Where to Eat Neopia: Part Two

The last thing anyone wants to worry about on vacation is finding the local hot spots, haunts, and hideaways. Ginger Luxe brings you her annual restaurant guide, connecting you with eateries from Terror Mountain all the way to Maraqua. Restaurants are categorized according to destination and include price points, the most popular entrees, and vegetarian options. Welcome back to part two: let’s eat!

1. Neopian Fresh Foods, Neopia Central

You can’t lose when it comes to dining out at Fresh Foods in Neopia Central. Picky eater? Vegan? Peanut allergy? Fresh Foods has you covered. Selling a variety of rare items only available in Neopia, Fresh Foods is actually the primary sponsor of the ever-elusive Gourmet Club. Open 24 hours, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day of playing games or working hard. They also offer take-out and delivery within a 10-mile radius of Neopia Central, making it popular for those who live and work nearby.

Try This: Ultimate Burger, Cheesy Shoyru Meatball, CPMPB Sandwich, Kacheek Cheeseburger

Vegetarian: Kiwi and Cucumber Sandwich, Water Burger, Refried Beans and Rice, Fresh Chicken Broth, Skeith Quesadilla

Price: Inexpensive to Moderate

2. Pizzaroo, Neopian Plaza

Where else can you go and order a steaming hot slice of Chili Deluxe or Cherry Cheese Pizza? Nowhere in Neopia, that’s for sure! Pizzaroo has been serving up oven-bricked pizzas for over a decade now in Neopia’s pleasant plaza, located outside the central square. Chef Roo’s pizzas are so popular, he also cooks for the Gourmet Club in his spare time. On busy days, the smell of baking crust sometimes fills up the plaza, luring hungry bellies straight to the front door.

Try This: Clam and Meatball Pizza, Pizza Sandwich, Starfish Pizza, Meat Feast Pizza Block, Chili Deluxe Pizza

Vegetarian: Deluxe Water Pizza, Jelly Bean Pizza, Asparagus and Yogurt Pizza, Fruit Pizza, Caramel Pizza

Price: Moderate to Expensive

3. The Coffee Cave, Roo Island

A Roo Island institution for almost half a century, many locals were upset when it was announced that Grandma Roo was stepping down from day-to-day operations. However, her mouth-watering scones and piping hot tea aren’t going anywhere. She agreed to take on several apprentices to teach them the fine art of scone baking. The Coffee Cave is located in Roo Island’s art district and contains Grandma Roo’s very own in-house art gallery. Beverages can pack a caffeinated K.O. punch, but for those are caffeine-sensitive, don’t be afraid. Beverages can be made to order.

Try This: Zeenana Split, Chokato Bubble Tea, Molten Hot Chocolate, Coffee-filled Pear, Ice Blended Caramel Coffee

Price: Inexpensive

*All products and beverages are vegetarian unless otherwise noted.

4. Qasalan Delights, Qasala

Qasala and Sakhmet City have long jockeyed for the Lost Desert’s Crown of Cuisine. While not as well known as Sakhmet, Qasala holds the record for having the most haunted foods outside of the Haunted Woods. One of its main sources of income comes from the exploration of its Qeela fruits. Many wonder how the fruits are able to thrive in the harsh climate of the desert, but the secret is closely guarded.

Try This: Meat and Fruit Kabab, Meat Pastry, Qando Pizza, Sand Wich

Vegetarian: Qasalan Flatbread Delight, Qado Pita, Mummy Tamales, Leaf Wraps

Price: Moderate to Expensive

5. Lost Desert Food Stall, Sakhmet City

While Qasala is known for its spicy Qeela, Sakhmet is known for its strange-sounding but delightfully refreshing sand fruits. One would think the name would be a strong turn-off, but a visit to the city isn’t complete until you’ve had a mouthful (or two, or three, or four). Water is also more of a common commodity here, which may make Sakhmet more popular with visitors. However, visitors be forewarned: that foul smell trickling over the city walls may be coming from the acres of baggus fields that surround the city.

