Government health inspectors have forced another restaurant closure at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and the conditions that triggered the order aren't something guests who've eaten at the theme park dining location recently will want to read about.
Zagora Cafe Ordered Closed on May 26
Health inspectors issued an emergency closure recommendation for Zagora Cafe at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on May 26, and the United Parks & Resorts-owned theme park (formerly operated under the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment name) shut the restaurant down immediately in compliance with the order.
X user @SWNeedshelp shared the inspection report findings on the platform formerly known as Twitter:
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 scattered across kitchen surfaces and food storage areas, including on shelving and directly on canned goods. The scale of the findings was sufficient for inspectors to escalate immediately to an emergency closure recommendation rather than issuing a standard warning or violation notice.
There is no announced timeline for Zagora Cafe's reopening. Until the restaurant passes a follow-up inspection, guests at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay should plan their meals around the Central Florida theme park's other dining locations.
A Pattern Emerging 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.
Dragon Fire Grill came to an abrupt mid-day halt on August 7, 2025, after health inspectors uncovered a range of violations that included roach and insect activity on the premises, improper food temperature controls, and an employee who was found stirring coleslaw with their forearms plunged five inches past their gloves directly into the food. The restaurant addressed the violations quickly, passed re-inspection, and reopened on August 14, just one week after closing.
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 will follow a similarly quick recovery timeline or whether the rodent activity documented throughout its kitchen and storage areas will require a more extended remediation effort remains to be seen.
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