The Best New Quick Service Restaurant in Universal

When you visit Universal Orlando Resort and the new Epic Universe theme park, you are in for a variety of great dining options. Here is our review of what is currently Universal's very best quick service restaurant, and it might be the best quick service restaurant in any theme park ever.

Dining at Epic Universe

When Epic Universe opened, it brought theme park-goers five new themed areas to explore. Each area is filled with carefully crafted details and attractions designed to bring the fun.

Not only is the park filled with things to do, but each area is also home to new restaurants and places to grab a snack. If dining is part of your travel love language, you are in for a treat! Some of Universal's BEST food is here.

In fact, Epic Universe tops the charts in terms of quick service options that balance quality food with fun theming. I (Kate) have enjoyed every single one that I have visited. However, there is one that stands out above all the rest.

Universal's Best Quick Service Restaurant

If you head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic, you will find what is easily the best quick-service restaurant, not just in Epic Universe, but in all of Universal Orlando Resort. In fact, I'd venture to say it is one of the best quick-service restaurants in any theme park.

Café L'air De La Sirène offers delicious French and Wizarding World of Harry Potter-themed food in a beautiful setting! You can wander into this fantastic cafe from the streets of wizarding Paris.

You can enjoy a meal here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu shifts throughout the day, so be sure to confirm the items you want are available during the meal period you select.

Breakfast at Café L'air De La Sirène

My (Kate's) travel party and I have enjoyed breakfast at Café L'air De La Sirène multiple times. I always tell myself I am going to try something different, but everyone loves it so much that we end up right back there each time.

Breakfast at Cafe L'air De La Sirene is absolutely delightful.

One of the reasons this happens is that we have noticed the restaurant often opens a little ahead of its posted hours. This may not always be the case, so manage your expectations if you try to visit early, but so far it has worked out.

The last time we visited, it was scheduled to open at 10:00, but it opened shortly after 9:00 am, just in time to receive guests who had rope dropped Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry of Magic and were rewarded with an early opening for the attraction. In fact, dining here often works out well with what is currently one of the best strategies for riding Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.

Going early also works out well because the restaurant gets crowded quickly. You might have to wait for a table, so be prepared for that possibility.

Atmosphere

The restaurant's name translates to "The Song of the Mermaid," a fitting, whimsical title. Part of the cafe's charm is that it looks and feels like a cafe you would find in Paris. In fact, the Team Members at the door will likely greet you in French when you approach.

There is charming outdoor seating. And, if you are craving climate control, there are plenty of tables indoors as well!

The restaurant's foyer reflects the portal's immersive Parisian theming. It is decorated with mirrors that remind me of Versailles, as well as a pyramid of pastries, fondly known as "Towering Choux à la Crème."

The walls of the dining space are decorated with the most interesting paintings. We asked one of the Team Members about them and asked who the characters were. The Team Member told us that he was certain they all had names and stories, but that their lore had not been revealed just yet. So, I am excited to learn more about them someday.

Mobile Ordering

Café L'air De La Sirène utilizes mobile ordering. Once you receive a table, you can go ahead and scan the number and order, and pay for your meal. Just be sure to click the "prepare my order" button so the kitchen knows to prepare it.

You should also know that "Butterbeer" is written in French on the menu. To alleviate confusion, know that "Bièraubeurre Froide" is regular cold butterbeer. "Bièraubeurre Glacée" is frozen Butterbeer.

Even though it is a quick-service meal, a server will deliver your meal to the table. So you can sit and rest and enjoy conversation with your travel party instead of standing in line at a counter.

There is (usually) an option to stand in line at the bar area if you are only ordering drinks. You can do this if you do not need a table and want to take it to go. But this might not always be available, so ask about it at the door if you are interested.

Breakfast Menu at Café L'air De La Sirène

When you dine at Café L'air De La Sirène for breakfast, you are presented with combo meals. Each one comes with one of the breakfast entree choices, a side, and a beverage.

The inclusion of the beverage is a delight if you want to try a Harry Potter-themed drink like Butter Beer, Frozen Butter Beer, or Pumpkin Juice. Of course, you might prefer coffee if you need a pick-me-up. You can also order complementary cups of water if you wish.

