For the most part, we have always had a good experience at this location. Last night, it did start off a little rocky. It was a busy Saturday night so there was a line to wait in to put your name on the wait. After waiting in that line, she asked us if we would be okay sitting in the heated patio area. We said okay, thinking our name would still be put on the wait as first available. Instead, she sent us to the other side of the restaurant to wait in another line. Not another line to put our name in, but a line quite long where we would have to just stand there until a table opened. The main hostess should be more careful when explaining this situation so others are not in for the surprise. I personally think that is a bad system. There should be one wait and those who have agreed to that area should go to those tables first when they are available. By the time we for back to the original girl, our wait time had increased by over 30 minutes. What can ya do at this point? After we finally checked in, we went to the bar to wait for the rest of our party to join us an get some drinks. We stood there for almost 10 minutes before a bartender asked us if we wanted a drink. I would have been more than fine with this if they had been actually taking care of customers but all three bartenders were having conversations amongst each other or other bar guests. From my experience with bartending, it's common to be sociable, but you have to be aware of your bar and the other people who need you. Once we were waited on, everything was great. To our surprise, we were actually seated an hour earlier than quoted. Our server was great and everyone loved the food. I'll give my quick opinions on a few of the dishes I've tries here. Quesadillas and crab dip are great for appetizers. Corn and crab soup is very good. Coconut shrimp are tasty. The pasta was lacking flavor in my opinion. I never order it anymore. Cheeseburger in paradise had good flavor and was juicy. I thought the taco salad would have had a little bit more lettuce to it, but it was more of everything else. Flavors were good but just wasn't what I was looking for. Overall, we love Jimmy Buffett and the vibe here. It's a fun atmosphere and the prices are decent considering it's universal.
(4)
Valley Guy G.
Checked it out on a Sat night and band was playing cover songs on stage. Apparently Nov is slow season but the place was lively. Good place for groups as there's a lot of seating. Service was fine.
(4)
Alec J.
Went there right before they closed got a good drink and a yummy calimari and had a wall you cab put a not about your experience at universal it was a cool place and they had a live music
(5)
Tom T.
All about ambiance and music but decent bar food too. Margaritas were variable, some good some bad some ok. It's really great if you like Buffett, and the stilt peformers were a nice add-on.
(4)
Irnela S.
5 stars for atmosphere! This place is amazing! And if you're lucky you're here when there's live music...Michael is amazing! Oh and try the perfect margarita'
(5)
Pamela M.
I have been here a few times since moving to Florida. The food is actually very good. The Mac n Cheese is wonderful, hamburgers, fish tacos...all good. Can get a little pricey especially once you add in the drinks but you are in the heat of tourism so that should be no surprise. At least you can be satisfied that you didn't spend a lot of money on bad tasting bar food.
(3)
Heather.Spy P.
Good margaritas, good prices. Can't say I was crazy about the bartender but that was a personality thing. Really great that they'll give you a to go cup though so you can sit outside and leave when you want. Didn't get to try the food since the kitchen was closed.
(3)
Karl S.
Drink and nosh on the patio after a quick promenade around CityWalk. Yes, it's industrial, but isn't all of Universal industrial? They were efficient in moving us in and out, and the staff was friendly.
(3)
Maria V.
Had dinner here and our food was great but the waitress had no personality again.She sounded like a robot when she talked to us and then my husband overheard her say to another waiter that she couldn't wait to get out of there already.That would explain our service! I had a great burger and my sweet potato fries were amazing! The atmosphere there is very relaxing and it's very mellow.There was a man on stilts making balloon animals so the kids loved that.Overall great restaurant but the waitress sucked.
(3)
Aleema R.
So I wasn't too impress with this restaurant. All the hype and I was quite disappointed. The live band was great. Maybe because we went a little late? That could have contributed to the lack of service but I just did not enjoy myself.
(2)
George K.
Terrible experience at Margaritaville Saturday the 19th for lunch. We came in for some lunch and our buddy ordered a drink to which he was refused because they didn't think his ID was real. Sort of understandable, but on a brighter note the supervisor came over to see if she could get the ID verified or scanned. We were happy because it's a real FL ID, so we knew there were no worries. 20 minutes later, no manager in sight, all of our food devoured, still no drink. We were never informed of the manager's whereabouts or anything. We finished all of our food when the manager ( i believe her name was Bri) and a police officer came by to talk to our friend. Officer says everything is ok, and we get a drink and a check. With the 4 of us all working in service industry, we were shocked as to how the situation was handled. Our server Anna did a good job of trying to keep us happy but we were already pissed at this point. Anna you're great and we understand you were doing your job. The manager om the other hand just did not handle this situation thebright way. Whoever hired you made a mistake in having you as a front of house manager interacting with guests. Not once did she let us know what was happening with the ID, not once did she come back to even check on us or apologize, and honestly it's pretty embaressing to have a police officer walk to your table. Thanks to this, we will not be visiting any Margaritaville restaurant wherever we may come across one. Thanks for an absolutely pitiful experience. Btw, the food was pretty good.
(1)
Yo K.
Always a hoot! Nachos, nachos! Great place to stop by and have a break from the park.
(5)
Joe K.
I love this place. Great vibe. Music was fabulous. We had a large party around 28 people. We waited to get seating in the upstairs dining area to accommodate large parties. I had the burger and a good variety of beverages to choose from. The waitstaff were able to split checks with ease having the soccer team and parents on different checks. Fast service ,knowledgeable and friendly.
(4)
Cathie D.
Love Margaritaville! We've been to multiple locations, & to this one numerous times! Love the margaritas & the land shark beer! The nachos are huge & very good. The conch fritters are good. I'm not really crazy about the fish spread appetizer! The burgers are good & the crab cake burger too! The atmosphere is very cool in the typical Jimmy Buffet style! Yes, it's a tourist trap, & yes, you will have to wait but that's something to expect in this area!!
(4)
Lisa M.
It's not bad for a theme park touristy area. I had the quesadilla and the best strawberry margarita I've ever had there. Nice relaxing atmosphere while the kids played mini golf. I'd go again.
(3)
Orin T.
Andrew the bartender was really cool and patient while I tried to decide which margarita I wanted and whether or not I wanted to try the fried pickles. In the long run I decided on The Perfect Margarita. I have to admit it was good... Wasn't the best I ever had but it was good. I was nervous to try the fried pickles because a delicacy like that has to be made just right and I've experienced them done right (Tin Lizzy's) but I've also experienced them done oh so wrong (Zaxbys). These were ok... They were a little to 'pickley' for me but some people might like that. The breading and sauce were tasty. I prefer thin pickles but these were chunky spears cut up into bites. If that's what you're into, go for it. The atmosphere was nice with live music and low lights. I'd go back and try the entrees.
(4)
David M.
I ate at Margaritaville a few years ago so this review should be taken with a grain of salt. On second thought, make that two grains. My memory has been a little foggy ever since I fell off that carousel; and by carousel I mean merry go round. I went in the summer so it was pretty crowded. We had to wait about 45 minutes to be seated but they had wooden lounge chairs to sit in while we waited so I didn't mind one bit!!!! When we finally got to go inside we noticed the tropical island decor that was both pleasing and upsetting but I'll get back to the decor later. The food was good not great and the service was good as well. There was plenty of entertainment while we waited for our food so the wait time didn't seem long at all. The entertainment and decor however are my reasons for the 3 stars instead of 4. I really just didn't get it. For a restaurant owned by one of Forbes richest people in the world who also just happens to have coined the phrase "Let's get ready to rumble!!!!" there wasn't much of a boxing or business theme to this place. Not sure if this is like his vacation type of restaurant but you would never guess that he owned the place. Along with that they are playing the same songs on loop through the speakers. Same boring singer singing the same boring songs. There was one song named after the restaurant that sounded like it came straight off a radio or tv advertisement. Just seemed really cheesy, you don't see Olive Garden doing that. Not sure why but everyone else seemed to love the songs except us. It would have been really cool to have some classic boxing bouts on TVs throughout the restaurant or even some fun facts about his philanthropic work. I really just don't understand where they went wrong with this place. I heard its a chain as well so I'm not really sure if they're all like this or what. Hoping they'll fix this soon I would really like to go back.
(3)
Mike D.
BBQ bacon cheeseburger was just OK, really not that good. Fries were terrible how do you mess up fries ? Quesadilla was very good
(3)
Da G.
Came here a few times during my stay. Happy hour on the outdoor bar was good (3-5). Our Bartender Billy Ray was excellent an also sent us in the right direction around the parks. The margaritas frozen and on the rocks are definitely my recommendation. Hit this joint up
(4)
Yvonne B.
A friend and I stopped in here for a drink after a concert at the Hard Rock. Obviously we had margaritas, he got original and I got strawberry...they were delicious! There was a good crowd around the bar and our bartender told me from where to find the "lost shaker of salt" so that we could get pictures with it. I am giving three stars just because we were there for less than an hour so I didn't have much time to get a good sense of the place, but I was a little disappointed because their margaritas were not the best I have ever had. They were definitely good, but I have a had a lot better. Overall it was a fun place and I am glad to be able to say that I have been.
(3)
Michael P.
With the Fact that Amusement parks are the one entertainment sector with positive growth I was not surprised to find that the Chained restaurants have stepped up their game a little. Was in the area using a friends Timeshare they had leftover and decided to relive my childhood and go to Buffett's Margaritaville. I grew up a Parrot Head so always down for Large Margarita's and Good tunes. First off the Parking guy let us through 5$ when I asked about only going into Universal to eat, we were expecting to pay the whole thing so that was nice. Upon Arrival it was 10pm so the restaurant was full but on the waning side, 35min for a table or choose from 1 of 3 bars. We took the Bar in the back by the big blender(hilarious), bartender was friendly and slightly attentive. Food took us by surpise, Peel and eat shrimp was good, Crab cakes were Tasty and the burger was on point! If you are in the area and need a bite to eat this would be my choice even for non Parrot heads!
(4)
FS U.
The food is mediocre. The alcoholic beverages are good, at least the zombie and last mango in Paris (closest to Cadillac margarita). Kids menu is 9-10 bucks a meal. The burger isn't terrible, but Cody's Steakhouse has a much better looking burger. Th fish tacos was missing something, maybe lime and cilantro. It appears as if they have downsized thief menu since the last time I've been, ably 4 years ago.
(3)
Edward S.
The boneless wings are moist. It is a little loud so make sure you are ok with that. It has live music and it is great for kids.
(3)
Nancy C.
Had a great time !! food was exceptional and the drinks were on the money. Try the "5oclock somewhere" if your looking for a fruity drink with a kick. Lets not forget the customer service which was stupendous ! We will be back here for sure!
(5)
Nicole L.
First time at this chain. The menu is pretty boring but to be expected given the type of restaurant. The atmosphere was lively and tropical. The staff was pleasant and inattentive. The buffalo chicken sandwich was huge. The chicken was protruding from each side by 3 inches. The chicken itself was slightly on the overcooked side. The fries were boring and unseasoned. The chicken and broccoli pasta was also large. It had a Alfredo type sauce and was very tasty.
(3)
Annabelle S.
Yes- I AM a Parrothead- and so we'll make the trip to Citywalk just to go here. Sit on the porch of indecision, listen to a little radio margaritaville (which sometimes broadcasts live from the DJ booth) and kick back. Ahhhh. The shrimp and lobster salad is tasty and I always love the cheeseburger in paradise. My daughter could watch the Volcano blow ( in the bar) all night and we always round the trip out with a visit to the store for some more kitschy Buffett paraphanalia.
(4)
Dustin W.
I've visited the Jimmy Buffett's location in Nashville so I already knew before hand what to expect. I kept it simple ordered a burger and fries. A few beers and few Margaritas made everything alright.
(3)
Thomas C.
Margaritas don't come in margarita glasses. Once you get pass that fact you realize that this is an ok place geared for tourists. Good place for a late dinner and if your lucky you can catch a live band performing.
(3)
Grant T.
Margaritas are really pretty good (I'm more of German beer kinda guy) but nonetheless still pretty good. I had shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta that was excellent. Live singer tonight was pretty entertaining.
(4)
Guen S.
try the conch fritters! excellent!! this is a great place for families, and friends that want to get together and share appetizers and drinks. has a that kind of laid back, bar atmosphere. the wait staff was very courteous, made suggestions, and served us well. the portions are pretty generous. i don't think i finished everything. great place to stop after a long day walking City Walk or Universal Studios, and of course, have a margarita!
(4)
Barry A.
Probably the best way to finish out a day at either of the Universal Theme Parks. It was a beautiful late spring day and I wanted to sit on the patio, drink some beers, and listen to some live music. Well this is definitely the place to do it. The Porch of Indecision didn't disappoint on those expectations. Always a sucker for locally brewed beers I tried their Lone Palm Ale. It was a light brown ale that wasn't overly hoppy or bitter. Just another beer from their Margaritaville Brewing Company. For the meal I decided to go with the Terkiyaki Steak which was served with a grilled pineapple slice, fresh vegetables, and mashed potatoes. I ordered my steak medium-rare (the way all steaks should be prepared) and it came to me well-done. I sent the steak back (which I rarely do) and got a new steak that was prepared rare. Closer to what I wanted but not quite there. The manager came over and gave me an excuse of a new ordering system was put in place and some of the servers were having to hand write tickets. Not really a valid excuse and there is no excuse for a poorly executed steak. The veggies were a little under done as well. The service was great but there was clearly a major problems in the kitchen that night. Saw three other tables send meals back throughout the night. THE BOTTOM LINE -- Great place to relax, have a few beers, and enjoy some live music. Not the best place to eat anything fancier than cheeseburgers in paradise.
(3)
Heidi A.
First time ever to City Walk and Margaritaville... My friend and I sat downstairs on the patio area and had a nice meal. The food wasn't overly expensive and was well made and fresh...though no gourmet feast like you'd get at Emeril's of course--and the music was just at the right volume there so we could talk. Tourist trap? Perhaps, but I'm a local and I'd go there more frequently if I had company and if the parking lot wasn't so far away from the rest of City Walk. You have to budget for this. Later on, we walked around and came across the upper level of the restaurant--WOW! The cover band was amazing. More than excellent. They played everything from contemporary rock to Neil Diamond (Sweet Caroline) and the Charlie Daniels Band, some lower-key AC/DC, Guns n Roses (sweet child of mine) and Brown Eyed Girl and ALL of the songs sounded so close to the originals! Each of the band members had his own voice to add to the overall quality and it showed ...a very tight, together group. The songs that required the fiddle, like Devil Went Down to Georgia, were outstandingly executed. In fact, they were so awesome to the ears that we went back the next day to hear more and this time sat in the main seating area close to the band! The portobello mushroom quesadillas were so good my friend wanted to order them for her main dish too! The salads were well done, and the fish excellent. The drinks were good, too. It wasn't overpriced and the band engaged the crowd without being pushy or annoying. I'd recommend this place just for the music alone but the food is also not going to disappoint. Also, the band takes requests openly. I can't say enough good things about the overall experience there!! For the person who hated the cheesy volcano--sure.. it's corny as heck, but so are most things in any touristy area (why'd you go to City Walk if you hate tourist trap?)
(5)
Ka T.
With the craziness of the crowd, Myself and a friend were able to find a seat and met a very friendly bartender who took care of us. I ordered the cheeseburger of course and i had no complaints. Priced were also very reasonable considering we were in the middle of tourist trap area.
(4)
Trang N.
My love and I finished up our visit at Universal Studios here. We decided to be seated at the bar; We weren't planning on getting meals. The bartender suggested we order the Crab, Shrimp and Mushroom Dip and we went with it. It was good, but not fulfilling enough. The pieces of bread given with this starter were limited, but big. After three rounds of margaritas, we ordered the Volcano Nachos -- there's a reason they're called this! I wish someone would have warned us or we had gotten this first. The order was HUGE and for the same price as the dip. We came no where close to finishing it. Drinks were moderately priced and the live band gave it a fun atmosphere. I wouldn't mind stopping by again if I'm ever back in the area.
(3)
Bill Y.
After a long day at the two Universal Studios amusement parks, my girlfriend and I decided to get some "real food," so we settled on Margaritaville, as neither of us thought Panda Express in CityWalk was a very great option. We sat on the "Porch of Indecision" -- and heard three Jimmy Buffett songs during our time there -- and the food was pretty good. We had just eaten some ice cream in the parks, so we skipped the appetizer and went straight to our burgers. The burgers were cooked well and the service was great -- something that doesn't always happen when you sit on the porch at a restaurant. The drinks were great as well. I had a Lone Palm Ale, which I assume the restaurant has specially made just for it, as I've never heard of it before. It was pretty good, red in color like a Killians. My girlfriend went with a margarita, and she seemed to live that as well. I'd recommend the place as the service was attentive and fast and the food was good. It doesn't try to be too much -- just a good, decent dining option outside the amusement parks -- and it hits on most every mark.
(4)
Darren S.
This place is located on the CityWalk outside of the Universal properties. The food was pretty good for a touristy/chain restaurant. Our burger and buffalo chicken sandwiches were pretty good. Not outstanding, but after the park closed, it satisfied our empty stomachs. The prices were $2-$3 higher than they should have been.
(3)
Annette G.
The cheeseburger in paradise is a very good burger. I'm not a big fan of Hienz 57 generally, and I order without onions, but it's good nonetheless. It's also huge. Considering your smack dab in the middle of tourist town, the prices aren't bad either. They offer a number of sweet and fruity concoctions, some better than others. The pineapple vanilla rum martini is like a pineapple upside down cake. For margaritas, go with the top shelf, otherwise you'll be disappointed. Generally, I'd say stick with beer.
(4)
M M.
This place is a tourist trap that can still be fun! The food and drinks are over priced, but the ambiance you can't beat. I would recommend coming to this joint just for the ambiance alone.
(3)
Jason J.
Wow. I knew this was going to be a tourist trap, but I didn't expect it to be this bad! The decor was kitschy and not entirely unexpected. Prices were perhaps a little expensive, but this was expected due to the close proximity of theme parks. We had dinner reservations for 6:30 and were seated/ordered shortly thereafter, but didn't receive our main course until 7:30. To fill the void, I had the "Who's to Blame" margarita which was long on margarita mix and short on tequila as well as the conch fritters which were very dense and doughy but had a decent conch/onion flavor. For my entree, I had a Cuban sandwich w/ onion rings. Let's just say the sandwich was "less than inspired". The pork tasted like it had been in the reefer for too long and there was almost no mustard on the Cuban! WTH?!? The final "nail in the coffin" was the horrible service. I was charged an 18% gratuity due to the size of our party and our server didn't even refill waters or other fountain drinks once. I will not return to Margaritaville nor will I recommend this place to my friends. I don't care if it IS 5 o'clock somewhere.
(2)
Michael A.
I figgen LOVE Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville! They have the best nachos I've ever been served in a restaurant; and believe me when I say I've had my share of nachos. My girlfriend and I went there the first night we arrived for our week stay in Orlando and got absolutely PLASTERED. I know, that is not what makes a good restaurant, but they had a plethora of choices for margaritas and we tried them all and they were all fantastic. You know how sometimes you go and get a margarita and it's ALL juice? Not here. On top of that, I also had the burger, which was surprisingly good. Sure, it's not the greatest burger ever, but it's far from mediocre. We ate there again later in the week and I got the jambalaya, which was pretty good as well. I've been dying to get to the one that opened recently at Mohegan Sun because it's my favorite chain restaurant ever now.
(5)
Scott H.
Initially we were told the 45 minute wait, and never offered seating on the outside patio. We discovered the outside patio on our and decided to eat there. It's the same menu plus it had live entertainment. The server was excellent, and the food was very good. Expect to pay a bit higher price since it's located at city walk but no complaints at all. I've had good days and bad days going half mad days. This was definitely a good day!
(4)
John O.
Def the best Margaritaville I've seen yet with Cozumels location being 2nd. Great live music and tasty food. The Margaritas weren't too bad either ;)
(4)
Emily D.
First time at Margaritaville. I honestly didn't expect the food to be that good, but I was pleasantly surprised! It wasn't on the menu, but we got chips and salsa as an appetizer, and WHOA, the salsa was awesome! We all really enjoyed our food, drinks, and the atmosphere!
(4)
JENNY G.
Been here a few times. The margaritas arent very good The food isnt very good The service is awful But the music is AWESOME!!!!!!!
(3)
Matt L.
Decent Margaritas and prices are surprisingly fair for a place where you might have to chew off your own leg if tourist traps were more physically similar to bear traps. Fortunately, they aren't! But that doesn't mean there's no wildlife up in this cheesehole. Cougars roam wild, but tend to lay in wait near the bar, viewing targets from afar across the savannah. While on safari, we witnessed one female stealing chardonnay from another's glass when one went to mark her territory in the ladies room. In times of extreme scarcity, the group dynamic is lost, and it's every cougar for herself.
(3)
Bob L.
My wife, sister-in-law and myself had a great time at Margaritaville Cafe (Universal). The food was very good. The Nachos were huge and tasted great! It was a meal in itself. Robert M. (our server) was a great waiter! He was very friendly and kept coming by to check on us and was very prompt with bringing us our food and drinks.
(4)
Cynthia L.
I adore this place! Good ribs and burgers and while you enjoying your meal every 15 mins a huge volcano explodes and pours fresh margaritas into a huge glass!!! Tere is usually a live band playing all Jimmy Buffet songs and then some. The staff is awesome and they even play games for kids and adults to join in. If you are a Jimmy Buffet fan then this is your place to be!!
(5)
J J.
I planned this as our arrival dinner in Orlando, and did not arrive there until about 10 pm on a Saturday night. There is a large indoor dining area that was full. They had a band playing that sounded okay. We sat out on the deck, where they had an "entertainer" up on a small stage, his job seems to be to make jokes, and get some drunken guests on the stage dancing. The sound volume inside and out is extremely loud, music playing at almost unbearable levels, don't even think about having a conversation. The food was not good, third rate bar food. All things considered, including the weird Universal tourist atmosphere, makes this one of the worst restaurants I have ever visited. Jimmy Buffet should be ashamed of this one.
(1)
Davis T.
i had the cheesburger which was pretty good. this place was kinda random as there were people walking on stilts entertaining and a live band but its all good
(5)
Tina C.
I wanted to go here because I wanted to eat a good pasta on our last night on city walk. Well, we sat on the patio and got in quickly. Do not order the angel Hair pasta with shrimp unless u want garlic breath for 2 days! It was awful. Way too much garlic with 4 shrimp. My husband had ribs and they were fatty! Choose another place unless u want to have a great margarita!
(2)
Jamie K.
Great music! Great Margarita's. Great time...
(4)
Natalie C.
The Calypso Mahi Mahi is a swell choice if you have fish on your brain. It was flavorful in itself but with the mango salsa on top, it was very tasty. It's a light dish, worth the price and good enough for sharing if you order their nachos, or are planning on getting desserts. Because like everything else there, they do desserts well and large.
(4)
Denise M.
After walking around the Disney parks all day, you have to replenish with delicious food and drinks. The calamari should not be missed. Coconut shrimp and jambalaya are a must. And of course, you have to get a margarita. Fun atmosphere, loud music, great to share with a group of friends.
(4)
lorena w.
We at many restaurants during a 5 day visit to Universal studios. This was our favorite place. Good atmosphere, outgoing employees, great drinks. Our waiter was Philadelphia but forgot his name. He was great
(4)
Sergio C.
OK, so I'm only going to review the walk up window bar and the to go margaritas, but man were those good margaritas. It's nice to find a place where you can walk up to a window and walk away with a margarita. My wife and I found the service to be quick and friendly and the margaritas were great!
(4)
Lori G.
This is a cool bar/restaruant with big fruity drinks and an island vibe. by far one of the most popular restaurants in the busy City Walk area. There's aways a super long wait for the dining room area when the park is closing, but the large outdoor patio is first come first serve. Margaritaville has a huge volcano inside that erupts every hour with, you guessed it, a margarita type substance. There's also a big stage where fun bands play and people get to dancing. The food is good and festive and the drinks make you happy. Its a mighty fun place to spend an afternoon or evening wastin' away.
(3)
Halley S.
This was not very memorable experience for me... maybe because I am not a Jimmy Buffet fan and don't like his music blaring in my ears... it was really deafening! Anyway... our server was extremely busy and did take good care of us and that is what the 2 stars are for. The food is average... nothing that I will be craving anytime soon.
(2)
Eliza L.
This was a great experience. I was not even going to ask about being gluten free here, I was just going to do the best I could from the menu because I was so hungry and tired after a long drive from NOVA to Orlando. That is when I noticed at the bottom of the menu it said ask for the gluten free menu, which I did. They came out with a full menu of gluten free items, and not just partial meals with things like the bun or bread missing, but including the BREAD!!!! They have actual meals, desserts, and gluten free drinks. I ordered the Cheeseburger in Paradise (even though there were much fancier things to have like ribs!!!, I had not had a cheesburger is almost and entire year!) It was wonderful, it had the BEST GF Bread on it I have ever had. It was totally soft and squishy not on the firm side like most GF bread can be (the ones that cut your gums), and no ricey taste, or that freezer aftertaste/smell I think smells like wet dog. It also came with fries. It was a great experience totally effortless, I just ordered and got my food.
(5)
Rich E.
