I’ve been a Central Florida resident for a full year and I own annual passes to the Disney parks, both Universal Orlando parks, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Tampa and Fun Spot America. Obviously, my weekends are full of theme parks and theme park eating.
Being in a park as a local means that I spend full days (and nights) in the parks and I’m always on the hunt for a great (and often affordable) meal. Friends consistently told me that Universal dining was some of the best theme park food around. And the prices were good.
So, I’ve been spending the past year sampling the dining options for loyal MiceChat readers and I have the top ten counter services restaurants at Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure and City Walk that are worth the visit.
Top Universal Orlando Counter Service Restaurants
Universal Studios Classic Monsters Cafe
This is the oldest restaurant on my list. But they recently changed their menu to add more family-friendly dining options.
The Classic Monsters Cafe also has some incredible theming, especially for the monster fan in your group.
The Classic Monsters Cafe offers intimate seating with movie memorabilia from the classic days. There are different areas for The Mummy, B-movie space aliens, Frankenstein and more. In addition to the solid food offerings, the cafe offers a cool spot for a lunch or dinner break!
Today Cafe
The Today Cafe is the newest quick service location. Let’s check it out!
The interior of the Today Cafe is bright and cheerful. It’s a great place to stop first thing in the morning to grab something and go. Based on the desserts, it will be a wonderful place to end your evening in the park.
Many of the sandwiches are based on the personality of the Today Show itself, like The Bulls & The Bears Platter, Al’s Avocado Toast, the 30 Rock Midtowner Platter and more.
The Leaky Cauldron
When it comes to theming, everything in the Wizarding World is top-notch, including The Leaky Cauldron. Make sure to pay attention to the Leaky Cauldron in the sign…because it does actually leak.
Dining at the Leaky Cauldron is a must for fans of Harry Potter and British food. The restaurant is charming and offers an intimate setting for the more adventurous foodies.
The menu has traditional options for lunch and dinner, with a great selection of Harry Potter-themed drinks. The Peachtree Fizzing Tea is refreshing and the Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice is one of my favorite drinks from any theme park!
Krusty Burger
Visiting Springfield USA is a wonderfully meta experience. The food options are all centered around famous establishments from the Simpson’s TV show, like Krusty Burger and Moe’s Tavern. Inside the restaurant, there is cafeteria-style ordering in which you choose from different windows and then pay at the central cashiers.
Cletus’ Chicken Shack, Flaming Moe’s, Krusty Burger, Lisa’s Teahouse of Terror, Luigi’s Pizza, Moe’s tavern and the Frying Dutchman offer something for everyone. Burgers, pizza, fish and chicken sandwiches and various desserts all get the Springfield treatment.
How can you not love a restaurant that offers a Meat Liker’s Pizza and a Meat Hater’s Pizza?
Moe’s isn’t as dank as they make it out on The Simpsons!
Top Islands of Adventure Counter Service Restaurants
Croissant Moon Cafe
Just inside the Port of Entry is this hidden gem of a restaurant. There isn’t a lot of seating, but since it is located near the entrance of the park, it’s usually not as crowded during lunch and dinner.
As you could guess, the specialty is croissants, but they offer soups, salads and sandwiches as well. The Croissant Moon Bakery is a nice respite in a busy theme park.
The Burger Digs
Looking for a juicy burger or chicken sandwich? The Burger Digs, located in the Jurassic Park land, offers delectable cheeseburgers served with bacon, chicken tenders, grilled chicken sandwiches and a fixings bar.
The seating areas are located around the upper level of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, which has views of dinosaur skeletons and statues. Your inner-paleontologist will have a blast!
Thunder Falls Terrace
Thunder Falls is just outside of the Jurassic Park River Adventure and you can dine outside while watching the rafts make the splash down the waterway.
Thunder Falls Terrace is well-known for chicken and ribs, smoked turkey legs and a highly recommended rice bowl.
The inside dining area offers plenty of seating with wonderful vistas of the park. The food choices are a step above normal theme park fare and it’s a relaxing spot to recharge.
Comic Strip Cafe
The Comic Strip Cafe is a large restaurant located in Toon Lagoon. It’s on my list of the top ten restaurants at Universal because there’s always space to eat and there are dining choices for every taste.
You can order pizza, burgers, hot dogs, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chinese dishes, fish platters and lots of sides. Even when the park is super crowded on a hot summer day, there’s always a table at the Comic Strip Cafe.
Top CityWalk Counter Service Restaurants
Hot Dog Hall of Fame
The Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk is a hidden gem located up the alley from the Universal Studios Tour. The seating is all outside in actual stadium seats.
What makes the Hot Dog Hall of Fame so special is that there are twelve different types of hot dog, including a vegetarian option, and eight regional dogs. You can enjoy a Chicago, Boston, Washington, Kansas, Colorado, New York, Arizona, Milwaukee and Detroit. Each dog has the regional-style of chili and toppings that will make your mouth water.
If you’re feeling up to it, try the Two Foot Dog!
The Bread Box
The last restaurant on my list is Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches. The Bread Box is fashioned after a modern deli that you might find in a neighborhood in the city.
You can choose between melts and deli-style sandwiches that are prepared on the spot. There are pastrami, hot turkey, roast beef, brisket and more delightful options. The Bread Box is not on the main route out of City Walk, so it never feels like it’s in the center of one of the world’s busiest theme parks.
TIP: Use Mobile Express Pick Up
Universal now offers a service which allows you to order and pay for your quick service meals via their park app and pick up the food without waiting in line. It’s just perfect for those busy days. Works great and is being rolled out to an expanding list of restaurants. Just look for the Mobile Express symbol in the app.
And there you have it, my top Universal Orlando counter service restaurants. A multitude of menu choices and some of the best theming that you’ll find. The prices are reasonable and you can get an annual pass discount, as well.
What is your favorite counter service restaurant at Universal Orlando?
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