First time visiting Hard Rock Café at Universal, and I was actually surprised there was no line! We were seated pretty quickly, and the service was fast from the beginning. We visited at the beginning of September, and they were already previewing some of the Halloween drinks. I tried a couple from the Halloween menu, and they had several different options. If you're a Universal team member, show your ID and you can get a special discount on the drinks, which I thought was pretty cool. For food, I had the fajitas and they were good and definitely enough for two people. Everything came out pretty quickly, too. The atmosphere here is really cool. There's a hanging car right in the middle of the first floor that definitely catches your attention and adds to the whole vibe. Overall, I had a good first experience and would definitely come back to try some of the other things on the menu. read more

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Overall, CityWalk can be quite fun as they have tons of spot for live music and entertainment. A bit overpriced, it feels way less magical here than in the parks, so the premium cost feels a little more apparent. I've never found a food spot here that I swear by, except easy-lifts like Auntie Anne's and Cold Stone Creamery. I wish their was slightly more thought in the overall theme. That being said, the huge Universal shop close to the main entrance has everything and anything you could imagine related to Universal's IPs of old and new! read more

One of my favorite outdoor mall-esque shopping areas. This was my first experience at a HardRock cafe, and I love the smashed Godsmack guitar by the Register in the gift shop. I also love the AMC and going to VooDoo doughnuts when I'm in the area. It's fun as a standalone trip, or something to do after going to the parks. read more

Universal CityWalk - Godsmack guitar - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Honestly .. I had extremely low expectations. Theme Parks have never been my thing typically in the past ... but as the years go by I've been progressively impressed with the varieties of activities, restaurants & entertainment offered by these big megaplexes. I thought that the choices of food was going to be underwhelming .. it wasn't. Truly surprised. Truly impressed. There is something to do for all ages. Remember to wear your MOST comfortable long wearing shoe you have cuz you're going to walk a LOT. You will get your exercise and steps in. Make sure you drink plenty of water& electrolytes... it's stupid hot at these types of places .. yes you can go inside air conditioned buildings to cool off .. but that's only to tempt you to buy things .. lol. Can't believe I was here at Universal City Walk 25 years .., it's only been here for 27 years ... so seeing how this place has matured over the years and how many new options they are putting in place .. I'm impressed with all the offerings I'm looking forward to trying that steakhouse that looks so modern and cool inside... it's called : BigFire. And .. another one that's catching my eye is The Palm. But we all know The Palm is always top tier .. top notch . Fantastic experience so I'd like to try BigFire. Has anyone tried Big Fire ? And did you like it ? read more

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Previously left a 2 star review after my first visit a few years ago, where I didn't really get the allure of the Universal CityWalk. But I guess since I've been back many, many times, I sorta do like the place after all, lol. Every time we come to Orlando we always wind up stopping by here, primarily because you have to walk through it in order to get to the amusement parks and back to your car. But my kids also genuinely love to walk around here and experience the vibe and shop, so we wind up hanging around here quite a bit. I will say this, it's definitely an eye catching spot where you can relax after a day at Islands of Adventure and the Studios and also get some great photos and a beer. And they do have some cool bands coming through the Hard Rock Live. Not bad I guess! read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

The city walk at night is great. During the night time parking is free. The city walk is the center area connecting to the major theme park. The parking has character and column number to identify your parking area. We were strolling smoothly while visiting every store at the center. We like couple of the store like the chocolate factory, margaritasville, and the voodoo donut. The walk around the lake takes 40 minutes. read more

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Two visits here and both times were enjoyable. I do like walking about and taking in all of the offerings from the specialty chocolate shop to gift shops and everything in between. I think there's something here for everyone. Family fun all around. Even when it's crowded, it's still easily navigated. Be ready to spend the loot! read more

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Plenty to do here no matter a kid or adult. It's free to enter and safe as they do security checks prior to entry. Also easiest way to get to universal and islands of adventure read more

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Very cool space! Tons of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. A lot of fun to spend the evening at exploring. read more

