Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and the Universal resort hotels in Orlando have some incredible places to eat. But can you eat healthy at Universal Orlando?
The great thing is that Universal Orlando goes beyond the traditional theme park fare and offers guests a wide range of healthy eating options too. So, if you’ve got your mind set on eating healthy while on vacation, Universal Orlando has you covered. From mouthwatering dishes featuring the freshest ingredients to plant-based and low-calorie options, the food and beverage scene at Universal Orlando is much more than what guests typically associate with theme parks.
Continue reading to find out where you can find the healthiest snacks and meals at Universal Orlando. See what are some of our favorite healthy meals at the Universal theme parks in Florida. We promise, you can eat nutritious meals that taste good without throwing your dieting plans out of whack. Here’s our comprehensive guide to eating healthy at Universal Orlando. We’ve listed places that have healthy foods on their menu and will give you suggestions on what to eat there.
Bigfire at Universal CityWalk
There are lots of healthy options at this Universal Orlando eatery. We love the wood-charred brussels sprouts that are gluten free and vegetarian, served on an oven-roasted smear of almonds and garnished with micro arugula. Another great option is the wild salmon which is fire grilled over live pecan, oak, and cherry wood flames on the hearth, which give the dish a rustic flavor. A gluten-free vegan entrée, the delicious cauliflower steak is served with roasted vine tomatoes and shishito peppers along with a side of warm farro salad. The grilled chicken with walnut pesto and peach preserve is finger-licking good with a smoky cheddar flavor and a side of grilled red onions. Lots of healthy choices here! Wash down your meal with unsweetened iced tea and you’ll feel satiated without racking up the calorie count.
Louie’s Italian Restaurant at Universal Studios Florida
Want something that’s filling yet healthy? We recommend the garden vegetable pizza at Louie’s Italian Restaurant at Universal Studios Florida. This healthy (ish) pizza is loaded with fresh veggies including peppers, mushrooms, and onions on a house-made dough. Want to skip the carbs? The grilled chicken Caesar salad packs quite a protein punch. Pair it with the minestrone soup and you’ve got yourself a nutritious meal that also tastes great. For dessert, there’s a seasonal fresh fruit cup that’s healthy and flavorsome.
Mythos Restaurant at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
We love the Spankopita Dip from the starter menu at this healthy dining location in Universal Orlando – a mouthwatering combination of spinach, protein-rich feta, fresh herbs, and hot pita chips served with za’atar, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. The mezze platter is another good option if you want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando. You can’t go wrong with the Chef’s Signature Greek salad that consists of shredded lettuce, red onions, diced tomatoes, feta, and kalamata olives, dressed with herbed lemon vinaigrette and shavings of marinated feta cheese – add grilled chicken and you can tick proteins off your daily meal plan.
Other salads on the menu are equally good, featuring fresh and healthy ingredients such as mixed baby greens, crisp iceberg lettuce, and roasted plum tomatoes. Among the entrées, our pick is the brick oven roasted chicken served with summer vegetables. For vegetarians, there’s the souvlaki couscous bowl that features a spiced couscous with wild mushrooms, marinated chickpeas, roasted red peppers, feta, cucumber, and a whole lot of other healthy ingredients.
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal CityWalk
Choose the chipotle corn soup (suitable for vegans) and the Mexican chopped salad at this joint if you want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando. The salad features fresh Tuscan kale, black beans, red onions, olives, avocado, radish, and roasted corn, sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and dressed with a chili ancho vinaigrette. From the specials at this Universal Orlando healthy eating location, we suggest the Pescado a la Yucatan (gluten free) which is mahi fish cooked in banana leaves and served with avocado, red onions, and cilantro rice, dressed with a delicious ranchera sauce.
