Food, glorious food! Universal Orlando Resort is not just an incredible holiday destination with theme parks, water parks, and more excitement than you can shake a stick at – it also ticks all the boxes for foodies.
With themed restaurants, fine dining, and indulgent desserts, there’s something for everyone.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about eating at Universal Orlando Resort.
Restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort
There are over 50 places to eat at Universal Orlando Resort. Not only are there some fantastic restaurants inside the three theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe – but there are also plenty that are worth checking out at the Universal hotels and at Universal CityWalk, an entertainment and dining complex.
From grabbing a bite to eat when you’re in between attractions to enjoying a sit-down meal, there are so many dining experiences to choose from. Restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you can indulge whenever you’re feeling peckish.
The dining experiences at Universal Orlando Resort can be split into two categories: table service and quick service.
Category | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Quick service | Like a fast-food outlet. Order at the counter or on an app, collect your food on a tray, and find a table. | Families with children, smaller budgets |
Table service (or full service) | You’re seated at a table, waiting staff will take your order and bring your food to your table. | A special occasion, a relax after a busy day in the parks, couples, groups of friends |
On top of this, there are also snack kiosks throughout the resort where you can pick something up quickly as you’re walking around.
Table service restaurants at the theme parks
There are a couple of options for full-service restaurants in each theme park. You can find the rest of the table service restaurants at Universal CityWalk or the Universal Orlando Resort hotels.
Restaurant | Location | Type of food | Top pick |
|---|---|---|---|
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill™️ | Universal Studios Florida | Traditional Irish-American pub grub | Guinness Beef Stew |
Lombard’s Seafood Grille™️ | Universal Studios Florida | Waterfront restaurant with speciality seafood dishes | Clam chowder |
Mythos Restaurant™️ | Universal Islands of Adventure | Mediterranean, Asian, and American fare in a mythical setting | Greek salad |
Confisco Grille™️ | Universal Islands of Adventure | Global cuisine with Asian, Mediterranean, and Greek influences | Sour sticky ribs |
Atlantic | Universal Epic Universe | Under-the-sea-themed restaurant serving seafood and steaks | Sea bass |
The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant | Universal Epic Universe | Pan-Asian cuisine served in a bustling courtyard | Tonkotsu ramen |
Dining at Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is the central hub of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. You usually have to walk through it to get to the theme parks, so it’s an easy place to stop off either at lunchtime or once you’ve finished in the parks. You don’t need to pay an admission fee to enter the complex.
There are lots of dining options at Universal CityWalk, so you’ll find something to suit every palate.
Restaurant | Type of food | Top pick |
|---|---|---|
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food™️ | Mexican street food in a lively cantina with a live mariachi band on selected nights | Al Pastor tacos |
Bigfire | American fare cooked on an open fire | Tableside S’mores |
The Cowfish® Sushi Burger Bar | American-Asian fusion – burgers and sushi, separate or together! | Fusion Speciality Bento Box |
Hard Rock Café® Orlando | Burgers, sandwiches, nachos, salads, desserts | The Vegendary Burger |
Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® | Relaxed dining with an island-style menu | Lava Lava shrimp |
NBC Sports Grill & Brew™️ | Sports bar serving tasty classics | Loaded Chili Nachos |
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen | Classic dishes plus gourmet chocolates | Red Velvet milkshake |
VIVO Italian Kitchen™️ | Authentic Italian cuisine | Trottole Pasta |
Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom | Caribbean-influenced dishes, live reggae music, and Bob Marley memorabilia | Reggae Jamaican Jerk Chicken |
Pat O’Brien’s | Bayou bar serving Cajun specialities | Crawfish Étouffée |
Best restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort hotels
The restaurants at the Universal Orlando Resort hotels are some of the best in Orlando. They offer a diverse range of options from traditional comfort food to fine dining, using high-quality ingredients prepared by innovative chefs. Here are some of our favourites.
