Disney brings the legendary spice trade to Morocco at Epcot. The spice trade was conducted through Asia, Northeast Africa and Europe trading popular spices and herbs like cardamom, cassia, cinnamon, ginger, and cumin. Disney brings this experience to you at the newest restaurant called Spice Road Table. You will be able to experience flavors from the Mediterranean with a variety of small plates, wines and beers.
This quaint restaurant sits on the World Showcase Lagoon in Morocco with amazing view of the lake and Epcot. You can dine indoors in a narrow dining room with booths along one wall and tables mixed throughout the rest of the room, all spotlighting the huge windows with a lake view. This dining room is very intimate. Enjoy exquisite artwork, chandeliers, and pottery from Morocco that decorate the dining room. If you are looking for a more romantic setting, request this indoors dining room at check in.
My favorite seating area is outside on the patio. The patio also sits on the World Showcase Lagoon with views of Spaceship Earth in the distance. The dark wood beams, brick floor, lanterns hanging from the ceiling and black metal enhance the Moroccan atmosphere. You can hear the water lapping against the shore you are so close to the lagoon, above the faint Moroccan music. Across the restaurant, you can see fellow tourists making their way through Morocco, but you do feel a world away.
The cheerful staff greet us almost instantly in their bright costumes. Our server, a Cast Member from Morocco, explained the costumes and how they were themed after his country. In Morocco, you purchase material from the market and take the material to a tailor to sew into an outfit. The ornate details and bright colors were Moroccan culture, all focusing on the sun.
Spice Road Table features small plate entrees that are meant for sharing. Our server recommended the Chef’s Special, which is A Taste of the Mediterranean with three samplers of small plates all for $16. There are two platters including Mogador Sampler and Tingis Sampler. The Mogador Sampler features Mussels Tagine, Salted Cod Croquettes, and Fried Calamari. The Mussels Tagine are mussels with cilantro, garlic, lemon confit and tomato sauce. The Salted Cod Croquettes are cod fish with sundried tomato and black olive aioli. The Fried Calamari are lightly fried with spicy harissa and capers aioli dipping sauces. The other sampler called the Tingis Sampler features the Lamb Slider, Harissa Chicken Roll, and Merguez Sausage. The Lamb Slider include a brioche with cucumber dill and mint tzatziki sauce. The Harissa Chicken Roll comes with a harissa ketchup. The Merguez Sausage is a North African Lamb Sausage served with tomato, red onion, and cilantro salad.
If you would prefer to select your own small plates to share, the Spice Road Table features ten different options. All of the sampler entrees are included. You can also select Spicy Garlic Shrimp, Mediterranean Omelet, Hummus and Imported Olives, and Rice Stuffed Grape Leaves. The Spicy Garlic Shrimp are sauteed shrimp with dried chilies and fried garlic. The Mediterranean Omelet is an omelet with potato, red peppers, and caramelized onions. The Hummus and Imported Olives is a classic Mediterranean dish and was amazing. This dish includes two different hummus options with cornichons and za’atar flat bread. This small plate also includes imported olives. The Rice Stuffed Grape Leaves feature fried capers, raisins, and fresh nutmeg.
The small plates range in price from $7-12. We dined with a family of 4 during the soft opening of the Spice Road Table. We tried the Spicy Garlic Shrimp, Moroccan Merguez Sausage, Fried Calamari, and Hummus with Imported Olives. That was more than enough for our family. The kids loved trying all of the samples.
Spice Road Table features a wide selection of Mediterranean wines from Spain, France, Morocco, Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. Prices range from $7.99-11.99 for a glass of wine or $28-48 for a bottle of wine. Our server was happy to make suggestions for wine that accompanied each small dish.
Spice Road Table also features a signature beverage called the Spice Road Signature Sangria. This organic beverage is $9.99 per glass or $34 for a pitcher. If you prefer beer, you can enjoy assorted Mediterranean beers from Morocco, Spain, Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey for $6.99.
We ended our meal with a Mediterranean dessert. Spice Road Table features Chocolate Pyramid with almond ice cream, Saffron and Lemon Custard, and Almond and Rosewater Cake with blood orange sauce. The desserts are $7.
The Spice Road Table was in soft opening when we got a chance to experience this new restaurant. I am sure it will be available for booking at 407-WDW-DINE or with your travel professional. This is a restaurant I would certainly recommend for your Disney World vacation for dining and atmosphere. It is a relaxing way to escape Orlando and embrace the Moroccan culture, right in the middle of the Walt Disney World Resort.
My recipe for Spice Road Table is a short one. My favorite small plate was the Fried Calamari. It was incredible! Try this one at home and taste a bit of the Mediterranean.
Fried Calamari Recipe
Ingredients:
- Fresh calamari
- Salt
- Pepper
- Whole milk
- Paprika
- Pepper
- Ginger
- Flour
Directions:
- Cut calamari in bite size pieces
- Soak in whole milk for 24 hours in the refrigerator
- Take flour and mix a dash of paprika, pepper, salt, and ginger
- Take calamari and roll in flour mixture
- Fry in oil until crispy
- Enjoy!
