Busch Gardens Food And Wine Festival 2023 Highlights
The Busch Gardens Food And Wine Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this season! And, how does it match up to years past?
Just as excellent as ever!
There’s even a 10th anniversary booth, the Decade Of Delights, that features the best of the festival throughout the years.
Today, we’re exploring the highlights of the tastiest festival out of all of the Busch Gardens Williamsburg events and going through the event’s menus to the front running dishes. Additionally, we’re answering the million-dollar question: “is the Busch Gardens Food And Wine Sampler worth it?”
And in case you’re wondering, French Quarter, Brazil, Italy, and Jamaica are the best booths to visit during your trip to the Food And Wine Festival. For what dishes exactly, that you’ll find out below!
So, grab a snack (this post might make you hungry) and get ready to explore the 2023 Busch Gardens Food And Wine Festival highlights!
Related Reading: How To Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg On A Budget
Quick Background On The Food And Wine Festival
The Busch Gardens Food And Wine Festival began in 2013 with eleven booths, ranging from Scotland to Greece. The booths open around 11am on the event days and close around an hour before the park does.
Samplers are available for purchase during the festival. They come in two options, the 10 items samplers ($65) and the 15 items samplers ($85). And, these samplers are good for any dish, dessert, or sample size beverage (alcohol included) from the festival booths.
The event typically runs during the weekends of May and June, with this year’s festival ending June 11th.
Food At Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been known for its culinary prowess in the theme park industry for some time.
While most parks serve general American fare, cafeteria style, Busch Gardens serves various European cuisine relevant to the hamlet of the park. You will find cannelloni in Italy, German sausages in Oktoberfest, and smoked brisket in New France.
So, the Busch Gardens Food And Wine Festival is especially a field day for food fanatics!
This year’s booths include: Virginia, Australia, Decade Of Delights, Hawaii, Margaritas, Mexico, French Quarter, Brazil, Jamaica, Herbal Infusion, Island Freeze, Oktobertaps, Sangria Garden, Italy, Japan, and La Belle Wine Bar. That’s 16 in total compared to the original 11 ten years ago when it first started.
How Expensive Is Food At Busch Gardens Williamsburg
The prices of food at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is pretty par for the course in the theme park landscape.
Solid plates run between $10-$20 with snacks typically averaging up to $10.
The prices for items at the Food And Wine Festival booths typically go for $5-$15, with the desserts being on that lower end and the alcoholic drinks being on the higher end.
I tried to get the prices for as many of the menu items as I could to list them down below with the food menus.
The Food And Wine Festivals Samplers are $65 for the 10 item sampler and $85 for the 15 item sampler.
Is Busch Gardens Food And Wine Sampler Worth It
That depends on what you’re vying for.
If you’re sticking to desserts and nonalcoholic drinks, you don’t need to get the food sampler. Most of those average $5-$6, so you’ll be paying more in buying the samplers than the items individually.
If you’re getting main dishes (like lamb chops) and alcoholic drinks (like strawberry daiquiris), then the food sampler is worth it. Those items range $8-$15, so it’s cheaper to buy the sampler than not.
With the 10 item sampler, you’re averaging $6.50 per item.
With the 15 item sampler, you’re averaging $5.67 per item.
So, if you’re bucket list for the Food And Wine Festival has items that ranges under those averages, pass on the sampler. If your list has items that average more than that, go for the sampler.
Busch Gardens Food And Wine Menus
Here are all the dishes and drinks of the 2023 Busch Gardens Food And Wine Festival!