I'm not going to go into detail as to why we ended up at Margaritaville on a Saturday night in Orlando, but there we were amongst the drunken tourists in Jimmy Buffett's bar. We were seated at the end of the bar next to the patio, and either someone had vomited earlier in the evening or the water was so stagnant it smelled like sick. The bar is also extremely loud- to the point where you cannot hear the person next to you talking. I know CityWalk is popular with the tourists (and even some locals), but you can find better things to do than waste your time here.
(2)
Jenn T.
If you're going to eat here, eat at the bar. At 7pm, the wait for 2 people was over 1 hour. The bar wait was 5 minutes. But if you're willing to wait, at least there is a walk-up window for $6 margaritas! The mango one is really good. Check out their website for the menu. But I really liked the Jamaica Mistaica Wings. The bartenders were very attentive and very law-abiding, they checked everyone's ID. Oh, and to park, go after 6pm, it's free (or else it's $9).
(5)
Phantom S.
When you have an experience as good as I have at Buffy's, don't ever go back. I walked around that silly amusement park for hours and I was parched and came to realize a bit hungry as well, where else can you eat without having the runs later, other then Buffy's. I went in an ordered an over priced burger and fries, I didn't feel like a margarita so I ordered a Pina colada, I know it's a bit fem, but I had my nuts tucked in so it was OK, the waitress wasn't friendly at all and the burger took forever to come out, so to equalize my manhood, I maybe had a shot or two, by the time that mutha F-in burger hit my table, I was rocking the volcano and doing table dances for dudes in a too too? but I ate that burger and those fries like they owed me money. I must admit, six years later, I think it was the best burger fries and Pina colada I ever had. Buffy's always wins when I think of great food and drink and that is the exact reason I have never been back to a Buffy's, I don't want to spoil greatness.
(5)
Haru K.
Was hoping for more as a Jimmy Buffet fan. This place was so cheesy from the amateur cover band to the staged couple that danced to try and get others to join in. I got my cheeseburger (mediocre), but not in paradise... I've heard the one in Vegas is a lot better.
(2)
Sean C.
When you go, ask for Rachel. Before moving to Orlando, I'd eaten here many times while on vacation with either family or friends. The atmosphere is a big party and, as such, can get a bit loud. Luckily, this is my only complaint. Since moving here, I've taken my sister and niece twice.Our luck-of-the-draw server the first time was Rachel. She made my family feel comfortable for their first visit, hit all the points that management wanted her too and went about making my 16 year old niece feel as if she were the most important person there. Even when a difficult situation arose at a nearby table, Rachel handled it with grace and courtesy. Two weeks later, we are back again for dinner. This time, we requested Rachel's section since we had enjoyed her so much the first time. Two weeks in a very busy tourist trap with a wait upwards of 1/2 hour tells you how many people she's seen in that amount of time. She remembered my niece & the drink she had ordered, which again made her feel special. We could easily have been vacationers who she would never see again, rather than locals who enjoy going there to eat. By remembering us, Rachel proved what a professional she is. I've eaten many things on the menu, always starting with the Conch Fritters. Never a disappointment. The Baja Tacos and Al Vacado Turkey burger are also top choices. Drinks are solid and well made. Why only 4 stars? Well, 3 for the restaurant itself. It's a chain in a tourist area and the prices reflect that. Don't know if I want to see what happens to the prices during the high tourist season. As a local I may only end up going during low season. Rachel gets 5 stars. I've not only had the privilege of being served by her, I've seen her interact with other tables. You can tell she holds herself to a high standard. So, an average of 4 stars between the two. In summary: Go. Enjoy yourself. Have a drink. And pass the shaker of salt.
(4)
Ron W.
Touristy, kitschy but a little bit cool, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville brings a bit of caribbean to Universal's Citywalk. It's a big complex with a large dining room, stage, 2nd floor and outdoor patio. Menu is basic with a Mexican/caribbean flair. We're talking fish tacos, jerk chicken, habanero wings, etc. Nothing spectacular but done up with some love and care, you can't expect too much in these mega-vacation spots. My wings were large and plump but the sauce could have used some work. The main issue with Margaritaville is that it's popular, busy and loud. We had reservations and still had to wait a half hour plus for the table. Inside, the waitstaff is young and while well-trained, seems to struggle a bit with the volume. You've got Buffet videos running in the main dining room and we got seated right under the speakers, oy vey! But where else are you going to see a large man on stilts making balloon animals while having dinner?! And of course there's the obligatory Jimmy Buffet sing-alongs and cheeseburger in paradise. Now in the end I'm in Orlando expecting all this type of stuff so I'm going along with the flow. But if you're talking restaurants, Margaritaville is a nice spot for the family, nuttin' more or less!
(3)
Anastacia S.
This place lives up to expectations - a very kitchy, touristy place with mediocre food at the boardwalk outside Universal Studios. It exceeds expectations with service (AMAZING service) and the fact it served lunch, which many of the restaurants on the boardwalk do not. If you want to sit indoors you wait for the hostess to seat you; if you want to sit outdoors just grab a table and a waiter will pop by.
(3)
AJ M.
Food was great, good service, busy but servers were very attentive. Would definitely come back. Try the nachos and tacos. Very tasty.
(3)
Jamieleigh W.
The drinks are the best part of this place. Just get drinks and eat elsewhere!
(2)
Scott F.
Great experience. In fact it was so good, we went twice in less than 3 days. The restaurant is quite large and is very clean. Tables turn over pretty fast as the tables are cleaned quickly after the patrons depart. I had the fish and chips and while the food is not the cheapest, the amount of food and quality are very fair. I also got a grilled fish sandwich which was also excellent. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive to making sure we were alright with the food and making sure our drinks were filled when they ran low. Kudos Margaritaville!!
(4)
James A.
I love the dedicated take-out section. A margarita to go!
(5)
Michael M.
Food here a little above average taste wise, but the ambiance makes it a good place! The drinks are a little over priced, but filled with alcohol. Live band at night makes it entertaining! Only go here if you plan on going to Universal, otherwise you can be in for a long walk and that can be a bad thing if you're hungry!
(4)
Magnus S.
Let me start by saying, if you have more than 1 butterbeer at Harry Potter world in Universal Studios, just go home. You are going to puke, and I don't want to watch you do it while I'm eating. This is a chain restaurant. They are in every tourist trap in the western hemisphere. So if you know that before you come here, then you won't set your expectations too high. They have a waterfall in the restaurant above the bar (or maybe they call it a volcano, but it's a waterfall). It's a gimmick. Booooring. This place is swarming with children, but then again so is Orlando, so it's unavoidable. Because of that the ambiance suffers. Yes, all you parents out there that can't teach your child to be quiet in public are TERRIBLE parents. My service experience here was just okay. After having to be reseated because of the vomiting problem (yes, children), the waitress seemed to assume we were going to be lousy patrons and started offering us lousy service. So that was a bummer. The food was exactly what I expected from a chain, so no fouls there. Bottom line, this isn't anyplace fancy, but a good alternative to eating inside Universal Studios. SERVICE: 4/10 AMBIANCE: 6/10 FOOD: 6/10 PRICE: 6/10 UNIQUENESS: 6/10 OVERALL SCORE: 56 Service: Graded by the "Keep my cup full principle". Ambiance: Pretty self-explanatory Food: A high food score does not always indicate it is a place for foodies. It is weighted based upon the establishment - thus bar food can receive a high score Price: Price is graded based upon what I believe is fair value for the food you are receiving. A high score does not necessarily indicate the establishment is cheap. Uniqueness: Higher scores indicate desire to return. STAR RATING: ***** Overall Score = 90-100 **** 75-89 *** 50-74 ** 20-49 * 1-19
(3)
Gena F.
After a long day of visiting the two parks, loading up on butterbeer, smoked turkey legs and fountain soda, we decided we needed some real food and relax our tired feet. So of course the promising neon signs attracted our attention. The food here is pretty typical American, not bad, but the atmosphere is pretty fun. First of all, they have people walking around in stilts and costumes, (we were here around the holidays so they were wearing holiday themed outfits) giving out giant balloon hats, taking requests, how awesome is that? Second, their margaritas are delicious (as they should be :) and strong. Didn't go wrong by coming here. It does get a bit loud with the music playing and yells of "Happy birthday!!!" (loads of people were celebrating their birthdays that day), but overall fun and relaxing.
(4)
R J.
Food and service were great. Volcano Nachos were very large and tasty. The atmosphe was fun.
(4)
J T.
Love, love this bar. I've been here a few times now and frequent the outdoor bar on the City Walk. The drinks are perfect and the outdoor seats are a perfect way to people watch especially on vacation...nothing like getting buzzed and making fun of people!! Lol maybe one if these times I'll try the food!! Maybe next vacation!
(5)
Mark H.
Ya was in Orland again, had to go and have a burger and margarita's! It was great!
(4)
Chris M.
So I don't know anything about Jimmy Buffett, nor am I generally a fan of chain restaurants like this. After a long day of traversing Universal and being buffeted around (pun intended) by a tsunami of bodies at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we found ourselves with a couple of hours to kill before our bus arrived to bring us back to the hotel. We looked up and saw that we were in front of Maragaritaville and it seemed reasonable to go in and have a few beers while we wait--and boy am I glad we did. What a cool place. Braced for the worst (Planet Hollywood meets musician who's entire catalog I'm unfamiliar with), I was pleasantly surprised by the cool low-key vibe inside. They really do a good job cultivating the relaxing island aesthetic here. We had a few Landsharks, which they had on tap, and an order of fried pickles. All the while, we familiarized ourselves with this Buffett follow's music, which was on loop (of course) and not too bad. We also liked the gimmicky volcano that would erupt every now and again. Most surprisingly, the check was extremely reasonable, and we left satisfied. If I am ever at Universal again, I would totally come back here.
(4)
Steve B.
Once Upon a Lizzard, Once Upon a Lizzard, Once Upon a Lizzard. Must I repeat-- Once Upon a Lizzard is that margarita. Simply amazing. Definitely go see the bartender Jerry there. He will hook up very good tasting margaritias. This is a tourist trap as most Maragaritavilles are located in tourist trap locations. The conch appetizer was ok at best. Didn't eat dinner here. Just threw back drinks after a long day at Island of Adventures. Menu seemed overpriced but loved the Once Upon a Lizzard Margarita. Grade: B-
(3)
Miranda P.
Kind of a let-down for food and service. The only thing I would come back for is the live music and maybe a drink or two.
(2)
Brian W.
Live music, big crowds, very enjoyable if you want loud and noisy. And huge platters of nachos. Key lime pie isn't bad, the jambalaya is only so-so (more spicy than anything else), the pulled pork sandwiches are giant. Bar was pretty slow getting our drink orders, but watching a balloon-maker on stilts run around was fun. Not bad for a specialty chain restaurant pretty much only seen at Universal Citywalk, but not much else to say for it.
(3)
Mary B.
Margaritaville is pretty much what I expected it to be. Overhyped. it is in crazy touristy part of town, so I didn't expect much from it. The menu is very limited and overpriced. I got the bbq chicken sandwich and it was fine. Not great. My fries were a little bit cold when they came out - my guess if that my plate was waiting a bit before the rest of my party's food was finished. The live music was fun, but made it so that we were unable to talk at all as soon as they started playing. Our server was great though. We had a person in our party that was on a gluten-fre diet, and he made sure that everything that she ordered adhered to her dietary guidelines, which I know she appreciate.
(2)
TamEra M.
Food sucks, but those Margaritas are AWESOME!
(4)
Chaz M.
Another tourist trap at Universal City Walk. We decided to grab a quick dinner at Magaritaville and perhaps a few cocktails to liven up our Halloween Horror NIght Experience. We had gone to HHN and realized in order to enjoy the event one should probably be inebriated or slightly intoxicated. We were seated after approximately 20 minutes and we greeted by our waiter. We ordered out Margaritas and decided on an appetizer. We order the Quesadillas and sales. Not too complicated at all but we waited and waited with service that was absent at best. The Quesadilla arrived and were placed on a cutting board as the waiter had mentioned the ran out of plates to serve it on. Again just not a good impression. Now the Quesadillas looked fairly ordinary and we paid extra for chicken and I take a bit and I'm amazed that the chicken is canned chicken. It had to be and I have no proof of this but I was eating canned chicken. You just don't expect that when you are paying like $15 or something along those lines for an appetizer. I've never had Quesadillas with canned chicken EVER. It was mushy and just not good. The salads were lackluster and average. The drinks weren't bad really although I felt a little weak. The server was surprised that we wanted to leave. I think it was the guy on stilts making balloon hats or the drunks dancing around with paper salt shakers that had us make a hasty retreat. Oh and HHN was much better after 4-5 Margaritas.
(2)
Christopher S.
Best place on City Walk. We love this place. A must stop when in Orlando. Always a great time.
(5)
Jessica A.
Good solid place for a quick lunch before heading to Universal Studios. My Cheeseburger in Paradise was comes exactly as ordered and the fries were crispy. The service was fast and everyone was very nice. A good spot overall!
(4)
Anthony M.
What goes well with Roller coasters? Margarita's and Burgers!!! This location is outside of Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios. I love to leave the park and eat here. The food is so much better then in the park! The burger is amazing...I ordered it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. I also walked in just in time to see the Volcano Bar explode ( not as impressive as the Vegas location but still fun)!!! Bartenders were good and fast...the restaurant and bar were packed at 2pm on a Friday. There was also a great happy hour from 3-6. Half price Margaritas and bud light on tap...I did not stick around for this but it seemed like a great deal. I do not know how well Happy Hour works with the Incredible Hulk Coaster but I definitely do not want to ride with you. Make sure you check out the live parrots on the way in and Jimmy Buffett's sea plane sitting out front.
(5)
David M.
Burgers, nachos, margaritas, and jimmy Buffett music blasting. What more could you want in life?
(5)
Mike L.
$$$$$$ Ok it's $17 just to park, it's Citywalk....to be expected. We dined here four years ago and the food quality was very good. Surprising for a tourist place. Atmosphere great and entertaining etc. volcano blows and creates excitement . Food portions were large and justified the somewhat overly priced menu. JB on the big screen. Cool setting! This visit not so good. Food and beverage products clearly outdated. When I say outdated I mean product is old and not fresh. "Born on" date on bottled beers over 130 days old. Sent the stale product back and they brought out another with same old date, same flavor and flat. Product was flat with no flavor, overpriced at $5.25. I just conceded and accepted the fact the buyer for this place had obviously been given a good buy on some old beer from the Bud Man and the whole Bud Light supply was old, so I just finished it and changed brands. Guess what ? The Coors Light was old and skunky tasting as well. Dinner was rushed. Soup and entree came out at same time, although we asked for the soup arrive first to allow us time to enjoy the music. The crab and corn bisque was so cold it had solidified on top and was cracking on the surface. Yuk! I had ordered a burger. Hard to mess up a burger right? Wrong ! Buns were very very stale, burger was terrible. Burger looked like it had been under a heat lamp for hours and was precooked hours in advance. Very dry. The coconut shrimp were tasty. Sweet potato fries and regular fries clearly out of a frozen bag and dry and barely eatable. Our total for 4 stale beers, one soda, leathery and dry hamburger and fries, coconut shrimp and a bowl of cold soup with tip $93. Counting the parking we spent $110 before we left this place just for our party of two. Sorry! Emerils is next door and you can dine there with great food for the same price or less. Sorry JB this place is really being poorly managed and whoever is purchasing the stale and outdated products is killing the place. I guess it is cheaper to buy old food than fresh. You should know about this. Outdated old food and beverage is being served here. Potential patrons ....my advice to you if you choose to stop in here....choose the volcano nachos and share with your mate. Eat at the bar, watch the volcano over the bar blow and then leave after one beverage. Coke products are $3.75 here btw ...that's a bit much also! This place only receives two stars because of the ambiance and the fact that watching JB on the big screen is entertaining.
(2)
Shawn J.
Very good. Will no doubt be back. Food was outstanding. Very crowded, even with reservations had to wait a little. The outside bar is a nice place to sit, relax and have a few drinks.
(4)
Jack B.
Get seated very fast (10 min) right as park was closing and everyone was piling out to city walk. Very loud, hard to talk with people next to you. I had the shrimp trio, a bit expensive for what you got but it was good regardless. Can't comment on alcoholic drinks. Service was good and nacho appetizer excellent. Felt a bit rushed because they obviously try to turn over tables fast. All in all it's one of those one time thing tourist places.
(3)
Jen G.
My family and I ate here last night. Best dining experience since we've been here on this trip and we've been to Emeril's. Our server Jason was great. Attentive and friendly. Never needed a thing. Best we've encountered this week. Atmosphere is lively and fun. My 4 year old loved the men on stilts and his animal balloon that was made for him. Of course music was great. Our food was great. Everything cooked perfectly and delicious. We started with buffalo style wings. My husband had the blackened fish sandwich, My older son the avocado burger , I had the Seafood Mac n Cheese , our 4 year old had grilled cheese. Dessert was key lime pie. Everything was great, good food and service. We will be going back every time we return to Universal.
(5)
Heather N.
Great food loud atmosphere has an indoor volcano which is cool. Usually very busy overall cool place.
(4)
Pinky And The B.
I have to start off by saying I HATE chain restaurants. But Margaritaville is the exception. Jimmy Buffet is a genius and what America is about. How many middle aged fat slobs do you know who wish they were Jimmy Buffet but the closest they can get is going to Margaritaville and wearing their tropical shirts and drinking Margarita's? Jimmy Buffet invented an entire culture of escapism. The food is decent but it is all about the theme. Orlando is not a city known for food and in a city with limited choices Margaritaville is a good and fun choice! By: jimmy buffett 1977 Nibblin on sponge cake Watchin the sun bake All of those tourists covered with oil Strummin my six-string On my front porch swing Smell those shrimp they're beginnin to boil Chorus: Wastin away again in margaritaville Searching for my lost shaker of salt Some people claim that there's a woman to blame But I know it's nobody's fault
(4)
Ty F.
My girlfriend and I were just in Orlando a couple weeks ago, as we stay on the Universal Resorts once or twice a year. We have always wanted to try Margaritaville as we pass it most days on our vacation so we decided to give it a try. We did not have to wait too long to be seated although they were busy. After being seated we waited over 10 minutes to be greeted( I have served in a restaurant and know that is far too long.) finally being greeted the server was not very social and seemed like he didn't want to be there. He just asked for our drinks, the drinks took another 10-12 minutes to come out, finally after being seated for 20+ minutes he takes our order. We get our food I need a refill on my drink he walks away before even giving me the chance to ask he drops the food and leaves, another 10 minutes to get the refill. He didn't ask how the food was he wasn't attentive and we sat with empty plates for 20 minutes waiting on the check. I work in the restaurant business and I know we focus a lot more on these things. When we come back in months time I do not know if I will return with that kind of service.
(3)
Sandra M.
While on vacation to Universal Studios, we found ourselves eating at least one meal a day at Universal Studios Citywalk. There was a slight wait to be seated as can be expected at a resort restaurant during spring break. There were 4 adults and 3 kids and everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. Burgers were ordered and I really enjoyed my buffalo chicken sandwich. The place was nicely decorated and the music and staff were nice. What bothered me a bit, was the reaction (or lack of) of the staff when another patron was suffering from what seemed like a fainting spell or seizures. I couldn't really tell, but the family was going hysterical and many of the wait staff were just standing around, staring. Other diners got up to help and the paramedics finally showed up, but there seemed to be a lack of training with the young-looking staff. I lost my appetite after that, only because of seeing how upset the family was, not because of taste. We'd go back tho.
(4)
Toshi I.
Only came here for cocktails and there's a fun, live band playing metal and hard rock classics which is cool to listen to, not necessarily easy to dance to. There were some out there who despite the challenge seemed to enjoy themselves regardless. Try to imagine rhythmless, jerky moves and the overbite. Bad, bad visual.... I was not hungry but saw the appetizers served which didn't apppeal to me. If it looked good, I would still steal a bite even if I wasn't hungry. It's another themed restaurant in a sea of 'em here in Orlando. My drink was a bit weak, but the company I was with was more important. We sat outside on the patio which was really nice and of course, not as loud as it is inside.
(3)
Christina S.
Pros and cons...pros...not a lot of other choices in City Walk for this price range, so good choice. Nachos are huge and really good for price. Cons...rest of the food was sub par...not quality at all and the entertainment was AWFUL! Girl on stilts kept dancing by and screaming at the top of her lungs for others to dance. She had the most shrill voice I have ever heard. I just couldn't take it. There was a stage for a band, so maybe I was just unlucky and got the screaming banshee as entertainment instead. Joy.
(3)
Dee D.
I LOVE Margaritaville in Key West and I love having one so close to home in central Florida. I have eaten here before and had a great time on the outdoor patio. But the most recent visit was terrible. We waited for 30 mins for a table. When we got inside we realized the restaurant was only at 2/3 table capacity. There were still plenty of tables open and available. When I asked why we had to wait they said they didnt have enough servers! Then they tried to seat us in a tiny table in the corner.... I refused. The menu has been redone. There are no conch fritters and the prices have all been increased! My margarita was weak and my food was mediocre at best. Our $60 meal for 2 was really worth $20. Way disappointed. The decor is very dramatic inside any they just play a continuous reel of random parrot heads drinking and partying. I would recommend going somewhere else :(
(2)
Brandon S.
Caribbean-themed restaurant with loads of mixed drinks (iced or frozen) to choose from. The prices might scare some people away but I think the atmosphere inside and out is worth it. Located a few steps from the entrance to Islands of Adventure. If you're planning on going to Cityplace/Universal you should definitely try this one. There's a guitarist usually playing on the patio and a volcano display inside. Lots of seating, but be prepared to wait for a table on the weekends. The Uptown Margarita is the way to go. Service was awesome. There was even a stilt-walker making balloon animals for the kids.
(4)
Cat B.
The outside bar has the best bartenders they are the friendliest and they are always Attended to the customer the needs I return there is a offen as a can. It is my first and last stop every time. Thank you for a great visit.
(5)
Justin A.
This isn't a bad place on the City Walk. Sure, it may be full of tourists and other weirdos, but the place is pretty fun and can provide alcohol that should make your visit to the theme parks more bearable.
(4)
Mallory C.
Cheesy fun atmosphere! Definitely sit inside so you can listen to the band on the weekends! The food was pretty good too. I got the chicken tortilla soup and it was delicious!
(3)
Dawn L.
While I LOVED my margaritas, and LIKED my apps, the entrees were just okay. We ordered the Conch Fritters and Shrimp & Crab Dip... The Conch fritters were slightly greasy, but still yummy none the less... The dip was pretty darned good, I must admit!! For dinner my friend had the crab cakes, and those were pretty well done, nothing spectacular, but far better than I was expecting. I ordered the fish tacos, they were alright, again, nothing to ohhh and ahhh over... But I still enjoyed them. My bean & rice side was VERY bland and boring,but by that point I was so stuffed, I hardly noticed!
(3)
Sui B.
Firstly, don't fall for the parrot picture scheme! Instead of paying for an overpriced picture they later bring to your table, have a friend with a cell phone discreetly take a picture of you posing with the parrot on your shoulder in a distance, pretending like he/she is doing something interesting on their cell phone instead of being cheap. Needless to say, I am very proud of my friend for performing this act. Ok, now on to the food and ambiance. We were given a beeper/shaky thing and were told to see if there are any seats open on the balcony. Luckily, a table was just leaving so we conveniently snagged it. We were killing some time before going to the 9 PM Blue Man Group show nearby so we took our time ordering and eating. Between the 4 of us, we had a Portabella Mushroom sandwich, crab cake sandwich, teriyaki chicken, house salad and corn and crab chowder. YUM!! If you are sensitive to creme, warning, do not have the corn and crab chowder soup....but it was SOOOO good and SOO worth it! ;) Our waitress is really nice too, learned that she is a local college student near by as a group of men were hitting on her at the table next to us. So we grabbed her and saved her.
(4)
Dan H.
Yes, I'm the Yelp Duke of Margaritaville, and yes, I'm a huge parrothead, so I of course am going to give this restaurant 5 out of 5 stars. If you go in with realistic expectations, including knowing that you're going to see and hear A LOT of Jimmy Buffett (it is his restaurant after all), you'll be happy. And while I wish they featured more gourmet-type menu selections like those at Tommy Bahama, I am generally satisfied with what we have ordered. In fact, I love the quesadilla and several other options. I also will admit that the drinks tend to have too much simple syrup and sugary mixes, and not enough rum, tequila, and freshly squeezed juice. But that doesn't matter much to me because they have a perfect margarita (called the perfect margarita), and they have Land Shark Lager (ask for it "loaded"). But above all else--and why I give the rating of 5 out of 5--Margartiville Cafe is the only place you can go to experience the island attitude and Floribbean lifestyle of Jimmy's music and books. If you can't make it to a concert, this is the next best thing. While these may not be compelling reasons for some people, they are all I need to be happy visit after visit after visit. A few other fun facts: Radio Margaritaville premiered with the opening of Margaritaville Cafe Orlando back in 1999, and JD Spradlin broadcasts his show from inside the restaurant Wednesday through Sunday. The cafe also holds the world record for the largest margarita ever made. And while it has been a number of years since Jimmy stopped by, members of the Coral Reefers usually swing through a few times a year (see the picture I uploaded). If you're latitude needs a little adjustment, head on in.
(5)
Ian W.
