While vegan food is more widely available than ever before, it can still be complicated to find tasty, satisfying plant-based options – especially when you’re on vacation or spending the day in an Orlando theme park. Universal Studios Florida carries a wide variety of vegan fare, from quick snacks to full service meals; however not all choices are created equal. As a regular park-goer, I have a few suggestions on where to get the best tasting/widest variety of suitable plant-based meals in every restaurant category (carts & kiosks, quick service, and full service). Let’s take an in depth look at the most and least vegan friendly dining locations at Universal Studios Florida!
One Quick Note: Universal Orlando’s menus change frequently, meaning that some specific meals and food items may be altered or unavailable during your visit. Make sure to check with restaurant staff to verify the most up to date dining information.
Carts & Kiosks
There’s a lot to see and do at the Universal theme parks. When you’re just looking for a quick nosh between attractions, Universal Studios’ carts & kiosks are the best way to recharge and refuel with a convenient snack!
Most Vegan-Friendly: Central Park Crêpes
Providing the ultimate convenience in portability and satiation, Central Park Crêpes has a wide variety of savory and sweet options. While their menu changes seasonally, there’s always at least one vegan-friendly choice. Stop by the booth near Mel’s Drive-In to check them out!
I recently tried their Plant-Based Chick’n Crepe, and it was pretty delicious! Read my previous article for a full review of this unique theme park snack!
Least Vegan-Friendly: London Taxi-Hut
While the London Taxi-Hut (just outside Diagon Alley) does serve a variety of vegetarian-friendly jacket potatoes (a British term for baked potatoes), these options all include some sort of cheese/butter. If you want to find a purely plant-based dish, you would have to order a potato with only broccoli or beans as the topping (make sure to specify no butter) – not exactly the most exciting snack.
Quick Service Dining
If you need more than a portable snack but still don’t want to take the time for a full service, sit-down meal; consider one of Universal Studios’ quick service (or counter service) dining locations. These restaurants provide fully portioned meals at fast food level speed.
Another Note: The Beyond Burger has made it to Universal Orlando! If you’re craving one of these protein-packed patties, you can easily find one at either Richter’s Burger Co. in San Francisco or Mel’s Drive-In in Hollywood. For the sake of highlighting a few of the more unique in-park vegan meals, the rest of this discussion will not include Beyond Burger options.
Most Vegan-Friendly: Louie’s Italian Restaurant
You won’t find plant-based pizza at Louie’s Italian Restaurant, however, you will find Gardein sausage crumbles (for a vegan Spaghetti Bolognese) and minestrone soup!
Another Great Option: Leaky Cauldron
Sporting an influx of new, plant-based menu items, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Leaky Cauldron features two, delicious-sounding options! The Irish Stew is made with vegan beef tip and potato while the Shepherd’s Pasty Pie includes meatless crumbles and vegetables.
I haven’t had the chance to sample these new dishes yet, but I will make a point to visit the park soon. Check back for a full review!
Least Vegan-Friendly: Fast Food Boulevard
Located in Springfield USA: Home of the Simpsons, Fast Food Boulevard offers a variety of menus – including fried seafood, burgers, and even “lighter” options like wraps and fruit cups. But even with these diverse offerings, there is a pronounced lack of vegan-friendly choices. Unless you want to be stuck eating literal chopped melon, I suggest you try a different quick service location.
Another Not-So-Great Option: Mel’s Drive-In
At first glance, Mel’s is a great choice for plant-based diners. There are multiple vegan meals that are comparable in taste profile and volume to their non-vegan counterparts.
However, after a personal visit to the restaurant, I really don’t recommend this location to plant-based guests. Mel’s offers two main options: a basic Beyond Burger served with French fries or the Plant-Based Chick’n and Avocado Sandwich with Gardein patty and Follow Your Heart vegan cheese.
That Chick’n and Avocado Sandwich sounds pretty good, right? Yeah, that’s what I thought, too. Unfortunately, the reality is pretty horrible and disgusting. I did not finish my meal and will never order it again. If you want to read my detailed thoughts on the Plant-Based Chick’n and Avocado Sandwich from Mel’s Drive-in, check out my full review here. Otherwise, please take my advice and try an alternative dining option.
Full Service Dining
If you have a bit of flexibility in your schedule, you might want to enjoy a full-service, sit-down meal at one of Universal Studios’ fabulous restaurants. There are two in-park options in this category: Finnegan’s Bar & Grill and Lombard’s Seafood Grille.
Most Vegan-Friendly Option: Finnegan’s Bar & Grille
Themed as an Irish pub, this restaurant offers delicious food inspired by the Emerald Isle. With a menu spanning crowd-pleasing favorites like a Fried Cod Sandwich and more traditional offerings like Bangers & Mash, Finnegan’s is definitely a unique theme park dining experience.
I recently completed a full review of this restaurant, however, you should know that the featured vegan offering has already changed. Instead of the incredibly delicious Shepherd’s Pie that I sampled, the menu now includes a Vegan Sausage Wellington with Field Roast Sausage, root vegetables and cabbage.
Least Vegan-Friendly: Lombard’s Seafood Grille
With a limited menu, there are no specifically vegan options included in Lombard’s selections. While some of the dishes may be modified, it would obviously be easier to simply avoid this restaurant.
Eating Vegan at Universal Studios Florida!
While maintaining a plant-based diet is never easy, it is possible to find great vegan food at Universal Studios. The theme park offers multiple options in every dining category. You just need to know where to look! Do you have any favorite plant-based meals or snacks that you’d like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!
For more about vegan eating at the Orlando theme parks, check out my vegan dining guide to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom!
