I could eat pizza for the rest of my life and not get tired of it. Thick crust with a doughy center. Thin crust that audibly crunches with every bite. Big, greasy slices that soak through your paper plate. Fancy flatbread that looks like an edible work of art. A plain cheese pie, classic for a reason.
Pizza’s the perfect food: it’s got grains (crust), fruit (tomato sauce counts, plus pineapple if that’s your thing), dairy (cheese), and you can top it with veggies and meat to complete the formula. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert (though probably not all on the same day…)
Well, now that I’ve got you craving a slice (or two or three), here are some of my favorite pizzas at Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal CityWalk
Red Oven Pizza Bakery
You know that cartoon trope where you see vapors of smell wafting off food and a character floating through the air toward the wonderful aroma? That’s me whenever I step off the moving walkway in CityWalk and first get a whiff of the pies baking in this 900° stone-lined oven. Each order comes with a whole pie, enough to split depending on how hungry you are.
Margherita
From the Pizza Rosa (with tomato) section, I love the Margherita with fresh buffalo mozzarella, basil, tomatoes and olive oil. Simple, yet fantastic.
Big Eye Pepperoni
For all the pepperoni lovers out there, make sure to add the larger-than-usual pepperoni rings to your must-try list.
Mushroom
Also from the Pizza Rosa section, this one is topped with a mushroom medley, red onions, fontina, mozzarella, tomatoes, thyme, roasted portobello and white truffle oil emulsion.
Spinaci
I can’t make recommendations off the Pizza Rosa menu without also giving the Pizza Bianca menu (options with no tomato sauce) some love. This heavenly vegetarian option is topped with spinach, mozzarella, taleggio (a soft Italian cheese), Parmigiano-Reggiano and tomatoes.
PRO TIP: I love doing pizza and a movie at Universal Cinemark, which is right across from Red Oven Pizza Bakery.
Vivo Italian Kitchen
Quattro Formaggi
The handmade pasta here is out of this world — black spaghetti, anyone? But if you’ve never had the wood stove pizza, you’re missing out. The wood gives the thick crust an irresistible smoky flavor. Cover that with tomato sauce and four kinds of cheese — mozzarella, fontina, italico (a soft, creamy cheese) and ricotta — plus some sage, and I’m in cheese-lover heaven.
PRO TIP: Gluten-free pizza crust is available upon request at both Red Oven Pizza Bakery and Vivo Italian Kitchen. In fact, there are many delicious gluten-free options across the hotels, theme parks and CityWalk.
Universal Studios Florida
TODAY Cafe
Flatbreads
What I love the most about Today Cafe is that it’ll always have something new on the menu — especially when it comes to flatbreads. The flavors of this thin crust pizza (sooo crispy) tend to change every now and then, which makes me look forward to what the chefs are going to come up with next! So, no matter which flatbread is currently on the menu, just know you have to order it!
PRO TIP: TODAY Cafe’s outdoor seating area makes for great people watching. It’s also just a hop, skip and jump away from The Bourne Stuntacular, one of my favorite stunt shows at Universal. It’s unreal!
Louie’s Italian Restaurant
Jumbo Cheese Slice Combo
New York pizza is the best. I might be slightly biased, since my dad’s side of the family is from New York. Whenever I’m at Universal Studios, I like to hit a couple of rides and then grab a huge slice of the Jumbo Cheese Pizza with mozzarella and tomato sauce on homemade dough. The combo comes with a side Caesar salad to balance out all that melty, cheesy deliciousness. You can also get the Jumbo Pepperoni Slice or the Garden Vegetable Slice, which is topped with mozzarella, tomato sauce, peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
PRO TIP: If you want to grab a slice on the go, you can order at the window, which also has gelato. Yum! Right outside is a great spot to catch the awesome percussion show of the Beat Builders, or the funky, soulful sounds of The Blues Brothers Show.
Luigi’s Pizza
Meat Hater’s Pizza
I’m fairly certain I ate next to no vegetables for most of my childhood. I’m making up for lost time with this delicious personal pizza on a whole wheat crust topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and peppers. If you’re more of a carnivore, try the Meat Liker’s Pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, ham, sausage and pepperoni.
PRO TIP: Fast Food Boulevard, where Luigi’s Pizza is located, is a great lunch spot if you’re with a large group. You can choose from burgers, fried chicken, seafood, salads, a nearby taco truck and, of course, pizza.
KidZone Pizza Company
Classic Pizza Fries (Seasonal)
Of course this counts as pizza and of course it’s in this guide. What would Halloween Horror Nights season be without a heaping plate of crinkle-cut fries topped with marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni and sausage? Make sure to add that to your HHN itinerary — you can also get ‘em at Louie’s! I always ask for mine sans pepperoni and sausage, and there’s an equally delicious vegan option.
tures with a huge piece of pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, peppers and onions on homemade dough.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Pizza Predattoria
Cheese Pizza Combo
I’m a big fan of personal pizzas, because it means more crust to go around. Sink your teeth into this freshly baked pizza with a side Caesar salad. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, follow it up with a brookie, a brownie filled with a chocolate chip cookie.