No shoes. No shirt. No problem! After a day at Universal Studios, I decided to stop for dinner at Margaritaville. I walked onto the Porch of Indecision past some very colorful wooden beach chairs around 5:00 PM on a Friday evening and I was seated immediately. The large Porch is covered and open air with lots of table seating and live entertainment (the musician was playing his guitar and singing covers of Jimmy Buffett songs). I love this feel good and laid back atmosphere. The menu offers a good selection of frozen drinks, beer, Coke soft drinks, starters, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, grilled specialties, and desserts. The prices here are moderate, with most entrees and sandwiches in the $10-$20 range. It took about 10 minutes for someone to actually come over and take my order. After that, the service was pretty good and attentive for the rest of the meal and several refills given on soft drinks. I had the Grilled (Blackened) Fish Tacos ($9.95) served with Island Rice, which was pretty good. This dish has two flour tortillas with blackened fish, tequila lime corn salsa, cilantro, sour cream, & shredded cabbage and Island rice with beans, which was spicy. I'd order 'em again! Overall, Margaritaville is a great place to chill out and unwind after a day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure over some drinks and food in a fun cool atmosphere. NOTE: Free Parking in the garage after 6:00 PM, otherwise $11 per vehicle.
(4)
Stephanie W.
If I could, this review would be a 3.5 My boyfriend and I sat at the bar, and the bartender was nice to us but kind of harsh to one of the food runners when she made a legitimate mistake (delivered our nachos before another couple who had ordered the same thing a few minutes earlier). He was also a little rude when asking for our IDs for drinks, repeatedly stressing that he needed to see them before serving us even though we both had no problem pulling them out when we ordered. The food was pretty good (I'd give it a 4), and the portions were HUGE. We ordered the cheeseburger and the volcano nachos. The burger was pretty standard, definitely juicy. The nachos are in fact as generous as the bartender stressed ("a four person serving"). The toppings and cheese could be better mixed throughout but were otherwise good. The service was fast, and the restaurant was well-themed throughout. We just didn't really love it.
(3)
Thu-Kim P.
We ( there were 6 of us in the group) stopped by Margaritaville after a long day at Universal. We were so excited for drinks and good food. It took about 20 minutes to get us seated which was fine. There was a group of 5 or something ahead of us. The disaster started after we were seated. It took the waitress 10 minutes? to get our order, that's fine as well. She was busy. We ordered drinks and our meal at the same time. Our drinks came out after 15-20 minutes and boy were they horrible! The nonalcholic drinks were fine. My sister ordered a non-alcoholic pina colada and enjoyed it. However our drinks were watered down with ice and tasted horrible. We felt like we paid 8-10 dollars for italian ice! (which would have tasted better than what was served). The horror didn't stop there... 40 minutes later we still haven't gotten our food. Now, the people behind us who came 20 minutes after us have gotten their food. 3 out of 6 people in our table ordered tacos. The easiest thing the make on the menu. My hubby ordered a panini, not hard either. When we finally tracked our waitress down and asked about the food and she stated " As soon as it comes out of the kitchen i'll bring it right over". Okay... 10 minutes after we asked she brings our food. It was COLD. Not lukewarm, not room temperature, COLD. My sister and I shared our taco plate and my hubby had his panini. For $50+ dollars we paid for 3 ppl it was the worst $50 I spent on my entire trip. We were too tired to complain and it was getting late so we just paid and left.
(1)
David J.
Had lunch at Margaritaville with some friends from out of town yesterday. The food was pretty good and the service was above average. The biggest downside was that several of our friends who had the Perfect Margarita thought they were a little too far from perfect. That probably wouldn't count for as much if Margaritas weren't the namesake.
(3)
Dee K.
HATED IT (if youve ever watched In Living Color, youll know exactly the accent I am thinking in)... Thats right, i said it. This place a tourist trap that lacks charm or substance. The food is not so great, the drinks are overly sweet and neon colored and there is a giant fake volcano thingy that explodes every couple of minutes while an endless torture of Jimmy Buffet songs play. Nothing against Buffet, but Im sure he has a lot of better songs that the over played 'Cheeseburger in paradise'. Ugh- my ears are bleeding. Overpriced for mediocre bar food.
(1)
Jennifer M.
For the prices they charged, I thought the food would taste better. It wasn't that it tasted bad, it just could have been better. Drinks weren't too bad.
(2)
Melissa M.
I was on vacation. I was hungry. There is no Margaritaville in Chicago. So I figured... why not? Let me tell you that either I was really, really hungry or that was one of the best cheeseburgers (in paradise) ever!! Tasty... perfectly seasoned. And for those who insist that asking for a burger well done is like asking for a dry rice cake... this place has just proved that you just don't know how to cook one. My cheeseburger was juicy, flavorful, AND well done. The service was spectacular. Everyone was so nice and attentive... very personable (with the exception of the broad that almost tripped me because I wasn't allowed to take a picture of her parrot! Really?!?!). It made for a great dining experience. By the way, they have parrots at the entrace that you can take photos with. That is... with their camera... not yours. For whatever ignorant reason, you cannot use your own camera and, of course, the photo is $20 should you choose to buy it.
(5)
Joe C.
Let me go ahead and get it out of the way. I am not a fan of Jimmy Buffet. Beyond one or two songs of his, I really can't stand his music. Unfortunately for me, my wife and all of our friends are huge Buffet fans, so I get dragged there from time to time. This place is sort of a Jimmy Buffet themed Rainforest Cafe with island decorations and an "erupting" volcano. If the music wasn't annoying enough by itself, the annoyance is compounded by the fact that they seem to have a 20-30 minute loop of songs. This might work ok if you could get in and out, but that never happens. There's always a wait to be seated, and whether you sit in the bar area or browse the gift shop while you wait, you're subjected to the music. Then, once you're seated, you'll have to wait for the food - which generally doesn't take too long - and eat all while listening to the same 5 songs over and over again. Even those in our group who LIKE Buffet commented that it was annoying. Next time I go, I'm bringing an mp3 player. On some nights, they have a cover band playing. The one we saw was a pretty middle of the road band. Nothing offensive, but nothing to write home about either. At least it was a break from the endless barrage of Buffet's greatest 5 hits. This restaurant is pure tourist attraction. Between the volcano "eruption" every 30 minutes and the servers coming out to sing and dance and generally be annoying. The food is always what sinks or saves a restaurant though. The appetizers are decent. The volcano nachos are especially tasty. The rest of the food is ok, but not really worth the price. The drinks are pretty much the same. They have a bit of kick to them, but most of them carry theme park prices. For me, the saving grace is the Loaded Land Shark beer. A bottle of Land Shark topped off with a shot and change of tequila. It's pretty much the only good thing to come from Jimmy Buffet.
(2)
Michelle P.
Although their margaritas are amazing, the food is nothing special at all. The server I had was so rude! It's not worth the wait that there usually is to have a table in this place.... Hit up the to-go bar if you want a margarita & eat somewhere else.
(2)
Kristen M.
One of my favorite places to visit when I come to the Universal area. It makes you feel like you are on a wonderful beach vacation far away from lines, crying children, grumpy parents, and broken rides. I absolutely love the atmosphere, music, food, and drinks. Our waitress could have been a little friendler but I can only imagine the amount of emotional people she has had to deal with during spring break. The wait was not bad for it being spring break (45 minutes for 4) and the steak was really good. The coconut shrimp was also delicious.
(4)
Neil Mikel L.
Lunch crowd is better than dinner. At night the place smells of a locker room with cheap perfume. During lunch, the staff were outstanding and really made the experience enjoyable. The food (Seafood Mac N Cheese) was so good, the Lava Flows great, the waitress was purely making sure everything was to our satisfaction. I went back later for dinner, it was a pick up joint for drunk/loud/annoying people.
(4)
Lauren C.
I was here last week and we ordered drinks at the inside bar and then at the outside bar that is part of Margaritaville. My credit card statement has come up and on both charges I was billed for more than I agreed to pay. Overpriced, but what do you expect? It's CityWalk. Everything else was fine.
(2)
JP H.
Volcano's Great nachos, and pretty good food. Whenever we are in Orlando which is often because we own a place about 20 minutes from City walk we always come here. Love the cheese music and the employee on stilts. Check them out if you are every on the Universal Property.
(4)
Bill M.
I honestly think this is the best dining experience at City Walk. You have to be in the mood for what it is, if you're looking for a private/secluded/romantic atmosphere this isn't the place. If you're looking for really good "bar" food, some Buffett music and an erupting volcano this is it.
(4)
Laura L.
Truly, I did not think that of the restaurants we ate at in Universal, I would give Margaritaville the most stars. We spent 3 times as much at another restaurant on the walk and didn't have near as good of an experience. The food was SPOT ON. Husband had the bbq bacon cheeseburger and I had the crab cake sandwich. We devoured every bite. I also had 2 strawberry margaritas and they were wonderful. The atmosphere was great. Last time I was there, we sat inside, which is a lot of fun. This time we sat out on the patio where the entertainment was set up. He was a one-man guitar band and he was great and played popular old songs that are always good to hear. Just a great time. Also, our waiter (pretty sure his name was Kyle) was just perfect. Just the right amount of attention - even brought out a flashlight for me to read the menu without me asking. Just a little extra thing that took him a second, but really came in handy. I give our experience here a solid A. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Renato S.
Volcano nachos are humongous! The wait is pretty crazy here but it is a giant tourist trap so what do you expect, and as a tourists I didn't mind. Very cool dining area, but the cycling videos do get a little annoying to watch over and over again. Along with the songs haha. A good stop for a dinner while at universal, but don't expect too much in terms of food.
(3)
Sara M.
Overall: Not bad for a touristy spot. If you love Jimmy Buffett then you need to come here. I had a Top Shelf Margarita and a Pink Cadillac Margarita, they were awesome but pricey at around $10 each. My friend and I split two appetizers: Buffalo Chicken Wings and Chicken Quesadillas. The chicken wings were very spicy and they were more like tenders than wings. Luckily it came with a side of celery to cool our taste buds down. The chicken quesadilla was really good with a great chicken to cheese ratio. Every hour or so they have a Jimmy Buffett jam session, loudly playing one of his songs while a HUGE blender built into the bar makes a fake drink. The atmosphere is loud so don't come here if you want to have an intimate evening.
(3)
Mario P.
Debbie our waitress was great, drinks awesome, burgers ( cheese burger in paradise and the Al vacada burgers , great, kids loved their burgers, Rita's and Havana / bananas rum drinks awesome . I could go on. This is my 4 visit to this particular Margaritaville, and each time I leaving wishing I had more room to keep eating and drinking. I love the vibe this place has and I hope they open a place near Houston where I currently live. I will definitely stop here again on a future visit and so should if you visit the Universal theme park area.
(5)
Y Y.
Margaritaville was a great experience . Great for kids . We got a seat on a boat. It is a clean place. The waiters and waitress were nice. For our app we ordered the pretzel sticks . They were amazing. They are big , hot, and soft. For our dinner I ordered the fish tacos . They were great served with rice and beans and pico salsa. My daughter had Mac 'n cheese and said it was delicious . The entertainment was so much fun . There was people on stilts making balloon animals for kids. There was also a volcano that erupts. The volcano didn't make a loud boom sound which was good. The stilt people and everyone else sang the Margaritaville song . The boys sat at the volcano bar and watched the knicks beat the magic. The grilled grouper fish sandwich was good and the chicken sandwich was average. Bartender was super! We give it a five star rating.
(5)
Megan P.
We waited a long time for a water. They brought out one order of quesadillas, but not the other. Their "Perfect Margarita" was delicious. The shrimp was good while I ate it, but I got sick later.
(3)
Hailey G.
I understand why people call this place a tourist trap,I am no tourist, I live half an hour away. It is made to attract tourists but it is SO much better then places like Hard Rock, the NBA place etc. I do find some dishes lacking in spice, but I am a girl who likes her habanero so it's nothing a little hot sauce can't fix. I was quite happy. My only real complaint is I wish the fries pickles were sliced not cubes. Otherwise great.
(4)
Sean K.
Great food!
(4)
Shar F.
I love this place hands down! If your 21 go get two margaritas one for you and then one for me ;) Good food 2. Have fun!
(5)
Dan M.
Probably your best option (outside of Emeril's...and maybe the latin quarter...maybe) if you're at the Universal parks. It's very loud and the food is passable...but that means it's great for where it's located. Not worth going to otherwise.
(2)
Anonmoyus P.
The food and the atmosphere are both great and the service is very good. Make sure to get the key lime pie.
(5)
Ashley B.
This is the second Margaritaville I have been too. The first being at the Montego Bay Airport in Jamaica. I wasn't expecting much since we just left the park. Tired and ready to eat anything. I was pleasantly surprised. The waitress was nice and quick. Drinks in a matter of minutes. The food came quick and the portions were huge. We only had appetizers but there wasn't a complaint at our table. We left happy and satisfied.
(4)
L S.
After cruising to the Caribbean and having a taste of their Volcano Nachos along with their Fish and Shrimp Tacos in Cozumel, Mexico, I was thrilled to see one in Orlando's Citywalk before my return to California. However, this was a big disappointment. First of all, this place will only take reservations a day prior to your arrival. Secondly, after a long and exhausting day spent in the themepark, my girlfriend and I expected our togo dinner to be quick. Unfortunately, that was not the case and took at least 30 minutes, in which we could've probably gotten a table by then. On top of that, their menu lacked the Shrimp Tacos. Not to mention, their Fish Tacos were completely different from the ones we had in the Caribbean. Overall, it was a mediocre experience with typical bar food. I prefer a taste of the Caribbeans instead.
(1)
Matt H.
Great margaritas... But thats what you expect, right? The food was not bad either. Pricey for what you get, but you are at City Walk!
(4)
Noell M.
After battling the INSANE crowds at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter you will need a margartia or a Landshark to get you back on track. This was the exact reason for stopping into this place while on our way out of the park. To be completely honest I know nothing about Jimmy Buffet (except the song for which this place is named after and that he makes LandShark) and I had every suspicion that this place would be ranked in the same category as a Planet Hollywood or Hard Rock Cafe (1 or 2 stars). However, I was pleasantly surprised, the beachy vibe and chill Buffet music was oh so relaxing, add that to the Landsharks and the fact that they have fried pickles on the menu (!!!!) it almost made me forget all of the Muggles that I had to battle just to get into Ollivander's wand shop! The appetizers that we ordered looked, smelled and tasted delish. The prices were not over-the-top tourist trap prices either. ...which is great after a day of shopping at overpriced theme park gift shops. I recommend this place if you need to regain some sanity after experiencing the Potter park. Kick back ,relax and enjoy the world of Jimmy Buffet.
(4)
Rickey W.
The only other City Walk restaurant we hit twice on our trip. Great service, food came out quickly and the lava lava shrimp were still hot from the fryer both times. The Perfect Margarita was really good.
(4)
Erin T.
We walked in during the middle of "Margaritaville" - and if you haven't been before, this place gets a little wild. Fun, but rambunctious. Things calmed down a bit and we ordered our food. We didn't care for the music, as we aren't Buffet fans. I had the house margarita, which was not very good. Maybe I'm used to authentic Mexican margs from CO, I'm not sure- but it tasted like water and tequila only. My husband had the Sharkbite beer, which he thought was okay. I had a gluten free Cheeseburger in Paradise on a GF bun, with fries that were made in a dedicated fryer. It was delicious! The bun did not disintegrate, and I was able to truly enjoy my meal. I wish I had room for the GF brownie a la mode... but it was not to be. Our server Nicole was attentive and pleasant. The balloon girls on stilts were entertaining, especially when they would target tables full of businessmen or kids, make them each a nice hat, then quietly connect their balloon hats together when they weren't paying attention... Hilarious!
(4)
Annie K.
I was in Orlando last week for a mini getaway and we decided to have dinner at Margaritaville one night. Although we had reservations, we still had to wait about 30 minutes. Good thing the restaurant was in City Walk, because I utilized my time and went to the Universal gift shop to buy presents for my family. My boyfriend had a Patron Perfect margarita, while I had a strawberry mango daiquiri which was delicious! We ordered the volcano nachos as an appetizer, which were fairly good, plus the plate was gigantic! My boyfriend had the mahi mahi sandwich which he seemed to enjoy, while I had the fish tacos... which were average, nothing special. I've had better fish tacos in San Diego. There was a live band so it was pretty hard to talk over dinner and the service was pretty slow, but the overall experience was average.
(3)
Tiffany L.
came here for an early lunch on a sunday afternoon. we sat on the patio outside, soaking up the florida sunshine before we returned to the wretched winter that is nyc this year. i had the club sandwich (HUGE) and substitued the fries for onion rings. YUM. it was simple, but done perfectly! we also had the deep fried pickles which were good, but the sauce that came with them kicked it up to awesome. :) i tried some of fiance's cuban sandwich which was also great. the music was kind of over-bearing, but after we talked to the waitress they turned it down a bit. :) liked how they gave us separate checks!
(4)
Bryan D.
This location was much better than the one we have by our house. The food was good, service was great and we sat outside on the patio so it wasn't too loud and had good people watching.
(4)
Edward W.
This place is a ton of fun. Any fan of Jimmy Buffet has to make this a stop while in Orlando. We've been here several times and each time we've loved it. Today the service was terrible so Jimmy gets one star taken away for this visit. Food was very good. Cold beer and great margaritas. Don't miss the erupting volcano.
(4)
Lauren M.
I had been to this location a few years ago with my family (11 of us in all) for dinner and had strict instructions to get a reservation near the volcano. To which we did, and we had an amazing time. Yes, the deal is touristy, kitchy decor, etc. but really, you have GOT TO KNOW where you are! It's Margaritaville for cryin out loud! Those who want a gourmet meal, go to Emeril's and pay waaaay to much for stingy food. If you want to talk about your experience, come here! The vibe is awesome and everyone is laid back, especially on "The Porch of Indecision" :) Margaritas are very tasty as are all the rum drinks they offer. I have always had a good time when I come here and, yes, it's cheesy, but I'M ON VACATION GOSH DARNIT!! :):) ps---Last Wednesday I went there and the woman who was taking names for the waiting list said that outside on the deck and upstairs were open seating! SCORE!!! As there were only two of us, this task was easier but we were totally thrilled. Just a tidbit for those of you heading out to City Walk and Margaritaville.
(4)
timm s.
Seriously ..... What is better than drinking a margarita, eating a juicy burger, listening to Jimmy Buffett's great repertoire (/rep(r)twär/), and watching a scantily clad mermaid slide seductively (...... and very awkwardly) down a volcano into a GIANT margarita glass!!!! I ask you..... what??! Nothing. The Drinks are strong .... the music is great .... you will leave relaxed, full and drunk. Watch out for Pop Tops!!
(4)
Michael W.
Came for apps and drinks! Great atmosphere! We had the Volcano Nachos with fajita beef and a crab and mushroom dip which were awesome! Three of us shared the two apps and had leftovers still. The nachos are gigantic.
(4)
Bryan M.
Gigantic order of nachos. Bring a friend. Overall decent for a theme park restaurant. Tourist, expected cheesy atmosphere, excellent service.
(3)
Dana C.
Very good service and very good food. I had the jerk chicken (Super good) and my husband had the fish tacos (Super good). We got to sit outside and enjoy the day while eating some really good food! Nothing gets better than that!
(5)
Juliet B.
Terrific food in a tropical beach party atmosphere. Fish tacos and coconut shrimp were tasty and well-prepared. Baby back ribs were very tender. They brought out a full rack of ribs. Always love watching the spectacle of the volcano margarita.
(3)
Lori R.
Saturday, April 16th, about 11:30am. We had not eaten or had anything to drink yet. We had been wandering around IOA for a couple hours. We needed something. Nothing we passed in IOA sounded appealing, and we didn't want to get anything too heavy, as we had 4:30 reservations for Mythos. (which in hindsight I wish we hadn't done, but I digress). We found ourselves looking at the menu for Margaritaville, and it sounded good. (had eaten at one in Myrtle Beach before and remembered it being good anyway). It was early, no crowds in sight, yet we were told it would be a 10-15 minute wait. Seriously? What about the bar? No wait. Okay, that's the plan! It took a few minutes to get menus. We decided quickly to share a blackened fish sandwich. Deciding which "breakfast" drink to order took a little longer, but I decided on a Rum Runner, which was a GREAT choice...I remember it fondly. Husband got a frozen Hurricane, which I tasted, but I liked mine a lot better. But I'm not big on frozen drinks. He was very happy with it! Blackened fish sandwich with fries came out. It was a good size chunk of fresh-tasting fish that was very good, but definitely not blackened. We were too hungry to care. Tartar sauce was okay...some fresh onion would have added a nice texture and tang, but it didn't come with it. Again, we didn't care. Between the drinks and our starvation/parchment, we were happy with what we got. Service was good and friendly. We liked the bartender. We would not hesitate to go back.
(3)
Kim W.
Same old story......mediocre food sold at a touristy price because of the name of the restaurant. I have eaten at the one back home on Oahu and didn't think much of the food. I expected this one to be better. Food is edible, I would stick to the burgers as they were the best things there. If you want to have the ambiance and eat a cheeseburger in paradise....you can make it happen here. But if that's not what you are looking for, head somewhere else.
(2)
Scott B.
We had a great dinner! Our wait staff Becca was awesome. She helped us with recommendations from the menu, took our order from memory and didn't miss a thing! The manager stopped by to say hello and refilled out drinks. Great work Becca!!!
(5)
Regina R.
I was in Orlando on a mini vacation with my boyfriend. We decided to go to City Walk for dinner on a Sunday. Afterward we wanted a couple of margaritas while we walked around and remembered from the previous night that they had a walk up window. We arrived, waited there for 10 minutes while the bartender ignored us and a line built behind us. Finally she turned around and gave us the throat cutting motion with her hand and let us know we weren't getting anything. They were still open and were serving people inside. Horrible service and fake margaritas aren't worth it.
(1)
Sergio F.
This is one of those places that is just adequate and really, it's more of a tourist attraction than anything. It's Margaritaville so margaritas are a plus, but expect to spend over $10 per drink if you're looking for the good stuff. I had the premium margarita and my wife had the "one night in mango" (or something like that). Both margaritas were good, but a pretty small portion for the price and nothing that made us say wow. We shared the volcano nachos, which were really delicious! The portion is absolutely huge! That's all my wife and I ate and we couldn't even finish it. Some of the people we were with ordered the steak quesadillas and buffalo wings. Both were good, but nothing to write home about. The buffalo wings were REALLY spicy so beware if you're sensitive to spice. We got there around 9pm on a Friday and they were having "open seating", which was pretty inconvenient because we were a party of 11. The servers were really great about helping us figure out a solution, but I don't see why they couldn't have the host seating. It was odd. They also had a live band that was playing some of today's hits. That was a nice compliment to the atmosphere. We wouldn't choose to come here on our own, but we had some out of town friends who wanted to go so we did. Our experience was just okay.
(3)
Melinda B.
Went in for dinner with some coworkers. We had a large party and had to wait about an hour for a table. I was really hungry at this point. Someone recommended " The Perfect Margarita" which should be renamed " the okay margarita" it wasn't anything spectacular. But I felt a little tipsy , probably because I was drinking on an empty stomach, but I guess it did the job. I ordered the volcano burger which is topped with volcano chili, lava cheese sauce, pickled jalapeños, guacamole and Fritos original corn chips. So basically it was a bland burger with a lot of stuff on top. It was okay. I've definitely had better burgers. The atmosphere was fun, with live music, and a tropical theme. The server was nice, she was able to handle our large group with minimal mess ups. We perused the dessert menu because I decided that I would start my diet in the morning. We ordered a brownie with ice cream which was not on the menu and they should probably keep it off. The brownie wasn't warm and it was kind of chalky which was weird. Anywhooo, we told the server that we were not pleased with it and she took it back and took it off the bill. Overall the company that I was with made the dinner worthwhile. The food, well, I'll try someplace else next time.
(2)
Bill F.
This is a great place to have a cool adult beverage while watching the throngs and listening to great music but I would not go there again to eat the food. My unfortunate food poisoning event started with a wonderful looking and large Taco Salad. I was pleased by the large amount of chili that was included but not pleased with the result. Took about a day and a half to get over my visit to Margaritaville. Too bad...I enjoyed it when I was there.
(1)
Harry W.
We have stopped in to Margaritaville several times while visiting Universal. We are always impressed with the service and the quality of beverage offerings. This time we tried a margarita flight. Four samples of some of the best margaritas Orlando has to offer. Great place to grab a drink before a show at the Hard Rock or Blue Man Group and also to take the edge off of the heat and lines associated with the theme park next door.
(4)
AJ P.
The taco dinner was horrible...they should take it off the menu!!!
(2)
Natalie F.
The experience from start to finish: We were trying to sit at the outdoor covered bar and had a lot of different directions given to us. When we eventually got to the right place we were told to stand in a line and then wound up getting seated after guests that walked ahead of the line right to the host stand even though we were waiting. This made the first few minutes of the experience confusing. We were then seated right in front of the live musician (loved that) Our server was so nice and friendly and great at his job alll of our food was delicious, especially the coconut shrimp (yummy)! The perfect margarita was so strong, and so perfect. Overall a very good experience after we were seated.
(4)
Louis V.
Walked in to ask if they could accommodate a vegan in our party. The manager was short and did not care to be bothered with helping us find a menu item for them. We took our large party to another restaurant who seemed more willing to work with us.
(1)
Ed M.
I've been to a number of Jimmy Buffet places, but the one in Orlando at CityWalk is always the best. Atlantic City is nice along the boardwalk but Landshark across the boards is much better atmosphere. Typical bar grub is always pretty tasty and doesn't disappoint. Live music is always a plus when you get it. Comfortable, casual and relaxing...
