by Walt Disney World’s EPCOT is known for its World Showcase, where guests can tour themed pavilions in countries like Mexico, Japan, and Norway while sampling foods and sipping drinks from each venue. But with 11 countries represented, the options for sit-down dining can feel a little overwhelming, leaving many wondering which EPCOT restaurant is the best place to make a coveted dinner reservation.
As someone who writes about theme parks, holds an annual pass at Walt Disney World (WDW), and has been visiting the popular tourist destination for years, there’s always a clear winner if I seek out a simple yet delicious dinner at EPCOT. Located in the theme park’s Morocco pavilion, Spice Road Table is a respite from the crowds, nestled along the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon (the body of water at the center of the World Showcase).
I recently capped off an evening at EPCOT with friends the way my absolute favorite: a pre-booked dinner at the Spice Road Table. Reservations are the way to go for any sit-down dining experience at WDW, since it’s hard to snag a walk-up table, and this Mediterranean eatery is no exception. In the time surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Spice Road Table stopped accepting reservations, but as of December 2022, it’s now easy to book a seat through the My Disney Experience app, online or by phone. With the ability to guarantee a seat at one of our favorite spots on the table (pun intended), we knew capping off an evening of margarita drinking in “Mexico” and riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind going out to a relaxing dinner would be perfect.
And we were right. We walked into Spice Road Table and asked to be seated outside by the lagoon – the breezy patio is perfect on those rare Florida nights when the weather is cool. (Even on hot days at EPCOT, it’s worth sitting outside for the shade and breeze.) We were quick to order sangria because Spice Road Table makes some of the best sangria on the WDW property. The secret? Each variety contains not just wine, but a spirit, making each drink, which costs $14 for a glass or $39 for a pitcher, a bit more boozy than some drinks found at EPCOT. The restaurant’s red sangria is made with gin, while the rosé variety contains pamplemousse (grapefruit) liqueur. There’s fig-flavored vodka in the white sangria, and the sparkling kind contains both pamplemousse liqueur And vermouth. If sangria isn’t your thing, try an iced mint tea, which, like red sangria, is made with gin. It’s all delicious, and sitting by the water on a nice evening while relaxing with friends is the perfect respite from the throngs of park-goers who stroll through the World Showcase.
There are no coma-inducing huge appetizers at this WDW eatery: Spice Road Table instead serves a wide variety of tapas, which are best enjoyed family-style. We feasted on hummus fries, tiropitakia (cheese-filled phyllo dough pockets), spicy prawns, pomegranate-chilli crispy cauliflower, chicken and naan bread, complete with dips and marinated olives.
At just over $10 for most dishes, ordering a nice variety of tapas for our table and sharing made for a perfect dinner. We were especially impressed by the high amount of plant-based dishes on the Spice Road Table menu, part of WDW’s initiative to make vegan dishes more popular within its parks and resorts.
One of the best parts of Spice Road Table is the staff, who are always extremely friendly and eager to welcome you to the restaurant. From the bartenders who whip up that delicious sangria to the hosts and hostesses who sign you up for your reservation, stepping into this waterfront dining experience is always like a vacation within a vacation—a vibe that keeps us coming back.
Spice Road Table is also one of the sit-down restaurants at EPCOT that offers set menus during the park’s many annual festivals. Currently, during the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, festival-goers can reserve seating for a meal at this and other restaurants, followed by reserved seating for the festival’s Disney on Broadway concert series. Prices for these lunch packages range from $35 to $95 depending on the restaurant, with the Spice Road Table offering running as high as $47. As a Disney festival professional, this is my favorite way to ensure a good seat at the concerts inside the park which are a priority for me. In fact, I still remember the time I had amazing seats to watch NSync member Joey Fatone perform at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival after a delicious dinner at the Spice Road Table. It was worth it.
Another Spice Road Table tip? If you’re eager to try that boozy sangria, you don’t need a dining reservation to do so. Simply walk up to the bar inside the restaurant and order your drink of choice—there’s no seating at this particular WDW bar, but each restaurant’s variety of sangria pairs perfectly with sipping and strolling through the World Showcase countries.
While Spice Road Table isn’t a high-end Disney dining experience like the illustrious rooftop California Grill or AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Victoria and Albert’s, it’s a more affordable way to enjoy WDW’s flavors and rest your feet as you take in beautiful water views. Because of this, the experience was well worth the $150 price tag for my group of three.
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