Summary – best restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort hotels
- Flora Taverna at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
- Bice Ristorante at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel®
- Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Amatista Cookhouse at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Flora Taverna at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Enjoy amazing views of Universal Epic Universe as you chow down on some delicious Mediterranean comfort food. Here, you’ll find an open kitchen with live cooking, a pizza oven, and a gyros station. You can choose to eat inside or dine al fresco.
Bice Ristorante at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Push the boat out with some fine dining at Bice Ristorante. Feast on Northern Italian cuisine as you soak in the elegant atmosphere. Indulge in tasty fresh pasta dishes like seafood fettuccini before finishing with a decadent dessert crafted by an expert pastry chef.
The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel®
This is a cool, New York-style hangout serving elevated classics, such as truffle lobster mac & cheese, mouth-watering burgers, and a vegan Bolognese. If you love brunch, then be sure to visit on a Sunday morning, when you can enjoy a full breakfast buffet, plus bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas accompanied by a soundtrack of live acoustic music.
Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Start your day the right way with a Pacific Island-inspired breakfast at Islands Dining Room. Order your eggs however you like them, or if you’ve got a sweet tooth, try pancakes or waffles instead.
For dinner, there are modern Pan-Asian dishes to sample, including the Grilled Atlantic Salmon infused with sweet and sour tamarind sauce.
Amatista Cookhouse at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Savour the taste of the tropics all year round at Amatista Cookhouse, where they serve a menu of Caribbean-inspired dishes, from ceviche to flatbreads. This casually elegant eatery offers both indoor and outdoor dining, so you can soak up the sunshine or stay cool inside.
Character dining at Universal Orlando Resort
If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a bit of a superhero (parents, we hear you!), then you’ll love the chance to dine alongside the Marvel Super Heroes. You’ll find Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and Rogue at Café 4 in Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal Islands of Adventure. The food is a help-yourself buffet with international dishes.
During November and December, Universal Orlando Resort typically celebrates Grinchmas with a character dining experience featuring The Grinch and friends. The buffet breakfast usually takes place at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal Studios Florida.
Character dining experiences at Universal Orlando Resort are very popular and can sell out quickly, so we recommend booking in advance.
Food for special diets at Universal Orlando Resort
If you have food allergies or intolerances, then you’ll know first hand how important it is to find suitable dishes prepared in exactly the way you need them. The good news is that there are several dining locations throughout Universal Orlando Resort where gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary requirements can be accommodated.
The menus for all the restaurants are available online on the Universal Orlando Resort website, so you can familiarise yourself with them before you travel. When you arrive at a restaurant, speak to a staff member about your allergy or intolerance, and they will be able to advise you.
Universal Orlando Resort offers plenty in the way of vegan and vegetarian dishes, with most of the restaurants serving plant-based alternatives. Some vegan options we recommend include a cookies and cream crepe at Central Park Crêpes, the mushroom and leek quiche at TODAY Café, and the Meat Hater’s Pizza at Luigi’s in Springfield, U.S.A.
Kosher and Halal menu options can be provided. These meals are made to order and need to be ordered at least five days in advance.
Bringing your own food to the theme parks and water parks
Based on the official food policy for Universal Orlando Resort, you can bring some small snacks with you into the theme parks and water parks for dietary requirements, as well as drinking water. You are welcome to bring:
- A maximum of 2 litres of water per guest
- Food required for medical purposes or dietary needs
- Baby food or formula
You cannot bring:
- Hard-sided cool boxes
- Glass containers
- Alcohol
- Food that requires heating or refrigeration
FAQs
Should I make dinner reservations at Universal Orlando Resort?
Although reservations aren’t necessarily required, we strongly suggest making them to avoid disappointment. Some of the most popular restaurants do get very busy, especially during peak times. Most restaurants are available to book up to six months in advance.
Which Universal Orlando Resort restaurants take reservations?
Several of the table service restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort take reservations in advance. Park admission is required for all restaurants within the theme parks.
