The Food of Epic Universe

We have been charting the improvement of theme park food for the past 20 years, and the arrival of a brand new Orlando park marks a great moment to take stock and see just how things have changed in two decades.

We’ve certainly seen Disney raise the bar in that time, with new in-park restaurants like Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom), Tiffins (Animal Kingdom), Roundup Rodeo BBQ (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) and Spice Road Table (EPCOT). All four of those gave us something original and tempting, way above the out-dated burger-and-fries offerings.

And now we have Universal’s Epic Universe, a whole new realm of culinary creativity and taste, especially when it comes to maintaining the theme of their five different “worlds.” If you read last week’s blog about the full rundown, you will certainly have noted the astounding element of immersive experiences in each of the five.

So, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that the all-important dining opportunities are equally highly themed – as well as downright tasty. From the Butterbeer crepes of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, to the Frankenstein-shaped pretzels of Dark Universe, this is an exercise in themed food and drinks that all add to the impressive line-up of rides and attractions. Ready for the deets? Here are all five worlds and their top tastes.

Celestial Park

The park’s entry area is actually its best for fine dining and the widest range of any of the quintet, with fully 11 contrasting restaurants and bars to try. If you just want a satisfying pint or a hand-crafted cocktail, there is The Plastered Owl, with its own branded craft beer (the Speechless Astronomer, a grapefruit wheat ale); the fun tiki-bar style of CelesTiki, with its frozen cocktails; the scenic Bar Zenith; and Meteor Astropub, which adds some suitably stylish pub grub, including a truly delicious Chicken & Waffle plate.

For more quick-hit tastes, seek out the traditional steamed bao buns of Asian food cart Star Sui Bao, or the more down-to-earth offerings of Comet Dogs (where there’s even a vegan choice, the Smoky Carrot Dog) and finish up with The Frosty Moon ice-cream stand.

The final four choices are where you should seriously consider lunch or dinner to ensure a memorable meal to go with all your rides and shows. Each of The Oak & Star Tavern and Pizza Moon provide a range of thoroughly satisfying selections that won’t break the bank but will offer plenty of good, solid nourishment to keep you going until park closing time (currently 10pm). Pizza Moon features salads and pasta, as well as a fab pizza array (especially for vegetarians), while Oak & Star serves up luscious barbecue fare, as well as beer, wine and cocktails.

The crème de la crème, though, is provided by the two full-service restaurants in the park, which both offer high style as well as a gourmet touch. Blue Dragon Pan Asian Restaurant is, as the name suggests, an exercise in authentic cuisine from the likes of Japan, China, South Korea and Thailand in an indoor courtyard setting. If the likes of Won Tons in Chili Oil, Beef Xi’an Noodles and Crispy Orange Chicken appeal to you, this is definitely your place. Atlantic gets top billing, though, for both its gorgeous setting and its menu. The huge windows provide grandstand views of the park while the Victorian styling is a treat and the food is even better, with the Sea Bass and Filet Mignon among the very best dishes in any theme park. The cocktails are equally impressive, as is the extensive wine list.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

If you’ve already sampled the dining opportunities of Universal’s other two Wizarding worlds, you’ll know there are plenty of suitably themed dishes on offer. That’s even more evident at Epic. There are only three dining venues in this 1920s Paris version of the Potter-verse, but each offers original and elaborate thematic charms.

Bar Moonshine is the obvious option for a drink or two, especially as it serves up the signature Bieraubuerre (or Butterbeer, as this is the French version, from the Fantastic Beasts films). But that’s not all. The real beers include the Daisyroot Draft (a light, crisp ale) and Wizard’s Brew (a full-bodied sweet stout), while the original cocktails include a superb Fleur 75 and Sherbet Lemon.

For the full dining experience, though, each of Café L’air de la Sirene and Le Gobelet Noir feature fabulous settings for a full period Parisian experience, especially the former. The menu rivals that of EPCOT’S France pavilion while the more extensive Gobelet expands the European feel with classic dishes like Beef Goulash, Coq au Vin, Jägerschnitzel and Lentil Stew. You’ll get full value for your dining experience here, but we love the pavement café style of Café L’air de la Sirene best of all.

Dark Universe

Diving into the brooding, ominous world of Dr Victoria Frankenstein and Darkmoor Village, there are three more intriguing foodie options to sound out. In simple terms, De Lacey’s Cottage is a straightforward counter-service offering with limited outdoor seating (so it’s really grab-and-go fare), but Frankenstein fans will want to make a note of it as it features the outstanding snack Frank & Friends, which is basically a giant pretzel in the shape of Frankenstein’s monster!

