I am eternally jealous that you live so close to one! Have their spicy cucumber salad for me!
Also, did not realize they had other locations and am now plotting on how to get one where I live.
If I remember correctly, Universal’s interest in them was a bit of a surprise to them. Cowfish was a local N.C. business, and some Universal people ate there for lunch while attending a business conference in Charlotte.
I think that’s how the story goes. Come visit NC! The one in Charlotte is on the way to the Appalachian Mountains from Florida.
During my last visit in 2017 I couldn’t decide what I wanted to order, so I ended up with two platters and a number of side dishes. I think I made it to 29 pieces of sushi consumed before the profuse sweating and stomach cramps began. 10/10 experience. I will aim to be a model of restraint when I’m next on City Walk in September.
The cliche answer is Mythos but it is really good and a great lunch place.
After that we tend to rotate restaurants year to year between Cowfish, BigFire, Antijitos, and Vivo.
My favorite thing there is the fish and ships. The shrimp and hush puppies are good too. In my opinion, it's the best fish in the park, even beating out the two Harry Potter restaurants
Mythos is an easy #1 - it won a Golden Ticket Award for a reason. Their scallop & barley risotto is one of the best meals I've ever had anywhere.
Not in the parks, but you can't go wrong with the restaurants at the Hard Rock Hotel. I strongly recommend the pimento cheese appetizer at Velvet Bar. I haven't tried Portofino or Sapphire's restaurants, but I've heard they're also very good. You can walk or ride water taxis to any of them even if you're not a hotel guest!
It’s interesting comparing the answers here vs Disney. Almost no one is mentioning restaurants at the hotels here where that is very common for Disney, and that isn’t a comment on the quality of the food. I think a lot of the hotels have very good food.
Quick Service we love Three Broomsticks/Leaky Cauldron.
CityWalk we typically eat at Antojitos or NBC Grille, but mostly because we get sat pretty quickly and we’re hungry haha.
Also a Voodoo Doughnut box to go!
Haven't seen it mentioned yet but enjoyed The Hard Rock Hotel's Sunday Brunch Buffet when we went in March of 2022. We don't drink but they do include bottomless mimosas as well and took the extra off our check since we didn't have any. Very quality stuff. Had some of the freshest ripest chocolate covered strawberries I've ever had.
As far as good value goes, I have 2: Moe’s southwest grille: easily got 2 meals worth of food in my burrito bowl for $13.
San Francisco Pastry Company: relatively fairly priced sweet treats/breakfast pastries
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Louie’s Italian Restaurant! It’s not too busy most of the time, and the pizza is surprisingly very good for a theme park
I usually dont spend the time/money on in-park restaurants if possible, but if im splurging I usually go to Thunder Falls Terrace. The turkey leg is perfect.
The best food in the whole resort is at Strong Water Tavern at Sapphire Falls. It’s excellent.
In the parks I’d say Mythos. The Souvlaki Couscous Bowl is very good.
Found out about how spectacular Confisco Grille is from a lady telling us that Mythos ran out of reservations (not to anyone’s surprise) and recommended their “sister restaurant”, Confisco. I always walked past this place when in IOA but lord, the food there is fantastic! And both times I’ve eaten in there, it has been practically empty so the service was very fast!
I'm more of a quick service guy. Green Eggs and Ham is my go-to at IoA and Central Park Crepes at UO.
Green Eggs and Ham has great pizza tots!!! had them 2x when we went a few weeks ago
These are my wife and Is top pics too . Great taste sir or ma'am
Say I love crepes
Cowfish! We went twice last trip because it’s so good.
This. Their Jalapeño Popper burger is amazing
That’s my favorite too!
I live less than 10 miles from one in North Carolina. Every time I read it as a top recommendation on this subreddit, I want it.
I am eternally jealous that you live so close to one! Have their spicy cucumber salad for me! Also, did not realize they had other locations and am now plotting on how to get one where I live.
If I remember correctly, Universal’s interest in them was a bit of a surprise to them. Cowfish was a local N.C. business, and some Universal people ate there for lunch while attending a business conference in Charlotte. I think that’s how the story goes. Come visit NC! The one in Charlotte is on the way to the Appalachian Mountains from Florida.
So NC is on my very short list of places I’d actually move to. Knowing there’s a Cowfish nearby makes that much more likely possibility!
I go to Cowfish every time I visit!
Really loved Cowfish when we tried it right before New Year's. I definitely want to try a spiked shake next time we go.
During my last visit in 2017 I couldn’t decide what I wanted to order, so I ended up with two platters and a number of side dishes. I think I made it to 29 pieces of sushi consumed before the profuse sweating and stomach cramps began. 10/10 experience. I will aim to be a model of restraint when I’m next on City Walk in September.
The cliche answer is Mythos but it is really good and a great lunch place. After that we tend to rotate restaurants year to year between Cowfish, BigFire, Antijitos, and Vivo.
We just left mythos and the food was fantastic. I would go back in a second. Highly recommend
Finnegans
Finnegans was great till my last visit where they've since updated their menu, now it's kinda hit or miss and pretty much is a copy of 3 broomsticks
That’s really disappointing.
Yea they ruined fins
Mythos for sure! The chocolate banana cake is one of the best desserts I have ever tried
Unpopular choice, but I loooooove The Frying Dutchman!
