Vegetarian and vegan dining options are in no short supply at Universal Orlando Resort and its three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. Since becoming a vegetarian three years ago, my relationship with theme park food has changed drastically. While cheeseburgers and chicken tenders were once my go-to entrees, I’ve had to diversify my palette and venture into new culinary territory (at parks where that’s possible — otherwise, I’m chowing down on a slice of cheese pizza).
Disclaimer: I am not vegan, so my vegan friends may find options at Universal Orlando parks to be more limited.
Thankfully, Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks offer plenty of meatless and plant-based options. On a recent trip to Orlando, I visited all three Universal parks over three days and tried an assortment of vegetarian and vegan options. These were my favorites:
Valka’s Vegan Burger at Mead Hall — Epic Universe
I was a self-proclaimed burger snob in my carnivorous days. If it were on the menu, I would have ordered it. As a vegetarian, I don’t eat burgers nearly as often. I don’t care for the Impossible and Beyond burgers of the world, so I rarely have a black bean or other veggie-based burger. But the wait was over when I saw “Valka’s Vegan Burger” on the menu at Mead Hall inside the Isle of Berk portal at Epic Universe.
The outside of the patty — made with “ancient grains,” mushrooms and leeks — was crispy and crunchy, almost like a fried chicken sandwich. Diced mushrooms elevated the earthy, savory flavor of the patty. I was curious (and a little hesitant) about the smoked berry aioli and what it would taste like, but its subtle sweetness and tanginess complemented the burger scrumptiously. Additionally, the pickled cucumbers added a snappy mouthfeel to each bite. Last but not least, the pumpernickel Kaiser bun was sturdy yet soft — just the right density and size to hold the burger and toppings together.
Note: the burger also came with a pile of arugula, which tastes like dirt to me (sorry, arugula fans!). So I removed it from the burger upon receiving it. If you’re a fan of arugula, I’m sure it would enhance the burger’s flavor profile.
The fries on the side were fine. Nothing extraordinary.
Weeks later, I’m still thinking about this burger. It was a game-changer for me and has redefined what I consider to be a stellar plant-based burger.
Vegan Dog at Comet Dogs — Epic Universe
I scarfed down this vegan hog dog at the Comet Dogs stand so fast that I forgot to take a photo.
The hot dog is a Field Roast-brand plant-based stadium dog. The “dog” has a smoky profile and a snap similar to a real hot dog. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Its robust flavor profile is elevated by the tangy Korean slaw as well as the spicy combo of the salsa verde and kimchi “vegenaise.” It’s finished off by an unmistakable cilantro finish. All of that is nestled inside an ube bun. It is messy, so be sure to grab extra napkins. But the mess is so worth it.
Oeuf en Cocotte at Café L’air De La Sirène — Epic Universe
A perfectly poached egg on top of a bowl of warm mashed potatoes was the pairing I didn’t know I needed. The Oeuf en Cocotte dish at Café L’air De La Sirène inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic portal (what a mouthful!) makes for a wonderful, hearty breakfast to fuel the rest of your day.
The poached egg and potato duo is topped with Monay sauce — a decadent ooey-gooey French cheese sauce. The mashed potatoes are infused with gruyère cheese, making a dish so rich in flavor that it almost seems unthinkable.
Pro tip: the perfectly toasted, crunchy baguette on the side absolutely calls for a dunk in the egg and mashed potatoes. You’ll thank me later.
The small bowl of raspberries with a hint of lavender honey made for a delectable sweet finish and paired well with the savory main dish.
Overall, it was one of the best theme park breakfasts I’ve had in recent memory. One note: at least during our visit, we had to wait quite a while for our food. That’s something to keep in mind, especially if you want to ride everything in one day.
, toasted baguette and seasonal berries with lavender honey
Pizza Lunare (meatless) at Pizza Moon — Epic Universe
Oh my pie. The meatless version of the Pizza Lunare at Pizza Moon in Epic Universe. I am struggling to find the words to describe this work of art.
