If you know me well, you know that my favorite place in Virginia (okay, the world) is Busch Gardens. You also probably know that food is very, very important to me… and that I’m vegetarian. So, I felt I had no choice but to embark on a journey of finding the best vegetarian food at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. As Busch is constantly updating their menus, I am sure this list will change, but here are the best dishes as of November 8, 2021!
Side Note: The foods below are not listed in any particular order
Side Note: This list does not take into account items from the Food and Wine Festival
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets from Pretzels & Beer
At a restaurant as pretty as Pretzels & Beer, could you expect anything less than delicious, buttery pretzels? My favorite item to get here is the cinnamon and sugar pretzel nuggets, but they have other great menu items, which I’ll note next. It may not look like there’s many nuggets in the carton, but I am always full afterwards (I also ate some before I took the photo)!
Jumbo Pretzel from Pretzels & Beer
When I’m not in the mood for a sweet pretzel, the jumbo pretzel is my go-to. As you can see from the photo, it really is jumbo, but I insist on eating all of it (if you try it, you’ll see why). Sure my sister and I could save some money if we shared, but what’s the fun in that?
Spinach and Artichoke Flatbread from Marco Polo’s Marketplace
I’ve tried this flatbread once, and I was so hungry that I forgot to take a photo. Then, it was so good that I forgot to pause and take a photo of the uneaten part. Oh, well—please just enjoy the photo of the restaurant, and take my word for it that the flatbread is amazing! If you like white pizza, you will definitely enjoy this… My only complaint was that the topping was made up of considerably more artichoke than spinach, and I would prefer it be even-steven!
Red Velvet Cookie from Das Edelweiss (Christmas Town Exclusive)
Back to dessert! During Busch Garden’s Christmas Town (CT), Das Edelweiss offers tasty cookies, and my personal favorite is the red velvet (though you probably can’t go wrong). If you aren’t going to Christmas Town for the lights, giant Rudolph, or slow version of Mach Tower, go for a self-guided dessert walking tour! I recommend grabbing some of CT’s famous mint hot cocoa to accompany your treats!
Apple Pie Funnel Cake
I think this is the best funnel cake at the park, and possibly in the world, hands down. It’s a fluffy cake with sweet, tender apple pieces, light whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, and warm caramel sauce. Need I say more?
Honorable Mention
- Fries from Les Frites: If you’re craving fries, this will do the trick! I would even say they’re just as good as Chickfilla!
- Mozzarella Sticks from Das Festhaus: Okay, this might be a bit of a “controversial” pick, as I don’t know anyone else that loves these like I do. However, this was one of my go-tos when I was a kid, and I never really outgrew them!
- Macaroni and Cheese from Trapper’s Smokehouse: Sure, Trapper’s is known for having the best meat in the park, but the macaroni and cheese here isn’t bad! I just wish there were more vegetarian sides available to accompany it.
Resources
- Busch Gardens list of restaurants: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/dining/
- Map:
For more vegetarian guides, look here!
