Universal Studios Restaurants: Discover the Best Dining Options

Burgushi, Bob Marley, and ButterBeer, oh my! Get ready for a whirlwind of delectable dining options at Universal Orlando Resort.

A full day of fun and excitement awaits you at Universal Orlando Resort. All the twists and turns on Jurassic World VelociCoaster and top attractions are sure to work up an appetite. While we always recommend visitors bring bottled water and small snacks to save on food at Universal Studios Orlando, the choices are endless when your pack is empty, and your stomach is growling. 

This is the perfect opportunity to discover what makes Universal Orlando a food lover’s paradise! We’ve got you covered with our complete guide to the best restaurants near Universal Studios Orlando Florida.

Universal CityWalk™ Dining

Bigfire

Universal Orlando Resort’s guests have nothing but good things to say about Bigfire Restaurant. First, you have the impeccable service and the fire-kissed American classics like steaks and freshwater cuisine. And then there’s the giant, custom-made woodfire grill that allows guests to see the food being prepped and cooked right in front of their eyes.

These are just some of the reasons why we give this Universal Studios food haven a big chef’s kiss. Whether you’re dining indoors or outdoors, Bigfire’s modern take on cooking over open flames is sure to bring nostalgic memories of summers by the water. 

photo credit: Theme Park Groupie via Facebook

Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food™

The mouth-watering aroma of tacos, fajitas, empanadas, and more will draw you while drooling into Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food™. This full-service dining destination only serves made-from-scratch cooking, so savor the freshest full flavor of anything you order.

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Into guacamole? You have to try Antojitos’ tableside guacamole, which is made precisely to your liking right in front of you. Extra cilantro for us, please!

Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom℠

Did you know that cultural icon and music legend Bob Marley had a home at 56 Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica? Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom℠ is a replica of that very home. While feasting your eyes on the photos, artifacts, and video clips playing around you, munch on Jamaican-themed meals like the Reggae Jamaican Jerk Chicken or the bestseller Taste of Jamaica, a tour of island flavors featuring veggie and beef patties, jerk wings, and yucca fries.

Exterior of Bob Marley A Tribute to Freedom at Universal Studio's Orlando - Orlando, Florida, USA

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

A unique fusion of burgers and sushi? Yes, please! This one-of-a-kind dining experience offers the reputable Burgushi®, a cutting-edge fusion of sandwiches made with sushi stuff and sushi crafted with burger stuff. Try the Bison Burgushi. It’s perfectly seasoned bison and roasted red peppers wrapped in sushi rice and soy paper, then topped with tempura flakes, pickled green tomatoes, cotija cheese, chipotle aioli, and scallions.

Some might say it’s an odd idea, but it’s something to try if you have an adventurous palate like us. Want to play it safe? Cowfish also offers an array of fresh, hand-crafted sushi that will please even the pickiest pallet.

NBC Sports Grill & Brew™

Ready for a sports-dining experience like no other? With nearly 100 high-definition screens that let you watch a stream of sports coverage and over 100 bottles and drafts to choose from, NBC Sports Grill & Brew™ is the perfect dining location to enjoy downtime at Universal Orlando Resorts.

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Choose from a wide selection of delicious classics like burgers and ribs, Chile Loaded Nachos with Meat, and Asian Grilled Shrimp Salas while catching up on your favorite sports team. 

Pat O’Brien’s®

Looking for a dining ambiance that screams New Orleans? Pat O’Brien’s® is exactly where you should be!

An authentic reproduction of New Orleans’ favorite watering hole, this is a place where visitors gather to sip on signature drinks like the world-famous “Hurricane®,” listen to live dueling pianos, or just hang out and catch a game in the Main Bar.

photo credit: Marc Alan Cantlin via Facebook

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

The savory chocolate desserts, unique atmosphere, and exceptional service make this full-service dining a dreamland for sweet tooths.

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The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen is best known for its gourmet ice cream and artisan milkshakes. Try Thrilla in Vanilla and Heavenly Hazelnut for a start! 

photo credit: Mark Walter via Facebook

VIVO Italian Kitchen™

Universal Orlando Resort’s best Italian food outside Portofino Bay can be found at VIVO Italian Kitchen™. Handmade pasta is prepared fresh daily.

An open kitchen gives you a complete view of your pizza being wood-fired. A deliciously authentic aromatic smell surrounds you. Need we say more? A visit to this Italian kitchen along Universal CityWalk™ a can’t miss.

Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®

As the name suggests, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is the perfect place to grab refreshing drinks, share some appetizers, or have a full-out meal after spending hours of fun under the heat of the sun.

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This is a full-service restaurant, bar, and live music venue, so expect lively entertainment from musicians playing Jimmy Buffett’s covers tropical serenades, and rock hits.

Exterior View of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Universal Orlando's CityWalk - Orlando, Florida, USAHard Rock Cafe® Orlando

Prepare to feel like a  rockstar! Hard Rock Cafe’s signature full rock-‘n-roll dining experience welcomes visitors to ‘walk this way’ right into their star-studded foyer.

