Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios

At Orlando Informer, we work diligently to keep information up to date. This page was last updated on September 30, 2022.

Any guest who is planning full-service meals throughout Universal Orlando Resort will quickly realize that there is no central reservation number; because the restaurants at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, CityWalk, and Universal Orlando’s hotels are not all operated (or owned) by Universal, they do not all share the same reservation system. So, yes, this can be quite confusing.

But there is no need to worry – we have done the hard work for you! On this page, you will find every full-service restaurant at Universal, along with a phone number for reservations and, if available, a link to make reservations online.

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Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
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The venues below are listed by location in this order: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Universal CityWalk, and then the hotels. (Sorry, Volcano Bay diners – all of the restaurants there are quick-service and, thus, don’t accept reservations.)

You’re going to be seeing references to Universal’s premier hotels quite a bit on this page. As just a quick reminder, the three resorts that sit in this top category are Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort (the other three hotels fall in either the preferred, prime value, or value tiers; for a full accounting, please see our guide page).

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Lombard’s Seafood Grille at Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida

Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Lombard’s Seafood Grille
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Mythos at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure

Confisco Grille
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Mythos
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.
Reservations highly recommended!

Marvel Character Dinner
Temporarily Closed
(407) 224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
Reservations highly recommended!

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium milkshakes at Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk

Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
407-224-2690
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Bigfire
407-224-2074
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom
Online reservations available
View the menu  here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
First come, first serve – reservations not available
View the menu here
Premier hotel guests do not receive priority seating.
Call 407-224-3663 for other inquiries

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.
Call 407-224-FOOD (3663) for other inquiries

Hard Rock Cafe
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Pat O’Brien’s
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Premier hotel guests do not receive priority seating.
Call 407-224-FOOD (3663) for other inquiries

VIVO Italian Kitchen
407-224-FOOD (3663)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Bice at Portofino Bay Hotel

Portofino Bay Hotel

Bice Ristorante
407-503-1415
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.
Fine dining – reservations highly recommended!

Mama Della’s Ristorante
407-503-DINE (3463)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.
Reservations highly recommended!

Trattoria del Porto
407-503-DINE (3463)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Hard Rock Hotel’s The Kitchen Restaurant

Hard Rock Hotel

The Kitchen
407-503-DINE (3463)
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Palm Restaurant
407-503-7256
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.
Fine dining – reservations highly recommended!

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Jake’s American Bar at Royal Pacific Resort

Royal Pacific Resort

Islands Dining Room
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Jake’s American Bar
Online reservations available
View the menu here
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Nando Belmonte, Complex Executive Chef at Sapphire Falls Resort and Royal Pacific Resort

Sapphire Falls Resort

Amatista Cookhouse
Online reservations available
View the menu in our OI Center
Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive priority seating.
Call (407) 503-5200 for other inquiries

Strong Water Tavern
First come, first serve – reservations not available
View the menu in our OI Center
Premier hotel guests do not receive priority seating.
Call (407) 503-5200 for other inquiries

Do you need to make a reservation for universal studios
Galaxy Bowl at Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Galaxy Bowl Restaurant
First come, first serve – reservations not available
Premier hotel guests do not receive priority seating.

Universal’s dining reservations – FAQs

Do I need to make reservations 180 days in advance when it is busy?

It is fairly well known that many of Disney’s most popular restaurants can fill up 180 days in advance during the busiest times. For better or for worse, this is simply not the case with Universal’s full-service restaurants. Think about making reservations for Universal dining just like you would think about making reservations at a popular restaurant in your community. At especially busy times, like around the holidays or summer break, it might be tough to get a reservation the week before – so you’d want to book this special occasion a month or two in advance to be safe. But other than the very busiest of days, you shouldn’t have any problem getting a reservation one or two weeks ahead.

Are Universal Orlando dining reservations needed when it is slow?

If you’re coming when it is slow, then you probably don’t need to make a reservation – however, we say “probably” because you never know. If you are taking the time to plan out the rest of your day, you might as well take the extra step and make a reservation. After all, it doesn’t cost anything to have ’em hold a spot for you!

What’s the difference between reservations and priority seating?

First off, it is important to note that seating is always at the discretion of the staff and manager on duty. So, when we talk about who gets seated first, there are no written-in-stone rules.

But, in theory, the who-gets-seated-first hierarchy is reservations -> priority seating -> walk-up.

That’s why, as a hotel guest with priority seating, it is still a very good idea to make a reservation if there is a particular restaurant you want to visit at a particular time. This is doubly true if you are interested in one of the fine dining options.

What about the quick-service restaurants at the parks?

The quick-service restaurants located inside Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay have not been included on this page because all of them are first-come, first-serve (no reservations or priority seating available). But, if you’d like to learn more about the quick-service options at the parks, visit the OI Universal Center table of contents — you’ll find the quick-service restaurants listed by location starting midway down the page.

It is worth noting, too, that the fast food restaurants at CityWalk — Starbucks, Burger King, Panda Express, and Moe’s — do not have reservations or priority seating.

Do you have a question about the information on this page or would like to provide feedback? Please let us know by posting in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

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Do you need to make reservations at Universal Studios?

Unlike Walt Disney World, where are Park Pass reservation system is used to manage capacity, Universal Orlando does not require advance park reservations to visit — but the parks do reach capacity, especially on weekends and during peak travel times like spring break.

Do you need reservations to get into Universal Studios Orlando?

No, Universal Orlando Resort is not requiring reservations for guests arriving at the parks. However, since the parks will have limited attendance, there may be times when the parks reach capacity and additional guests will not be admitted. Guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort hotels will have priority access.