(5)
Christian S.
New Year's Day 2015, my wife, and I dined at Margaritaville with her parents, and her two sisters. My in-laws recently moved to Florida, and they wanted to have dinner with us before we were scheduled to catch our separate flights back home. After some deliberating we decided to take a trip to Universal City-Walk, as we were more likely to have a decent meal there instead of taking our chances with the unknown near the Airport. Bad choice. When we arrived at City-Walk we contacted Margaritaville to inquire about the wait times. We were informed that the wait time was ten minutes. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we expected to wait but were seated almost immediately. This was helpful due to the fact we had flights to catch. Even though we were pressed for time, we were not in a rush. We left ourselves plenty of time to eat, and procrastinate if necessary. Once we were seated, we sat at the table a little over 10 minutes before my wife decided to ask the host about getting a server to come over to the table. When the waitress finally reached the table, she starts off by taking our drink orders. I asked for a Land Shark draft and hand her my driver's license. She informs me that she could not serve me because my driver's license had expired at the beginning of December. My father in-law asked why I was not able to have a drink since my DOB was still on a government issued ID. It's not as if I got younger, or my birthdate was no longer valid or verified. The waitress stated, that someone that looks like me could have provided me with the license, and it was Universal Studio's policy to not serve anyone with an expired license. I can understand the policy but I found it odd that I was able to get through Airport security with no issues but the same ID prevented me from getting a beer. 15 minutes go by before she comes back with our drinks and without my wife's Arnold Palmer. We ordered our appetizers and she returns with the Arnold Palmer some ten minutes later. It took 25 minutes for my wife to receive a drink made with iced-tea and lemonade. This is when our senses should have kicked in. Instead we decided to stick it out and proceed to order our entrees. Our appetizers reach the table in no time. The nachos were some of the best nachos I've eaten. In my opinion their tortillas are better than some of the Mexican establishments I frequently visit. The Jamaica Mistaica, their jerk glazed wings, were also pretty good. The wings were cooked and seasoned just right. I am glad we got to enjoy the appetizers because we never had the opportunity to enjoy or barely see our entrees. At this point we have been at Margaritaville for nearly an hour, half of that with our waitress missing. Once we were done with our appetizers, an additional 30 minutes went by without us seeing our waitress. That is twenty minutes without our water, or drinks being refilled. Her tables around us were not cleared off, so we took the opportunity to place our dirty dishes on them because no one came by to pick them up. When she finally made it back to our table, She informed us that our ticket was the next ticket out according to the line cook. She stated that most of the items were done but the Grouper was the cause for the delay. Already pressed for time my father in-law asked her to bring out the entrees that were ready. One would have thought that this wouldn't have taken anytime. After five minutes of waiting we decided that enough was enough and we were ready to leave. 10 minutes past before the young lady showed up with the entrees. By then it was too late, we were out of our seats and speaking with a Manager. To make matters worse, when the waitress finally reappeared with our food, she only had 4 of the 6 entrees; meaning her initial story was a lie. I believe she initially forgot to submit our entrees to the kitchen. The party of 6 that was seated minutes before us were done with their dinner service within the hour. The Manager asked if we wanted our food to go but we declined. Four of us had to go through a TSA checkpoint that was 30 minutes away. I for one did not want to carry extra items through security only to end up eating a cold meal an hour later at the gate. If we wanted take-out, we would not have paid $17 for parking to endure an extremely disappointing dining service at Margaritaville. I was upset that I had to resort to airport food, or wait until my flight landed at 11:45PM. I was upset that after enjoying good appetizers, I wasn't able to sample what could have been equally delicious entrees. What upset me the most, was that what should have been a meal to end our Christmas vacation, while giving my wife, her sisters, and their Mom those last few minutes to share now that she is no longer a car ride away, was disrupted. I find it appalling that we sat in a restaurant for an hour and a half, to only have appetizers, and one round of drinks. Without food, I was literally wasting away in Margaritaville.
(1)
Wasilewski J.
20 minute wait turned to 45 minute wait because the host put our party of 3 in as 8. Bahama Mama drink is weak. Food was luke warm when it arrived. Save your money. Go somewhere else. Universal...please get some real restaurants. Every place so far has been sub par.
(1)
Amy L.
I have to say we love Margaritaville! Their burgers and sweet potato fries are delicious. We always end up getting the guacamole burger with sweet potato fries. Yum
(5)
Gail B.
We stopped in for a bit. It is fun to people watch. The view of the water is beautiful.
(4)
Mary B.
So you might see that I visited Margaritaville at Orlando City Walk last year and gave it a pretty bad review. I was impressed that I received a reply from the restaurant's manager offering a voucher to try the restaurant again the next time I was in Orlando. I told him that I wasn't sure when that would be since I live in Minnesota but would take him up on his offer. The letter arrived shortly and in addition to the voucher he promised he asked that I call ahead of arriving so he could give my party priority seating. I happened to be in Orlando last week with my husband, sister-in-law and teenage nieces and decided to use it. I did try calling ahead of time as instructed but it seems that the manager that sent me the voucher was no longer with Margaritaville because the employee answering the phone had no idea who I was talking about and seemed to be having a hard time hearing me. When we arrived at the restaurant we informed the person at the host stand of the situation and they said they would have no problem honoring the voucher and seated us promptly. Caroline, our server, was very attentive and friendly. We could tell that they were really trying to give us a better experience and the manager had dropped by our table to ensure that everything was going alright. I really wish I could give this restaurant a better rating than three stars because of the extra effort that was put in to provide us with good service. Unfortunately the food had to be a large factor in the score and it was the consensus of the table that everything we ordered, while accurate, was very bland. Margaritaville creates an image of being of a Caribbean beach influence - I really wish they would utilize all of the fantastic spices and flavors of the Caribbean in their food!
(3)
Andrew H.
With the help of executive chef Dan Murray, Margaritaville has rolled out a new menu at its Orlando location that will soon be available at all locations. Some of the classics, like "The Cheeseburger in Paradise" and the ever popular "Volcano Nachos" have stayed and have been upgraded, but overall the menu contains over 15 new items in entrees, appetizers and even new drink selections. The refreshed menu features new appetizers, like the Asiago Crab Dip, White Cheddar Cheese Curds, and a Drunken Shrimp Skillet. But a new twist to the menu is adding a "Bites" section. The bites are small plate offerings that include Jerk seasoned Shrimp Skewers, Beach Tacos, and a Crab Cake Slider among other things. When going to Margaritaville, you can expect lots of booze in the blender, that will render that frozen concoction that helps you hang on....you can even get your booze in a take-home mini blender cup. Some of the new margaritas are quite good. The Last Mango In Paris, and the Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita both add a unique and refreshing twist to a classic drink.
(4)
Daniel S.
The only thing this place has going for it is its proximity to the park. The overpriced theme park-esque food took so long to arrive that we nearly left. Avoid if possible
(1)
Kristin H.
Fun atmosphere and the margaritas are soooo good! Food is OK. Ambiance fun with great music of course!
(3)
Jose A.
Never a disappointment!! I have visited this location some the early 2000's on many of vacations. This Jimmy Buffets location still is a top notch location that brings the nostalgic look look of the Keys along with a causal menu. Thanks again for a good time and excellent service!
(5)
Jillian A.
Honestly the food was great, the price a little ridiculous .. Drinks we're terrible, way to sour and poor decoration..
(1)
Scott M.
Words cannot really do justice to Margaritaville in Orlando. We have been to many of their other locations but NONE of them add up to the amazing experience we had in this location yesterday! Jim Quinn, the manager, set everything up for us and did not leave out a single detail. Our waiter, Devan, was nothing short of PHENOMENAL! He was super attentive, friendly, nice and went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with everything that we wanted and or needed. I have NEVER had an experience as incredible as this one in ANY restaurant. My hat goes off to EVERYONE involved and will ALWAYS remember the hospitality that they provided...would HIGHLY recommend!
(5)
Jean-Marie M.
We had an amazing time at Margaritaville yesterday. Jim Quinn's hospitality and our fabulous waiter Devan made for a wonderful afternoon. We celebrated our cousin's birthday and the food was delicious. I recommend that everyone check out this yummy destination!
(5)
Melissa L.
Of all the options available at Universal Studios, Margaritaville is one of the better choices. I'll be honest, I don't much care for (inter)national chain restaurants but the lure of a frosty beverage and some standard comfort food was more than we could resist. Plus, we were really tired and hungry after spending the day at the park. I was all set to order a chicken sandwich but the words coming out of my mouth sounded like "volcano nachos". What arrived was a mound (mountain more than a mole hill) of chili, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and green onions. It came with real cheese but I wish there had been some cheese sauce (aka Velveeta) as well as it has better coverage on the chips. It must have been 1 foot wide and 1 foot high! Despite m best effort I was barely able to make a dent in it. The dish itself was okay and paired well with my ice cold strawberry lemonade (I was driving so no alcohol for this chickadee). My friend did order a margarita and a burger and really enjoyed them both. Service was friendly; our water glasses were frequently topped off. My lemonade was replace without me even having to ask! Live entertainment came in the form of a man with a guitar who wasn't half bad. Yes, he sang THE song. I would come here again if I were visiting the park and would recommended it to others as well. There were large families and small groups and all of us received the same level of attention and service.
(3)
Alicia T.
Good live band came on about 1030pm. A lil loud, but good. The coconut shrimp is fire! F-I-R-E!! It is literally life.
(5)
Sean C.
The only place I actually look forward to leaving the Disney property for The food is fantastic. It tastes great and you get a ton of it. The staff is fun and friendly, as is tge restaurant itself. It is truly an attraction within itself. The wait can be long, but the outside bar is a fine place to wsit. The drinks are awesone and the price is right. Fins up!
(5)
TJ M.
Nice theme but like most themed chain restaurants the food sucks. It's overrated and overcrowded...Margaritas are good though. As a bar I think it's a pretty cool spot, just don't go for the food or service.
(2)
Missus F.
Sitting here waiting for my check - piss poor service on outside desk, s l o w. Received cold burger and fries and warm pickle. Sadly lately all margaritaville a are providing this level of service - watered down drinks and mediocre food. I think I'm done with this chain...
(3)
Stephania K.
Our server Joel was awesome! He was very knowledgeable of the menu and gave us great suggestions! I have to admit the burgers are a little expensive, 16 dollars for a burger that wasn't anything special. But overall good experience and nice staff.
(4)
Christina C.
Great place for drinks. My fiance and I decided to grab a before dinner drinks here and we were not disappointed. First of all the atmosphere is tons of fun. At 6:30 p.m. there were still a ton of families so there were people on stilts making balloon animals. I think the kids really enjoyed that. If you want to try a bunch of margaritas, get the margarita flight! I love beer flights and wine flights, so of course I wanted to try the margarita flight! It was the perfect amount of each margarita to really get an idea of whether I liked it or not. My favorite was the Mango flavor. The original was really good too. Honestly you can't go wrong with any of them. Next time I'll have to try the food, but I will definitely be back for the drinks!
(4)
Maureen D.
This place is a fave of my family's and has been for years. We always make time for a meal or, at the very least, a margarita, whenever we are jn Orlando. Any restaurant worth eating at in the resort area of Orlando has a wait on Saturday night at dinner time, so my husband and I were fine with waiting 45 minutes for our table. (Especially since we were quoted an hour's wait, a quicker availability was a nice surprise). The hostess seated us, at a nice, spacious 4-top. I loved not being crammed into a tiny little 2 person table after a long day at Islands of Adventure. We barely sat down before our waitress approached to make sure we didn't need our drinks freshened up. She went to fetch a fresh margarita for me and by the time she came back, we were ready to order. My husband's House Sirloin was cooked perfectly and our waitress (I wish I could remember her name, she was a doll) even remembered the a-1 on the first trip back to us! I had the Teriyaki Chicken and it was heavenly. I feel safe in saying I pretty much inhaled it, and our waitress made a little joke about how Jimmy Buffett's music always seems to make people hungry and thirsty. There was still a fairly long line at the front door, which I could see from my seat. This did not make our waitress rush us out after we were done with entrees and declined dessert. She told us to take our time with our cocktails, and we were grateful for the few extra minutes of sitting after walking around all day. All in all, a very pleasurable meal and I can't wait to make it back for our next experience.
(5)
Stan D.
Went for dinner when visiting Universal. For a family of four we found the prices reasonable and food was very good. We order the nachos ( which is huge) and a few sandwiches and also entrees. Our server was busy but did a excellent job .We left singing songs and enjoying the experience.
(4)
Matt M.
Love the burgers! It never ceases to amaze me though, seems that every time we get a table instead of sitting at the Volcano bar, we hit right during a shift change or something that causes our server to be delayed. It was no different on this trip. Seriously? A Sunday afternoon, in Orlando, during the tourist season at 5:00 pm and they don't have enough servers? To me, that doesn't make a lot of sense and is becoming too often the excuse for slow service. Quite frankly, we know it's not true and even if it were, we, your customers, don't care. Your staffing issues are your problems, not ours. If it's true, then it's a poor reflection on the management and it makes me want to go elsewhere. Your food is good, I could eat the burgers all day long...but when there is something wrong, tell your staff to stop making excuse. They sounds weak and lame and have no business in a professional environment of any kind.
(3)
Stephanie M.
Totally a tourist place to go but the kitchy theme is cute. I mean who doesn't love jimmy buffet and Palm trees and island life? The cost is quite expensive compared to some of the local places I've been to but for Universal studios, the cost was comparable to the other restaurants. We had the volcano nachos and the buffalo wings. Both these are appetizers but it's large enough to be an entree. Apt he nachos is huge!! And especially if. You have fruity cocktails win this like we did... You won't be able to finish it. The cocktails alone was filling with all the sugar and juice. The wings (get Jamaican jerk cause it's the best) comes a dozen a plate with celery and carrots. Both these items are perfect bar food if you plan on drinking more than eating. Again.... Go really hungry or with more than 1 other person. Any of their margaritas and "boat" cocktails are delicious. Boat means rum based drinks btw.
(3)
Robert B.
Walked in and noted that there was outside and inside seating. Asked waiter which was better. He responded that we could sit anywhere we wanted to. I asked him again and he just shrugged. Picked a table outside because there was live music. The guy couldn't play and was texting between songs. He didn't know the words to the song, Margaritaville! Both restrooms were atrocious... Awful! At least five empty tables with trash all over them the entire time we were there. Food was mediocre at best, but SLOW in arriving... Margaritas were good... Asked manager what was wrong, since we'd been there before, and to the Vegas location many times. He said that they were bought out. Also said that lots of people are dissatisfied and complain. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!! It's just a dive bar now...
(1)
Justin T.
Poor service. Poor attitude. Overrated and unpleasant. Band was a surprisingly good cover band with a good sound. Customer service killed it though.
(1)
Heidi s.
Nachos!!! Get the nachos!!! Love entertainment, good food, good service - a little better than the other spots along the walk...nice way to end the day.
(4)
Jeff C.
Kick ass volcano nachos complementing the perfect margarita after an exhausting day at the park. Thank you to our server Lisa who was on top of everything. We have a Margaritaville in New Orleans that doesn't compare.
(4)
Adam P.
Coming to this restaurant you would expect quality music, good drinks and good cheeseburgers. Too bad it fails in all three categories. The musician forgot he was to play songs reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet. Half the time I seriously thought he had music piped in to support him. His voice was very weak. The pina colada lacked flavor. The cheeseburger is not cooked to order as advertised. I purposefully ordered rare so there would be no guessing as to what medium rare was. The burger was well done. Very expensive and not good value.
(2)
Jon H.
We came here on a Friday evening after leaving Universal Studios, and were promptly seated with no reservation. Server was quick and friendly. Drinks were overpriced and didn't seem strong enough, especially for the price. The food was good. Dessert looked great as well but we couldn't fit anymore. Not a bad place to eat if you need to stop somewhere after leaving the park.
(4)
Sarina B.
I've been past Margaritaville before in Vegas and when walking on the CityWalk in Orlando, but had never stopped in before. Once I did, I immediately regretted not having done so before! First off, the gluten-free friendly aspect of it was great, and went above my expectations. I dined here 3 times in my stay, and each time received great service while dining gluten-free. They have menus specifically for gluten-free (and vegetarian on the flipside), and there's a decent variety of choices on there. I tried the cheeseburger and grilled chicken sandwich, both were delicious and stuffed me full. They have a dedicated fryer for their fries, so those are safe as well - and the sweet potato fries in particular are amaaazing! My first waitress was super informed and attentive, and also asked if my GF needs were medical or only dietary, which is a nice reassurance for Celiacs to hear. The next waitress wasn't as outwardly friendly about it, but the food was still good. The frozen margaritas are tasty, but pretty sweet, so beware if ordering more than one (mango, strawberry, and raspberry are all great!). They also offer a margarita flight of their top selling margaritas, either frozen or on the rocks, which I highly recommend (ends up being about two drinks' worth). Dined outside on the patio each time, great place in the shade!
(4)
Jack R.
Writing this because I know management here reads these posts as they responded to my original one. Dined here again a few nights ago. Ah what happened??? Maybe my expectations were too high. The menu changed a bit. No more grouper sandwich - so sad. It was the best ever. The food was barely acceptable and it took over 45 minutes to get to the table. Crazy! Waiter had a horrible attitude. When we asked for an eta, he said everyone waits at least 45 mins for food. Umm ok. The shrimp trip was horrible, swimming in oil and butter. Fish tacos were tasteless. We left the park specifically to have dinner here based on the last experience. Hate to retract a good review, but it was just that disappointing. ; (
(2)
Charles L.
After a day at the park Jimmy Buffet's flagship was just what the Dr ordered. The crab dip was great. Margaritas were flowing and the waitresses were friendly
(4)
Roy W.
Great time and out first visit!! The stilt walkers were very entertaining and the food was outstanding!! Portions were very pleasing and affordable. The ambiance is great for a group gathering or a first date!!
(5)
Dean C.
Fun place to eat! DJ booth with live broadcast on satellite radio, cool volcano eruption if you are in the restaurant long enough, and great service. I can now say I have had my Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was delicious. I also recommend the Quesadilla. Tasty tasty!
(5)
Joe R.
Service was exceptional but that didn't make up for overly sweet margaritas with little alcohol. Food was good, but nothing to write home about. The drinks at the to go window were way better than the flight ordered at dinner. The steak was cooked very well but probably wouldn't go back
(3)
Samantha M.
We were looking for somewhere to eat before the evening show at Universal Studios and picked Margaritaville because of its Gluten Free Menu. The atmosphere is fantastic, I almost wish I had kids to take with us, because it's perfect for families (at least at the time we were there). A lot of fun, and live music to entertain us. The food was delicious. I had a gluten free burger which was perfection and we shared the chocolate brownie for dessert which was possibly the best chocolate brownie.... ever! (Gluten free too!) The only downside was the service. Our waiter was absolutely useless, kept missing things we'd ordered, didn't know what anything cost, took the wrong order and didn't seem to care at all.
(4)
Douglas B.
Outstanding!!!! Get the nachos music is great stilt walkers awesome staff awesome only thing please please please please bring back the conch fritters!!!!!
(5)
Vanessa G.
Great food... Cheddar BBQ Burger and WATERMELON MARGARITA is a most... Service and music was great and even our 5 yrs old kid had a great time.
(5)
Jackie K.
Service was great (although seating was slow). Margaritas were good. I had the flight of four different drinks but prefer lighter margaritas and these were a bit sweet. Seating was good. The food looked good (we were full so we didn't order any). It's the same chain as everywhere and seemed in line with the other ones I have been too.
(3)
Shawn C.
Terrible service when not that busy. Brought out half the table's food and then the other half about 10-15 minutes later.
(1)
Joe T.
This is an ok place to eat. Service was quick and efficient. Food came out pretty quickly. I almost thought to quickly for a party of 6. I ordered jambalaya and it was decent. It was mildly spicy and after a day at Universal Studios, it was pretty filling. Out server was very good making sure everything was good and we had refills. My friends enjoyed there food. Portions were of good size. Even the children's fish and chips was larger then we expected. Overall, it was of good value. The menu is big enough to satisfy most people.
(3)
Steve M.
I cannot believe people eat here. Food is bland expensive theme park trash. Save your money for kettle corn or a turkey leg.
(1)
David B.
Food not so great. Tasteless, dry burger. Highlight of the meal was the pretzel stick appetizer. Server forgetful. No live music during our late lunch but concert clips were good. New choices at CityWalk make it unlikely we will return to what used to be a go-to.
(2)
Ryan B.
Like all other Margaritavilles, this place is strategically placed in a tourist trap. I came here one night after a day of roller coasters and fun, and my girl really wanted to try it. If you've never been to one, then I guess the allure is overwhelming. So we waited in line and this other couple came in and just somehow got seated in front of us without a reservation. I mean we were standing right there in front of the hostess stand waiting for our turn and this couple comes in to our right and asks if they have any seats for two. The hostess asked if they had a reservation and "no" they didn't . Then she seated them right away. That was totally bull crappolla. I was compelled to call the hostess out on that one and she did apologize, but it still burns me up that two people standing in line for like 15 minutes right in front of you and you still help these two other people who just walk in and do the rude thing of jumping ahead of other people AND get seated. Now let me talk about the seating. The place is kinda big, but has a lot of tables and they do pack a lot of people in TIGHTLY. I was practically rubbing shoulders with the guy sitting at the table behind me. Noise level. If you like eating in a place where the music is blasting loud and you can't hear other people at your table because of everyone else around you and your conversations are somewhat like this: "so what are you thinking of having?" "I SAID WHAT ARE YOU THINKING OF HAVING" (making gestures of hand to mouth) "EAT!! WHAT YOU HAVING EAT???" Then you might enjoy this place. With the amount of people there, I knew the wait service was going to be a little slow including food preparation. So that was no surprise. The food was pretty good. I ordered a blue cheese bacon burger and it was pretty good. No complaints there. I guess that's what it comes down to. I'm sure the atmosphere changes with the time of day and amount of people. So if you are cruising the city walk and are a Jimmy Buffet fan you might want to experience this place at least once.
(3)
Jon J.
We just had lunch here and the drunken shrimp was amazing! My beautiful wife had the cheeseburger of course and she loved it. Inside tip: Ask for Alexander! He is an exceptional waiter and a hell of a nice guy!
(5)
Karolina P.
Best Margaritas around. I had fish tacos which were really tasty. Prices are reasonable and the staff is very friendly. If you don't want to eat there, you can order margaritas to go... Awesome idea!!! They have live band every night at 10pm.
(4)
J D.
Greatest music around and a fantastic burger. Cheese burger in paradise with an onion ring on top is amazing. Compliment it with an nice cold land shark!
(4)
Lindsey G.
Maybe you have to be a Jimmy Buffet fan to appreciate this place. I personally don't get it. The food was just OK. I shared buffalo wings (a bit too spicy) and nachos (lots of toppings I didn't enjoy) with a group due to not finding much on the menu to suit my tastes. I also had an $18 margarita. I enjoy that they have different flavors and definitely enjoyed my watermelon margarita to the typical lime variety, but only purchased one as a novelty experience. They weren't particularly strong or particularly special and to pay $10 for a regular margarita seems rather steep. And the same music plays, day in and day out, hour after hour.... I just don't know how many times a person can hear "Margaritaville" before going on a frenzy to pour their watermelon-tequila concoction into the sound system. If you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the same song, take the kids to Margaritaville and get a little tipsy while the staff makes the kiddos some balloon animals. Otherwise, enjoy one of the many other eateries in CityWalk.
(2)
Christopher O.
This was my third visit to Margaritaville over the years that it has been open and each time my visit was okay. It is in the middle of one of the most touristy places in the world so expect higher prices and basic service. But compared to many of the other places to eat at City Walk, it is actually one of the better ones. The food each time is good and i have never had to complain about anything. The drinks are also good. I seem to only have beer when i visit so I can not give a review of their Margaritas... but I am told they are good. This last visit I got a blue cheese burger with fries. They did cook the burger Med rare as requested and it was hot when it arrived. I also had fries and they were hot and crispy. Our server (who was at the bar because that is were we ended up sitting) was super friendly. My only complaint about Margaritaville is the noise level. Besides the normal sounds of many people talking and eating, they are singing and every now and then, they seem to have pipped in 'crashing' noise that scarred the poop out of us each time it happened. We were sitting at the bar and the three of us had trouble having a normal conversation. We seemed to be yelling at each other to be heard. I know it is part of the atmosphere of the place but it was way too noisy for my taste. Service = 8 Atmosphere = 6 Food = 8 All in all, it continues to be one of the few places I enjoy at City Walk. Enjoy
(4)
Bob C.
First visit to Margaritaville Orlando and I will be back! The drinks were big and priced fairly. The food is first rate! Jimmy Jammin Jambalaya was delicious and the shrimp trio was the best we had all week! The staff was a smiling, singing happy bunch especially Rachel who took great care of us! You all need to eat here!
(4)
Shawn H.
So this started as a 2-3 star review. We weren't greeted by a server for 20-30minutes. The manager did take care of that however. The food was all good, the group enjoyed burgers and I had fish and chips. Safe meal with decent portions. My wife and I became quite fond of the Perfect Magaritas while we there, I definitely recommend one of those to help with long days that come with a trip like that. This is probably 3 stars anywhere else but compared to the other options at Universal Studios this is a very good option.
(4)
Carla W.
