Universal table service restaurants

martin33 · Jan 20, 2017

Hi there,

We are staying at Universal (Portofino Bay) for the first time ever (2 nights) as part of a Disney trip this March. We look forward to trying some well themed restaurants with good quality food. I made a short list of restaurants we think we would like to try at both at the parks and/or the resort hotels. Emerils Tchoup Choup, Toothsome,and Mythos. Does anyone have any other restaurant recommendations for combination of atmosphere and at least good (no necessarily great) food? Our goal is above average atmosphere and food. Two adults, two kids. Thanks for any suggestions.

Parker Clan · Jan 20, 2017

We tried Emerils last year and really liked it! Great atmosphere & food.
Hands down our fave is Mama Dellas where you are staying. Last year ate there twice. Best Italian food! My fave is the chicken fettuccine Alfredo. They have singers and a guitarist walking around and you can request a song. They sang our wedding song to us (we were there on our Honeymoon) love this restaurant! We saw a family with young kids request the Spiderman theme song & they sang it

bchbetha · Jan 20, 2017

Cowfish is yummy!

martin33 · Jan 20, 2017

Thanks - I will check them both out! I think the hardest part will be narrowing down 4 meals/restaurants in two days!

bchbetha · Jan 20, 2017

Don't miss out on some counter service places like in Harry Potter or the Simpsons.

sunsetbeachgal · Jan 21, 2017

I you want nice a nice view, go to Margaritaville up on the second floor and snag one of the high top tables that overlook City Walk and the parks. The view is beautiful, especially at sunset. We did this in November and plan to go again when we return in February. Food was good too.

schumigirl · Jan 21, 2017

The Palm at HRH is a fabulous restaurant to consider too. Also Jakes at RPR has excellent food and great atmosphere, very casual.

In Citywalk Cowfish is one of the best choices.........it has a fabulous view of Citywalk too. Food is so good.

Mythos and Confisco Grill in IOA are both lovely.

martin33 · Jan 21, 2017

You guys rock - thanks again for the tips. These all seem like great choices for the reasons you've listed above. Has anyone been to toothsome? Its got mixed reviews on some of the review sites so hard to gauge. Narrowing the field as I definitely have enough to choose from now.

TommyJK · Jan 21, 2017

Went to Toothsome for the first time just this past week. It was incredible from the themeing to the food and especially the dessert.

It was fantastic!

schumigirl · Jan 21, 2017

We thought the theming of Toothsome was better than the food.

Burgers were nice, but you can get as good anywhere else. It's a fabulous place though and well worth seeing if even for the shop part of it.......it is fabulous!

Desserts are not for me, but I'm not really a dessert person.

Don't think we would go back.

tony67 · Jan 21, 2017

Id try toothsome at least once.

I've been several times and do enjoy it but I would agree to skip the burger - you can get an average burger anywhere.

I would not recommend margatitaville..been a few times and have never been impressed.
Obviously it has a built in fan base - so if you're going for that reason then fine, but otherwise I'd skip it.

I always enjoy Cowfish and have to do that at least once.

Both Emeril's restaurants are quite good, I like Emerald Orlando for lunch as they have some really good deals - but if you go for Dinner then I highly recommend the chefs menu - always top notch. I have not been to Emerils Tchoup Choup for a few years..but it is also very good IMO

I have not had a chance to try the restaurants in Sapphire, but I have heard good things.

Overall I find the table service restaurants much better then their Disney equivalents - on quality, service and price..

Canooknic · Jan 21, 2017

Emeril's and Cowfish are great; my boys insist on going to Bubba Gumps every trip too, I allow it because they do some pretty good cocktails and DH likes their desserts!

schumigirl · Jan 21, 2017

tony67 said:
Id try toothsome at least once.

I've been several times and do enjoy it but I would agree to skip the burger - you can get an average burger anywhere.

