This Epcot Flower & Garden Festival food review covers the best and worst festival dishes, from French Toast to Arancini, in this Bloom or Bust report.
Recently, we sent intrepid Walt Disney World reporters, Jeremy and Rhonda Stein, on a mission. They accepted the mission to try eight Epcot Flower & Garden Festival items. These items had been selected after the opening weekend of the event based on their quality or lack thereof. Our reporters did not know which items were good, a bloom, or not so good, a bust. You can hear about their adventure on a recent Main Street Magic Podcast. Interestingly, they slightly disagreed with our arrogant, know-it-all food expert. In this report, we will briefly cover that error in their judgment- haha!
Spring has sprung, the topiaries are judging your outfit choices, and your wallet is about to enter its villain era. Yes, it’s time for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, where every booth whispers, “this one is totally worth it”… and sometimes lies. Inspired by our friends and their live taste test chaos, we’re diving fork-first into the ultimate Bloom or Bust list, because not all garden-grown dreams come true.
BLOOMS at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival (a.k.a. “I would fight a stranger for another bite”)
French Toast (BRUNCHCOT)
This isn’t your hotel continental breakfast regret. This is thick, indulgent, “I woke up like this” French Toast topped with sugary goodness.
- Sweet, soft, and dangerously snackable
- Basically dessert masquerading as breakfast
- Worth the walk, the wait, and the impending sugar crash
Verdict: Bloom. No notes. Zero crumbs left.
Blackened Fish Slider (Florida Fresh)
Now listen… this Blackened Fish Slider comes with a fried green tomato plot twist.
- Smoky, well-seasoned fish with a nice char
- Fried green tomato adds a tangy, slightly pickle-adjacent vibe
- Cajun rémoulade ties it all together
The fish is “smoky” with balanced spice and flavor. This ranks very high in terms of sethe quality of fish served at theme park festival location
⚠️ Important: If you don’t like fried green tomatoes, this might emotionally damage you. Additionally, the slight touch of pickle flavor with the fried green tomato will cause some people to hint of pickle flavor in the fried green tomato may repel some people. However, those flavors are very well done, if your taste buds enjoy such things!
Verdict: Bloom (with a very specific audience)
Miso Cola–Glazed Sticky Pork Ribs (Trowel & Trellis)
Sweet. Savory. Sticky. Slightly chaotic in the best way.
- Perfect balance of sweet + umami
- Tender meat that doesn’t fight back
- A little kick to keep things interesting
Festival chatter praises the “sweet + savory combo with just a little kick”
Verdict: Bloom. Bring napkins. And backup napkins.
Tuna Poke Bowl (Nectar)
Ah yes, the Tuna Poke Bowl, the responsible choice that still slaps.
- Fresh, high-quality tuna
- Light, refreshing, and guilt-reducing
- A rare festival item that doesn’t require a post-snack nap
This presents guests with a solid portion size and fresh fish quality
Verdict: Bloom. Your stomach will thank you later.
BUSTS at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival (a.k.a. “who approved this?”)
Cinnamon Beignets (Citrus Blossom)
You wanted magic. You got… lemon-scented fried disappointment with the Cinnamon Beignets.
- Dry, overly dense
- Lemon-glaze doing all the heavy lifting
- Leaves you questioning your life choices
If you want beignets, go elsewhere!
Verdict: Bust. Save your carbs for something better.
Insalata di Pasta (Italy)
Cold pasta salad at a festival full of bold flavors? Bold strategy with the Insalata di Pasta.
- Bland, uninspired
- Feels like it came from a grocery store deli at 9:47 PM
Verdict: Bust. Italy deserves better.
Arancini (Italy)
The most controversial item on this list.
- Some guests hit the jackpot- in addition to Jeremy and Rhonda
- Most get a flavorless rice ball of sadness with tasteless tomato sauce
- There are far better arancini at the Food, Wine, & Garden Festival at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
As they say: your mileage may vary… but do you really want to gamble?
Verdict: Bust (with a tiny, risky asterisk)
Honeycomb Bowl (The Honey Bee-Stro)
The Honeycomb Bowl promises hot honey so it sounds like a Bloom. It is not.
- Lacking sweetness without balance
- Textures fighting each other like it’s WrestleMania
- Pretty to look at, confusing to eat
- No real hot honey flavor
- Quinoa dominates an overwise pretty dish
Verdict: Bust. Instagram bait strikes again.
Final Thoughts about Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Choose Your Garden Wisely
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a foodie playground, but like any garden, some things bloom and others… should’ve stayed buried.
Pro Strategy:
- Start strong with a Bloom like the Poke Bowl and close with another Bloom such as the French Toast.
- Take one calculated risk (maybe the Arancini if you’re feeling brave)
- Make sure to get the ribs so you leave happy, sticky, and slightly unhinged
Because at Flower & Garden, it’s not just about stopping to smell the roses, it’s about avoiding the dishes that taste like them.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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