I have wanted to eat at this place for a few years. Located on the Citywalk for Universal Studios this is a very nice facility. I was jamming to the music and enjoyed the stilt walkers singing and clapping to Margaritaville! I had the shrimp trio and it was delicious. They also have a spacious patio great for live music.
(5)
Christian S.
Very cool atmosphere, and interesting video and activities all around. We got the cheese curd app, BBQ burger, chimichurri flat iron steak, and 2 small desserts that came with our meal plan. All the food was served hot and correct, and our server Nichole was really helpful with walking us through the meal plan options. 4 stars only because they seemed a little short staffed: we arrived at 12:55, drinks arrived at 1:16, and entrees were on the table at 1:35. Not terrible, and they seemed to catch up as we progressed through the meal. We'll be back, for sure.
(4)
Sherry J.
Stopped here with RJ before we went to Universal HHN. The wait was about 45 minutes for inside, but only 10 for the deck and we were seated right away. I ordered the mango daiquiri which I have had before and is one of my favorite drinks, and we started with cheese curds which were delicious. How can you not love fried curds of cheese? I had the fish tacos which had large, tasty pieces of fish. Fried fis is not my favorite, but it was cooked perfectly. RJ had the grilled chicken sandwich which tasted grilled and was very juicy with crispy bacon. Service was great, as it always is here, and there was live music playing as well.
(4)
Natalie G.
YUCK expensive crap food. Went there on for my birthday, half crap service. Food was very bad. I had the beach tacos very bland. Most people just like it because its trendy.
(1)
Missy M.
Stopped in after a long day at the theme park. My kids were exhausted and wanted to go back to the hotel but we all needed to eat. It wasnt too busy so I thought it was a good pick and we had been there a few times before. Once we were seated, our waiter took about 15 min to come by and even get our drink order. It took about 15 more minutes to get our drinks and then he went to another table to laugh and joke around. After flagging him down, he took our orders. We only ordered appetizers at that point because the kids were getting rowdy from having been there for so long. He got aggravated that we only wanted apps but he finally put our order in. He said nothing when he brought our food. The food wasn't even hot when it came out and when I tried to get his attention that we weren't satisfied, he was nowhere to be found. He popped up about 40 minutes later and I asked for our check. He then got upset when I didn't "tip enough". I was so upset that I'll be finding a new place to dine in City Walk.
(1)
Ginah T.
2 stars for the price and the portion of the wings. Other than that, service was slow and subpar and entrees were sorely lacking in taste. Had the Jambalaya and Surf and Turf. Steak was rubbery and not seasoned and the jambalaya was just.. Sad. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else for food.
(2)
Joseph K.
First of all I LOVE this place. Food and drink amazing! But when I reviewed the bill at home, they over charged for drinks X2, watch you bill, don't be stupid like me. Lesson learned!
(4)
Joseph S.
I am not a big fan of star created or themed restaurants but this one is an exception. We were there during our Orlando stay and were not dissappointed. The staff was friendly and courteous. I was in a wheelchair and they knew exactly what to do to accommodate me. The service was prompt and the food was hot when in got to the table. Speaking of the food, I personally loved the Landshark Fish & Chips. My family had an assortment of menu items, like jambalaya and burgers, all were great and executed well. Oh, and the key lime pie was fantastic. The in restaurant entertainment was fun and everyone was singing "margaritaville" together. Fun was had by all!
(4)
Jim C.
Came here to keep the teens entertained for dinner. Worked great! Volcano nachos, burgers, they were happy! Balloon gal on stilts came over, initially embarrassed but they wore their balloon hats out. Drinks are steep price but good, hey, it's tourist season. I liked the jambalaya. Good time w ppl of all ages. Happy vibe. We had 7 ppl, it was great
(4)
Michael P.
Wings and drinks...this place is solid. We showed up without a reservation and got seated within 5 minutes. Had a very friendly waiter who knew his menu and had a couple of recommendations for lunch. The food came out hot and on time as we enjoy our meal. The only downside were the drinks, margaritas came out too watery. The manager did comp us the drinks and gave us a premium ones to take its place. Nice job!
(4)
Elle D.
Probably my fave Citywalk experience. I love Jimmy Buffet and the cover band was really good, so I spent half the night singing along (not too loudly) at the bar while we were hanging out. My fish and chips were yummy - I actually think it was the only meal where I ate the entire thing in Orlando. The drinks are fairly basic marg mixes, but that's standard. Didn't really have anything to complain about!
(4)
Cale G.
I fell in love with Margaritaville on a night in Chicago's Navy Pier. When I saw the sign in Universal Studios, that romance was rekindled. The coconut shrimp called to me. Margaritaville still houses the best coconut shrimp I've ever had. I hate seafood but I just have to eat them here when I have the opportunity. The place was packed this day and our 17 bags filled with Harry Potter souvenirs did not make it easier. We were greeted and seated and appreciated the congrats from our host and server on our honeymoon. We also appreciated the zero comments regarding us taking half of Hogwarts home. I didn't order the coconut shrimp. Just kidding- Yes I did. It was delicious. As always. Get it!! Other treats we ordered were several freshly made tropical cocktails and most notably the margarita flight. That was intense in terms of the surprise intoxication from such tiny little glasses. Each margarita was delicious. We were both definitely partial to the blue ones. Our service received was attentive and more than satisfactory. I appreciate the bartender possibly over pouring as we had a girls soccer team at the table next to us. We got lost in the music and patio seating. What a beautiful place to be on a hot day!
(5)
Arthur J.
Always excellent food at Jimmy Buffets. The coconut shrimp was totally amazing.
(5)
Jonathan M.
Fun atmosphere and good food. Sit on the porch and partake in people watching to your hearts content. Good service and reasonable pricing for a theme park venue.
(4)
Philip H.
The serve seemed very annoyed and unhappy to be working. The crab dip was great but that was all. We ordered cheeseburger in paradise and got hell. The burger was raw and the waitress disappeared. It is really to bad because this place was one of my regular stop's.
(1)
Winger K.
The best meal of our trip. We had fish tacos and some sort of shrimp appetizer . Service was fast and made it fun!! We will be back!
(5)
Terald H.
Waited 45 minutes while watching 12 tables sitting empty. When I mentioned it, they said we told you 30-45 min. even if the tables are empty. People were leaving. Not a good business plan. Then sat us at a table where the air conditioning dripped on us and our food. Then the stilt walker asked my son what he wanted him to make. His said a monkey. The guy made a weird hat and no monkey. We ate there because my son wanted to, because of the stilt walkers. He ended up in tears. I stopped the manager and explained every thing. He way of making us happy was to give us a free dessert. As a member of the e-mail club, I already had a free dessert coming. Offered to move us away from drip after we were done eating. He did have another stilt Walker come over and make a monkey balloon animal. We have eaten here more than 20 times, but I don't think we would eat here again.
(1)
Kelli M.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is our go to spot when we visit Universal Orlando. The fun atmosphere and good eats make it a nice fit for our family. We've been here a handful of times; when it's been packed and slow. The service has been good each visit. One of our visits was on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate my daughter's birthday. The staff made her feel special, and she thought it was cool that they announced her birthday on Margaritville radio. While we enjoy grabbing some eats and drinks here; I have to say we only get the same couple of items from the menu each visit. The Volcano Nachos are not only tasty, they are gargantuan! We have split the appetizer between three of us, and we still had leftovers. Our other favorite is the Cheeseburger in Paradise. Each time we've ordered the burger it's been cooked to perfection and it goes down perfect with a draft beer. I love the atmosphere at Margaritaville's; it's all about having a good time. If you sit in the main dining room they play Radio Margritaville live. The "Volcano" erupts every so often and gets the crowd going. There is nightly entertainment seven days a week; 5:00pm some days on the Porch of Indecision and 10:00pm every night on the Main Stage in the restaurant. Across from the restaurant you'll find the Lone Palm Airport, complete with Jimmy Buffet's seaplane. This is a great spot to get a margarita and sit back and take in the view. The Lone Palm has a small menu great for an afternoon snack. This laid back outdoor lounge overlooks the lagoon at CityWalk. It's a nice way to escape the crowds and take in the Florida sun. If you're a Parrothead or someone who enjoys a "tropical" lifestyle be sure to check out the Smuggler's Hold gift shop located in the restaurant, where you are bound to find some goodies to take home. There's an array of apparel & accessories made for the beach. If the Margarita is your drink of choice you can purchase cups, mixes, salts & even your own Margaritaville maker. Everyone likes time to forget about their worries. Stopping by Margaritaville and listening to some Jimmy Buffet, getting some eats and drinks is a great way to escape.
(4)
Erin C.
Let's start off by saying this is a great place to have drinks and be loud. I've been here multiple times and have been in groups and just with my husband. It's been great either way. For me the 'Don't stop the carnival ride' is my favorite drink hands down. It's frozen goodness so don't have too many and expect to be able to eat something after wards. Because I prefer their beverages here, I tend to only eat whatever appetizer we get. I have had the Cuban sandwich and it was good, nothing special, just good. I've also had the chicken Cesar salad, that sucker is huge, so share it. Just recently I tried their boneless buffalo wings, do not waste you money on those. Seriously go to a sports bar for those, they were too salty and just plan awful. Our go to appetizer is the volcano nachos, they never disappoint and they will fill you up! They are smothered with meats and all the nacho toppings you can imagine. They are a meal within themselves. It's a happy place, people on stilts walking around, an erupting volcano goes off, you stand up and sing, there are screens for watching music videos, as well as to see the live entertainment if you are not in the main area near the stage. We've sat upstairs, down stairs, at the bar(s), it doesn't matter where you sit you are still included in the fun.
(3)
Frankie C.
Delicious wings and tasty drinks!
(5)
Bill T.
Had dinner here Friday night and the food was very good. I had the burger, and my darling wife had the fish tacos. Both were very fresh and tasty. Crab dip appetizer was just okay, but the conch fritters were very tasty. Drinks were a little weak and overpriced, but it is a tourist spot so that is kind of expected. I still like the food and the vibe enough to give a pretty strong recommendation to check this place out if you are out this way.
(4)
Amy S.
This is one of my favorite restaurant's at Universal's CityWalk. My husband and I have eaten here countless times. We always start out with the Volcano Nachos as an appetizer. The portion is HUGE and is always much more than we can eat. They can easily be shared amongst 4-5 people. They are piled high and positioned on the platter in such a way they do actually take on the shape of a volcano. The first time we ordered them I actually said, "Wow" when I saw them! My favorite dish is the Cheeseburger in Paradise and this is what I usually order. It's a very large, delicious burger. It's much more than I can eat (especially after always having the volcano nachos for an appetizer), so I immediately cut it in half and only dress one side of it and take the other half home which makes for a perfect lunch the next day. I've also had the Jerk Chicken and the Teriyaki Chicken. Both were very good portion sizes and the chicken was tender and yummy. Of the two, I would have to say I prefer the Jerk Chicken - amazing flavors! My husband almost always orders the Jimmy's Jammin' Jambalaya. He absolutely loves it and it too is a good portion size. I have tried his and it is very good; however, I have a sensitive palate and it's a bit too spicy for me. I just don't handle spicy food very well. My husband, on the other hand, has the opinion of the spicier the better. In addition to their wonderful margaritas, they also offer some other mighty fine adult beverage concoctions! I'm a big fan of the Bama Breeze and the Tropical Hurricane. My husband loves the Incommunicado and the 5 O'Clock Somewhere. Unfortunately, we have not tried any of the desserts as we have always been so full from the appetizer and our main courses we've never had room left in our stomachs for dessert. One of these days we're going to have to go in just for desserts and drinks! The restaurant is always very clean and they are generally always busy, even during the off-season. It's a pretty popular place! The service has always been hit or miss. We've had both really good servers and really bad servers - so we just adjust our gratuity accordingly. You cannot beat the atmosphere in this restaurant! Always great music playing. We've been there when they've had a live band (they were wonderful), we've been there on several occasions when the DJ was in the booth playing music for the Margaritaville XM radio station, and we've been there when they've had Jimmy Buffett concerts playing on the huge screens (one of which is a huge sail from a boat). The last time we were there they had beautiful girls walking around on stilts making crazy hats from balloons for all the guests. That was a ton of fun! Every single time we have eaten at this restaurant we have always been extremely pleased with our food and drinks and had an overall wonderful experience! I highly recommend eating here if you are at Universal's CityWalk! Also, if you happen to have a seasonal pass to Universal Studios, don't forget to show it to your server because you get a discount.
(4)
Randy E.
Nibblin on sponge cake...watching the sun bake.... Oh, wait, I'm writing a review?! Let's get back to that... Where does one begin when writing about Margaritaville? The french fried potatoes maybe? The cold draft beer? Or maybe the booze in the blender, that soon will render, that frozen concotion that helps me hang on! Some locals call it touristy, tourists call it authentic...I'm here to tell you it's neither. Margaritaville is cool, it's fun, it's Jimmy...enough said. I spent many years living in Central Florida and sure I can say that tourists flockto Margaritaville, but I can also say that local Parrot Heads flock there just the same. From the six holes in the freezer to the Cheeseburger in Paradise, this is a destination for Parrot Heads and Parrot Head wannabes...Either way, come down to enjoy the food, drinks and entertainment that is served up nightly. The food is fun, the drinks are better....and the entertainment will keep you coming back for more!
(5)
Kristen P.
Parrotheads rejoice. I had a friend in town so we did the tourist thing. It's pretty much what you would expect: Jimmy Buffet music playing, drinks, and cheeseburgers in paradise. All of us got cheeseburgers. They were good. A few people got margaritas. The other got a mixed rum drink that tasted like the beach. It's kind of chilly in the restaurant and a little dark. It's definitely good there. We had good service. It's just sort of your standard "on-vacation" pre-requisite chain sort of place. Not my first choice as a local. But we had fun nonetheless.
(3)
Julie L.
Wastin' away again in Margaritaville...searching for my lost shaker of salt... You'll definitely find it here when they do the special song every hour on the half hour at this famed restaurant. Don't forget to snap a picture of the famous margarita volcano that erupts after the song. I had visited Margaritaville in Charleston and its sister restaurant Cheeseburger in Paradise in KC and was equally excited to visit this restaurant while in Orlando at Disney. They do not take reservations but have 2 levels with 3 bars and lots of seating that we got seated in no time. With JB playing in the background you're sure to find something on their large menu. We even splurged on dessert which was delish! Make sure you stop in the shop for a little reminder of your visit. I got a cute keychain and a postcard to put in my scrapbook. Make this a stop when at the Universal City walk...you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Zack G.
Food was very good. We go for the atmosphere, always a good time. Place is pricey, but that's Universal City walk standards.
(4)
Lindsay A.
I came here for a bite to eat while i was on vacation at Universal Studios! I've always wanted to check this place out, my hopes ran so high. The restaurant itself if really cool looking. We were greeted promptly at the door by a hostess who led us downstairs to this massive dining room. I was all giddy as we sat down in this dining room (it was DEAD). I ordered the "Fajita Beef Taco Salad". BIG mistake. My father whom I was with ordered the fish and chips. BIG mistake. My salad came out, the beef was cold, like they took it out of the fridge and threw it on this pretty attractive looking salad inside this stale, greasy taco shell. It was seriously inedible. When the waitress came over to check on us, I reluctantly told her that my food was horrendous. She apologized and took it back. A few minutes later my salad comes out looking delicious and the manager comes out with it. I'm not sure if she just didn't know that much about this industry in general or what. She asked what was wrong with the salad and apologized and what not. Very nice! I asked her if they cooked the stale shells in the morning (it was maybe 3:00-4:00 at this point) or if they cooked the shells to order. She reply's "Oh we cook them first thing in the morning" KEWL. No wonder why it's stale. The fish and chips were mediocre at best. Being from New England, maybe i'm a serious fish snob....whatever. Next time i head to Universal i'll probably go back, but it'll be strictly for drinking margaritas only!!!
(2)
Colleen B.
For some reason everytime I find myself here I end up on the outdoor patio... it's not a bad thing but I have NO idea what the inside is like. They usually have live music on the deck so that is a plus. I've only seen solo guys with guitars but usually... that's all people need. So, earlier in the evening I had a rough time with a margarita experience so this stop was like a redemption attempt and clearing my pallet and having a really delicious margarita hit my taste buds. I would love to say that it was the best margarita I have ever had but it was just mediocre. So this "Perfect Margarita" was perfectly okay. And for $10 a pop... well yeah... not so perfect. This is a good spot to lounge but I am not sure I would make this my goto for dinner and a night spot, more of a night cap or pre-movie drink stop!
(3)
Susi D.
Well worth the 15 parfing fee for Universal City Walk. Wish I would have had time for Emerils
(5)
Sydney S.
Yumm-O Not a huge fan of the fact that they won't seat you unless your entire party is there. I understand why, but I still don't like it. Fun little restaurant, very touristy for obvious reasons. There are balloon animal makers wandering around, a hoppin' dj and live singers, and great decor. Food gets a solid A. There wasn't anything I tried that wasn't delicious. I got the lobster mac and cheese and it was yum yum yum. Heavy, but not too much so, and the portion was just right. Overall, not bad.
(3)
Robbie G.
compared to most margaritaville's this one has limited menu.. not a bad spot at city walk
(3)
Adam G.
Tourist trap, so expect long lines. We had an hour wait, so we found a corner by the bar where I could slide in and grab some drinks while we waited or browsed the gift shop. Every drink is overpriced, but what isn't around here? Just a fact of going to touristy places, so I accept it. And after having spent hours wondering around that DRY Magic Kingdom, I'd have paid $10 a beer. The wait didn't seem that long though, despite it being a very busy Saturday night. The atmosphere can't be beat, imo, but I'm also a huge Parrothead. The volcano, the Lone Palm tiki bar outside with the Hemisphere Dancer (when weather is nice), it all just comes together and everybody is having a good time. The whackos on stilts playing with the crowds throw in some entertaining sillyness. The food was just fine. I really enjoyed the fries. They were like McDonalds fries, only less greasy and salty. I had the El Diablo burger. Perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned, though it didn't live up to it's name, so the waitress gladly brought me more pepper paste and spicy mayo so I could kick it up. Great flavors brought the burger together nicely. My wife isn't the adventerous type when it comes to food, so she had a normal burger that she enjoyed. I really wanted to try the shrimp/crab meat mac n cheese, which I've heard is amazing, but I was absolutely starving and how filling can mac n cheese really be? I had to have a big hunk of red meat to fill me up. Next time I'll plan accordingly so I can give it a shot. Sure, you pay for it's location and the attraction that it is, but I'll still go back anytime I'm in the area.
(4)
Matt K.
The Quesadillas are amazing and same goes for the pina colada! The porch is a nice touch as well.
(4)
Sarah L.
Wasn't expecting much but we were blown away. The service was great and the food was even better. We ordered the Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Grouper Sandwich...both were excellent!!
(5)
Raven G.
Awkward. Middle aged drunk white people dancing to 80s cover band. I got the grouper fish sandwhich because its supposed to be a florida thing (that and key lime pie right?) It was slimey. My friend got the grouper fish tacos and said the same thing. They never brought out my sweet potato fries and the long island beer with a tequilla shot was ok. Kinda weak. The zombie cocktail was good, also weak. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is my waitress was a doll. Totally sweet and funny. I don't know if ill come back. I definitely won't sober.
(2)
Carrie G.
Great drinks! Great food! You must eat here. It's cheesy, but good :)
(4)
Austin R.
This place was great. The atmosphere was really cool. I was expecting an over priced theme park restaurant with iffy food. That was not the case. Our server, Sandra, was so nice an energetic. Although the food was great, her service really put our experience over the top along with Jessica (wildchild) with her balloon rose for my boyfriend. If you're questioning to go here or not, just go. I guarantee you won't e sorry.
(5)
Steven D.
Fun atmosphere, pretty good appetizers ( the Lava Lava Shrimp were good) but this was the worst Fish and Chips EVER!!! The Fish and Chips were all breading and the existing fish was cooked to oblivian. Ver disappointing!
(2)
C h.
Food was as expected. Decent for a corporate theme park restaurant, if not over priced...then again, expected, since you are a captive audience. Think Red Lobster, without the charm and twice as much. The problem was the wait staff seemed in fear of management. (Name i caught was Clint or Kirk?) Made for a very uncomfortable dining experience. The waiter had no authority to handle anything without some "manager" who never appeared. I expected a Jimmy Buffet restaurant to be a little more relaxed after an already stressful day at the park. You could save a ton by taking a cab across the street to Fridays or Ale House ( maybe $100 savings for a family of four)
(1)
Chris E.
Six of us decided to dine here on Monday night after a long day on the conference floor. We arrived at 6:15pm and there was a 45 minute wait. No problem - we took the wireless buzzer with us to the bar across the way and enjoyed tropical drinks, salsa & chips until our table was ready. Food was good - not great, but good. Service was good - very responsive. Biggest drawback for me was the NOISE. It's incredible - music playing full blast, people trying to have conversations over the music, which boosted the decibels, and staff yelling for us all to join in with birthday song, etc. Madhouse - not relaxing. Other than that, it was really good!
(3)
Pyra-Danny V.
The food? Ehhh, everyone knows the real catch of this place is the music atmosphere. In the night time, this is one of the few places on Universal CityWalk with free cover--perfect for broke young professionals who don't feel like clubbing yet want to feel like a tourist. You go to the bar which has a good collection of slightly pricey mixed drinks with a average amounts of alcohol... but every service person I crashed into was friendly. When there's no band playing, the restaurant often plays music videos on the walls and it's funny to watch the patrons just watching the videos like it's a flying saucer. As for the bands--I haven't heard a bad one yet. My last experience there--good looking guy? Muscular? Plays guitar? And can sing?? No wait... and he can sing COLDPLAY??? Score!! The music can be a little loud--it's not the best place for conversation at night. Don't forget to chill outside on the beach chairs. You don't have to burst your ear drums inside either to get a drink--there's a hole-in-the-wall behind the bar to order up drinks outside. Now chill.
(4)
Rob N.
I am not a big fan of chain restaurants generally but I have now been here twice, once with my wife and kids and most recently with a friend during a conference. Mike T was our server and he was prompt, honest and friendly. Atmosphere is of course party themed and loud but that works just fine. Food was as expected, tasty but not over the top. i would go back when at Universal.
(3)
Robert G.
It's touristy, and the same as all the other Margaritaville... But I like coming for the wings... And were were around so it was either here, or Emerls... or Nascar... and this was the less of the few evils...
(3)
Lauren Sarah C.
The servers are amazing! The volcano nachos were A TON of food and tasty. The theme is constant in the entire restaurant. The live band really adds to the thrill of the entire atmosphere. The parrots that greet guests are charming. The retail staff are very knowledgeable and are willing to help with any and all questions.
(5)
J. T.
This place is straight-up nuts, but in a mostly good way. From the zany antics of the entertainers to the shameless price gouging, you'll have no doubt that you're on property at a theme park even if Margaritaville is its own chain. There were people on stilts making balloon creations for the kids and leading them in rowdy Jimmy Buffett sing-alongs, and at one point, a pirate demanded we all get to our feet and chant to the Volcano God of flowing booze that glowed toxic green under the neon lights. I wanted to visit Jimmy's eatery because I heard he had some mighty fine nachos to offer, and being an avid consumer of nachos, I had to see how his measured up. I was not disappointed. The Volcano Nachos are awesome, much better than the salad I had as an entree. I'd come back just for the nachos, the drinks, and the crazy.
(4)
Horus A.
No rum. That's all I've got to say.
(2)
Sue D.
Great food, quick service, fun atmosphere. A favorite stop in Orlando.
(4)
Keshar N.
This is what I hate about eating anywhere near a theme park. Why... WHY does everything have to have some kitschy theme. Wait... probably because it is near a THEME park?! Now, I am trying to be fair here for this review. This was in the middle of a very hot afternoon, after a reckless spending spree at the Harry Potter gift store. I was riddled with buyer's remorse, hungry and hot. DUM DUM DUMMMMMM, all the makings of a disaster. The service was excellent, we were greeted and seated immediately. I am trying to eat healthy to make sure I don't look like the Michelin Man at all the weddings I am in this summer, so I opted for the taco salad, Bob got the fish tacos. My taco salad was fine, meh. I could make it better at home. The taco-shell bowl was so oily it was seeping into my lettuce... thus killing my healthy lunch. Plus, it's not appetizing to eat oily slimy lettuce when it's 90 degrees outside. Bob's fish tacos were fine. The fish was cooked well, but lacked seasoning. It was not as bad as Moe's in Oregon, but it was pretty close. All in all, the cost of a deep fried salad and some bland tacos was pretty darn expensive. I guess the entire markup is basically so I can sit in Jimmy Buffet's make believe living room listening to his greatest hits... not worth it. Let's do it Orlando, let's actually have a non-themed restaurant for the rest of us to eat at!
(3)
Rob W.
OK, I give this place two stars for food, its just a little better than fast food. I did like the nachos. Five stars for fun however, its a non stop party and the kids have a great time with parrot pictures and souvenier t shirts. The music is lively, the drinks are good, so you can have a good time.
(3)
Elaine K.
Tourist trap. Food just ok. variety of foods on the menu. Seafood Mac n cheese was delish! Kid friendly, loud with a performer/singer on the outside porch. Balloon maker walks around to give balloons of various shapes/animals to kids. She is not allowed to take tips but plz leave comments for her on your comment card. With Orlando summer weather and outside seating, the atmosphere was uncomfortable. Waitstaff did a good job accommodating our very large group.
(2)
Eric Y.
