This article is your complete guide to the best restaurants at Universal Orlando! We all know that finding the very best places to eat on vacation can be difficult if you’ve never been there before. Universal Orlando has a plethora of options to choose from. We always suggest grabbing a sit-down dining reservation at Universal Orlando, especially in the heat of the summer as a nice way to cool off. That’s why we’re going to help you figure out what are all the best Universal Orlando restaurants 2024.
In this article, we are going to cover all table-service restaurants at Universal Orlando meaning all the nice spots you can sit down and dine at. In addition to the table-service restaurants at Universal, there are also plenty of quick-service restaurants if you are looking to just grab and continue on your action-packed day.
So if you’re ready to learn about the best restaurants inside Universal Orlando read on!
Best Restaurants Universal Orlando Overview
Luckily for guests visiting Universal Orlando Resort, there are more restaurants than you would expect between the two theme parks and Universal’s CityWalk. That’s why it is important to know what are the best restaurants at Universal Orlando so you can know where to go before you travel into the parks. Don’t worry, if you’re a foodie and looking for the best food at Universal Studios Orlando, we are going to share our favorite menu items, too!
What are the best restaurants at Universal Studios Orlando ranked?
- Hard Rock Cafe
- The CowFish
- Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
- Mythos
- Bigfire
- NBC Sports Grille and Brew
- Antojitos Authentic Mexican
- Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
Related Page: Best Universal CityWalk Restaurants
Where are the Best Places to Eat in Universal Studios 2024? – Universal Restaurants Ranked
Our list will include all the best places to eat at Universal Studios Orlando ranked and the surrounding restaurants in CityWalk, too. If you’re seeking the perfect spot to refuel after a day of adventure, we’ve ranked the top dining destinations within the parks and CityWalk. From the irresistible charm of themed eateries to the convenience of quick-service options, we cover it all. Get ready to discover the ultimate dining spots that are a must-visit on your next Universal Studios Orlando adventure!
Honorable Mention – Hard Rock Cafe
Location: Universal CityWalk
What to Expect: The Hard Rock Cafe is an amazing option for families which is why we had to add it to this list. We love it because of the huge menu and offerings for everyone. Hard Rock Cafe Orlando offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner situated right in between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Choose from burgers, salads, wings, sandwiches, flatbreads and more. The atmosphere in the Hard Rock Cafe is great. It’s a large building with many tables which makes it great to snag a reservation here. As you walk in, they will take a picture of your party with a guitar for purchase that makes for a nice memory.
Type of Food: American
Must-Try Menu Items: Steakburgers, nachos, flatbread.
Tips & Tricks: After your meal, head to the back left of the Hard Rock Cafe for a special surprise – a piece of the Berlin Wall!
Related Post: Best Universal Studios Hollywood Restaurants
#8 – The CowFish
Location: Universal Orlando CityWalk
What to Expect: The Cowfish has a great menu for groups and families that love variety as it’s a burger and sushi bar offering different fusions between the two. This Universal Orlando restaurant is a sure favorite amongst park goers but we ranked it #8 simply because of the lack of options on the menu. If you or someone in your party isn’t a fan of sushi, they may have a hard time here.
Type of Food: American and Japanese Cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Crinkle cut fried pickles, Edamame, Cowfish bento box, Fusion specialty bento box
Tips & Tricks: One of the things we love about The Cowfish is the bento boxes which provide a variety of Japanese and American cuisine.
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#7 – Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Location: Universal CityWalk
What to Expect: Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is always a ton of fun for the entire family. Serving traditional bar food this restaurant is also a great place to grab amazing drinks and live music which starts in the early evening. Each time we have dined here has been a fun and unique experience. With the occasional playing of “Margaritaville,” live entertainment, and delicious food, this is for sure one of the best restaurants in Universal Orlando.
Type of Food: American Cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Lava lava shrimp, Jimmy’s Jammin Jambalaya, Chicken & Shrimp Teriyaki Bowl
Tips & Tricks: Just like many of the other top restaurants at Universal Orlando it’s always best to try to visit in the early evening or later in the night when crowds are lower. Be sure to also check out the quick service bar right across from Margaritaville as you wait for your table or just want a quick place to grab a drink!
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#6 – Mythos – Best Restaurant at Islands of Adventure
Location: Islands of Adventure
What to Expect: The best theme park dining experience in the world! We’re not joking as Mythos is not only the best restaurant in Universal Orlando but has been named the “best theme park restaurant” ten times! The awesome part about Mythos is that it is located right in Islands of Adventure Park and just steps away from Hogsmeade.
Type of Food: Mediterranean Cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Mediterranean Grilled Octopus, Fork, Knife, and Spoon Grilled Cheese, Pork Chop.
