How to feast gluten free at Universal Orlando’s newest theme park! I ate everything I could get my hands on at EPIC Universe for two (2) days so I could bring you the ultimate gluten free guide!
Plus get a sneak peek at the in park dining menus that haven’t been released yet.
If you’re gluten free and planning a trip to Universal Orlando’s brand-new EPIC Universe theme park, you might be wondering if there will be gluten free options at the new park. As someone who travels with celiac disease and has explored Universal Orlando countless times, I know how stressful it can be to find meals that are both delicious and safe.
I had the incredible opportunity to preview EPIC Universe before its grand opening on May 22—and I scoped out every gluten free option I could find. In this post, I’ll walk you through the most celiac-friendly spots, what to watch out for, and what I’d feel comfortable eating again.
RELATED: Click here to check out our review of every new ride at Universal’s EPIC Universe.
I also got a celiac panel blood test when I got back from this trip, and my numbers were completely normal. Everything I ate at EPIC was completely gluten free and prepared safely!
RELATED: Planning your first trip to Universal Orlando? Don’t miss our EPIC first timer’s planning guide. (See what I did there? 😁😁) Click here to find it.
Click here if you’re interested in my gluten free story and credentials. Use the table of contents below to check out the restaurants you’re interested in. Or, if you have time, read the whole thing!
RELATED: Click here to explore our review of ten (10) great gluten free dining options at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk Orlando.
EPIC Universe Gluten Free Overview
There are many, many new restaurants inside EPIC Universe. Twenty-five (25) in all. A little less than half of them are concentrated in Celestial Park (eleven (11), if you’re curious), which is the hub in the hub-and-spoke design of the park. There are either three (3) or four (4) in each other world. (Are we saying “land” or “world”? Someone let me know.)
There are also more straight up full bars than in either of Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. There are seven (7) in all, if you count the full bars inside Atlantic, Blue Dragon, and Meteor Astropub. Welcome to 2025, apparently.
Unlocked Disclaimers
I have to make a huge disclaimer here. As with all new things, EPIC Universe is going to morph and change as it goes through growing pains. My experience at the preview while the park was still in rehearsals will most certainly be different than your experience going after the grand opening when all the bows are tied up neatly.
However, even during previews, their dietary accommodation game was stellar. They didn’t miss a beat carrying the extremely safe protocols over from the original parks.
RELATED: Click here to read our complete gluten free guide to EPIC Universe (or south campus) hotels.
Another disclaimer that I should really add to all of our gluten free posts, come to think of it: I don’t eat seafood. Which is kind of a big deal given that many seafood options are gluten free. I always ask about every option at any given venue, but just a fair warning that I can’t speak to the deliciousness of the seafood anywhere.
Unlocked Gluten Free Guide to EPIC Universe
I ate at fourteen (14) of the twenty-five (25) restaurants, and here’s what I know. We’re going through the hub (Celestial Park), and then clockwise through the spokes (SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk). As usual, find a ❤️ next to our favorites.
Celestial Park
Atlantic ❤️❤️
- What: Full table service
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
This was so excellent. It’s the nicest restaurant I’ve ever been to in a theme park by a mile. Atlantic is mainly a seafood restaurant, but it also has burgers and steaks. Gluten free items are marked, but you should ask about anything you want because they’re still very new. For example, the steak was not marked gluten free on my menu, but it very much was.
Everyone on staff, from the manager to the bartender to the servers, was very patient and knowledgeable. I had the Tomato Burrata salad and the Atlantic Filet Mignon with crispy potatoes. The steak was overcooked for my liking but still tender and delicious!
Atlantic also has a full bar that sits on the top floor right when you walk into the lobby. (The dining room is on the second floor below, at water level.) The bartenders are as knowledgeable as the rest of the staff. You should feel comfortable drinking here. As always, make sure to explain your dietary situation in detail.
The atmosphere and the views at Atlantic are excellent. I can’t recommend it enough. Don’t forget to make reservations.
Click here to explore the Atlantic menu.
Pizza Moon 👍
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
Pizza Moon has tons of gluten free options, including pizza, pasta, and salads, as well as a separate area to cook it! This line was extremely long when we were there. But after waiting in a really long line for Café L’air De La Sirène we weren’t in the mood to wait in another insane line. Sadly, when we came back on our last night, it was closed. We were so, so disappointed.
But I did speak with the manager the first time we went, and he was extremely knowledgeable and confident about the venue’s ability to safely prepare pizza and pasta. We will be back! Watch this space, etc etc.
If you eat here, though, please reach out to us in one of these places and let us know how it was. 😁😁
Click here to explore the Pizza Moon menu.
