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CityWalk Birthday Dinner Suggestions

Universal Orlando: What restaurants do you suggest?

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted May 2, 2012 at 2:21 PM
I'm heading out to Universal Orlando with my family on my birthday weekend soon. On the night of my birthday, I'm thinking of having dinner at CityWalk. I've already been to Latin Quarter before, so I would want to try something different. I'm considering either Hard Rock or Bob Marley. As my family will be staying at the Royal Pacific, we will have priority seating to all CityWalk restaurants (except Hard Rock and Bubba Gump).

Here are some of my own thoughts on this...

Hard Rock is the same everywhere, except the memorabilia, architecture, and Local Legendary burger.

Since Bubba Gump is owned by Landry's, and my family is part of their rewards program (for Rainforest, T-Rex, etc.), we get the choice of either a free appetizer or a certain percentage off the bill.

I looked at the Bob Marley menu, and it's reasonably priced.
Any thoughts?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Amy Smith
Posted May 2, 2012 at 5:47 PM
Have you considered Margaritaville? They've got great food and atmosphere. I love to eat there, and you can get a balloon hat for your birthday!
Seriously though, I've had some really awful food at Bubba Gumps and Pastamore recently so I wouldn't recommend those to anyone right now. (It really depends on who is working at Pastamore) Nascar and NBA city are both alright, but nothing special.

I know you said you've eaten at Latin Quarter before, but have you eaten at the new part of it, the churrascaria? (I'm pretty sure that's not spelled correctly, sorry.) I've heard good things about it.

I've never eaten at Bob Marley's but I've got friends who have and they loved it.

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted May 2, 2012 at 6:16 PM
It actually is spelled right! Thanks for the suggestions. Anybody else?

From Dominick D
Posted May 2, 2012 at 7:27 PM
I'm gonna suggest Hard Rock, NASCAR, and my favorite, the BK Whopper Bar.

From Manny Rodriguez
Posted May 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM
Hard Rock All the way

From Kelly Bean
Posted May 3, 2012 at 8:37 AM
Since my favorite, Latin Quarter, is off the table (so to speak), I have to vote for Pat O'Brien's or Margaritaville. There are Hard Rock Cafes all over the place and the food is not that exciting and definitely not "something different". The atmosphere is great, though. They have a great tour in the early evening if you are a big music memorabilia fan. Pat O's and M'ville have a more unique experience in my opinion and both have live music with excellent food. The menus are on the CW Web site so check it out.

If you aren't set on CityWalk, try Tchuop Chop at the RPR, The Palm at HRH or Bice at PBH. All excellent and a water taxi ride away.

From N B
Posted May 3, 2012 at 5:07 PM
I would have suggested Margaritaville as well. It is more party friendly than the rest....

From Melanie Howe
Posted May 3, 2012 at 6:36 PM
Hmmm.... I also would have recommended Latin Quarter as the absolute best, but.... My second favorite in CityWalk is Hard Rock -- not the most original, but the atmosphere is always fun, the food is decent and the staff is usually very good.

I'll also echo the suggestion that you consider one of the restaurants in the hotels. Mama Della's at Portofino is really good and Tchoup Chop at RPR is just beautiful. Speaking of that, there is also the Emeril's in CityWalk.... but if I was choosing one of the Emeril restaurants, I think TC has the better atmosphere.

I'd definitely suggest avoiding Bubba Gump's. The one time we ate there it was simply awful -- the service sucked, the food wasn't that great and there was all that annoying Forrest Gump trivia.

From James Trexen
Posted May 3, 2012 at 8:54 PM
I would suggest Margaritaville. Great food, great atmosphere, great music (Yes, I'm old enough to be a fan of Buffett during his prime) and reminds me of the neighboring places we have here in Chicago.

From Potter Team Member
Posted May 4, 2012 at 12:26 PM
If you've already been to Churrascaria in Citywalk, you may want to try Emeril's or Pat O'Brians. Bubba Gump is right by our new mini golf course.

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted May 4, 2012 at 12:45 PM
I've never been to the Churrascaria.

From Donna Weekly
Posted May 4, 2012 at 2:12 PM
I loved Pat O'Brien's. We love the food and service there. The piano player is excellent.Very lively atmosphere for kids & adults. I enjoyed my food at Margaritaville also but you can't possibly have a conversation with anyone while there because the music is so loud.Even though you've been already, the Latin Quarter has a very nice ambience and very good food, more festive. Ate at Bob Marley, food so so and no atmosphere, also you eat on paper plates with plastic forks. Maybe go for drinks after but I wouldn't go for any special event.

From Potter Team Member
Posted May 6, 2012 at 5:56 PM
Churrascaria is a Brazilian Steakhouse similar to Texas De Brazil, but slightly cheaper. It's about $40 per person (salad bar plus steak). Alcoholic beverages and desserts are extra.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted May 6, 2012 at 9:04 PM
My vote is for Margaritaville. Nice music where you can be loud!

From Nick Orlando
Posted May 9, 2012 at 3:54 AM
If you want a first class meal, and don't mind paying a little more then go to Emeril's-- easily the best food (along with Emeril's Tchoup Chop) at Universal Orlando.

If you want a fun joint for your birthday Margaritaville is the way to go. I wouldn't reccomended Hard Rock.

If you aren't sold on any of those then I suggest Cafe Tu Tu Tango which is just down the road from Universal on I-Drive. It is a fun eclectic art inspired atmosphere, and features a tapas (small plates) menu.

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