Planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort and wondering where you should eat? With so many themed restaurants, quick-service spots, and immersive dining experiences spread across Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe and Universal CityWalk, it can be overwhelming to decide which places are actually worth your time — and your budget.
This guide to the best places to eat at Universal Orlando highlights the top restaurants for every type of visitor, whether you’re looking for quick bites between rides, immersive themed dining, or a sit-down meal after a long park day. From family-friendly favorites to must-try signature dishes, these are the spots that consistently deliver great food, atmosphere, and value.
We have been visiting Universal Orlando for over 9 years as a family of five, that is a lot of eating at the theme parks. As time has gone by, this list has evolved and changed. It continues to change and I update this list as we try new places.
If food is part of your vacation strategy (and let’s be honest — it should be), this Universal Orlando dining guide will help you plan smarter, avoid mediocre meals, and make every bite part of the experience.
Best Places to Eat at Universal Orlando
The best places to eat offer a variety of options and enhance your theme park day. Below is a quick overview of where you should eat during your Universal trip.
- Three Broomsticks
- Illuminations Minion Cafe
- Thunder Falls Terrace
- Mead Hall
- Antojitos
- Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
- Central Park Crepes
- Das Stakehaus
- London Taxi Hut
- Pat O’Brien’s
- Mel’s Drive-In
Why These are the Best Dining Spots at Universal Orlando
How do I choose the best places to eat at Universal Orlando? Well it’s really as simple as it is my opinion and the places I recommend to my friends. These spots are well themed, offer good size portions, and most we have tried multiple times.
They are always on our list during our Universal vacations and I feel confident in recommending them to you. I am also always updating this list when we try new places that we think you will love. (updated March 2026)
How to Use This Guide (Quick Service vs. Table Service)
This guide is my absolute favorite dining spots at Universal Orlando but I also want them to easily fit into your Universal park itineraries. For that reason I have included quick service and table service options that fit with different schedules depending on how much time you have.
This list includes a mix of table service restaurants and casual/counter service restaurants with prices ranging from $10.99-$30.99 an entree. You can’t go wrong with including any of them in your Universal vacation.
Top Restaurants & Eateries
Let’s get into a bit more details on my top dining options. This includes Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and CityWalk.
For dining at specific parks check out these posts:
- Epic Universe Restaurants You Need to Try
- Best Places to Eat at Universal Studios Florida
- Where to Dine at CityWalk Universal Orlando
- Best Places to Eat at Universal Islands of Adventure
Three Broomsticks (Islands of Adventure Dining)
Location: Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade
Type: Quick Service, Mobile Order from Table, $$
Three Broomsticks serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At Three Broomsticks you can order the great feast platter that serves four and includes a garden salad, rotisserie smoked chicken & spareribs, corn on the cob, and roast potatoes. This cost $74.99.
They also offer Chicken Fingers, Chicken Legs, Mac & Cheese, and Fish & Chips on the kids menu. Tip: If you want to try Butterbeer order it here. The lines at the small kiosks in the park tend to get long.
I always get the Fish & Chips. If you want less food consider ordering the kids Fish & Chips. That is what I typically do during a day at the parks.
Illuminations Minion Cafe (Fun Themed Quick Service)
Location: Universal Studios Florida, Illuminations Minion Land
Type: Quick Service, Mobile Order from Table, $$
Minions Cafe is so much fun! From the themed restaurant to the themed options like The Antidote (banana flavored drink) and Steak & “Cheese Ray” Sandwich.
There are Minion shaped tots and the restaurant is so fun to dine at. Don’t be scared off by the menu names. They sound complicated but they are not. The Salmon I ordered was basically salmon, rice, and vegetables.
Order the Minion tots to share if you order doesn’t include them. Read full review: Review of Minion Cafe at Universal Studios Florida
Thunder Falls Terrace (Jurassic Park Dining)
Location: Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park
Type: Quick Service, Mobile Order from Table, $$
Thunder Falls Terrace is located in the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure. This has become one of our favorite quick services at Islands of Adventure.
They offer rotisserie chicken and rice bowls. The black beans here were so good with the rice. We all were really impressed. The portions are huge! It is definitely a place you can share.
Mead Hall (Epic Universe Viking Themed Dining)
Location: Epic Universe, Isle of Berk
Type: Quick Service, Mobile Order from Table, $$
This quick service dining option has meat platters, salads, and Viking inspired dishes that is perfect for guests. It is delicious!!