I would not recommend margatitaville..been a few times and have never been impressed.
Obviously it has a built in fan base - so if you're going for that reason then fine, but otherwise I'd skip it.

I always enjoy Cowfish and have to do that at least once.

Both Emeril's restaurants are quite good, I like Emerald Orlando for lunch as they have some really good deals - but if you go for Dinner then I highly recommend the chefs menu - always top notch. I have not been to Emerils Tchoup Choup for a few years..but it is also very good IMO

I have not had a chance to try the restaurants in Sapphire, but I have heard good things.

Overall I find the table service restaurants much better then their Disney equivalents - on quality, service and price..

I would absolutely agree with you about Margaritaville..........it used to be one of our favourite places in Citywalk, but last few years it has only really disappointed. Diminished menu from what it used to be and a definite lack of quality.........we had semi frozen food served two years ago. So much for fresh.

And another not so good experience this past trip we made the decision to only go for cocktails now........

Sapphire Falls we really enjoyed, especially Strong Water Tavern..........food was kinda tapas style but from various countries...........everything we tried was excellent and would definitely recommend eating there.......and cocktails are fabulous! And strong!

pcstang · Jan 21, 2017

schumigirl said:
I would absolutely agree with you about Margaritaville..........it used to be one of our favourite places in Citywalk, but last few years it has only really disappointed. Diminished menu from what it used to be and a definite lack of quality.........we had semi frozen food served two years ago. So much for fresh.

And another not so good experience this past trip we made the decision to only go for cocktails now........

Sapphire Falls we really enjoyed, especially Strong Water Tavern..........food was kinda tapas style but from various countries...........everything we tried was excellent and would definitely recommend eating there.......and cocktails are fabulous! And strong!

I agree with pretty much everything you've said. Margaritaville has really gone down hill food wise. It's still fun to get a drink and people watch. Cow fish is good, get the fried pickles app. It's a huge bowl and really good dipping sauce. Didn't care for toothsome. Cool place but, I didn't even know what steam punk was and the food was blah. NBC can be hit or miss. Vivo sauces were way to sweet for me when it opened and we didn't enjoy it. However, the reviews on TA lately seem to be really good. Might give it another shot. Tried antojitos three times and the service and food was not good IMO. The full service restaurants are about the same price, generally, as QS.

ThemeParkGuy · Jan 21, 2017

loved dinner at toothsome. just stay away from the flatbreads. most varied menu at citiwalk

mforce1 · Jan 21, 2017

Definitely should give Antojitos a try, if you like Mexican. I thought the fajitas/guacamole was delicious. And don't get me started on their margaritas, as they are strong and will make you want more!

martin33 · Jan 21, 2017

Ok I don't know how we will eat this much food in two days but here it goes - Day 1 lunch at Bubba Gump (Landrys member with $25 credit to use), dinner at Emeril's Orlando, Day 2 lunch at Mythos, dinner at Cowfish, and somewhere in there I will fit in drinks at Strongwater Tavern, and dessert at Toothsome. Good thing we will be walking alot

bchbetha · Jan 21, 2017

What are Park hours when you're there? How much ride time do you want to burn with lunch with only 2 days to visit?

JayDubs · Jan 21, 2017

Toothsome has great atmosphere...and the apps and cocktails are certainly above average. The desserts we had (non-milkshake, last page of the menu) were all good. Entrees were lackluster...consider skipping them and ordering more apps!

The best food we had of the places that we ate (we did not go to either of Emeril's places) was definitely at Cowfish. We went there twice. I wouldn't call it "themed," but the atmosphere is nice and if you're out on the deck, you've got a great view of citywalk. We sat outside the second time and had a GREAT time people watching...especially kids playing in the fountain.

Enjoy!

Mom3girls · Jan 22, 2017

We loved our meals at Toothsome and the theming is awesome. Husband liked the cocktails and my daughter and I snuck back for milkshakes on another night

Cowfish was delicious too. Request to sit on balcony upstairs

Universal table service restaurants

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