Universal’s newest hotel, Helios Grand, officially welcomed its first guests on April 16th ahead of its scheduled opening and the official opening of Epic Universe on May 22nd. Along with a coffee bar/ market, poolside restaurant, and rooftop bar, Helios Grand has a signature sit-down restaurant, Flora Taverna. Flora Taverna is located in the Helios Lobby and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through Resy here.
BREAKFAST | 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
LUNCH | 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
DINNER | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The restaurant offers casual elegance and the feeling of a modern Mediterranean restaurant. The indoor seating area features a large open kitchen, blue and white tile, light woods, gold accents, and stunning faux olive trees throughout.
During the day, light pours in from expansive windows, giving a glimpse into the outdoor seating and, of course, Epic Universe.
The outdoor seating is also part of Flora Taverna and offers a mix of booths, tables, and lounge-type seating perfect for a leisurely meal or an afternoon cocktail and appetizer.
During opening week, our team visited for lunch and sampled a wide-range of menu items. Lunch entrees range from around $20 – $38.
Prosciutto Pizza – jubilee tomatoes, stone fruit, stracciatella, and arugula – $21
This Prosciutto Pizza is spectacular! The crust was fresh and light but the real star was the blend of sweetness from the stone fruit and the saltiness from the prosciutto. This was complemented by plenty of melty cheese, peppery arugula, and juicy tomatoes. This 10″ pizza is six pieces and could be shared or eaten as an individual entrée. We cannot recommend the Prosciutto Pizza enough!
American Wagyu Beef Burger – grilled beef patty, candied bacon, aged cheddar, herb aioli, arugula, on an artisanal brioche bun – $26
The American Wagyu Beef Burger might just be one of our all-time favorite burgers. We chose to order our patty medium and it was flavorful and juicy. Most notably, the candied bacon is some of the best we’ve ever had. The bacon was sweet with a complex spice flavor and the right amount of crispiness plus there was plenty of it! The brioche bun was soft and held together this somewhat complex burger. The flavor combination of this burger was incredible and we can’t wait to order the American Wagyu Beef Burger on our next visit to Helios Grand!
Za’atar Fries – served with lemon mayonnaise – $10
The “Handhelds” and “Specialty Gyros” on the menu all come with the option of fries or a salad as an included side. You can also choose to upgrade your side to the Za’atar Fries for a small upcharge. And we’re here to tell you to always opt to upgrade to the Za’atar Fries! The texture of the fries is heavenly – perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and dense on the inside. The Za’atar seasoning was plentiful and tasted like fresh oregano and thyme. You can also order the Za’atar Fries by themselves as a larger side for $10.
Fried Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich – topped with harissa yogurt, pickles, and cabbage – $26
The chicken schnitzel was tender with crunchy breading and the red cabbage and pickles gave it extra flavor and texture. The flavor of the harissa yogurt was missing and the additional spice from the harissa would have been a nice addition. Overall, still a great sandwich and the serving size was spot-on.
Chicken Gyro – fresh pita, cucumber, tomato, shaved red onion, and tzatziki – $22
The Chicken Gyro was our least favorite of the handhelds we tried. While still tasty, it wasn’t what we expected. The serving size was a little small and the chicken was chopped finely, making it almost more of a chicken salad texture. The grilled flavor from the chicken was great but it wasn’t anything extraordinary. Especially compared to what you can get at your local Greek restaurant for half the price.
Side House Salad – red onion, tomato, and house-made red wine vinaigrette
The House Salad was crisp and fresh with plenty of tomato, red onion, and cucumber. The vinaigrette was tangy and tossed in well with the veggies. This would be a great pairing with the pizza but the Za’atar Fries are still number one in our hearts!
Baklava – served with labneh and apricot gelato – $14
We almost didn’t order the Baklava but our server promptly told us we need to try “our baklava”. Wow, were they tight. the phyllo crust was perfect and the cake was dense without being overly sticky. The apricot gelato was a perfect pairing that gave the desert a pop of flavor. This is another must order for the DIS Unlimited team!
Olive Oil Cake – mascarpone cream, lemon sorbet, basil coulis, citrus salad – $14
The Olive Oil Cake was another sleeper hit! The cake was dense and lightly sweet with a hint of citrus. The accompaniments really made it a great dessert – the basil coulis was incredible and I could have enjoyed even more of the lemon sorbet.
The front of Flora Taverna is a walk-up bar with its own food menu with appetizers and the same signature cocktails from the full lunch and dinner menu. The bar area also has extended hours and is open 12 PM – 11 PM.
We had one of the best lunches we’ve ever had at the Universal Orlando Resort and think you should try Flora Taverna on your next visit! Be sure to order the Prosciutto Pizza, American Wagyu Beef Burger, and the Baklava. Watch our full video review to learn more about Flora Taverna and Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
