ORLANDO — With the arrival of Universal Orlando Resort’s Universal Epic Universe, the crowded Florida entertainment scene has entered a new era in theme park and dining excitement.
The latest sensory overloads encompass five worlds that engage the mind, spirit and, surprisingly, stomach with cutting edge artistry and creativity in every design: Celestial Park; Dark Universe; SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic; and How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk.
The rides deliver thrills that blend cutting-edge visuals with immersive storytelling throughout. However, what truly sets this park apart is something unexpected — the food.
Universal Orlando Resort has assembled an impressive lineup of culinary talent to create menus that are as ambitious and imaginative as the lands they are found in.
Led by research and development chefs Robert Martinez Jr. and Christopher Colón, the food and beverage team has refined the possibilities of theme park food.
The results are a flavor-forward menu across all worlds — complete with vegetarian options, high-quality proteins, and vibrant, globally inspired cuisine.
And, here’s a tip. Portions are generous. Many dishes are easily shareable, especially for kids. So come hungry and ready to sample widely.
Let’s dig in.
Celestial Park: The belly of Universal Epic Universe
The park’s central hub, Celestial Park, dazzles with lush gardens, tranquil water features, and the largest as well as most diverse mix of dining options of the five worlds.
One standout food choice is Atlantic, an upscale seafood destination housed inside a dreamy Victorian aquarium.
“Our vision was inspired by the variety of beautiful seafood and diverse cultures found in Florida, says executive sous chef Michael Rodriguez. “Many items are locally sourced, creating an immersive thematic experience from start to finish — both in flavor and setting.”
The menu features seafood dishes served in an underwater fantasy locale. Standouts include the Baked Oysters Valentina ($19) with spinach purée, Gruyère and a bacon-herb crumb presenting rich, savory, creamy palate textures and perfectly balanced with a bit of a crunch.
And, the Seared Scallops ($38) served with Arborio rice, trumpet mushrooms, charred Romanesco, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Cooked to a perfect medium, they are crisply browned and satisfyingly firm.
Next, the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant offers a feast for the eyes and the palate. This vibrant space, illuminated with neon blues, reds, yellows and oranges, contains décor that echoes the cool elegance of East Asia.
The menu features Tonkotsu Ramen ($29) with delicate noodles, tender chashu pork, shiitake mushrooms, tare eggs and spring onions. A drizzle of chili oil infused with Shichimi Togarashi (a seven-spice blend) adds aroma and heat to the savory broth.
Other offerings include Dim Sum ($13 to $18), Chicken Khao Soi ($28), and a standout Vegan Mapo Tofu ($27). Finish with the Golden Passion Fruit Dessert ($11) for a perfectly tart, sweet bite.
Move to the Oak & Star Tavern to find a roadhouse-style BBQ joint that’s all about comfort food and serves a remarkable 14-hour Smoked Brisket with braised greens that even picky eaters will enjoy (one meat with one side option for $21.99).
The brisket is also offered as a bloated sandwich with seasoned crinkle-cut fries ($18.99). Don’t skip dessert: the Banana Pudding ($7.99) is layered with fresh bananas, house-made whipped cream and vanilla wafers. Also on the menu is a moist and flavorful Mango Bread ($4.99).
Feast options include brisket and chicken or brisket and kielbasa platters — perfect for hungry travelers or two to three kids to share.
One of the more entertaining destinations is the Pizza Moon restaurant. Here, boasting that “the moon is made of cheese and pepperoni, this Victorian-themed pizzeria offers fun, high-quality pies and a décor based on Georges Melies’ 1902 sci-fi movie, “A Trip to the Moon.”
A standout is the Pizza Lunare ($18.99), made with a crust colored by ube, a purple yam from Southeast Asia. The flavor is earthy and sweet, pairing beautifully with garlic béchamel, ricotta, pancetta, fromage de lune and garlic confit.
Traditionalists can opt for cheese or pepperoni, but adventurous eaters should try the Chicken BBQ Pizza ($18.99), topped with pickled red onions, Castelvetrano olives and crunchy BBQ chips. It is sweet, savory, salty, and tangy in every bite.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic munchies
Step into 1920s wizarding Paris, where magic and elegance meet. The immersive environment replicates romantic Parisian streets with bistros and magical vendors.
Café L’air de la Sirène serves French classics like quiche, Boeuf Bourguignon, pastries, and Butterbeer Crêpes ($19.99 for two crepes) while Le Gobelet Noir features hearty Eastern European fare including Pork Schnitzel ($17.99), Beef Goulash ($18.99) and warm sandwiches.
Dark Universe — Your hunger is alive
A gothic experience set in a Bavarian land where classic monsters lurk and where the chef-inspired fare is daring and spooky, as it extends the story of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein and her monsters.
This world is all about the battle between good and evil, i.e. the goodness of well-prepared culinary thrills and the evil of only being able to eat so much.
Das Stakehaus leans into vampire lore in a dark and dingy, sit-down restaurant paying homage to the ancestry of bloodsuckers. Ghouls will savor a Blood-Orange Chicken Sandwich ($17.99) and the signature Das Burger ($17.99) on a black bun. The sandwich, paired with tangy pickles and slaw, is rich and delectable.
At the Burning Blade Tavern, guests enjoy monster-themed cocktails under the looming Windmill that erupts in flames hourly.
Try the Pure of Heart ($18), a mix of violet liqueur, crème de cassis, whiskey, pineapple, lime, and honey syrup topped with ginger beer. Pair it with the Hunter’s Garlic Steak ($8.99), Burning Cheddar Bits ($11.99) or Staked Grilled Chicken ($11.49).
How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Burp (er … Berk)
This lively Viking village serves hearty, kid-friendly meals with flair. Mead Hall offers Hiccup’s Grilled Salmon with dill chimichurri ($20.99) and the Thawfest Platter ($49.99) a shareable feast of wings, sausages, salmon and Nordic fries (of the steak fry variety).
At Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel, enjoy big flavors like Turkey Wings ($19.99), Chicken Lollipops with wild berry BBQ and a glazed salmon with dill-fennel chimichurri.
“We wanted to blend a little balance of Scandinavian flavors such as lingonberry jam, fresh harvested berries, ancient grains that can be found in our salad, as well as fun, big foods meant for Vikings,” says Mr. Colón, executive sous chef, research and development.
The adjacent Hooligan Harbor is perfect for enjoying your meal with a harbor view. Bowl options include Hiccup’s Salmon Bowl ($18.99) and the vegan-friendly Valka’s Vegan Bowl ($18.99), which features pineapple salsa, candy beets and a mango mint vinaigrette.
Eaters will also find Mac and Cheese Cones, including the spicy Dragon Fire Chicken ($15,99) and the PB&J (Pork, Bacon & Peanut Bacon Jam, $15,99). Both are fun to eat and unexpectedly complex in some off-mixed flavors.
Scrumptious and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
In this very colorful and very visual world, [fictional] chef Toad serves up gamer-inspired fare at Toadstool Café. Try the Mario Burger ($16.99), or for spice lovers, Bowser’s Fireball Challenge ($24.99), a pound of spicy meatballs topped with mozzarella in mushroom marinara. Dishes like Yoshi’s Mushroom Alfredo ($16.99) and Piranha Plant Caprese ($13.99) mix fun presentation with wholesome ingredients.
“Mushrooms are present throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, as well as other healthy bites that were designed to get children excited about eating lunch, but a lunch that will give them good energy from whole foods,” Mr. Colón says. “Our goal is to meet dietary needs without sacrificing flavor or fun.”
Even indulgent options like the Mario Burger and Luigi Burger come with Truffle Fries — because, well, video game heroes need fuel.
And, Yoshi’s Snack Island, Koopa Troopa Calzones ($13) come in veggie and meat options and are great for families looking for adventure and not wanting to stop for a full meal.
Finally, found at a kiosk just outside the Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness ride, the Donkey Kong Crush Float ($20) is a sweet and tangy, over-the-top indulgence full of surprises and nestled in a Donkey Kong barrel-shaped souvenir mug.
The float combines tart banana flavor with fizzy pineapple soda with soft serve banana ice cream and is nestled in a waffle cone and then topped with toffee bits and caramel popcorn.
The artificial banana flavor delivers a candy-like tartness that balances the sweetness of the soda and toppings creating a refreshing, one-of-a-kind treat unmatched in any of the other worlds.
Playing and feasting reign supreme
With immersive lands accessed through beautifully designed portals, Universal Epic Universe isn’t just a park — it’s a new way to experience story, food and fantasy. Whether you’re chasing dragons, casting spells, or leveling up in Super Nintendo World, one thing’s for sure: bring an appetite and get ready to taste the future of theme parks.
• Joseph Szadkowski contributed to this report.
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