Park guests are bound to work up an appetite between screaming at the top of their lungs on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and practicing their wand form in Diagon Alley, part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While Universal Studios Florida is known for its thrilling rides and spectacular shows, the food is toadally delicious too!
Universal Studios counter-service restaurants are generally fast, and most entrees cost about $10 to $20 per person. When you don’t want to spend valuable park time at a table-service restaurant, counter-service restaurants are a quick and convenient way to eat well and save time and money in the park. Here are our top five Universal Studios Florida counter-service restaurants, from "Best Theming" to "Best Place to Try Something New."
Best Universal Studios Florida Counter-Service Restaurants
Best Theming: Mel’s Drive-In
Just like you see in the movies, Mel’s Drive-In is a classic 1950s-themed diner, complete with a black-and-white checkered floor, flashing neon signs and several vintage cars parked outside. In addition to being our pick for Best Theming, the diner’s food is one of the best values, as most of the entrees are only $12 to $17 (meal combos with fries and a shake are a few extra dollars). Mel’s has the typical diner grub, including burgers, chicken fingers and shakes, but it also serves healthier options, such as salads and plant-based burgers. Finish off your meal with a root beer float or a slice of apple pie!
Best for Families: Louie’s Italian Restaurant
Feeding a family in a theme park can get expensive fast! Luckily, at Universal Studios, there’s our Best for Families choice, Louie’s Italian Restaurant. With a 1920s vibe, this Italian eatery has lots of table space and a variety of hearty dishes that will satisfy the whole family. This restaurant offers whole pizzas for around $38 to $44, which usually ends up being cheaper than buying individual meals for everyone. But if each person wants something different, there are also filling pastas, sub sandwiches, salads and pizza by the slice. Louie’s is located in the New York area of the park, near The Mummy and Starbucks.
Best Place for Healthy Options: TODAY Cafe
Just because you're at a theme park doesn't mean that your healthy hopits have to leap out of the window. There's no better place for a nutritious meal than our Best Place for Healthy Options pick, TODAY Cafe. Located near the entrance of the park, you can pick up breakfast on your way in. There are numerous pastries, as well as avocado toast, an egg white Florentine sandwich or overnight oats. For lunch or dinner, take your pick from a hearty lineup of scrumptious salads and sandwiches, which includes several vegan and vegetarian options.
Best Variety: The Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard
For the families who can’t decide on tacos, pizza or burgers, there’s our Best Variety pick, the Simpson’s Fast Food Boulevard. The cafeteria-style setup includes a string of eateries: Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror, the Frying Dutchman, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, Krusty Burger, Luigi’s Pizza and Flaming Moe’s. Bumblebee Man’s Taco truck is also outside nearby, making this area a jackpot for friends and family who all want something different from a Universal Studios counter-service restaurant.
Seafood favorites, such as fried calamari and coconut-crusted shrimp, can be found at the Frying Dutchman. Cletus’s Chicken Shack has chicken in almost all of its forms: fried chicken, chicken and waffles, chicken tenders, chicken wings and, of course, a chicken sandwich. Krusty Burger is the go-to place for towering burgers and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs.
Flaming Moe’s serves specialty drinks like Groovy Grove Juice and Mt. Swartzwelder Apple Drink. Bumblebee Man’s Taco truck has a taco for every taste, from Carnitas to Carne Asada, and it comes with a side of chips. Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror is the place to grab some lighter fare, including hummus and pita with veggies, salads, fruit and veggie sandwiches. You can also grab some healthy hydration here, such as Honest Tea, Odwalla juice, orange juice and vitamin water.
Everyone gets in one line to avoid congestion, but the line moves quickly. Once it’s your turn, you simply choose what you want, take it to the register and you’re ready to eat! There is a lot of seating here, so finding a table shouldn’t be an issue, and then you can be back on your way. (We'd just advise against immediately getting on The Simpsons Ride, as you don’t want to experience possible motion sickness on a full stomach.)
Best Place to Try Something New: Leaky Cauldron
Roller coasters and thrill rides push you to your limits, so why not challenge your taste buds as well? Expand your gastronomical horizons at the Best Place to Try Something New in Universal Studios, the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. This Wizarding World restaurant serves up classic English dishes, such as Bangers and Mash, Toad in the Hole and Cottage Pie. The Leaky Cauldron has some of the best food in the park and comes with an experience unlike anything else. Step into the world of Harry Potter and sample some of the favorites of Hogwarts students and London muggles alike.
It’s so hard to choose one, so I always end up with the Mini Pie Combination: a mini Fisherman’s pie and a mini Cottage pie served with garden salad. If you’re really hungry, try the Banger Sandwich, a huge crusted baguette stuffed with roasted English sausage and served with wedge fries. For dessert, the Sticky Toffee Pudding is a crowd favorite, or head around the corner to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour for unique ice cream flavors, such as Butterbeer, clotted cream, chocolate chili or Earl Grey and lavender.
Whether you have a strong craving for a burger or are looking to expand your food horizons with new flavors, these Universal Studios counter-service gems are there to satisfy your family’s needs.
Have a favorite Universal Studios counter-service restaurant we haven't listed? Share with us in the comments below. You'll find more information about planning your visit to Universal Orlando inside our Orlando Planning Guide.
Related: Best Universal's Islands of Adventure Counter-Service Restaurants
Hoppy planning!