Comet Dogs ❓
- What: Counter service
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
I didn’t have a chance to stop here and check if they have gluten free hot dog buns. I’m guessing they do. But if you do, make sure they can cook it in separate area. I’m less confident about that part.
Click here to explore the Comet Dogs menu.
Frosty Moon ❓
- What: Counter service
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
Ice cream and cookies. The line here was always insanely long, so I didn’t get a chance to ask if they could separate out gluten free ice cream. If you go and find out, let me know!
Click here to explore the Frosty Moon menu.
Celestiki 🚫
- What: Bar
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
This bar has only premade drinks that they don’t recommend for celiac guests. And the staff wasn’t very knowledgable. I skipped it.
Click here to explore the Celestiki menu.
The Blue Dragon Pan Asian Restaurant ❓
- What: Full table service
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
This restaurant is located next to the Helios Grand Hotel park entrance. Unfortunately when we were there it was not open yet. So we can’t speak to any of the protocols. But we’re hopeful, given the safe options in other areas of the park. And I’ll update this guide once we eat there!
Click here to explore the Blue Dragon menu.
Oak & Star Tavern ❤️
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
The mobile ordering at EPIC Universe works identically and as efficiently and safely as it does at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Click here to read more about Universal Orlando mobile ordering with food restrictions. Make sure to add the allergy note to your order.
UNLOCKED TIP: EPIC Universe, unsurprisingly, leaned heavy into mobile ordering, and the majority of these restaurants use it. So downloading the mobile app is not optional at this point. Read more about the Universal official mobile app here.
This is a proper BBQ joint. Many of the items are gluten free, and the staff immediately knew what I could have and not have, including when it came to the BBQ sauces. I had the Smoked Sausage and Burnt Ends Baked Beans. The quality isn’t great. It tastes like park food. But I’ll take it. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
We had lunch/dinner here, but the breakfast menu looks delicious. Along with Pizza Moon and Blue Dragon it’s on our list to try the next time we visit.
The center of the restaurant has a lobby with armchairs (seriously!). There is a large room to the left for dining only, and a large room to the right that houses the Plastered Owl bar. See below.
There are also booths in each of these dining rooms. We didn’t sit at either the booths or the armchairs, and I assume they’re usually in short supply. The space is huge though, so I doubt you will have a problem getting a table most of the time. We have the same complaint you’ll see throughout this guide about EPIC Universe: there are no fans. It was very hot inside and the air was stagnant. If they add fans and figure out the A/C, this place will be perfect.
Click here to explore the Oak & Star Tavern menu.
The Plastered Owl ❤️
- What: Full bar inside the Oak and Star Tavern
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
This bar is in the big room to the right of the Oak and Star Tavern. There are tons of different sized tables and a few booths. The bar also opens out on the opposite side to the Oak & Star patio. Like everywhere else, they need fans.
They have Strongbow Cider, but it’s in the tap, and they didn’t recommend it for celiac guests. SIGH. The service here is excellent. They need to figure out how to make ordering at the bar versus using mobile ordering for food a simpler process for everyone involved. Everyone seems confused about it. We had regular bar drinks as successfully as at any other full bar.
We absolutely love this entire venue that includes the Oak & Star Tavern and the Plastered Owl. It’s so big and has so much comfortable seating.
Click here to explore the Plastered Owl menu.
Bar Zenith 👍
- What: Full bar
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
This is right next to the Meteor Astropub. (There is also a full bar inside the Meteor Astropub that we love. See below.)
It is a full bar, so you can treat it the same as any other bar. Obviously the team member you get to serve you is everything, but when I was there they bent over backwards to make something they were sure was gluten free. My bartender was looking up ingredients left and right. I’m pretty knowledgeable about gluten free spirits and mixers, but I am not a dictionary!
Click here to explore the Bar Zenith menu.
Meteor Astropub ❤️❤️
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
Meteor Astropub was the first place we ate on our first morning at EPIC Universe. It has a proper bar and very large dining room, plus a big patio outside.
There are Coke Freestyle machines in the Astropub dining room. It seemed throughout our visit that Universal made a dedicated effort to have more Coke Freestyle machines generally, and especially inside most restaurants.
All their sandwiches can be made with a gluten free bun, and the chef who came out was very knowledgeable and confident that this was safe. Add the allergen note per usual like you would with typical mobile ordering at the OG parks. The fries are made in a separate fryer.
The inside bar at the Meteor Astropub had my favorite drink in the park, the Meteorita. It’s sweet and strong, but not too sweet or too strong. I came back for it several times.
