Discover the Best Dining Options at Busch Gardens Tampa: A Complete Guide to Satisfy Your Taste Buds

Sure, you’re visiting Busch Gardens Tampa for the rides, the experience, and the souvenirs, but don’t forget to plan your meals and snacks! While they may have higher prices than meals outside the park, the dining options at Busch Gardens Tampa are a big part of the experience, and avoiding them may cause a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out).

A quick peek at the list of restaurants and food options can be overwhelming, especially while planning the best way to tackle the rides. To help you avoid being overwhelmed, we’ve put together this Busch Gardens Tampa food guide. It explores the restaurant choices in the park, top options for those with dietary needs, and even tips for getting a good deal on the food.

What Restaurants Are at Busch Gardens Tampa?

There are more than ten restaurants that you can stop by while at the park; they range from Moroccan eats to signature theme park bites (think foot-long hot dogs and chicken tenders). We’d love to dive into each restaurant, but it would overwhelm you more! Instead, we’re going over some of the best dining options at Busch Gardens Tampa. 

Our Pick

Matchable Family Hawaiian Luau Shirts, Hibiscus Blue, Men, Large

$39.00

Buy Now Learn More

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

03/09/2024 11:49 am GMT

Dining Tips and Tricks to Save Money and Time 

Busch Gardens Tampa dining can cost a pretty penny and take you away from the rides! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you save money (and time!) on dining, so you won’t feel rushed checking out (or stressed about the cost of) the park goodies!

Money Saving Tips

• Download the Busch Gardens app to mobile order your food from Zambia Smokehouse, Dragon Dog, Pantopia, or Zagora Café. They’ll have your food ready to go when you walk up!
• Invest in a souvenir cup so you can bring it back and use it year after year. You’ll get discounts on soda and Icee refills during your trip.
• Bring a water bottle from home and refill it at the fountains throughout the park (only water bottles/reusable water bottles can be brought in). Buying water bottles from vendors can add up quickly, and this helps cut the cost.

Special Dietary Needs and Options at Busch Gardens Tampa 

If you have any special dietary needs, there are a few ways to go about it while at Busch Gardens Tampa. While they do not allow outside food to be brought in (except for snacks for toddlers/babies), they do make exceptions for those with strict dietary needs. If you want to bring your own food, you must check in with Park Security upon arrival. As a note, there’s a chance they may not approve of the food you brought, so it’s best to make a backup plan.

You can also call ahead and talk to someone in the Guest Relations department. They can help you plan meals/snacks that fit your needs before visiting the park.

Alternatively, you can visit the restaurant of your choosing and ask to speak to the supervisor when you arrive. The supervisors can advise you on what to choose and help you place your order.

Dining Packages and Deals 

One of the best ways to save money on dining options at Busch Gardens Tampa is by purchasing the All-Day Dining Plan. It’s $50 per day ($25 per day for kids 3-9 years old) and includes a meal every hour. 

Each meal on the All-Day Dining Plan includes one entrée, a side dish (or dessert), and a drink. However, there is some fine print to be aware of. You can only access this pass at certain restaurants (Zagora Café, Crown Colony Café, Dragon Fire Grill™, Bengal Bistro, and Zambia Smokehouse). Certain menu items (including drinks) are not included in the deal, like baby back ribs, sampler plates, and salmon.

Also, sharing meals with others is a big no-no with this dining plan.

Unique Busch Gardens Dining Experiences

Busch Gardens Tampa has some exciting dining experiences that you can take advantage of while visiting, whether it be simply eating in an exclusive area or dining with the animals. Here are a few dining options that will guarantee a unique experience!

At Oasis Pizza, you can dine with the animals (be careful, the birds can be grabby with food here!). As you enjoy your meal, you can look at the giraffes, zebras, and elephants as they go about their day.

Another exciting dining experience is the Chick-Fil-A in the Jungala area. While the restaurant is similar to what you’d expect from the food chain outside the park, the location is key. The entire area is decked out with plants, trees, and other décor that will make you feel like you’re in a jungle. There’s even an adventure climb area that puts you in the treetops.

If you’re a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Pass Member, there’s an exclusive Pass Member Lounge that you can visit. It’s located on the third floor of the Serengeti Overlook, so you can still see animal views while you eat.  

Tips For Making Dining Reservations and Avoiding Crowds

You won’t need to make dining reservations at the restaurants in the park, which is good and bad. That means you’ll need to wait in line and battle the crowds throughout the day. Here are a few tips to help you avoid the dining crowds!

Skip the dining option overwhelm (and overcrowded restaurants) during your next Busch Gardens Tampa visit by using the above guide. Remember to plan out your dining options at Busch Gardens Tampa before arriving for a smoother experience. It’s also a great idea to download the Busch Gardens Tampa app, so you can see dietary restriction details on each restaurant, order ahead, and check out the menu before arriving.

If you have extra time at the park, consider checking out one of the many restaurants which weren’t mentioned!

Do you have a favorite Busch Gardens Tampa restaurant or snack? Let us know your picks in the comments!

Featured photo: LauriPatterson via Canva.com

Liked this? Take a second to support us on Patreon!