There are many dining options at Universal Orlando Resort: The parks, hotels, and CityWalk, and a mixture of quick and table service options. We’ll cover all of these over time, but today we are looking at table service restaurants in CityWalk.
The thing to remember about table service, and this doesn’t just apply to CityWalk, is that whilst you may be able to get a walk-up table, if you want to eat there for sure, you’re better off making a reservation for those who have that service. Eating outside of normal meal times makes this easier. Additionally, you don’t have to have park tickets to go to CityWalk, so reservations may be even harder to get as every man and his dog can go.
There are currently 8 options for table service dining at CityWalk. Prices vary, but none are low. You can check out the website for the menus, all of which are available on the Universal Orlando website. Remember – these are going to be more expensive than eating at similar restaurants outside CityWalk, but you are paying for a premium location.
Antojitos
A two-story Mexican restaurant, with some outdoor seating, inspired by traditional and Mexican Street Food. The menu features a mix of tacos, empanadas, burritos, quesadillas, seafood dishes, and more. Drinks include speciality margaritas, cocktails, and Mexican bottled soda. The reviews on the food are very mixed, so if you set high standards for your Mexican cuisine, this may not be for you.
The restaurant is bright and festive to reflect Mexican folk art influence, and has a lively party atmosphere. The aim is to make it feel like classic cantina. Check opening times as it is unlikely to be open for lunch.
Bigfire
This is a Amercian-style restaurant built around an open-fire wood grill concept, Think fire pits, lakeside evenings, and a rustic feel. The menu centres on wood-fire cooking, giving smoky flavours. They also do cocktails and mocktails (which seems a strange mix to me).
As the restaurant is right alongside the CityWalk Lagoon, the views new wonderful and add to the relaxing atmosphere. Reviews are pretty good, but the prices can be a little high for the portion sizes and overall quality.
Cowfish
Cowfish is a sushi and burger bar. This includes Burgushi rolls – sushi with burger elements or vice-versa. The drinks menu looks great with craft cocktails, sake, beers, and big hand-spun milkshakes (alcoholic options available). The unique combinations are very popular.
The restaurant is bright and casual, with pop-art elements. There is indoor and outdoor seating and gets quite lively! It’s family friendly and seems quite touristy.
There is no option to reserve a table, so it’s first come, first served. As a result, waits can be long so early evening or later are good times to aim for. Reviews highlight the fun atmosphere but perhaps average food for the price.
Hard Rock Cafe
With its internationally famous Rock ’n’ Roll vibes it really stands out as you walk through CityWalk. It states it’s one of the largest Hard Rock locations in the world, with a two-story dining room. Inside features the usual rock memorabilia, with the exterior in the style of a Roman Coliseum. It is next to Hard Rock Live Orlando, which hosts live music and shows.
The menu comprises of classic American fare and has a full bar. It can open as early as 8.30am for breakfast, unlike a lot of the other options.
It can be very loud as well as lively and busy (it also shows music videos), so if you find this type of environment a little overwhelming, it may not be for you. It’s very popular and the food gets good reviews.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
The 1977 track “Margaritaville” is a laid-back, tongue-in-cheek song about a guy with sunburn killing time in a beach town, sipping margaritas, and reflecting on his failed relationship. The restaurant and bar are based around this theme, the idea of being permanently on a tropical holiday.
The menu is Floridian/Caribbean and casual American, plus specialty margaritas and cocktails.
With island style decor and bright colours it creates a party vibe. There are several inside bars plus outdoor seating, playing Buffett’s music and videos, and other island-style themes. There is often live music in the evening and sometimes they have themed celebrations such as a New Years party.
Open for lunch and dinner (and maybe very late for drinks), reservations are highly recommended for peak times as it’s popular with groups and families.
MBC Sports Grill and Brew
A large and lively full-service sports bar and American restaurant for people to dine whilst they watch games. It features almost 100 large HD TVs so it can show different games at the same time. There is also a massive exterior video wall at the entrance which means games are broadcast across CityWalk and you are not missing out if you choose the outdoor seating.
The food is what is known as classic sports bar favourites. You can probably guess what types of things, but as we don’t have this culture much in the U.K., it’s things like burgers, sliders, nachos, ribs, salads… There are also cocktails, cocktails, and beers.
I’ve been here and it’s great but at peak times it gets LOUD. All the noise and screens can make it very over-stimulating if that’s a consideration. But if you love big sporting events (think Olympics, NFL, Premier League) then this really is a place to try. The decor is sports-themed and includes interactive elements like foosball and shuffleboard tables.
Both lunch and dinner are served and it can stay open until the early hours of the morning depending on events. Apparently both food and service vary depending on how busy the restaurant is.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
The restaurant is inspired by the fictional characters Penelope and Jacques, who travel the world. The theme is heavily Steampunk, classically Victorian, and laced with clockwork details, What I especially like is the obsession with chocolate (I can equate), with an air of a mad inventors chocolate workshop,
There are three areas to sit, depending on what you would like. There is, of course, a sit-down dining space, a Dessert Foundary, and Candy Smith counter. The Dessert Foundry if where you can buy the famous Jacques’ Speciality Milkshakes. These are huge, and topped with things like a whole cupcake or brownies, and they come in a wonderful souvenir jar. There are benches outside to enjoy these if you are not dining in. The Candy Smith counter sells sweets, macarons and their very expensive chocolate.
Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, reservations are not always available and wait times can be very long. If you can’t get a reservation, aiming for out of peak dining periods will work in your favour.
It’s fun and quirky, great for families, and often considered best for wanting a sweet treat rather than a full meal. I can recommend the milkshakes but even for someone with a very sweet tooth like me, it was a LOT!
Vivo Italian Kitchen
A Italian restaurant where the menu is described as ‘classic meets modern’. You’ll find all your usual favourites: Pasta, hearth-baked pizzas, meat and seafood dishes. There are wines available to compliment every dish, and Italian-inspired cocktails.
Vivo has an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work, helping to create its casual, Italian-style dining atmosphere. The food is said to be good at good prices for the location.
It isn’t open for lunch, typically opening around 4pm until late. Reservations aren’t normally accepted, so again, avoiding peak times is going to reduce any potential wait.
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