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Dining on the Cheap in Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Globe

Inexpensive Dining Tips for Universal Orlando

Revised 4/2021

Dining while visiting Universal Orlando could get expensive.  However, there are inexpensive and yummy options.  So, follow along for some great tips. 

Note: Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.

It’s always good to have a plan.

As is true with other parks, Universal Orlando offers a Dining Plan that provides a significant discount on meals, snacks and beverages.  The price varies so check with the website near the date of your arrival. 

It’s just the two of us and we are not huge eaters, so this program wouldn’t have benefitted us much.  However, with hungry young children, you might want to consider it.  

Speaking of children...

On the whole, restaurants catering to children/families tend to be the least expensive.  Some of these establishments offer a variety of choices   One of our choices this visit was “Fast Food Blvd” inside “Springfield: Home of the Simpsons”.  Inside this food court, one can choose between several eateries based on the television series The Simpsons: Krusty Burger, The Frying Dutchman, Flaming Moe's, Cletus' Chicken Shack, Luigi's Pizza, and Lisa's Teahouse of Horror.   So, one can find most anything, including the simple hotdog, which was our choice.  What surprised us most, though, was the delicious curly fries—the best in the park. 

Note: Due to Covid, things change daily.  To stay up to date with ride closures, etc., download the official Universal Orlando Resort App.

Free birthday cupcake at the Fast Food Blvd inside Universal Orlando

Exciting Note:  Birthday babies received a free cupcake at the register.  Yum.

Wands, spell books and...great food?

Rebecca Black with a butterbeer inside the Leaky Cauldron

Inside both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are two of the best casual sit-down restaurants in the parks.  The Leaky Cauldron—inside Diagon Alley—and The Three Broomsticks—inside Hogsmeade—offer traditional British pub food for a decent price.  Cost of the beverages are a tad high though.  One exception is butterbeer $6.  

Step outside the parks and explore City Walk to find a great meal.

A winding river separates the two parks from colorful and boisterous City Walk, home of casual to formal dining choices.  With so many choices, like the over-the-top The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen (Wow!) and Vivo Italian Kitchen, how can one choose?  The great thing is, that we are lucky to have small appetites.  So, we can share one entrée here and one at another restaurant another night.  

Note: Please check the app or website for temporary closures or reduced hours.


All restaurants and their respective ambiances are great choices, but the meal and an atmosphere that resonated with me this trip was our meal at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.  To be honest, it wasn’t anything especially brilliant or complicated.  It was just perfect for the moment. 

Deciding to sit outside on the “Porch of Indecision”, we were entertained by a talented guitarist and lulled into a calm state by the warm breezes.  Our enthusiastic waiter, Kenny, briefly interrupted our sedate manner offering us a menu filled with diverse choices. 



Since, we were especially hungry that night, but still didn’t want two meals, I chose a Caesar salad and my husband a Black and Bleu burger.  Seems rather simple, right?  Well…not so much.  My salad was huge, filled with Cajun chicken, house-made croutons and fried onions.  Fried onions?!

Awesomeness!  The combination of bleu cheese and bacon on my hubby’s burger was over-the-top delicious.  His fries were amazing as well.  Both meals were reasonably priced—around $18.  Wine was $9 for a generous pour.

Caesar salad at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Universal Orlando

Because we were celebrating my birthday, we also received a generous piece of key lime pie for free as well.  Yum!

There were other dining options that could be even less expensive on the walk, like the Bread Box where you can make your own sandwiches on their amazing homemade breads.  I highly recommend checking out the “Top of The Walk Food Court” in the City Walk.  Stop in at Menchie’s for a yummy frozen yogurt. 

What are your experiences?

Please Read

Theme Park: Universal Orlando The Forbidden Journey

Restaurant Reviews: Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Diagon Alley

Favorites in Universal Studios Florida 

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