Try This: Sandy Sandwich, Pyramibread, Red Eye Egg, Palm Leaf Wrap

Vegetarian: Chopped Cheops Salad, Sand Strawberry, Sand Banana, Puntec Fruit Pasta

Price: Moderate

6. Exotic Foods, Shenkuu

Owned by the duo behind the popular Exotic Foods chain, Shenkuu’s own is no different – except for the food of course! Once upon a time, Exotic operated out of the infamous Cyodrake’s Gaze, but it is now firmly stationed on Shenkuu’s quaint mountainside shopping village. The menu is ever revolving, which means that day’s choices depend on the “catch of the day” or whatever treasures grace the ships coming into Shenkuu’s harbor. Somehow you may be able to find treats normally found nowhere else other than their homeland – for below the market price.

Try This: Tentacle Rice, Koi Dumplings and Chicken, Shenkuu Shrimp-Fried Rice, Shenkuu Eel Rice Bowl

Vegetarian: Fruit and Vegetable Hand Roll, Wasabi Crackers, Grilled Stuffed Tofu, Almond Pudding

Price: Moderate to Expensive

7. Happy Valley Ice Cream Cart, Terror Mountain

Terror Mountain doesn’t necessarily ooze culinary zeal, but Mr. Chipper at Happy Valley’s Ice Cream Cart will more than well make up for it. With only a handful of outdoor seats available, visitors are often surprised when told they must have a standing reservation to pick out a tasty treat. Taelia rewards only a special few of her followers with one of three coupons that may be redeemed here. It may be possible to obtain one from a fellow Neopian, but expect the price to be high The seating remains exclusive for a reason. The only available flavors are as follows: Double Chocolate Ice Cream, Five Scoop Ice Cream, Ice Cream Sundae, Mint and Chocolate Ice Cream, and Rainbow Sherbert Ice Cream.

8. Slushie Shop, Terror Mountain

Inside peanut butter, outside jelly: one of the hundreds of options available at Happy Valley’s Slushie Shop. The only time a brain freeze would be utterly acceptable is in this cozy hideaway. Get away from the hustle and bustle of Happy Valley for an hour or so and rest your aching feet from holiday shopping. The Slushie Shop is a bit more accommodating than Mr. Chipper’s with a much larger menu (but don’t tell him I said that!). Happy Valley is the only place in all of Neopia where you can enjoy your slushie in one piece for as long as possible. An outpost is planned in the next year or so for the Lost Desert.

Try This: Squid Slushie, Cheeseburger Slushie, Cheesy Pizza Slushie, Secret Sloth Slushie

Vegetarian: Coco Whip Slushie, Freshly Cut Grass Slushie, Holiday Lights Slushie, Tangy Red Melon Slushie

Price: Inexpensive to Moderate

9. Grundos Café, Virtupets Space Station

Last, but certainly not least, we have one of Neopia’s famed staples: Grundos Café. Grundos Café used to get a bad rap for its failed health inspections and questionable sanitary practices, but faced a total turn around after Gargarox Isafuhlarg appeared on the hit television show “Restaurant to the Rescue!” The Grundo Chef also recently obtained a culinary degree from Mystery Island’s School of Cooking and now focuses on health-conscious, sustainable food resources. Grundos is now one of the most far-out places to hang in space and is giving Café Kreludor a run for its money.

Try This: Asteroid Zeenana Split, Floating Pigs in a Blanket, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Gargarox Special Lunch Dish

Vegetarian: Bag of Space Dust, Vegetable Deluxe, Zero Gravity Vegetable Platter, Green Tea

Price: Moderate

That concludes this year’s guide to Where to Eat Neopia. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to introducing young and old minds alike to Neopia’s hippest restaurants, dine-ins, and drive-ins. Feel free to drop Ginger Luxx any commentary or hints on up and coming eateries. Until then, dig in!