Tips & Tricks: This is one of the rare restaurants on the list of best places to eat at Islands of Adventure that will require a dining reservation. You may get lucky if you want to eat on the early side (11 am) but typically, this popular restaurant will require a dining reservation.
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#5 – Bigfire – Universal Studios Orlando Best Restaurant for Fine Dining
Location: Universal Orlando CityWalk
What to Expect: Bigfire draws its inspiration from the open flames of a lakeside summer home and is the perfect restaurant for your next Universal vacation.
Type of Food: American Cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Wood-charred Brussels Sprouts, skillet-roasted mussels, Cowboy ribeye, Salmon, PB&J Baked Alaska.
Tips & Tricks: This is one of our favorite places to eat in Universal Studios Orlando for steaks and seafood. It’s important to know that this restaurant does not open for lunch. It opens at 4 pm so if you’re looking for a nice lunch spot, this isn’t for you!
Related post: Compare Universal Orlando Annual Passes
#4 – NBC Sports Grill & Brew
Location: Universal Orlando CityWalk
What to Expect: A spot I personally love to recommend to friends visiting Universal Orlando is NBC Sports Grill & Brew located right in Universal CityWalk. It’s the perfect location for lunch as its steps away from the gates of Universal Studios Florida. With 100 flat-screen TVs and draft beers to choose from, this is more than your average sports bar.
Type of Food: American Cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Soft pretzel, cheese bites, burgers, wings.
Tips & Tricks: The air-conitioning in here is perfection. These Florida days get HOT so having a nice place to sit for lunch will be well worth it. This is a great, casual lunch spot the whole family can enjoy.
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#3- Antojitos Authentic Mexican – Best Restaurant at Universal
Location: Universal Orlando CityWalk
What to Expect: Antojitos is simply one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando and not just one of the best places to eat in Universal Studios. Their mix of authentic Mexican food such as tacos, fajitas and so much more with live music makes for such a fun environment.
Type of Food: Mexican Cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Tableside guacamole, Chilaquiles Verdes, Trio
Tips & Tricks: This is one of our favorite places to eat in Universal Studios Florida after a long day at the parks. Something we have done in the past when we were craving their amazing guacamole is to just order it at the bar and enjoyed the chips and guacamole back at our hotel by the pool.
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#2 Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
Location: Universal Orlando CityWalk
What to Expect: You will NOT have trouble finding this one-of-a-kind restaurant located at the entrance of Islands of Adventure. In this 19th century steampunk themed eatery, chefs create culinary alchemy with gourmet chocolates, artisanal milkshakes and sumptuous sundaes.
Type of Food: American
Must-Try Menu Items: Avocado Bruschetta, Braised Short Rib, Banana and Hazelnut French Toast, Crepes.
Tips & Tricks: We actually prefer visiting Toothsome Chocolate Emporium for lunch for a few reasons. The first is that it’s a lot easier to get a reservation (highly recommend a reservation here, it is one of the best restaurants at Universal) during lunch. We also LOVE the brunch menu, the crepes are delicious! If you’re lucky, you might just run into the “founders” of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Penelope and Jacques.
Related Video: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review
#1 Finnegan’s Bar And Grill – Best Restaurant at Universal Orlando
Location: Universal Studios Florida
What to Expect: Being a frequent visitor of Universal, I have tried out just about every restaurant across CityWalk and in the parks. Finnegan’s is one that I personally put off visiting for a while and now it quickly climbed to the top of our rankings. We grab a reservation or a walk-up spot at the bar pretty much every Universal Orlando visit now. This traditional Irish-American pub is both a lively bar and a full-service restaurant. Featuring authentic Irish dishes like Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and Guinness Beef Stew as well as classic burgers, salads, there is something for everyone making it the best place to eat in Unviersal Studios Florida.
Type of Food: Irish-American
Must-Try Menu Items: Shepard’s Pie, Corned Beef, Irish Fish & Chips.
Tips & Tricks: If Finnegan’s is full, ask if you can sit in the bar area. We did this on a busy day in the parks and were seated right away at a high-top right next to the bar. All that is different is the tables and the fact that you have to order at the bar but it’s a great option if you don’t have a reservation on a busy day.
Best Restaurants at Universal Orlando FAQ
What is the Best Restaurant in the Parks at Universal?
The best restaurant in the Universal Orlando parks is Finnegan’s Bar in Grill located in Universal Studios Florida and Mythos in Islands of Adventure. Both are great options for families to enjoy in the Universal parks.
What Are the Best Restaurants in Universal Studios Orlando?
The best place to eat at Universal Orlando is Bigfire, which is a fine dining restaurant in CityWalk. Bigfire is known for its seafood and steaks and is usually popular for special occasions and celebrations.
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