When planning meals for your trip to the Universal Orlando Resort, the wide variety of options may seem a bit overwhelming. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, both inside the actual theme parks themselves and lining CityWalk as you first enter.
With so many options, first-time visitors may feel overwhelmed and at a loss for finding the tastiest dishes at the best restaurants. Regardless of whether you’re a first time guest or a returnee seeking new dishes, here’s a list of some of the best meals to try at the Universal Orlando Resort. Of course, every person’s tastes are different, so this is a matter of personal opinion–feel free to take this with a grain of salt and try dishes that match your own preferences!
For all you Harry Potter fans, we’ll be starting off in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure, where you can stop by the Three Broomsticks for some tasty British cuisine. The star of the show is the butterbeer, of course, but the meal most visitors recommend from the Three Broomsticks is the Great Feast. As the name implies, this hearty platter feeds the whole family with a starter of crisp and fresh garden salad and the main course of smoked rotisserie chicken, spare ribs, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Not only is this meal tasty, but it’s also sharable and inexpensive compared to ordering individual meals for your whole family.
If you’re attending the park solo or with a partner, there are more reasonable portion sizes around the parks as well. If you haven’t yet, I definitely recommend giving any of the sandwiches at the Today Cafe in Universal Studios a try. Both the Carnegie and Mulberry Street Italian are delicious and worth a trip out of the way. If you prefer a bite for breakfast, they also serve delicious pastries and fresh baked goods. Get there early in the day, snag a table outside, and sit down to people watch as you wait for your treats.
Staying in Studios, another option to consider lies in the New York area. Finnegan’s Bar & Grill serves traditional Irish-American food, and is ranked high on many guests’ lists. The Scotch Eggs, Chicken Stingers, and warm three cheese dip are delicious starters and almost seal this restaurant’s place on this list alone. As for main courses, I recommend the Webb Burger, Beef Tenderloin, and for the pickier members of the family, the Leprechaun’s Rainbow Salad–a tasty array of colorful fresh fruits. There’s something for almost everyone at Finnegan’s, and if you haven’t given it a try just yet, you’re missing out!
If you’re in search of something a little more quirky, consider stopping by Springfield on your trip through Studios. Whether you’re stopping for a Duff beer at the brewery, a Flaming Moe from Moe’s Tavern, or a giant pink donut from Lard Lad’s, there’s no shortage of delicious snacks and meals to enjoy along Fast Food Boulevard. Cletus’ Chicken Shack serves the highlight of this area in my opinion–a chicken and waffle sandwich served with maple syrup mayo. This unique combination of flavors isn’t for everyone, but it’s still something I recommend trying for yourself at least once! If you’re not feeling particularly adventurous, there’s an abundance of other options. Pick up a Krusty Burger, pizza from Luigi’s, some fried fish from the Frying Dutchman, or some savory tacos from Bumblebee Man’s.
As you’re leaving Studios, don’t skip over Bigfire on CityWalk. This unique restaurant is a little pricier than other options on this list, but the cuisine itself is delicious and highly recommended. Everything is cooked to perfection over an open fire, giving everything a delightful smokey taste. Don’t pass up the bourbon cheese fondue as a starter or the tableside s’mores or Baked Alaska for dessert! As for main courses, I’ve yet to find a meal at Bigfire I’m not crazy for. If you enjoy rich, smokey tastes reminiscent of backyard bonfires, don’t pass up a trip to Bigfire.
Hopping back over to Islands of Adventure, you may be fortunate enough to grab a bite at the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe in Seuss Landing. The menu is small and doesn’t have a wide variety of options, but the tater tots served up here are always warm and tasty. If green eggs sound a bit too off-putting for you, I have to recommend the pizza tots or the buffalo chicken tots. Both are packed with flavor and are a quick and easy bite during your day at the park.
If you’re looking for something a little more filling, continue further into the park to the Lost Continent area. Across from Poseidon’s Fury is an unmissable restaurant–Mythos. The menu features a number of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and with some curious dishes many visitors haven’t tried before, this restaurant is a must-do for any adventurous eater. The appetizers are always tasty, especially the shrimp sushi katsu roll, grilled octopus, and mezze platter. If you’re over twenty-one, order a Potion of the Gods to make your experience all the sweeter!
There are plenty of dining options available around the Universal Orlando Resort, and I’ve only just scratched the surface here. These restaurants are some of the best of the best in my experience, but I’m sure there are an abundance of hidden gems I have yet to try. Hopefully some of these dining options encourage you to make a special trip in the future!
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