Acclaimed Food & Wine Classic Returns for Its 16th Year at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel

A highly anticipated culinary event returns to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, each fall: The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the celebrated gathering, and it's better (and bigger) than ever. Featuring an impressive array of food and beverages for gourmands and culinary novices alike, guests will indulge in hours of exceptional dining at the famed hotel at Walt Disney World. Discover the scrumptious delights that await, plus essential details to help you plan your visit for future years.

Two Nights Of Culinary Bliss, Every Year

The coveted event takes place each fall at the renowned Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. In 2025, it takes place on Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15. Tickets are required, and guests enjoy unlimited food and beverage offerings for four full hours, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. each night.

A Record-Breaking Amount Of Dishes to Try

Arrive with plenty of room in your stomach, because this year has a record-breaking 49 food dishes! It's the most ever of any year prior, with the addition of an entirely new menu from the past. The full menu varies slightly each night, with some dishes appearing both evenings and others exclusive to Friday or Saturday. Guests attending both evenings save 10% on a bundle ticket.

Expert Chefs Craft Each Dish

Each dish has been carefully crafted by the hotel's impressive and distinguished food and beverage team, which includes celebrities like Chef Todd English, who will make an appearance at the event!

Celebrity Chef Appearances

In addition to an appearance by celebrity Chef Todd English, sign up for one of the event's five-course Signature Tasting Experiences to spend extra time with famed culinary masters. Go on A Culinary Journey Through Asia with Chef Todd English on Friday, November 14, or a Global Inspired Tour with Flair with Chef Michael Mina on Saturday, November 15, 2025. (Additional ticket required.)

Dishes Inspired by Award-Winning Restaurants

The outdoor event features food from the hotel's 23 restaurants and lounges. Pictured here is the Sabich with fried eggplant, Israeli salad, pickled watermelon radish, tahini garlic sauce, amba mango sauce, and micro parsley in a mini pita (vegan). It's inspired by Amare, the Mediterranean restaurant at Swan Reserve.

Outstanding Wine Program

The hotel features nearly 30 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections. It's no wonder that the Food & Wine Classic wine programming is outstanding. In addition to the wines and beers included in the tickets, guests can add on Tasting Experiences, like “Salud! A Journey Through Spain,” which educates about Albariños, bold Tempranillos, and elegant bubbling Cavas.

Two New Restaurants Make Their Debut

Two booths premiere this year from the newest restaurants on property: Lagoon Lanes & Games and Bourbon Steak by Chef Michael Mina. Try the Red Wine Braised Wagyu Shortrib from Bourbon Steak, with celery root espuma and shallot marmalade.

Dedicated Beer Tastings

Not a wine person? No problem! Head over to the Beer Garden, where you can indulge in brews like the signature “Phins & Feathers Pale Ale,” specially crafted for the Swan and Dolphin hotel. Chef will prepare house-made “bar snacks” to pair with the event beer selections.

Champagne, Please!

Learn how champagne is created during a Tasting Experience dedicated to the popular bubbles. Explore the five key regions of Champagne and sharpen your senses during an expert-guided tasting. Sight, smell, and palate come together during “Base to Bubbles” to compare styles, decode labels, and celebrate the elegance of every effervescent sip.

Thought-Provoking Creations

The mix of beloved classics and imaginative dishes is one of the fun and intriguing aspects of the Food & Wine Classic that you can look forward to. The Sweet Corn Ice Cream Cone is made for conversation; after you try the dish crafted from sweet and savory elements, you'll be asking other diners, “What did you think?” The dish is made with honey syrup, crushed cheddar cheese, and caramel corn.

Entertainment Under the Lights

The event takes place outdoors, with the stunning hotel backdrop illuminated in all its splendor! Enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the evening. The rain-or-shine event moves indoors in case of inclement weather, so all you have to do is arrive prepared to have a great time, no matter the forecast.

Taste Florida Flavors with An Incredible New Dish

One of the most delicious menu items gives you a taste of coastal Florida. The event's For the Love of Florida location offers Fried Apalachicola Oyster Sliders straight from the state's panhandle. It's made with black pepper, scallions, coleslaw, and a pucker-inducing Key Lime “mignonette” jam that's instantly addictive.

Leave Room for Dessert

At the event, you're given full permission to eat dessert whenever you want⎯and often with unlimited servings. Indulge in The Cherry with chocolate mousse and a black cherry compote, a Green Tea Lime Mango Mousse Dome, or Chocolate Cassis Mousse.

Themed-LOcations Add to the Event Intrigue

In addition to stations featuring the hotel restaurants, themed locations like Chinatown, Carnival Corner, For the Love of Florida, Beer Garden, and Bubbles Lounge are scattered throughout the event. Chinatown features mouth-watering Pan Fried Shrimp & Pork Dumplings, Shu Mein, Pan Fried Zucchini and Scallion Pancakes, and Steamed Sticky Rice Siu Mai.

Crowd-Pleasing Cuisine Packed with Creativity

Ricotta Cappelletti with handcrafted pasta, house-made citrus ricotta filling, slow-cooked Angus beef ragu, and crispy pancetta breadcrumbs is featured at the event's Il Mulino New York Trattoria location; the dish will have you coming back for seconds, which is encouraged at the Food & Wine Classic!

Tastings from Around the World

With dishes like the Chirashi Bowl, you'll have a variety of options with dozens of dishes that take you on a tasting around the world. This healthy option included cured salmon, seasoned sushi rice, shoyu egg, wakame, pickled radish, cucumber, edamame, and Sriracha.

Supporting the Wounded Warrior Project

For the second year in a row, and in honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, the resort is partnering with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The charity will receive a monetary donation comprised of event proceeds; last year, $13,000 was raised for WWP, which aims to honor and empower wounded soldiers and help them and their families transition to civilian life.

Sip, Savor and Stay at the Swan & Dolphin Hotel

Extend your stay to enjoy the world-class theme parks just steps from the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Though staying at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve is not a requirement to attend the event, the resort offers a “Stay and Play” package for the Food & Wine Classic. Event guests are advised to call the Swan and Dolphin and use code “FOODANDWINE” for a special rate. (Name on the room reservation must match the name on your Food and Wine Classic tickets.) The discounted room rate is available for up to four days pre-event and up to four days post-event.

The Food & Wine Classic is a Not-To-Miss Annual Event

Don't miss the opportunity to tantalize your taste buds as you explore nearly two dozen restaurants and try drinks from around the world from the convenience of one spectacular location. Mark your calendar for this annual autumn event and fall in love with the flavors of the Swan and Dolphin. Read more about the event, including additional menu details, and purchase tickets here. Also, learn about things to do at Walt Disney World besides the parks or explore the nearby BoardWalk to enhance your experience during the Food & Wine Classic weekend.