A Foodie’s Guide to Universal Volcano Bay

The time had officially come. With excitement and anticipation in the air, I crossed into the aquatic adventure world of Universal Volcano Bay — Universal Orlando’s third theme park.

Volcano Bay is home to the fabled Waturi tribe and their entire realm is centered around the colossal 200-foot-tall Krakatau volcano with cascading waterfalls. Here, travelers are transported to the idyllic South Pacific where adventures await at every corner – they can shoot down the epic aqua coaster through the insides of the breathtaking Krakatau volcano, or ride one of the many thrilling, wild water slides and rides.

Volcano Bay is also home to four dining spots: Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club, Whakawaiwai Eats, Bambu and The Feasting Frog, along with two full bars to quench your thirst – Dancing Dragons Boat Bar and the Kunuku Boat Bar.

Sure, there are the usual staples of family favorites here—burgers, corn dogs, nachos and chicken tenders (although even those often have a tropical twist). But the Food and Beverage team for Volcano Bay have amped up the notches on the foodie meter here. They’ve added distinctive touches to the menu of over 60 different island-inspired dishes and over 12 signature cocktails.

Here are some of our favorite dishes to eat and drinks to drink at Volcano Bay so far:

Coconut Crusted Fried Chicken

Coconut Crusted Fried Chicken, served with french fries, sweet plantains and cucumber mango basil slaw. This lovely fried chicken has just a touch of sweetness from the coconut flavors, transporting your taste buds to an island in the South Pacific.

Hawaiian Ribs

If there’s one dish you must try at Volcano Bay, it’s these smoked Hawaiian ribs. Sticky and sweet, these are slow smoked honey glazed ribs served with french fries, sweet plantains and a cucumber mango basil slaw.

Burgers at Volcano Bay

There’s quite a few burgers here, all served on a King’s Hawaiian Roll bun for that island flavor and sweet kick. From bacon to Szechuan glazed pork belly, there’s something for everyone. Our favorite, however, was the vegetarian friendly Quinoa Edamame Burger.

Quinoa Edamame Burger

I think they should just call it the umami burger, because it is packed with umami flavors from the roasted shiitake mushrooms to the crispy, crunchy quinoa edamame “burger” patty.

Reka Burger

The Reka Burger has Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, topped with bread and butter pickles and BBQ sauce, on a King’s Hawaiian Roll, served with fries

Belly Burger

Belly Burger – Szechuan-glazed pork belly, caramelized onions, topped with fresh cucumber basil slaw, lettuce, and tomato, served with fries.

Bacon Cheeseburger

Who doesn’t love a classic? Bacon Cheeseburger with two slices of crispy bacon, American cheese, lettuce and tomato, served with fries.

Jerk Mahi Sandwich

For those seafood lovers, the fresh and succulent jerk seasoned mahi mahi sandwich is the perfect choice, served with a cucumber mango basil slaw, lettuce, tomato and Sriracha mayo on coconut bread with a side of vegetable chips.

Hawaiian Longboard Pizza

The pizzas here aren’t your typical round pizzas found at the corner. The ones served on the island of Volcano Bay are “longboard” pizzas, served in the shape of an elliptical surfboard. Ride the flavor waves with the Hawaiian Longboard Pizza, topped with sweet caramelized pineapple, savory diced ham, and spicy pickled jalapeños.

Jerk Shrimp Mac & Cheese

This savory and satisfying Jerk Shrimp Mac and Cheese features Jamaican jerk-spiced, pan-seared shrimp tossed with pasta shells in a creamy, white cheddar cheese sauce. It’s so good, you might be tempted to just dive in and devour the whole thing yourself. It’s probably best to share.

Poke Poke Bowl

Succulent, fresh Ahi Tuna, tossed in soy honey vinaigrette and served with plantain chips. With origins in Hawaii, the poke tuna is all the rage right now. The sweet and sour soy-honey vinaigrette sauce makes this tuna dish pop with flavor.

Loaded Nachos

A family favorite, these Loaded Nachos come topped with chili, melted cheese, jalapenos and a drizzle of sour cream. Don’t forget the napkins!

Round out this foodie adventure with some of the finest desserts to be found in all the seven seas.

Waturi Fusion Ice Cream Cone

Made up of swirls of banana, blue raspberry, strawberry, and orange ice cream flavors, this colorful dessert is a treat for both your eyes and your taste buds.

Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This delicious chocolate cake is topped with a sweet ring of pineapple.

Chocolate Lava Cake

With molten chocolate filling oozing out of its chocolate core at the very first bite, there is absolutely no better dessert to try at Volcano Bay than the Chocolate Lava Cake.

No trip to an island paradise is complete – for adults over the age of 21, of course – without a visit to the local Tiki Bar.

Guests at Volcano Bay have the blessings of not one but two Boat Bars – Dancing Dragons and Kunuku. These island oases are shaped out of outrigger ships that let you sail away to distant shores with their festive rum and vodka cocktails and libations. Try one of Volcano Bay’s many creative concoctions to freshen up in between water rides.

The Guavaruma made with Mt. Gay rum, Passoa, Sprite, fresh guava juice, and fresh pineapple juice is a spritzy, sweet treat perfect.

For craft beer lovers, Volcano Bay’s very own specialty microbrew – the Volcano Blossom – is a light pilsner beer certain to please with tropical fruit flavors.

Don’t miss out on any of these dishes on your journey to the island paradise of Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay. And as with any foodie locale, the menu shifts to feature new flavors and surprises to keep guests happy. Some dishes may change with the seasons, so keep an eye out for what’s new when you visit.

Until the next water ride adventure, grab an island dish, pull up a beach chair, sip on a cocktail with a tiki umbrella in it, and enjoy the island life on Volcano Bay.

Must be 21 years of age or older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages at Universal Orlando Resort.