I got the spicy grilled chicken sandwich and fries. Both were delicious. The fries are thick with just the right amount of crisp, and the chicken in the sandwich was super juicy. This restaurant doesn’t allow substitutions (except for allergies), which is a slight downside. But overall this one knocked it out of the park on our first try at EPIC.
Click here to explore the Meteor Astropub menu.
Star Sui Bao 🚫
- What: Counter service
- Where: Celestial Park
- Our Review:
There are only a few menu items at this counter service quick stop, and none are gluten free. They aren’t allergen friendly or knowledgeable. Skip it.
Click here to explore the Star Sui Bao menu.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
We didn’t eat at any Super Nintendo World locations. At this point in our trip we were frankly too tired to walk all the stairs in this land (and there are tons, be prepared). So we limited our time (and bruised and blistered feet) to rides only.
UNLOCKED TIP: We recommend tackling Super Nintendo World early in your trip when you’re still fresh on your feet.
There are four (4) restaurants in Super Nintendo World. Unfortunately (and unlike the Isle of Berk), this land lends itself more to crazy ingredients than it does good gluten free options.
The Bubbly Barrel 🚫
- What: Counter service
- Where: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Home to the viral DK Crush Float. Doesn’t look gluten free to me. But please reach out if you find out differently!
Click here to explore the Bubbly Barrel menu.
Toadstool Cafe 👍
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
The Toadstool Cafe menu clearly has a few gluten free dishes. And given that there are so many gluten free options and excellent safety protocols at the other restaurants we did eat at, we’re confident that the same protocols will be in place at this Super Nintendo World restaurant.
The Piranha Plant Caprese looks particularly enticing to me. And we’re told that gluten free buns are available for all burger options at EPIC Universe.
Click here to explore the Toadstool Cafe menu.
Turbo Boost Treats ❓
- What: Counter service
- Where: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
If you trust the popcorn at other Universal Orlando places (I don’t), I assume you can trust it here. The picture above is of the menu during previews. However, if you click the menu link below, it appears that this venue may be adding other food.
Click here to explore the Turbo Boost Treats menu.
Yoshi’s Snack Island ⛔
- What: Counter service
- Where: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
The menu here is quite limited. Both food options have bread that can’t be replaced. I leave it to you to decide if you can trust the smoothies.
Click here to explore the Yoshi’s Snack Island menu.
Dark Universe
The Burning Blade Tavern ❓
- What: Mobile ordering pickup
- Where: Dark Universe
- Our Review:
Every place in Dark Universe is very dark, shockingly. But it is hard to see. That made me nervous about gluten free for some reason. I mean surely the kitchen is not dark.
While this place has a very cool exterior and a windmill that lights on fire every once in a while, it’s very small with a few tables inside and a few tables outside. It has mobile order pickup, which is harder to make sure you get right than mobile tables.
I didn’t trust it for the reasons listed above, but it does look like the burger and the chicken skewer could be made gluten free. I’ll eat there in September and update this space.
Click here to explore the Burning Blade Tavern menu.
Das Steakhouse ❤️
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: Dark Universe
- Our Review:
This was our favorite place in the Dark Universe. It’s dark and big inside with plenty of places to sit. It’s much roomier than the Burning Blade Tavern. The theming is incredible. Downside: there aren’t fans. Like many places at EPIC Universe. (Why did they forget they built this place in FLORIDA.)
I got just the fries because I was full from my insane meal at Atlantic (eating all this food for y’all is not easy 🙃). They’re red because the lighting goes back and forth from white to red. Insane theming! But they have gluten free burgers, steak, kebabs, salad, and even gluten free dessert. The staff here was excellent, knowledgeable about dietary accommodations, and very attentive. They had this thing nailed even in previews.
Click here to explore the Das Steakhouse menu.
De Lacey’s Cottage ⛔
- What: Counter service
- Where: Dark Universe
- Our Review:
We literally had to ask what this was because there’s no sign anywhere. The food menu has two very gluten full foods: cinnamon roll bites and the viral Frankenstein pretzel. Skip it. (Though people are raving about the cinnamon bites, in case you want to tell your gluten full friends about it.)
The drink menu has two (2) canned gluten free alcoholic beverages. Definitely grab one of those! There’s also a very well themed Coke Freestyle machine at this quick stop.
Click here to explore the De Lacey’s Cottage menu.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™
RELATED: Click here to read our review of the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™ ride featured in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™.
Bar Moonshine ❤️
- What: Counter service bar
- Where: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™
- Our Review:
Tiny! And crowded! With a long line! That’s it! That’s the review!
Just kidding. But all those things are true. I was nervous about drinking here because it’s small and fast and counter serve. But they were great about it. They were able to bring out the manager (who was the same manager I had dealt with at Le Gobelet Noir, and they worked together to make sure all ingredients were safe. I got the Fleur 75 (a French 75) because it was safest.
