Where to Find Breakfast in and Around Disney World’s Epcot
If you could have breakfast anywhere in Disney World right now where would you choose? My choice is Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in Epcot. I love how quiet the Paris Pavilion is in the morning and I dream about the ham and cheese croissant almost every day.
Epcot is known for its plethora of snacks inspired by different countries around the world. After rope dropping Test Track you might be on the hunt for some coffee and treats to keep the momentum. There are a handful of restaurants available when the park opens and even before the park opens!
Quick-Service Breakfast from Epcot
Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie
Les Halles is the hidden gem tucked in the back of the Paris Pavilion. They serve up French-inspired eats like ham and cheese croissants and freshly baked baguettes. The best part? It opens at 9:00 AM, two hours before the rest of World Showcase.
The remote location and early hours makes this beautiful little bistro your own private respite. Get there before the massive crowds flow in from Future World and grab yourself a cappuccino with a view of the Parisian fountain.
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe
Ever had School Bread? It’s a traditional Norweigain treat made with a sweet bread, spiced with cardamom, and filled with cream. It’s a classic Disney World snack that has all the foodies raving. But that’s not all Kringla has to offer! Here, you’ll find indulgent bites like enormous club sandwiches, berry cream puffs, and other Norweigan foods like Troll Horns (sugar coated pastry cones filled with jam and whipped cream).
All of these tasty eats are a better substitute from your everyday, humdrum doughnut. Kringla is also open at 9:00 AM, before the rest of World Showcase. A good game plan is to grab some School Bread and coffee at 10:00 AM and head into Frozen Ever After when it opens at 11:00. You’ll beat all the guests flocking to Anna and Elsa.
Sunshine Seasons
Maybe you’re on a healthy kick and need a break from all the churros and Dole Whips. Sunshine Seasons offers less carbs, more fruits, and even a slew of vegan options for our plant-eating friends. It’s the only quick-service restaurant where you’ll find hearty choices like the Broccoli and Egg-white Souffle, Overnight Oats with fruit, and Breakfast Power Wraps.
If you don’t think these options will fill you up, then you can get one of their buttery croissant breakfast sandwiches. This delicious spot is located inside the air-conditioned Land Pavilion near Soarin’. Pop in after taking an adventure around the world.
Joffrey’s Coffee (Five Locations)
Dispersed across Disney World are several Joffrey’s Coffee kiosks where they dish out giant doughnuts, pastries, and a full coffee menu. Joffrey’s has become the signature coffee choice for Disney fans everywhere. The most brilliant decision made by Disney/Joffrey’s is to put a kiosk outside most of the theme park entrances.
The general rule is to arrive at the park entrance about 30-45 minutes before the park officially opens. The option to get a Joffrey’s cold brew while you wait will take the edge off before you rush the crowd to Test Track. If you miss the entrance kiosk, there are three other Joffrey’s inside of Epcot. Find them near Showcase Plaza, American Adventure, Test Track, and between the UK and Canada Pavilion.
Traveler’s Cafe (Formally Fountain View)
Yes, you can get your Starbucks fix at Disney World! Each theme park (including Disney Springs) has a fully-functioning Starbucks. The Baristas are trained in the art of perfecting your Caramel Macchiato. These Starbucks operate under pseudonyms so they blend in with the Disney atmosphere.
The Starbucks in Epcot used to be called Fountain View and was located near the Fountains of Nations. It has been moved to a temporary location near Refreshment Port at the entrance of World Showcase. It will remain there until construction on the fountain and nearby buildings end.
Some may scoff at drinking Starbucks at Disney. Why waste money on something you can have at home? I think there’s comfort in knowing you can get your favorite drink at your favorite vacation spot. Sometimes, Baristas create special Disney drinks like the Maleficent Frappuccino.
Table Service Breakfast from Epcot (with Reservations Available Before the Park Opens)
Garden Grill Restaurant
Character dining is the best way to meet a bunch of Disney characters without waiting in line. Plus, character breakfasts save you more time because you can hit them up in the morning before the parks open. The Garden Grill is particularly unique because Mickey and his friends dress up in adorable farm outfits.
The theme here is sustainability. The menu reflects this with fresh fruits, fluffy scrambled eggs, and thick-cut bacon. The characters and food is fun, but the atmosphere is fun too! The restaurant rotates slowly and gives you a slight view of the Living with the Land attraction below.