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The bit that I experienced was great and I'm glad to better understand what the City Walk offers - food, cocktails, souvenirs, music, movies, coffee, shopping, etc. What we learned during our visit: - Open 8a-midnight - The path to Universal Studios and Islands - Requirement to pass through security, including bag scans - Great spot to eat before or after visiting a Universal park - Several parking garages and designated spot for ride share - General bathroom areas are available and tucked into the corners The crowd was busy any time that we visited and in the evening it was the busiest. If you're not familiar or local to the area, check out their website to learn what businesses are available. read more

Universal CityWalk - Voodoo Doughnut: Popular doughnut spot or at least to snap a photo - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Had a great time at City Walk! Lots of restaurants and things to see. Universal is a short walk away and it was pretty nice! Lots of bars, restaurants, and some sites to check out! There's also water taxis taking you to and from a hotel if you're staying at Hard Rock or Sapphire Falls (where I was). Definitely need 3 ish hours I'd say to explore thoroughly! read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

March 2026 Citywalk is a great spot to shop, grab a bite to eat, & people watch with the endless crowds of people that move through here on the daily! Security & parking were well setup. This is a great spot to visit on your way to/from Universal Parks or if you just want to walk around & see the sites without buying a ticket to the Parks. You don't need any ticket to visit the CityWalk! read more

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This is a great place to see the drone show, get a bite to eat and drink and of course purchase merch, if your experiencing the parks and resorts. The prices are what u expect so dont be shocked lol. I went with adults so we had a great time. read more

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Super cool & vibey spot. I went after a full dinner and it was so worth walking it off. From stores to restaurants, super cool place. It was of course crowded but it was all about making new memories for my birthday, i had so much fun drinking wine and walking around. The parking was free which was shocking to me since everything in these places cost an arm & a leg lol. Super cool tho, I'll have to come back and bring my whole family back. The butterbeer from HERE does NOT taste as good as the actual drink from Harry Porter Universal Studios, i got a tummy ache IMMEDIATELY after the first sip :/ other than that, everything else was MEMORABLE. read more

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Shopping and waterway access in front of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios in Orlando, you actually walk through this area before you enter the parks if you're coming from the parking area (it adds to the walk) - similar to Disney Springs. Parking decks are nice as they keep the car cool ($30+tax for parking prepaid online, $3 cheaper than in-person, free after 6pm) and have long people movers and escalators, not all of which work. Along with the bus stops and shuttle area, goes to a security hub, where you get scanned and then pass into the CityWalk area. Lots of shopping, restaurants (both chains and some more interesting local choices), a Universal theater, and you can also find things like the turkey legs out here (not just in the park) in case you miss anything. There's also various entertainment spots including golf, club, Universal escape room, and more. Basically a Disney Springs in front of the two parks here (Islands of Adventure IoA and Universal Studios Florida USF). Crowds are common and it's not the most efficient layout. There's a separate walkway along the water to the premium hotels and some water shuttle stops to the hotels. People happily drinking around the venue. Lots of walking, though. Be prepared. read more

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Just wow! There is so much to do at Universal CityWalk. We enjoyed a nice cold butter beer, then over to NBC Sports Grille for some dinner and then over to VooDoo Doughnuts. Quickly ran up to Fat Tuesday for a couple drinks then off to mini golf. We really enjoyed ourselves for the few hours we were there.... even in the rain. Fun spot to check out while you're in town. read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Outside the park gates at Universal, there's an outdoor entertainment complex free for all to enter and explore. Lined with shops and restaurants, a movie theatre and Hard Rock venue. Not Disney Springs but the same idea. CityWalk features a Super Nintendo World store on theme with its Epic Universe attraction. Concerts and comedians at the Hard Rock keep me coming back. Well lit and just as fun at night, be prepared for a lot of walking. read more

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Easy bus to, but a bit confusing out ( the buses all stop at one place but be sure to read the sign to make sure its the right direction). You go up an escalator and walkway with everyone and then go through security to reach the city walk. Citywalk is nice with some general merch stores, but i definitely say theres more merch inside (especially for how to train your dragon). There is a voodoo doughnuts there and when we went it didn't seem too crowded or have much of a wait unlike the oregon ones. The chocolate emporium was a bit disappointing because I had expected more chocolate factory/chocolate sculptures but it really is a chocolate themed restaraunt with a selection of fancy macarons and truffles with a gift shop, not much to see. Going in the afternoon is nice because it has some breeze from the water. Not too many stores to look at more restaraunts, but a chill spot. read more