PRO TIP: Pizza Predattoria is just around the corner from Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Nothing like racing alongside Raptors to make you want to hunt down some pizza.
Cafe 4
Jumbo Veggie Slice
Saving the day works up an appetite! Fuel up for your adventures at Marvel Super Hero Island with a huge piece of pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, peppers and onions on homemade dough.
Green Eggs & Ham Cafe
Vegan Pizza Tots
I’ve got a soft-spot for the vegan pizza tots with plant-based pepperoni, sausage, mozzarella, parmesan and tomato sauce over tater tots. If you’re more of a carnivore, try the classic pizza tots with all the above in their original meaty, cheesy form.
PRO TIP: If you’re vegetarian or vegan, or just looking to cut back on meat, check out the Guide to Vegan and Vegetarian Food Options at Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal Volcano Bay
Whakawaiwai Eats
Island BBQ Chicken Pizza
@universalorlandofoodies
I know pineapple on pizza is a fiercely debated topic, but have you ever tried mango? It’s amazing! This longboard-shaped pizza comes with mango BBQ sauce, diced chicken, red onions, gouda cheese and chunks of mango. It’s sweet and tangy bliss!
PRO TIP: When you reserve Premium Seating or a Cabana, one of the perks is being able to order food right from your seat, including longboard-shaped pizza. Relaxation complete!
Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
Sal’s Market Deli (Loews Portofino Bay Hotel)
Farm Pesto
I’m kind of obsessed with pesto. On sandwiches, on pasta and, of course, on pizza. This one’s got chicken breast, sun-dried tomato, red onion, garlic, fontina and mozzarella cheeses, plus pesto and fresh basil.
Margherita
Look at this perfect tomato-to-sauce-to-cheese-to-crust ratio. Say what you will, but nothing beats a classic.
Pro Tip: I like coming here for dinner and grabbing a table out on the Harbor Piazza to hear Musica Della Notte (music of the night, which happens every night at sundown). As a classically trained soprano, I love to hear opera singers perform arias and pop songs. It is the perfect seasoning for every slice.
beachclub (Hard Rock Hotel)
Greek Flatbread
Nothing amps up my appetite like swimming, especially after jamming to the pool’s underwater sound system. Carb up at the poolside bar and grill with my personal favorite: a flatbread topped with olive oil, feta and mozzarella cheeses, roasted red pepper, tomatoes, olives and red onion. You really can’t go wrong with feta!
Islands Dining Room (Loews Royal Pacific Resort)
Gluten-Free Breakfast Pizza
I need breakfast to function, and this hearty pizza is a great way to fuel up before a day at the parks. You get a whole breakfast atop a gluten-free crust: two sunny side up eggs, turkey sausage, peppers and mushrooms. I just love how the creamy yolk intermingles with the protein and veggies! Once you’ve got that in your belly, it’s time to head to the theme parks to begin your day of fun.
Amatista Cookhouse (Loews Sapphire Falls Resort)
Cookhouse Chicken Flatbread
Every inch of this hotel feels like you’ve been instantly transported to a Caribbean isle! This restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows let you drink it all in, from flowing waterfalls to water taxis coming and going. One of my top picks off the dinner menu is this flatbread topped with mojo marinated chicken, tomato jam, chihuahua cheese (a soft Mexican cheese), goat cheese and scallions.
PRO TIP: You can also try the equally yummy plant-based version (see photo above), the Vegan BBQ “Chicken” Flatbread! Or ask for a gluten-free crust.
Bayliner Diner (Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort)
Southwestern Flatbread
This is essentially a veggie burrito in pizza form. You’ve got refried beans, roasted corn, peppers, tomatoes, queso and avocado ranch. You could even burrito-fy it (that’s totally a word) by rolling up the crust and eating it that way. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.
Urban Pantry (Universal’s Aventura Hotel)
With a designated pizza station and wood fired oven, this foodhall is pizza heaven!
Garden
If you want to get your veggies in without ordering a salad, go for this personal pizza topped with roasted peppers, mushrooms, olives and onions. And if you’re with someone who doesn’t like pizza (perish the thought!), I can’t get enough of their wok noodle bowls at the Wok Station.
PRO TIP: Go all out with a pizza cookie (you read that right) topped with a heaping scoop of gelato!
Beach Break Cafe (Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites)
Breakfast Pizza
There’s something about having pizza for breakfast. Topped with sausage gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, this pizza option has it all!
Pier 8 Market (Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites)
Veggie Breakfast Flatbread
This hotel has such a chill, coastal vibe. It’s like instant relaxation. Take your time to enjoy this Veggie Breakfast Flatbread, topped with eggs, broccoli, onions and mushrooms. If you’re a meat lover, go with the Breakfast Flatbread, with eggs, bacon, sausage, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
That’s a slice of some of the delicious pizza options at Universal Orlando Resort. Share your own favorites in the comments below.
2 Comments
Red Oven is way over rated. They skimp on the toppings, pizzas are small and ordering is a pain with poor customer service. They never pay attention to when your order is ready so it’s always luke warm to cool.
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