Universal Orlando Close Up | Which Universal Orlando Food and Drink Best Fit Your Personality?
You’ve probably heard of food and wine pairings: a way of combining food and drink to make an ordinary meal become extraordinary. There’s actual science behind the concept of those pairings. But rather than dig into science, let’s just dig into the food and drinks.
Here are my carefully curated, rigorously tested, and completely unscientific food and drink pairings for every type of guest at Universal Orlando Resort.
For the Thrill Seeker
You want your theme park rides the biggest they can be, and you’ll stop at nothing for the ultimate thrill. You were first to volunteer to try the Ko’okiri Body Plunge and got off Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and said, “Let’s do it again!”
Try: Mythos Restaurant at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This full-service restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and features a mix of Mediterranean and American selections. Pair the traditional Greek salad with a sangria for a refreshing midday adventure break.
For the Fantasy Fan
You enjoy other worlds and the creatures they hold. You fight off aliens on MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack, save the world on TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D, and marvel at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
Try: The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk. You can’t miss it—look for the towering smokestacks on top of the building. With its steampunk theme and adjacent chocolate shop, this is a fantastical world of food. Pair the Pork Belly Sliders and Coffee and Chocolate Stout Chicken Wings (both on the appetizer menu) with one of their hand-crafted whiskey cocktails. They have a to-die-for selection of whiskeys and the expertise to help you make the best choice.
Or go straight for your sweet tooth by pairing brownies with milk in a crazy Brownie Milkshake that’s filling enough to be a meal.
For the Harry Potter Fans
Chances are that you quote movie lines in your sleep and have been on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts more times than you can count. You wear your Hogwarts house colors as a badge of pride. And you’ve got a wand and you know how to use it.
Try: The Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. This rustic tavern leapt off the screen of the Harry Potter films with traditional British dishes. Pair the classic Fish and Chips with a Butterbeer served cold or frozen.
For the Explorer
You boldly explore from one end of the earth to another, imbued with a deep curiosity for the past as well as the future. Revenge of the Mummy, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, and Jurassic Park River Adventure pique your inner explorer as you think about archeology sites, remote worlds, and a time before man.
Try: Jake’s American Bar at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Named for the fabled South Seas explorer—Jake McNally, whose seaplane floats in the lagoon—this is the perfect spot for a tired and hungry explorer to relax with memories of home. Pair Jake’s Rib-Eye Steak and Frites with a Jake’s American Red Lager.
For The Simpsons Lovers
You’ve been an avid fan since the beginning and have seen all 29 seasons of the show. Springfield, U.S.A. in Universal Studios is like a second home to you and you feel a part of The Simpsons family. An average afternoon for you is riding The Simpsons Ride and reciting the lines by heart, then relaxing afterwards with a Giant Pink Donut from Lard Lad Donuts or a whole host of Simpsons inspired treats. If this is you then…
Try: Moe’s Tavern in Springfield, U.S.A. for a Duff Beer or a non-alcoholic Flaming Moe, paired with a juicy Krusty Burger and curly fries. There are a variety of different food options you can grab at Moe’s Tavern, the eateries inside Fast Food Boulevard or Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck.
For the Water Lover
If moving to Universal’s Volcano Bay seems like a good idea to you, you’re probably part Waturi at heart. You slip and slide through the Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, enjoy tubing it on the Taniwha Tubes, and could go on the Krakatau Aqua Coaster over and over again.
Try: The Feasting Frog and Dancing Dragon Boat Bar, both at Volcano Bay. Pair the signature tacos at The Feasting Frog with a Guavaruma, a cocktail made with guava, pineapple, and rum at Dancing Dragon. You’ll feel right at home in the tropics.
For the Traditionalist
You’ve likely been coming to Universal Orlando since it was just one theme park, watching it grow and evolve over the decades. You like a great roller coaster like the Incredible Hulk Coaster and can appreciate the technology that will go into Fast and Furious Supercharged. You still have a soft spot for E.T. Adventure and aren’t above getting soaked on Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. When you’re at Universal, you’re right at home.
Try: The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. This is a classic steakhouse in every sense of the word, with celebrity caricatures on the walls and a legacy that harkens back to the newspaper district of Manhattan. Pair a filet with brandy peppercorn sauce with a glass of Malbec or a vodka martini.
What’s you favorite Universal Orlando food and drink pairing?