I think every time we come to Universal we end up here at least once, for better or worse. You come here because it's safe. There is something on the menu for everyone, the portions are big, there's good booze and the vibe is good - the shtick works. What doesn't really work though is the food and the service. The food is not very good, and some of it is actually not good at all. We had the conch fritters. These were more like hush puppies because, there's ... like ... no ... conch. If they had called them Jimmy's kicked up hush puppies, they might have been good. But as conch fritters, they are not. Burgers were meh - Cheeseburger in Paradise? Please. The crabcake caesar salad was actually pretty good, and there appeared to be real crab in the crabcake. Nice touch. Our server was earnest but slow. We had to complain to the manager who offered to buy us dessert but we weren't in the mood for that. They ended up paying for a souvenir family portrait. That was a nice gesture. Will we ever go back? Like I said before, the shtick works.
(2)
Dan A.
Jimmy. You know I love you. And have been to 5 different M'Villes but this was my worst experience. Had conch fritters that were dusty dry and the remoulade had no heat. Tasted like straight mayo. Bartender at the volcano bar was making fun of Parrotheads watching the eruption. One star for the cold Landshark. The other because I am a Parrothead. Disappointing visit
(2)
Channa P.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville has a fun atmosphere, live music, and full bar, but don't expect amazing food. I got a cuban sandwich and my friend got wings. We both thought the food was good, but neither of us were blown away. The location on Universal's City Walk makes it fun place to eat then bar hop. This place is fine for dining right before a night of drinking, but your taste buds won't be blown away.
(3)
Jay E.
If you're just looking for a drink then turn your head to the right as you approach Margaritaville and take a seat. The drinks are good and that comes with a price at Universal.
(3)
Marissa T.
As silly and touristy as this place was, it was really delicious. I ordered the blackened tilapia sandwich and a frozen drink that tasted like a creamsicle. Everything came in a timely fashion and our server was absolutely on top of things. Dislikes? The seizure inducing thunderstorm they had going on for what seemed like forever. My resort also gave me passes for a free gift while there, which happened to be a poster and not the glass I had hoped for. I'm not sure if I'd come back, but I didn't hate it.
(3)
Jessi D.
The food here was good, drinks were great, the live band was excellent. Now if we could just get the prices down alittle we're talking about a perfect place to eat,drink,and party.
(4)
Eric B.
This is very lively place. Their in the business of having you leave in a better mood by way of the singing and some dancing they'll ask you to participate in. I recommend the lobster macoroni dish. They often have live performances here. If you show at a time when this is happening, it's not in your best interest to sit as close as possible to the stage because you'll be sitting to close to the speakers and be deaf by the time you leave. It also makes watching the band difficult as they sit you along side the stage meaning you'll have to turn your head to see them playing. I have no complaints of this place and would visit again.
(4)
Shellie H.
Such a fun restaurant. I'd recommend booking through OpenTable, though. We were seated immediately. And apparently the wait would have otherwise been over two hours.
(5)
Viv L.
I would drive the 210 miles from Miami to waste away in Margariraville! Words cannot express how much I love this place! Margaritaville has the perfect blend of food, drinks and atmosphere to take you away somewhere never want to leave. My family drives up to Orlando for quick weekend trips and this spot is ALWAYS a must on out list. Their drinks are amazing but don't fall for the souvenier glass unless you really want to schlep around the park with it afterward. Be sure to come with a hearty appetite and allow yourself pleanty of time to sit back and enjoy the ambiance. If you have plans for after your meal, most likely you will end up canceling. Not that it's a bad thing. Their corn and crab chowder is amazing and has a slight spicy "kick". I simply must have it every time I visit. The burgers and salad don't disappoint either. Sadly I've never made it to dessert, not that I'm complaining though. I can't say that Margaritaville has the "best dishes in the world". This place doesn't aim to just serve up a good meal, but what it does promise is a great time, an unforgetable atmosphere and to take you away to a place you'll long to one day return to.
(5)
Cait C.
Make sure Stacey is your waitress. She is awesome. The food and drinks is also awesome.
(4)
Maria L.
I really like this place. The food is good and the house band is really great. The guitarist is something amazing. He can play all the solos of those 80's song we loved like from Sweet Child of Mine. I'm a parrothead at heart, so going to Universal Citywalk and not stopping would probably be considered a sin in parrothead world. I love the lounge chairs out front or on the sides of the restaurant. I could just chill there all day and watch people.
(4)
Craig G.
FANTASTIC! Oh my that was amazing. That staff is awesome, the drink are great!
(5)
Dusty K.
If you were to think of themed restaurants, great food and intimacy don't come to mind. I'm surprised many people came here expecting something different sitting in the middle of Universal. I really liked this place. Granted, you won't find foie gras lined hot dogs and duck fat fries with truffle aioli and house made ketchup. But isn't that the point? It's unpretentious food served to tourists out to enjoy laid back music in a friendly atmosphere. And it's done fairly well. Speaking of the music, Jimmy Buffet ruled the air waves but other songs and music videos were played - many of them country. At 9 PM, a local band showed up playing songs from UB40 to Kid Rock. By the end of the night, the little dance floor area was flooded with people enjoying their vacations. The food was rather bland. My burger and fries ranked on the lower end of burger and fry dinners. The giant pile of nachos is something you'll find at any tex mex restaurant and some of the other appetizers were much the same. But I wasn't really here for the food. The Caribbean theme, the erupting volcano, and people on stilts did appeal to this outsider. I had a great time here and would recommend a visit to anyone looking for a fun experience while away on vacation.
(4)
Anne H.
No trip to Universal would be complete without a pit-stop at Margaritaville! It is just so much fun to eat here! By the time we go here, around lunch usually, it is after Universal Studios and on the way into where the real fun begins at Islands of Adventure. The music just pulls you in. We have eaten inside many times but prefer sitting outside after a long, New England winter. My husband orders the beers, I love the Margarita's. Favorites are the chicken wings, the burgers are really good as well. It really is an entertaining time. We once sat at the outdoor bar area by the plane. That was the best ever if the weather is warm enough or it is not too hot. Super relaxing, chairs in the sand under the sun and swaying palms. You can order appys and drinks. Great for hyperactive kids (sand keeps em' busy) Sit there long enough, you won't want to get up!
(5)
Emily H.
The best part of the experience was the quickness with which we were seated, due to our reservations.... The service was pretty slow, and they weren't that busy. My margarita, the very thing they are famed for, had huge chunks of ice in it and was not well blended at all. My burger and fries were not at all delicious...in fact it was pretty much below average. The only cool thing was the volcano erupting... Maybe I'm just used to the delicious experiences I've had at Cheeseburger in Paradise, which is MUCH better... the obvious poster child of Jimmy Buffet foodness. Also, just get your margarita from the outside bars... much better.
(2)
Lloyd B.
Had a great time at this place after visiting the theme park. Food was fun, staff was great and the live band played everything you would expect from Jimmy Buffett's place. The little beachy Margarittaville bar across the boulevard is a great place to start with a few margaritas.
(4)
Kimberly A.
I have come here many times over the past few years, but I have realized that it is definitely for the atmosphere. I love Jimmy Buffet and am always drawn in by Margaritaville's merch store. Typically I order nachos (which are HUGE) and a Cheeseburger in Paradise. That is always great. But, when I deviate from those choices I am always disappointed. The jambalaya is average and the coconut shrimp is too sweet. The drinks are definitely strong and the wait staff is very hit or miss. We have had times where service is fantastic and other times service is really lacking. We always go in the late afternoon, before the dinner rush. I hate to give this place a so-so review, but as I said, it is very hit or miss.
(3)
Justin M.
We recently went to Margaritaville when some family came to town. Of course, parking is a pain in the butt. This alone is the reason we rarely come out. Well, we met them and the restaurant was very slow so we got right in. The podium host was friendly and pointed out some features while we waited for the few moments. The seater took us through and sat us near the volcano. The place seems too dark and very loud. It was so dark, I had a hard time reading the menu. One thing that struck me as odd was the music. It was entirely from live performances. I like Buffet, but not so much that I want to hear only live shows. Every so often there would be this weather event with a show of sorts and volcano erupting. It was very much like Rainforest Cafe or Dinosaur at Disney. Of course, like always, I checked the cleanliness of the restroom when I was there, and all was OK. The server was very nice. He was a former Disney server, and you could tell. His mannerisms gave him away. He was knowledgeable with the menu and drinks. He suggested a margarita for my wife, and she loved it. My wife and I split the double cheeseburger. It was HUGE. It was so big, we didn't even finish the split plate. Of course the prices were too high, but with the shared burger, it was OK. We also had some margaritas. The 4 adults in our group had drinks, and all were delicious. The kids meal was rather expensive too, but I expect that at Disney or Universal. My overall impressions are that this place is run of the mill formula tourist trap. The food is OK, but not much more. The location is a major hassle as you have to park 45 miles away AFTER you paid $3000 to park. Validation is still a pain in the rear. I will only go again if someone visits and I can't talk them out of going.
(3)
Jenni R.
Overpriced food and drink for average taste. However, LARGE portions. When you read the menu and it says Volcano Nachos, they aren't referring to it being spicy, but rather the monsterous portion that's about to engulf whatever appetite you'd reserved for your entree. As for the margaritas (let's be realistic that's all you care about), make sure to go ahead and order the "Big Rita", because otherwise you'll blow through them so quickly that even a Cheeseburger in Paradise wouldn't be enough to slow you down. Typical touristy restaurant with an excessive gift shop and sub par live music. Jimmy himself would be less than thrilled unless he'd been drinking.
(3)
Mitch M.
The food was delicious (ask for the Chicken Fingers Platter - it's off menu but a great choice). The service was flawless. The location is superb. If you're lounging around on a warm, breezy Florida day this is the perfect place to do it. Get a margarita, sit on the porch outside and enjoy a perfect afternoon. Then head over to the park (it's about a 3 - 5 minute walk) and have a great time! I highly recommend this Margaritaville!
Came to city walk for an easy day, had a great lunch with Greg and his staff at margaritaville
(5)
Jenna L.
Excellent spot for casual dining and entertainment! The menu has a large variety, including seafood, burgers, sandwhiches, and grilled entrees. Wait times can be very long for the inside resturant, particularly when dining close to theme park closing times, however you can wait in a line outside the Porch of Indecision if you like dining outside. The porch has a nice atmosphere and a singing guitarist most nights.
(5)
Gerard B.
(Mar/ 2005) OK so maybe I don't remember the food all that much, but I sure do remember the drinks-- and they were FAB U LOUS! Live music and crazy guys on stilts making balloon hats-- need I say more? My boyfriend and I had a great time.
(4)
Rebecca M.
I must preface this review -- I am a huge Buffett fan and I'm a sucker for anything that makes me feel tropical (after all, I do live in arctic-like weather for a good portion of the year). But I'll try to make this review as objective as possible: Margaritaville is a must-stop every time I'm in Orlando (about once a year). I was here a couple days ago for lunch and like always, I was very happy with my visit. Our server was fantastic and the food was great - not outstanding, but it was definitely satisfying. I had a margarita (phenomenal) and the Cuban sandwich (minus the Swiss cheese - sick!), and my two friends both had burgers (which they loved) plus pineapple rum martinis, which they swear by... I had a sip and now I know why -- delish!! Oh -- and we split the brownie sundae goodness... I'm in heaven just thinking about it. The only downside that I see is parking and price. Margaritaville is part of Universal Studios' CityWalk, so you have to pay to use the park's parking garage (which I think is really cheap after 6 p.m.). We paid $14 for parking all day, but we hit up the park as well. The food and drinks can be expensive, but you're on Universal property -- everything is expensive! I'm a bit more understanding though -- the $7.50 marg was a steal compared to some drinks I purchase in my hometown of Chicago!!
(4)
Ali P.
Environment: Visited Margaritaville on a Thursday night. It was fun, hype, and thrilling. We entered upon the talent of the local resident talent singing his rendition of the classic Jimmy Buffet songs. This was my 1st time here. We decided to eat outside of course it was sticky and hot, but the environment felt right to be eating outside. It is very dark we had to ask our waitress for 2 candles. Drinks: The Perfect Margaritas are very strong! I believe it's about 1/3 margarita mix and rest is tequila. Do not choose this concoction if you are driving! I had the Pink Cadillac Margarita. This was perfect for me and made me night a little more bearable from the crazy Universal antics. Appetizers: The appetizers are very good we had the hot wings and peel and eat shrimp. They season the shrimp with the shell on so you can suck all the seasoning out and not feel guilty! The hot wings are finger licking delicious! Spicy and Bearable. The en tree's were savory : Entrees' sister had: Pineapple Chicken with Rice bro in law: Mahi- mahi Fish with Rice I had: Coconut Shrimp with Rice Kids had: Fries and Chicken fingers The rice is a yummy blend of butter and cilantro. I think I love rice like that! Entertainment: The band stopped after 10 I believe and the balloon lady on stilts retired for the night and the kids could not get any cool balloon hats. =( Service: The waitress was outstanding! She checked on us frequently and provided above average service even we she had a lot of tables. She even went to the backroom to check if they had extra balloon hats, but did not have any. She was a sweetheart. =) Overall it was a good experience and I believe you receive 15 or 20% off the gift shop and Dippin Dot's ice cream. Fun for the whole family!
(4)
PB F.
The taco salad is good. It is a big serving. If you have a small to normal appetite, the taco salad is more than enough for a main meal. The jerk chicken is good too. It is sweet. The serving is huge. Enough for two people with small to normal appetite. They don't do half orders here, unfortunately. The margarita was gross. I got a strawberry one. It tasted like from a mix. With a name like Margaritaville, I had a much higher expectation. I would never have a margarita from here again. Ever. Get a water or diet soda instead and don't bother to waste your calories on their disgustingly sweet margaritas. As for the restaurant itself, it is what I expected. A flashy waterfall-volcano above the bar with smoke and noise, tv screens, a stage with performers, a beach/boat/cabin/marine theme. Lots of tourists in the restaurant, including me.
(3)
Jonathan H.
Very nice atmosphere. We stopped to have one of their famous margaritas, but I think they forgot to add tequila.
(3)
Justin P.
I consider Margaritaville to be the best of the theme restaurants. In other words, if I have no other choice, I would rather go to Margaritaville than to a Hard Rock Cafe, NBA City, Bubba Gump Shrimp Let's See If We Can Make More Money Off A Movie From Ten Years Ago Factory, Etc. Compared to other theme restaurants, Margaritaville appears to have actually tried to personalize their food and make it decent. However, in the end, the food is still mediocre. I once considered it a borderline two to three star place, but the burned conch fritters I was recently served were enough to drop it down to two.
(2)
Gina H.
Man this place is BUSY!!! and LOUD!! HELOOO...WHAT ?? WHAT??? Smile banely at jokes you can' t hear over the din. Good cocktails - had the bahama mama (or two) and a margarita (I HAD to...its Margaritaville for Pete's sake). Not so good food. But the calimari were excellent. Nice and hot and fresh and chewy but not rubbery. Had some of the nachos which were typical heart attack material (good guac.). I wasn't hungry for a big meal so I had the gumbo...OY!!! Too smokey. I couldn't eat it after a few spoons. This is ME...human garbage pail. BUT the service was good, our server was very attentive. But I suspect it had more to do with her knowing someone in our party than anything else. Its not somewhere I would go back to eat, but the bar area was hopping, there were lots of "brides" in veils wobbling about the place. I let the kids run amok and HEY...the balloon guy doesn't accept tips. Shouda had a burger maybe. A cheeseburger...in paradise.
(3)
Will L.
The Pulled Pork sandwich here is excellent. The fries that accompany it are great as well. The only really bad part about this place is you have about a 50/50 chance of either getting a great, friendly waiter who is attentive or the absolute worst waiter you could possibly be dealt. I've had great waiters and I've had waiters that are so spaced out they almost spin off the earth.
(4)
Matthew W.
Service - 1 (the waitress checked on us about 5 minutes after we were seated and then again when our food came, but was extremely quick at cashing us out) Price - 3 (expensive because its a tourist trap, but not as expensive as the parks) Food - 2 (moderate portions, but no bold flavors) Atmospheres - 4 (live music and a vibrant beach theme)
(2)
Maria W.
Cheeeeezy. Margaritas are passable. I've had much better at Chili's. Two stars for service; our waiter was working hard with a smile on his face, personable, quick and helpful. The clowns on stilts making balloon hats were pretty nifty. Not just regular balloon hats, real works of balloon art. I'd think about returning only if I had a few kids in tow to enjoy the silliness.
(2)
Andria B.
Delicious food and fantastic service! Alicia our waitress was so friendly and was always back to check in on us to make sure we were doing ok. The only suggestion I may have for this location is that your store is incredibly overpriced! $32 for a t shirt is a bit much. But, I understand it's a tourist thing and in an amusement park, so I'm not too surpirsed. Would definitely visit again the next time I'm in town!
(5)
pac s.
Good restaurant, excellent margaritas. We ordered nachos and it was enough for three of us. I am glad the waitress told us not to order an entree until we tried the nachos.
(4)
Leonardo C.
Let me start by stating that yes, I am a Parrothead! :) Yes, the wait was about 45 minutes to get a table but with a Loaded Landshark, good music and food friends, you won't even notice. I had the mushroom provolone burger with the extra beef patty. My wife had the Cuban ( which I think is the best outside of P.R.) both plates were delicious, as were the drinks and the atmosphere.
(5)
Me H.
Wasted away again in Margaritaville, Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt. Some people claim that there's a woman to blame, But I know it's nobody's fault. While at Citywalk we all stopped in to Margaritaville, only because it was the first place we saw and our feet were killing us, ok no my feet were killing me and I wanted someone to sit. We walk in and it's packed, music playing, lines at the bar, and it's pretty much wall to wall people. All of a sudden I spy with my with my little eye a table being emptied and I snagged it. We sat, drank, danced and had an over all great time. The band played something for everyone and the bar had something for everyone too. A good time was had by all in Margaritaville that's for sure.
(4)
Dana Q.
The food was ok....your standard theme-restaurant food with a Caribbean flare. Their margaritas were what made my meal. Particularly the Pink Cadillac Margarita. Oh man. I normally am not a big fan of tequila...(as my friends about my "tequila face") But this one was so good. It was pretty "girly" I guess as far as drinks go. It's made with mango tequila and cranberry juice and it's just very yummy and refreshing. The exact recipe is on their website which is awesome because I've made them several times at home. I wouldn't go out of your way to go here, but if you do, order the pink cadillac margarita, or at least get the recipe from their website so you can make one yourself! Hmmm...I think tonight is a Pink Cadillac kinda night...
(3)
Jason A.
Awesome place, lots of fun, decent prices!!! Service is great, hosts are friendly, and managers are visible at all times. Highly recommend!! Just know this is not a place to go to have a quiet dinner. It's a party! Its Jimmy Buffett's place!!!!
(4)
Evan G.
I have been to Margaritaville a few times during my trips down to Orlando. The food is pretty much whar you would expect from a chain. The atmosphere is pretty cool though, especially if you like Jimmy Buffet. One time I met a friend who brought his kids there, and the kids loved it. Especially when they have the volcano errupt and pour margaritas into the giant blender, they loved it. I think its the best place to eat on City Walk.
(4)
Rosie P.
This place is pretty cool, but more of a tourist thing than a local thing. They have good drinks, and food, and you are pretty much paying for the name, and the fact that its inside City Walk. You can get way more for your money somewhere else. But everyone needs to try it at least once.
(3)
Nina P.
Tried to go there for a late night dinner bc everything else was pretty much closed. There wasn't really any clear directions regarding where to wait to be seated. After standing around for a few minutes we are told to have a seat anywhere outside and that a server would be right with us. 10 minutes later we notice no waitor except one that was cleaning up a bunch of tables. We ask him about getting a waitor over here and he says that they stopped serving dinner outside now (you think he could have told us that before considering he was out there longer than we were). So we go inside and follow an arrow that we thought was taking us to the area where we are supposed to wait to be seated. Some waitresses are passing us by, some are saying hello, nobody asked if we were waiting to be seated. So we finally approach a waitress and she says "Oh! You can sit anywhere!". So we sit down to realize the menu only has like 5 things on it. At that point we are so fed up that we just walk out. What a disorganized place!
By far the nachos you can find. The cheese burger in paradise is excellent as well. Have been to multiple locations with the same results.
(5)
Dan F.
I have an allergy to glutton and they have a gluten free menu!!! I had a cheeseburger WITH a bun that was not too bad. As those of us with the allergy know burgers are usually without a bun or with something pretty bad. Margaritas were great and Billy Ray provided great service.
(4)
Lucy W.
As long as you go to this restaurant fully expecting a touristy chain type of experience, you'll be fine. We sat on the Porch of Indecision right in front of the live music. There are entertainers on stilts that go around making balloon animals and hats...they are loud and interupt your meal frequently by either yelling or popping balloons. Food is your typical crappy chain stuff- fried foods are overcooked (calamari), entrees are tasteless but HUGE (fish tacos, quesadillas, nachos), frozen drinks are fun to look at but not much alcohol. I would have given 1 star, but the server was excellent and took care of our large group very well, amidst all the noise and chaos. I also like the Jimmy Buffett theme that is everywhere, include the menu item names, as well as the live music, which was pretty good.
(2)
Aaron P.
Loving found memories of Margaritaville in Key West and Orlando, during the days of imbibement. The atmoshpere is usually fun with its hurricane mixer of margarittas behind the bar. Jimmy Buffets is in a recession, the mixer was empty and no hurricane sound at lunch. It was freezing outside and they failed to turn off the ceiling fans in the outdoor dining area. Service was mediocre, crab cake sandwhich; the crab cake was mooshy and Daniel didnt eat any of his barbeque sandwhich.
(2)
Deirdre O.
I like this place. It is perfect just before and after visiting the parks. I have mostly always just had the appetizers. I've tried just about all of them. My favorite is the conch firtters, the nachos and wings. Never had a bad waiter. I also am a huge fan of the margarittas. I've only sat in the patio area. Its so much better there than inside. I like to people watch, and the fresh air.
(4)
Essie A.
so this place was really fun. Margaritas, fried pickles, more margaritas, and live music. It was a fun place to have a good time!
(5)
Katie K.
I give Margaritaville a four starts because of the fun atmosphere and music! I like the grilled chicken sandwich and would probably prefer to just go with a large group order a bunch of appetizers and drinks instead of ordering one meal.
(4)
Bob M.
Yes, the place is cheesy but if you are into JB like I and my family are, you have to eat here. Volcano nachos, cheeseburgers in paradise and atmosphere are the reason we go. With tip and only soft drinks we were at $100....not cheap but decent quality food for Universal Studios.
(4)
Amelia S.
I recently had my 21st birthday at Margaritaville and could not have been happier! I had a part of 18 and although they had to split our tables, it was barely noticeable! The restaurant was packed and they treated me like I was the only person in the place! The band "Hypersona" played amazingly all night long and even gave me a few shout outs for my birthday! I was walked around by a giant guy on stilts and got to sing a Jimmy Buffet tune in front of the whole restaurant, I have never had a better time. Our server was a guy with a gauged earring and a landshark hat, I'm not sure of his name but he was phenomenal! I will definitely be going back soon!
(5)
Jennifer H.
I had the jambalaya here, and it was pretty good. It had a great Cajun-food flavor, and they gave enough to fill my stomach after a long day at Universal. The place also has great ambiance - they have music if you sit inside, and if you sit outside, you can watch the lights and colors of the boardwalk.
(4)
David D.
Left Universal around 8pm and the GF and I were starving. Didn't feel like paying $40 for a dish at Emeril's place, so we went with Margaritaville - mainly due to the raving reviews from every Universal employee that we spoke to that day. Good god. The restaurant looks like a Jimmy Buffet concert threw up on it. Granted, it IS Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, but sweet Jesus, talk about corny and kitschy. I guess some people like that, but this restaurant is essentially a really bad Applebee's with Jimmy Buffet flair. Seated relatively promptly despite the "leaving Universal for dinner" crowd. Our waiter, however, was a freaking disaster. Good god, he was like Bizarro Waiter. Think of the best waiter you've ever had in a restaurant. Think of all the excellent service he or she gave. Now picture someone who does the complete opposite of all that...and he mumbles...and he's got a thick Australian accent....and he speaks faster than the guy in the Micro Machines commercials. Yep, that was my waiter. The menu is your run-of-the-mill assortment of burgers, fish, steaks, and "featured selections". Based on the recommendations of the Universal peeps (and based on the fact that the main restaurant is down in N'Orleans), I ordered their jambalaya. The GF, after studying the menu intently, opted for some Alaskan King Crab salad - dressing on the side. Bizarro Waiter seriously asked me 5 times in one conversation if I was really sure I didn't want an appetizer. Then disappeared...never to be seen again until the time came for dessert....when he asked me 5 times in the same conversation if I was really sure that I didn't want dessert. Oy. Dinner: My jambalaya was surprisingly good actually. Though, my usual M.O. is to play to a restaurant's strengths and not stray to far from their core focus. Knowing that, you can probably guess how the GF's salad was. Yep - wilted salad-from-a-bag with a scoop of king crab mix on top. Needless to say, Dave ordered another margarita once he saw the look on the GF's face. =) Margaritas: Very good. Of course, with a name like Margaritaville, if they screwed this up, it would be pretty sad. Atmosphere: Ugh. Only fun if you're drunk...and even then, you better be pretty drunk. They have this volcano monstrosity over the bar that erupts and cascades down to a blender in the backdrop of the bar. After the blender is full, the volcano belches...just like nature intended. Wow. And I thought I'd seen it all. Overall: I could see the fun if you were here bar-hopping and completely plastered or if you were simply looking to kick back with some drinks on their porch/patio, so I gave it two stars based on that realization. But the service I received was terrible, and the food really wasn't anything to write home about. The inside of the restaurant is extremely kitschy and cramped, and that volcano was simply stupid and annoying. I personally won't be going back, but if you're still hankering on going, my advice would be to aim for the outside patio, and go for the margaritas. After a few of those, you should be able to stomach what's on the menu.
