Best of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival: Top 10 Favorite Gluten Free Dishes

With the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival under way, I thought it might be nice to rank my “Best of” dishes from this year’s festival. Of course, food preferences and “best of” lists are subjective. These are my personal favorites. Not all dishes listed are gluten free and dairy free, but I will list when they are.So, prepare to be hungry by the time you finish reading this list. Here are my Top 10 gluten free dishes from the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

For all Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free marketplace booth options, be sure to click over to the marketplace booth page for more info.

*Note: Menus are subject to change, as is any information regarding ingredients, cross-contamination, and other special dietary needs ingredients. Always consult with the Disney culinary team for more information before consuming. Use caution when consuming any food from marketplace booths, as there is an increased risk of cross-contamination. Marketplace booths do not adhere to Disney’s traditional special dietary needs accommodations, particularly for allergies and/or celiac disease. 10. Grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple, peppers, onions, and snap peas – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Australia Marketplace Booth

This repeat dish from the Australia Marketplace Booth is a great gluten free and dairy free option. A little sweet and a little spicy, I especially like the grilled shrimp and pineapple in this dish. A word of caution, this dish is spicier than it might seem, so having a bottle of water handy is a good idea. It’s also a bit messy, so make sure to have some napkins on hand too. But, no matter how messy you get, this dish will definitely make you want to say, “Put another shrimp on the barbie!”9. Warm chocolate pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible –Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ireland Marketplace Booth

This chocolate dessert featured in the Ireland Marketplace Booth is a classic Irish dessert all the way. More of a flourless chocolate cake than what we as Americans would call “pudding,” it’s rich and decadent. And, it’s made even better with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard, which adds a perfect touch to the full chocolate full in the pudding. Do note that this dish is served in a booth where everything else contains gluten, so always check with a cast member before consuming.8. Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth

New to the festival this year is the Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth, and they have one gluten free and dairy free dish – the Mojo Pork. I love all things pork, so you know that I had to try it. While I prefer the pork dish at the Brazil Marketplace Booth, I found the Mojo Pork a substantial portion with full, bright flavors. The black beans featured here have more of a vinegar punch to them, and combined with the pickled red onions, the flavors really pop. Perfect with a frozen mojito!7. Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free

The Chocolate Studio Marketplace Booth

Looking for a dessert that’s ooey goey and totally unique? You have to get this dessert from the Chocolate Studio Marketplace Booth. It’s a showstopper, as it’s frozen in liquid nitrogen and served immediately. With such a unique presentation, you can see why this dish is a repeat offering from last year’s festival. There’s almost an ice cream-like texture to the truffle, and the warm whiskey caramel makes it a decadent and rich dessert. Order the booth’s featured sparkling wine for the perfect pairing.6. Roasted Verlasso salmon with quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Patagonia Marketplace Booth

It’s salmon and chimichurri. What’s not to love? The combination of flavors in this gluten free and dairy free dish at the Patagonia Marketplace Booth are outstanding. The salmon pairs perfectly with the quinoa, corn, and peppers, and the chimichurri really makes the dish. If you like bright, herby, clean flavors, you’ll be wowed by this salmon dish. It’s been a festival favorite for me for the past several years and a dish I get multiple times throughout the festival.5. Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, and Tomato – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Brazil Marketplace Booth

People either seem to love or hate pork belly, but I’m totally of the mind that pork belly rules. This festival favorite has been at the Brazil Marketplace Booth for several years and continues to wow guests. Though people often report inconsistency on pork belly texture, I've had really good experiences. When it's perfectly crispy pork belly, the combination of flavors and textures between the pork, the black beans, and tomatoes are incredible. Get it with the Brazilian Cheese Bread, another gluten free festival favorite at this booth.4. Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and boniato purée – $5.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free

Patagonia Marketplace Booth

Like the salmon with chimichurri, you just can't go wrong with anything covered in this herby sauce. If you're more of a beef person, the grilled beef skewer at the Patagonia Marketplace Booth is the way to go. Tender and delicious and topped with Chimichurri and finished with a side of boniato puree, it's a meat and potatoes lover's dream. As Brandon put it, he could have eaten one or four of these servings -- it's that good!3. Red Wine Chocolate Truffle – $2.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian

The Chocolate Studio Marketplace Booth

There's chocolate and then, there's Red Wine Chocolate Truffles, which take chocolate to a whole new level. The Chocolate Studio offers this red wine infused truffle, which is rich and decadent and pairs really well with a nice cabernet sauvignon, which is exactly how I enjoyed it when I got it. Some might find the red wine a bit overpowering, or the dish to be just boring, but I don't think you can go wrong with this classic pairing.2. Chilled Tomato Gazpacho with Lump Crab Meat – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth

If you're visiting the Epcot Food & Wine Festival on a hot day, you simply have to get the tomato gazpacho with crab at the Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth. It's gluten free and dairy fee, but you'd swear there was dairy in it with all the rich flavors. The tomato flavor is present but not the only taste you get. The added crab on top absolutely makes this dish. Even better, it comes a booth that only serves items that are naturally gluten free!1. Duck Confit with Creamy Polenta and Fire-roasted Salsa – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible –Gluten Free

GREENHOUSE GURU MARKETPLACE BOOTH

Hands down, the best dish I've had at the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is the Duck Confit at the Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth. What a surprise this was! I'm not usually a duck fan, but I found this duck to be tender, mild flavored and rich. The combination of duck, creamy polenta, and fire roasted salsa was delicious. It's a dish that I definitely will get again and again this festival.What dishes are you looking forward to trying at the festival? Did I miss your favorite dish?