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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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