- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,896
- 36
EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion is one of the most distinctive and popular pavilions in the park’s World Showcase. The pavilion provides a heavily themed environment, an attraction that harkens back to the earliest days of EPCOT, and, of course, a slew of dining options!
Who’s ready for a sweet treat?
Part of what makes Mexico so special is that some — but not all, as we’ll get to — of the pavilion is indoors. This controlled environment gives the whole pavilion a climate advantage over the rest of World Showcase, since it’s the only one unaffected by weather issues, including shifting temperatures and rain. Guests enter through a massive pyramid facade, pass through a gallery of Mexican artwork, and enter into a recreation of a Mexican village marketplace, the Plaza de los Amigos. The air-conditioned indoor setting is set at perpetual twilight, with a looming volcano and pyramid in the distance. So, what are the keys to dining in this environment? Let’s find out.
Let’s begin just in front of that looming volcano with one of EPCOT’s opening day restaurants. Serving well-known Mexican dishes including tortilla soup, enchiladas, tacos, and more, this restaurant’s environment is essentially the closest dining experience Disney World has to the Blue Bayou. Like that Disneyland classic, the San Angel Inn Restaurante is an indoor restaurant that’s themed to be outside, with the vehicles of the Gran Fiesta Tour water ride passing right by the restaurant.
San Angel Inn Restaurante
Speaking of Gran Fiesta Tour, a quick word of advice from personal experience: Maybe save grabbing a drink from La Cava for after your voyage, as the drinks have a tendency to be strong, and those boats have a tendency to rock. That said, definitely be sure to stop by, as La Cava offers over 200 tequilas, cocktails, Mexican beer, and wine, as well as light bites like guacamole and queso with corn chips. However, that popularity does lead to major crowds in a small space, which leads us to…
The Vaqueros Falsetto
If you’re looking for a refreshing drink without a long line, you can leave the pyramid and head across the promenade to the small outdoor portion of the Mexico Pavilion (told you we’d get there) to instead enjoy a hand-blended or frozen margarita at the Choza De Margarita window. These margaritas might not be handcrafted like you’ll find over at La Cava, but they’re still fruity, refreshing, and VERY boozy!
Mango Margarita Poptail
However, margaritas aren’t the only thing available outside. Located right on the World Showcase lagoon, La Hacienda de San Ángel provides gorgeous views as well as authentic Mexican cuisine like the Enchiladas de Chorizo (corn tortillas filled with plant-based chorizo and topped with beans, Ranchera salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, crema Mexicana, cotija cheese, and crispy onions) and premium margaritas.
Enchiladas de Chorizo
Appropriately enough, our final point is about a hidden gem dessert located at the outdoor La Cantina de San Angel, and it’s the Churro Sundae. This decadent $7.99 dessert dish includes caramel and vanilla swirl soft serve (you can choose one or both) smothered in caramel sauce, with mini churros, and red, white, and green sprinkles. The caramel and vanilla soft serve is creamy and delicious, the caramel sauce is nice and gooey, and the churros are… well, your typical Disney World churros.
The vanilla version of the Churro Sundae
Bonus Tip: If you get this sundae early enough in the day, you can usually eat it in the seating area for La Hacienda de San Ángel, as that restaurant’s seating area is open to quick-service diners for the early part of the day before closing to prepare for dinner service.
Cantina de San Ángel
EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion is one of World Showcase’s most unique, including its dining and drinking options. Stay tuned to Magical Guides for more on EPCOT’s dining offerings.
What are your thoughts on the Mexico Pavilion? Let us know in the comments below.
Who’s ready for a sweet treat?
Part of what makes Mexico so special is that some — but not all, as we’ll get to — of the pavilion is indoors. This controlled environment gives the whole pavilion a climate advantage over the rest of World Showcase, since it’s the only one unaffected by weather issues, including shifting temperatures and rain. Guests enter through a massive pyramid facade, pass through a gallery of Mexican artwork, and enter into a recreation of a Mexican village marketplace, the Plaza de los Amigos. The air-conditioned indoor setting is set at perpetual twilight, with a looming volcano and pyramid in the distance. So, what are the keys to dining in this environment? Let’s find out.
San Angel Inn Restaurante Is Disney World’s Answer to The Blue Bayou
Let’s begin just in front of that looming volcano with one of EPCOT’s opening day restaurants. Serving well-known Mexican dishes including tortilla soup, enchiladas, tacos, and more, this restaurant’s environment is essentially the closest dining experience Disney World has to the Blue Bayou. Like that Disneyland classic, the San Angel Inn Restaurante is an indoor restaurant that’s themed to be outside, with the vehicles of the Gran Fiesta Tour water ride passing right by the restaurant.
San Angel Inn Restaurante
You Might Want to Save Your La Cava del Tequila Drink for AFTER Your Ride on Gran Fiesta Tour
Speaking of Gran Fiesta Tour, a quick word of advice from personal experience: Maybe save grabbing a drink from La Cava for after your voyage, as the drinks have a tendency to be strong, and those boats have a tendency to rock. That said, definitely be sure to stop by, as La Cava offers over 200 tequilas, cocktails, Mexican beer, and wine, as well as light bites like guacamole and queso with corn chips. However, that popularity does lead to major crowds in a small space, which leads us to…
The Vaqueros Falsetto
Choza de Margarita May Offer Less of a Wait for A Drink
If you’re looking for a refreshing drink without a long line, you can leave the pyramid and head across the promenade to the small outdoor portion of the Mexico Pavilion (told you we’d get there) to instead enjoy a hand-blended or frozen margarita at the Choza De Margarita window. These margaritas might not be handcrafted like you’ll find over at La Cava, but they’re still fruity, refreshing, and VERY boozy!
Mango Margarita Poptail
There IS a Dining Option Outside the Pyramid at La Hacienda de San Ángel
However, margaritas aren’t the only thing available outside. Located right on the World Showcase lagoon, La Hacienda de San Ángel provides gorgeous views as well as authentic Mexican cuisine like the Enchiladas de Chorizo (corn tortillas filled with plant-based chorizo and topped with beans, Ranchera salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, crema Mexicana, cotija cheese, and crispy onions) and premium margaritas.
Enchiladas de Chorizo
La Cantina de San Angel Offers a Hidden Gem Dessert
Appropriately enough, our final point is about a hidden gem dessert located at the outdoor La Cantina de San Angel, and it’s the Churro Sundae. This decadent $7.99 dessert dish includes caramel and vanilla swirl soft serve (you can choose one or both) smothered in caramel sauce, with mini churros, and red, white, and green sprinkles. The caramel and vanilla soft serve is creamy and delicious, the caramel sauce is nice and gooey, and the churros are… well, your typical Disney World churros.
The vanilla version of the Churro Sundae
Bonus Tip: If you get this sundae early enough in the day, you can usually eat it in the seating area for La Hacienda de San Ángel, as that restaurant’s seating area is open to quick-service diners for the early part of the day before closing to prepare for dinner service.
Cantina de San Ángel
EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion is one of World Showcase’s most unique, including its dining and drinking options. Stay tuned to Magical Guides for more on EPCOT’s dining offerings.
Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
YOU CAN, TOO.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Magical Guides-Guide-Covers-Fan-11-11-24-2.png
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
GET YOUR GUIDE NOW
What are your thoughts on the Mexico Pavilion? Let us know in the comments below.
