I Ate My Way Through Universal Epic Universe, What You Can’t Miss When You Go

Most people go to theme parks for the rides, to meet characters, and to experience the ambiance of immersive worlds based on their favorite franchises. I go for the food.

Universal Epic Universe, the first new major theme park in the United States in over 20 years, opened its doors on May 22 , giving fans access to five worlds inspired by the Harry Potter universe, Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. franchise, classic horror characters like Frankenstein and Dracula, and the How to Tame Your Dragon movies, all centered around Celestial Park, a garden oasis with a cosmos aesthetic.

I was able to visit the new park ahead of its grand opening for a press review, and while I rode every rollercoaster and visited every attraction, my focus was on the food, and Universal truly delivered.

Just like the rides and attractions, the food in each world is expertly curated to give fans a completely immersive experience, from fine dining to grab-and-go snacks. Here’s what you can’t miss, what you should skip, and what’s worth eating again.

Celestial Park

Celestial Park is more than just the entry point to Universal Epic Universe, it’s a land all on its own, with lush gardens and dazzling water features, as well as a variety of rides and dining options.

The Oak & Star Tavern

Barbecue lovers rejoice, there’s plenty of meat on the menu at this dining location! You can choose between platters with one to two meats and a side, or go all out with the smoked master’s BBQ feast with a choice of four meats and four sides.

The smoked cheddar jalapeño sausage is a nice size with a good char, and if you like smoky flavors or a saltier bratwurst, you’ll enjoy this sausage that features a hint of sweetness, but the true star of the show is the 14-hour smoked brisket. It’s tender and perfectly seasoned, available either on a platter or on a sandwich.

The sides are fine, but nothing spectacular. Mac and cheese is creamy and decadent (courtesy of its three cheeses), but I found it needed salt. You can taste the vinegar in the braised greens, with pops of meaty goodness and a small amount of heat. Don’t be fooled by the name, as the mango bread is delicious, but tastes more like a vanilla-based pound cake than anything else.

Make room for dessert and get the banana pudding for a delightful end to your meal. Topped with vanilla wafer crumbles and a dense whipped cream, the pudding, with banana slices sprinkled throughout, is lick-the-plate-clean delicious.

Meteor Astropub 

If you’ve got picky eaters in your group, this place is a safe bet, with burgers and fries galore. But don’t sleep on the other menu items, like the chicken and waffles.

The buttermilk fried chicken thigh is juicy and perfectly seasoned, and if comparing it to national chicken chains, the spices most closely resemble those of Pollo Campero’s fried chicken. The chicken is topped with whiskey bacon jam and spiced maple syrup, all on a fluffy waffle with a crispy outside.

Break out the Lactaid, because you’ll want to try the grilled fourmaggio. Sharp cheddar, smoked cheddar, mozzarella, and American cheese give a really decadent flavor profile to this elevated grilled cheese. Eat it on its own or dip it into the accompanying tomato bisque with basil goat cheese creme. Slightly vegetal and herbaceous, the soup doesn’t need the sandwich, but why wouldn’t you pair them?

Pizza Moon

The early 1900s Victorian theater decor alone is worth a quick stop into Pizza Moon, where your imagination can run wild with pizza creations. Want a basic pie? No problem, but they also have pizzas with hot honey, truffle aioli, and potato chips if you’re feeling adventurous.

The Rigatoni Meteor Melt might sound heavy for a theme park meal, but the pasta with marinara sauce, combined with perfectly seasoned house-made meatballs and topped with provolone cheese, makes for a delicious meal.

Atlantic

Just like champagne and fried chicken, there’s another unexpected but perfect pairing in town. Prepare to be amazed by Universal’s take on fine dining at Atlantic, a seafood restaurant that isn’t just visually stunning but has truly phenomenal food.

You’ll have to make a reservation, but it’s worth it for the experience, with the seared scallops alone making it a standout meal. The scallops are presented on a plate of arborio rice risotto, and the creaminess of the Parmigiano-Reggiano dances delicately with the briny scallops, trumpet mushrooms, and charred romanesco.

The king oyster mushroom ceviche is another hit, perfectly pairing jicama and tomato with zesty lime and a hint of spice. No raw fish in sight, making it an easy entry point for non-seafood lovers and vegetarians alike.

Skip the baked oysters Valentina—I found the salt level to be off, and while some may enjoy spinach and Gruyère cheese, they didn’t pair well with the oyster. If the bacon herb crumb was a nod to a sandy beach, it was a grainy miss.

The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant

Another standout fine dining experience in Celestial Park, this restaurant brings the heat.

