Nintendo & Harry Potter Meals: Epic Universe's Food Preview!

Summary

Universal Epic Universe will redefine theme park dining with 30 diverse dining locations.
The new park is scheduled to open on May 22, 2025.
Guests can look forward to food inspired by Nintendo, Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, and more.

The Universal Orlando Resort is ramping up anticipation by unveiling a tantalizing sneak peek into the diverse food and drink options that will grace the tables at the upcoming Universal Epic Universe. Renowned for its pioneering spirit and immersive narratives, the acclaimed culinary squad at Universal is poised to revolutionize theme park dining with over 100 innovative dishes scattered across the park’s mesmerizing realms.

At Epic Universe, opening on May 22, 2025, you’ll find a variety of dining options, ranging from full-service restaurants to quick bites. These 30 unique eateries are designed to take you on culinary journeys to different parts of the world. Whether you’re yearning for international tastes such as seafood, Asian, barbecue, Italian, or French cuisine, or fancy trying themed delicacies, there will be something scrumptious to suit every palate. Some notable dishes include the Butterbeer Crêpe in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, the Mario Burger in Super Nintendo World, Yaknog in How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, and the distinctive Stakes in Dark Universe.

Celestial Park: A Feast for the Senses

In the core of Epic Universe, I’m delighted to guide you through a smorgasbord of tantalizing dining experiences. You’ll find yourself drawn to the Atlantic restaurant, a waterfront haven for seafood enthusiasts who can savor fresh, vibrant dishes. For an immersive Asian culinary journey, The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant awaits beneath a dazzling canopy of neon dragons. Meat lovers can indulge at The Oak & Star Tavern, while vegan foodies will find their taste buds tingling with creative offerings from Pizza Moon.

Signature dishes include:

Sea Bass (Atlantic) — A delicate portion of buttery sea bass served with carrot mochi, sugar snap peas, and a fragrant lemongrass broth.
Landlubber’s Snickerdoodle Loot (Atlantic) – A beach-themed dessert featuring snickerdoodle cake, cookie butter ganache, Biscoff sand, and gummy sharks.
Tonkotsu Ramen (The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant) – A rich, savory bowl of ramen with chashu pork, tare egg, shiitake mushrooms, and togarashi oil.
Platter with Mango Bread & Pickles (The Oak & Star Tavern) – A hearty barbecue platter featuring smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, or chicken paired with mac and cheese, braised greens, and more.
Harvest Moon Pizza (VG) (Pizza Moon) – A vibrant plant-based pizza topped with grilled artichokes, Divina tomatoes, roasted peppers, Castelvetrano olives, and arugula.
Grand Atlantic Martini (Atlantic) – A tantalizing cocktail with dry gin, aperitif wine and a gilded lemon twist for garnish.
Waturi Punch (Celestiki) – Guests can transport to an island oasis with a refreshing blend of rum, bitters and fruit juices.
The Plastered Owl (The Oak & Star Tavern) – A perfectly blended cocktail crafted with dark rye whiskey, simple syrup, cherry syrup, lemon juice, lemon wedges and muddled cherries.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

At Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, there’s a fresh themed area called “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic.” This zone is dedicated to the Ministry of Magic from the beloved “Harry Potter” series and the 1920s Paris from the “Fantastic Beasts” films. Here, visitors will be able to wander through a replica of 1920s Paris as depicted in the movies, along with the British Ministry of Magic. This area offers an engaging shopping, dining, and thrilling ride experience centered around the Battle of the Ministry narrative. As guests enter this captivating world, they’ll uncover delightful French-inspired dishes and imaginative wizarding food options.

Must-try menu items include:

Butterbeer Crêpe (Café L’air De La Sirène) – For the first time ever, guests can enjoy the flavors of Butterbeer in a crepe that includes shortbread cookie butter, Bavarian cream, Butterbeer cream, strawberries, Butterbeer drizzle and a Butterbeer shortbread cookie.
Baguette de Dinde (Café L’air De La Sirène) – A charmingly scrumptious dish featuring sliced cracked black pepper turkey piled high with arugula, crisp apples and creamy Brie served with a warm crusty baguette with zesty mustard butter and apple butter.
Alchemist’s Platter (Le Gobelet Noir) – An exquisite spread featuring smoked sausage, potato and cheese pierogies, tangy pickled eggs, vibrant marinated beets, savory caramelized onions, and a warm pretzel served with zesty German mustard and cheese fondue.
Quiche Lorraine (Café L’air De La Sirène) – A savory dish featuring egg custard baked in a flaky pie crust filled with crispy bacon, gruyère cheese and caramelized onions with mornay sauce, and a side of fresh berries topped with a lavender honey drizzle.