Virginia
Apple Crisp: Oatmeal Crumble & Bacon Glaze ($5.50)
Oyster on the Half Shell: Mignonette, Cocktail Sauce, & Lemon ($5.50)
Bacon & Cheddar Hushpuppies: Cornmeal Fritters & Honey Butter ($6.50)
She-Crab Soup: Crab Bisque, Old Bay Crostini, & Chesapeake Blue Crab Salad ($8.75)
Oyster Shooter: Oyster, Cocktail Sauce, & Shot of Moonshine ($13.99)
Apple Pie Moonshine: Apple & Cinnamon ($13.99)
Australia
Lamb Chop: Roasted Lamb Lollipop & Cilantro Mint Sauce ($11.25)
Snag on the Barbie: Banger Sausage & Vegemite Caramelized Onions ($7.25)
Lamington Cake: Sponge Cake, Raspberry Jam, Chocolate, & Coconut ($5.00)
Aussie Mule: Ginger Beer, Myers Dark Rum, & Lime ($13.99)
Decade Of Delights
“Featuring a new lineup every week, this new location pays tribute to the top tastes of the past ten years, from specialty beverages to decadent desserts.” ($5.00-$14.99)
Brazil
Cocada de Forno: Brazilian Baked Coconut ($5.00)
Churrasco: Grilled Beef & Chimichurri Sauce ($7.50)
Linguica: Grilled Sausage, Portabella Mushrooms, & Peppers ($6.50)
Abacaxi: Grilled Pineapple & Coconut Caramel Sauce ($5.00)
Mango Caipirinha: Cachaca, Mango, & Lime ($13.99)
Hawaii
Kalua Pork Slider: Pulled Pork, Pineapple, Sweet Roll, & Pineapple Coconut Slaw ($6.25)
Spam Musubi: Seared Spam, Sushi Rice, & Sweet Soy Glaze ($5.75)
Hawaiian Mac & Cheese: Ham, Pineapple, & Macadamia Nut Crust ($5.50)
Pineapple Coconut Mousse: Sweet Pineapple & Toasted Coconut ($5.00)
Aloha Beaches: Jose Cuervo Tequila, Malibu Coconut Rum, & Mojito ($13.99)
Frozen Blue Hawaiian: Tito’s Vodka, Coconut Cream, & Pineapple ($13.99)
Margaritas
Prickly Pear Margarita: Jose Cuervo Tequila & Prickly Pear
Frozen Lime Margarita: Jose Cuervo Tequila & Frozen Lime
Frozen Watermelon Margarita: Jose Cuervo Tequila, Lime, & Watermelon
Mexico
Crispy Shrimp Taco: Sweet Chili Sauce, Pico de Gallo, & Cilantro Lime Slaw ($6.25)
Carne Asada Taco: Marinated Citrus & Soy Beef, Queso Fresca, Cilantro, Guacamole, & Corn Tortilla ($7.25)
Chili Chocolate & Horchata Mousse: Spicy Chocolate & Cinnamon ($5.00)
French Quarter
Jambalaya: Creole Seasoning, Shrimp, Sausage, & Rice ($7.50)
Muffaletta: Sliced Mortadella, Salami, Ham, Provolone, Olive Spread, & Cajun Slaw ($7.00)
Bananas Foster Cheesecake: Rum Caramel Sauce & Sliced Bananas ($6.25)
Beignets: Puff Pastry, Powdered Sugar, & Caramel ($7.50)
Frozen Hurricane: Flor de Cana Rum, Myers Dark Rum, Passion Fruit, & Orange Juice ($13.99)
Jamaica
Jamaican Patty: Pastry Crust, Spicy Beef, & Coconut Jerk Dip ($7.25)
Gamba Fritters: Shrimp Dumplings & Pickapeppa Dip ($6.50)
Jerk Chicken Slider: Mango Salsa & Cilantro Lime Slaw ($6.25)
Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Pineapple, Rum, & Brown Sugar Glaze ($5.50)
Dark & Stormy: Myers Dark Rum, Ginger, & Lime ($13.99)
Frozen Jamaican Punch: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, Lime, Orange, & Pineapple Juice ($13.99)
Herbal Infusion
Strawberry Basil Mousse: Strawberry, Basil, & Whipped Cream ($5.00)
Green Goddess: Tito’s Infused Green Tea, Mint, Arugula, & Lime ($13.99)
Watermelon Mojito: Pureed Watermelon, Lime, Mint, & Rum ($13.99)
Mint Julep: Kentucky Bourbon, Mint, & Sugar ($13.99)
Island Freeze
Pina Colada: Flor de Cana Rum, Coconut Cream, & Pineapple ($13.99)
Bahama Mama: Flor de Cana Rum, Pineapple, Orange, & Grenadine ($13.99)
Strawberry Daiquiri: Flor de Cana Rum, Strawberry, & Lime ($13.99)
Bellini: Prosecco, Peach Schnapps, & Mango Puree ($13.99)
Frose: Rose Sangria ($13.99)
Oktobertaps
Abita Brewing Company Hop-On Pale Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Co Island Beats Tropical IPA
Austin Eastciders Sangria Cider
757 Back Bay Farmhouse Brewing Co 757 Lager
SweetWater Brewing Company TripleTail IPA
Busky Hard Cider Dry Cider
O’Connor Brewing Co El Guapo Agave IPA
Apocalypse Ale Works Dreamsicle Cream Ale
Sangria Garden
Sangria Cupcake: Merlot Cupcake, Berry, & Wine Reduction Buttercream
Sweet Tea Sangria: Moscato, Sweet Tea, Peach, & Raspberry
Red Sangria: Red Wine, Orange, Lemon, Lime, & Cherry
White Sangria: White Wine, Lemon, Lime, & Orange
Rose Sangria: Rose Wine, Lime, & Strawberry
Italy
Giant Meatball: Marinara & Asiago Cheese ($8.25)
Lemon Ricotta Cake: Lemon, Ricotta, & Toasted Almonds ($5.00)
Fettuccini Alfredo: House Made Pasta, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, & Kalamata Olives (5.00)
Caprese: Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Balsamic Glaze, & Basil Pesto ($5.00)
Amaretto ($10.00)
Limoncello ($10.00)
Japan
Impossi-Bao: Impossible Plant Based Meat, Asian Slaw, & Steamed Bun ($6.50)
Spicy Tuna Sushi Cup: Sushi Rice, Nori Flakes, & Spicy Mayo ($5.25)
Mushi-Gyoza: Steamed Chicken Dumpling & Citrus Ponzu Sauce ($6.00)
Matcha Ice Cream: Green Tea Ice Cream, Sweet Soy Glaze, & Sesame Cookie ($5.00)
La Belle Wine Bar
“Use your Food And Wine Festival Sampler at La Belle Wine Bar, offering 25+ wines.”