The Hideaway Bar and Grill at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
There are a few different salads on the menu here if you’re planning to eat healthy at Universal Orlando. We love the hummus and pita bread served with celery and carrot sticks. There’s also a plant-based burger with vine-ripened tomatoes and crisp lettuce served on an oven-fresh toasted bun. The roasted turkey club wrap features a roasted turkey breast with an avocado ranch dressing (you can ask them to hold the crispy bacon). For dessert choose whole fruit or a fresh fruit salad, and voila, you’ve ticked all the boxes for a healthy meal – nutritious, flavorsome, and filling.
Blondie’s at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
There is an endless range of sandwiches at Blondie’s with lots of healthy options. The delectable sandwiches here are all made to order so you can choose to stack up on all things healthy. The Smoked Turkey Platter is a bestseller and comes with a choice of sub roll (choose the healthier multi-grain option) along with a generous serving of fresh and healthy toppings.
Bone Chillin’ at Universal Studios Florida
This beverage stand is located in front of the Classic Monsters Café. It’s the best place to rehydrate with a frozen drink or low-cal soda. There are also some snacks for a quick pick-me-up on the go. Remember, staying hydrated keeps you feeling full and the hunger pangs at bay, making it easier for you to avoid the temptation to dig into greasy, fried snacks.
Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches at Universal CityWalk
Healthy eating at Universal Orlando is less about denying yourself and more about choosing healthier options. The deli fresh chicken salad sandwich at the Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches eatery is a great way to eat healthy at Universal Orlando without feeling like you’re denying yourself a good meal. Another great option is the Hot Vegan Sandwich which features portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, avocado, and caramelized onions drizzled with truffle oil and basil pesto and served on multi-grain bread (you can ask them to hold the cheese if you want to keep the calorie count low). Also on the menu are super fresh salads and a soup of the day. Skip the sodas and choose bottled water instead and you’re good.
Bice Ristorante at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Health-conscious guests are invited to make a beeline for this eatery at Universal Orlando that serves delectable fare that’s healthy and delicious. Our favorites, and the ones that we keep going back for, are the Insalata di Spinaci, a spinach salad with pancetta, goat cheese, red berries, and citronette and Insalatina Misa, a romaine, frisee salad with arugula, carrots, and grape tomatoes dressed with an aged balsamic vinegar. Want something more filling? You can add grilled chicken or grilled salmon for a protein boost. Feeling like you deserve a treat? The handcrafted pastas are to die for – but should pick one without a cream sauce if you want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando.
Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck at Universal Studios Florida
The grilled chicken taco served with fresh lettuce and a home-made salsa is a great snack that won’t spoil your diet plans. This food truck at Universal Studios Florida also serves fountain sodas to wash it all down, but we’d recommend sticking to H2O to avoid empty calories.
Confisco Grille at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Chow down on a range of healthy appetizers and entrées at this full-service restaurant at Universal’s Islands of Adventure that serves Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, and Italian fare – there’s something for even the pickiest of eaters. We love the Summer Vegetable Hummus that features a house-made hummus with roasted chickpeas, cucumbers, red onions, and heirloom cherry tomatoes served with sumac and oven-fresh baked pita bread.
Another great option is the Southwest Salad with romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and roasted corn served with crunchy tortilla chips and a delicious chipotle ranch dressing – add grilled chicken to make a meal out of it and fuel up before returning to your adventures. Among the entrées, people who want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando can consider the Udon noodle bowl that has a flavorful miso broth with shitake mushrooms, grilled baby bok choy, and shredded carrots with a soft-boiled egg for a protein boost.
Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
If you smell something deliciously smoky while you’re walking around Universal’s Islands of Adventure, there’s a good chance you’re in the vicinity of this Mediterranean-inspired grill. Choose from a range of Greek salads, healthy snacks like fruit and hummus, and tasty kebabs (we love the chicken kebab combo served with fresh seasonal veggies and a special house seasoning). Skip the calorie-bomb desserts and choose Greek yogurt or a fruit cup and quench your thirst with a diet soda or water – how’s that for eating healthy at Universal Orlando?
