Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Top Dining Spots for Your Vacation

Universal Orlando Resort contains many quality table service restaurants. What are the best Universal Orlando table service restaurants?

Many Orlando area visitors do not think of Universal Orlando Resort as a place for great dining. However, several quality table service dining options exist at Universal Orlando Report. The number of good table service restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort does not match that of other main theme park resorts in the Orlando area. Still, some table service restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort deserve consideration.

Generally, the table service restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort offer more value than comparable ones at Walt Disney World. Also, we expect a new addition or two to the best Universal Orlando table service restaurant list when Universal Epic Universe opens in May 2025. Until then, our list contains the best table service dining options found at the theme parks, hotels, and Universal CityWalk Orlando.

Table Service Restaurants Versus Quick Service Restaurants

While quick service restaurants make an excellent option for quick and expensive theme park meals, table-service dining allows guests to relax and take a break from the theme park crowd. If possible, people should make an advance dining reservation at a table service restaurant.  If you are looking for quick service dining, we previously wrote about “Best Universal Orlando Quick Service Dining.”

For table service dining, diners will check in with a host or hostess.  After being seated, guests will have a server take their order. Guests should expect to leave a tip for their server.

Those doing quick service dining will usually visit a counter (or place a mobile order). After that, they will receive their food and find a place to sit if mobile table delivery is not used at that dining operation.

Full Service?

Universal Orlando Resort refers to table service restaurants as “full service” restaurants. Do not let this more upscale name confuse you. No Universal Orlando restaurant should be considered too upscale for theme park guests.

If your group has the time and vacation budget to dine at table service restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort, there are several options to enjoy. We find the prices for entrees at Universal Orlando Resort’s table service restaurant are not outrageous compared to the quick service prices. Also, the top two levels of annual passholders receive a 10 or 15 percent discount on almost all food and non-alcoholic beverages at Universal Orlando Resort. In addition, most of the better table service dining options are outside the two current Universal Orlando theme parks. Taking a meal break outside the theme parks during busy times of the day makes sense for many reasons:

• Dining in climate-controlled environments to avoid sun or rain
• Ability to sit and relax
• A server brings you food and beverages instead of you doing all the work to find a table and get settled.
• Usually, there are more choices on the menu so everyone in the group can have something they want
• The theming and atmosphere at table service is superior to most quick service.

For guests willing to spend a little bit more, dining at a table service restaurant elevates the dining experience. Guests staying for a multi-day Universal Orlando vacation should reserve at least one table service meal during that time to fully enjoy their time.

We have narrowed the list of table service restaurants down to a manageable list. The list of best Universal Orlando table service restaurants will not be in any order since the final variables to determine the “Best” depends on your group. Guests should be able to find a few options that will fit their group’s needs from this list. So, let us get to the list.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel

The Palm at the Hard Rock Hotel is our list’s most upscale or signature-level table service restaurant. It is reached from Universal CityWalk Orlando by taking a short walk to the hotel or riding the complimentary water taxi.

The Palm is at the Hard Rock Hotel, not the Hard Rock Café in CityWalk. Many guests confuse the CityWalk restaurant with the Signature Collection Universal Orlando hotel.

Simply put, The Palm qualifies as the upscale steakhouse for Universal Orlando Resort. It is part of a chain of restaurants under Landry’s Restaurant Group. Ironically, the same parent company that runs Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. at Citywalk, which will not make our list of best Universal Orlando table service restaurants, operates The Palm.

The Palm’s house specialties include New York strip, bone-in rib eye, lamb chops, and veal parmigiana. We have yet to find an item on the menu that we did not enjoy.

The Palm’s weakness revolves around the prices. It is one of the most expensive restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort. On busy nights, this place can also get loud. There are better options for a romantic date night at Universal Orlando Resort.

We visit The Palm often for the “Prime Time” happy hour at the bar. Guests can purchase discounted drinks and small bites at the bar Sunday through Friday, 4:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

As stated earlier, this place’s weaknesses involve the price and noise factor. However, the best steak and seafood at Universal Orlando Resort can be found here.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

We stay at the Universal Orlando Resort hotels for our next suggestion for the best table service restaurant. Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort provides quality dining in a relaxing location within easy walking distance of Universal Islands of Adventure.

