The holidays are about so many things: the gifting, the rom-coms, the bizarre family traditions that only you and yours truly get. If you’ve seen a single Christmas movie, you know this season isn’t about stuff. It’s all about spending time with friends and family. And this is true.
But specifically (IMHO!), the holidays are all about spending time eating insane(ly) delicious treats with friends and family.
If your theory of the most wonderful time of the year aligns with mine, I highly suggest beelining for Universal Studios Hollywood this season. Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood runs from November 24, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The event takes place across both the upper and lower lots of the theme park, centering on the Grinchmas celebration in Production Plaza. And as they do every year, Universal’s Yuletide food and drink lineup will make any Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
Here’s what’s on this year’s holiday menu at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Mouthwatering Mains
First stop when you enter the theme park: Hollywood & Dine. This year, the quick-service restaurant has a full Grinchmas menu designed to satisfy your inner Who. As a firm believer that tater tots are the supreme form of fried potato, I’ll be getting my hands on the Who Hash — that’s a can of loaded tater tots with brisket, cheese, grilled onion and thousand island dressing. The Dumpit to Crumpit Onion Rings (they’re like nacho-fied onion rings, topped with chicken, bacon, jalapenos and white queso) also look enticing as a splittable snack.
And when I first laid eyes on the Stick-a-Doodle, I literally said out loud, “I need that.” A corn dog coated in cheddar cheese sauce and berry flavored cereal? That, my friends, is what the holidays are all about.
Hollywood & Dine has a ton of cozy, enticing menu options for the holidays, full of nostalgic flavors and classic holiday meats. It’s the perfect stop for a real sit-down meal during a busy theme park visit. Plus, its outdoor tables right along Hollywood Boulevard make for excellent people-watching. Also on the menu there:
- Who-B-Q Roast Beastwich: Beef brisket, honey BBQ corn chip twists, pickles, and BBQ sauce on a spiral croissant bun, served with curly fries.
- Gooey Gobble Melt: Turkey and swiss melt with creamy slaw and cranberry aioli, served with curly fries.
- Roast Beast-less Loaf: Plant-based meatloaf, served with roasted brussels sprouts and garlic herb mashed potatoes.
- Klubwich: Turkey, swiss, ham and bacon topped with mayonnaise, lettuce and tomatoes served on toasted bread with curly fries.
- Who Wreath Salad: Mixed green salad, candied pecans, apples, raspberries, and pomegranate served with raspberry vinaigrette.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the gallant return of Max’s Hot Dog — that’s a 22-inch hot dog (!) with chili, cheese and fried potato strings, named for my favorite character in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You can find it at various venues throughout the theme park, including Mel’s Diner on the Upper Lot. Mel’s has a nice selection of fall-themed eats, including a Chili Bread Bowl and a Chowder Bread Bowl. I, for one, always welcome edible dishware.
If you’re looking for on-the-go holiday bites, I’d recommend the Roast Beast Sandwich (that’s roast beef and cheddar with horseradish slaw) or the Turkey Swiss Sandwich (turkey and swiss with creamy slaw and cheddar aioli) — you can find either at the Palace Deli & Market, French Street Bistro, or the Studio Cafe.
Want to know more about the most wonderful time of the year at the theme park? Check out Discover Universal’s complete guide to the holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Scrumptious Sweets
When it comes to holiday desserts, Universal Studios Hollywood goes all out. And my sweet tooth is absolutely ready for it.
In particular, the theme park has a laundry list of Grinchmas-themed treats. You can find them around the Grinchmas celebration in Production Plaza, and at various venues and carts throughout the upper and lower lots, including the Who-bilicious Treats Cart, Hollywood & Dine, Mel’s Diner, City Snacks, Tower Cafe, Palace Cafe, French St. Bistro, Mummy Eats, Jurassic Cafe, Studio Cafe, and more.
It’s my personal goal to taste every single one of them throughout the five weeks of holiday celebration. I think I’m going to start with a new addition for this year, Max’s Gingerbread Blondie, which is white chocolate gingerbread blondie topped with cinnamon buttercream and a gingerbread antler. I also loved last year’s oh-so Seussian Who Pudding — that’s a strawberry mousse dome with vanilla sponge, strawberry crunch and strawberry jam — so I’m thrilled to see that make a return to the menu.