Built to resemble Rome’s Colosseum, this 1,000-seat Universal Studios Orlando dining spot is hard to miss when you stroll along the Universal CityWalk™. Aside from the classic Hard Rock Cafe menus that we all know and love (fresh salad, tasty sandwiches, and crunchy nachos, among others), we recommend asking any of the waiters for a free guided tour of legendary items inside the Cafe. 

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See with your own eyes priceless items like Jimi Hendrix’s Red Fender Mustang, pieces of a suit worn by Elvis Presley in the movie Viva Las Vegas, and a jacket James Brown donned multiple times at the Apollo Theater.

Hard Rock Café Orlando at Universal Orlando's CityWalk - Orlando, Florida, USA
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Voodoo Doughnut

For dessert, head over to Voodoo Doughnut and choose from over 50 one-of-a-kind doughnuts that inspired a cult following. Some of the popular flavors include the original Bacon Maple Bar®, the Dirt Doughnut, and the Memphis Mafia.

Universal Studios Orlando Food and Restaurants

Lombard’s Seafood Grille™

As Universal Studios Orlando™’s flagship restaurant, Lombard’s Seafood Grille was created with an exceptional full-service dining experience in mind. Whether you’re dining for lunch, dinner, or both, this waterfront establishment is ready to serve you delicious seafood dishes like clam chowder, surf and turf, burgers, salads, and much more.

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If you have children with you, ask for a table close to the enormous saltwater aquarium in the middle of the dining room. 

photo credit: Jill Benedict via Facebook

Finnegan’s Bar & Grill™

Irish guests who are missing a taste of home will find comfort in this cheery Irish establishment. Finnegan’s Bar & Grill™ is a traditional pub that offers Irish comfort food like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and Guinness beef stew. Whatever you choose to order, don’t forget to pair it with an ice-cold pint of your favorite brew.

Leaky Cauldron

A visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is not complete without a dining experience at the Leaky Cauldron! Diagon Alley’s flagship restaurant is a replica of the Leaky Cauldron in the Harry Potter books and films. The setting and atmosphere are enough to pay a visit, especially if you’re a Potterhead.

This is also an ideal place to eat if you’re looking for quick service, especially in the mornings when everyone’s excited to catch the first ride! Our favorites are Fish and Chips on the kids’ menu, Fisherman’s Pie, Toad in the Hole, and Ploughman’s Platter.

Close up of photos on the wall at Leaky Cauldron Restaurant at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, USAFast Food Boulevard

Meanwhile, the Simpsons’ Fast Food Boulevard offers guests unique quick-service items that will give you bang for your buck. Choose from tons of tasty snacks and dishes without blowing your budget on full-service Universal Studio Orlando restaurants.

We recommend trying the Krusty Burger, a 1/3 pound burger topped with a giant tomato slice, iceberg lettuce, drippy cheddar cheese sauce, and a good helping of the Krusty the Clown’s super-secret sauce.

Cletus Chicken Shack

Y’all hungry? Look no further than Cletus’ Chicken Shack. Savor the finger-lickin’ good Chicken Thumbs, the crispy bites of fried chicken that will have you coming back for more.

And if you’re searching for a true Southern delight, the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich is where it’s at. Picture this: golden fried chicken nestled between two fluffy waffles, drizzled with sweet and savory goodness. It’s a match made in chicken heaven!

Moe’s Tavern

Moe’s Tavern is famous for serving up a variety of drinks that will quench your thirst and put a smile on your face. Get ready to grab a frosty mug of Duff Beer, a beverage that’s locally brewed exclusively for Universal Studios.

Sip on this legendary brew and feel like a true Springfieldian, immersed in the spirit of the show. And fear not, non-alcoholic options are available too, so everyone can join in on the fun. Cheers, folks!

Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck

Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck is an excellent choice if you’re passing through Springfield and need a quick bite.

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Brought to you by Bumblebee Man, the star of Channel Ocho’s variety show, this buzzing food truck is ready to satisfy your Mexican cravings. The flavorsome Tacos Carnitas and scrumptious Tacos Carne Asada are just two of our favorites.

photo credit: Disneyandmore24 via Facebook

Bone Chillin’

When it’s summer in Orlando, beat the heat with a frozen slush drink, soda, or beer at Bone Chillin’. This eerily-themed quick service also offers the tastiest snacks. Try Bavarian pretzel with cheese, Churro with chocolate sauce, and more on-the-go goodies that you can nibble on while you cool off. 

Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ Restaurants

Mythos Restaurant™

There’s a reason why this award-winning restaurant was voted the world’s best theme park restaurant seven times, most recently in 2019. Indulge in food well above average for theme park eats while surrounded by carved rock formations and large picture windows framed by water cascading down from waterfalls on top of the restaurant. 

