One of the biggest concerns of Super Mario fans heading to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is often how to get into Toadstool Cafe. Never fear — your froggy friends are here, and we consider ourselves experts in all things Toadstool. Let's hop into the Toadstool Cafe menu and some hoppin' tips for getting a Toadstool Cafe reservation. We'll go over when to reserve, how to reserve and everything you need to know about this themed restaurant (including the fun food!). Here we go!
How to Get Toadstool Cafe Reservations
Toadstool Cafe is a quick-service restaurant located inside Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. This dining location is toadally popular (get it?). You need to score a Toadstool Cafe reservation (or a waitlist time) to dine here. How do you get one? You don't need cheat codes. Just use this link! You can join from your computer, tablet or phone. When you join the waitlist, you'll select a specific time to return to the restaurant. Then, you get in the physical queue to order your food.
When Is the Best Time to Dine?
Let's say you are at the theme park all day. In the best-case scenario, you have a lot of good dining times available. When should you reserve?
Honestly, do what works best for you. If you dine in the morning, you may have the best selection of food and a shorter wait. And if you entered the park in the morning during Early Access (which we highly recommend!), you might find yourself hungry earlier than usual. Peak mealtimes, especially lunch, will be busier, and it can take a while to order your food, be seated and wait for your food. So, set your reservation time for a time you expect to get hungry or get some snacks before you go. That way you are not starving when you arrive (as it may be 30 to 60 minutes before you get your food). Crowds may taper off in the later hours.
We like to visit Toadstool for an early lunch. That usually gives us a chance to explore Super Nintendo World during early access, then explore the park with shorter lines for a while we work up an appetite. After a bit of walking around, we are ready to sit and rest while we wait for our food.
We have ordered items that were already sold out by lunchtime, though. So just keep that in mind and have a backup food item in mind in case your first choice is not available.
When to Reserve/Join the Waitlist
You can only make a reservation on the same day you visit. No advance reservations are accepted. But when exactly can you reserve? Even though there are QR codes for joining the waitlist in the park, you do not actually have to be on the property to reserve. You can reserve from your phone with the link before you arrive in the morning. However, we have not found a consistent time that the link goes live. It varies each day but is almost always between 7 and 9 a.m., depending on the time the park opens.
Assign one person in your group to check the link as early as 7 a.m. Keep checking periodically until you see it go live. If you tap or click on the date (in white font), it should allow you to select your party size (the offered sizes vary and larger parties do pop up when they first drop). Then, you'll select the time you want to arrive at the restaurant if options are available. You'll add your name, cell phone number and email address and submit; then you will receive a confirmation of your waitlist reservation. We have always successfully joined the waitlist by this method. If the date is gray, the waitlist is not open.
Most days, but especially on peak days and during holiday periods, reservations can fill up by mid-morning. But if you see all reservations are gone, do not lose hope. Keep checking throughout the day as more reservations could drop, even in the afternoon. Nothing available as of 11 a.m.? A few hours later, in the afternoon and evening, something may open up! We usually see (but can't guarantee) more times appear between 2 and 3 p.m.
You can also try popping by the restaurant later in the day to see if they have any walk-in availability. Crowds tend to decrease toward the end of the day, after the dinner rush. If there is no line to order, they may let you in! Just don't rely on that as a solid strategy. Food selection can also be more limited later in the day as the restaurant can run out of items.
Checking in at Toadstool Cafe
After you reserve your spot on the waitlist, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Hold onto this as you will need to show it to the employee at the door when it's time to arrive. Later arrivals may be accommodated if there is room. You can modify or cancel your plans through the email. Once checked in, you can enter the line to order food. It is recommended to arrive at least a few minutes before your reservation time, as people line up to show the employee their reservation before even entering the restaurant's ordering queue.
How Long Does it Take to Dine at Toadstool Cafe?
Budget an hour and a half to dine. You may get through faster (especially in the morning during less busy periods!) but it tends to be a lengthier experience throughout the rest of the day. You'll get your drinks right away and then a server will bring your food to your table once it's ready. Order enough drinks and some water cups beforehand because you want to make sure you have enough to drink when the food arrives. Those Lemon Squash drinks are so tasty that it's hard to make them last!
While you wait for your food, take a look around. Toadstool Cafe is so cute! You can look out the "windows" to the Mushroom Kingdom and into the kitchen where the Toads are preparing your food.
Oh no! Are those dark clouds on the horizon? Seriously, did the restaurant lighting just get darker and the music more ominous? Here comes Bowser to stir up trouble. See if you can spot Luigi running through the land, too. Don't worry ... things will return to normal once Bowser moves on. We frogs find this so entertaining!
Toadstool Cafe Menu
So you've got your Toadstool Cafe reservation, and you are hungrier than a Piranha Plant. Now, what are you going to eat? You can find the most updated menu online and in the Universal Studios Hollywood app.
