7 Family-Friendly Restaurants & Entertainment Options at Universal CityWalk Orlando

As you would expect, Universal Orlando Resort offers plenty of options for families. Universal CityWalk alone is home to a number of different venues that are great for either an adult-only night out or an outing for the family at large. If you’re looking for family-friendly restaurants and fun at Universal CityWalk Orlando, let us give you the inside “locals” scoop! While we can’t possibly share all that CityWalk has to offer for families (you really should explore the area on your own!), we can highlight a few exciting venues and areas worth your family’s consideration. Check out our list of 7 ways your family can have fun at Universal CityWalk in Orlando!

7 Family-Friendly Restaurants & Entertainment Options at Universal CityWalk Orlando

1. Hollywood Drive-In Golf

After a day at the parks or exploring Universal Citywalk, a round of miniature golf is a great way for  your family to unwind and have fun! Continuing with the retro theme found elsewhere at Universal Orlando Resort, Hollywood Drive-In Golf provides 1950s styled golfing with two 18-hole golf courses. Kids will enjoy the interactive elements with an emphasis on the little green men typified by science fiction movies of that era. Adults and movie fans will enjoy the homage to vintage sci-fi and horror movies. Conveniently located right at the front of CityWalk, this mini golf course makes a great nightcap as it truly comes to life with eye-catching LED lighting.

2. Vivo Italian Kitchen

We previously shared information on eight new venues at Universal CityWalk, including Vivo Italian Kitchen. We’re happy to provide an update after experiencing the Italian cuisine available from Vivo Italian Kitchen and seeing the restaurant for ourselves! While Vivo can certainly accommodate families and offers a kids’ menu, we prefer to think of this restaurant as an opportunity for a parents’ night out without the kids. The restaurant is beautifully appointed with modern decor that helps to set a mid-to-upscale, yet romantic ambiance. You can imagine how low lighting and fancy decor might heighten your parenting nerves. After all, you want a relaxed dining experience with your children and certainly don’t want to spend your meal worrying if the kids are being louder than the restaurant’s environment calls for.

However, for families with older children and those wishing for a less-casual dining experience, Vivo Italian Kitchen certainly fits the bill. The highlight of our night at Vivo unexpectedly came with the Vasi appetizer, which featured two types of bread with an assortment of spreads: ricotta cheese with candied walnuts, roasted eggplant with roasted tomatoes, and tomato mozzarella topped with basil. Each spread has a distinct flavor offering guests options to complement the fresh bread and is an appetizer that both kids and adults will enjoy! Of course, Vivo also offers Italian cuisine staples such as lasagna, served in a unique presentation, and cannoli. Via its open kitchen concept, guests can also see the pasta from these fresh dishes being prepared completely from scratch. If you can get seating near the Expo Kitchen, kids will also enjoy watching chefs kneading dough for fresh bread, making homemade mozzarella, and sliding pizzas in and out of the oven.

3. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

With locations all over the United States and in select international markets, chances are that you have heard of Menchie’s. If you have not, then grab the kids and make sure to stop by for some delicious frozen yogurt at this new addition to Universal CityWalk Orlando. Menchie’s offers a rotating menu of numerous frozen yogurts with options for just about every diet, including no sugar added, nonfat, and low-carb. After selecting your frozen yogurt, you will have plenty of options when it comes to toppings – something kids definitely enjoy! You will find brownies, fudge, graham crackers, cherries, milk chocolate candy, and beyond, to make that perfect Menchie’s cup. The contents and size of this dessert will represent your unique creation, making this a great treat and experience for kids.

4. AMC Movie Theater

A trip to the movies is always a lot of fun for kids and at Universal CityWalk Orlando, you can watch your pick of the latest movies at AMC Universal Cineplex 20 with IMAX. We love the stadium seating and high-back rocking chairs available in each of the 20 theaters! If you wish to make a night of it, we suggest you take a peek at the meal and movie deal – for about $21 per person, you can enjoy dinner at select restaurants, plus a movie!

5. Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches

For a quicker, more affordable dining option, consider Bread Box, home to numerous sandwiches and soups. Adjacent to Menchie’s, this sandwich shop offers the deli experience with a retro feel that makes this a great companion to the 60s themed Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Per their namesake, this venue’s specialty is handcrafted sandwiches, but you can also find a variety of salads and shakes to appease both the health-conscious and those seeking sweet treats.

6. Hot Dog Hall of Fame

If hot dogs appeal to kids in your family – and adults as well – then you’ll want to try Hot Dog Hall of Fame. By design, Hot Dog Hall of Fame eschews ketchup in favor of more lively flavors. Here you will find more than your typical dog as the menu boasts selections such as the Kansas City Dog, topped with coleslaw, pulled pork, and BBQ sauce. However, Hot Dog Hall of Fame does capitalize on one hot dog tradition with its outdoor seating in the form of stadium seating typically used for watching baseball games. Though the seating is much more intimate than a stadium, the game is larger than life with a giant LED screen broadcasting America’s favorite pastime.

7. Water Fountains, Street Entertainers, and More!

Exploring the Universal CityWalk area and taking a stroll past the many shops and restaurants is a great experience of its own for children. You can often find street entertainers roaming about that are always happy to interact with kids and keep the fun family-friendly. In addition, there are fun water fountains where kids often play and are able to splash in the water, as well as chase the water and lights. Plus, you’ll see a lot more at Universal CityWalk Orlando as you explore this area with your family, including spectacular views of the theme parks and a lovely river where kids will enjoy seeing boats passing by.

We certainly didn’t name all family-friendly restaurants and entertainment at Universal CityWalk Orlando, but this list will surely get you off to a good start! With so much to see and do at Universal CityWalk, Universal Orlando adds to an already impressive lineup that appeals to all age groups looking for something a little bit extra from the typical theme park experience.

What is your family’s favorite restaurant at Universal CityWalk Orlando?

Disclosure: We were provided a complimentary trip and stay at Universal Orlando Resort to experience the resort’s theme parks and many amenities. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Except where noted, all photos © modernmami™