Illumination’s Minion Cafe Review | Universal Studios Orlando

In 2022, we lost the iconic Monsters Cafe at Universal Studios Florida to make way for something entirely new: a full Minions-themed area complete with Illumination's Minion Cafe taking the place of our beloved monsters.

minions cafe universal studios orlando florida

As someone who absolutely adored Monsters Cafe, I was honestly a little nervous about the change. But this year, I finally got the chance to check out the new Minion Cafe for myself.

So in this review, I'll share all of my thoughts, along with tips, photos, and everything you need to know before trying it for yourself.

Jump to:

Atmosphere & Location:
Ordering & Seating:
The Menu:
What I ordered:
Know Before You Go:
Reviews

Atmosphere & Location:

As I mentioned before, the entrance area of Universal Studios Florida went through a major retheme in 2022. This meant saying goodbye to a few longtime Universal icons, including Shrek 4-D (which I will never fully recover from) and the beloved Monsters Cafe.

The changes came as Universal Destinations & Experiences was preparing for the opening of Universal Epic Universe, which now has an entire land dedicated to classic monsters, while Shrek eventually found a new home in the DreamWorks area near E.T. Adventure.

Thankfully, finding Illumination's Minion Cafe is incredibly easy. After entering the park gates, walk straight toward Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon and look to your right.

Along the way, you'll spot several Minions-themed snack stands selling things like Freeze Ray Pops and banana-flavored popcorn. But if you're looking for more of a sit-down restaurant experience, Minion Cafe is the main destination.

Like the rest of the newly themed area, the cafe is bright, colorful, and full of chaotic Minion energy. The main dining room is painted a bold bright yellow and features a little chef minion in the center cooking with all sorts of ridiculous kitchen contraptions.

One thing I really liked is that each section of the dining area has its own slightly different theme and personality, so you can choose the atmosphere that appeals most to you. On our visit, we ended up seated between the rock-and-roll section and the kawaii-inspired area.

minions cafe interior decor and dining area

Ordering & Seating:

Like most quick-service restaurants at Universal Studios Florida, Illumination's Minion Cafe relies heavily on mobile ordering through the Universal app.

To order, simply pick a table, scan the QR code, and begin placing your order through the app. The process is actually very straightforward, and since the app is connected to your payment method, there's no awkward "cashing out" process afterward, which I always appreciate.

minions cafe exterior menu universal studios

Even though this is technically a quick-service location, your food is still brought directly to your table once it's ready.

On the day I visited, the restaurant wasn't overly busy, and I only waited about 10 minutes for my food to arrive.

That said, my app was being a little buggy that day, but thankfully I was still easily able to order directly with a team member and pay using a card.

As for seating, the restaurant mainly uses metal tables and chairs with no padded seating options available. If you prefer being outside, there is also a small patio area featuring a handful of bar-top tables and stools.

The Menu:

On the Illumination's Minion Cafe menu, you'll find an assortment of fun Minions-themed handhelds, bowls, desserts, and drinks.

Menu items include things like:

Kevin's Chopa Chopa Salad
Steak & "Cheese Ray" Sandwich
Otto's Pet Rock

Overall, there's a pretty good variety, so most people should be able to find something that appeals to them.

minions cafe bowl and sandwich menu continued

On the online menu, each item includes both allergy information and pricing, which I always appreciate. Pricing is fairly standard for a Universal quick-service restaurant, with most entrées ranging around $18-$20.

There's also a children's menu available featuring options like the Mini Boss' Mega Melt or a classic PB&J, generally priced around $10.

(Find the full and current Minion's Cafe menu here.)

What I ordered:

Because I eat mostly gluten-free, I decided to try Carl's Crispy Cauliflower (DS, ES, FS, GS, PS, SES, SFS, TNS, VG) - $18.99.

The dish includes:

crispy cauliflower florets
sweet & spicy chili sauce
coconut blue rice
Thai cucumbers
edamame

To drink, I ordered a Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay - $11.

The plate arrived smelling wonderful and looked really well plated as well. The bright blue coconut rice, pale green edamame, and crispy cauliflower made the whole thing feel colorful and fun without looking too gimmicky.

I dug into the rice first, and honestly, it exceeded my expectations. The rice was light and fluffy with a subtle savory-sweet coconut flavor that worked really well.

The cucumber salad was thinly sliced, slightly crunchy, and tangy, almost like it had a vinegar-based dressing.

As for the cauliflower itself, it was soft on the inside while the gluten-free crispy coating stayed light and crunchy. If I had to guess, I'd say the coating was made from rice flour. The sweet chili sauce served on the side was very similar to a classic sweet-and-sour chili sauce and paired perfectly with the cauliflower.

Overall, I genuinely really liked this dish and would absolutely order it again. It was filling enough to work as a full meal, and everything had really solid flavor and texture.

My only complaint was that the cauliflower was slightly cold, almost like it had been sitting just a little too long before being brought to the table. Otherwise, this is honestly a really solid gluten-free option at Universal Studios Florida.

As for the wine, it was a bit sweeter than I personally prefer in a Chardonnay, though that's pretty typical for theme park wine lists. The pour also felt a little small at around 4 oz for $11, but again, unfortunately pretty standard for a theme park.

Know Before You Go:

Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM-7:00 PM, though hours may change depending on park hours and the season.
Allergy Information: Allergy information is available directly on the menu and through the Universal app.
Ordering: Mobile ordering is heavily encouraged, but not required. You can still order directly with a team member if needed.
Seating: There is plenty of seating available, though all tables use metal chairs with no padded seating options.
Family Friendly?: Absolutely. The theming is very kid- and family-focused, and there is a full children's menu available if needed.
Sensory Concerns: While fun, the restaurant is also very visually "busy" and can get quite loud, so it may feel overwhelming for guests with sensory sensitivities.
Pricing & Portions: Pricing and portion sizes are fairly average for a Universal quick-service restaurant. My meal was large enough to count as a full entrée, with most dishes averaging around $18-$20.