Our review of the Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay covers its $20.99 price tag, All-Day Dining Plan upcharge, and how it compares to other theme park burgers.
When you see a $20.99 burger at a quick-service theme park restaurant, you expect something extraordinary — maybe a work of culinary art, or at least something you’d want to brag about on Instagram. The Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, however, might be more famous for its price tag than its flavor.
For perspective, this burger actually costs more than The Art Burger at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs — a full-service, air-conditioned restaurant where the pickles are more likely to have a first name than a sell-by date. Busch Gardens must be very proud of that second patty.
What’s Inside the Legend?
The Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger is straightforward: pickles, lettuce, mayo, tomatoes, cheese, and two thin, well-done patties (and by “well-done” I mean cooked until any trace of juiciness is a distant memory). The bun starts strong but eventually collapses under the weight of its greasy burden, surrendering to gravity and burger juices about halfway through the battle. This is a burger that demands commitment — and a pile of napkins. Lean forward, elbows out, and don’t expect to look graceful.
Freshness Comes with a Catch
On the plus side, unlike the other burgers and sandwiches at Zagora Café that sit pre-made under a heat lamp, the Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger is cooked fresh when you order it. That’s a win.
Taste-wise, though, it still falls firmly into the “standard theme park burger” category. It is better than the burgers at Richter’s Burger Co. in Universal Studios Florida and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café at Magic Kingdom — but that’s like saying it’s the most thrilling kiddie coaster in the park.
Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger: The All-Day Dining Plan Plot Twist
If you’re rocking the All-Day Dining Plan, you might assume you can grab the Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger with no extra cost. Surprise! There’s an extra $5 upcharge just for ordering it.
Want bacon? That’s another $2 — even though the menu board claims it’s $1. And the kicker? The $5 upcharge isn’t clearly displayed on the menu, leaving Busch Gardens ambassadors to explain it repeatedly to confused and slightly hangry guests. We’ve witnessed these conversations during two separate recent visits — and yes, they’re always a little awkward.
Quick Guide: All-Day Dining Plan at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The All-Day Dining Plan lets you eat once every 90 minutes at participating restaurants around the park. Each visit gets you:
- one entrée
- an additional side or dessert
- one regular non-alcoholic drink
It’s a smart way to keep full during a coaster marathon — but keep in mind, “premium” items like the Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger will cost extra or not be available at all. Still, after paying for the plan, handing over more cash can feel… less than magical. The cost for All-Day Dining is $59.99 but discounts do apply.
If You’re Spending $20+ on a Burger at Busch Gardens…
If you’re ready to spend over $20 on a burger here, skip the Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger and head to the Treetop Kitchen. Their Lamb Burger is a true standout: an eight-ounce lamb patty infused with Mediterranean herbs, topped with tangy feta, peppery arugula, crispy onion straws, and mint aioli, all on a toasted brioche bun. It’s flavorful, unique, and far more deserving of the premium price tag.
Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger
The Zagora Café Double Cheeseburger isn’t terrible — in fact, it’s one of the fresher burgers you can get at Busch Gardens. Still, the flavor doesn’t match the $20.99 cost, and the All-Day Dining Plan upcharge feels like a plot twist no one asked for.
If your goal is to experience the most expensive quick-service burger in the park, this one checks the box. However, if you’re looking for something that tastes as good as it costs, head for the Lamb Burger instead.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
Expertise. Ease. Value.
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today
