Entertainment

Diagon Alley is Worth the Trip, Just For the Food

by Rachel Semigran

Leave it to the folks at Universal Studios to bring the magic of London, Hogwart's, and the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter to life. Opening this summer is the much-anticipated Diagon Alley. Inside of this new section of the park, Harry Potter fans will be immersed in some of J.K. Rowling's most magical locations including the famous watering hole the Leaky Cauldron. Also inside Diagon Alley is the thrill ride Escape from Gringtotts and dozens of shops and restaurants including Quality Quidditch Supplies, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

As excited as we are to shop and ride our way through Diagon Alley, it's the recently-released menus that we're most excited for. At the Leaky Cauldron, muggles and wizards alike can enjoy elevated English fare like bangers and mash, toad in a hole (not an actual toad, no witches brewing here), cottage pie, fisherman's pie, beef, lamb, and Guinness stew, and a Ploughman's board, which is where all my dreams of cheese and charcuterie come true. You can wash all of it down with ales called Dragon Scale and Wizard's Brew. And if you're feeling really brave like a Hufflepuff, you can try the Fishy Green Ale and Tongue Tying Lemon Squash.

If you know anything about students of Hogwarts, it's that there are few things they love more than their sweets. Fear not! Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour has you covered with mouth-watering flavors like Granny Smith Apple, Earl Grey and Lavender, Chocolate Chili, Clotted Cream (it's delicious and terribly English), Apple Crumble, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Salted Caramel Blondie, Chocolate and Raspberry, Strawberry and Peanut-Butter, Orange Marmalade, and last but certainly not least... Butterbeer!

Whether you're a die-hard Potter fan or one of those "I saw a few of the movies on TV," you'll have plenty to savor and love in Diagon Alley. Take a look and drool:

Ploughman's Board

Beef, Lamb, and Guinness Stew

Fisherman's Pie

Granny Smith Ice Cream

Images: Universal Studios (4)