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Haven't been to CityWalk in a couple of years and except for a couple of minor vendor changes and some tree trimming outside, it's good to see that nothing has really changed. Moving walkways still not working, prices still overpriced, lines still outside through the door. I really miss going to Universal. read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Universal CityWalk is one of my favorite places to visit while going to the theme parks! It has some of the best restaurants too! Universal CityWalk in Orlando Florida connects to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. CityWalk is a destination that has plenty of dining, shopping, and nightlife experiences. Universal CityWalk is open to the public without an admission fee. You will have to pay for parking, depending on the time of day though! One of the coolest dining experiences though is the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. The design is based on a steampunk inspired eatery! I've ate at this restaurant a few times and the desserts are just awesome! My favorite is the Birthday cake and ice cream dessert! The entrees are good too! Some of the other restaurants at Universal CityWalk include the following Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food Bubba Gump Shrimp Co NBC Sports Grill & Brew Bend the Bao The CowFish Sushi and Burger Bar and plenty of other dining experiences! There are a lot of stores at Universal CityWalk too! There is a large Universal Studios Store that just recently expanded with an add on for Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World! It has everything from wizard wands, superhero gear, accessories, memorabilia, Nintendo themed apparel and so much more! The nightlife activities here are awesome! There is live music venues, bars, and other areas! The Rising Star is a karaoke bar where guests can perform with a live band or singers can sing live! Some of the areas even transform for special events like for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios! There is even a Universal Cinemark where you can watch movies! A new escape room add on recently opened up too! I really enjoy how the layout is of Universal CityWalk, with the water in the middle, and the circular design of all of the restaurants and shopping experiences! This is such a fun experience! I'd recommend spending some time here after visiting the Universal theme parks! read more

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Soooooo I don't like that you have to pay $35 to park if you're just going to city walk. I didn't want to visit the parks. That was kinda blah. I do like the variety of places to visit. Not sure if I will pay $35 again just to eat and do activities read more

I find City Walk, and really all of Universal's food and beverage offerings, to just be so weak. They bring in one chain restaurant after another, all under performing, and you just feel like you've never left the airport if you've flown to and from here. And I say that in both quality and cost, because these are theme park (aka airport) prices. Whether it's the horrible food of Bubba Gump mixed with cheesy trivia, the dirty food court, or the worst Margaritaville I've been to in the chain, there's just nothing great about this place. No real higher end options, staff mostly don't seem to enjoy being here, always fun going through a metal detector on the way to dinner, etc. Disney Springs, the closest thing we can compare this to, is better with far better variety. I don't need five different places to get fried food Universal... read more

This area has a lot of variety of places to shop and to dine. It was very well maintained and clean. At night it's lit up. Everyone was very nice and helpful wherever we went on the strip. The best part is that it connects Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. read more

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Very pretty walk around with stores and restaurants and souvenir shops to enjoy. I do wish they would have had some entertainment while walking around but maybe that happens at night time. It was a nice afternoon out with my family. In the Orlando area? Check It Out! read more

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Universal CityWalk is always a vibe, but this last visit was next level! The energy, the music, the lights -- everything just makes it such a fun place to hang out whether you're starting your night or winding down after the parks. What really made the experience stand out was the incredible service at the bar. Tim, our bartender, was absolutely amazing. He was friendly, attentive, and made some of the best drinks we've had in a while. You can tell he genuinely cares about the guest experience -- he was quick, personable, and made great recommendations. Even when it got busy, he kept the energy up and made everyone feel taken care of. CityWalk is already a great time, but team members like Tim are what make it memorable. We'll definitely be back -- and we'll be looking for Tim behind the bar again! read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Always many restaurants to choose from. We love Toothsomes Chocolate Factory and Margaritaville !

