If you're both an ice cream fan and a Harry Potter fan, you'll definitely want to make a stop at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida.
This is one spot I find myself visiting on almost every Universal trip, and I can't wait to tell you all about it.
In this review, we'll go over everything you need to know to plan your visit, from the atmosphere to the menu and, of course, the ice cream itself.
Atmosphere & Location:
To find Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, enter Diagon Alley and walk down the main path toward Gringotts Bank. Near the end of the street, look to your left and you'll spot a bright yellow corner storefront decorated with green lettering and whimsical "magical" ice cream cones.
The exterior feels like a charming vintage ice cream shop, with colorful details that fit perfectly into the wizarding world. Peer through the cottage-pane windows and you'll spot even more magical, ice-cream-inspired decor inside.
This location is extremely popular, and the line often stretches outside and wraps around the building. But don't worry, it usually moves surprisingly quickly. And once you step inside, there's plenty to look at while you wait. You'll find spinning magical ice cream cones, colorful signs advertising whimsical flavors, and other playful details that make the wait part of the experience.
There isn't any seating directly at the shop, but there are plenty of places nearby to enjoy your sweet treat. Many guests sit on the stairs across the way, or my personal favorite, duck into the dark and spooky atmosphere of Knockturn Alley.
The Menu:
On the menu at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, you'll find an array of fun British- and Wizarding World-inspired flavors, including the ever-popular Butterbeer.
Some flavors are served as soft serve (such as pistachio and orange marmalade), while others are available as hard-packed scoops, including unique options like clotted cream and Earl Grey & lavender. Hard-packed ice cream is served as two scoops, and you can mix and match flavors if you'd like to try more than one.
Ice cream is typically served in a waffle cone, but you can also request it in a paper cup. If you're in the mood for something a little extra, there are also sundaes served in a souvenir glass.
You'll also find a selection of toppings available for an additional $0.99, including fun options like shortbread crumbles to add a little extra texture and flavor.
(Find the full & current Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour menu here)
What We Ordered:
On our last visit to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, Mr. Garlic and I ordered two scoops of hard-packed ice cream, Clotted Cream and Sticky Toffee Pudding, along with a Butterbeer soft serve (spoiler alert: this is one I get frequently and absolutely love).
The Butterbeer soft serve is priced at $6.99, while the two scoops of hard-packed ice cream come in at $7.99.
I've tried several of the hard-packed flavors here in the past, but this was my first time trying both Clotted Cream and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
The Clotted Cream had a nice texture, thick, creamy, and slightly soft. The flavor, however, wasn't my favorite. It wasn't very sweet and leaned more tangy, almost like buttermilk, with a slightly cake-like aftertaste. I've never had traditional clotted cream before, so I'm not sure how closely this matches the real thing, but it definitely wasn't what I expected.
The Sticky Toffee Pudding flavor was a bit better. There were a few small pieces of sponge cake mixed in, though overall the flavor leaned more toward vanilla with hints of butterscotch. I might try this one again in the future, but the Clotted Cream just wasn't for me.
The Butterbeer soft serve, however, is a regular park snack for me. For soft serve, it's surprisingly thick and dense, with a slightly sticky, almost gummy texture (which I personally love in soft serve). The vanilla base is swirled with the signature Butterbeer flavoring, a mix of butterscotch and white chocolate, and it's absolutely frickin' delicious. This is one treat I will happily keep ordering again and again.
Know Before You Go:
- Quick service: No reservations needed.
- Seating: There is no seating directly at the shop, but there are several nearby places to sit in Diagon Alley, including the stairs across the street or inside Knockturn Alley.
- Menu options: This location serves soft serve, hard-packed ice cream, and sundaes.
- Crowds: It can get quite busy, with lines often stretching out the door, but the line typically moves quickly.
- Prices: Treats generally range from $6.99-$12 depending on what you order.
- Portion sizes: Portions are fairly generous and are often large enough to share between two people.
- Hours: Typically open 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, though hours may change during the off-season or for special park events.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I really love Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour. That being said, I am also a bit of an ice cream fanatic and a huge Harry Potter fan, so this spot feels especially magical to me.
If you're someone who prefers more traditional desserts like cake or pastries, or if whimsical themed treats aren't really your thing, this might be one you choose to skip. But for fans of the wizarding world wandering through Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it's a really fun stop.
On future visits, I'll definitely keep ordering the Butterbeer soft serve, but I'm also looking forward to working my way through more of the hard-packed flavors, and maybe even trying one of the sundaes.
Have you tried Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour? What flavor would you choose?
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