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Universal Orlando Dining

With dozens of restaurants, Universal has exceptional dining variety – everything from sushi to Butter Beer. You’ll see the opinions of our reviewers and those of our readers – including when they don’t agree!

Gru and a Minion Welcoming Guests at Despicable Me Character Breakfast
How to meet the Universal characters

There are plenty of chances to dine with favorite Universal characters while vacationing. This allows greater touring efficiency since you’re eating and greeting characters at the same time, but has definite disadvantages – not the least of which is price.

Visit our character page
What if we have food allergies or special requests?

We recommend making your needs known when booking your reservation and again when you arrive at the restaurant. Almost all experiences we’ve heard regarding allergies have been positive.

Universal Orlando is one of the best places to eat with allergies because of how accommodating its restaurants are.

Read more about dining at Universal Orlando with allergies
What are the different types of dining venues?
Table Service

Also known as full service, these are restaurants where you are seated by a host/hostess, order from a menu (except at family-style restaurants, where all get the same food), and are served your meal and drinks at your table by restaurant staff.

Quick Service

Also known at counter service. Service similar to that at a food court or fast food location. You stand at a counter (or use your phone) to order and carry your own food to a table to eat.

Food Cart

Also known as a food stand. Free-standing sales point, usually outdoors, offering a limited selection of items.

Bar or Lounge

Primarily a sales location for adult beverages, but may also serve a limited food menu.

Market

Typically located in the lobby of a resort hotel, offers a limited supply of packaged ready-to-eat food items.

Buffet

A subset of the table service restaurant genre. A host/hostess seats you, and wait staff will bring your beverages. Howevever, you fill your own plates of food and bring them to the table yourself.

Character Meal

A dining location where Universal characters visit each table to pose for photos and sign autographs. Most – but not all – character meals are buffets.

Where are the best places to eat?

Universal Studios Florida Dining

Islands of Adventure Dining

Epic Universe Dining

Volcano Bay Dining

CityWalk Dining
Gru and a Minion Welcoming Guests at Despicable Me Character Breakfast

Character Dining

Resort Dining
What do I need to do to make reservations?

Universal Orlando dining reservations can be made online or by calling Universal at (407) 224-3663. Universal uses a third party to manage their online reservations, so the easiest way to get to them is by visiting Universal Orlando's Dining Reservations page.

No credit card is required to book a Universal restaurant reservation, and there's no penalty for missing a reservation if your dinner plans unexpectedly change.

Reservations are not accepted for counter service restaurants.

How to Make a Universal Orlando Dining Reservation
Make Universal Dining Reservations
How do I use Mobile Ordering?

Many locations offer mobile ordering via the My Disney Experience app – allowing guests to pre-order food and pick it up at Quick Service restaurants. We’re big fans of this service. Visit our Mobile Ordering page for full details.

Step-by-Step guide to Mobile Ordering in the Universal parks
Do I tip at Universal Orlando?

A frequent area of confusion for Universal guests is the topic of tipping at Universal Orlando. Gratuities are a part of life when you travel in the United States. Our quick recommendations:

Table Service Dining: 18-20% tip (more for exceptional service)

Buffet Dining: tip like Table Service

Bars/Lounges: $2-3/drink, or 18-20% if you also get food

18-20% tips are typically added to prepaid meals, dinner shows, parties of six or more, and those using discounts.

Tipping at U.S. theme parks
Quick Tips on Dining
1
Book early

Table service restaurants are extremely popular, and many of them book up far in advance. Reserve as soon as you can.

2
High-speed dining

Theme park restaurants may rush their customers in order to make room for the next group of diners. This may appeal to a family with young, restless children.

3
Party size matters

Universal restaurants have comparatively few tables for parties of two. If you’re a duo, you might have to wait longer to be seated.

4
Tip may be included

At full-service Universal restaurants, an automatic gratuity of 18% is added to your tab for parties of six or more, even at buffets where you serve yourself.

5
Consider lunch

Some table service restaurants (especially at hotels) offer a lunch menu, serving up entrees similar to those on the dinner menu, but at a lower price.

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