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Taste of Space returns to KSC with ISS-themed fall bites

Orbit Café at Kennedy Space Center displays Taste of Space fall dishes, highlighting the ISS-inspired food festival for travelers.
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5 min read

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will bring back Taste of Space: Fall Bites! for its fifth year, running October 3 through November 16. This season's menu leans into international flavors to honor the 25th anniversary of continuous habitation aboard the International Space Station in November. Dishes are available at Orbit Café in the main complex and Moon Rock Café at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and the event is included with admission. One-day tickets start at $77 for adults and $67 for children, with a 2-day option at $91 and $81.

Key Points

  • Why it matters: Seasonal menus celebrate 25 years of life aboard the ISS with globally inspired comfort food.
  • Travel impact: Event is included with admission; a discounted 2-day ticket can stretch a visit.
  • What's next: ISS 25th-anniversary programming peaks in November across NASA channels.
  • Menu highlights: vegan lentil chili, spaetzle with mushrooms, pork schnitzel sandwich.
  • KSCVC remains open during the U.S. government shutdown, with normal tours operating.

Snapshot

Taste of Space: Fall Bites! runs October 3-November 16 across Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex dining outlets. Orbit Café features Lentil Chili with Tortilla Chips, Apple Blossom with Caramel Sauce, and Spaetzle with Mushrooms. Moon Rock Café adds a Pork Schnitzel Sandwich with Slaw, Potato Latke Dippers with Cranberry Ketchup, and Chocolate Bundt Cake with Cranberry Chutney. Food items are sold separately, but the event is included with admission. Travelers weighing a deeper dive into exhibits can opt for a 2-day ticket, which typically provides time for Space Shuttle Atlantis, the bus tour to Apollo/Saturn V Center, and astronaut experiences without rushing. The complex notes it remains open during the U.S. government shutdown.

Background

NASA and international partners have supported a continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station since November 2000. The 25th anniversary this November underscores a quarter century of global collaboration, science, and crews from many nations living and working together. That spirit carries into this year's Taste of Space theme, reflecting how food connects cultures both on Earth and in orbit. Former astronaut Winston Scott has described food as a unifying factor among multinational crews, a sentiment echoed as the visitor complex uses international comfort dishes to mark the milestone. Separately, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was recognized in Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards as the No. 1 U.S. attraction and No. 3 worldwide, reinforcing its draw as a stand-alone destination near Orlando.

Latest Developments

Fall food festival at Kennedy Space Center aligns with ISS milestone

The 2025 Taste of Space: Fall Bites! lineup is official. Orbit Café in the main complex will serve Lentil Chili with Tortilla Chips (vegan), Apple Blossom with Caramel Sauce, and Spaetzle with Mushrooms (vegetarian). Across the river at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, Moon Rock Café adds a Pork Schnitzel Sandwich with Slaw, Potato Latke Dippers with Cranberry Ketchup (vegetarian), and Chocolate Bundt Cake with Cranberry Chutney. The event is included with admission, while food is priced à la carte. One-day tickets are listed at $77 for adults and $67 for children, and the 2-day ticket-useful to cover both the main complex and Apollo/Saturn V Center-runs $91 and $81. KSCVC says all exhibitions and bus tours remain open during the U.S. government shutdown.

Analysis

Taste of Space: Fall Bites! fits a clear traveler profile: families and enthusiasts planning one to two days at KSCVC who appreciate seasonal programming layered onto core attractions. The international comfort-food angle both differentiates this year's event and neatly ties to the ISS's 25 years of continuous habitation, giving visitors a timely narrative hook. For itinerary planning, the 2-day ticket offers strong value; most travelers need two days to pair headline exhibits like Space Shuttle Atlantis with the bus tour and Apollo/Saturn V Center without skipping dining windows. Because the food offerings are included only as purchasable items, expectations should be set around culinary add-ons rather than a tasting festival with bundled samples. Operationally, the complex's confirmation that it is open during the government shutdown reduces uncertainty, a common concern for out-of-state visitors. Combined with the recent top rankings from Tripadvisor, the event should bolster fall visitation and encourage longer lengths of stay on Florida's Space Coast.

Final Thoughts

With menus that nod to international crews and a calendar that overlaps the ISS's 25th anniversary, Taste of Space: Fall Bites! gives travelers an extra reason to plan a two-day Kennedy Space Center visit this fall. If you are timing a family trip to Central Florida or pairing the complex with an Orlando itinerary, these dishes add a flavorful layer to the exhibits and launch viewing opportunities. For space fans and food lovers alike, the 2025 edition makes a compelling case to experience Taste of Space.

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