Serengeti Overlook Restaurant Opens at Busch Gardens

The Serengeti Overlook Restaurant and Pub is Busch Gardens Tampa’s newest eatery. But while the restaurant has a whole new name and extended menu offerings, its history extends much further. In 1964, the restaurant was called the Old Swiss House and was built by August Busch for his wife, Trudy, as a gift. It was meant to model the Old Swiss House restaurant in Switzerland, which her family owned. The restaurant was considered one of the finest in Tampa.

In the 1990s, it was rebranded into the Crown Colony House in efforts to evolve the restaurant alongside the growing Busch Gardens. Since then, the downstairs café has remained open, with the upstairs table-service offerings open seasonally.

The park has now reopened the fan-favorite restaurant as the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant and Pub. As its name suggests, the restaurant overlooks the Serengeti Plain where hundreds of animals roam freely on a 65-acre habitat. As you eat you can view majestic animals in a natural setting or get an incredible view of the park's newest family spin coaster, Cobra’s Curse.

The menu has been extended to include table service as well as a buffet option. At the buffet, you’ll find items like southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and braised beef, among other things. From the menu, we offer herb-grilled salmon, braised short ribs, and grilled chicken breast, just to name a few. You can also order signature cocktails themed after our best thrill rides; and that’s only the upstairs!

Downstairs is the Serengeti Overlook Pub, formally the Crown Colony Café, which offers a fast casual dining experience with offerings such as wraps, chicken tenders, pizza, and pulled pork sandwiches.

Be sure to check out this and more interesting posts on the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Blog.

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