Some items come with souvenir plates or bowls. For others, you can add on for an additional fee.
Here's our ordering advice: Order everything you want at once. If you think you want dessert, order it with your food. Drinks? Yes, get them and ask for free water too. If you decide you want more, the line and wait may be too prohibitive to get more. So get it all at once.
Here's the Toadstool Cafe menu. It is subject to availability and change (as are prices). Items are marked with different symbols, including "VG" which stands for vegetarian, "V" which stands for vegan and "GF," meaning gluten-free.
Starters & Salads
- Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots (VG) — Mini mushroom-shaped knots brushed with garlic butter, parmesan cheese, parsley and a side of marinara sauce
- Super Mushroom Soup (VG) — Creamy mushroom soup with Super Mushroom crackers — the cute bowl is included with the purchase of either soup, making for a pricey ($19.99) bowl of soup if you aren't looking for a souvenir.
- Tomato Soup in Super Mushroom Bowl (GF, V) — Vegan tomato basil soup topped with micro basil, sliced mushroom and truffle oil — the bowl is included with purchase, as with the mushroom soup.
- Piranha Plant Caprese (GF, VG) —Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, asparagus and basil pesto served with mixed greens, shaved radish and apple vinaigrette
- Yoshi's Favorite Fruit and Veggie Salad (VG) — Mixed greens, strawberries, star fruit, blueberries, pineapple, Yoshi egg croutons and raspberry vinaigrette
- Super Star Chicken Salad — Romaine and cabbage mix, grape tomatoes and mushrooms tossed in creamy mushroom truffle dressing topped with parmesan Super Star, star croutons and grilled chicken
Main Menu
- Chef Toad Short Rib Special — Braised short rib, creamy goat cheese polenta and red wine reduction (we enjoy this dish!)
- Bowser's Fireball Challenge — A 1-pound meatball topped with mozzarella cheese served with mushroom marinara sauce, a Bowser puff pastry, parsley and hot sauce on the side. (Purchase with a souvenir bowl for an additional $10.) Be aware that this is super spicy.
- Mario Burger (Bacon, Mushroom & Cheese) — All beef patty, bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato and American cheese served on a brioche bun with a side of truffle French fries. A vegetarian option is available for an additional $2.
- Luigi Burger (Pesto Grilled Chicken breast) — Grilled chicken, basil pesto, Swiss cheese, green pepper and spinach served on a brioche bun with a side of truffle French fries. (We like this dish, especially when we use the pesto sauce as a fry dip!)
- Fire Flower Spaghetti & Meatballs — Spaghetti with mushroom marinara sauce, meatballs, Fire Flower parmesan crisp, shaved parmesan, and chopped parsley (optional collectible plateware set is $20)
Desserts
- ? Block Tiramisu (VG) — Tiramisu layered with coffee-soaked lady fingers topped with cocoa powder and chocolate power-up
- Mt. Beanpole Cake (VG) — Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry layered cake topped with a matcha mousse
- Princess Peach Cupcake (VG) — Raspberry-filled Funfetti cupcake, buttercream frosting and Princess Peach chocolate crown
Kids Meals (for ages 9 and under)
- Mario Mini Burger Adventure Set — Cheeseburger, truffle French fries, corn on the cob, broccoli and a coin cookie (a pretty good portion size)
- Power-Up Spaghetti Marinara (VG) — Spaghetti with marinara sauce, Power-Up parmesan crisps, Toadstool cheesy garlic knot and a coin cookie
Beverages
- Super Star Lemon Squash — Honey lemon soda with mango stars and assorted tropical boba (so, so good! Plus, hunting for stars and boba will keep you occupied while you wait)
- Super Mushroom collectible drink sipper — $20
- 1-Up Mushroom collectible drink sipper — $20
- Fountain Soda — Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite and Iced Tea
- Premium Water
- Milk — Regular or Chocolate
- Bottled Juice — Apple or Orange
- Hot Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate
The collectible sippers come with $1.50 refills on the day of purchase. Hold onto that receipt! If you bring the sipper back for a future visit, refills are $3.50. The refills can be made at restaurants all over the park.
You can also find a few other Super Nintendo World foods, snacks and popcorn buckets just outside Super Nintendo World in the Lower Lot. There is also a new spot, Power-Up Cafe, in the Upper Lot that has Nintendo-themed calzones and pretzels.
This year, Super Nintendo World will join in on the holiday festivities throughout the park from Nov. 29, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025. Holiday decorations, merch and new holiday themed treats will be available at Toadstool Cafe! Check out our ~Grinchy~ Guide to Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood for more information as it comes in!
Do you have any other questions about Toadstool Cafe? Let us know in the comments! Want to save some green while you're at it? Purchase your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets through Undercover Tourist and save more than enough money to buy lunch at Toadstool Cafe!
Related: Power-Up with Themed Food in Super Nintendo World Hollywood