Akershus
Let’s keep with the character breakfast theme and add some princesses for effect. In the morning, Akershus hosts a Germany-inspired buffet starring Disney Princesses like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel. It’s the best hot spot for meeting some of your favorite Heroines at Disney World. The food options are a mix of American and German dishes ranging from scrambled eggs to smoked pork loin.
Pro-Tip: 8:00 AM reservations for Akershus are in high demand. To snag a table, reserve your dining the minute it becomes available. For onsite guests, that means 180 days in advance at 7:00 AM EST.
Disney’s BoardWalk Breakfast Options
The BoardWalk is located at Epcot’s second entrance near the Paris Pavilion. The entrance spills out into Yacht & Beach Club and the BoardWalk Resort. Strolling along the BoardWalk is like being transported to the turn-of-the-century where folks ate ice cream and rode surrey bikes. The BoardWalk’s close proximity to Epcot makes this adorable dining area worth mentioning. If you want to venture outside of Epcot for eats, this is the place to do it!
Pro-Tip: You can’t get to the BoardWalk directly from your hotel. You will have to take a bus to Epcot and walk through the park. Or, drive to one of the BoardWalk resorts and mention you are there to eat. You can also transfer to these resorts via Disney Springs.
Trattoria al Forno
Trattoria was recently transformed into a Disney Princess dining experience and has become extremely popular. The breakfast menu is arguably the best you will find at any Character Dining and it’s the only restaurant that you will find Rapunzel and her prince, Flynn Ryder.
That’s all good and well, but did you know that you can walk-up and eat at Trattoria al Forno without a reservation? You have the option of eating outside on the BoardWalk or a seperate (and quiet) dining area.
The downside is that you won’t get to meet Rapunzel and Flynn. The upside is that you’ll have an incredibly relaxing breakfast with a gorgeous view of the river surrounding the BoardWalk.
And the non-character breakfast is about half the price!
Cape May Cafe
Are you tired of hearing about Character Dining? Well, here’s another one!
Cape May Cafe is another restaurant featuring Mickey and friends. This dining experience features a hearty buffet that rivals Garden Grill’s menu. The bright and beachy theme is delightful and there’s nothing like soaking up the luxury of the Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Pro-Tip: Folks on a budget might have a hard time coughing up $50 for a buffet at a Deluxe Resort. The Solarium is a cozy hidden gem tucked inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort that is worth seeking out. It’s a small room with comfy chairs and occasionally serves coffee and pastries in the morning. It’s my favorite hideaway when things get overwhelming at the theme parks.
Another option is to stop into BoardWalk Bakery where they serve delicious creations like the Butter Butter Sandwich. The tempting sandwich is served on a brioche bun and piled high with scrambled eggs, shaved ham, and buttery fontina cheese spread.
Ale and Compass
Time to get fancy! Ale and Compass is located inside the Yacht Club and boasts dining options that are superior to simple scrambled eggs. This is the place to go if you’re celebrating something special. Here, you have a choice between the buffet which offers items like smoked salmon and charcuterie or you can order off the menu and get a hearty meal like an open-faced skirt steak sandwich. The Chefs experiment with a variety of sweets like the Dark Chocolate Waffle loaded with cherry compote, espresso-mascarpone cream, and chocolate shavings.
Top 3 Choices for Breakfast at Epcot
We just went over a lot of choices and it can feel a little overwhelming when you’re given so many options. For simplicity, these are the top 3 choices based on popularity. I happen to agree with these choices. You can’t go wrong if you choose any of these!
- Best Quick-Service Breakfast: Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie
- Best Table Service Breakfast: Akershus
- Best Breakfast from Disney’s BoardWalk: Trattoria al Forno
The Takeaway
When it comes to good food, you’re not going to find a better place in Disney World than Epcot. The good eats don’t stop at the standard restaurants either. The theme park hosts four enormous festivals every year and every festival serves up dishes crafted by highly esteemed Chefs.
If you’re visiting during one of these festivals then consider waiting to eat a big meal until the food kiosks open at 11:00 AM. This will give you a chance to try new snacks that are unavailable at other times in the year.
Let’s get snackin’!
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