If you’re anything like us, you’re the type of person who looks up the menu the day of your dinner reservation, hatches a plan, then fantasizes about what food you’ll be eating all day. And the same goes for our visits to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk Hollywood — it’s all about the Universal food and drink plan. It’s called strategy, people!
With so much to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood, it’s hard to face the fact that you can’t possibly taste everything there (at least not in one visit). Luckily, we’ve tried it all for you, and we’ve comprised a list of the crème de la crème of L.A.’s most unmissable theme park. You can snack on everything from Nintendo-inspired fare to ice-cold Butterbeer during your next visit. Here are our top must-try food and drink experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Fuel Up at Power Up Cafe
Have a bite at this delicious take-away eatery, located on the Upper Lot. Power Up Cafe has a short (yet mighty!) menu inspired by various Power-Up items found throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, including a suite of Fizzes, carbonated beverages that glitter and change flavor. The mushroom-shaped calzones are especially a must: There’s the Super Mushroom Calzone (pepperoni, sausage, mozzarella and tomato sauce), and the vegetarian 1-Up Mushroom Calzone (spinach, green pepper, mushroom, mozzarella and basil pesto). Not only are they delicious, but they’re the perfect on-the-go, eat-by-hand snack — no sitting necessary.
Relax and recharge at Toadstool Cafe
The only restaurant inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is one of my favorite lunch spots in the whole theme park. The menu, inspired by the Mushroom Kingdom, has something for everyone — kids, parents, vegetarians, carnivores, sweet tooths…everyone! The creamy Super Mushroom Soup, topped with truffle oil and (adorable) Super Mushroom crackers, is one of my personal favorites. If you’re extra hungry, go for the Bowser’s Fireball Challenge, a one-pound spicy meatball topped with mozzarella and mushroom marinara sauce. To get a sneak peek of the menu, check outDiscover Universal’s guide to Toadstool Cafe here.
Discover your favorite way to enjoy Butterbeer
In our experience, the first question people will ask when you tell them you’ve been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is, “Soooo did you try Butterbeer?!” We highly recommend you don’t let the answer be anything but an enthusiastic YES. A favorite among Hogwarts students and professors alike, the drink has a nice fizzy feeling combined with a sweet taste reminiscent of butterscotch and shortbread. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most popular food and beverage items at Universal Studios Hollywood.
It comes in three varieties: hot, cold and frozen. All are delicious, but cold is our go-to. Wait, no, actually, it’s frozen. Actually, the hot Butterbeer is great when the weather cools — OK, never mind, you really can’t go wrong with any choice. You can find Butterbeer all over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: at the Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head, or at one of the Butterbeer carts located throughout the snow-capped village. You can also enjoy the delicious flavor in multiple other forms, like Butterbeer Fudge, Butterbeer Ice Cream and Butterbeer Potted Cream, available at Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks.
Delight in a wizarding feast
Not only does Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter make us feel like we are actually in the “Harry Potter” series, but it dishes up some of the best food in the entire theme park. The menu is based on hearty British feasts. Think: a Traditional English Breakfast, Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish & Chips, Pumpkin Juice and, of course, Butterbeer.
You really can’t go wrong at Three Broomsticks. But we recommend you and your crew go in on The Great Feast together. The platter includes roast chicken, spare ribs, corn on the cob, and roasted veggies, plus you can order a few side salads. With The Great Feast, you can maximize the number of delicious Wizarding World items that hit your taste buds. And, psst: You definitely don’t want to skip dessert here. We always go for the Sticky Toffee Pudding. You’re welcome.
Cool off with soft-serve ice cream
If you’re craving a sweet treat, make a beeline to Honeydukes in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Not only will you find an array of Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans, and fudge, but a soft-serve ice cream counter! Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream serves 10 flavors of soft-serve, including Butterbeer, Chocolate, Orange, Toffee Nut, Pistachio, Banana, Mint, Vanilla, Granny Smith Apple and Toffee Apple. But c’mon, you’re in Hogsmeade — you can’t go wrong with a serving of Butterbeer soft-serve.
Dig into a Lard Lad Donut
There comes a time in everyone’s life where it’s important to opt for the donut as big as your head. Luckily, your time has come. Visit Lard Lad Donuts in Springfield U.S.A. and enjoy the Big Pink Donut, a truly giant circular confection. They’re big enough to share, but we understand if you want to save it all for yourself.
Enjoy a Krusty Burger
There’s a reason Homer always returns to Krusty Burger: it’s delicious. When in Springfield, U.S.A., we recommend going with the classic Krusty Burger, a ⅓ pound patty topped with Secret Sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles and American cheese. If you want to kick it up a notch, try the Clogger Burger: a two-patty Burger with applewood smoked bacon. Vegetarians and vegans will be pleased to know there’s a great meatless option on the menu, the Mother Nature Burger.
Take a sip of paradise at the Isla Nu-Bar
First, take a few minutes to really appreciate the perfect pun that is this cocktail stand’s name. OK, great. Now you’ve earned yourself a drink. And dang, does the Isla Nu-Bar have some delicious options.
Any of these rum-based concoctions will have you feeling like you’re floating in the tropics. We’re big fans of the Tiki Tai (pineapple rum, dark rum, white rum, passionfruit puree, lime juice and orgeat), but you also can’t go wrong with a classic, blended Piña Colada. Or, their take on a Mexican classic, the Tropical Margarita. Yup, that’s margarita + rum. Get your bev in an etched, wood tiki mug to really bring the island breeze to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Treat yourself at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
This steampunk-inspired CityWalk eatery has a fantastic savory menu, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the milkshake menu! Toothsome Chocolate Emporium boasts a plethora of specialty milkshakes, with flavors ranging from Strawberries & Cream to Confetti to Brownie—and even a vegan Orange & Cream (non-dairy) milkshake made with orange soft serve. With so many options you’re sure to find a flavor to match your mood. Even more enticing, these decadent desserts are available for purchase at the milkshake bar, so you can take ‘em to-go. Exploring CityWalk is so much tastier with a towering Cookies & Cream milkshake in hand.
Get superstitious at Voodoo Doughnuts
Are there two doughnuts on this list? Yes. Is that too many doughnuts? Absolutely not. We’d argue it’s not enough doughnuts. But with nearly 40 menu items at Voodoo Doughnut, we don’t think you’ll feel cheated out of circular confection availability at Universal Studios Hollywood. There are classics like glazed old fashioned and double chocolate, sure, but we recommend you go harder. Order an Oh Captain, My Captain for one topped in vanilla frosting and Cap’n Crunch, or the Bacon Maple bar, which mixes sweet and meat. But our favorite is the classic Voodoo Doll, a yeast donut in the shape of — you guessed it — a voodoo doll, filled with raspberry jelly.
Oh, and if you really want to make your visit to Universal unforgettable, you can even get married at Voodoo Doughnut. Seriously.
These are just some of the delicious food and drink offerings at Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk. Which iconic items did we leave off the list? C’mon, we know you have thoughts. Drop us a note in the comments!
Must be 21 years and older with valid photo identification to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Drink responsibly.
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