Ever since I visited The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen over at Universal Studios Orlando, I (as well as many others) have wondered when we’ll finally get our own iteration of the delectable steampunk chocolate-y establishment over here in Southern California. Wait no more, dear reader! The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium has now opened its doors, and it has such delectable flavors and sights to show you. While it is a dining establishment, the experience alone of just stepping inside will unlock the imagination.

Greeted by the sheer gigantic might of a gaslight factory straight out of a steampunk novel, it’ll be hard for visitors to miss the Emporium. Walking through the doors of this wholesome establishment, there’s much for the eye to see. The ceiling dome is painted with beautiful airships that give an element of whimsy. Upstairs and downstairs are seating arrangements where you can take in libations and some of the savory food items from the Savory Feast Kitchen. If you can’t stop for long, there is a grab-and-go milkshake station, or venture over to the Candy Smith counter conveniently positioned next to the gift shop.

Now, for my fellow lactose-intolerant and vegan readers, I did gauge what our options are. In the milkshake area, there is one completely vegan milkshake, which is the Pineapple Upside Down Milkshake. They also have a vanilla coconut milk ice cream that you can use as a substitute, and you can request the toppings on the side. That’s what I ended up doing when I ordered the Marshmallow Crisp Milkshake. As for the Candy Smith counter, the dark chocolate options are vegan. Just in case you are unsure, they have marked with leaf symbols what is vegetarian and vegan to avoid any issues.

The story behind Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Wandering around The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium are founders Penelope and Jacques, her trusty robot. In character interactions, you can learn more about the origins of these two characters as well as the reasoning behind the creation of this delightful Emporium. At the root of it all is the power and love of chocolate. While visiting in Orlando, I did not get the opportunity to learn more about Penelope’s and Jacques’s story, so to hear the tidbits from the character interactions provided further insight and enhanced the whimsy of the establishment.

While attending the media night, we were offered a limited selection from the Savory Kitchen menu, which was delicious. However, the options they have on their full menu are plenty, with some infusing the chocolate into their recipes. They do offer a Beyond Burger option for vegans, but that seems to be the only vegan option on the menu. There is a little more variety for vegetarians but, if you are concerned about dietary restrictions, the limited variety may not mesh well with your needs.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s City Walk has been in need of a memorable restaurant for a while now. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen opening up here has filled a much-needed void. As a dining experience, it’s a fun escape to step inside this establishment and take in the steampunk aesthetic. It’s clear great care was taken in the design, the food, and the story. Good for both adults and kids, you won’t regret stepping inside and experiencing The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Make your reservations here.