Eating your way around the World -- at Disney World

Eating your way around the World (Disney World, that is) is not a spectator sport. Even the most nonathletic of us can really enjoy this great activity. Especially because you don't even have to go to different parks to accomplish it -- just head to Epcot's World Showcase, where you'll find some of Disney World's best restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Sure, you'll also find good food at some of the hotels, like at Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, but you can find ample options at Epcot without having to leave the park.


Epcot's World Showcase


To start your culinary adventure, head through the International Gate into the World Showcase. (If you're staying right next to it at Disney Boardwalk Villas, you won't have to walk far.) The Showcase highlights 11 different countries (Mexico, Norway, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, the U.S., France, Morocco, Canada, and the U.K.) through movies, boat rides, shows, and -- of course -- food. Each country, except the U.S., has at least one sit-down and one-fast food restaurant dedicated to it. The food at these restaurants ranges from simple to exotic. Here's a sample:

• Le Cellier - a steak house in the Canada Pavilion. It's consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Orlando.
• The San Angel Inn - serves authentic, not Americanized, Mexican food.
• Tangerine Cafe - Moroccan cuisine.
  
  
  Most of the World Showcase restaurants are very popular, and you will need reservations to get in.
  
  
  International Food and Wine Festival
  
  
  In the fall, every year, Epcot becomes even more of an international foodie destination. Starting around the first of October, Epcot presents the International Food and Wine Festival, featuring top chefs, vineyards, authors, and foodies from all over the globe.
  
  
  During the festival, more than just the 11 permanent countries are highlighted. This year, you will be able to sample the cuisine of South Korea and Belgium along with others.
  
  
  If you need a break during the International Food and Wine Festival to prepare for the next round, attend one of the free performances from the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series. Great artists perform several times a day on the American Gardens Theater Stage. This year the headliners include Taylor Dane, Billy Ocean, and Hansen, just to name a few.
  
  
  –- Carl Trent of Dad’s Guide to Walt Disney World and Dad’s Guide to WDW the blog