Food at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley park at Universal Orlando Resort is based on traditional British cuisine, with some unusual twists inspired by the Harry Potter books and films.
And it's very different from the American fare on steroids a few steps away at The Simpsons' Springfield area of the theme park, where the menu includes ginormous doughnuts, burgers and beer.
The main Harry Potter eatery, called the Leaky Cauldron, is a large restaurant with group tables just inside the entrance. There are also street kiosks with food and drink, plus Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.
Here are some must-try culinary adventures from Diagon Alley for us muggles:
BUTTERBEER ICE CREAM
When Universal's original Harry Potter attraction – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade – opened in 2010, butterbeer – a sweet, butterscotch, non-alcoholic beverage – was instantly popular. Diagon Alley offers Butterbeer soft-serve ice-cream, and it's just the thing for a hot Orlando day. The ice-cream shop sells other unusual flavours, such as Earl Grey and lavender, or chocolate chili. Cost: $US4.79 ($A5.18).
MINI-PIE COMBINATION
If you're not sure if the large portion of traditional British meat-and-potatoes pies, try the mini offering – two smaller savoury pies with a side salad. One pie is salmon, shrimp and cod, the other is beef and vegetable, both baked under a mashed potato crust. Cost: $US12.99 ($A14.05). Or try a toad in the hole – sausage baked in pancake batter, $US8.99 ($A9.73).
PLOUGHMAN'S PLATTER
This typical English cold plate has cheeses, crusty bread, cornichon pickles, apple-beet salad, Branston pickle (pickled diced vegetables) and a Scotch egg (hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and baked). Cost: $US19.99 ($A21.63) (serves two).
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
This moist sponge cake is covered in gooey toffee and topped with vanilla ice-cream. Yum. Cost: $6.99
GILLYWATER
In the Harry Potter stories, Gillywater is made from Gillyweed, a magical plant. In real life, it looks like plain bottled water, but costumed Universal employees add magical and colourful elixirs for a slightly sweet taste. The elixir names are fun: Draught of Peace, Babbling Beverage, Elixir to Induce Euphoria and Fire Protection Potion. Cost: $US4 ($A4.33).
