After spending the day at Universal Orlando you need to refuel and CityWalk is a great place to do just that. I’ve rounded up the absolute best CityWalk restaurants that are worth the hype. Let’s dive in and discover the must-try spots that make this dining district a destination in itself.
CityWalk Orlando is worth spending time at during your Universal Orlando trip. From shopping to mini-golf, and casual and sit-down dining, it is a great spot.
When we are on a Universal vacation we usually plan 1-2 sit-down restaurants at CityWalk in our trip. After many visit we have decided these are the best CityWalk restaurants that we recommend to friends.
I’ll be honest, the restaurants at CityWalk are all pretty good. For this list I wanted to keep it short, include only the ones we dine at on repeat, and have a fair balance of cost and food value.
Best CityWalk Restaurants
- Antojitos
- Pat O’Brien’s
- NBC Sports Grill & Brew
- Red Oven Pizza Bakery
- Honorable Mention: The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
All of these CityWalk restaurants we have visited multiple times and they are some of the best places to eat at CityWalk. As a family of 5 everyone finds something they like on the menu and the overall ambiance of the restaurant makes it a good choice.
Let’s get into a bit of details on each one, some restaurants I have full articles on so be sure to read through to decide which are the best restaurants at CityWalk for your Universal Trip.
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
If your family enjoys Mexican food you want to try Antojitos. Located on the upper level of CityWalk you can’t miss the bright facade on the outside of the building.
We’ve eaten here a few times and it is a good option for places to eat at CityWalk. Reservations are recommended but they take walk ins as well.
One of the highlights of Antojitos is the tableside guacamole they make right in front of you. Served on their homemade chips is so good! The menu also has fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, and tacos.
Pat O’Brien’s
Pat O’Brien’s celebrates the spirit of Mardi Gras year round with this New Orleans themed restaurant. As you dine you will be entertained by the dueling piano players. Song requests are encouraged.
The food is a bit spicy but you can ask the server to go less spice. They have a great gumbo, jambalaya, and Po’ Boy.
NBC Sports Grill & Brew
We visited NBC Sports Grill & Brew on our most recent Universal trip. We had avoided it because it had always been a more expensive option at Universal CityWalk but in the last few years it is more comparable. Prices have gone up, NBC Sports Grill stayed fairly the same.
NBC Sports Grill has a wide variety of menu options. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious. They have burgers, wings, salads, and sandwiches. Reservations are recommended.
Red Oven Pizza Bakery
Red Oven Pizza Bakery offers to-go and in house casual dining after a long day at the park. Guests can order traditional pizzas as well as vegetarian and gluten free option.
It can get really busy at park close but if you mobile order you can pick up your pizzas as you head out of Universal. The pizzas are delicious and are large enough for 2 people to share. For a family we usually order 3-4 pizzas and share.
If you are planning ahead you can mobile order Red Oven Pizza to save you a little time waiting for your food.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
I’m divided on including Toothsome on the list of best restaurants. The ambiance and theming of the restaurant is very well done and the food is fine but it is always really busy, takes a long time, and is expensive.
I think it is worth trying once and seeing if it is worth it for you. Other restaurants at CityWalk offer a better bang for your buck but for a fun vacation restaurant it does well. Read my full review: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review Universal Orlando (Reservations Recommended)
Final Thoughts
I suggest these restaurants at CityWalk because I want you to have the best trip to Universal, and I believe great food enhances the trip.
As I try new spots or try a place again, I will update the list to make sure it is the most accurate at the time I publish. These restaurants are the the ones we continue to return to and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Leah has been planning and writing about Universal trips since 2016. She loves finding the best places to eat and stay during her visits to the park. Leah enjoys the little details that make visiting the parks so immersive and special, and sharing that with her readers.
