Plan your visit to the Busch Gardens food festival with our look at the La Cocina Costera Cabin. Get prices and descriptions for the must-try coastal dishes here. The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food, Wine & Garden Festival runs through May 10 on Fridays through Sundays.
The Busch Gardens food festival, officially known as the Food, Wine & Garden Festival, has transformed the park into a sprawling landscape of international flavors, craft brews, and live entertainment. Among the dozens of kiosks and cabins dotting the walkways, Cabin 7: La Cocina Costera (The Coastal Kitchen) has quickly established itself as a mandatory destination for those seeking fresh, vibrant, and seafood-centric fare. In this noon weekday dining review, we’re exploring the sights, scents, and flavors of this coastal-inspired booth to see if it lives up to the festival hype.
The Atmosphere of the Busch Gardens Food Festival
Before we dive into the specific dishes, it is worth noting the atmosphere that surrounds the Busch Gardens food festival. The park is meticulously landscaped with topiaries, photo ops, and floral displays, providing a lush backdrop for the “Food Cabin” trail. La Cocina Costera is situated in a high-traffic area that manages to feel like a breezy seaside escape. The green-painted wooden structure of Cabin 7 fits seamlessly into the park’s aesthetic, offering a menu that promises a break from the standard heavy theme park fare of burgers and fries. Additionally, the event features live music on event days and concerts at night on weekends.
For those looking to maximize their experience, the “Best Value” is undeniably the 8-punch or 12-punch (15 for pass members) sample lanyards. With prices for food items ranging around $10.00, the lanyard often brings the “per-item” cost down significantly, allowing you to sample the entire La Cocina Costera menu without a second thought.
Exploring the Menu: La Cocina Costera
The menu at Cabin 7 is focused. Rather than trying to cover too much ground, the chefs have narrowed the selection down to three distinct food items and a curated list of wine pairings.
| Food Item | Description | Price |
| Empanadas | Flaky pastry filled with savory beef or seasoned spinach, served warm with home-made salsa. | $9.99 |
| Lobster Roll | Lobster on a toasted brioche bun with lemon Cajun aioli and fresh herbs. | $11.99 |
| Ceviche Tostone Shots | Crisp fried plantain cups filled with citrus marinated shrimp and octopus, onions and cilantro. | $8.99 |
The Food Review
1. The Empanadas ($9.99)
Empanadas are a staple of Latin American coastal cuisine, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay delivers a version that is both satisfying and classic. The pastry itself is the star here, golden brown, remarkably flaky, and served warm. You have a choice between a savory beef filling or a seasoned spinach filling.
We ordered the beef version. The empanadas were well-seasoned, avoiding the greasiness that sometimes plagues festival pastries. However, the true “secret weapon” is the home-made salsa served on the side. It provides a bright, acidic kick that cuts through the buttery crust perfectly. However, we wondered while eating the empanadas whether these were a good value compared to the ones at Toma at Orang Cafe.
Pro-Tip for Guests: In our tasting photos, you might see several empanadas grouped together. It’s important to manage expectations: guests will receive one empanada per order. While it is a generous size for a single pastry, it is less of a “sharing dish” and more of a personal snack. If you’re with a group, you’ll definitely want to order a few!
2. The Lobster Roll ($11.99)
As the most expensive item on the menu, the Lobster Roll carries high expectations. In the world of theme park festivals, seafood can be hit-or-miss, but this dish is a resounding “maybe.” Initially, we had concerns since this festival item came to us very quickly from a cooler
The lobster meat is served chilled, which is refreshing during a humid Florida afternoon. It is tossed lightly in a lemon Cajun aioli. The aioli is subtle; it doesn’t overpower the flavor of the lobster but adds a gentle heat and a citrusy finish. What elevates this dish is the toasted brioche bun. It is buttery, soft, and provides the proper structural integrity for the generous portions of lobster and fresh herbs piled on top.
If you are using a sampler lanyard, this is arguably the best “bang for your buck” item at the booth. Still, while we found it to be better than the SeaWorld Orlando festival version, it will not impress most guests looking for an authentic lobster roll.
3. Ceviche Tostone Shots ($8.99)
If you are looking for a “Instagrammable” dish at La Cocina Costera, look no further than the Ceviche Tostone Shots. This dish is a masterclass in texture.
The “shot” refers to the presentation. Guests receive two crisp, fried plantain cups (tostones) that act as edible bowls. These are filled to the brim with a citrus-marinated mixture of shrimp and octopus, accented by red onions and fresh cilantro. The seafood is tender, and the lime-forward marinade is incredibly bright. The contrast between the crunchy, slightly salty tostone and the cold, acidic ceviche makes this the most “coastal” dish on the menu. It’s light, healthy-ish, and bursting with flavor.
Guests should be aware that the level of citrus flavor may vary between the two cups. Additionally, this will be challenging to eat with fork and knife. We suggest eating with your hands like we did with the Brisket Stuffed Potato.
The Wine Selections
A visit to the Busch Gardens Food Festival may not be complete without a proper pairing. La Cocina Costera offers four distinct wines to complement your meal:
- Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($8.99): Medium-bodied with a rich dark fruit profile. Best paired with the Beef Empanada.
- Harken Chardonnay ($9.99): Refreshing and clean with light oak notes. This is the soulmate to the Lobster Roll.
- Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc ($8.49): A crisp white wine with a citrus profile that mirrors the acidity in the Ceviche Tostones.
- Daou Rosé ($8.99): Known for its pale flamingo color and delicate aromas. This is a versatile “all-day” festival wine.
Is La Cocina Costera a Must-Visit?
At a Busch Gardens food festival with dozens of options, La Cocina Costera stands out because it knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t rely on gimmicks or overly sugary toppings. Instead, it offers high-quality ingredients and classic coastal preparations.
Additional Busch Gardens Food Festival Dining Reviews
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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