The dragon sauce and chili oil that come with the chicken wontons on the dim sum menu are no joke. Spicy and tangy, it’s a perfect bite if you’re trying to keep the portion size down before getting on another roller coaster.

But you’ll want to go to the restaurant with an appetite, as the big plates menu has the best items. Both vegetarians and meat eaters should try Kai-Ming’s mapu tofu, but fair warning, as it was one of the spicier items I ate at the park. Sichuan chili crisp sauce packs a punch, and the heat of the vegan ground pork has staying power, with the silky tofu cutting through some of the spice. The rice helps tamp down the heat, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was seasoned, making this an all-around elevated dish.

If there’s one thing I would order again on this menu, it’s the chicken khao soi. I wanted to drink all of the Thai coconut curry broth, but I’m glad I didn’t, as the chewy springy noodles soaked it up nicely. Tender and moist grilled chicken and a green papaya salad with onion cut through the rich, spicy flavor of the coconut broth, with a crispy egg noodle garnish completing the standout menu item.

The passion fruit mooncake is a pretty dessert, but not worth getting. It’s too dense with a passion fruit cheesecake filling that wasn’t sweet enough for my liking. Fair warning that the cake is gold-dusted, so unless you want a celestial lip look, use a napkin after you finish the treat.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Fire-breathing dragons and Vikings coexist peacefully in this park inspired by the hit series. It’s a little silly, very cute, and a lot of fun even if you haven’t seen the movies.

Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel

Dragon riders don’t have time to sit down to eat; they’ve got things to do. If you’re looking for a handheld food item, this is the perfect grab-and-go stop for you with its macaroni and cheese cones.

The bread cones have similar spices to everything bagel seasoning, but they pale in comparison to their filling. You can get the classic mac and cheese, topped with fish-shaped crackers, or go spicy with the dragon fire chicken spire, which features Nashville-style pulled chicken and hot honey, as well as Calabrian peppers and chimichurri.

Eating hot macaroni and cheese while standing outside in the Florida sun is not my idea of a great time, but I’ll make an exception for the PB&J. It’s not peanut butter and jelly, it’s pork, bacon, and jam. Creamy macaroni and cheese is piled on top of barbecue harissa pulled pork, all topped with a peanut bacon jam. Consider sharing this one with a friend or two, as it’s a very rich item to tackle on your own.

Spit Fyre Grill

Unless you’re stopping at some of the fine dining restaurants in Celestial Park, or getting a salad at one of the quick service stands, eating in a health-conscious way is going to be tough at Universal Epic Universe.

That being said, Spit Fyre Grill is on the healthier side of the park’s food offerings, with well-rounded (and very hearty) menu options. You can get the same macaroni and cheese cones that are available at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, while also trying less indulgent fare by way of the stand’s five bowl offerings.

You can choose from a variety of proteins, from chicken to shrimp, and there’s even a vegan option that features pineapple salsa, candied beets, and vegan feta.

Hiccup's salmon bowl with ancient grains and jicama slaw immediately drew my attention, and I was sold after seeing that it comes with blistered tomatoes and salty feta that pairs beautifully with the grains.

The bowl comes with bland avocado crema and the salmon was slightly underseasoned, but for people worried about hitting all of their macros, this bowl does the trick and leaves you full and satisfied.

An attendant working at the stand shared that Stoick's steak bowl is the most popular of the set, and that’s no surprise with its sticky, garlicky rice and a generous portion of well-done tenderloin steak. Sweet potato hash and Manchego cheese make an appearance, as does a horseradish sauce that will have Burger King fans daydreaming of onion rings.

Though the steak comes on a skewer, you’ll need a knife and fork to eat the bowl, but the meat is tender, and makes for a dreamy bite when paired with the roasted balsamic mushrooms. The bowl is very filling, but I found myself coming back for more steak and mushrooms from the best food item I tried at Isle of Berk.

Note to park attendees that silverware is not currently available at the window where you pick up your food, you have to cross the pathway to the shaded dining area to find forks and knives.

Mead Hall

This location will truly make you feel like you’re in the movie, as parkgoers are transported to the dining room where the film’s characters break bread together. True to its Viking inspiration, the food here is hearty and filling, with everything from sausage links to roasted turkey wings, as well as “little dragon rider” meals for kids 9 and under that feature favorites like a cheeseburger and fries or macaroni and cheese bites.

While you may be tempted to go all in on the Scandinavian food, skip Berserker’s meatballs. The smashed root vegetables are bland, tasting like plain carrots and potatoes with butter, while the Swedish meatballs with onion gravy and lingonberry jam feel like a trip to Ikea. I like the combination, but if I’m spending that much money on park tickets, I’ll wait until my next furniture shopping trip for that particular meal.

