Alongside the awesome rides, shows and characters, there are some must-try snacks in Universal Studios Hollywood. From the iconic Harry Potter Butterbeer to a gigantic pink donut, we’ve put together this list of the best snacks at Universal Studios Hollywood – we hope you love these snacks as much as we do!
1 | Butterbeer
Cost: Butterbeer will set you back $8
Location: Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Most visitors heading to Universal Studios Hollywood make a beeline for the delicious wizarding beverage Butterbeer. Butterbeer is served exclusively in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and is one of the most popular snacks in Universal Studios Hollywood.
What does Butterbeer taste like?
We’re often asked what Butterbeer tastes like! We’d describe it as a very sweet drink that tastes like a cream soda malt shake crossed with butterscotch. Despite its sweetness, it’s very easy to drink and we can easily drink a couple in a day at Universal – our favorite is the milkshake-like frozen Butterbeer.
Does Butterbeer contain alcohol?
No! Butterbeer is a non alcohol drink.
What kind of Butterbeer is sold at Universal?
There are three types of Butterbeer at Universal Studios: frozen, hot, or regular. Our favorite is frozen Butterbeer as it’s more like a milkshake and is great on a hot day.
There are three locations in Universal Studios Hollywood where you can purchase Butterbeer, all of which are located in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
- Butterbeer Carts
- The Three Broomsticks
- Hog’s Head
Best snacks at Universal Studios Hollywood tip: we highly recommend purchasing a Butterbeer early in the day, especially during weekends and busier holiday periods, as the queues can get really long during peak times.
2 | “The Big Pink” Donut
Cost: The Big Pink is $10
Location: Lard Lad Donuts, Springfield
You’ll find a steady line through the day at Lard Lard Donuts, and for good reason! Its most popular donut, “The Big Pink”, is one of the cutest (and one of the tastiest!) snacks in the park. This gigantic donut measures around 8 inches across and is easily shared between 2 to 4 people!
“The Big Pink” costs $9.99 and is surprisingly good value considering how huge and tasty it is.
3 | Hooray for Everything Pretzel
Cost: the pretzel costs $7
Location: Suds McDuff’s Hot Dog Stand, Springfield
Pick up a Hooray for Everything Pretzel at the hot dog stand in Springfield. We first bought a Hooray for Everything pretzel as a side snack to the hot dog and it turned out to be the star of the show!
While the Krusty hot dog was pretty average if we’re being honest, the Hooray for Everthing pretzel is surprisingly good. It’s very filling and great for sharing. If you’re looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy it we recommend grabbing a seat in Moe’s Bar just across the street.
Best Snacks in Universal Studios Hollywood: A word of warning, make sure to have extra napkins on hand, this one is greasy!
4 | Tropical Sunset Cone
Cost: a Tropical Sunset Cone costs $7.29
Location: Studio Scoop (between the Mummy Returns and Transformers in the Lower Lot)
Make sure not to miss this amazing ice cream cone when you’re exploring the Lower Lot at Universal Studios Hollywood. Located between the Mummy Returns and Transformers, Studio Scoop sells the best ice creams in the park. While all the options are mouthwatering, there is something special about the Tropical Sunset Cone.
The ice cream is delicious and the different flavors of watermelon, orange, and blue goo on a single cone make it divine. Plus it looks great in photos!!
5 | Duff Beer
Cost: $15 for Duff or Duff LIte
Location: Moe’s Tavern and Duff Brewery Beer Garden, Springfield
Sipping on Homer Simpson’s favorite Duff Beer is a rite of passage in Springfield!
You can enjoy a Duff beer in both the Duff Brewery Beer Garden and Moe’s Tavern in Springfield. Our favorite was Moe’s Tavern and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy some time out from a hectic day at Universal Studios Hollywood. We grabbed some food from Cletus’ Chicken Shack next door to Mo’s Tavern and enjoyed a chilled Duff beer in Mo’s.
So what does the Duff beer taste like? We found it quite nice and would compare it to a darker, hoppier version of Budweiser.
6 | Toadstool Cafe
The themed dishes at Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World are among the best snacks in Universal Studios Hollywood. From Mario and Luigi-themed burgers to Piranha Plant Caprese and Princess Peach cupcakes, there’s a whole menu of Mushroom Kingdom delights to choose from!
7 | Isla Nu-Bar
Jurassic World has it’s very own tiki bar, the Isla Nu-Bar. The thatched Tiki Bar brings a tropical island vibe to Universal Hollywood! Cocktails are served in tiki cups etched with raptors and Tiki Gods and are perfect for a refreshing stop.
Our favorite is the Jurrasic Water (a combination of gin, vodka, rum, tequila, raspberry liqueur, melon liquor, blue curaçao, grenadine, sweet and sour and club soda).
8 | Minion Cafe
A recent addition to Super Silly Fun Land, the vibrant Minion Cafe is a fun stop in Universal Hollywood and is one of our kids’ favorite.
We love the colorful and refreshing Felonious Float, a raspberry slush with banana yogurt and whipped cream topped with banana candy.
The banana candy that tops the Felonious Float is amazing!
The Minion biscuit is another great snack which is fun to share!
9 | The Great Feast
Harry Potter fans can visit Hogsmeade’s Three Broomsticks, a rustic British pub where Harry Potter first sampled another of our Universal Hollywood favorites, Butterbeer.
A visit to Three Broomsticks transports guests into the World of Harry Potter where they can indulge in traditional British fayre. The Great Feast, a family-style sharing platter, is a highlight – choose between roast chicken and spare ribs or both to accompany sides of corn on the cob, fresh vegetables and roasted potatoes.
10 | Butterbeer Ice Cream
The ice cream at Floreans Fortescue has long been included in our roundup of the best snacks at Universal Orlando so we were thrilled when Hollywood opened its very own Floreans Forescue!
Located in Honeydukes, there are 10 delicious soft-serve flavors on offer. The Butterbeer ice cream is delicious as is the chocolate and Granny Smith Apple.
Bonus Citywalk Locations
If you have time make sure to stop by some of the fantastic spots on CityWalk – if you are parking in the main park lot you will walk through CityWalk to enter Universal Studios Hollywood or, if you are staying nearby, check it out in the evening.
Here’s our favorite CityWalk options for the best snacks at Universal Studios Hollywood:
11 | Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
Cost: Milkshakes cost around $15/$16
Location: CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is home to some of the prettiest milkshakes we ever did see. From Red Velvet to chocolate brownies and Key Lime Pie, the stunning milkshakes are the perfect sweet treat.
12 | Voodoo Donuts
Cost: donuts start at around $2 for a regular donut
Location: CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood
Renowned for the crazy variety and unique toppings that it puts on its doughnuts, the decor is colorful and quirky and the donuts are delicious. We also love that there are awesome vegan options.
The bacon maple bar is one of Vodoo Donuts most famous creations.
13 | Mini Monster
The kitschy Mini Monster Cafe is one of our favorite stops at CityWalk for a refreshing drink on a hot day.
The Mini Monster Boba and the Sunset Strawberry Lemonade are our go to drinks.
14 | Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs
Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs is an LA institution and we love that we can indulge in their delicious hot dogs at Universal Hollywood!
The “El Cucuy” Jalapeno Dog, a 12″ Jalapeno sausage with mayo, mustard, ketchup, grilled onions, bacon and jalapenos, is our highlight while our kids love the Betty White Naked Dog, a plain option.
For more on Universal Studios Hollywood
Check out our guide to the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass