Health Department Shuts Down Two Restaurants at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is dealing with an unfortunately familiar situation. Another restaurant at the Central Florida theme park has been ordered closed by health inspectors, and this time the evidence left behind points to a rodent problem.

Zagora Cafe Receives Emergency Closure Order

On May 26, health inspectors issued an emergency closure recommendation for Zagora Cafe at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The United Parks & Resorts-owned theme park complied immediately, shutting the dining location down in response to the government notice.

X user @SWNeedshelp shared details from the inspection report on the platform formerly known as Twitter, summarizing the findings:

Another rough look behind the scenes at Busch Gardens Tampa. Zagora Cafe was hit with an emergency closure recommendation after inspectors reportedly found multiple rodent droppings throughout dry storage and kitchen areas, including on shelving and canned goods.

Another rough look behind the scenes at Busch Gardens Tampa. Zagora Cafe was hit with an emergency closure recommendation after inspectors reportedly found multiple rodent droppings throughout dry storage and kitchen areas, including on shelving and canned goods. pic.twitter.com/ZGwiWPcYW3

— SeaWorld Work Orders (@SWneedshelp) May 27, 2026

The report documented more than 20 rodent droppings found throughout the kitchen and food storage areas.

No reopening date has been announced for Zagora Cafe. Guests visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in the meantime are encouraged to use other dining locations throughout the SeaWorld-owned theme park until the restaurant passes a follow-up inspection.

First Violation at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

The Zagora Cafe shutdown is the second emergency closure at a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay restaurant in less than twelve months. On August 7, 2025, Dragon Fire Grill abruptly stopped serving guests in the middle of an operating day. The inspection report that emerged afterward painted a disturbing picture: roach and insect activity on the premises, improper time and temperature controls for food, and an employee stirring coleslaw with their forearms, submerged five inches above their gloves, directly into the slaw.

Dragon Fire Grill moved quickly to address the violations and passed a re-inspection, reopening just one week later on August 14, 2025.

Dragon Fire grill at Busch Gardens has reopened after a recent closure!

Glad to see @BuschGardens work on this fast to have this amazing restaurant open to all guests again!

Dragon Fire grill at Busch Gardens has reopened after a recent closure!

Glad to see @BuschGardens work on this fast to have this amazing restaurant open to all guests again! pic.twitter.com/DolbFOgbYF

— Ethan Hershaft (@EthanHershaft) August 14, 2025

Whether Zagora Cafe’s path back to operation will be equally swift remains to be seen.

Does this report impact your plans to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!