Instead, opt for the salmon at Mead Hall: you can get it on a harvest salad that features blueberries and apples, grilled with pastrami seasoning and accompanied by herb garlic potatoes, or as a sandwich with pickles and horseradish dill creme fraîche.

Super Nintendo World

To quote the most famous plumber in the world, “Here we go!” The most visually dazzling of the parks at Epic Universe takes you into popular Nintendo video games, from Mario Kart to Donkey Kong.

Turbo-Boost Treats

This tiny stand next to the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride is the most lackluster in the park, currently offering just single-serve sodas and popcorn. Per Universal’s website, handheld snacks are “coming soon,” but no word yet on what they’ll be or when they’ll arrive.

The Bubbly Barrel

This is another stand with a very limited menu, but one that fans seem to universally enjoy in Donkey Kong Country. You can get a banana pineapple soft serve float one of two ways, either in a regular cup or in a commemorative Donkey Kong mug. It’s banana Dole whip with soda in a waffle cone, topped with caramel popcorn and Heath bar crumble, and comes with both a spoon and a straw, allowing you to eat the frozen treat and then sip it as it melts!

Yoshi’s Snack Island

If the DK crush float at The Bubbly Barrel sounds like too much for you, the drinks at Yoshi’s Snack Island have you covered. The mango smoothie tastes just like it sounds, with three types of mango in the beverage (puree, syrup, and diced), topped with whipped cream.

I love mango and thought this would be my favorite of the stand’s two beverages, but the other option blew it out of the water, with green apple and honeydew melon syrup frozen with milk for a sweet and tart refreshing treat.

The smoothie tastes like apple candy combined with Chinese guava candy (the kind that’s individually wrapped in bright green foil), and out of everything I tried at Epic Universe, I’ve been craving it the most since returning home.

The snack shack also offers two calzones. Vegetarians and vegans should ask for the green one, as it’s made with vegan Italian sausage, marinara, and vegan mozzarella cheese, while meat eaters can also enjoy the red calzone, which has a flavorful Italian meat sauce and mozzarella cheese filling.

The calzone is cute, and while it’s tasty, I found that the dough was too dense, and eating melty cheese and meat sauce in the least shady part of Epic Universe on a hot day was tough.

Toadstool Cafe

If you don’t like mushrooms, you’re out of luck, as almost everything that I tried in this restaurant helmed by Chef Toad featured them in some capacity.

The piranha plant caprese gets points for cuteness, with tomatoes, asparagus, and fresh mozzarella turned into edible art. The vinaigrette is tasty and better than the basil pesto, and overall, the salad is one of the lightest items on the menu.

I went into Toadstool Cafe expecting to just eat Italian food, but was blown away when the best thing on the menu turned out to be a cheeseburger. The Mario burger features a smoky all-beef patty, American cheese, caramelized mushrooms, bacon, thick tomato slices, and butter lettuce, all on a brioche bun with Thousand Island dressing. While the meal comes with truffle fries, they don’t hold a candle to the burger.

Unfortunately, just like in the games, Mario is the star and Luigi has to play second fiddle to his brother, as the Luigi Burger, a pesto grilled chicken burger, doesn’t pass the vibe check.

The grilled chicken was underseasoned and overpowered by the basil pesto, while the spinach and Swiss cheese felt like placeholders. I removed the green pepper ring from my burger, which felt out of sync with the rest of the meal, but that didn’t make it any better. The brioche bun and fries are the same as the Mario burger, but candidly, I would not eat this again.

I would, however, go back for the fire flower spaghetti and meatballs. Al dente spaghetti is topped with a spicy mushroom marinara sauce and meatballs that also bring the heat. Shaved parmesan and chopped parsley cool things down, and the fire flower parmesan crisp is a cute edible touch that shows the restaurant’s attention to detail.

If you go to Toadstool Cafe, don’t sleep on the super star lemon squash on the menu, as the honey lemon soda is really refreshing and sippable. Cut mango in the shape of stars and assorted tropical boba complete the drink, giving you extra pops of fun.

The Mt. Beanpole cake is a very cute dessert, with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layered sponge cake. It’s topped with a matcha mousse, which made the cake look beautiful, but tasted a bit disjointed in relation to the rest of the flavors. I wouldn’t recommend ordering it, but if you try this cake, don’t skip the yellow star on your slice—it’s edible!

Dark Universe

Legendary monsters prowl the twisted landscape of the spookiest part of Epic Universe, where myth and science collide for a truly eerie world.

