In my family, we have an array of eating habits, from food allergies and adventurous taste buds to one of the pickiest eaters I’ve ever known. We navigate kids (ages 7, 9 and 15) with dairy allergies and food sensitivities, to texture aversions and new or strong flavor preferences. And to top it off, all of these kids live with me and my husband, two self-proclaimed foodie adults that enjoy bold and rich flavors. It can sometimes be difficult to find somewhere to eat that will satisfy the whole family. Luckily, doing so isn’t a problem at Universal Studios Hollywood!
If you and your family can relate, I’d love to share some of our favorite and not-to-miss eats — that I bet your kids will love, too — within Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk Hollywood.
Dining With Kids on The Upper Lot
Minion Cafe
Decidedly, Minion Cafe is my kids’ favorite place to eat. Not only is it Minion themed — who doesn’t love the Minions!? — but the menu here has something for everyone, with a variety of familiar eats that can satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. My kids love the Despica-Bowl Ramen. Soups and noodles always win in our family and this dish checks both of those boxes. They have other simple, fail-proof menu items like Chicken Tenders and Grilled Cheese sandwiches while also giving you more sophisticated options my husband and I lean toward like, Roasted Chicken and a Chopped Salad. There’s truly something for everyone here!
Looking for a complete list of everything you can eat and drink on the Upper Lot? Hop over to Discover Universal’s complete guide to dining on the Upper Lot at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Three Broomsticks
In addition to the stunning themed atmosphere of this rustic tavern, Three Broomsticks offers a delicious and quite extensive menu. The dedicated kids’ menu includes comforting favorites like Chicken Tenders and Macaroni and Cheese. For those with dairy allergies, I highly recommend trying the Vegan Shepherd’s Pie – it’s perfection!
What I especially love about this spot is the option for shared platters. Sometimes for very small children or those who prefer to snack their way through the day, a full meal for themselves might be a little much. Or maybe you’re looking for value when visiting with a crowd. Three Broomsticks offers family sized portions that are perfect for sharing, including The Great Feast, a platter that is sure to feed at least 4 adults.
Three Broomsticks also offers breakfast (served until 11 a.m. on select days) with classic favorites like the Pancake Breakfast, as well as delicious, themed options like a Traditional English Breakfast.
If you still have room after all the great food, Three Broomsticks is also a great spot to enjoy a family-friendly Butterbeer.
Want to eat your way though Hogsmeade? Read through Discover Universal’s complete guide to dining in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Springfield, U.S.A
“The Simpsons” themed section at Universal has lots of dining options in it, plenty of which are great options for kids. Luigi’s Pizza offers whole pizzas with 7 slices each and an array of toppings — perfect for sharing with a crowd. Over at Cletus’ Chicken Shack, the littles can dig into tenders, while Mom and Dad can bite on the Thrilled to be Grilled Sandwich or the Chicken Cesar Salad. And in addition to the super fun theming, Krusty Burger offers several types of sandwiches — from the Ribwich to the all-vegan Mother Nature Burger.
And don’t miss the hot dog cart just outside Springfield, U.S.A.! You won’t find it on the map, but as you walk toward the escalator down to the Lower Lot, you’ll encounter the largest hot dog you’ve ever seen! This makes for a fun, kid-friendly and very shareable lunch.
Get the full download on dining in this land with Discover Universal’s Guide to Food and Drink in Springfield, U.S.A.
Upper Lot Snacks
Everybody needs snacks to keep them going throughout the day. There are plenty of snack carts and quick service places available for a bite throughout the theme park.
My kids love the Power Up Cafe for unique Super Mario-themed snacks and signature drinks inspired by Power-Up items. If you are looking for something sweet, we recommend stopping at the City Snack Shop! Although they do have some quick savory bites our favorites are their variety of sweet bakery items.
Oh! We can never leave the Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash ride without making a stop at The Pets Store! Look through the gift shop to find our favorite pupsicles, a.k.a. “Pets”-themed popsicles.
