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In my opinion, some of the best (and sometimes worst) parts of a theme park is its food. I love themed snacks, unique meals, and specialty drinks…but if I have to have an oily sub-par burger one more time, my stomach might just quit my body (is this growing up??).
Anyway, after being a UOAP passholder and after taking numerous trips, I can confidently say I’ve found some of the best snacks in Universal Orlando that are inexpensive, filling, and not gross (the most important part).
Map of Where to Find the Best Snacks at Universal Orlando
Best Snacks in Islands of Adventure
1. Hummus from Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House
At only $4.99, this little snack comes with freshly prepared hummus, carrots, celery, and warm pita bread. YUM.
It’s healthy, cheap, and will fill you up a bit so you can keep grazing!
Also Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House has other cheap snacks to check out including a fruit cup for $4.79 and Greek yogurt for $3.99.
2. Soup from Three Broomsticks
There are two options: Leek and Potato and Split Pea and Ham, each for only $5.99. It’s a hearty serving and will fill you up.
This is an especially cozy option if you’ve just been hit by Florida rain.
3. Baked potato from Three Broomsticks
Another great snack is a baked potato from the Three Broomsticks that comes with butter and sour cream. It’s one of the least processed foods you can get in Universal Orlando and at only $4.49 that’s a big win for a small price!
4. Spaghetti and meatballs from Café 4
Any meal under $10 is a theme park miracle in my book. At Café 4 (based on the Fantastic 4), they have a number of pasta dishes and one of them is only $9.99 and that’s the spaghetti and meatballs.
5. Breadsticks and marinara from Café 4, Pizza Predattoria, and Comic Strip Café
Two for two for Café 4 and plus one for these other restaurants! This is definitely more of a snack, compared to the spaghetti above, but you can get breadsticks with a side of marinara dipping sauce for only $4.49!
Simple, inexpensive, and delicious!
6. Brookie from all over
Is this a list of snacks or desserts, you say? I say they’re one in the same.
You can find this sweetly satisfying brookie (part brownie, part cookie) at a number of spots in Islands of Adventure and at only $3.79, it’s a steal!
Look for it at Blondie’s, Thunder Falls Terrace, and Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous.
7. Who Hash from Green Eggs & Ham Cafe
This may be the most expensive item on the list, but it does come in a souvenir can. At $14.99 from Green Eggs & Ham Cafe, you can try your very own (delicious) Who Hash. It’s tater tots covered in white cheese sauce, green onions, and corned beef.
It’s seriously so good and pretty filling for a snack! It doesn’t make the best meal because it’s not quite big enough imo.
There are other tots to choose from at lower prices including Green Eggs & Ham Tots ($9.99), pizza tots, and buffalo chicken tots (both around $11).
Snacks to Try in Universal Studios of Florida
8. Overnight oats from TODAY Café
If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast once you’ve already entered the parks or after you’ve done the early park admission and gotten on Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, Today Café is the spot!
The overnight oats cost $6.99 and are made with old fashioned oats, almond milk, agave, chia seeds, and berries. Yum!
9. Salsa flight from Café La Bamba
For only $6.99 you can try 3 different salsas with lime salted corn tortilla chips! It’s a perfect little snack and foodie adventure.
Plus this outdoor area is nice and quiet away from the ride crowds.
10. Sweet or savory crepe from Central Park Crêpes
Right across from Café La Bamba is Central Park Crêpes.
While this is one of the pricier items on this list at $11.99, crêpes make a great snack and they’re perfect regardless of if you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory…which also helps if multiple people in your group are craving different tastes.
11. Beef pasties from The Hopping Pot
Grab these from the Hopping Pot for a filling and delicious snack in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
It’s located in the right corner behind the Weasley Shop and next to Carkitt Market. It looks like a drink-only spot, but they have a couple snacks including the beef pasties for $10.99.
You can also get these from Three Broomsticks, but then you have to wait for a table, so I’m not recommending it.
12. Butterbeer ice cream from Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour
While you can technically get butterbeer ice cream in both parks since they stock packed ice cream in Honeydukes and at the carts around Hogsmeade, there’s something better about getting it soft served in a cone from Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour.
The cone only costs $5.99 (you can ask for it in a paper cup instead) or you can opt for a souvenir glass for $8.49.
Hot tip: If the line is super long and you’re only getting butterbeer ice cream go next door to Fountain of Fair Fortune. They serve butterbeer soft serve along with their drink menu!
Top Snacks Found in Both Universal Orlando Parks
13. Butterbeer
Of course, this has to make the list! Butterbeer is an essential park snack even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan (although…what’s up with that? Are you okay?).
