Last Updated: July 2025
Epic Universe officially opened to the public in May 2025. Two months in, more restaurants have opened and new menu items are appearing across the park.
Mr. Garlic and I visited for the first time on May 15th. Stepping into the long-awaited Epic Universe felt as magical, immersive, and massive as we hoped. This article focuses on our first impressions of the park’s food and drink offerings, since sampling the menus is a big part of the experience for us.
We attended a preview during technical rehearsals, which meant lighter crowds but also fewer open dining options. Since the official opening, several locations have expanded menus or opened entirely. I’ll continue updating this guide as new items and restaurants become available.
This guide covers the current food and drink locations across all five lands of the park and highlights the places we’ve tried. You’ll find menus linked to each venue where available, notes on reservations and allergy-friendly options when provided, photos, tips, and honest thoughts on the dining experiences. I’ll also add more detail on gluten-free and allergy-friendly choices as information is released.
Let’s dig in!
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Celestial Park (Epic Universe Food, Drink, and First Impressions):
Step through the Chronos gates and into Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe. This visually rich area blends Art Nouveau with mythology: towering Luna and Apollo statues, ornate fountains, and the Helios Grand Hotel overlooking the plaza.
The land favors vintage celestial design—soft curves, gold accents, and dreamy details. Standing beneath the statues or watching the fountain shows with music playing is a memorable sensory moment. Celestial Park also offers a strong selection of dining choices, from quick snacks to full-service restaurants and signature cocktails.
Below are the current food and drink locations in Celestial Park. Menus are linked where available and reservation or dietary notes are included when provided.
Bars & Lounges:
- Bar Zenith (Quick Service): A sleek cocktail bar near Stardust Racers offering cosmic cocktail creations and a shaded escape with views of the fountain shows.
- Bar Helios (Table Service, $$$, Reservations Required, GF Options Available Upon Request): Located on the top floor of the Helios Grand Hotel, this upscale bar serves mythology-themed cocktails and small plates with panoramic park views. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
- The Plastered Owl (Quick Service): A walk-up bar connected to The Oak & Star Tavern, ideal for a quick pint or themed cocktail. Live music begins daily in the morning.
- Celestiki (Quick Service): A tiki-inspired bar between Pizza Moon and the Dark Universe entrance offering frozen cocktails and icy drinks—perfect on hot days.
Snacks, Treats, & Quick Service:
- Frosty Moon (Quick Service, Vegan Options Available): An ice cream stand in front of the Dark Universe entrance with seasonal flavors and photo-ready cones.
- Starbucks: Multiple locations across the park for coffee, tea, and familiar grab-and-go items.
- Comet Dogs (Quick Service): A hot dog stand near the Constellation Carousel featuring creative toppings like Bulgogi, Philly Cheesesteak, and Al Pastor.
- Star Sui Bao (Quick Service): An Asian-inspired food cart near Stardust Racers offering snacks and small plates with bold flavors.
Sit-Down Dining:
- Pizza Moon (Quick Service, Lunch & Dinner, Alcohol Available, Allergy Menu Available): A themed pizza spot with creative toppings and indoor seating, located near the Dark Universe entrance. It’s one of our favorites so far.
- The Oak & Star Tavern (Quick Serve, All-Day Menu, Alcohol Available, Allergy Menu Available): A tavern-style spot offering BBQ favorites and craft brews in a cozy setting. Their mango bread is a standout.
- The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant (Full Service, $$$, Reservations Required): Located in front of the Helios Grand Hotel, this full-service restaurant offers Pan-Asian cuisine in a highly themed dining room. Reservations are available online or by phone.
- Atlantic (Full Service, $$$, Reservations Required): A high-end, undersea-themed restaurant near the front of Celestial Park with a focus on seafood and a striking aquarium-style dining room. Reservations are recommended.
Dark Universe (Food, Drink, and First Impressions):
Dark Universe was one of the lands I was most eager to explore. If you enjoy spooky, gothic theming, Darkmoor Village delivers—fog, damp-earth scents, crooked rooftops, flickering lanterns and alchemical symbols create an immersive gothic fairytale.
The land includes photo ops, moody soundscapes, and character moments like Monster Meet & Greet with classic Universal creatures. Dining here continues the atmosphere with themed taverns, snack stands, and hearty fare.
Current dining options in Dark Universe are listed below with reservation and allergy notes when available.
Bars:
- The Burning Blade Tavern (Quick Service, Allergy Notes Available): A moody tavern toward the back of Darkmoor Village serving creative cocktails and themed bar bites—expect glowing drinks and a haunted-inn vibe.
Snacks & Treats:
- De Lacey’s Cottage (Quick Service, Alcohol Available): A themed snack stand near Frankenstein’s Castle offering shaped pretzels, cinnamon bites, and other monster-friendly treats—great for a quick stop while exploring the land.
Sit-Down Quick Service:
- Das Stakehaus (Quick Service, Alcohol Available, Allergy Info Available): A vampire-themed dining hall offering burgers, kebabs, and hearty plates in a gothic setting. The space includes themed details that enhance the dining experience.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Food, Drink, and First Impressions)
As a big Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts fan, this land was a highlight. The area channels 1920s France with immaculate theming and hidden animatronic fantastic beasts throughout the streets.
Several food and drink locations in this land offer French-inspired fare, magical beverages, and themed treats. Reservation and allergy notes are included when available.
Beverages & Cocktails:
- Bar Moonshine (Quick Service): An outdoor bar serving French-inspired magical cocktails. Butterbeer (Bièraubeurre™) is available here and is noted to be suitable for guests with gluten, egg, and nut allergies. Outdoor seating only.
