Where and when to eat?

[TammyAlphabet]

I am leaving in a few weeks for universal, and the parks close at 8 p.m. I was thinking that we could have a nice sit down dinner each night at Citywalk after the parks close, or a little earlier so as to beat the crowds. Will that work or do they close? Should I try to make some reservations? One night is my birthday, where would you go to have some fun.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Citywalk stays open til very late. All of the resturants in there are great....and depending on what you like, depends on which one to go to. Reservations are recommended but you can do that the day you get there...its not disney and places dont fill up years in advance.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Thanks for the response, I was afraid that the restaurants in Citywalk would close early since the parks are closing early, I have been to universal before but I forgot when they closed the last time we were there. My birthday in during our trip and I can't decide where would be a great place to eat.

 

[lovetheparks]

We are partial to Margaritaville - the food and drinks are great and it's always a fun atmosphere.

You don't HAVE to have them, but if you decide on a place and want to go when the parks let out, you may want to call for Priority Seating anyway just so your wait is less than everyone else's.

 

[bjakmom]

Does anyone have the # to call for priority seating? Does having PS get you a table any faster than presenting your Loews room card?

 

[lovetheparks]

Margaritaville's number is (407) 224-2155

In theory, it should not make a difference becuase it should all boil down to how many with PS were before you......but in the past when it's been really busy, we've done better with the call aheads.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If you plan to dine at either of Emeril's restaurants, a reservation is mandatory. Book as far ahead as possible. They fill up fast. Reservations at The Palm & Bice aren't as hard to get, but they can also be made at the following link:
http://www.opentable.com/start.aspx?m=28&n=64

Reservations for Hard Rock Cafe can be made at the following link or by calling 1-407-224-FOOD:
https://www.hardrock.com/px/px/register.asp?
selLocation=ORLANDO

NBA City reservations:
http://www.nba.com/nbacity/index.html

1-407-224-9255 - Number for making reservations at restaurants in Universal Parks & Resorts (excluding Emeril's)

1-407-224-2155 - Margaritaville

1-407-224-FOOD - Bob Marley, Pat O'Briens, Latin Quarter, & Pastamore
The number for Bubba Gump is 1-407-903-0044, but I'm not sure if they're taking reservations yet or not.

1-407-224-7223 is the number for Nascar Sports Grille. It has been recently redone. Like Bubba Gump, I'm not sure if they're taking reservations yet.

Some of the restaurants (i.e. Mythos) don't finalize schedules or take reservations, until around 2 weeks in advance.

You can also make same day reservations at kiosks at CityWalk & in the parks.

Note: Some of the restaurants take reservations. Some take priority seating, which is pretty much the same as having a reservation.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

OP, what type of experience are you looking for on your birthday? That would make a difference in recommendations. As has been noted, the restaurants @ CW & in the hotels are open later year round. The park restaurants are dependent on the park hours.

PS: We personally prefer making a reservation/ PS over showing our room key. There's a lot of people with room keys compared to the amount of restaurants on property.

 

[Puffy2]

Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant made a big deal out of birthdays when we were there. So did Hard Rock. Bubba Gump doesn't accept AAA discount. Hard Rock does. Bubba G. is expensive too.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Gosh yall, thanks for all the info! I have some decisions to make.

If bubba gump is expensive, is it at least good?

 

[Puffy2]

Bubba Gump was ok. Don't get sucked in to buying one of their nearly $4 specialty drinks (mine amounted to glorified OJ)

I was disappointed in food choices and quality throughout the Universal resort for the majority of our trip. After three days I felt like I was starving and couldn't find anything decent to eat. Sometimes you just want a cup of normal soup and a club sandwhich, ya know? And if I don't see another dry chicken and French Fry for a year, that will be ok with me. I think our best meal was at Hard Rock Cafe and it was just ok.