Super Nintendo World: Power Up with Flavor

Universal Studios theme parks host a themed district named Super Nintendo World, inspired by iconic video games such as Mario and Donkey Kong. Here, visitors can enjoy immersive rides, interactive attractions, specialized stores, and dining experiences, creating an atmosphere where it seems like you’ve stepped right into the Mushroom Kingdom of the Mario universe. The area promises to offer delicious dishes that draw inspiration from classic gaming themes, further enhancing the overall experience.

Menu highlights include:

Mario Burger (Bacon, Mushroom & Cheese) (Toadstool Cafe) – A juicy beef patty topped with mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and American cheese on a brioche bun with truffle fries.
Luigi Burger (Pesto Grilled Chicken) (Toadstool Cafe) –This delicious dish showcases grilled chicken topped with basil pesto, melted Swiss cheese, sautéed green peppers, and fresh spinach, all nestled in a soft brioche bun and paired with a side of truffle French fries.
Bowser’s Fireball Challenge (Toadstool Cafe) – Take on this epic challenge with a massive one-pound meatball, smothered in rich mushroom marinara, topped with gooey mozzarella, and finished with fresh parsley. Served alongside a Bowser-inspired puff pastry and a side of fiery hot sauce, this dish is not for the faint of heart.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: A Viking Feast Awaits

At Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, they are constructing a themed area called “How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk,” inspired by the movie franchise. Here, you can experience the world of these films up close. Dine at Mead Hall and Spit Fyre Grill, where Norse mythology comes alive alongside delicious fire-cooked meals.

Highlights include:

Thawfest Platter (Mead Hall) – Feast like a true Viking with this hearty spread featuring tender chicken drumsticks glazed in a wild berry BBQ sauce, perfectly grilled salmon, and juicy sausage. Served alongside a medley of roasted carrots, cipollini onions, crispy Nordic fries, and a selection of flavorful side sauces, this meal is fit for a warrior’s table.
Nordic Harvest Salad (VG) (Mead Hall) –This vibrant salad brings together a fresh blend of kale and arugula, crisp red cabbage, and peppery radishes, paired with hearty ancient grains. Sweet blueberries and crunchy apples add a tangy twist, while a sprinkle of trail mix delivers a satisfying crunch. Finished with a drizzle of raspberry vinaigrette, it’s a perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Stormfly’s Catch of the Day (Mead Hall) – A playful dessert fit for young Vikings, this treat features a rich chocolate mousse fish resting on a vibrant bed of crispy rice cereal, creating a delightful mix of creamy indulgence and satisfying crunch.

Dark Universe: Sinister Bites and Hauntingly Good Eats

At Universal’s future Epic Universe theme park, there’s a themed area known as “Darkwoods,” which transports visitors into the realm of iconic Universal Monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, and the Bride of Frankenstein. Here, guests can step into a world shrouded in darkness, where tales of these monsters and their experiments unfold. For those captivated by the spooky atmosphere of Darkwoods, the food offerings are just as exciting as the surroundings.

Highlights include:

Stakes (Das Stakehaus) – Guests can sink their teeth into a mouthwatering meal served on a stake, choosing from three hearty protein options: Fish on a Stake (blackened salmon steak), Bird on a Stake (grilled, dry-rubbed chicken tenderloin), or Bits and Pieces (seared and glazed wild mushroom brisket meatloaf). Each dish is served with a side of roasted vegetables and charred green onion mashed potatoes for a truly satisfying feast.
“Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich (Das Stakehaus) – A devilishly delicious creation, this flash-fried marinated chicken breast is tossed in a bold blood orange sauce and served in a sinister black bun. Topped with tangy pickles and zesty slaw, this wickedly flavorful sandwich comes with a side of crispy fries for the ultimate bite.
Our Favorite Vegan Familiar’s Stuffed Cabbage (VG) (Das Stakehaus) – This hearty dish features Impossible meat wrapped in tender cabbage leaves, nestled in a rich bell pepper tomato sauce, and served alongside vibrant beet bucatini for a bold and flavorful plant-based feast.
Hunter’s Garlic Stake (The Burning Blade Tavern) – This crispy, cheesy garlic pretzel is baked to golden perfection, delivering the perfect balance of crunch and gooey cheese. Served with a rich garlic dipping sauce, it’s a savory delight for any pretzel lover.

Universal Epic Universe is poised to revolutionize theme park dining by presenting a variety of tantalizing cuisines. These flavors, drawn from each land and ride, breathe life into the park’s experiences. From savoring a luxurious seafood dish at Atlantic or relishing a Butterbeer Crêpe in the Wizarding World, to tackling Bowser’s Fireball Challenge, dining here promises an attraction every bit as exciting as the rides themselves.

2025-02-12 22:15

Nintendo & Harry Potter Meals: Epic Universe’s Food Preview!