Orlando 2024 Travel Log: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure — Day 2: Fish & Chips and Pumpkin Fizz at Three Broomsticks

As we were in Hogsmeade, we obviously went to Three Broomsticks for a late lunch:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade: Three Broomsticks

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade: Three Broomsticks

Three Broomsticks is known for "The Great Feast," which consists of rotisserie chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, and vegetables, but despite many tables having ordered this, it just seems utterly boring and not particularly Harry Potter-themed, or even UK-themed. (Read: It's typical American BBQ food.) A missed opportunity here for not offering Sunday roast instead, which would have been a much more appropriate "Great Feast" considering the theme of this park. Alas, there is not a Yorkshire pudding in sight. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade: Three Broomsticks — Fish and Chips

What we really wanted to try here was the fish and chips, which have rave reviews all over the Internet. And THEY WERE RIGHT. This was maybe the best fish and chips I've ever had. The cod is tender, flaky, and plush — almost melt-in-your-mouth — and the batter is thin, golden, and perfectly crispy. With a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of tartar sauce on every bite, it was SUBLIME. The chips are, similarly, ultra crispy, nicely salted, and on the thicker side, so they hold up to copious amounts of malt vinegar exceptionally well (the proper way to eat chips in a fish and chips). I don't know how this compares to the fish and chips in the UK, but both Minji and I thought this was truly spectacular and really hit the spot. I would get this over "The Great Feast" any day.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade: Three Broomsticks — Pear Cider and Pumpkin Fizz

To drink, a Pumpkin Fizz for me and a pear cider for Minji. The Pumpkin Fizz is quite literally the carbonated version of pumpkin juice, so basically, it's delicious and particularly perfect to pair with fried foods. The pear cider was also good — less sweet than pumpkin fizz, pumpkin juice, or Butterbeer — but I didn't think it really tasted that much more pear-like than apple cider (which they also offer). Still, a good carbonated option for those who don't like pumpkin spice. Now, compared to Leaky Cauldron, Three Broomsticks is bigger and has far more individual tables, but it's also — in my opinion — not as interesting to look at, nor decorated as nicely. Leaky Cauldron also offers way more menu options, as well as more traditional British fare, so if you're only going to have time to eat at one of them, take this into consideration.

Three Broomsticks

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade

Universal Islands of Adventure

6000 Universal Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32819, USA

(407) 363-8000

Orlando 2024 Travel Log: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida — Day 2: Traditional Breakfast with Pumpkin Juice at Leaky Cauldron

We decided to start our second day at Universal back in Diagon Alley for breakfast at Leaky Cauldron. There was only one thing we knew we had to try: the Traditional Breakfast (a.k.a. a full English).

Traditional Breakfast

Scrambled eggs, sausage links, black pudding, English bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms, breakfast potatoes, and a croissant. The croissant kind of threw me off because a full English usually has fried bread or toast, but I'm guessing it's because they have to serve so many people and it's easier to just toss a store-bought croissant on a plate than it is to constantly make toast. The eggs are scrambled (you don't get a choice here, probably because most people can eat scrambled eggs but a lot of people don't or can't eat raw egg yolks), anyway, so I guess you don't really need toast to dip in yolk. Regardless, I have no complaints; this was a delicious, hearty meal, and I actually enjoyed every component — even the black pudding (it my first time trying it), which is similar to Korean sundae but more meaty. It actually tasted like the regular English sausage but with a hint of liver (you know, that kind of metallic aftertaste) without the gross texture of liver. Anyway, the Traditional Breakfast is the one to go for if you want a truer Harry Potter or UK experience.

Pumpkin juice and hot Butterbeer

Each breakfast comes with a small beverage, so I decided on the pumpkin juice, which is absolutely delicious — it's like cold apple cider with pumpkin spice, somehow refreshing and cozy at the same time; and Minji got the hot Butterbeer, which reminded me of Second Cup's white hot chocolate or a much sweeter version of Starbucks' vanilla steamer — a tasty choice for those who want a hot caffeine-free beverage. While cold Butterbeer is available almost anywhere beverages are sold in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, the hot Butterbeer is only available at the two sit-down restaurants (Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade) and two bars (The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley and Hog's Head in Hogsmeade), in case you want to try all types of Butterbeer. Anyway, if you want to get breakfast here, you want to get an early start — they stop serving breakfast at 10:30AM. 

Leaky Cauldron

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley

Universal Studios Florida 

6000 Universal Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32819, USA

(407) 224-4233

Orlando 2024 Travel Log: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida — Day 1: Butterbeer and Bangers & Mash at Leaky Cauldron

Before exploring Diagon Alley, we decided to have an early lunch at Leaky Cauldron:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley: Leaky Cauldron

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley: Leaky Cauldron

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley: Leaky Cauldron — Butterbeer

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley: Leaky Cauldron — Bangers & Mash

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley: Leaky Cauldron

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley: Leaky Cauldron — Sirius Black Wanted Poster

Nothing like a cold Butterbeer (in the cutest souvenir mug!) to cool you down in the disgustingly hot Florida weather. It's sweet as hell but so damn delicious. (For reference, it's kind of like a butterscotch cream soda with a hint of vanilla.) For food, we decided on the Bangers & Mash, two crisp, juicy, roasted English sausages on a bed of mashed potatoes with onion gravy, minted peas, and roasted vegetables. It's quite a hearty dish, so we decided to share it and it was just the right amount. The perfect way to fuel an afternoon of exploring Diagon Alley.

Leaky Cauldron

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley

Universal Studios Florida 

6000 Universal Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32819, USA

(407) 224-4233