I became a Universal Studios Annual Passholder in May of 2025. Since then, I have tried over half of the restaurants here, and I like walking around to people watch. Best sit down restaurant: Vivo Italian Kitchen Best fast food restaurant: Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches I also, have bought a ton of stuff at the Universal Studios Store. They now have so many nintendo things to pick from. I've bought a Bowser Jr T shirt, pins, lanyards, and now they even have Power-Up Bands. Go Team DK baby! Regular parking here is $32 which is nuts. However, with my annual pass it is free. read more

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Let's just say $35 for parking just to go to a restaurant and one shop, not worth it . Disney Springs bigger and free parking read more

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It was technically a City Walk. I'm comparing it to the Hollywood one which is amazing, which I shouldn't do. I should just try to compare it to itself, but... Oh boy. I mean, there was a great mini-golf place there, and we enjoyed the food and booze at Jimmy Buffets, but as we walked past the stores my overall thought was "...and that's not for me, and there's nothing for me in that store either, that's also not of interest..." and so on. I guess I'll give it 4 stars for interesting ambiance. It's like Disney Springs but it's lesser sibling that's really trying hard and means well, but just can't figure out how to be noteworthy. read more

We were gonna go down to universal walk.But just the park in the parking lot, it was twenty two dollars.And we just wanted to go look around.And stuff, and I didn't want to pay twenty two dollars.The only place that reimburse you if you went to the movies they will reimburse u. read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Awesome place tons to see and do what a blast! And it's free to walk around which is a nice touch. We always visit when we're in Orlando it's just a ton of fun overall! It's not the cheapest place for food and drinks or shopping but you're likely on vacation it's to be expected! Definitely always worth a visit! read more

Universal CityWalk is a free outdoor space with access to the infamous Universal Studies sign outside the park! This is such a BUSY area, especially at night. There are many restaurants and shopping centers especially for the Universal Studios brand. We walked through here our first night, but it was so overwhelmingly crowded that I was already over it. We did go into a few stores to get our lanyards and hats. I also wanted to say: they sell turkey legs at the general kiosk and food stall stands. That was great! This is a huge space, so if you are in the area and are looking to pass time, this would be nice. read more

This isn't my first time visiting but my first time writing about it. What can I say about Universal Citywalk that hasn't already been said?!? This is certainly not going to be a review of every specific eatery or shop at Citywalk, but simply a reiteration of what a great place to visit. It is free to visit, but I understand the parking can be expensive and problematic. Although at the very end/edge of Citywalk, many consider the iconic Universal rotating "ball" at the entrance to Universal Orlando to be a part of Citywalk. Anyone can walk up and down Citywalk and enjoy the many eateries and shops or an outdoor live concert. This place has it all and I would go as far as comparing it to Times Square in New York but on a much smaller scale of course. Here is just a short list of shopping establishments at Citywalk: Universal Studios Store The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company Rock Shop at Hard Rock Cafe Orlando Candy Smith at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen The Smuggler's Hold at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Various small shops that sell a variety of items. Not a complete list of eateries at CityWalk: The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar NBC Sports Grill & Brew Voodoo Doughnut Bigfire Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Hard Rock Cafe Orlando Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Pat O'Brien's Red Oven Pizza Bakery Hot Dog Hall of Fame Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches Cold Stone Creamery Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar NBC Sports Grill & Brew Voodoo Doughnut Bigfire Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Hard Rock Cafe Orlando Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Pat O'Brien's Red Oven Pizza Bakery Hot Dog Hall of FameBread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches Cold Stone Creamery CityWalk's Rising Star Karaoke & Cocktails Cinnabon Starbucks Moe's Southwest Grill Panda Express Menchie's Frozen Yogurt Oh and if you want you can also watch a recent movie on the big screen since there is a movie theater there. Everyone should visit the Citywalk at least once in their life. A couple of nice hotels have a water taxi that transports residents to the Citywalk on a daily basis. There is so much to eat and do... a great place to just chill. Thanks CityWalk. read more

You can't get to and from Universal Studios without go through Universal CityWalk. CityWalk, while family friendly, it caters more to the adult crowd offering a variety of dining and drinking venues. You also are able to see fireworks and other local performances while visiting the CityWalk area. Definitely worth checking out if you are visiting Orlando. read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

We had a great time walking around and dining here! There was a $32 parking fee if you go in before 6pm but it was all worth it. We dined at the Hard Rock Cafe. They were busy but we were able to get seated right away as they had a couple of small tables open. This place is spectacular at night. The view by the water was amazing! All of the restaurants and bars were busy. It's open until 1am so people were still walking in as we left after 9pm. read more