First, this pizza is big. Definitely big enough to be split between two or three adults. But if I were to finish an entire pizza all by myself, it would probably be this one — and it was! Hey, walking all day builds up an appetite.
The sturdy yet chewy purple celestial ube crust is blanketed in a thick layer of roasted garlic béchamel, fromage de lune, ricotta and garlic confit. The savory blend of those cheeses with the roasted garlic and garlic confit? Pure culinary ecstasy. I’ve truly never had a pizza like it, and it will be a non-negotiable meal next time I’m at Epic Universe. Pizza Lunare is a must-try, and I’m sure the pancetta on the standard version makes it a great meat pizza if that’s what you’re in search of.
Bieraubeurre Crepe at Le Gobelet Noir — Epic Universe
Did I have a dessert crepe for dinner? You bet it did! Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not. The Bieraubeurre (Butterbeer) Crepe at Le Gobelet Noir in Wizarding World at Epic Universe is a whirlwind of sweet flavors and a must if you have a perpetual sweet tooth, as I do.
The sweet, appropriately thin crepe is slathered with a decadent shortbread cookie butter Bavarian cream, butterscotch-forward cream and drizzle, strawberries and a shortbread cookie garnish. Because why not?
Some may find this dish to be too sweet, but “two sweet” is not in my vernacular, so I wholeheartedly recommend it to all my sweet-toothed comrades in the world. You won’t regret it. But it may be a better snack option as it isn’t the most filling item on the menu.
Shepherd’s Pasty Pie at Leaky Cauldron – Universal Studios Florida
I’ve never had an authentic meat(less) pie, but if the Shepherd’s Pasty Pie is anything like what you would find in the UK, I have a lot to look forward to whenever I visit.
The mixture of meatless beef crumbles and vegetable stew (with lots of peas and carrots) was stuffed into a perfectly crispy, flaky pie. And the side of creamy stone-ground mustard added a spicy kick and was perfect for dunking. I’m not a huge fan of hot peas and carrots, but they worked in this instance. It may not have been my favorite, but I’d certainly order it again next time I visit the Leaky Cauldron.
The steak fries were good and crispy but nothing extraordinary.
Souvlaki Couscous Bowl at Mythos Restaurant — Islands of Adventure
The Souvlaki Couscous Bowl at Mythos Restaurant (an Islands of Adventure must-do regardless of your dietary restrictions) was probably the “healthiest” thing I ate on my trip, and wow oh wow was it good.
The hefty bowl is bursting with a myriad of flavors: rich, za’atar-spiced couscous, fresh cucumbers, marinated artichoke, Kalamata olives, spiced chickpeas, feta cheese, tzatziki and tahini dressing. That’s a lot of ingredients, which at first glance may seem overwhelming, but they all play together well in near-perfect harmony. It was creamy, savory and the change of pace I needed after several fried entrees. It’s a must for Greek and Mediterranean food fanatics.
Mythos Honorable Mention: Spanakopita Dip
I nommed on the Spanakopita Dip appetizer while waiting for my bowl, and it will be a must next time I visit. The perfectly blended mixture of spinach, feta cheese, lemon and fresh herbs sent my taste buds for a wild, delicious ride. It didn’t stop there — the hot dip was paired with warm pita chips (seasoned with a robust za’atar spice). The pita chips were crispy and sturdy enough to withstand the thick and hearty dip.
Be careful, as this dip is addictive enough to fill you up before your entree arrives. Pace yourself.
Universal Orlando Resort’s vegetarian and vegan options really took me by surprise. All three theme parks had a surprising number of plant-based options, so I did not go hungry. I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the meatless entrees, snacks and sweets, as I know I didn’t try them all.
What’s your favorite vegetarian or vegan food at Universal Orlando Resort? Let us know in the comments section below!
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