- Bièraubeurre Cart: A cart near the main attraction offering Butterbeer and related treats.
Snacks & Treats:
- K. Rammelle: A rococo-style shop offering confectioneries and pastries. We tried a pistachio macaron—light and sweet with delicate texture.
Sit-Down Quick Service:
- Le Goblet Noir (Quick Service, Alcohol Available, Allergy Info Available): A dim, cozy quick-service restaurant offering German and French-style comfort food in a stone-walled setting.
- Café L’Air de la Sirène (Quick Service, All Day Menu, Alcohol Available, Allergy Info Available): A sit-down bistro with French-inspired dishes and popular butterbeer crepes in an Art Nouveau setting.
During our preview the main attraction, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, was closed, but we were allowed to walk the queue and see the Ministry of Magic interiors—which are impressive. On a later visit we rode the attraction during regular hours; long waits and some technical issues made the experience less satisfying than expected, though the queue remains a highlight for its detail and storytelling.
How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk (Food, Drink, and First Impressions):
Isle of Berk is visually stunning, with Viking statues, shimmering water, and a striking view of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders. The themed food here ranges from hearty meat dishes to sweet treats and mead.
We arrived full on our visit and saved sampling these menus for next time, but the offerings looked delicious and well themed. Below are the primary dining locations and what to expect.
- Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel (Snack Stand, Lunch & Dinner, Alcohol Available, Allergy Info Available): A snack stand offering Viking-inspired drinks and unique items like mac & cheese bread cones with creative toppings.
- Mead Hall (Sit-Down Quick Service, Alcohol Available): A large communal dining space with carved wood and long tables serving meat, fish, and mead—an immersive Viking dining environment.
- Spit Fyre Grill (Quick Service, Lunch & Dinner, Alcohol Available, Allergy Info Available): An outdoor grill with hearty bowls, grilled meats, and sides—a solid option for a filling meal in this land.
Super Nintendo World (Food, Drinks, and First Impressions)
Super Nintendo World is a must for Nintendo fans. The two-story area places Bowser’s Castle and Peach’s Castle above lively shops and dining below. Immersive details and animatronics make the space feel alive.
Donkey Kong Country is accessible through a side tunnel and includes its own snack stand and attraction; some rides may open later. We rode Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and found the AR and interactivity exceptionally well executed—it’s like being inside the game.
Dining here keeps the charm with playful, themed meals and treats.
- Toadstool Café (Quick Service, Healthy Options, Allergy Info Available): Themed meals like burgers, meatballs, and tiramisu presented with Mushroom Kingdom flair and playful plating.
- Turbo-Boost Treats (Snack Stand): Snack stand near Bowser’s Castle serving popcorn and ready-to-go treats.
- Yoshi’s Snack Island (Snack Stand): A tropical-themed spot with fruit smoothies and shell-shaped pizza calzones.
- The Bubbly Barrel (Snack Stand): Located in Donkey Kong Country, offering tropical drinks and banana-flavored treats served in collectible barrel cups.
Additional Information & FAQs:
Yes. Mobile ordering is available at every quick-service restaurant via QR codes or the Universal app. In many cases staff will deliver orders to your table.
Yes. Mobile ordering allows you to choose a time slot or select “I’m here, make my order.” Enter your table number as prompted.
No. Quick-service locations also have staffed ordering terminals if you prefer to order in person.
No. Epic Universe currently uses a large surface parking lot rather than a parking garage.
There are no trams or shuttle services in the lot at this time. Expect a walk from your car to the entrance, which may be substantial depending on where you park.
Prime Parking is currently $60 and located closer to the entrance. It can be worth it if you want a shorter walk or have mobility concerns.
Three table-service restaurants require reservations: Atlantic, Blue Dragon Pan-Asian, and Bar Helios. Other locations are generally first come, first served.
Reservations can be made through the Universal app, online, or by phone.
Yes. The park is ADA accessible, though it is stair-heavy; elevators are available near major staircases and ride queues.
Yes. Height requirements are posted at each attraction and in the Universal app.
Express Pass availability for Epic Universe has not been fully confirmed at this time; check the Universal app for updates.
Yes. Rider swap is offered for most major attractions.
Yes. Re-entry is allowed with your ticket or pass; follow any stamping or biometric procedures in place at the time of exit.
Yes. Lockers are available near the entrance and at select attractions that require secure storage for loose items.
Small snacks and bottled water are allowed. Outside food for medical or dietary needs is generally permitted—check Universal’s official policy for details.
Yes. Refillable drink cups and souvenir popcorn buckets are available for purchase in the park.
Yes. Rentals are available at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. A restroom is located between the parking lot and the security checkpoint.
Many attractions are thrill-based with height requirements, so the park may not suit very young children who can’t ride. That said, immersive theming, family-friendly food, and character interactions offer plenty for kids to enjoy.
Recommended items: a portable charger, refillable water bottle, small snack, umbrella or poncho, antibacterial wipes, sunglasses and sunscreen, and a small medication kit. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
What are you most excited to try at Epic Universe?
Share the snack, ride, or land you’re most looking forward to trying. Overall, I enjoyed Epic Universe: the theming is top-tier, the food is among the best I’ve seen in a theme park, and mobile ordering makes dining convenient. Bookmark this guide—I’ll update it as I revisit and publish full reviews of the sit-down restaurants.
If you liked this review, you may also enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Dining at Sebastian’s Bistro (Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort)
- Gluten-Free Dining at Ronto Roasters in Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge
- Gluten-Free Dining at San Angel Inn (EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion)
- Exploring Gluten-Free Options at Epcot’s 2024 Food & Wine Festival