Jason Diffendal·August 3, 2018·3 min read

Islands of the Caribbean – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Epcot Food & Wine 2018 Islands of the Caribbean

The Islands of the Caribbean marketplace debuted at the 2016 Festival, so this year marks its fourth appearance. The 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival takes place August 29 – November 23, 2019.

Menu for the Islands of the Caribbean Booth at the 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
Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce (V) – $4.00

Beverages:

Red Stripe Lager (4.7% ABV) – $4.50
Caribbean White Sangria – $5.00
Frozen Mojito – $10.50

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

Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli – $5.50

Epcot Food & Wine 2018 Islands of the Caribbean Empanada — 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

Last year, this dish was presented as a Jerk Chicken Lollipop and we absolutely loved it. This year, 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.

Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce – $4.00

Epcot Food & Wine 2018 Caribbean Quesito — Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce, $4.00

We’ve been informed that this isn’t an “authentic” quesito, but that shouldn’t discourage your from trying this ultimately delicious treat. The guava sauce on the exterior pairs well with the sweetened cream cheese packed inside this fluffy pastry. It’s good, and a good value for the cost.

Red Stripe Lager (4.7% ABV) – $4.50

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

Caribbean White Sangria – $5.00

If you’re looking for a nice, refreshing sangria… well, keep looking. We had high hopes for a tasty tropical sangria and this one majorly disappointed. The drink was overly sweet and almost syrupy to a point. We do not recommend this item.

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 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth us located in World Showcase Plaza, just to the left as you enter via the main walkway from Future World. It is #11 on the map below.