A lot of the alcoholic drinks in the themed lands have added shimmer or sparkles. It’s not easy to confirm those things are gluten free, so I avoid them. Also be prepared to slow down the line here. If that makes you uncomfortable, I recommend skipping it.
At least go get a picture and see this place though because the detailing is phenomenal.
Click here to explore the Bar Moonshine menu.
Bièraubeurre™ Cart ❤️
- What: Butterbeer kiosk
- Where: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™
- Our Review:
Similar to the butterbeer carts in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, this kiosk carries only frozen and cold butterbeer, and butterbeer is always gluten free. (Praise the Lord for good things 🎉🎉)
UNLOCKED TIP: Butterbeer (or Bièraubeurre) is not the only thing in French in this Wizarding World. Everything is in French. Bone up. (No, really.)
Café L’air De La Sirène™ ❤️
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™
- Our Review:
The line was so long when we went. I walked past it many other times during our visit when it had no line, and that filled me with regret about standing in the long and hot line.
UNLOCKED TIP: These restaurant lines (we experienced the same at Pizza Moon) ebb and flow, and it’s possible to catch them with no line if you don’t want to wait in a long one.
The detailed theming inside is gorgeous with high ceilings and mirrors. Downside (again): It’s not nearly cold enough inside given that people are dying of heat stroke outside. Yet another place with no fans! Another slight downside is that this venue is very much themed as a Parisian cafe, so the tables and chairs are crowded together and quite small.
The manager that came out was very friendly and knowledgeable. This menu is not online yet, but they recommend the steak, chicken, or the tuna salad.
We got the half chicken, green beans, and potatoes. And they were kind of dry. The green beans were fine. But the crème brûlée is gluten free and worth the price of admission. We also want to come back and try breakfast here.
Click here to explore the Café L’air De La Sirène menu.
Le Gobelet Noir™ ❤️
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™
- Our Review:
At first glance this appeared to be the Ministry of Magic equivalent of the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade. If you’re not familiar, it’s a side bar off of The Three Broomsticks that is essentially part of the main restaurant and just offers an additional counter service bar. But it’s not that at all. This restaurant is much more spacious than Café L’air De La Sirène and the menu is just as big.
Le Gobelet Noir is hidden in a Knockturn Alley type offshoot of the main thoroughfare in Paris (sorry I’m not conversant in Fantastic Beasts). It’s huge inside and the tables are big and comfortable. They have booths! And when we went it was relatively empty. The vibe is dark and spooky. We thought maybe it got lost on the way to Dark Universe. But it was actually cool (temperature) inside.
I only got a drink here (the Lavender Lemonade, pictured below), but the manager told us you can make the goulash gluten free if you sub potatoes instead of egg noodles. Sounds great to me.
Click here to explore the Le Gobelet Noir menu.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
We didn’t eat at any Isle of Berk locations. The ride lines were long enough that we didn’t have extra time to spend getting food. However, just from the menus we can all (together, this is a group project 🙃) tell that Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel (also known as the mac and cheese cone place) will not be safe or have gluten free options.
But both the Spit Fyre Grill and Mead Hall menus look like they have a least a couple gluten free dishes. The theme lends itself well to gluten free options. (Lots of smoked meat!)
And given that there are so many gluten free options and excellent safety protocols at the other restaurants we did eat at, we’re confident that the same protocols will be in place at the Isle of Berk restaurants. We’ve listed them here, and linked to the menus so you can explore before you go.
Mead Hall is a big indoor venue. But Spit Fyre Grill is counter service (as is Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel), and there is a large outside covered dining area (pictured) that serves them both called Hooligan’s Hideaway. I didn’t step inside, but how much do you want to bet there’s no fans?
Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel 🚫
- What: Counter service
- Where: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Click here to explore the Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel menu.
Mead Hall ❓
- What: Mobile ordering tables
- Where: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Click here to explore the Mead Hall menu.
Spit Fyre Grill ❓
- What: Counter service
- Where: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Click here to explore the Spit Fyre Grill menu.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! I’ll be updating this guide regularly as more locations open and menus expand—so bookmark this page for your next adventure into the multiverse.
EPIC Universe brings a whole new level of immersion to Universal Orlando—and thankfully, that includes some thoughtful gluten free dining choices.
While the park is still new and menus may evolve, there are already many promising options for gluten free guests, especially those with celiac disease. As always, I recommend speaking directly with a chef or team member about your needs and checking for cross-contamination protocols before ordering.
Have a great time at this amazing brand new theme park!
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