Best Tips to Universal Orlando Dining

The Parks are well-themed, and that carries through to many of the dining options in the parks. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will make you feel like you're in a proper English pub. Here are the best of Universal Orlando dining options.

Check out some quick-service spots with Hog's Head, serving fresh brews, and this is the spot for Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice. Captain America's Diner will stave out that superhero hunger with their classic menu of cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and other family favorites. Stop by the big top fat Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous for quick service and Suess-inspired circus acts. The fun doesn't stop at lunch or dinner. 

There are many outlets at the Universal Orlando Resorts. Here are some favorites for Universal Orlando dining. 

CityWalk is the entertainment, shopping, and dining restaurants. You'll find a wide variety of dining venues and menus with everything you may be craving from burgers, to sushi to something more substantial. CityWalk is conveniently located just minutes from International Drive and between the two most popular theme parks. Pop by after 6 pm, and the parking in the Universal parking garage is free, and there are never admission charges for entrance to Universal CityWalk.

The nightlife is exhilarating, and the entertainment is first class, and you'll choose from themed bars to any number of eclectic restaurants. One of the Today Cafe's newest spots is your chance to "hang out" with Hodea, Savannah, and Al of Today Show fame.  

Most of the restaurants take reservations, which we highly recommend. You can reserve by calling their reservations line at 407-224-FOOD or directly online on the Universal Orlando site. You can also view all of the menus online, and it's a good idea to check out the offerings and the price range before you commit. 

Universal's full-service restaurants do not fill up 180 days in advance like Disney. You should still make your reservations well ahead, and if you are traveling during holidays, reservations will be tough to obtain.  

Hotel guests will enjoy priority seating, but people with a reservation will come before them, so dining reservations are always a good idea. 

The quick-service restaurants inside the parks are all first-come, first-serve, with no reservations accepted. This also applies to the fast-food restaurants at CityWalk. 

A Universal Dining Plan can be purchased before you travel, at any participating Quick /service location, Guest Services, or the Dining Reservations Cart in each park. Over 100 restaurants participate in the dining plan. A Plan can save you money, depending upon your eating habits and tastes. 

The Universal Full Service Dining Plan must be pre-purchased or at the Universal Ticket Entry for on-site resort guests only. The Plan offers each guest who purchases it one full-service meal, one quick-service meal, one snack, and one non-alcoholic beverage per day. At $63.89 per adult and $24.48 for kids age 3-9, it can be a value, depending on your appetites! 

We highly recommend restaurant reservations when possible. There is no single dining reservation for the entire Univeral Orlando Resort since the restaurants at Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, CityWalk, and some of the hotels are independently operated. 

Before you travel, be sure to download the Official Universal Orlando Resort App. The sortable map gives you showtimes, locations, wait times, menus, and hours. You can link it for payment in the park and use it for placing Mobile Food and Drink Orders from select restaurants. This is great for park hoppers! 

Try to makeyour dining reservations up to 30 days in advance if possible to ensure you get the seating times you desire. 

Universal Orlando dining is an opportunity to further explore three excellent venues, with themed dining a wide variety of choices. If you've been waiting to taste butterbeer, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has you covered, there's a burger awaiting you in Simpsons's Springfield, and if you are looking for something more substantial, you're in luck. 

The Parks are well-themed, and that carries through to many of the dining options in the parks. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will make you feel like you're in a proper English pub. 

Backwater Bar - This tropical oasis offers full-service dining on the outdoor patio or a break from the park action inside with a game on the indoor TV. Cold drinks, appetizers, and more.

Check out some quick-service spots with Hog's Head, serving fresh brews, and this is the spot for Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice. Captain America's Diner will stave out that superhero hunger with their classic menu of cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and other family favorites. Stop by the big top fat Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous for quick service and Suess-inspired circus acts. The fun doesn't stop at lunch or dinner. 

There are many outlets at the Universal Orlando Resorts. Here are some favorites:

CityWalk is the entertainment, shopping, and dining restaurants. You'll find a wide variety of dining venues and menus with everything you may be craving from burgers, to sushi to something more substantial. CityWalk is conveniently located just minutes from International Drive and between the two most popular theme parks. Pop by after 6 pm, and the parking in the Universal parking garage is free, and there are never admission charges for entrance to Universal CityWalk.

The nightlife is exhilarating, and the entertainment is first class, and you'll choose from themed bars to any number of eclectic restaurants. One of the Today Cafe's newest spots is your chance to "hang out" with Hodea, Savannah, and Al of Today Show fame.  

Most of the restaurants take reservations, which we highly recommend. You can reserve by calling their reservations line at 407-224-FOOD or directly online on the Universal Orlando site. You can also view all of the menus online, and it's a good idea to check out the offerings and the price range before you commit. 

Universal's full-service restaurants do not fill up 180 days in advance like Disney. You should still make your reservations well ahead, and if you are traveling during holidays, reservations will be tough to obtain.  

Hotel guests will enjoy priority seating, but people with a reservation will come before them, so dining reservations are always a good idea. 

The quick-service restaurants inside the parks are all first-come, first-serve, with no reservations accepted. This also applies to the fast-food restaurants at CityWalk. 

A Universal Dining Plan can be purchased before you travel, at any participating Quick /service location, Guest Services, or the Dining Reservations Cart in each park. Over 100 restaurants participate in the dining plan. A Plan can save you money, depending upon your eating habits and tastes. 

The Universal Full Service Dining Plan must be pre-purchased or at the Universal Ticket Entry for on-site resort guests only. The Plan offers each guest who purchases it one full-service meal, one quick-service meal, one snack, and one non-alcoholic beverage per day. At $63.89 per adult and $24.48 for kids age 3-9, it can be a value, depending on your appetites! 

We highly recommend restaurant reservations when possible. There is no single dining reservation for the entire Univeral Orlando Resort since the restaurants at Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, CityWalk, and some of the hotels are independently operated. 

Before you travel, be sure to download the Official Universal Orlando Resort App. The sortable map gives you showtimes, locations, wait times, menus, and hours. You can link it for payment in the park and use it for placing Mobile Food and Drink Orders from select restaurants. This is great for park hoppers! 

Try to makeyour dining reservations up to 30 days in advance if possible to ensure you get the seating times you desire. There are plenty of options within Universal Resort , but if you choose to dine outside of the resort, here are some of the Best Orlando Restaurants.