(2)
Karen C.
Pretty darn good and not too expensive for a theme parkish place. I could have spent just as much money at a local red lobster. We went on a weekday at an odd hour though. I bet it can get really crowded during peak times.
(4)
Gladis G.
NIce environment. It was a cold night and we sat out in the patio, but the heaters we on so it was nice. I got the quesadilla. I wanted something simple and it was really tasty. This is my first time being to a Margaritaville. I've definitely go visit another one.
(5)
Ms B.
We went there for a bachelorette party. They don't take reservations but "priority seating" which is basically the same. We were seated right away with it despite the large group during prime dinner time. We were waited on right away by a friendly waitress. We got several appetizers for the table which were a lot better than the dinner. I got a hamburger which was soggy. I didn't eat it all because it was very large. The menu is very limited to say the least. I found it interesting that they still added the tip despite the changes of the laws on January 1. I made the comment to the waitress and she acted like she didn't know. Wonder how irs would take it since they think it's their thing? With that being said, she cheap herself since I would have given her more since she was good. With the soggy hamburger and the automatic adding of the tip, I have to give it only three stars.
(3)
Jennifer P.
We came here in a group and had purchased the City Walk pass that gets you a meal and entrance into a few of the bars without having to pay a cover. I was not expecting much, but I ordered the basic cheeseburger, well done, with sweet potato fries and was very happy with my order. Everything tasted really good. I recommend the Living it Up margarita. They had a couple of people in stilts making balloon animals and hats for kids and groups. They did some cheesy song and dance. This was my first Margaritaville experience and I was overall pleasantly surprised by the experience.We did not feel rushed and they split our bills four-ways without any issues.
(4)
Jacob N.
Great location right out of the universal Orlando park. It has great burgers and salads and a nice heated porch and of course Jimmy Buffet music.
(4)
Victoria D.
I went here with some colleagues at a conference and definitely wouldn't have chosen it myself. The margaritas were strangely warm, which was disconcerting, and my quesadilla was rubbery, cold and nearly impossible to cut through. It definitely seemed like it had been sitting around and they just chucked it in the microwave before serving. Shortly after eating I began to feel very unwell and couldn't get back to the hotel fast enough. I would suggest avoiding this place unless you want to ruin your vacation.
(1)
Jay G.
It's about the atmosphere... Which is awesome... Food is not bad and service is average... But we keep coming back.
(3)
Todd B.
It's a chain - what do you expect? This particular Margaritaville is inside Universal Studios in Orlando. Therefore, it gets slammed. Slammed like you better make a reservation when you arrive at the park in the morning or you're waiting for hours. We showed up at the worst possible time - around 7PM without a reservation - as we were running late for a show at Hard Rock Live and didn't have time to eat before hand. Thankfully, it was a really cold and ugly night, so the parks were empty. They were on a wait - 30 minutes - but there were a couple of spots open at the bar and we grabbed them. We both got a burger - mine was a BBQ bacon, hers was a veggie. They were both good. Nothing fantastic, but nothing bad either. In fact, I would probably go so far as to give it 3.5 and maybe even round up to 4, but it's Margaritaville at Universal, and their prices kill it. We also split a flavored margarita, though I don't remember which one. That was very good, but obviously, this is incredibly unhelpful to you, so ignore this paragraph.
(3)
Elise W.
Is there a way to give no stars? Didn't have a reservation, was quoted a 35-45 minute wait on a Monday night. Waited 45 minutes and was seated in a half-empty restaurant. No need for the long wait. Our party of 4 ordered and did not get food for almost 40 minutes. Our food did not come out until we spoke to a manager. The manager explained the long wait being due to private parties booked, but in the almost 2 hours we were subjected to being there, the empty tables never filled. No offer to comp our drinks or anything due to such a bad experience. This restaurant is a waste of time and if you do speak to a manager, all you will get is excuses.
(1)
Jason L.
Without a doubt the worst restaurant we had dinner at during our stay at Universal Studios. We ordered the seafood mac and cheese it looked like something only Applebee's could ruin. The seafood seems nonexistent, this does pain me to say... because we eat at all the Jimmy Buffett restaurant we are around. Two of three meals were cold. Also, I had to listen to the balloon animal guy try to get laid by a table of girls celebrating someones 21st birthday...
(2)
Kirsten B.
Serving staff is nice enough, but the hostesses...you know the first people you meet, rough, gruff, and down right rude. We mentioned we were here just for drinks, but wanted a patio seat. This resulted in a big ol' eye roll from one hostess to another and then a shitty table after that. Then, after a party of 4 sat themselves they were rudely told they had to check in. They left. We probably should have too. There are just so many better ways to go about these little food service obstacles...you know?
(2)
Crystal C.
This place is okay, but nothing to go crazy over. I had the seafood mac and cheese. It was nothing special. First of all, it's hard to mess up mac and cheese in my book, so for it to be just "alright" is almost a negative thing for me to say. Second, it was served to me luke-warm. I can't tell who was at fault here, but the service was clunky and slow, and the menus were also quite dirty. We sat outside, so I didn't get to hear any of the live music. But I think if you want to hold a decent conversation, you'd need to sit outside anyway. P.S. I regret not being able to write a review on the drinks, as the name of the establishment is Margaritaville, but... sorry. I didn't have a drink. Plus, I probably won't even return to try one and update this review, because I hated the service so much.
(2)
Kareem S.
Drinks were great, the music was ok, if you're looking to get some food there's not one healthy item on the menu, so forget about eating here unless you want some deep fried green shrimp salad
(3)
China F.
I love coming here but seriously people the food doesn't really taste all that good anymore... I ordered my favorite fish Tacos and what i got instead was rubbery something with a tortilla looking soggy thing. Service is always excellent and drinks are too... But man work on the taste . Please.
(2)
Sean L.
If I wasn't England biggest parrot head id still love this place! The food is excellent, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is out of this world. They had a great acoustic duo that play to request and if they don't know your song they will look it up and play it anyway! Jimmy would be proud!
(5)
Rebekah T.
On our way out of City Walk and off to the airport, we saw the little cantina by the water and the large airplace that offers Happy Hour! We decide to stop and take a shot to all of the good times we spent over the last 48 hours of fun in Florida. What a fast but fun trip. We ordered two Brain Darts, Happy Hour Special $4 each. As I toasted my sweetie, I thanked him for bringing me on one of my favorite vacations of all time. I really can't think of one that wasn't the best of that city but this one was definately a crazy fun with my favorite friend and lover.
(4)
Chris D.
My family and I chose to eat here after a day at the park. The food took forever and was cold when we complained Gina the manager was very rude about it. She has got to be the worst manager I have ever dealt with. We will not be back as this is one of many times we have had a bad experience and we are locals. Disappointing at best.
We ordered the nachos, a steak dish, a chicken sandwhich, and drinks.. everything tasted amazing!! The drinks seemed overpriced but they were very good. The steak was cooked to perfection, it just melts in your mouth. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone I know.
(5)
Geno K.
Stick to the burgers. I tried the jambalaya, added a Caesar side salad and a margarita. The margarita was decent, but the jambalaya just tasted bland and as I watched my friend eat his much cheaper burger, I was a little envious. The $5 Caesar side salad was about the size and quality of the one you get for $1 at Wendy's. Skip it. Save time too by just eating at the bar. The wait can get long otherwise.
(3)
Brian K.
Always a great place for a Margarita...! Food was EHHH...Drinks are mucho denero, but hey at least the envornmey is cool!
(3)
Kristin S.
It was a long wait but decided to sit at the bar and got right in. Excellent waitress and food! I enjoyed my margarita!
I always wanted to visit this place and had my chance last night, and took it. Even so, I am always wary of big box restaurants, and even more suspicious of these places by the theme parks, but nonetheless, I wanted to try the place out. And boy, was I surprised! The restaurant is a dinner and entertainment experience. Foodwise - everything we had was excellent. From the cheddar churds to my wife's coconut shrimp and my fish sandwich, it was all cooked to perfection and very flavorful. Our dessert was the Chocolate Avalanche - another excellent choice, if not wrong since we needed at least another one or two people to finish it off. As far as entertainment is concerned - the music they play is a mix of Buffet's favorites with some 80s and 90s tune - all of it fun and easy to listen to. They have these people come out in stilts making hats and animals out of balloons and leading the dinner goers in a boisterous rendition of "Margaritaville." To say the least, this was not what I was expecting when I came to dinner. Overall, it was fun. It will not be the normal dinner night out you walk in expecting to be...
(5)
Carla T.
The food is okay but in general very pricey. I don't really get the appeal of it. I'm not a real big fan of Jimmy Buffett so I could take it or leave it really. The restaurant atmosphere is nice and it's mildly entertaining when the volcano goes off. The outside bar can be fun when they have live singers out there.
(3)
Cosmo W.
I like this Margaritaville. Food overall is good, Nachos are huge, Cheeseburger in Paradise is what you expect and the Margaritas are my favorite. The "Margarita Volcano" is a novelty, and fortunately it only goes off rarely- having said that, though, you have to see it at least once! I have been here several times, waitstaff and bartenders have always been good to me. Probably my favorite restaurant at CityWalk.
(4)
Ian P.
As a major Parrothead I love visiting the Orlando property. Go earlier in the day to enjoy JD Spradlin broadcasting Radio Margaritaville live. He is very friendly and was nice enough to give my family a shout out over the air. Staff are friendly and provide a good time with the same menu standard across the chain. You can never go wrong with the Cheeseburger, of course, but there are a lot of great other options. Shrimp, ahi, nachos, are all quite nice. The fajitas are not that great, but that's okay. It's really the experience you are there for in the first place. I always recommend the "Perfect Margarita", why waste time, it's Perfect!
(5)
Lynn H.
Came here twice in 3 days. I loved the volcano nachos and atmosphere, but the service was horrible. The first time we came was awesome. No wait, big portions, and a good deal for being a tourist area. However, the second time we came....Waited to be seated, waited for the waitress forever once we were seated, was served the incorrect meal, and then double charged because the waitress forget to remove the incorrect meal. All in all this place is average.
(3)
Gina P.
Really cool atmosphere. The place is totally decked out with decor a huge volcano that goes off every hour or so and giantess stilted performers were coming around making people laugh and giving the kids balloon animals. Live music after 10- but jimmy playing all day before. Always order a hurricane! I
(3)
Adam S.
Late lunch here after a visit to the theme parks. Although there seemed to be plenty of free tables, took 15 minutes to get seated. Our server took our order quickly and we soon had our drinks. Main course on the other hand took quite a while to arrive, but we were both pleased with our meals. Nicely cooked and presented. If not for the slowness would have been 4 stars, but we would eat here again.
(3)
Taryn A.
I guess you know what you are getting here. High priced (and not very strong) margaritas and mediocre food. (probably a 2) I had the key west fish sandwich and it was only ok, a bit over cooked with some soggy coleslaw on top What I do like about this place is the atmosphere, they have volcanoes go off, guys on stilts, and live music if you are there later in the night. Not too bad for theme park food, but I wouldnt go out of my way to come back
(3)
Shayne S.
Margartaville is a fun place to eat. Jimmy Buffet videos played while we were there and some other artist and songs. We got the mini golf and meal package, so our choice of foods were limited. I got chicken breast and mango salsa and my mom got the grouper fish sandwich. The food wasn't mind blowing but it was still good for the price and deal. The atmosphere is really what made this place fun!
(3)
John K.
Not sure how this place got 3 1/2 stars. The service was good, but the food was horrible. I'm not sure how you screw up a cheeseburger and panini, but they managed to do so. This was our 2nd time eating there and our last. We should have learned from our first trip.
(1)
Rob L.
Drinks great. Wait for service not so much
(3)
Brian C.
Stopped in for a late supper and drinks. The setting and decor is nothing fancy but great atmosphere. Great drink menu, we had a couple of Margaritas and really dont remember anything after that ;) Had the shrimp pasta, it was a good size portion and tasted very good. Nothing super special, but was what i expected.
(3)
Tish R.
Great staff! My friend and I both had burgers and fries. They weren't amazing, but they were a good size. Could use a little more seasoning. Good drinks and it's nice to sit outside on the patio and people watch.
(3)
Melissa M.
My son and I took a break from the parks to have apps and a drink. The mango margarita was super yum (really really sweet). We also had pretzels and cheese curds that were pretty good. The atmosphere was fun. My boy liked the "rainstorm" and the music. We will try it again on another visit for lunch or dinner.
(3)
Rob M.
Very good food. Maybe just a bit pricey but that's ok. It seems like a good place to hang out too especially at night.
(3)
Cici F.
I recently ate here in January 2015 when I visited Universal Studios Orlando and it was awesome! The margaritas were truly the best I've ever had and I was able to find something to eat very easily as they had a gluten-free menu with lots of options; there was even a GF brownie sundae available! The food itself was very good, a tad overpriced but that's City Walk for you. It's a little loud because of the music but it wasn't so loud that I couldn't have a conversation with the people at my table. Bottom line, I'd definitely eat here again!
(5)
McGell G.
Just got back from an Adult (Parent's Running Away from Children for a Weekend) Trip and we went to MargaritaVille for dinner just past 9PM. There were 12 of us so as a former server I understand how difficult that can be. However, this is MargaritaVille in Universal Studios and I imagine that at least 1/4 of the customers have large groups. The server did what she could, but she can't control the food quality nor the time it took us to get our food. It took over an hour for us to get our food. My wife had the Seafood Macaroni and I had the Steak Tacos. My wife's Mac and Seafood had a left out quality to it and what there was of seafood was lumped at the bottom. Not good at all. My steak tacos we just bad. When ordering steak tacos, if the server doesn't ask you how you like your steak cooked, mmmmthat's bad. I should have ordered something different right then and there. The meat was way overdone and not juicy at all. Also it seemed to be left over from someone else's steak order. I haven't posted many reviews as of yet, and if I have a bad experience, it has to be pretty bad for me to post a negative review.
(2)
Iris F.
We came here without reservations which was a mistake but still not. As we got seats upstairs and outside - which was perfect (to watch people passing by on the Walk). We ordered nachos and the serving was HUGE! After that we weren't hungry anymore. Lucky thing the waitress forgot our main dish order...we didn't even care to remind her. It looked really cool inside, next time I have to make reservations. They accept AMEX.
(3)
Tim S.
Ignored by waitresses and the manager. After 5 minutes of being totally ignored with no acknowledgement what so ever (they all walked right buy us half a dozen times) we walked out. We walked back outside to the patio. Again we stood there, being ignored by the same 4 or 5 waiters and the manager. Finally one of them walked over and said the patio is closed and to walk inside. We gave up. In short YOU PEOPLE SUCK!!!
(1)
Frances F.
I'm bored and borderline irritated by Margaritaville. I will never go in here without being dragged by the arm. The drinks are overpriced, the music is obnoxious and I'm sorry to say the clientele are normally equally as obnoxious. I just don't get it. If you like typical white people music and mediocre food, this is your place. They have live jam bands and normally people are up and dancing to it. If you have a soul patch and wear sandals and shorts 95% of the time, you'd probably like it here.
(2)
Chris W.
Cool misters on the deck are great to cool you off. Serving sizes are large! Recommend splitting a meal. I had Beach Club - excellent but only ate 1/2.
(5)
Victoria V.
So disappointed. There's all this hype about Margaritaville but we waited over a half an hour for a table even though there a lot of open tables. We where Sat right near the speaker so we couldn't hear each other talk. It took us a very long time to get our drinks and our food. Our server rarely checked on us. It took us over hours to get our food. They did not have enough staff to accommodate the guests.The food was tasty but over priced. My husband spilled his drink and no one offered to get him another or helped us clean up. Very poor service. Will not be going back
(2)
Ari A.
I'm visiting from New York and trying to wrap my head around Orlando as a city. I'm having a tough time convincing myself this place isn't drab even when in the company of good friends. We decided to hit up City walk on a Friday evening, to explore and take in the tourist aspect. But when you're living in NYC & have been to New Orleans a few times, all the bars seem a bit overkill. There's a fake Pat O'Brien's, but it won't live up to the original one in NOLA and a hurricane outside of NOLA is just wrong. All these other bars are charging a cover & why? Could you imagine if you got charged to go into the bars in Times Square, just so you could say you were in Times Square? It just wouldn't happen. I just want a bloody drink and that's what I'm going to do. So we meander over to Margaritaville and realize there is a giant bar area, there's live music, waiter service, chilled drinks at prices better than in Manhattan, we can sit, we can dance, we can sing along, and overall enjoy ourselves ten times more. Do I know what I was missing out on by not paying a cover to go into the other bar next door? I don't, but I really couldn't care. I would rather get a drink from the push cart guys outside of the bars and walk along City Walk taking in the moonlight or some remnants of Harry Potter World.
(4)
Greg B.
Good frozen margaritas in a fun atmosphere. The volcano behind the bar erupts every hour on the half hour. Some waiters wander around on stilts and engage customers in sing alongs.
(3)
Rob M.
We went to eat here after walking around Universal City Walk. There are many places to choose from and I have been wanting to try this place for awhile but usually it gets voted down by my wife and kids. This time I won. We were seated quickly, and waited on shortly thereafter. The waitress was friendly. The environment is fun and casual. The food was ok. Nothing really outstanding. I can say I've eaten here, not sure I will go back. There are other options that may be better. But overall we had a good time.
(3)
ruth f.
Both my husband and i had bad Meals. .I had grilled chicken breast with mango sauce. . Chicken almost raw..a few pieces of mango dry chicken too. The rice had a strange taste. Coconut milk?? Yucky.. the corn was blackened with lime.. totally NOT. What i was expecting. . They did take the meal off the bill so proactive but i should have been happy with the meal.so i give them two stars
(2)
Harold J.
For what it is, its a pretty fun place to hang out, drink, and eat OK food.
(4)
Chelsea W.
It hurts my heart a little bit to give Margaritaville a "3 star" rating because I'm a parrothead through and through but the Margaritaville experience itself at Citiwalk has just gone downhill. I may be biased because I can't stand the super touristy areas of Orlando, especially Universal since its always a huge production getting in and our of Citiwalk alone but if you hate crowds and spending 45 minutes just to pay for parking and walk all the way to the restaurant then we are kindered spirits. Once I finally get through the production of getting there then i end up standing in line for forever just to get a seat on the outside patio. The inside of the restaurant is cool but I prefer the live music outside. The margaritas are yummy and if they weren't $12 a piece I'd probably drink them all night long but if you don't buy the more primo ones then they can be a little watered down. I always get the Cheeseburger in Paradise so I can't even tell you what the other food on the menu is like (and I like mine with lettuce and tomata..heinz 57 and french fried potatas). Sorry, off track. The music is always fun if you like jimmy buffet/kenny chesney type stuff which I personally love. Overall stance: Margaritas- the expensive ones are good but expensive Food- haven't tried much, I like what i get but again, expensive Music- live music is great, ususally the same songs every visit Effort to get there? Too much of a hassle to be worth it. If you are in Orlando on vacation then go, its part of the experience.
(3)
Bill S.
Fins up!! Pinky always makes me laugh, she brings it to reality. But yes, there is nothing that I'd like more than to grab my high school divorced buddy and hole up in Key West serving suds to tourists. I also want to marry I Dream of Jeannie but its not gonna happen. So? I say Fins Up and go to work on Monday.. Damn it Jimmy Buffett! This is a fun place, I can't believe July 4th weekend, its was kinda empty? We walk in for a quick lunch and a cold one, I ordered some table food, Chicken Wings, Boneless Chicken Bites and Conch Fritters. And beer on tap. Heaven! Somehow the hotel gave me a coupon for a free gift, they gave me a nice Margaritaville Bag? Rock on Jimmy, for all the old guys with 13 years left on the mortgage and now paying for college tuition. Rock on..
(4)
Shay B.
Wait was shorter than they told us. Very loud inside the restaurant, wasn't really expecting that. The food was ok and the drinks were decent. The only big downside was that we were pretty rushed you can tell they try to turn the tables over as quick as possible.
(2)
Pauline T.
Place was pretty good. Short wait to get in, service was great, food was good and the live band was nice. Atmosphere is very fun and relaxing with the band. "Don't stop the carnival" drink was delicious. I tried the fish tacos which were good and filling. The baja burger my boyfriend said was ok. Overall I would come back.
(4)
Kendal O.
It hard. It's really really hard to go to a restaurant like this after experiencing quality. Margaritaville is made for the masses, and the food is prepared as such. Our first two margaritas were way below par for the $10 price tag. When the food came out it was equally un impressive. The $17 fish sandwich reminded me of a McDonalds dollar menu item. Deep-fried to disgust and topped with a slime ball of coleslaw, stuffed between a hamburger bun. This place is way overpriced and disgusting. But hey, it you like surrounding yourself with that tourists, expensive shitty food, and low quality of alcoholic drinks. This is the place for you!
(1)
Britt Z.
My girlfriend & I decided to grab a drink before heading out of the park. The outside sand bar is a lot of fun. Our waitress was great & my frozen margarita was absolutely delicious. Between the two of us we had four drinks & the bill was only $25.00. Great prices, cool atmosphere, good service & yummy drinks, what more can a girl want?
(5)
Lisa H.
Love the guacamole! I also had a caribbean chicken salad and it was really good. When they came around with the dessert shots, I opted for all of them (haha), and my favorites were the red velvet cake and peanut butter reese's. Our waitress was really friendly and prompt with the drinks, which were super yummy!
(4)
Annie T.
Coincidentally walked in the night of National Margarita Day! Great deal here for $5 a drink. Our waiter was sooo precious. Sweet and attentive. We were content with the mammoth mountain of Nachos. It was enough for the 4 of us and still with leftover! Conch fritters were. But overall, the food here is seems more tasty for a chain. Very loud atmosphere. Don't go in expecting to converse with your party Good place for a casual, cheap night.
Fairly good drinks, okay food and not too terrible service. Overall, a fine experience for my first dinner at Universal. I got the sangria, my friend got margaritas. For dinner, I got the fish tacos and asked for them unbreaded - pretty good. My friend got steak and was not too impressed.
(3)
Brad J.
Really like the feel for this place. Great food, music and atmosphere. The server was nice and friendly but was very slow. I will visit again. The Volcano Nachos are Huge. If your hungry order them.
(3)
Sharon P.
Ate on the patio because it was quicker and we have obvious passes to Halloween Horror nights and don't have the time to wait for a table. We ordered "boneless chicken wings that came with bones and my spouse ordered the black and blue burger and got grouper with mango salsa! She chose to take it due to time and we were even forced to pay for it! A service
(2)
Cheryl K.
What's not to love? Island atmosphere, live music, cold beer, great service and food. We sat on the outside patio while visiting Universal over the Christmas break. Kids had chicken bites - jerk sauced - quite spicy. I had the crab corn chowder which was very very delicious and some shrimp on a skewer - delish. Hubby went with grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese. Came with sweet potato fries. Great dinner - our server Adam was very attentive. And I love Jimmy Buffet music which was being played live by a performer with a guitar right on the deck - fun!
(5)
Maya C.
We were a party of 4. We arrived earlier than our reservation and were seated immediately. Ambience: The place is big with plenty of tables. We sat on the patio area with heaters as we were there the day after New Year's. Food: Average. I had a burger. It was standard and cooked at the temperature I requested. Service: Our server was very nice and friendly, but one of our entrees was wrong so it took more time before one of the kids could eat.
(3)
Victoria L.
What a wonderful experience each time! Everytime I come down to Florida, I HAVE to go to Margaritaville, especially before going to Universal Studios. We try to go early in the morning but it does get really busy at night because everyone likes to come out at night at the City Walk. The service here is amazing, wait staff is friendly and attentive. We usually have a table of about 10 or more people and employees are accommodating and courteous. Some tasty dishes I enjoy here are the heaping volcano nachos, lava lava shrimp, all the burgers, coconut shrimp and chocolate banana bread pudding. I can tell you all of these are delicious and tasty. Drinks are also great, definitely worth it! Haven't had a bad experience here and hopefully it stays this way. A must stop in Orlando, especially if you haven't been to a Margaritaville.
(5)
Adrie D.
A nice place to go to!! We are annual passes holders and every time we go to the parks we end up having margaritas and appetizers at Margaritaville! I've been to the one in Vegas and its nothing like this one! I really enjoy the service, ambience and food on this location. My favorite drink is the Last Mango in Paris!!!! Amazing sweet margarita with a tropical twist! We also get the white cheddar cheese curds ... and that's a MUST!! They're great with marinara sauce and I could eat 10 plates of those!! If we are hungry we get the Volcano nachos but if not it's too much food in plate!! We mostly enjoy this place on weekends because Eric Von is playing and keeping the place alive!! Other days the entertainment is not that good. I really recommend this place as a bar to hang out with friends or a restaurant to visit after going the park. And the best thing is that it is kids friendly so you can go any time!
(5)
Brandon S.