I was so impressed with everything about this place. You feel like you are dining in a traditional Viking hall and it is a great option if you are looking for a different kind of theme park meal. Read my full review: Review of Mead Hall: What We Ate & What it Cost for a Family of 5
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food (CityWalk Restaurant)
Location: Universal CityWalk
Type: Table Dining, $$-$$$
On our first visit to Antojitos I had the best burrito ever. On our next visit it wasn’t my favorite. We tried it a third time and it was delicious!
Chips and Salsa are included with your meal and the fresh salsa was delicious. Kids options are quesadillas, grilled chicken, or tacos. Overall the food is good and the price is comparable to other options at CityWalk.
The portions at Antojitos are big. If you can bring it back to your hotel room you may want to, if not consider splitting a burrito. Reservations can be made here.
Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
Location: Universal CityWalk
Type: Table Dining, $$-$$$
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a fun themed restaurant at Universal Orlando. It is definitely a place to experience at least once.
Toothsome’s has unique dining options inspired by chocolate flavors. When visiting it is more of an experience than a quick dining option.
There are characters walking around the restaurant that are themed to the steampunk story of Toothsomes.
If you are planning on dining at Toothsome I highly suggest making a reservation and allotting 1.5-2 hours for your visit. I do appreciate the ambiance of the restaurant but do not suggest it if you are in a hurry.
I loved the warm chocolate bread and the milkshakes are delicious. The menu has a lot of chocolate infused dishes and reservations are highly recommended. Read my full review post: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review Universal Orlando
Central Park Crepes (Quick Bites)
Location: Universal Studios Florida, Hollywood
Type: Quick Service Kiosk, $
Central Park Crepes is a really good quick service restaurant that offers sweet and savory options. On our visit we ordered the lemon-blueberry pound cake and the brisket crepe.
We shared this as a snack. It was so good!! There is no seating but if you are looking for a break in your day, grab this as a snack and sit along the lagoon in Central Park (located behind the crepe stand).
Das Stakehaus (Epic Universe Casual Dining)
Location: Epic Universe, Dark Universe
Type: Casual Dining, Mobile Order from Table, $$
Das Stakehaus is a vampire themed quick service restaurant at Epic Universe. It has “blood” themed entrees and you feel immersed in the vampire setting. The food is good with options like “meat on a stake and “blood burger”.
If you can get past the “blood” talk this is a really great option. We all enjoyed our experience. Read my full review: Das Stakehaus at Epic Universe: Review & Cost for Our Family
Pat O’Brien’s (New Orleans Style Dinner)
Location: Universal CityWalk
Type: Table Dining, $$
Pat O’Brien’s is a New Orleans themed restaurant. It is a sit-down restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Some nights offer dueling piano entertainment.
Pat O’Brien’s has a Mardi Gras theme and in the evenings caters to an adult crowd, but if you visit around dinner time it is a great place for families.
Expect Cajun inspired meals, that can be on the spicy side. They also offer a kids menu. Be sure to pick up beignets after your meal for dessert.
The Kid’s menu offers Mac & Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Shrimp, Burgers, and Grilled Chicken making this a great option to satisfy everyone in your family.
One of our favorite dishes is the Creole Chicken w/ Red Beans and Rice
London Taxi Hut (Quick Service Snack Stop)
Location: Universal Studios Florida, Kiosk in the Knight Bus Area
Type: Quick Service, $-$$
The London Taxi Hut is not always on the Universal app but it is a baked potato quick service dining kiosk that offers plain potatoes and loaded potato options. It is located near the Knight Bus outside Diagon Alley.
Mel’s Drive-In (American Diner Style)
Location: Universal Studios Florida, Hollywood
Type: Quick Service, Mobile Order from Table, $$
Mel’s Drive-In recently received a menu update. It has a delicious Cobb Salad and Burger options in this 50’s themed diner. They also accept mobile ordering.
Final Thoughts
There are so many places to eat at Universal Orlando. Universal does a great job of providing excellent dining options to their guests.
Most of the places to eat on my list do not require a reservation and are quick service, so they don’t take up too much of your day. If you are making reservations I suggest 1-2 weeks before your visit.
You can maximize your park time and enjoy a great meal at the parks. I hope I have given you some ideas for which ones you want to include in your Universal trip.
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