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Home / Blog / Restaurants & Dining / The Very Best Quick-Service Restaurants at EPCOT

The Very Best Quick-Service Restaurants at EPCOT

by Mommy Frog on March 2, 2024
8 Orlando

The Best Quick-Service Restaurants at EPCOT - PinterestA 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

La Cantina de San Agel in Mexico at EPCOT

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.

Best Quick-Service Restaurants at EPCOT - Chicken Tacos from La Cantina de San Angel

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

Best Quick-Service EPCOT Restaurants - Regal Eagle Smokehouse

Read Sam's official comments to the four contestants, which hang on the wall inside the restaurant.

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 indoor location offers hearty food and a chance to cool off and beat the heat.

Best Quick-Service EPCOT Restaurants - Regal Eagle's Beef Brisket Sandwich

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. Mobile order is available at this location.

EPCOT Quick-Service Restaurant #3: Katsura Grill – Japan Pavilion

Best Quick Service Restaurants at EPCOT - Katsura Grill

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

Best Quick Service Restaurants at EPCOT - Les Halles Boulangerie

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?).

Best Quick Service Restaurants at EPCOT - Sandwiches at Les Halles

Be aware that there often is a decent line and 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: Connections Eatery – World Celebration

What Not-to-Miss at EPCOT - Burger and fries from Connections Eatery

The newest quick-service restaurant at EPCOT is also our new favorite! Connections Eatery opened in spring 2022, providing a much needed dining location in the front of the park. The modern building features a beautiful mural and even a look at the chefs prepping in the kitchen. Enjoy dishes like the French Bistro Burger, General Two Chicken Salad and Pepperoni Pizza.

There's also a lot of kids meals so there's something for everyone (or if you just want a smaller, more affordable meal). We love how they use real plates and bowls too! This is a great indoor dining location and is close to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Mission Space and Test Track (so maybe plan to eat after your thrills!). Mobile order is available.

Bonus Options

Best Quick-Service Restaurants at EPCOT - Stir-fried Chicken from Sunshine Seasons

Want some bonus options? Located in the Land Pavilion, Sunshine Seasons offers a variety of sandwiches, grilled meats, bowls, salads and other grab-n-go options (we enjoyed the Stir-fried Chicken). Some of the produce used at Sunshine Seasons comes directly from The Land's greenhouses. 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.

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!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
View Comments

Comments

Apr 15, 2019 at 11:03 p.m.
Topher Says...

Agree, Sunshine Seasons used to be the best counter restaurant in all of Epcot. It was something we looked forward to, and it was an easy choice because it was so good. We have found that it has deteriorated badly and is no longer worth visiting. Most of our old favorites are gone, portion sizes are smaller, current choices are lackluster or tasteless, and sometimes entire food sections close down. Have you been recently?

Reply
Apr 16, 2019 at 9:13 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Topher,

Thanks for weighing in! We visited and ate at Sunshine Seasons just a few weeks ago. Which Quick/Counter Service restaurant is your favorite?

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 15, 2019 at 2:26 p.m.
Priscilla Sayward Says...

We love the orange chicken and rice in China. Huge portions - so yummy!

Reply
Apr 15, 2019 at 2:10 p.m.
Jason Roy Says...

Looks like they have revised the list and included Tangierine. Love that place. Another favorite of mine is the Fish and Chips spot in the England Pavillion. I agree though that Sunshine Seasons is the best!

Reply
Apr 15, 2019 at 11:12 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hey Jason,

Thanks for weighing in! We really thought about including Fish and Chips as honorable mention because they are sooooo good!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 18, 2017 at 9:09 p.m.
A.J. Says...

Leaving out Tangierine Cafe is borderline blasphemous. Especially since Electric Umbrella was included. I love the other 4 spots you listed, though.

Reply
Aug 3, 2017 at 10:56 p.m.
Gigi Says...

I so agree, it's one of my favorites. You get so much bang for your buck, especially if you're on the dining plan and the food is delicious.

Reply
Apr 18, 2017 at 10:01 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi A.J.,

Thanks for reading the blog. Tangerine Cafe is a great spot too!

Hoppy Planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply

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