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Mythos Restaurant’s House specialties include fried calamari, meze platter, Greek salad, pan-roasted salmon, blue cheese–crusted pork, beef medallions, and Moroccan-spiced lamb chops.

photo credit: Universal Orlando Resort via Facebook

Confisco Grille™

Although the place is meant to look like a customs house where “smuggled” and “confiscated” (hence the name Confisco) items are stored, the exterior and interior design of Confisco Grille™ still looks like it was taken out of a fairy-tale book.

You’ll see giant dinosaur skeletons from Jurassic Park and golden urns from the Lost Continent. Even a wand from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, if you look hard enough. 

More than the aesthetic appeal, diners flock to Confisco Grille because it offers a hearty variety of cuisines. So if the group can’t agree on what cuisine to eat, head over to this exotic port of entry establishment so everyone can dine on their choice of meals.

The Three Broomsticks™

The Three Broomsticks is one of the best quick-service options around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™.

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Step into a replica venue where Harry Potter and his friends visited during their visits to Hogsmeade and enjoy a warm, hearty meal. Have your fill of tasty British fare, including:

  • The Great Feast
  • Fish And Chips
  • Shepherd’s Pie
  • Beef Pasties
  • Turkey Leg

Afterward, head over to the Hog’s Head, a small pub connected to the Three Broomsticks. Find a selection of draft beers, mixed drinks, and signature Harry Potter drinks like the pumpkin juice Pumpkin Fizz and Butterbeer!

Do You Need Reservations For The Three Broomsticks at Universal?

Heading to Universal Studios and wondering about dining at the Three Broomsticks? It’s important to note that no reservations are available for this famous restaurant in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. However, don’t fret! Despite not taking reservations, the wonderfully themed Three Broomsticks usually maintains efficient service and minimal wait times, offering fans of the series a fantastic culinary adventure.

Close up of Harry Potter's Butter Beer mug at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, USACaptain America Diner®

At Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, you can eat where the superheroes eat! Captain America Diner is a quick-service themed eatery that takes you into the pages of a Captain America comic book.

While surrounded by life-size cartoons of some of your favorite heroes (and villains), feast on all-American burgers and divine sandwiches that will make you keep coming back for more. 

Blondie’s

With an inviting Blondie-themed exterior and to-die-for savory sandwich menus, it’s no wonder why this quick-stop sandwich shop is always full of diners.

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On your first visit, you have to try Blondie’s signature item, The Dagwood. It’s modeled after the famously giant sandwiches Dagwood Bumstead eats in the comic strip. It’s crafted with oozing cheese, fresh-baked onion, ham, turkey, and roast beef!

photo credit: Vincent Yang via Facebook

Volcano Bay

Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club

Dine at the foot of the Krakatau Volcano and enjoy the conveniences of one of the open-air, quick-service Universal Studio restaurants. As Volcano Bay’s largest eatery and the one closest to the park’s entrance, Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club is usually the most crowded restaurant at mealtimes of all restaurants in Universal Studios Orlando.

You can, however, take advantage of the outdoor seating if you’re only here to grab a bite and go. Kohola Reef is also the park’s only eatery that stays open until closing. So head here if everything else is closing.

photo credit: Walt Disney World Adults Only via Facebook

Whakawaiwai Eats

Another quick-service dining at Volcano Bay is in River Village, alongside the sparkling river.

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Its tropical-themed food offerings include Hawaiian pizza, island BBQ chicken, and jerk shrimp mac ‘n cheese. Take advantage of Whakawaiwai Eats’ grab-and-go menu if you’re running out of time.

Universal Studios Restaurants FAQs

Are you planning a trip and wondering if you can bring snacks to Universal Studios? Rest assured, the park does permit guests to bring along certain food items to ensure their comfort and convenience during their visit. In particular, the park allows visitors to carry water bottles (maximum 2 liters), small snacks, and special food items for dietary and medical requirements, maintaining a balance between visitor comfort and park regulations.

Indeed, staying hydrated during your exciting journey through Universal Studios is essential and thankfully you don’t have to worry about the cost. In fact, you can get free cups of water at both parks and citywalk – you simply need to ask. This convenient provision is a significant advantage, granting you a refreshing sip anytime you need, without reaching for your wallet.

Where Will You Eat Next at Universal Orlando Resort?

From the Three Broomsticks, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Hog’s Head. To eclectic dining at Cowfish and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, you will never run out of exciting dishes to try at restaurants inside Universal Studios.
Consider reserving a table and finding the best food at Universal Studios Orlando at any of these restaurants.
 Especially during weekends and peak season when tables fill quickly.

Great food and exceptional ambiance will make your trip to Universal Orlando Resort a memorable one.

Where do You go for Food The Best Food at Universal Studios?

Which are your favorite restaurants near Universal Studios? Leave us a comment below!


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Written by Nicole King

There are only two things that make Nicole really happy–books and travel! When her head’s not buried in a book, she’s most likely...


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