Islands Dining Room resides on the first floor near the main pool at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Guests visiting the two current Universal Orlando theme parks can walk five to ten minutes to this restaurant.

Islands Dining Room offers guests a taste of the Polynesian Islands. The hotel’s website says this about this restaurant: “You’ll feel like an islander in this Polynesian-inspired restaurant. Enjoy a meal as unique as the Pacific Islands themselves. The menus conveniently offer both traditional family fare and South Seas specialties. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.”

Islands Dining Room offers a breakfast buffet for $32. Guests can also order breakfast entrees a la carte. Also, bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, and vodka spritzes are available on weekends and cost $27.

The dinner menu contains many items that reflect the Polynesian theme, such as appetizers such as chicken lettuce wraps and shrimp tempura. The main entrees range from Mongolian Beef, Hibachi Teriyaki Salmon, Sticky Ribs, and Teppanyaki Vegan Steak.

Wok Experience

However, the best reason to visit Islands Dining Room revolves around the weekend all-you-care-to-eat option. The Wok Experience happens on Friday and Saturday evenings. This all-you-care-to-eat option costs $39 for adults and $18 for kids aged three to nine. Those who purchase this option can create their Pan-Asian stir-fry bowl with a choice of protein, vegetable, starch, and sauce. The Wok Experience also includes the full salad bar, soup of the day, and dessert.

Islands Dining Room makes a good choice for groups looking for a variety of options at reasonable theme park resort pricing. It is only a short walk from the main theme parks, so guests can add this to their options when considering the better table service dining options at Universal Orlando Resort. Please remember that, like all the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, anybody can visit to look at the resort and dine there.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Mama Della’s at Portofino Bay Hotel

Staying at the Universal Orlando Resort hotel, we move to the Italian-themed hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel. This hotel qualifies as the nicest one on the property. It also offers the most table service dining options. Though highly recognized restaurants are at this hotel, we suggest Mama Della’s over the other options.

Mama Della’s serves Italian cuisine in a pleasant setting. Mama Della’s opens for dinner each evening at 5:00 p.m. Dinner runs until 10:00 p.m. In addition to an extensive wine list, guests can order items on the menu like:

• Caprese
• Saffron Arancini
• Grilled Salmon
• Lasagna
• Chicken Carbonara

Guests looking for a relaxing dining experience will enjoy Mama Della’s. While there, they can explore Portofino Bay Hotel. Guests taking the complimentary water taxis back to Universal CityWalk Orlando might find that it adds to the overall experience.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

This table service restaurant location replaced the former NBA City Restaurant at Universal CityWalk Orlando. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen opened in Orlando in September 2016. Since its opening, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen have served savory entrees, an all-day brunch menu, and extravagant desserts.

Guests can find Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen in Universal CityWalk Orlando between the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. This table service restaurant draws large crowds. Guests planning to dine here in the evening, on weekends, or during the busy season should make advance dining reservations.

The exterior of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen tells a narrative before guests enter. The busy and stylish-looking façade introduces the guests to the steampunk setting.

Penelope

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen comes with a backstory. Penelope, the “owner,” and her trusted sidekick, Jacques, operate Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. According to the backstory, Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker learned new and fascinating methods of infusing chocolate into the most extraordinary recipes. She made friends and received honors everywhere she went.

Upon returning home to London, Penelope determined that she would share her love and knowledge of chocolate with the world. She built The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, an enchanting 19th-century-themed, steampunk-inspired dining establishment with a façade of towering smokestacks and an interior adorned with intriguing gadgets and gizmos. Guests might meet Penelope and Jacque during their dining experience at Toothsome.

 

This table service restaurant has a walk-up foundry. Guests can order one of the area’s signature milkshakes or other desserts. There is some indoor seating for guests and outdoor seating for people using the walk-up counter.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen has a merchandise area, two dining floors, and an upstairs bar. Some of the most popular items on the menu are the Warm Chocolate Almond Bread, Roaster Brussel Sprouts, several burger and sandwich options, brunch items, and photo-worthy milkshakes.

Guests dining at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen should save room for dessert. If dining in a group, the sundaes are easier to share than the milkshakes.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Mythos Restaurant

This internet site proclaimed best theme park restaurant in Universal Islands of Adventure resides in the Lost Continent area. Mythos Restaurant offers excellent table service meals, whether the best or not!