Honestly, trying all the forms of butterbeer is one of the best things to do in the Wizarding World. In its liquid form, you can get hot, frozen, or cold butterbeer from:
- Carts in Hogsmeade
- Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade
- Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade
- The Fountain of Fair Fortune in Diagon Alley
- Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley
- The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley
They also recently just made vegan-friendly butterbeer available at Three Broomsticks and Leaky Cauldron with dairy-free foam topping!
14. Butterbeer fudge from Honeydukes or Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
If you’re looking for a sweet treat that will last, butterbeer fudge is the way to go. You can get it from the counter at Honeydukes in Islands of Adventure or Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Universal Studios of Florida.
For one square, it’s $4.95 and it’s so sweet that you’ll likely be nibbling on it all day. I even brought mine home with me as a cheap Harry Potter themed souvenir so, I’m still eating it!
15. Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
You can’t go wrong with pretzels in a theme park, especially Auntie Anne’s because you know they’re more freshly made than those found on a cart.
There are locations in both parks. In Islands of Adventure, you’ll find a location between the Comic and Marvel areas. In Universal Studios of Florida, it’s in the city streets across from Finnegan’s Bar and Grill.
You can get a pretzel or pretzel bites for under $5!
16. Dole whip
I bet you wouldn’t suspect you can get dole whip at Universal Orlando! Well it’s not just for the Disney parks!
You’ll find dole whip for $3.99 at Wimpy’s in Islands of Adventure and at Schwab’s Pharmacy in Universal Studios of Florida.
17. Potted cream
Yes, another Wizarding World snack is on the list. Come at me.
From the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks, you can try butterbeer potted cream (and at Leaky Cauldron, also chocolate potted cream) for only $5.99 each. They come in little jars and are the perfect sweet pick me up! Plus, they’re cold! Score in the Orlando heat.
Note, you do have to wait for a table to eat these so even if the restaurant is crowded, they won’t let you take these to-go.
CityWalk Snacks Not to Miss
18. VooDoo Doughnuts
It wouldn’t be right to forget about VooDoo Doughnuts on a list of the best park snacks because this truly is a staple, and not just in Orlando, but they even have one in Universal Hollywood’s Citywalk! This donut shop originated in Portland, Oregon, one of the best foodie cities in the US, so you know it’s good!
They have whacky donut shapes and flavors and a HUGE fun chair to snap some photos with. If you want to skip the line, I recommend mobile ordering and picking up at the kiosk across from the shop.
Their most famous donut is the VooDoo Doll for $3.95. It’s a yeast donut with raspberry jelly inside, chocolate frosting on top, and a pretzel.
If you aren’t feeling as adventurous, don’t worry, they also have old fashioned donuts for as little as $1.65.
Check out their vegan-friendly options too including the vegan VooDoo Doll!
19. Salad + sides from NBC Sports Grill & Brew
I’m 100% convinced I found the ultimate theme park food hack on my last trip. Here’s the story: I was feeling heat sick so my stomach was being a pain. Theme park food felt disgusting and I couldn’t bear to eat anything.
I kept turning to CityWalk because these are the real restaurants with real food. That’s how I ended up in NBC Sports Grill & Brew ordering sides as my main course.
For only $14, I had a surprisingly large side Caesar salad, 2 cornbread muffins, and a side portion of mashed potatoes. Like…is this a hack??
If you need some real food even just for a snack, I highly recommend the food at NBC Sports Grill and the pricetag!
20. Edamame from The Cowfish
Okay I don’t know if it would be okay to come here and just order this as a snack, but if it’s the middle of a weekday, I don’t think they’d care.
The edamame from Cowfish is seriously so good. There’s a few options – a plain sea salt or a sriracha, ginger, or garlic sea salt.
Edamame is only $9 and it’s a large portion meant to be shared.
They also have stellar sushi and burgers!
21. Taquitos from Antojito’s Authentic Mexican Food
Anytime I can make an appetizer my meal, I’m going to do it. It’s filling, cheap, and quick.
The Taquitos Jaliscos for $11.95 come with 3 chicken taquitos served with cheese, lime crema, and salsas!
They also have empanadas for $11.95, tamales for $10.95, and esquites for $8.95 – all appetizers and all filling.
Related read >> How many days in Universal Orlando is best for you
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Heather
I love your opening line, about NOT gross! I think that sums up what I presume theme parks have as food – expensive, unhealthy and gross. Great to know there are so many excellent options here!
Sara Essop
We were so busy trying to get in as many rides as we could that we didn’t get a chance to try much of the snacks and drinks at Universal Orlando, except for some pumpkin juice!