Universal CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Universal CityWalk is the outdoor shopping district of Universal Orlando Resort. It's similar to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Both are free to enter, no ticket required. Both do require security screenings as if you're entering a theme park, though. We visited Disney Springs a few days prior to visiting CityWalk, so we compared the two a lot. In a nutshell, CityWalk is significantly smaller (30 acres vs 120 acres) and has more chains than Disney Springs. CityWalk is actually mostly filled with chains. Overall, I think Disney Springs is better because it's more unique and seems to have a lot more going on in terms of both shopping and entertainment options. That said, as a fan of Universal, I did enjoy our visit. CityWalk is situated in between the entrances to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. We visited all three in one day with a two-park pass. The iconic Universal globe is located in CityWalk, near the entrance to Universal Studios Florida. So, you don't need a ticket if you want to see the globe and take a picture with it. Like Disney Springs, there's a lake at CityWalk. It looks nice and adds to the ambiance. Most of the shops and restaurants are located on the east side of the lake. The theme parks are on the west side along with a couple restaurants, the Hard Rock Cafe Orlando being one of them. Some of the more unique spots at CityWalk include NBC Sports Grill & Brew (sports bar), Hollywood Drive-In Golf (1950s sci-fi and horror-themed mini golf; not scary), and the Universal Studios Store. While the design of CityWalk is aesthetically pleasing and it has a fun, lively feel with bright lights and sound/music, photographers, etc. (consistent with Universal's theme parks), at the end of the day, this is a glorified shopping plaza with a lot of mainstream brands. Hence, my three-star Yelp rating (OK). If you have a ticket to one or both of the adjacent parks, your time is probably better spent inside the parks. read more

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This is a fun place to come to Universal Studios. There's no admission fee, and most nights parking is free after 6 PM. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shopping to check out. Some of my favorites are Rising Star karaoke bar, Pat O'Brien's dueling piano bar, and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. read more

Universal CityWalk - Pride at CityWalk - Restaurants Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Universal CityWalk -- where the queso flows, the margaritas glow, and Jimmy Buffett's ghost is always on the playlist. Universal CityWalk is the loud, neon-soaked cousin of Disney Springs -- less "family magic" and more "spring break forever." It's Universal's one-stop shop for food, drinks, shopping, and the occasional regret you'll remember the next morning. History check: CityWalk opened in 1999 as Universal's version of a nightlife and dining hub, and it's been expanding ever since into a place where you can grab sushi, ride a karaoke dragon, and then stumble into a Margaritaville all in the same night. Now let's talk food -- because if you haven't had the queso at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, you're missing out on one of Orlando's most glorious guilty pleasures. It's molten, cheesy perfection, the kind of dip that makes you wonder if you should propose to it. Dunk a chip in and you'll forget about calories, your dignity, and possibly your hotel check-out time. It's that good. And then, of course, there's Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. It's a temple of parrots, frozen cocktails, and middle-aged vacationers who still believe they're in their twenties. Is it kitschy? Absolutely. But you sip that first margarita, listen to "Cheeseburger in Paradise," and suddenly you don't care. Jimmy Buffett understood vacation vibes better than anyone: simple food, strong drinks, and no clocks. CityWalk is also home to the Universal Cinemark, Rising Star karaoke, and enough souvenir shops to make your credit card cry. At night, it turns into a party zone -- equal parts families wrapping up their park day and locals out for drinks. Bottom line: CityWalk is loud, flashy, touristy -- and it's a blast. Come for the queso, stay for the margaritas, and don't be surprised if you end the night singing karaoke badly but proudly. read more

Universal CityWalk is an extension, serving as an entry way, to Universal Studios Resort. CityWalk is located between the parking structures and the Resort through connected covered walkways above Universal Blvd. Filled with shops, stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, the plaza allows for access to both sections of the theme park, Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. A few options on site are the movie theater, mini golf coarse, Starbucks, Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville Bubba Gump Shrimp, Universal Gift Shop and a performance stage. read more

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Whether you are visiting the parks, or just coming to visit Universal CityWalk, I think this has something for everyone. Lots of dining options and stores to shop in! During our week long stay, we found ourselves here several times and I can see this being great for locals and tourists alike. A Voodoo donut is a must for me personally! read more