Every single menu item is delicious. If you like crepes, eggs, and cheese, you will be happy enjoying breakfast at Café L'air De La Sirène. In fact, the problem might be deciding which of the delightful foods to eat.

Also, you should know that many of the dishes are served with seasonal berries with lavender honey. No one is talking about the berries, and they deserve some hype. They are absolutely delicious, and the lavender honey is the perfect touch to ensure they are all just sweet enough.

Here is a rundown of every delicious entree you can have for breakfast.

Bièraubeurre Crêpe (Butterbeer Crepe)

The Bièraubeurre Crêpe (Butterbeer Crepe) seems to be the signature dish that people come to try. However, it is probably the weakest of the menu offerings. Don't get me wrong. It is a great dish, and the fact that it is at the bottom of the ranks only speaks to the quality of the other menu items.

The Bièraubeurre Crêpe is filled with shortbread cookie butter, Bavarian cream, Bièraubeurre cream, and strawberries. It is topped with Bièraubeurre drizzle and a shortbread cookie garnish. It is certainly yummy, but for some diners, it is too sweet for a meal and would make a better dessert to share around the table. But, if you love sweet meals, then it is a great choice for you. It's enjoyable, but to me, it doesn't taste much like its Butterbeer inspiration. It is heavier on the shortbread cream flavor.

The Crêpe Citronnée aux Chambord

The Crêpe Citronnée aux Chambord (Lemon Crepe) is a dreamy crepe filled with lemon cream cheese, Chambord sauce, and seasonal berries. The berry selection might vary, so be prepared for that.

This is my favorite sweet crepe in the restaurant. It is just sweet enough for me, but it, too, might be too sweet for some. The berries were ripe and fresh, and all the flavors worked beautifully together.

Crêpe Parisienne

If you prefer a savory crepe, try the Crêpe Parisienne instead. It is filled with egg, brie, sliced, cracked black pepper turkey breast, roasted apples, and topped with Mornay sauce and yuzu hollandaise sauce.

This is a great crepe. The brie and apples work well together, and the sauce is delightfully rich and dreamy.

Croissant Suprême

Less adventurous or picky eaters may prefer the Croissant Suprême. This is essentially a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant.

It is served hot so that the cheese is melty. Even though it feels like the type of thing you can get anywhere, it is savory, melty, and delicious, and it is something worth eating.

Jambon Beurre

A surprise favorite is the Jambon Beurre. This is ham, gruyère cheese, and Dijon mustard butter, served on a French baguette.

I was shocked at how good this simple sandwich is. But it is savory and perfect for fueling your day.

Quiche Lorraine

One of the absolute stars is the Quiche Lorraine. This is a quiche of egg custard, filled with bacon and caramelized onions. It is encased in a flaky pie crust and topped with divine Mornay sauce.

I can't say enough about the Quiche Lorraine. It is so savory and flavorful in the best way. And that sauce makes the dish. It pairs perfectly with the seasonal berries with lavender honey.

Service

Service is typically speedy. However, every now and then, the restaurant will hit a snag or the kitchen will become backed up.

This happened to my party, but only once. We ended up waiting 30 minutes before drinks were delivered and longer for meals.

Sometimes these things happen, and it isn't just because the restaurant and theme park are new, as many people would have you believe. We have had similar experiences with long waits for food at Three Broomsticks over in Islands of Adventure. It's just one of those things that might come with dining at high-volume, in-demand theme park restaurants.

This doesn't need to be a deal breaker. Sure, it's frustrating, but it is also air-conditioned. And, the Team Members will do their best to sort it all out so you can go about your day fed and refreshed.

Overall, the service is typically on par with the meal itself. The entire experience, from the food quality to the setting, makes you forget you are even in a quick-service restaurant. In fact, this restaurant surpasses the meals you will find at many theme park table service locations.

Have you tried Café L'air De La Sirène? Is it on your wish list? Let us know. And be sure to share the review with your friends and family who are visiting Epic Universe at Universal Studios Resort in Orlando.