or not — is toadally plant-based.
EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurant #3: Katsura Grill - Japan Pavilion
Itadakimasu! There comes a time in every vacation for harmony and quiet contemplation. Yes, it's odd to find that in a theme park, but it exists within the Japan pavilion at EPCOT. With lush Japanese flora, koi ponds and the torii gate, this pavilion sends you to a relaxing state of mind.
Katsura Grill sits elevated from the pavilion atop a hill. This location makes for amazing views. The restaurant's interior features a long table for communal dining and modern Japanese artwork. This is your quick spot for sushi, noodles, chicken cutlet curry and sake. The children's selection is teriyaki chicken, beef, or chicken and shrimp with veggies, rice, a cookie and a drink. With your dining choices in hand, head outdoors and grab a table. You'll be rewarded with a serene spot that allows a glimpse into the lagoon. Sit down, find your zen and enjoy.
EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurant #2: Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie - France Pavilion
This traditional French bakery has a variety of delectable offerings, from macarons, to pain au chocolat, to eclairs. Lily absolutely loves to practice her French (just like Belle) and choose a treat from the seemingly endless case (it's a tough decision). While the sweet offerings are delicious, there's also savory options available, such as Quiche Lorraine, Croque-Monsieur, sandwiches, croissants and baguettes. This is a wonderful option for a quick snack or a gourmet coffee (cappuccino, anyone?). Seating inside can fill up quickly; we often like to find a spot outside to watch the fountain while we enjoy. Bon appétit!
EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurant #1: Sunshine Seasons - The Land Pavilion
Located in World Nature, in the same pavilion as Soarin' and Living with the Land, Sunshine Seasons lives up to its name with a bounty of fresh, healthy lunch or dinner options for the entire family. There are several food stations to choose from, including The Sandwich Shop & Bakery, Asian Wok Shop, Soup & Salad Shop and The Wood-Fired Grill. Try some juicy, oak-fired chicken from the in-house rotisserie ovens at The Grill, served with yellow rice and black beans. Looking for a vegetarian option? Visit the Asian Wok Shop for vegan korma with plant-based chicken and cashews. The Stir-fried Chicken had the perfect mix of flavors topped with a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce.
Kids options include salmon with jasmine rice, Uncrustable with carrots and applesauce, a chicken drumstick with rice, a cheese pizza with pasta salad, and mac and cheese with green beans. Sunshine Seasons also offers grab-'n'-go options for the frog fam on the go. Some of the produce used at Sunshine Seasons comes directly from The Land's greenhouses, providing a hands-on, teachable moment for tadpoles. Even better, this EPCOT quick service restaurant offers plenty of seating in the cool AC, making this a perfect stop to refuel, rest and learn. We highly recommend mobile ordering if eating during peak times.
Want some bonus options? One of Leap's very favorite stops is the pizza window in Italy, Pizza al Taglio — which literally translates to "pizza by the slice." The pizza is the same pie that's served at Via Napoli, and the window is located right next to Via Napoli. The sad news? It's only open seasonally. We also love the new La Crêperie de Paris in France as well!
Is your stomach growling? Do you have an addition to add to our list of the best quick-service EPCOT restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Top Spots for Cheap Food at Disney World
Hoppy planning!
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