If there is one thing Universal Orlando did extremely well at Epic Universe, it’s creating immersive experiences that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. And Toadstool Cafe at Universal’s Epic Universe is a perfect example.
Located inside Super Nintendo World, Toadstool Cafe isn’t just a place to grab dinner. It’s a part of the experience.
Whether you grew up playing Mario games or you’re visiting with your kids that know every character, this restaurant bring the Mushroom Kingdom to life in a way that makes a regular theme park meal feel a little more magical.
During our visits to Epic Universe, we always plan to eat at Toadstool Cafe. At our last visit, my daughter and I ate there twice!
The Atmosphere at Toadstool Cafe:
The first thing you notice about Toadstool Cafe is that the theming starts before you even sit down. Walking through Super Nintendo World already feel like you are entering the Mushroom Kingdom, but stepping inside Toadstool Cafe continues the adventure.
The colorful details, decor and the little touches throughout the space make it feel like you are dining in Mario’s world instead of just stopping for a quick bite.
One of my favorite things about themed restaurants like this one is that they you it gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the details. There are so many little elements that fans will recognize and it’s worth looking around instead of rushing through your meal.
Our Dining Experience at Toadstool Cafe:
When visiting a restaurant inside a theme park, my expectations are always a little different. You aren’t necessarily walking in expecting a fine dining experience but you are looking for good food, fun atmosphere and a memorable part of you day. One of my favorite parts of trying restaurants at theme parks is seeing how they take familiar foods and add a little bit of magic to them them and Toadstool definitely does that with its Super Mario World inspired menu. Here’s what we tried during our visit:
Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots: Our favorite!
If I’m being honest, we probably could have eaten an entire order of these and called it a day! The Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots were easily our favorite thing we ordered. The warm bread, garlic butter, parmesan cheese, and parsley topping came together perfectly. These were honestly some of the best bread bites we’ve had and they were the kind of appetizer that makes you say, “Okay, we definitely need to order these again.”… AND we did!
Super Mushroom Pizza Bowl:
This one is such a fun idea! The Super Mushroom Pizza Bowl is filled with mozzarella cheese, sausage, pepperoni, and mushroom marinara sauce, then topped with a Super Mushroom pizza crust. We call it an “upside down pizza” and honestly that’s the best way to describe it. The best part was dipping the pizza crust into the bowl, almost like using it as a breadstick. It was creative, filling and definitely one of the more unique items on the menu.
Mario Burger:
Of course, we had to try the Mario Burger. This burger comes topped with bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and Thousand Island dressing, served with a side of fries. The fun detail? It comes with a Mario mustache on the brioche bun and a hat, making it another one of those little touches that makes the meal feel like part of the experience. I mean, theme park food is always more fun when it c,omes with a little extra magic!
Power-Up Spaghetti Marinara:
The Power-Up Spaghetti Marinara was another fun themed option. It comes with spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce, Power-Up parmesan crisps, a cheesy garlic knot and a coin cookie. The first time we tried this, there wasn’t quite enough marinara sauce, so it felt like we were mostly eating noodles. We decide to give it another try and the second time it was much better! With more marinara sauce, the meal came together a lot better and became a much more enjoyable meal.
Thoughts on the Food:
The menu at Toadstool Cafe has a nice mix of familiar options while still adding fun details that make it feel special. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Toadstool Cafe. While the the theming is what initially draws you in, the food was a fun part of the experience too! The Cheesy Garlic Knots were the standout for us, but the Super Mushroom Pizza Bowl was probably the most memorable because it was so different from anything else you’d normally find in a theme park. The food, the atmosphere, and the chance to take a break in Super Nintendo World all work together.
Is Toadstool Cafe Worth it?
My answer… if you are already planning to spend time in Super Nintendo World, I would add it to your list. Toadstool Cafe is not just about grabbing something to eat, it’s another piece of the story Universal is creating inside Epic Universe.
For Nintendo Fans…It’s a must do! For Families…it’s a fun break in your park day. And for anyone who loves themed dining experiences, it’s one of those spots that makes your Universal Orlando vacation feel memorable.
Overall, Toadstool Cafe was a fun addition to our Epic Universe day, and I would definitely recommend checking it out on your next visit.
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