When it comes to suitably-themed diners, it’s hard to beat Dark Universe’s one-two punch of the Burning Blade Tavern, where the blades of the iconic windmill DO catch fire periodically, and the full vampire theming of Das Stakehaus, with its rather gruesome interior décor dedicated to the history of these Transylvanian transplants. The latter offers more food options, including an eye-catching Carved Staked Steak and a vegan Stuffed Cabbage dish that only looks like a brain from one of Dr Frankenstein’s experiments.

The atmosphere is dark and menacing (it may be a bit much for young children), and the vibe at the Tavern is similar, with low lighting and décor that suggests 16th century Gothic. The food is above average, too, with the likes of a Charred Loaded Potato and Staked Grilled Chicken, as well as a Burning Blade Burger, with cheese, caramelised onions and jalapeño bacon on a potato bun, but it’s the drinks most people will visit for. The cocktails all maintain the macabre theming, including the signature Monocane Mocktail, served in a souvenir beaker.

Super Nintendo World

You might not think the world of Mario and Donkey Kong would be able to muster much in the way of food and beverage, but you’d be wrong. Not only is this the home of another distinctive restaurant, the Toadstool Café, but each of the other snack and beverage outlets has something unique about it that you’re not likely to find anywhere else (except, maybe, in another Nintendo World!).

Yoshi’s Snack Island offers a fresh and fruity array of tempting drinks and bites, notably the Koopa Troopa Calzones and Mango and Apple Melon smoothies, while snack kiosk Turbo-Boost Treats, next to the Super Mario ride, features its own take on popcorn, with highly collectable popcorn buckets. But most people will make a beeline for walk-up kiosk The Bubbly Barrel in Donkey Kong country and its outrageously amusing DK Crush Float. Like the Dole Whip at Walt Disney World, this mixture of soft-serve ice cream and soda is a mega temptation – and an even better taste sensation. Backed by pineapple soda and served in a waffle cone, this mix of banana and pineapple soft serve is outrageously decadent and totally delicious. At $18.99 with a Donkey Kong souvenir plastic mug (and $12.99 without), it is sure to be one of THE most desirable dishes in the park.

“Food is fun” could also be the motto for Toadstool Café, as this is definitely another venue designed with keeping visitors in the all-encompassing bright colours and theming of Mario’s world. All the windows feature a continuous moving screen of the area’s magnificent make-believe, and then the dishes include signature Chef Toad recipes like Super Mushroom Soup, Bowser’s Fireball Challenge (a giant meatball at the centre of a mound of puff pastry and marinara mushroom sauce) and Yoshi Mushroom Alfredo, not forgetting Princess Peach’s Cake for dessert.

How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Viking culture from the animated movies is strong here, and it clearly continues into the food, where Mead Hall is one of the most eye-catching dining venues in the park. This cavernous counter-service choice also tastes as good as it looks, with essential dishes like the Sullen Sea Sandwich, Turkey Wings, Swedish Meatballs and Grilled Salmon, while the huge Thawfest Platter ($49.99, but enough to feed two or three) invites visitors to “Feast like a Viking” with a grand spread of chicken drumsticks glazed in a wild berry BBQ glaze, grilled salmon and succulent sausage served with a medley of roasted carrots, cipollini onions, Nordic fries and side sauces. The beer selection is pretty good, too.

The Spit Fyre Grill is another pleasant surprise as it features a selection of five different bowl meals, including chicken, shrimp and salmon, as well as a spicy vegan option with kale, bean salad, beets, feta and pineapple salsa that all taste fresh and more health-conscious than most theme park counter-service offerings. The big extravagance, though, are the Mac & Cheese Cones, a generous helping of creamy macaroni and cheese wrapped in a thick but crunchy bread-type cone and topped with various flavour combos, such as pulled pork, maple bacon and chopped parsley. Not only were they immensely filling and delightfully messy, but they tasted indulgently fabulous!

If the queue is too long at Spit Fyre Grill and you need to get one of those outrageous mac and cheese cones asap, head over to Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel kiosk, which offers “quick bites for Vikings on the go,” and is where they specialise in just those three simple bready indulgences, with less of a crowd. The ‘Grog” is pretty good, too, including a Swedish strawberry-lime cider, Carlsberg pilsner and Stoick’s Ale, a tasty wildflower-honey white beer.

As you can tell, there is a LOT of Epic Universe to taste, and we certainly haven’t sampled it all. But we will be back, and soon! And that’s your full low-down on the many and varied food offerings of this Universe. Your only problem will be, which one to try first!

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