Best Of The Fest
French Quarter: Beignets
If you’ve ever had beignets before, then you know the magic of this fried dough dessert. If you’ve never had beignets before, then here’s your opportunity to try some!
The French Quarter Beignets are the highlight of the Food And Wine Festival. They’re warm, doughy, and caramel is always killer.
If there’s one thing that you get at the Festival, make sure it’s the beignets!
(The French Quarter booth is tucked in a shop in Aquitaine, France over by Griffon.)
Jamaica: Jerk Chicken Slider & Jamaican Patty
Both the jerk chicken slider and the Jamaican patty are staples at the Jamaica booth!
The jerk chicken slider has a unique taste with the combination of flavors in the mango salsa on the slider and the cilantro lime slaw on the side. And, the Jamaican patty has a nice kick to it from the coconut jerk dip.
They also have a nice spice to them without being too spicy for some folks who favor milder dishes.
(The Jamaica booth is in Rhinefeld in the carousel plaza on the way to Oktoberfest.)
Brazil: Churrasco
The Churrasco got to enjoy the benefit of being cooked on the smoke grill outside of Trapper’s Smokehouse, and its flavor definitely reflects that!
The grilled beef wasn’t too tough or chewy and the chimichurri sauce complimented the flavor of the beef. Washing it down with the mango caipirinha also serves it well, if you’re old enough to enjoy it.
If you’re a carnivore at heart, don’t pass up the churrasco!
(The Brazil booth is located in the smoke grill in front of Trapper’s Smokehouse in New France.)
Italy: Giant Meatball & Fettuccini Alfredo
The giant meatball does sound a bit ridiculous and unremarkable, but don’t sleep on it! The seasoning in the meat is excellent alongside the sauce and cheese it’s served with. It is also indeed giant.
The fettuccini alfredo was also a great dish in Italy–which is a given, because you can never go wrong with alfredo. The sauce is done nicely and the spinach, tomatoes, and olives give it a unique spin.
Again, if you’re of age, the limoncello is always an enjoyable touch to an Italy meal.
(The Italy booth is located across from Marco Polo’s Marketplace in San Marco.)
Summary
All in all, the 2023 Food And Wine Festival has continued being a culinary hallmark for Busch Gardens Williamsburg as it has since 2013.
The event has expanded in booth size and option variety, with the additions of vegetarian centric booths and dishes, as well as drink focused booths too.
The Food And Wine Festival has a touch of every taste across the festival’s selection–Jamaican spices, French Quarter sweets, Brazilian savors, Italian classics, and more!
And, is a fun way to try out a new favorite dish you might end up adding to your recipe book at home. On which subject…
If you’re interested in a few Busch Gardens recipes straight from the park and right to your cookbook, I’ve got a post about the best theme park recipes to try at home. Because who doesn’t love the Festhaus’ Black Forest cake?
Now, maybe I’ll have to do another park recipes post that includes the Food And Wine Festival beignets…
Keep your eyes peeled!
Which Food And Wine dish stood out to you?
For more Busch Gardens guides, you can also check out:
Top 5 Hotels Near Busch Gardens Williamsburg
All Busch Gardens Williamsburg Roller Coasters Ranked
How To Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg On A Budget
What To Bring To An Amusement Park
Thanks for reading!
