7 Best Places to Eat at CityWalk, Universal Orlando
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best restaurants at citywalk orlandoDistinguishing move: Cora can tasting-tour CityWalk during her press week and compare it head-to-head with Bar Helios and Epic Universe dining options, giving readers a 2026 view of whether CityWalk still wins for a pre or post-park meal.
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- Best CityWalk Restaurants in 2026 at a Glance
- 1. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
- 2. Bigfire
- 3. Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
- 4. Antojitos Authentic Mexican
- 5. Hard Rock Cafe
- 6. Pat O’Brien’s
- 7. Vivo Italian Kitchen
- 8. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co
- 9. Red Oven Pizza Bakery
- 10. Voodoo Doughnut
- Best CityWalk Restaurant for Date Night
- Best CityWalk Restaurants for Families
- Best Quick Bite Before Park Open
- How to Make Reservations at CityWalk
- CityWalk Restaurant FAQs
CityWalk is a free-to-visit entertainment complex at Universal Orlando. You’ll find some fantastic places to eat here. From budget-friendly quick-service spots to fine dining establishments. But which ones are best?
1. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savoury Feast Kitchen
🥗 Cuisine: American
💰 Price: $$
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is the best restaurant at CityWalk. This steampunk-themed restaurant serves American dishes such as steaks, seafood and burgers.
However, the real star here at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is the over-the-top milkshakes, available in flavours such as:
- Confetti
- RedVelvet
- Cookie Jar
2. Red Oven Pizza Bakery
🥗 Cuisine: American Italian
💰 Price: $
Red Oven Pizza Bakery is the best budget-friendly spot at CityWalk. It offers red and white pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven with various toppings. Prices start at just $14, and there is both indoor and outdoor seating available.
3. Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
🥗 Cuisine: Sushi & Burgers
💰 Price: $$$
If you didn’t think burgers and sushi go together, think again. Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar offers everything from traditional sashimi to burger-sushi hybrids.
With such a lively atmosphere and diverse menu, Cowfish Sushi Burger is a great choice if you’re looking for something a little different.
4. Voodoo Doughnut
🥗 Cuisine: Doughnuts
💰 Price: $
No visit to Universal Orlando is complete without picking up a Voodoo Doughnut. This iconic chain offers a range of traditional and quirky doughnut options.
Sadly there’s no seating at Voodoo Doughnut. So you’ll either need to eat on the go or grab a box to take them back to your hotel.
5. Hard Rock Café
🥗 Cuisine: American
💰 Price: $$
Universal Orlando CityWalk has the world’s largest Hard Rock Café. This restaurant is next to Hard Rock Live, a 3,000-person concert venue.
This restaurant also has the biggest memorabilia collection, including outfits from Elvis Presley and Prince. Meanwhile, with a wide selection of American dishes, this place is an excellent choice for families.
6. Hot Dog Hall of Fame
🥗 Cuisine: American
💰 Price: $
Another great budget-friendly option at CityWalk is the Hot Dog Hall of Fame. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of hot dogs, from a classic New York dog with sauerkraut to an authentic Milwaukee bratwurst.
The food at the Hot Dog Hall of Fame is fantastic, especially for the price. However, there’s limited seating available here which can make dining difficult at busy times.
7. NBC Sports Grill
🥗 Cuisine: American
💰 Price: $$
NBC Sports Grill is one of the biggest and busiest restaurants at CityWalk. You’ll find classic American dishes like burgers, ribs, and nachos here. However, the real highlight is the incredible sports atmosphere.
With nearly 100 HD screens playing nonstop games, this restaurant is a must-visit for sports fans. Meanwhile, beer lovers will enjoy the 100 beers available in bottle and draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions readers ask me most often about dining at Universal CityWalk.
Do you need a park ticket to eat at CityWalk?
No, CityWalk is free to enter and you don’t need a Universal park ticket to dine at any of its restaurants. The district sits between the parking structure and the park entrances, so anyone can walk in for a meal. Parking at the main complex is $30 per day in 2026 and free for non-event guests after 6 PM.
What is the most popular restaurant at CityWalk Orlando?
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is the most-talked-about CityWalk venue, known for its steampunk interior with 97-foot smokestacks and its signature milkshakes like Confetti, Red Velvet, and Cookie Jar. Mains run roughly $20 to $40 and milkshakes start around $17. We always book in advance, since walk-ins regularly wait 45 to 60 minutes on weekend evenings.
Can you get Butterbeer at CityWalk?
Yes, the expanded Universal Studios Store at CityWalk added a dedicated Butterbeer counter in May 2025, the first place to buy Butterbeer outside a theme park. Cold and frozen versions are around $8.99, with hot Butterbeer also available. No park ticket is needed, which makes it a fun stop before or after a meal.
Are there budget-friendly restaurants at CityWalk?
Yes, Red Oven Pizza Bakery is the most affordable sit-down option, with whole wood-fired pies starting around $16 in 2026 (note that prices rose after the March 2025 hike). Voodoo Doughnut has nearly all doughnuts at $4.75 or under, and the CityWalk food court area covers Moe’s Southwest Grill, Burger King, and Panda Express. Mobile ordering is supported at several of these venues through the Universal Orlando app.
What is replacing Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk?
Hot Dog Hall of Fame closes in July 2026 and will be rebranded as Joey Fatone’s Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice, announced in May 2026. The new concept will continue serving regional hot dogs along with Italian ice. If you’re hoping to try the stadium-bleacher seating in its original form, plan a visit before July.
Does CityWalk Orlando take dining reservations?
Most table-service CityWalk restaurants accept reservations, including Toothsome, NBC Sports Grill and Brew, Hard Rock Cafe, and Bigfire. You can book through OpenTable or call Universal Dining on 407-224-FOOD. Quick-service spots like Red Oven, Voodoo, and the food court are walk-up only.
