Food and Drink at the Zoo

Start your day with a delicious breakfast, take a break from exploring for a coffee and snack, or pause for lunch at one of our many food and drink outlets available throughout the zoo. We would like all visitors to enjoy their day at Colchester Zoo and have created food and drink options to appeal to a range of specific dietary needs.

Our main food and drink outlet, Penguini’s Restaurant, and Meerkat Hangout are both open every day from 9:30am. Gourmet Sausage and The Waterhole are also open daily from 10:30am.
Our other food outlets may be closed on weekdays and in certain seasons, so please check with our Guest Services team as you enter the zoo for all available outlets on the day of your visit. All available outlets are subject to change and supply chains, and may close due to extreme weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances without prior notice.

Click here for ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Seasonal Treats: We have a range of seasonal drinks and food throughout the year – please check the current seasonal allergens here.


Picnics-to-go

No need to pack a picnic – we’ve got you covered! Why not take advantage of our Picnic Pre-order service online and buy yours today ready for your visit and it will be ready for you to collect when you’re at the zoo from 10am at our Penguini’s Restaurant!


Penguini’s Restaurant

Location – Near Kids’ Safari play area
Seating – Indoor or outdoor
Food options – Breakfast, pizza, pasta, full meals, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Toilets / baby change inside restaurant. High chairs available. Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – from 9:30am

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


The Gourmet Sausage

Location – Next to Australian Rainbows
Seating – Takeaway only
Food options – Sausages, chips, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – from 10:30am

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Meerkat Hangout

Location – Near Lion Rock
Seating – Outdoor undercover
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Toilets / baby change outside outlet. High chairs available. Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan option
Opening time – from 9:30am

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


The Waterhole

Location – Next to Elephant Kingdom
Seating – Outdoor
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Toilets / baby change outside outlet. Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – from 10:30am

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Ice Cream Parlour

Location – Next to Southern Kitchen
Seating – Outdoor undercover
Food options – Ice cream, slush, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Cold food. Hot and cold drinks
Facilities – Toilets / baby change outside outlet. Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekdays (weather dependent), Weekends and School Holidays

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Naughty and Nice

*Currently closed for the winter season – reopening 18th March*

Location – Next to Dragons of Komodo
Seating – Outdoor
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Cold food. Hot and cold drinks
Facilities – Kiosk only
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Outpost Coffee Lounge

Location – Inside the Outpost Gift Shop
Seating – Indoor or takeaway
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Toilets / baby change inside outlet. High chairs available. Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Safari Shack Shop

Location – Next to the Elephant paddock
Seating – Outdoor
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Cold food. Hot and cold drinks
Facilities – Kiosk only
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Scoop and Go

Location – Near to Aardvark Burrow
Seating – Outdoor undercover
Food options – Ice cream, slush, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Cold food. Hot and cold drinks
Facilities – Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Slush Station

*currently closed for the winter season – reopening 25th March*

Location – Next to the outside pool of Playa Patagonia Sealions
Seating – Outdoor
Food options – Slush and pre-wrapped ice creams
Hot or cold – Cold food and drinks
Facilities – Kiosk only
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Snack Shack

Location – Next to Penguini’s Restaurant
Seating – Outdoor
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Kiosk only
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Southern Kitchen

Location – Near Chimpanzee Lookout indoor area
Seating – Indoor or outdoor
Food options – Full meals, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Toilets / baby change outside restaurant. High chairs available. Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekdays (from 24th March) and Weekends only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Spirit

Location – Inside Kingdom of the Wild
Seating – Indoor
Food options – Snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Cold food. Hot and cold drinks
Facilities – Kiosk only
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Sweet Shop

Location – Next to Meerkat Hangout
Seating – Takeaway only
Food options – Sweets, slush, Mr Whippy, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Cold food. Hot and cold drinks
Facilities – Kiosk only
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Tiger Taiga

*Currently closed for redevelopment*

Location – Next to Tiger Taiga enclosure
Seating – Outdoor
Food options – Chips, chicken bites, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Wrap and Roll

Location – Near to Aardvark burrow
Seating – Outdoor undercover
Food options – Wraps, slush, snacks, treats and drinks
Hot or cold – Hot and cold food and drinks
Facilities – Bottle warming on request
Dietary Options – Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options
Opening time – Weekends and School Holidays only

CLICK HERE FOR ALLERGEN INFO


Newsletter Signup

Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest deals, news and more!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Top