More of this year’s Grinchmas sweet treats include:
- Grew 3 Sizes Cookie: A giant red sugar cookie with chocolate and peppermint.
- 2 Sizes Too Small Cupcake: A green vanilla cupcake with crisp pearls and vanilla buttercream icing.
- Grinch’s Donut: A giant donut decorated like the Grinch.
- Who-bilicious Cinnamon Roll: A festive cinnamon roll decorated with colored sugars and sprinkles, served with cream cheese icing.
- Grinchmas Themed Kettle Corn: Green and red colored kettle corn in a Grinchmas themed bag.
- Who-bilation Funnel Cake: Classic funnel cake with strawberry sauce, vanilla ice cream, berry cereal.
But Grinchmas doesn’t have a total monopoly on holiday desserts! If you’ve been a little more naughty than nice this year, swing by Despicable Delights or Illumination’s Minion Cafe for a Santa Minion Cookie or a Present Minion Banana Nutella Pudding. And in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Chef Toad is serving up a Snowman Hot Cocoa (Mario) – that’s hot cocoa with a Mario themed snowman marshmallow, whipped topping and sprinkles.
Why not knock out some holiday shopping while you’re here? For inspiration, check out our gift guide for every Universal fan on your list.
Delectable Drinks
You’re going to need to wash down all that deliciousness with more deliciousness. Holiday cheer can be found everywhere at Universal Studios Hollywood, including in non-alcoholic beverages. You can find these at the Who-bilicious Treats Cart, Hollywood & Dine, the Tower Cafe, Mel’s Diner, French Street Bistro, and more:
- Reindeer in Training: Apple juice and ginger ale topped with whipped cream and a Max antler cookie.
- Who-ville Snowball Fight: Iced oatmilk hot chocolate topped with a snowball.
- Grinchmas Glow: Coconut milk, ginger beer, coconut water, green apple syrup and cranberry juice topped with green sanding sugar and two gummy Christmas trees.
- Grinch’s Heart Lemonade: Green apple lemonade with a red light-up cube and three heart-shaped gummy candies.
- Who Cold Brew: Peppermint white chocolate cold brew topped with sweet cold foam and berry-flavored cereal.
I, for one, can’t say no to a Yuletide tradition. That’s why my first holiday drink of the season is going to be a Classic Hot Cocoa topped with a jumbo marshmallow, followed up by a Hot Apple Cider, which comes topped with whipped cream.
Want to add a kick to the holiday fun? Sip on a specialty holiday beverage packed with winter spices and holiday sweetness. Personally, I’m going for the Ube It’s Cold Outside from Isla Nu-Bar first. This drink invokes Christmas in the tropics, with coconut and spiced rum, orange liqueur, pineapple and lime juice and an ube jam simple syrup topped with whipped cream and blueberry boba popping pearls.
The holiday fun doesn’t stop at the theme park gates! Check out Discover Universal’s guide to the holidays at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, which includes dates for live music performances and more delicious holiday eats.
More alcoholic holiday beverages at Universal Studios Hollywood include:
- Sandilla Claus: A spicy watermelon habanero margarita with a chamoy and tajin, topped with a green sugar rim, watermelon cubes and a powder sugar dusted mint sprig.
- Old Fashioned Irish Holiday: Whiskey, fig puree, lime juice, orange juice and old fashioned mix topped with a half fig.
- Hot Toddy: Apple cider, apple whiskey, and fire whiskey topped with whipped cream.
- Raptor Claus: A blue jalapeno margarita with a lemon wheel and three Tajin gummy Christmas trees.
- Spiked Hot Chocolate: Peppermint liqueur and classic hot chocolate topped with a jumbo marshmallow.
That’s a whole lot of menu, we know. The good news? You can’t go wrong during the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood. So come hungry!
Must be 21 years and older with valid photo identification to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Drink responsibly.
What are you going to eat or drink first during the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Feast Your Eyes on the 2025 Holiday Menu at Universal Studios Hollywood appeared first on Discover Universal.