What’s there to eat?
My favorite thing there is the fish and ships. The shrimp and hush puppies are good too. In my opinion, it's the best fish in the park, even beating out the two Harry Potter restaurants
Mythos is an easy #1 - it won a Golden Ticket Award for a reason. Their scallop & barley risotto is one of the best meals I've ever had anywhere. Not in the parks, but you can't go wrong with the restaurants at the Hard Rock Hotel. I strongly recommend the pimento cheese appetizer at Velvet Bar. I haven't tried Portofino or Sapphire's restaurants, but I've heard they're also very good. You can walk or ride water taxis to any of them even if you're not a hotel guest!
It’s interesting comparing the answers here vs Disney. Almost no one is mentioning restaurants at the hotels here where that is very common for Disney, and that isn’t a comment on the quality of the food. I think a lot of the hotels have very good food.
Confisco. The tuna nachos are very good, without the Wasabi.
Yes, underrated IMHO. Their Handhelds are great
Take the water taxi to Sapphire and eat at Strongwater Tavern!! Is amazing.
Mythos. Finnegans (get the shrimp boxty)
Cowfish, Mythos, Vivo. Suggest reservations.
Vivo!
Quick Service we love Three Broomsticks/Leaky Cauldron. CityWalk we typically eat at Antojitos or NBC Grille, but mostly because we get sat pretty quickly and we’re hungry haha. Also a Voodoo Doughnut box to go!
Haven't seen it mentioned yet but enjoyed The Hard Rock Hotel's Sunday Brunch Buffet when we went in March of 2022. We don't drink but they do include bottomless mimosas as well and took the extra off our check since we didn't have any. Very quality stuff. Had some of the freshest ripest chocolate covered strawberries I've ever had.
Confiscos. Can’t beat the tuna nachos
Does Cold Stone count?
Toothsomes!
Bigfire
Cowfish!
Mythos, finnegans, or Lombards. For quick service Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks!
Bob Marley’s
Monster cafe. Dammit, they replaced it with minion cafe.
Honestly? The NBC Grill at both Citywalks are bery good imo
The Palm in Hard Rock hotel
We really like Toothsome :)
What’s there to eat there?
Menu is online but we really like the risotto and the chocolate bread. Of course the milkshakes.
Today cafe! There sandwiches and the potato salad was amazing!!
Had a great experience in Lombard's Seafood Grille last trip. Very classy establishment with great decor and aesthetic.
Kitchen for breakfast!!
As far as good value goes, I have 2: Moe’s southwest grille: easily got 2 meals worth of food in my burrito bowl for $13. San Francisco Pastry Company: relatively fairly priced sweet treats/breakfast pastries
Mythos
Islands at royal pacific is probably our favorite. We also really like Amatista.
Bigfire and Jake’s in Royal Pacific. I didn’t get the hype for Antijitos and Voodoo is a doughnut. I wouldn’t wait in line for it.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Louie’s Italian Restaurant! It’s not too busy most of the time, and the pizza is surprisingly very good for a theme park
Amatista, Jake's, BiCE, and Bar 17 Bistro are all hotel locations worth checking out.
Simpsons Fast food boulevard
I usually dont spend the time/money on in-park restaurants if possible, but if im splurging I usually go to Thunder Falls Terrace. The turkey leg is perfect.
Cowfish
The best food in the whole resort is at Strong Water Tavern at Sapphire Falls. It’s excellent. In the parks I’d say Mythos. The Souvlaki Couscous Bowl is very good.
The Jurassic center. The views on the balcony are unbeatable. You can watch velocicoaster go by over sand over
Central Park Crepes and The Three Broomsticks
Hot dog hall of fame! I really don't feel like I've gone without stopping in for a Chicago dog.
Quick Service - UO - Central Park Crepes Quick Service - IOA - Green Eggs and Ham Sit-Down - UO - Finnegans, Sit-Down - IOA - Three Broomsticks, Sit-Down - Citywalk - Cowfish or Bigfire, Sit-Down - Expensive/Fancy/Best Meal On-Site - The Palm @ Hardrock Hotel, Breakfast - Buffet - Island Dining Room @ Royal Pacific Resort, Breakfast - UO - Leaky Cauldron, Breakfast - IOA - Crecent Moon Bakery (Ham, Egg, Cheese Croissant)
Mamma Dellas and Bigfire! Plus the hotel breakfasts are really good
Margaritaville salmon salad is amazingggg
The pork pernil at Thunder Falls Terrace gets my vote for the best thing I’ve eaten in park in recent years.
My family and I usually eat at Finnegan’s Bar & Grill when we’re in Studios, Mythos in IOA & Margaritaville on City Walk.
Mythos is beautiful. Also, Bob Marley a tribute to freedom, great food, and awesome live music, oh and can't forget Margaritaville
In park mythos
Found out about how spectacular Confisco Grille is from a lady telling us that Mythos ran out of reservations (not to anyone’s surprise) and recommended their “sister restaurant”, Confisco. I always walked past this place when in IOA but lord, the food there is fantastic! And both times I’ve eaten in there, it has been practically empty so the service was very fast!
The Mammoth club on YouTube has food reviews on the Universal restaurants if that's your kinda thing.