Food + Drink • Orlando

Where to Eat, Drink and Savor the Holidays at the Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

Fill yourself – literally – with the holiday spirit with amazingly delicious food and drinks at our Universal Orlando Resort hotels. From tasty Christmas Day buffets and brunches to buzzy New Year’s Eve celebrations, you’ll find plenty of ways to be filled with holiday cheer.

Read on to find out some of our favorite events this season or find your hotel on the full list to see what’s coming up!

Can’t-Miss Christmas Dining

Christmas Day Buffet in Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

One of the best parts of vacationing (or stay-cationing) during the holidays is letting someone else do all the cooking! Sure, you could try to set up a carving station with prime rib and bone-in pork loin, a sushi station with smoked fish and a raw bar, and a stir-fry station at your own place. Or you could simply join us for the Christmas Day Buffet at Islands Dining Room to enjoy all of that and more, alongside family-friendly entertainment like a musician, hula dancers, and a balloon artist. View the entire menu and make your reservations online here.

Christmas Day Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

When you are vacationing on island time, the last thing on your mind should be spending hours in the kitchen prepping a holiday meal. Instead, how about stopping by Amatista Cookhouse? Christmas Day brings a special menu to this fan-favorite restaurant, featuring ceviche, churrasco, and a carving station for bone-in pork loin and New York strip loin with caramelized onions and a wild mushroom demi-glace. You will definitely make multiple trips to the buffet, as there is plenty more to explore on the menu, from classic brunch items like omelets and waffles to cheese and charcuterie like you’ve never had before! Take a look at the whole menu online and reserve your table today.

Christmas Day Brunch in The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

Rock stars have private chefs to cook for them on the holidays, and when you vacation like a rock star at Hard Rock Hotel, our chefs are happy to cook for you on Christmas Day! Come on down to The Kitchen for a Christmas Brunch that hits all the right notes — we’ve got breakfast classics on the buffet, plus made-to-order pancakes, waffles, omelets, and more! It wouldn’t be a proper holiday brunch without a carving station, and you’ll have plenty of options to choose from: honey baked ham, roasted turkey breast, and herbed prime rib, to name a few. Check out the full menu online and book your seats right here.

Christmas Day Buffet at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

You don’t need a passport to experience a Buon Natale this year — the Christmas Day buffet at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is the perfect Italian-inspired holiday meal for the whole famiglia! The pasta and risotto stations are the main draw, but of course, it wouldn’t be a holiday buffet without a proper carving station featuring beef rib roast, Boar’s Head ham, and slow thyme- roasted turkey. In addition to the buffet stations, there is a menu of entrées to choose from, with options like spinach Florentine ravioli and Tuscan grilled shrimp, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can find the full menu and make your reservations online here.

Where to Ring in 2024

Aventura’s Rooftop New Year’s Eve Celebration

Why settle for one fireworks show when you can watch them all? There are some stellar New Year’s Eve celebrations happening around Universal, but the skyline views from Bar 17 Bistro atop Aventura Hotel cannot be beat for watching the city light up once the ball drops. This is also one of two adults only (ages 21+) events — the other is happening next door in Strong Water Tavern at Sapphire Falls. Learn more about Aventura’s New Year’s Eve Celebration and get your tickets online here.

New Year’s Eve Buffets at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort plus Orchid Court and Strong Water Tavern Special Events

Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort each offer their own spin on a relaxing island atmosphere, and either one is the perfect place to ring in the new year! The New Year’s Eve buffets at Islands Dining Room and Amatista Cookhouse are sure to be some of the best food you’ve had all year, and the New Year’s Eve events in Orchid Court Lounge and Strong Water Tavern are a phenomenal way to cap off 2023 and kick off 2024. Check out the menus and get your tickets below!

New Year’s Eve Buffet at Islands Dining Room

New Year’s Eve Buffet at Amatista Cookhouse

New Year’s Eve Celebration in Orchid Court Lounge

New Year’s Eve Celebration in Strong Water Tavern (adults ages 21+ only)

New Year’s Eve Party on the Piazza at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

If you’re looking for a picturesque backdrop to ring in the new year, there is no better celebration than the Party on the Piazza at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Set against the scenic Harbor Piazza, this New Year’s Eve celebration features gourmet foods, desserts, beer and wine (alcoholic beverages served to adults ages 21+ only), plus a live DJ and dancing. The countdown to midnight will even include a live performance by Portofino's opera singers and a sparkling wine toast (for those old enough to partake). Learn more about this event and purchase your tickets online here.

Hard Rock Hotel’s ROCK-in 2024! New Year’s Eve Lobby Party and NYE Buffet at The Kitchen

If you’re the type who likes to go all out to celebrate New Year’s Eve, then Hard Rock Hotel is the place to be this year! First things first, you can fuel up for a night of partying like a rock star with the New Year’s Eve buffet at The Kitchen. We’ve saved the best meal of the year for last, starring a chilled shellfish bar, a chef’s carving station with espresso-rubbed New York strip loin and smoked turkey breast, and some delicious sides and desserts. Plus, your buffet reservation includes entrance to the ROCK-in 2024! New Year’s Eve Lobby Party! This family-friendly celebration is a great way to rock in the new year, with entertainment that includes a DJ, roaming magicians, balloon artist, a countdown live from Times Square via satellite, and midnight balloon drop.

New Year’s Eve Buffet at The Kitchen

ROCK-in 2024! New Year’s Eve Lobby Party (does not include buffet)