I’ll be honest with you; I’m the kind of person that would much rather eat at CityWalk than inside either of the Universal Orland theme parks. That said, there are still a few quick services restaurants that I think deserve recognition. My requirements to make the top three are that they need to have a variety of food options so that my travel party can all eat together. The three listed below are my go-to options at Universal Studios Florida.
Leaky Cauldron
If you love Harry Potter and want to feel immersed in the Wizarding World even during lunch, then the Leaky Cauldron is perfect for you. This huge restaurant has plenty of seating and fantastic air conditioning. Guests can find a diverse menu filled with delicious traditional British fare. A few of the dishes you can order here are the Bangers and Mash, Fisherman’s Pie, Toad in the Hole, a Ploughman’s Platter, and of course, Fish and Chips.
The pricing here is just like any other theme park quick service. Here you can expect prices between $12 to $22, depending on what you order. For example, the Toad in the Hole is $13.99, and the Ploughman’s Platter is $21.99, but it serves two people.
San Francisco Pastry Company
This small eatery has joined my list recently. It sits on the water and offers outdoor seating with beautiful views. On days when the sun isn’t beaming down harshly, it’s perfect. The menu isn’t highly diverse, but you can’t go wrong with a Caprese sandwich with soup or salad. Also, make sure to pick up one of the desserts they offer. They have some of the best sweets I’ve ever had at Universal Studios Florida.
There is no seating inside, so be prepared to find a seat outside. The pricing here is about the same as all the other quick service options. The Caprese sandwich costs $12.99, whereas the combo is $16.99. When the meal is made as a combo, it comes with a potato salad, seasonal fruit, and a choice of soup. I think $16.99 is a fairly reasonable price for all that food.
Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck
In Springfield, guests can find a food truck with a giant bee on the top. I know nothing about the Simpsons, but what I do know is that this location has excellent tacos. Unfortunately, most of the quick service locations at this park all serve the same thing burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and some places have pizza. This food truck is a great way to escape those “basic” theme park food items.
Bonus Round – TODAY Cafe
At the front of the park, you’ll come across the TODAY Cafe themed after the TODAY Show. This a great spot to grab some breakfast or a light lunch, depending on when you stumble into the park. They have pastries, sandwiches, salads, and even event-specific items. Right now, they are serving a few Mardi Gras dishes.
The interior is a small space, so for me, this is more of a grab & go type of spot instead of a sitting and relaxing area. Especially since they play the news in there, but an area is dedicated to outdoor seating.
I highly recommend you check out at least one of these locations on your next trip to Universal Studios, Florida. Are any of these restaurants on your must-do list?
