Where to eat local when visiting Universal Epic Universe
I can’t tell you anything about Universal’s newest theme park because I haven’t been to any previews, and I probably won’t go right when it opens and crowds are at their most massive. Although I will probably cry on the Yoshi ride, I can’t wait to eventually get to go and see it all in its Epic wonder.
What I CAN tell you is if you are visiting from another part of Florida or the country and want to eat locally during your visit, you have some great options near Universal. I used to work in one of the Universal Corporate offices when I worked for Margaritaville Corporate, so this area was my stomping ground for lunch and work dinners. I know it well. That is why my list will be short. While Universal is near Sandlake Road, or “restaurant row,” as locals call it, as well as International Drive, I don’t recommend most spots with high prices and mediocre food or chains.
Most of these are more casual, mom-and-pop-owned places where you won’t feel out of place if you stroll in after a day at the park, a little messy and sweaty but still wanting to eat good food that won’t hurt your wallet too badly.
P’s Viet Mi
This strip center at John Young Parkway and Sandlake Road is home to several Orlando gems. P’s Viet Mi is one of them, as a no-frills, family-owned Vietnamese fusion restaurant. You can get an affordable meal here with solid Banh Mi, Pad Thai, Noodle dishes or bowls, or some of their specialty fry dishes. It’s casual and an easy place to hit up or even order from after a day at the parks.
Distance from Epic Universe: 1.8 miles
8475 S John Young Pkwy Orlando, FL 32819
Oza Izakaya
If you don't mind dropping more money on a nicer dinner after spending lots of coins at the park, Oza Izakaya is nearby and offers an upscale ending to your day of Epic Adventures. Reservations aren't necessary, but if you have a large party, it certainly would be helpful to the staff.
The menu here is a modern izakaya serving Japanese fare, including sushi, ramen, small plates, sake, and cocktails. They have a good happy hour if you're exiting the park early. So far, some of my favorite dishes have been the Yuzu Hamachi, Truffle Akami, and Wagyu Gyoza. You don't have to dress up, but I wouldn't go extremely casual unless you sat outside on their patio. The interior is beautiful, but at the end of the day, you are in a Publix shopping center.
Distance from Epic Universe: 2.5 miles
Address: 5310 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
Border Fresh Mex Grill
Border Grill is another local favorite for Mexican cuisine. My favorite thing to get there is the California Burrito. At $13.50, it’s a sizeable beast filled with steak, french fries, house-made queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. The horchata is also delicious. It's very casual inside with the counter service.
Distance from Epic Universe: 8.5 miles
Address: 5695-A Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819
Bombay Street Kitchen
Bombay Street Kitchen is one of my favorite places for Indian food in the entire city. Here, you can get adventurous and order several street food-esque small plates. Some of my favorite items are the Pani Puri (Fried bread, spiced potatoes mix, tangy water), Kurkuri Bhindi Bhel (Crispy okra, onion, tomato, sev, pomegranate), Veggie Uttapam (Rice pancakes, onion, peas, tomato, cilantro). The menu has a lot on it, so best to do a little research beforehand, but if you want to stick with the classic like Chicken Tikka Masala, don't worry; they will have that too.
Address: 6215 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809
Distance from Epic Universe: 5.7 miles
Tortas el Rey
If you are from out of town and pull up to Tortas el Rey, you might be confused for a split second. This old Checkers building was converted into a small street taco drive-thru palace that most locals love. They offer far more than tacos, but I usually stick with that and get a variety of meats. Their chorizo packs a powerful kick that isn't for those who can't handle their spice. I finished mine with tears, but it was worth it. The drive-thru can move slowly if it's busy, and while it's not in the best location, plenty of locals eat outside without any issue.
Distance from Epic Universe: 5.7 miles
Address: 6151 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809
Selam Ethiopian
Selam Ethiopian is an excellent option if you want something new or love Ethiopian food. The hospitality here is unmatched. A great option is getting the large, shareable platters. The flavors feature dishes like injera, a tangy, spongy flatbread made from teff flour, which serves as both a staple and a utensil for scooping up rich stews and sautéed vegetables. If you get one of their combination platters (meat or veggie), they can easily feed two people with leftovers. It’s also a great option for Vegans.
Distance from Epic Universe: 2.9 miles
Address: 5494 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
Sushi Tomi
Sushi Tomi has been a hidden-in-plain-sight gem over John Young Parkway in South Orlando for years. While I love their authentic setting and sushi, they have other menu offerings, including a delicious chicken katsu plate. This one comes with rice, but it’s a good portion size. You can also get chicken katsu with curry and have protein options besides chicken. Despite being hidden in this strip, the locals know about it and support it, so when they open at five o’clock, they usually fill up fast.
Distance from Epic Universe: 1.9 miles
Address: 8463 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819
Picasso Moments
If you need a place to unwind, and maybe not have an entire meal but a snack and a drink, Picasso Moments is a great spot very close to Epic. It’s an Asian bakery offering sweet and savory snacks, including bubble teas, ramen, and sandwiches. I personally have never ordered any of the heartier food options here, so I can’t speak to how good they are, but the boba and some of the pastries have been good.
Distance from Epic Universe: 1.9 miles
Address: 8231 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819
Greens and Grille
I would look into Greens and Grille in the Millenia Mall area if you need a healthy option. This was my go-to lunch spot when I worked in the area. The salads aren’t cheap, but usually quite filling.
Distance from Epic Universe: 5.9 miles
Address: 4104 Millenia Blvd #114, Orlando, FL 32839
All food seen here was paid for personally.