Gone are the days of the $3.99 breakfast buffet in the Orlando area. In fact, the pandemic made traditional buffets of any type awkward.  Even though Orlando area breakfast buffets cost $10 or more now, the quality and availability have diminished. In contrast, Orlando area theme park resorts offer some incredible breakfast buffets. Yes, those buffets will cost far more. Yet, the excellence of food/beverage offerings reflects the higher price. However, one of Universal Orlando’s breakfast buffets that earns most mixed guest reviews goes by the name of Amatista Cookhouse at Sapphire Falls.

Amatista serves breakfast from 7-11am each day of the week.  The setting for dining at Amatista rates high like most of the appearance of Sapphire Falls Resort. In my opinion, Sapphire Falls offers the best standard rooms and most beautiful theme of any Universal Orlando Resort hotel. Moreover, Amatista Cookhouse adds to that Caribbean Island style theme. The breakfast buffet set-up looks great, and the setting provides a solid dining experience.

The Breakfast buffet here costs $26/adults and $15/ child (age 3-9). People aged 21 and over may purchase all you care to drink mimosas or bloody marys for an additional $21.

These prices reflect the cost before tax and gratuity. The buffet price includes coffee and juice. In fact, during my visit, my wonderful spouse asked them to provide a Coke Zero Sugar since I stayed up late typing Universal Orlando Mardi Gras reports. We were not charged extra for the soft drink.

So, what do you get for your hard-earned money? First, there is a cold station with fruit, flavored yogurts with topping options, smoked salmon with various accompaniments, and sliced deli meat/cheese.

Next, you will find the cereal station. Here guests may choose assorted dry cereal and individual milk cartons.

Like all good breakfast buffets should have, there exists an omelet station. Guests may select their own omelet filling. Also, Amatista also suggests trying one of the chef’s original creations.

In the hot station areas, guests will find many higher quality traditional USA breakfast items. The choices range from oatmeal (with various toppings), grits (with various toppings), biscuits/gravy, roasted potatoes, sausage, bacon, pancakes (with warm maple syrup nearby), and hot cinnamon rolls.

On another side, guests can select various bakery items. These range from bagels, muffins, pastries, and doughnuts. If you just want a slice of toast, that could be acquired.

So how was this breakfast buffet?

First, anything you would expect to find for a breakfast buffet resided somewhere on this buffet. I did find it frustrating to have to keep asking for items shown on the buffet. The staff needed to get it from behind buffet area. In fairness, many virus procedures were still in place when I dined here. In simple terms, I found only one aspect of this buffet below standard expectations. The pastries and doughnuts tasted below average. Everything else tasted above average. Still, nothing tasted exceptional.

In other words, the food provided met expectations for a breakfast buffet. However, the food lacked the “wow factor” for a theme park resort breakfast buffet.

So, was this buffet good value? Probably, yes! Compared to current pricing with breakfast buffets in Orlando area, $26 with beverage comes in as a reasonable price. For guests staying at Sapphire Falls, Aventura, and even Cabana Bay Beach Resort, this breakfast option deserves a look. If given the choice, I would select the breakfast buffet at The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel over this buffet option. Yet, the quality, variety, and location will meet many people’s needs.

As always, eat like you mean it!