The Burning Blade Tavern

The burning windmill on top of the tavern (yes, it’s regularly set on fire!) isn’t the only visually stunning item at this dining experience. From fried jalapeño pimento cheddar bites to a chicken skewer with garlic naan and tzatziki sauce, there’s nothing spooky about this menu, but you’ll want to focus on the drinks instead of the food if you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy order.

There’s a selection of beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic juices and sodas for the under-21 crowd, but the cocktails are where this bar shines. The names are punny (My Only Weakness and Pure of Heart sound like something out of a classic horror movie), but the one you really want is actually a mocktail.

The Monocane mocktail is Sprite -based, with pineapple, blue raspberry, and passion fruit syrup. Bartenders will put on a show for you when they make it, and if you get it in a souvenir beaker, you’ll be able to walk around the park looking like you’re drinking a mysterious potion that could turn you into a vicious creature of the night.

De Lacey’s Cottage

There are only two food items on the menu here, but they’re excellent enough to make up for that. First up is the Frank & Friends pretzel , a giant soft pretzel shaped like the head of Frankenstein’s monster. Pillowy and deliciously chewy, it’s sprinkled with large salt crystals and served with an optional white cheese dipping sauce.

The warm hearted cinnamon bites are just like they sound, warm cinnamon sugar donut bites topped with cream cheese frosting and a dusting of streusel. The four bites are easily shareable, but the fluffy sweet treats are light enough that they can be polished off by one person.

Das Stakehaus

Get ready for the spookiest meal of your life, as this restaurant is filled with Easter eggs galore for vampire fans. From high-backed dining chairs to eerie artwork on the walls, you feel transported to an ancient inn when eating here.

There are burgers and steaks on the menu, and different meats on skewers really play into the vampire theme, but the standout item for me was on a bun, not a stake. The “blood orange” chicken sandwich features fried chicken in a citrusy sauce with pickles and coleslaw, all on a black bun.

The blood orange sauce feels fresh, and the bite of pickle is delightful, so much so that if Chick-fil-A and Panda Express ever merged into an elevated sandwich shop, this would be the number one seller on their menu.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The Ministry of Magic is set in London in the Harry Potter universe, but the world at Epic Universe is set in 1920s Paris, with intricate details and beautiful architecture that genuinely make it feel like you’ve been transported to another time and place.

Le Gobelet Noir

Though this world is set in France, don’t be surprised to see a lot of German and Eastern European items on the menu at this restaurant, from pierogies to a bratwurst sandwich. The most French item on the menu is the coq au vin, which features red wine-marinated chicken breast, mushrooms, pancetta, pearl onions, and mashed potatoes.

But to truly immerse yourself in the Harry Potter world, you have to try the butterbeer, or as the French call it, bièraubeurre. Sweet and loaded with caramel flavor, it tastes like shortbread and butterscotch, and you can get it hot, cold, or frozen, though only the last two are available in both dairy and non-dairy versions.

Butterbeer can also be found at an outside cart and at Bar Moonshine, an American expat-themed bar complete with decor featuring U.S. Quidditch team pennants.

Café L’air De La Sirène

Oh la la, we are truly in France with this menu where quiche Lorraine and boeuf Bourguignon appear alongside a tomato galette and steak au Poivre. You can get croissants and pain au chocolat, and if your sweet tooth is at the wheel, you can’t go wrong with the bièraubeurre crêpe.

Shortbread cookie bavarian cream is nestled between a folded crêpe drizzled in butterbeer sauce, all garnished with perfectly sweet strawberries and shortbread cookie crumbles. C’est vraiment magnifique!

The salad Niçoise is another standout, with tangy and flavorful tuna salad mixed in with playful bites of Niçoise olives and pickled red onions. Hard-boiled eggs, fresh tomatoes, and green beans are all topped with a mustard vinaigrette for a transcendent and light dish.

The baguette ratatouille provençale is another excellent choice from this menu. The vegetarian sandwich on a crusty baguette is phenomenal, featuring roasted tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and eggplant.

Pickled red onions are drizzled with a garlic basil sauce traditionally found in Nice, and while I normally pick arugula off of my food, I found that it balanced the sandwich really well. Did I expect my favorite menu item in the Wizarding World to be a vegetable sandwich? No, but I’m very glad I gave it a chance.

Next: Coca-Cola Has Three New Exclusive Sodas at Universal Epic Universe and I Tried Them All

I Ate My Way Through Universal Epic Universe, What You Can’t Miss When You Go first appeared on Parade on May 24, 2025