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. I am sharing the Universal CityWalk restaurants that we always include in our trip as well as a directory of dining options at CityWalk.
When planning your meals, check out our complete guide to the best places to eat at Universal Orlando across all parks and CityWalk.
Best CityWalk Restaurants We Love
All of these CityWalk restaurants we have visited multiple times and they are some of the best dining options at CityWalk. As a family of five everyone finds something they like on the menu and the overall ambiance of the restaurant makes it a good choice.
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 across the resort and 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. In recent years the menu has been significanly changed with less menu items. 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.
The Cowfish
We recently tried The Cowfish and I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the busier CityWalk restaurants but I do not eat suishi so I never considered it. My family does eat sushi so we gave it a try and I was impressed. The sushi dishes were fantastic and I ate a burger that was delicious. I recommend upgrading to the truffle fries and trying the Specialty Bento Box.
Voodoo Donuts
Voodoo Donuts is a donut shop with unique offerings and specialty doughnut. Guests can now mobile order making this a great spot to stop at as you exit the parks. Pick up your donuts and have a late night snack at your resort. If it is hot out I caution you- the donuts may melt before you make it back to the hotel.
Cost of Dining at CityWalk
CityWalk restaurant cost vary depending on if you have quick service or table service. Table service dining will cost you more but the menu items do not have a significant upcharge. Typically you are paying for tip and drinks you may order. If you are on a budget consider ordering waters to save $20.00- $25.00 per meal.
A few examples of CityWalk dining costs for a family of 5. Prices may vary for your visit.
- Red Oven Pizza: $42.60
- Antojitos: $121.00
- Pat O’Brien’s: $101.00
Universal CityWalk Dining Directory
| Quick Service | Table Service (Reservations Recommended) |
| Auntie Anne’s Bend the Bao (Mobile Order) Bread Box Handcrafter Sandwiches (Mobile Order) Cinnabon Cold Stone Creamery Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice (Mobile Order) Five Guys Lone Palm Airport Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt Moe’s Southwest Grill Panda Express Red Oven Pizza Bakery (Mobile Order) Starbucks Voodoo Doughnut (Mobile Order) Universal Studio Store- Butterbeer Counter (K) | Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food Big Fire Bob Marley- A Tribute to Freedom Bubba Gump Shrimp Co Restaurant & Market Fat Tuesday Hard Rock Cafe Orlando Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville NBC Sports Grill & Brew Pat O’Briens The Cowfish The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen Vivo Italian Kitchen |
CityWalk Dining- Recap
I suggest these restaurants at CityWalk because they are great places to include in your Universal trip. Dining and food enhances the vacation in a surprising way and Universal really delivers with ambiance and menu options.
I still think about the pizza from Red Oven and the fresh guac at Antojitos, it is some of the best theme park dining. If you want my top picks across all the Universal parks you want to read this post: Best Places to Eat at Universal Orlando to Include in Your Day at the Parks
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.