Gelateria at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
One of the best places to satisfy your sweet tooth at Universal Orlando is the artisanal gelateria at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Skip the Krispy Kreme donuts and pick the healthier berry parfaits instead. There is a range of sorbets on offer for a low-calorie treat. Also on the menu, vitamin packed whole fruits and fruit cup salads. The low-fat smoothies are another great way to eat healthy at Universal Orlando – choose from The Mona Lisa (strawberry, banana), Berry Italiano (strawberries, mango, banana, blueberries), Blueberry Burst (protein, soy milk, blueberries, acai and agave syrup), Peanut Power (banana, peanut butter, protein burst, agave), and Tropical Passion (peach, strawberry, mango, orange juice) – all the smoothies contain low-fat yogurt.
Fire Eater’s Grill at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
If you’ve worked up an appetite on a fun day at the theme parks in Florida but still want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando, the Fire Eater’s Grill is a great location. This popular food merchant located in Sindbad’s Bazaar serves up a lip-smacking range of healthy food choices, including grilled gyros and salads. You can’t go wrong with the traditional gyro combo with falafel, but if you want something with chicken, we can point you towards the chicken stingers combo served with hot sauce. Also on the menu is a crispy greens salad with falafel and chicken and a choice of dressings.
Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror at Universal Studios Florida
This is a healthy eating option at Universal Orlando that even Lisa Simpson would be impressed with – pick up a wholesome pre-packaged meal here including turkey wraps, veggie sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, hummus, and assorted yogurts for a quick energy boost and meals on the go.
Moe’s Southwest Grill at Universal CityWalk
Build your own salads, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas from a choice of 20 fresh ingredients at Moe’s Southwest Grill. There are lots of choices for vegetarians here and tons of low-calorie options. Available in junior sizes for the kids. And if you really want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando, ditch the tortilla and custom-build a bowl with the freshest, healthiest ingredients.
Tips on Eating Healthy at Universal Orlando
We’ve given you some great restaurant options for a healthy and guilt-free vacation at Universal Orlando. Now, here are some general tips to help you in eating wisely. Add to this all the walking you will do at the Universal theme parks, and it will result in an even bigger payoff.
Bring your own snacks
One way to eat healthy at Universal Orlando is to bring your own snacks. Trail mix, granola bars, whole fruit, and home-made sandwiches are all good options. And don’t forget to pack healthy drinks so your family doesn’t get tempted to chug down sodas.
Steer clear of buffets
A good rule of thumb when you want to eat healthy at Universal Orlando is to steer clear of buffets. The massive spread of food can cause you to throw caution to the wind and succumb to the temptation of trying everything on offer. Stick to a la carte if you don’t want to overshoot your daily calorie quota.
Share your entrées
Downsizing your portions is another great trick to eating healthy at Universal Orlando. Treat yourself to a nice entrée but share it with someone in your group. Or order a small plate item. Or ask them to put it in a box and save some of your meal for later.
Eat slowly
Eating slowly and mindfully is another way to eat healthy at Universal Orlando, or for that matter anywhere, including at home. It takes the body about 15-20 minutes to feel satiated after a meal. Give yourself time to process these brain signals of feeling full. Don’t gobble down large amounts of food and overstuff yourself.
Watch the beverages
When you’re planning to eat healthy at Universal Orlando, don’t forget many of your calories come from beverages. Stick to water as much as you can. Otherwise, choose diet sodas or unsweetened iced tea.
Don’t order all at once
Wait until you finish you soup and salad before ordering an entrée. Oftentimes you’ll find that you’re already quite full already and don’t want to eat a whole plate of food.
Pick healthy choices
Swap unhealthy sides for healthy ones if you want to eat well at Universal Orlando. Skip the French fries and choose carrot and celery sticks instead. Pick a clear soup over a thick and creamy one.
We’d love to hear what you like to eat at Universal Orlando – which are your favorite healthy dishes? Let us know in the comments below if we’ve missed a crowd pleaser or bestseller.