Usually my family’s trips to Walt Disney World (as planned by yours truly) feature lots of multi-course, sit-down meals at all of my WDW favorites—hello California Grill and Yachtsman Steakhouse! We enjoy lots of wonderful food, but go home with wallets that are way lighter. On this trip, as I continue to have a husband who indulges my love of WDW, I made a promise that I would try to cut back on sit-down meals. I was committed to this, but I was equally committed to continuing to enjoy delicious and interesting WDW food.
First stop? Spice Road Table in the Morocco Pavillion in Epcot’s World Showcase. We have enjoyed Morocco’s quick service option—the delicious and fresh Tangierine Café—on prior trips, and passed Spice Road Table admiring its beautiful exterior. Spice Road Table is a sit-down restaurant, you say? Yep, I know—but I had a plan. We were going to order a smattering of small plates, and only one entrée to keep the cost way down (by WDW terms of course).
As we entered Spice Road Table, we noted its prime location on World Showcase Lagoon, and all commented that either the lovely outdoor seating, or any of the many window seats inside, would make an ideal perch for Epcot’s nighttime spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. It was mid-afternoon during our visit, so no IllumiNations for us, we were looking for a cool spot to escape the blazing summer heat while taking in World Showcase Lagoon.
Welcoming arch at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Outdoor seating at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Lovely lanterns at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Moroccan object d'art at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
The décor is absolutely calming and beautiful. We all commented that we felt we were transported someplace exotic and lovely. Moroccan objects d’art are tucked into every nook and cranny of Spice Road Table; lots of brass of course, small trunks, and tagines a plenty (a tagine is a Moroccan cooking vessel). There are decorative arches, lush fabrics, and lots of stunning tile work.
A friendly cast member greeted us and escorted us to a table with stamped metal top that was gorgeous; our table overlooked World Showcase Lagoon. As we were walking to our seat, we noted a number of cozy booths for passing an afternoon or evening.
Wall art at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
A booth with a view at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
A wonderful space at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
I began with a vodka martini that was perfectly made; my husband and son enjoyed soft drinks. Next, we ordered the spicy garlic shrimp. It was perfectly cooked and the chilies added a nice little zip; this is definitely not too spicy if you are wary of heat in your food.
We also ordered the fried calamari, which is served with harissa (a hot, sweet sauce) and caper aioli. Calamari is really easy to overcook (then it wastes like rubber bands); this version was both flavorful and tender and the two dipping sauces added a nice compliment. We also ordered the fresh fish croquettes with olive tapenade; these were a real standout, faintly redolent of fish, crispy as heck and no oily aftertaste. They were a salty little sensation.
For our entrée, we shared the Mediterranean Vegetable Platter, which features a bunch of our veggie faves. There’s a couscous salad (light and yummy), some baba ganoush (very similar to hummus but made with charred pureed eggplant), harissa hummus fries (we tried these the last time we were at the Food & Wine Festival and we are obsessed), dolmas (rice-stuffed grape leaves), and some delish pita bread. We all thought that every single thing we ate deserved two thumbs up; it was all so flavorful and full of character, and we felt satisfied at meal’s end. We lingered at our table and never felt rushed by the cast members who continued to be friendly and wonderful throughout the meal.
A vodka martini at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Garlic shrimp at Spice Road Table at the Moroocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Fried calamari at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Fish croquettes at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Mediterranean Vegetable Platter at Spice Road Table at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Spice Road Table is one Table Service Credit on the Disney Dining Plan, and offers a Tables in Wonderland (Disney’s discount dining program) and Annual Passholder discount. They serve both lunch and dinner ,and offer beautiful indoor and outdoor seating. We loved it, it was a bargain in the world of WDW sit down dining, and we felt fully satisfied by the flavorful food. The décor is inspired and the staff was warm and great. Definitely a must-do on our next trip.
Have you been to Spice Road Table? I can’t be the only one who thinks it is this fabulous… I’d love to hear!
