As handy as it is to eat at the quick service restaurants at the parks, it is a nice change to go for a more intimate dining experience. So here is my top 10 of full-service dining restaurants at the Universal Orlando Parks and it's surrounding hotels and resorts.
#10 Lombard's Seafood Grille
Park/Resort: Universal Studios
Price Range: $13 - $20
Lombard's Seafood Grille has been around since the park originally opened which is quite a feat given how many changes the park has undergone. It continues to deliver great seafood in a nautical theme atmosphere at a great price. I wouldn't normally put a seafood restaurant in the list but Lombard's is a big favourite for park goers. It serves a variety of food from fried seafood, salads and burgers. If you happen to make reservations during Universal's Cinematic Spectacular on the lagoon you can get a great view from the harbor side dock.
#9 Finnegan's Bar and Grill
Park/Resort: Universal Studios
Price Range: $11 - $22
Most guests if they are wanting a pub experience will head over to the Harry Potter area but a hiden gem is Finnegan's, a table service restaurant that serves up Irish-American dishes.It is a friendly, casual atmosphere where you can try the house favourites including the fish and chips and the Kilkenny pot pie. They have an extensive drinks menu here as well as a large and diverse food menu.
#8 Confisco Grille & Backwater Bar
Park/Resort: Islands of Adventure
Price Range: $9 - $17
Confisco Grille & Backwater Bar offers a variety of fried seafood, salads, burgers, soups, sandwiches and fajitas. Make sure to reserve a table to watch the park's evening lagoon show, Universal Cinematic Spectacular. Mythos might get all the attention at Islands of Adeventure but Confisco Grille offers a more casual dining experience and a larger menu including burgers, salads, pizza, pasta and chicken wings.
#7 The Leaky Cauldron
Park/Resort: Universal Studios
Price Range: $9 - $15
Diagon Alley's The Leaky Cauldron offers British Pub favourites in a stunning hall recreated from the Harry Potter movie franchise. It may be a quick-service restaurant but I included it in this list as it is far better than any of the other quick service establishments.
#6 Emeril's Tchoup Chop
Park/Resort: Royal Pacific Resort
Price Range: $24 - $34
The minute you walk through the door at Emeril's Tchoup Chop it takes your breath away as the restaurant has some of the most beautiful decor in all of Orlando. It is celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse second restaurant at Universal Orlando with Tchoup Chop focusing on Asian and Polynesian inspired dishes. Tchoup Chop is a more casual dining experience than Emeril's Restaurant on Citywalk but even more stunning with bamboo decor, waterfalls and sculpted gardens. You will be whisked away to the South Pacific with the menu including dishes such as Mongolian glazed slow-roasted pork belly, Chinese 5 Spice Braised Lamb Shank and Tchoup Chop-Style Fish and Chips.
#5 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Park/Resort: Citywalk
Price Range: $10 - $23
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is a must for anyone visiting Universal, it is always the restaurant we have to visit during our trips. You may think the menu would be just full of seafood but it is so much more, they have salads, soups, sandwiches, fried chicken, ribs and they also specialize in Southern and Cajun inspired cuisine. If you are a fan of the Forrest Gump movie you might recognize some dishes from the movie such as the Run Across America appetizer, the Lieutenant Dan's Drunken Shrimp or Jenny's Catch with lobster. Before you leave make sure to stop by the gift shop for all the Forrest Gump inspired merchandise.
#4 Mama Della's Ristorante
Park/Resort: Portofino Bay Hotel
Price Range: $21 - $38
Last year while I worked at the Portofino Bay Hotel, people kept suggesting that I try Mama Della's but I'm not a huge fan of Italian food. However I feel Mama Della's Ristorante changed my perception, it is designed to make you feel like you are in an Italian families home with the comforting smells of garlic, basil and Italian bread. The menu includes antipasto, creamy alfredo, brisket-piled spaghetti and rocotta infused gnocchi which you can enjoy whilst listening to a strolling musician every night.
#3 Mythos Restaurant
Park/Resort: Islands of Adventure
Price Range: $11 - $20
Mythos is a restaurant that was impossible to leave off the list. Although I have not eaten here myself it is the only award winning restaurant on Universal property. Located inside an impressive cavern, Mythos serves salads, burgers, steak fish, pasta and risotto and the menu changes season to season. With most of the restaurants in the parks being rather average, Mythos is ahead of the game for value and tons to choose from and lets not forget its exquisite theming. Also try to get a table at the back of the restaurant to get a beautiful view of the theme park.
#2 The Kitchen
Park/Resort: Hard Rock Hotel
Price Range: $15 - $37
The majority of holiday goers might find themselves at the Hard Rock Cafe, but if you want some a bit more upscale with guests chefs and celebrities then take a detour to The Kitchen. The Kitchen adorns its walls with rock culinary themed memorabilia and on select nights the host a character dinner for families to enjoy. If you fancy comfort food with a rock 'n' roll twist then The Kitchen is right up your street and you can even be treated to a cooking demo by guest chefs.
#1 Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
Park/Resort: Citywalk
Price Range: $13 - $24
Some people might disagree with me on this one as it's a chain restaurant but that doesn't it from being an amazing restaurant. I had the best night here with friends as we got tipsy on cocktails and devoured some gorgeous steak. The portion sizes here are enormous so you definitely won't feel empty when you leave. Getting a table indoors may be a bit difficult but sitting on the terrace is just as good plus you get a great view of Citywalk.
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