On the next leg of our around-the-park food tour is Celestial Park; this is the hub of Epic Universe, and the first land guests will experience before traveling through the portals to all the other incredible lands that Epic Universe has to offer; from this hub point, guests will be able to choose their own adventures, whether they’re looking to become a viking on the back of a dragon or save the princess, Celestial Park is where they’ll start.
But just because this land is a hub for all the other themed lands in Epic Universe doesn’t mean this area doesn’t have plenty of its own unique Universal magic to offer! This area is described as a “futuristic realm where humans and nature converge,” as the stars and celestial bodies of the universe take center stage. In addition to the rides and shops included in this area of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is also home to some of the massive park’s most exquisite restaurants.
Celestial Park
“Across the shimmering waters of the Neptune pool in Celestial Park, Atlantic is an undersea culinary fantasy. Inside glass walls reminiscent of an enormous Victorian aquarium, starfish dwell peacefully with serene, illuminated fish swimming above you. Indulge in exceptional seafood and steaks or enjoy a cocktail at the lively Aquaria Bar.”
One of the flagship restaurants for this area, Atlantic, features a stunning lineup of seafood dishes that will blow you right out of the water. This full-service restaurant is designed from the ground up to transport you into the depths of the ocean in a dining experience unlike any other. Featuring a menu full of delectable dishes, drinks, and desserts, Atlantic also features an interior design by Universal Creative; fish line the ceiling of the restaurant, and the metallic curtains that surround them seamlessly mimic the feeling of being underwater in a massive aquarium while you dine .
The Sea Bass is one of Atlantic’s featured dishes. This seafood fare is served with carrot mochi (a chewy rice flour) and fresh sugar snap peas. Paired with lemongrass broth and the tangy citrus of starfruit slices, this sea bass is sure to be a crown jewel of the menu.
Atlantic also offers side dishes like the Romesco Romanesco. For anyone not familiar with this bizarre veggie, the romanesco is a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower, and sports a subtle nutty flavor when roasted. Aside from its delicious flavor, the flower bud of the plant also looks incredible, with its fractal-like spirals that are more than a little mesmerizing to look at! The romanesco served at Atlantic is oven-roasted, and paired with wild mushrooms and pea tendrils on a bed of fregola and hazelnut. The flavors of this dish are sure to compliment each other perfectly, and more than that, it’s just fun to look at!
As a full-service restaurant, Atlantic will also be serving a variety of specialty cocktails – one of which is the Northern Lights Martini, a vodka cocktail featuring Limoncello and dry Curacao. A butterfly pea blossom ice sphere and gold luster dust spray give this drink its name, as the combined colors and shimmer of the garnish creates the illusion of the northern lights right there in your drink! Of course, guests must be 21 and older and present a valid ID to order alcoholic beverages anywhere on Universal Orlando Resort property, so be sure to have that card at the ready when you’re ordering!
But as fascinating as the food is, the Atlantic is far from the only restaurant in Celestial Park. Nestled within the hub is The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, another full-service restaurant that features vibrant Asian cuisine and even more vibrant design, with the entire restaurant being decked out in a neon glow. And keep an eye out! Guests with a keen eye might spy some easter eggs hidden around this restaurant (here’s a hint: check the hanging signs!).
Colorful neon dragons surround diners, who sit under a constellation-covered ceiling as they enjoy some of the finest cuisines from China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and more. Dishes like the Tonkotsu Ramen feature tender ramen noodles in a rich pork broth, topped with chashu pork, tare egg, shiitake mushrooms and togarashi oil.
Smashed Cucumbers are also on the menu – and yep, it’s exactly what it sounds like! Cucumbers tossed in dragon sauce with fresh cilantro, crunchy peanuts, and a little bit of Sichuan dust to give it a little kick that compliments the mild coolness of the cucumbers perfectly!
For something a little more mild, though, guests can try the Snowflake Potstickers. ‘Pull-apart, pan-seared pork potstickers’ is a mouthful, but you won’t really mind once you get a mouthful of this dish. Served with dragon sauce, this dish is perfectly shareable (or not!).
Another specialty drink on the menu, the Chengdu Dream offers a fruity and spicy combination of flavors with a mix of baiju, blue curacao, and falernum syrup with tangy grapefruit and pineapple juices and an edible orchid garnish. This drink looks like a dream, too! Because the drink includes baiju, a Chinese liquor typically compared to tequila, guests will need their ID to show they’re 21 or over to order this drink.
Also included on the menu for The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant are bites like the Double Fried Korean Wings, and Beef Xi’an Noodles, which are thicker than regular noodles and packed with the heat of Szechuan spices and the rich flavor of marinated beef.
After dinner, guests can also sample the Passion Fruit Mooncake, a small handpie featuring passion fruit cheesecake and stamped with the restaurant’s signature dragon logo. Even though this style of handpie is typically filled with red bean paste, Chef Robert Martinez, director of culinary operations, said that his team wanted to create something that guests could relate to that tied into Asian culture, and thus the Blue Dragon Mooncake was born.
If sit-down options aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, guests can also find quick bites and fast-casual dining across Celestial Park, which Theme Park Shark will cover in an upcoming post. There really is just too much at Celestial Park to cover in one go, and if that’s not a theme park foodie’s dream, I don’t know what is!
