Universal Orlando Food Prices – Complete Guide
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Most visitors spend $60 to $80 per person, per day (£47 to £63) on food at Universal Orlando. This includes:
- 1 Quick Service Meal (lunch with a drink)
- 1 Snack
- 1 to 2 Drinks Throughout the Day
Adding a sit-down dinner at Universal CityWalk costs an additional $30 to $50 per person, including one soft drink. For multiple courses or alcohol, expect to spend more.
Prices at Universal Orlando have increased significantly in recent years. Prices have increased at least 15% since Epic Universe opened in 2025. For example, fountain sodas went from $4.29 in 2024 to $4.79 in 2026.
How Much to Budget Per Day for Food
The two biggest variables as to how much you spend on food are:
- Drinking alcohol. Alcoholic drinks typically start from $12.
- Table-service meals. Table service costs $30 to $50 per meal.
Here’s a per-person, per-day breakdown of different food spending styles:
| Spending Style | PP PD (USD) | PP PD (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Light: Snacks plus one quick service | $40-50 | £31-39 |
| Average: One quick service plus snacks and drinks | $60-80 | £47-63 |
| Big: One table service plus one quick service | $90-120 | £71-94 |
| Premium: Two table service plus cocktails | $150+ | £118+ |
Universal Orlando raised most prices in March 2025 ahead of the Epic Universe opening. Fountain sodas went from $4.29 to $4.79, hot drinks from $3.69 to $4.29, milkshakes from $6.99 to $7.49.
Quick-Service Food Prices
The majority of food served inside the Universal Orlando theme parks is in the quick-service format.
An average quick-service entree costs between $14 and $20 (£11 to £16). Adding a side and a drink brings the cost up to between $22 and $28 (£17 and £22). This makes $25 a reasonable budget for a quick-service meal.
Best Quick Service Locations at Universal Studios Florida
- Leaky Cauldron: British pub fare in the Harry Potter setting. Cottage pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips.
- Mel’s Drive-In: American Graffiti-inspired diner. Classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes.
- Krusty Burger and Cletus’ Chicken Shack: Simpsons-themed restaurant. Burgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken sandwiches.
- Mama Luna Feasts: Italian-style quick service. Pasta dishes and kid-friendly plates.
- Today Cafe: NBC Today Show-themed cafe. Pastries, espresso drinks, and grab-and-go breakfast.
Best Quick Service Locations at Islands of Adventure
- Three Broomsticks: Wizarding World flagship. Rotisserie chicken platter, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie.
- Thunder Falls Terrace: Air-conditioned indoor seating with waterfall views. Rotisserie chicken and ribs.
- Captain America Diner: Comic-themed walk-up. American diner burgers and sandwiches.
- Comic Strip Cafe: Multi-cuisine spot. American, Asian, and Italian options at the same till.
Best Quick Service Locations at Epic Universe
- Toadstool Cafe: Nintendo flagship. Mushroom soup, themed burgers, and Bowser-shaped calzones.
- Mead Hall: How to Train Your Dragon restaurant. Norse-style rotisserie meats and Viking aesthetic.
- The Atlantic: Seafood-focused spot. Shrimp, fish, and salad options.
- Pizza Moon: Grab-and-go pizza. Classic and themed slices.
- Cosmic Cafe: Park-front cafe. Coffee, pastries, and light bites.
Most Universal quick-service venues now use a QR code ordering system for mobile pre-order and pickup. Using the mobile order system can save you a lot of time during peak lunch hours between 12pm and 2pm. It doesn’t save money but it does let you skip the queue at the till.
Table-Service Restaurant Pricing
There are very few table-service restaurants within the theme parks at Universal Orlando. Instead, the majority are either at CityWalk or within the on-site hotels.
Table-service entrees typically cost $20 to $35 (£16 to £28). Add a drink, tax and tip and most table-service meals work out to $30 to $50 per person (£24 to £39).
Best Table-Service Restaurants in the Theme Parks
- Lombard’s Seafood Grille at Universal Studios Florida: Fisherman’s Wharf-themed spot. Cioppino, fish and chips, and seafood pasta.
- Confisco Grille at Islands of Adventure: Character breakfast available on selected mornings.
- Finnegan’s Bar and Grill at Universal Studios Florida: Irish pub fare with fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and Guinness on tap.
Epic Universe doesn’t have traditional table-service inside the park. The nearest sit-down dining is at Helios Grand Hotel.
Best Table-Service Restaurants at CityWalk
- Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen: Steampunk-themed dining with signature desserts and milkshakes.
- Bigfire: Campfire-style live-fire cooking with steaks, planked salmon, and wood-grilled vegetables.
- The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar: Sushi and burger fusion with hybrid “burgushi” rolls and themed burgers.
- Vivo Italian Kitchen: Modern Italian with handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas.
- NBC Sports Grill and Brew: Sports bar with American grill food and a huge beer selection.
Snack and Drink Prices
Snacks and drinks can add-up quicker than meals at Universal. Especially on a hot day when keeping hydrated is important. Here’s the prices of the most popular snacks and drinks from my visit to Universal Orlando in May 2026:
- Fountain soda (regular): $4.79 (£3.80)
- Coffee, hot chocolate, or tea: $4.29 (£3.40)
- Bottled water: $4.50 (£3.55)
- Soft pretzel with cheese sauce: $7.99 (£6.30)
- Churros with chocolate sauce: $6.99 (£5.50)
- Milkshakes: $7.49 (£5.90)
- Cold Butterbeer: $7.99 (£6.30)
- Frozen Butterbeer: $8.99 (£7.10)
- Domestic beer: $9-11 (£7-8.70)
- Cocktails: $14-18 (£11-14.20)
You can bring your own food and drink into Universal Orlando provided it meets certain requirements. I’d suggest dry snacks over full meals given the heat and humidity.
Refillable cups can be a great way to save money on drinks at Universal Orlando whilst also staying hydrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions I’m asked most about the cost of food and drink at Universal Orlando:
How much should I budget for food per day at Universal Orlando?
Budget $60 to $80 per adult and $40 to $55 per child per day for a quick-service meal, snacks, and drinks. Add $30 to $50 per person for a sit-down dinner at CityWalk. Families who pack snacks and breakfast in the room come in well under those numbers.
How much is a fountain soda at Universal Orlando?
A fountain soda is $4.79 at most quick-service venues in 2026, up from $4.29 after the March 2025 price hike. A new Coca-Cola Freestyle refillable cup is $18.99 for the first day, then $11.99 to reactivate on each additional day. The cup pays off after roughly four drinks per day, which is easy to hit in Orlando heat.
How much is a meal at Universal Orlando in 2026?
Quick-service entrees run $14 to $20 and table-service entrees run $20 to $35 in 2026. Verified May 2026 examples: NBC Sports Grill Smokehouse Stack $22.95, Bumblebee Man’s Tacos Pollo $12.49, Three Broomsticks Fish and Chips $19.99.
Is food expensive at Universal Orlando compared to Disney?
Universal food prices sit roughly in line with Walt Disney World quick service, with both resorts running $14 to $22 for QS entrees in 2026. CityWalk table service can match or slightly undercut Disney Springs equivalents, and Universal lets you bring in outside snacks and a small soft cooler. Disney still has the broader dining plan options, which Universal doesn’t currently offer in Orlando.
What are the cheapest places to eat at Universal Orlando?
Krusty Burger in Springfield and Today Cafe at USF keep entrees under $15. At Islands of Adventure, Comic Strip Cafe at Toon Lagoon and shareable Three Broomsticks platters work out cheapest. Packing a soft cooler up to 8.5 by 6 by 6 inches is the cheapest route of all.
