dining suggestions at US/IOA and City Walk

[bethinks2]

What are your favorite dining places in US/IOA and City Walk? Do you find that it is easier to be free and easy enjoying the parks and eating when your family feels like it, or is it better to have ressies and to have a scheduled "break" for lunch/dinner? On our last visit to US, we had ressies at Emerils for lunch and my family complained when we had to leave and go to City Walk-so I am hesitant to make ressies for our upcoming visit over Spring Break.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Patch'sD]

Our Favorite Restuarant is Margarittaville. Laid back, Food was Good, Friendly Service, and the Price was right. Never used reservations. We would eat a light breakfast and look to eat dinner around 4:30 PM, Never had a wait. Headed back to the park. I would consider Citywalk as part of the parks. At most the furthest point could not be more than 20 minutes from either park entrance. Only ate at Confisco's in IOA, didn't care for it much.

 

[themepark]

We loved Margaritaville. I will agree Patch'sD about the laid back, fun atmosphere, friendly service, and good food. And I love Jimmy Buffett! We also enjoyed Mythos in IOA. I would highly recommend going there to enjoy an quite an unusual meal for a theme park. It is more of an upscale restaurant as opposed to fast food with dishes such as Cedar Planked Salmon, Balsamic Chicken, wood oven pizzas. YUM...I wish I could eat there tonight! The food is unbelievably good! And don't worry, you don't have to dress up for dinner there. Mythos is located in the Lost Continent part of the IOA and t-shirts, shorts, sandals, sneakers are all appropriate while eating there.

We didn't have ressies for anywhere during our stay. The longest we waited was 15 min at Mythos during a very busy lunch time.

 

[gschmerl]

If you're staying on site your room key will get you next available seating (except at Emeril's).
My favorite is Mythos in IOA. I just LOVE the food there.
Also like Latin Quarter in CityWalk.
Unlike most others, we thought Margaritaville was just OK.
Had good, but noisy meals at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Had some wonderful lunches at Lombard's Landing in US.
If you like Gyros, try the Fire Eaters Grille in the Lost Continent.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Eat when you feel like it instead of making reservations.

What I usually do is see a couplethe first 2 Ghostbusters shows then use the side entrance (the secret, not really known gate to Universal that is right nextdoor to Hard Rock Cafe) and we eat lunch at Hard Rock Cafe then go back through that entrance and continue with our day. The usually don't need to eat until we leave the park for good because we are already full from earlier. This has worked out so well.

But, inside the park, my parents really like Cafe La Bamba at US and I like Confiscos at IOA.

 

[bethinks2]

Thanks for your input--I will start checking out their menus. I also appreciate the secret door into Hard Rock Cafe. Thanks

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by bethinks2
I also appreciate the secret door into Hard Rock Cafe. Thanks

No problem. When you are inside the park near Jimmy Neutron, you will see a sign pointing towards Nick studios that says "Hard Rock Cafe." So you walk past Nick Studios and there is the back of the Hard Rock. The gate is right to your left. Though you still have to go around to the front of the building, it definately saves you time and distance. Very few know about this entrance and so I have never seen a line to get back in, even when the main gate is still crowded. The gate isn't always open, however. I believe it opens at 11:30AM. Not sure when that gate closes either though. May have to ask them.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

They have the best BBQ chicken pizza I have ever had!!!!

They get so so reviews, but we loved it!!!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by SpideyHulk24
They have the best BBQ chicken pizza I have ever had!!!!

Oh!!! I have never been there before but BBQ pizza is good enough of a reason to try it! Yum!!

It doesn't have anything "extra" does it? lol. I like "simple" pizza.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

NBA City and Hard Rock Cafe are my CityWalk favorites. I've also had great experiences at Pastamore, Margaritaville, Latin Quarter, and NASCAR Cafe.

IOA Faves:
Comic Strip Cafe
Cafe 4
Thunder Falls
Mythos
Confiscos

USF Faves
Schwabs (for ice cream)
Finnegans
Internation Food and Film Festival
Boulangerie (great desserts and sandwiches)
Richters

 

[SpideyHulk24]

It has bbq sauce cheese chicken and onions. It is so gooooooood!!! and huggggggge!!!! Two people can easily share it!!!!