The Zagora Cafe refurbishment at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is officially underway. Find out why this “necessary evil” might be worth skipping on your next theme park visit.
If you are planning a trip to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay soon, your dining strategy might need a quick update. Zagora Cafe, the park’s primary early-opening eatery, is currently undergoing a significant kitchen and facility refurbishment. While this overhaul is long overdue, it brings some immediate hurdles for guests looking to grab a burger near the park entrance.
The “Necessary Evil” of Morocco
As frequent theme park food reporters, we’ve had a complicated relationship with Zagora Cafe. We’ve reviewed every iteration of their menu, from the items that disappeared years ago to the current staples. It has often felt like a “necessary evil” because of its location in the Morocco section and its 10:30 a.m. opening time—the earliest of any major quick-service spot in the park. We have experienced and written about the basic menu, and we have commented on it being overpriced, even for theme park dining. Additionally, we are always amused by a Moroccan-themed restaurant that primarily serves chicken tenders, burgers, and fries.
However, “opening time” has historically been a loose suggestion. We’ve often seen the doors stay shut well past 10:30 a.m., which creates a major headache for those on the All-Day Dining Plan. This leads to frustration since Zagora Cafe has prominent signs indicating it opens at 10:30 a.m.
Since the plan allows you to dine every 90 minutes, losing 20 or 30 minutes at the start of your day can cost you that final meal before the park closes. Ironically, Zagora Cafe is the only quick-service dining option for All-Day Dining participants that remains open until theme park closing time. This is a similar phenomenon to Seafire Grill at SeaWorld Orlando. If the timing works for or against you, then you might start your All-Day Dining Plan day with the same restaurant you finish with.
What’s Different During the Zagora Cafe Refurbishment?
The rumored facility upgrades have finally begun, and the experience on the ground is changing:
- Limited Menu: Guests are currently restricted to a smaller selection of items.
- Ordering Confusion: The online menu has not been updated to reflect these temporary changes, which can lead to frustration when you arrive.
- Slower Service: With the kitchen undergoing work, expect longer waits and, unfortunately, a potential dip in food quality during the transition.
- All-Day Dining Hiccups: Be prepared for potential upcharges. Last year, the introduction of the Double Cheeseburger (priced over $20) saw it excluded from the standard dining plan, and certain desserts have also become additional costs. Guests should be prepared for some surprises like that during and after this refurbishment.
Zagora Cafe Refurbishment: Our Recommendations
While we hope the refurbishment leads to a more efficient kitchen for the ambassadors and better food for the guests, you might want to pivot your dining plans for now.
Unless you are trying to maximize your All-Day Dining Plan before 11:00 a.m., we suggest heading to Dragon Fire Grill. If you are dining later in the afternoon, Toma at Orang Cafe (a personal favorite) and Zambia Smokehouse remain our top picks for a more consistent meal.
We will continue to monitor the progress at Zagora Cafe and provide updates as the new menu is revealed. For now, pack a little extra patience if you’re stopping by Morocco at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for lunch.
Zagora Cafe Reviews (Only the Chicken Sandwich is currently on the menu during the Zagora Cafe refurbishment)
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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