The décor of this table service restaurant reflects the Greco-Roman mythological nature of the Lost Continent area of Universal Islands of Adventure. Even though that theme park land looks like a shell of its former self, Mythos stands as an architectural highlight for theme park guests making their way through this land.

Mythos remains one of the more arduous advance dining reservations to acquire at Universal Orlando Resort. Still, dining here should not be too challenging unless guests visit during a busy time of year. Guests looking to dine here should check the operating hours since Mythos may close a few hours before Universal Islands of Adventure closes. This does not usually happen, but it is better to make sure before you plan to dine at Mythos.+

Mythos offers many quality table service appetizers and entrees. Some examples include Spanakopita Dip, Mediterranean Lamb Flatbread, Beef Loin Medallions, Pad Thai, and the Mythos Signature Lamb Burger. We used to recommend the Fork, Knife, and Spoon Grilled Cheese. However, when this started costing over $20, that lowered our endorsement. Still, it is an excellent presentation of this classic dish.

 

Mythos Restaurant makes an excellent theme park dining choice compared to others in the Orlando area. If you dine here, take some time to enjoy the lagoon area behind the restaurant.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at Universal CityWalk Orlando

This table service restaurant boasts a unique name along with some unique dishes. This third-party restaurant is part of a small chain. As the restaurant’s name implies, guests should expect sushi and burgers. Generally, a restaurant that offers such a varied menu should be avoided. Nevertheless, Cowfish Sushu Burger Bar stands as an exception.

Guests find Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar on the second floor of Universal CityWalk Orlando. However, most guests will enter on the first floor near Vivo Italian Kitchen. Cowfish also offers an outdoor patio area.

This restaurant creates fusion-style food focusing on sushi and burgers. In fact, this place sells Burgushi, an actual merging of the two food styles. In fact, The All-American Bacon Double Cheeseburgooshi continues to be very popular at Cowfish.

At Cowfish, guests can enjoy some of the best burgers, without any sushi, on Universal Orlando Resort property. Also, Cowfish offers some high-quality sushi if you are not planning to visit an upscale sushi restaurant while in Orlando.

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar also scores high with kids. The kids’ meal options here will satisfy most kids, even the picky eaters. The entire family can enjoy the experience here.

While Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar has a well-earned reputation for slower service than other Universal CityWalk Orlando table service restaurants, the pros outweigh the cons here. We have always enjoyed our food and the overall experience at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar.

Best Universal Orlando Table Service Restaurants: Vivo Italian Kitchen at Universal CityWalk Orlando

Theme park resort Italian restaurants do not have the best reputation in the Orlando market. After consulting with colleagues, a consensus was reached that Vivo Italian Kitchen stood out as the best overall value in Italian food at the Orlando area theme parks. There are options with better food, but the price point reflects that. Though we are concerned about the price increase at Vivo Italian Kitchen, it still offers a solid value for most guests.

At Vivo Italian Kitchen, guests experience well-prepared pasta dishes that often make you think a traditional Italian family of cooks prepared your meal. If you visualize pasta dishes comparable to a popular Italian chain restaurant where everyone is family, the food will be superior here.

Everyone can eat here with quality ingredients and enough variety on the menu. This place can make a great group dining experience or a nice date night. However, tell the hostess that if you are looking for a romantic meal. Some tables will be noisy and not conducive to a date night.

The Vivo Italian Kitchen menu offers a variety of appetizers, wood-stone pizzas, pasta dishes, and a few more upscale items. Guests should be able to find something they will enjoy. We recommend the pizzas, Squid Ink Seafood, Vegan Sausage Pasta, and Lamb Ragu at Vivo Italian Kitchen.

Hungry For Your Next Universal Orlando Resort Vacation?

Universal Orlando presents guests with many quality table service restaurants to enjoy during their vacation. Those pair well with the exciting Universal Orlando Resort vacation. The “Pixies” at Pixie Vacations can help you plan your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation. Best of all, their services are free to you. Groups wanting a person in your corner to lower the stress of the vacation should consult with the “Pixies.” Most of all, enjoy the planning and relaxation of your vacation.