Dining With Kids on The Lower Lot
Jurassic Cafe
Choose from a selection of Dino-mite dining options for the kiddos! For breakfast (available on select days) or lunch and dinner, bring those dinosaur-sized appetites to Jurassic Cafe. Our favorite options are the Belgian Waffles (yum!) and the Raptor Leg with fries.
The kids get such a kick out of the menu here! It’s a dino-lover’s dream. This detail was extremely helpful when my son was at the height of his dino obsession. The themed menu made eating fun and encouraged him to try new foods, simply because of the dinosaur association. What carnivore wouldn’t want to tear into a Raptor Leg?
Toadstool Cafe
If you have kids that love SUPER NINTENDO WORLD as much as my kids do, it’s truly a must. The theming here is just incredible, and the food here is just so cute you’ll want to try it all.
The menu at Toadstool Cafe offers all kinds of perfectly plated dishes, and there are two kids’ meal options: the Mario Mini Burger Adventure Set and our personal favorite, the Power-Up Spaghetti Marinara. It doesn’t get much better than a pasta and marinara in a Super Mario themed restaurant. The theming makes this a must-try restaurant for kids, too. For example, the Super Mushroom Soup is served inside a mushroom bowl, which guests can take home. In fact, you’ll want to take it all home — I may or may not have a tiny flag from a Mt. Beanpole Cake in my park bag right now!
PRO TIP: Be aware that Toadstool Cafe is very popular and you will most likely need to make a reservation to dine here. To do so, go to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD as soon as you arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood. Check out our guide to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD for more information.
Lower Level Snacks
Our snacking favorites down in the Lower Lot are the veggie spring rolls at Panda Express, the yogurt parfait at the Jurassic Cafe and of course, the cheesy garlic knots at the Toadstool Cafe. I also have to tell you, for those snacky littles, the Charcuterie Box and the Protein Box (both at the Studio Cafe) are fantastic! The Protein Box is particularly great if you should forget to pack any snacks and you need sustenance while you wait in line for you or your littles.
Want to know everything you can eat and drink on the Lower Lot? Take a look at the complete Discover Universal Guide to Dining on the Lower Lot at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Dining With Kids at Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe is a relatively new addition to CityWalk, and everything there is absolutely adorable. They have sweets and themed beverages to offer. My family’s favorites are the Hello Kitty Cookie, also the Strawberry Cake and the Macaron set, all of which are perfect for sharing. Allergy and food sensitive friends, be aware that the menu here is premade and there are no substitutions available.
Antojitos Cocina Mexicana
This place always hits the spot! Antojitos Cocina Mexicana has simple and familiar items like Quesadillas and Bean and Cheese Burritos to more sophisticated options like Enchiladas and Tostadas – and that’s just on the kids menu! The whole family will enjoy all the delicious options here.
Looking for the full scoop on what to eat, drink, do and shop for at CityWalk? Check out the complete Discover Universal Guide to Universal CityWalk Hollywood.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
If you like shrimp and southern hospitality, this is the place for you. The kids’ menu here has so many options, stretching beyond just seafood. But the best part? The kid’s dishes are served in a tiny shrimping boat! Each kid’s meal is adorably themed and comes with ocean blue gelatin for dessert. Some of my kids’ favorites are the pasta with marinara and the fish and chips.
Buca di Beppo
Want to share a large, family meal at CityWalk? You have to check out Buca Di Beppo. Here you will find ample, family-style portions celebrating the flavors of Italy. The theming is like stepping into your Nonna’s home – well, if I had an Italian Nonna this is how I imagine it would be. Very homey and very abundant.
I can go on and on about all the places to eat at Universal Studios Hollywood and at CityWalk, but I’ll let you explore, too. Universal Studios Hollywood is definitely in its foodie era and there is always something delicious around every corner.
What’s your family’s favorite place to grab a bite to eat at Universal Studios Hollywood? Let us know in the comments below.
1 Comment
The struggle is real when you have a picky eater, food allergies, and an adventurous kid all in the same family! Thanks for sharing these tips—I think Universal Studios is really stepping up with their family-friendly dining options, and it’s so helpful to hear from someone with experience.