There be no pirates among these dishes, just a treasure of wonderful flavor! The Islands of the Caribbean marketplace is making its fifth festival appearance at this year’s Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Menu for the Islands of the Caribbean Booth at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Food:

• Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli – $5.50
• Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt (GF) – $5.50
• 🆕 Flancocho: Passion Fruit Cake with Coconut Flan – $4.25

Beverages:

• Red Stripe Lager (4.7% ABV) – $4.50 (6 oz) & $8.50 (12 oz)
• 🆕 Opici Family White Sangria ($15/bottle) – $5.00
• Frozen Mojito – $10.50

Photos of Menu Items for Islands of the Caribbean at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli – $5.50

The Patagonia Booth from 2017 (and previous years) didn’t return for 2018, which left a festival staple without a home. Thankfully, Islands of the Caribbean stepped up to foster the beloved Empanada. This year, it’s a Ropa Vieja Empanada that tastes exquisite. Sure, a little pricey for the single fried meat pocket, but there’re a few great bites of tender and flavorful ropa vieja inside of the crispy dough. Recommended!

Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt – $5.50

In 2018, this dish was presented as a Jerk Chicken Lollipop and we absolutely loved it. Then they changed the chicken up and it was met with mixed reviews. We all agreed that the jerk chicken was really good jerk chicken. The mango chutney, however, was not good. The texture was off and didn’t seem to compliment the chicken well at all.

*NEW* Flancocho: Passion Fruit Cake with Coconut Flan – $4.25

This flancocho was fabulous. It was light, fruity, and the sprinkle of toasted coconut on top was perfect. The cake held up against the flan. It was sweet, but not too sweet. The mango flavor was natural and complimented the vanilla cake.

We would place this in our top three dishes of the festival, and the best dessert overall.

Red Stripe Lager (4.7% ABV) – $4.50 (6 oz) & $8.50 (12 oz)

Red Stripe describes their Lager as “a beautiful amber lager with low butterscotch flavour, full bodied and a smooth post palate sensation.”

*NEW* Opici Family White Sangria ($15/bottle) – $5.00

From Opici Wines: “White wine made from the Airen grape is blended with all-natural citrus fruit essences and spice extract. Subtle tropical fruit flavors of banana and pineapple meet crisp aromas of orange, grapefruit, and a hint of peppermint. The vibrant and clean palate is accented by notes of ginger and nutmeg on the finish.”

Frozen Mojito – $10.50

The frozen slushy machines always have issues at the EPCOT festivals, especially Food & Wine in the direct heat. Frozen is a relative term, and if you get a frozen version of any drink at the festival consider yourself lucky. Don’t waste your time on this mojito that tastes like artificial mint and sadness.

Location of Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

The Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth is located in World Showcase Plaza, just to the left as you enter via the main walkway from Future World.

You won’t have to travel too far to try these flavors from the islands! Which one are you eager to try first?