Nice staff and tasty drinks. The margaritas arent as handmade or really special as i would have thought they would've been. I had the blueberry pomegranate margaritas. It was yummy! Didn't stay for dinner but overral had a nice time with my bf and drinking a couple drinks.
(4)
Dale H.
Great food. I had the fish and chips and my girlfriend had the coconut shrimp. We had great service and it was fast. The ambiance was fun and light at 5pm. It's part of Universal City Walk so parking is pricey but we stopped here in between visiting parks.
(4)
Dolora M.
Live music, high priced drinks, friendly, cool atmosphere. Havent tried the food but hopefully things are a little better if I decide to come back.
(3)
Craig R.
Great burgers, conch fritters were awesome.Servixe was very good and the view of Universal sitting outside was great
(4)
Brad E.
The margarita was very syrupy and the bartender didn't seem to care. If Margarita is in your name and you charge $12.50 for them they shouldn't be awful. Very un-Buffet like.
(1)
Larry V.
Margaritaville is our standard I am a Parrothead fan of Jimmy Buffett music since I was just out of high school and went to my first concert. I was hooked. I was very very very very happy that there was a Margaritaville located in Orlando when we first moved here. We still go regularly to this day and always have a great time the staff is sometimes great sometimes ok the food is always solid and no matter what we always have a great time Thank You Jimmy.!.
(5)
Lissett D.
This place took forever!! We just ordered 3 Margs...shouldnt take 30min for something that's your specialty? The server was a bit helpful but he seemed distracted and anxious. We sat upstairs in the outside tables. I thought it was strange they had a sink outside. Seems as if they need more staff...and the marg wasn't special.
(2)
Gastromere F.
They are trying hard to be cool and I have to admit they might be succeeding. Good drinks, nice menu with both healthy and fried favorites. The family loves to eat here where the burgers always seem to come out just right even on the kids menu. I had a banana/Chocolate colada and it was good. Our waiter Jeremy was very accommodating and went out of his way to point me toward the healthy alternatives. For example they have a fried fish sandwich. Jeremy offered to have that broiled or blackened instead. It was cooked perfectly. The side salad was not quite as impressive and the dressing did not taste quite home made. But overall dinner was good, quick and relatively inexpensive. We might go again tonight. Enjoy.
(3)
Lauren P.
This place is perfect for families with parents who like to drink and have low standards for what tastes good. Stop with the "Salt chant." No one gets into it and it's painfully obvious that your employees hate it too. I'm pretty sure our server had like 7 teeth and could not care less about serving us since our group was big enough to qualify for the automatic 18% gratuity. Ugh
(2)
Elizabeth N.
This restaurant is exactly what I thought it would be. I had a friend in town and she wanted to visit CityWalk and do some of the typical touristy things. We decided we would eat here for dinner. There were 3 of us who ate and order drinks. We all ordered different types of drinks some margaritas some not, and they were all very good!! My favorite was a coconut one with white chocolate I think. They were a bit pricey, but I kinda expected that. This is a loud place. So not somewhere you would go for a nice conversation. They have Jimmy Buffett and similar artists' music videos playing. They also had men on stilts doing something when we walked in. My husband and I both ordered the Cheeseburger and it was really really good! Better than I expected. My friend ordered a BBQ chicken sandwich, and she said it was also good. I will be back next time I have friends in town.
(4)
Scott R.
Wasn't very happy with the server she was not friendly at all and didn't hide it. Food wasn't anything to brag about. Big tourist trap. Don't recommend this place.
(2)
Denice C.
Within all of Universal Studios City Walk area, and the two Universal theme parks themselves, I can honestly say this is the only establishment I found where the food was genuinely tasty and enjoyable. While I admit I am very selective when it comes to food, restaurants, and the quality of both, and while I also admit I'm a parrothead, in this instance I'm being honest and unbiased. Why? Hmmm, let me just say ... if you happen to visit Universal Studios, Orlando, don't expect great food ... anywhere, except that is, at Margaritaville. The remaining restaurants are overpriced, lacking in quality and taste, and overall undesirable. So what's so great about Margaritaville, Orlando, aside from the good eats offered, which as I've said, were hot and delicious? Well, for starters, the atmosphere is simply fun and simply shouts ... VACATION! The huge volcano in the back of the restaurant that overflows with "real" lava on cue when the Jimmy Buffett song, "Volcano" plays, is a sight to see and definitely adds to the parrothead ambiance of the place, as do the various island-themed props, gizmos, and souvenirs adorning the walls, ceiling, and bars. From classic surfboards, to giant margarita statues and tropical replicas galore, all things in combination are sure to take any parrothead back to the islands, even if only in their minds. What a nice escape. In addition to the ambiance, the drinks are pretty darn good, too, and for an Orlando theme park area, they also happen to be decently priced. I had the infamous frozen concoction that helps parrotheads worldwide, hang on, as the Margaritaville song so eloquently states, and it was a real treat on the smoldering 95 degree Orlando day of my visit. Maybe a bit sweet, but I can't complain. I enjoyed it thoroughly, as did my traveling partner, who had the rocks version of the same. Good stuff! For dinner I enjoyed the Cheeseburger in Paradise. But, come on ... how could I not? It's a classic. Heck, there's even a song written about it, so you know it's gotta be good. But okay, okay, you caught me. I admit I order it nearly every time I visit a Margaritaville restaurant, with the exception of the Margaritaville restaurants in Mexico, where for some reason, hamburger beef just doesn't taste like US hamburger beef (be warned), but that's of little concern in this review. The point is, the cheeseburger was delicious perfection! The bun was soft on the outside and toasty on the inside, the beef was cooked perfectly to medium-well, per my request, and the fries that accompanied my little piece of heaven on a bun were hot, crisp, plentiful, and fresh. Two parrot talons up! My dining companion, being a beef hater, ordered the tropical salad, or was it Caribbean? I can't be sure. It was one of the two. Either way, it was a hit. Loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, nuts, and flavorful chicken, it offered a genuine tropical taste and vibe. The bite I sampled was quite good, and my dining companion mirrored my opinion of the dish. Service was good, though a bit slow, and I don't have much to add further than that. Overall, my Margaritaville, Orlando experience was completely enjoyable, and the food, as previously stated, was by far the best in all of Universal Studios. The surrounding restaurants could definitely learn a thing or two about good food, quality, menu selection, and feel good, vacation ambiance from old Jimmy. Let's hope they do.
(5)
Mark C.
Ordered the BBQ Burger w/ fries and Land Shark brew. This was a great burger with onion rings, bacon and the usual - along with some borrowed jalapeño mayonnaise. (never to b returned) Actually the burger was good before the adder too. Fries were crispy-hot and brew was spot on and just what a body needs. Note to self: This restaurant is not under obligation to re-fill your (reduced price - or is it upsized qty.?) Universal souvenir beer glasses. Lucas was probably the most attentive waiter we have had in some time too. Not once did he fail to check on us whenever he was within 2 tables from us. I'd a tipped him even more for the extra efforts, but I feared he might think I was gettin sweet on him. NEWS ALERT! If you particularly liked the dog character "Kyle" in Universal's movie Despicable Me, they now have him in a full sized plush toy! Right, our cat, couldn't care less either.
(4)
Matthieu K.
Just exactly what I expected this place to be ... Not a bad thing. It's a touristy bar/restaurant in a vacation destination. Atmosphere is ... great. Probably the best service and staff we encountered in the whole greater 'Disney Coprosperity Sphere.' Beer selection was just fine. At a Buffet establishment ... there is one obvious choice! Live music was crazy loud. Forget chatting with your party. Food was ... 3 stars. Average. Better than crApplebees but not so much a Great American Restaurant (Jackson's ... droooool!) Highly recommended.
(3)
T S.
very nice atmosphere very nostalgic . Not a very good around the on the menu the drinks are okay nothing to write home about find place if you are a Jimmy Buffett fan
(3)
Cait H.
A little too kitchy for my tastes, but hey - that's Margaritaville. This was my first time to a Margaritaville location, and we had a pretty good time. We were totally exhausted after spending the entire day at the Universal parks, and were definitely starving. We ordered the Buffalo Bite app, and were kind of disappointed. Really just tasted like chicken nuggets, no real Buffalo flavor at all. I really enjoyed the sirloin and shrimp combo, which was my first foray into the realm of "coconut shrimp" (not a coconut fan) but I found these to be very delicious. My pomegranate margarita was also very good, and went down smooth (got the biggest size and a take home cup - whatta ya know?) I didn't totally understand the whole "volcano" thing at the bar, or the balloon animal guys on stilts, but...we're in Orlando, right?
(3)
Katie T.
My friends and I were starving and looking for a place that served something besides fried food. The atmosphere is fun, the food is lacking. I can't comment on my friends food, but the three girls who ate salads said they were good. I ordered the fish tacos with tilapia- catch of the day. They weren't the best. The flour taco shell fell apart immediately upon picking it up. The beans and rice were good however. The store was fun, a lot of options to choose from. To be honest, I would only come back here to drink.
(2)
M T.
Good, clean, fun, atmosphere. Food is ok; it is not the greatest but also not the worst. We always have a good time when we go up to Universal and eat or drink there. Stilt walkers roam around making balloon hats for kids and adults alike. You have to go at least once.
(3)
Kathy W.
We visit this Margaritaville each summer and usually enjoy the meal. I always enjoy the Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Volcano Nachos. My husband typically looks forward to Jimmy's Jammin Jambalaya but this time was very disappointed as it appears that they've changed the recipe. The previous recipe was a tomato-based, spicy version of the dish. The new recipe is not tomato based and is very bland. Not sure if its another case of restaurants being too nervous to have truly spicy dishes on their menus.
(4)
Olga C.
I really enjoyed my dinner. I had the shrimp trio and it was delicious. The waitress was amazing and very accommodating to my daughters. I recommend this place
(4)
Katie W.
Been here several times and always leave happy! The volcano nachos are wonderful and a great value! Service is great and I recommend call ahead seating.
(4)
Carl S.
4 stars thanks to the friendly staff. This place was packed and we had to seat ourselves. It was confusing to figure out where we were allowed to sit because some places were closed off and no sign indicating so. However, by the time we got a table, someone made sure we were taken care despite the large capacity. We had their margaritas and crab dip. Very relaxing to snack and listen to their live band. Their live band was also amazing singing covers from guns n roses to dirty heads to nelly.
(4)
The Yelp-inator W.
I think my head is going to explode if I hear another Jimmy Buffet song....I know this has to drive the staff crazy. Friendly smiling staff....slow serivce...tourist atmoshpere with big screens playing Jimmy Buffet videos over and over and over. Tourist trap...beware...jerk chicken is NOTJerk chicken. Burgers and fries and mac and cheese of the kids. my wife liked her cuban sandwich. This whole place is a scam...downtown disney is much better
(2)
Patricia G.
I really like the vibe at Margaritaville. Its always a good time especially when you're trying to finish the volcano nachos. It always seems to win the battle, I dont think we've ever been able to finish one of those! I've also had the quesadillas which are good too. If you like margaritas and tropical drinks, this is a great place to treat yourself after a hot day in the parks. Sometimes you just gotta sit back, relax, and drink some margaritas at Margaritaville :)
(4)
Ben B.
The Porch of Indecision is the place to be to cut down on the wait. Try the Volcano Nachos, which are big enough for about three adults. They're some of the best in Orlando. Live music from time to time as well, and a nice view of a river between the porch and Universal's Islands of Adventure. My wife and I stop in for the nachos almost every time we go to the parks.
(4)
Beini S.
Multiple bars inside the restaurant, live music in the evenings (on the evening that I was there, it was an average joe with a great voice, so I definitely enjoyed it), cool bartenders, but wow do their specialty drinks taste bad, and their food as well. I got the crab dip and it was basically a ball of oil. Tasted good in the "this is going to make me feel terrible tomorrow but right now it's satisfying my fat kid desire to eat cheese and butter" kind of way. I'm sure you can find somewhere better to go on the boardwalk
(3)
Glenn G.
My coaster-crazed compadres and I flew three thousand miles to Orlando to visit Universal Studios and Disney. Everyone has to eat, even inside Universal Studios, but nobody expects haute cusine inside an amusement park. Personally, I don't usually expect much better than two-star fare, and am not surprised by one-star swill, and so I was delighted with my experience at Jimmy Buffett's! After nine-straight hours running amok in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the rest of Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, even my glacial metabolism was running low on fuel, and my coaster-crazed compadres were eyeing each other like members of the Donner Party, so we decided to try our luck with one of the restaurants in CityWalk - Universal's answer to Downtown Disney. Yelp and I chose Jimmy Buffett's (I've always liked his Dad's stock-picking abiltities) and off we went. At 5pm on a Tuesday night, we waited only 10 minutes for a table, and then got seated just as Eric Von was about to start a new set. I must confess that the notion of live music before I'd even had a beer didn't really thrill me, and I debated checking out our 2nd choice, but I allowed discretion to be the better part of valor, and decided to stay put and peruse the menu instead. First up, the service - from the moment we were seated until we paid the check, everyone was attentive, pleasant, and happy; just the thing after a really fun but VERY long day in the park. We asked the server what was good, and he recommended The Cheeseburger in Paradise; for the members of the crew that didn't feel like burgers, he said the Seafood Mac and Cheese was quite popular. Neither of these thoughts really did it for me. I ended up ordering the Cuban Sandwich - Roasted pork and sliced ham pressed in a crusty Cuban loaf with mustard, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles. yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… Both of my compadres decided to try the Seafood Mac and Cheese - Shrimp and lump crab meat tossed with elbow macaroni in a Boursin cream sauce baked with mixed cheese and toasted bread crumbs. yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… I also got a Blue Moon on draft to part the dust of the day. yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… My beer thankfully arrived promptly (even before the music started); I sipped it, listened to the Carribean stylings of Mr. Eric Von yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… , and was totally surprised (and more than a bit relieved) to discover that he was really good! Great energy, lots of enthusiasm, decent voice, and a nice touch with the crowd. His rendition of the obligatory "Wasting Away in Margaritaville" would have made 'ole Warren proud! :-) Our food came, and my Cuban Sandwich was wonderful! The pork was flavorful and tasty, the bread was fresh, and the fries were much better than I had any right to expect in an amusement park. My compadres, who wolfed down their mac & cheeses like IRS Auditors going after lottery winners, had no complaints about their chow either. If I wasn't in an ajacent amusement park, I doubt I'd have set out to eat at Jimmy Buffett's, but I was, and I'd happily come back any time I'm in the neighborhood to feed my coaster Jones. I'd rate it 3.5 stars for the food, and then round it up to 4 for the excellent service and surprising good music. Rested, refreshed, and entertained, the three of us headed back toward The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey one last time!
(4)
Karen C.
I wasn't sure what to expect from here, but I was genuinely surprised by how good the food was. The place was very packed when we stopped by which could've been due to the fact that it was dinner time and there was a thunderstorm going so people were looking for shelter. The portion sizes were generous so we had left overs for the next day which were still very tasty. We tried the jerk chicken with cilantro coconut rice and the seafood mac and cheese. Both items sounded weird at first but really good at the same time so my boyfriend and I gave it a try. The jerk chicken was full of flavor and very savory; I'm generally not a rice person but the cilantro coconut rice was very good it actually enhanced the jerk chicken flavor when eaten together. Seafood mac and cheese was very savory and appetizing as well, the ooey gooey melted cheese was delicious over the shrimp. To finish off our meal we had desert shots, which were very rich and thick. We tried all 5 flavors but the best ones were the chocolate on chocolate and red velvet shots. The birthday cake shot was very sweet, and the reese peanut butter cup was very rich and after a few bites it's becomes overpowering. The 5th one was chocolate mousse with gummy worms wasn't bad but after all the others it's just too much sugar.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Kitchen closes at 1145 on Fridays I guess! The service was pretty good, but the food was just ok. 3 stars for the Margaritas though!
(3)
Renee B.
This place is always at the top of my list. I love walking through City Walk but, I can't not stop at Margarittaville. I love the people that walk on the stilts as well as the fact that they make silly balloons to wear on your head. The buffulo wings were awesome. And the drink I had was the king of somewhere hot. It had a jalapeano on top and I believe red pepper was at the bottom. Delicious is all I'm saying.
(5)
Jenny U.
Robert the server was great. We were forced out by the ridiculously loud DJ from across the water. We wanted to chill but couldn't even tell what music was playing at the place we had chosen to go to. DISAPPOINTING
(2)
Sandi C.
Yum! Great Drunken' Shrimp Skillet appetizer .... Good atmosphere and attentive waitress! And wonderful Keylime Pie
(5)
Katherine M.
I've been here twice, and I'm just never impressed. The margaritas are just - okay. I don't think they are anything special. The first time we came because we wanted to compare the margaritaville cafe to cheesburger in paradise. It didn't compare. The food was overly salted, not hot, and just not good. The second time, our bus back to our hotel wasn't coming for another hour and we figured drinking was a good way to pass the time. It's an experience for many. I'm not a big Jimmy Buffet fan (although I live in a city that worships him I guess) so that part is not important to me. The food is not worth the price in my opinion. Overall, I just felt like I had to go here to say I had.
(2)
April K.
I have no idea how I always end up eating at this place whenever I am at City Walk. We had some friends who were staying at the Lowes Portofinio Resort so we took them up on their offer to enjoy some pool time and take the water taxi over to City Walk for dinner. We first wanted to go to Bob Marley's for dinner but that place was H.O.T. open seating in an enclosed patio and no AC/fans is not the way I want to enjoy a meal. So we headed over to Jimmy Buffet's for dinner. I ordered an Italian Margarita which was pretty awesome. The glass was rimmed with cane sugar and came garnished with lime and cherry and was DELish! It was so good I ordered a second glass, but this one had no garnish and no sugar, not a big deal just a little disappointing... For dinner I shared the Seafood Mac and Cheese and Taco salad with my friend and both were pretty awesome. The Seafood Mac and cheese was pretty heavy but had just the right amount of crab, shrimp, scallops, cheese, scallions, and crispy bread crumb toppings. YUM! My only complaint was the entertainers on stilts who were going around the restaurant and seemed angry when we did not stand up and sing a song right as our food was served. I get that it is a touristy location filled with young children and families, but I just wanted to sit and enjoy my food and drink without being harassed by someone making balloon animals! Other then that the food was tasty, not crazy expensive and our server was super attentive and fantastic. Just beware of the slightly annoying people on stilts...
(3)
J P.
My tacos looked great at first, but after I started eating them they fell apart and instead became a taco salad sort of thing, and the chicken tacos weren't even that good, for the price not worth it. Burger bun was soggy also and fries were cold, Ditto!!!food blah! Avoid at all costs!! Drinks are the only thing worth trying, and those aren't even cheap, I mean $17 for 22oz?! No thanks!
(1)
Runa Z.
$26 for 9 pieces of shrimp and a handful of fries? No, thank you. Such limited food choices (especially for those of us with food allergies) for absurd prices. One of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had.
(1)
Michael F.
It's a novelty. Food is just okay. The service was okay. Pricing is very pricey for the quality and portion. Again it's just a novelty, so don't expect to be blown away by anything spectacular.
(3)
Mark H.
The food & drink are always good. My problem with the place is not the touristy aspect, not the $16 parking ($5 after 6pm) and the loooooong walk to the place, that is what it is, a tourist spot at a theme park. My problem is that the rent can't be that high to charge $20 for 2 fish tacos. They were good but cost about $3 a bite. It would have been nicer at a $14.99 cost. I ordered a margarita (when in Rome...). It was like $11 so I was expecting this big ol goblet I could share with my wife. It was in an 8oz drinking glass. We shared it, neither of us could feel a buzz on that amount. It taste great, but it was a $4 drink for $11. If you don't mind the cost, you'll enjoy this place.
(2)
George D.
I went here one evening with my wife after a movie. We were told that there would be a 45 minute wait for a table. So we went to the bar. We were graciously greeted by the bartender George. Let me tell you this guy is awesome. He informed us that we could have our meal at the bar. So we promptly cancelled our notification at the front desk. My question is, why didn't the lady at the front tell us that we could eat at the bar? A note for customer service. We were using the dinner and a movie package that they offer at Citywalk. It's a limited menu they use for this. So my wife and I both ordered a "Cheeseburger in Paradise," accompanied by a margarita. The hamburger was cooked to absolute perfection, and I seldom eat french fries, but they were delicious. The margarita prepared by George, was fabulous. When you go to Margaritaville, go to the bar and ask for George his service was stellar.
(4)
Steve C.
It was a hot day at Universal theme parks, we were hungry and hot by late afternoon. Margaritaville is in Universal CityWalk. We decided to sit at the bar. They serve full menu at the bar. Our bartender/server Conner was awesome. He made several recommendations for us. They were all great. I think we had better service sitting at the bar than some tables. Conner was very busy making drinks for other people and he was very attentive to make sure we were helped.
(4)
Rich E.
Was not impressed. "Volcano Nachos" are over rated. Have had better from food trucks, there maybe was a good sized pile but, the chips felt stale or undercooked. The chili was nothing special, unless you call black beans "gourmet", the melted cheese was more like "cheez sauce" from a can pump. 1 tablespoon each of guacamole and sour cream. AVOID the "Jambalaya" was not authentic it was more of a sadly done etoufee. It was inedible, watery sauce, mushy chicken and 'andouille sausage', any flavor was overpowered by a nasty thyme or bay leaf heavy hand. The few bits of shrimp were OK. Server was best part, he was quick with refills and table touches. Not his fault food is sub par. The pirate clown was annoying and loud, maybe fun for the kids ( the ones not running wild) but leave the groups of adults talking alone. The campy JB Margaritaville music and video loops are a new layer of hell. Try anything with in throwing distance at City Walk first.
(2)
Katie D.
The french dip was absolutely gigantic and had pretty good flavor but was a little overcooked. Husband had fish and chips and really enjoyed it. Daughter's chicken tenders were great. Volcano nachos were huge and delicious. Everyone else at the table was really happy with their meals. Great service, also.
(4)
Rachel M.
Love love love Jimmy Buffet. I have part parrot head in me. After all, he's got the best tailgating parties ever. Hello!!!! I always stop here when at City Walk. I have to, have to. I often buy something anything Jimmy Buffet. I stop by for a drink too. That's my happiness when I come here. I haven't eaten here. I always simply pass through, buy fun stuff and get a fun drink. After all, gotta drink and be merry because it's 5 o'clock somewhere. Wish it was here!
(4)
Claudia A.
I didn't think I would like this place as much as I did. It's gimmicky like everything else on the strip but I was glad I stopped here for dinner. The seafood Mac and cheese was cheesy and chunky. A great pick! I got the Louie wedge. I really wish they had put the dressing on side and it was missing cheese (it's not supposed to have cheese on the description, just wish it did). I probably won't get this again. I wanted something healthy but it lacked in flavor and the dressing just made it too soggy for me.. We also go the cheddar bbq burger with sweet potato fries. It was a large burger, nice and moist. It was really good. We tried a few of their alcoholic drinks and each was great. The hot and spicy margarita hit the spot and the moonshine margarita was yummy too. Not too sweet and strong enough.
(4)
Amie G.
When you go to Universal Studios in Orlando you have to visit Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Great food, great service and great FUN! Get ready to be well fed and they'll let you sing and dance if you want too :) Make sure you ask for Chelsey. She'll take good care of you!
(5)
Troy T.
Jorge was a great server. Outstanding service!! Great food. Because of Jorge we will be back
(5)
Ania P.
Tasty food, great ambiance and nice staff! What else? :) They quickly take care of you, no need to wait for hours even without booking!
(4)
Gatangalie S.
LOVE!!!! Before entering either Universal Studio or the Island of Adventure parks, please make your first stop at MargaritaVille! You have the option to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and breeze while sipping on a margarita of your choice. I had the strawberry margarita and it was near perfect. Very fresh and delicious with the right kick. This place is huge, it's enjoyable both inside and outside. So many different selections for lunch, I had their jumbo coconut chicken shrimps with fries! Must have if a seafood lover. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Anita B.
Kids loved it. Lots of atmosphere and fun. The food was very good. Coconut shrimp and fish tacos. Didn't have a margarita but everyone else around us were !
(4)
David M.
Had a BBQ burger. Cooked perfectly, could have used more bbq sauce. Tasted great. I will order it again
(5)
Joshua S.
I love this place. This is still my favorite Margaritaville that I've been to. You really get the true Margaritvaville/Jimmy Buffett experience here, hopefully you visit this one before, let's say, the one in Glendale, Arizona. Here you get the Buffett tunes, the fun, the festivities and the overall Buffett-vibe. My first time here was back in 2003 after leaving Universal Studios with my family. At the time I was in my early/mid 20's and still in a somewhat of a "OG" phase and I think, don't tell anyone, still listening to Tupac or some rap sorta crap. So, when my father said "Hey kids, we're going to Margaritaville" and stopped my brother and I in our tracks on the path to Hard Rock Cafe, I said "huh?" He was like "you know, Margaritaville?" I gave him a dumb look. After protesting and not winning, we headed to Margaritaville. I remember thinking that I needed a drink. So as touristy and young as I was, I opted for a pina colada. Isn't that what everyone does in Florida on vacation? Upon entering Margaritaville I was stunned. The plane hanging from the ceiling, fake palms trees, island music, run drinks, an erupting blender-volcano, I was sold. I kid you not it changed my life. I kept drinking throughout dinner as I stared in awe at the decor and the feel of complete escapism, a feeling I had never had but a feeling that felt good wondering how I could put it in a capsule and bring it back to Fargo, North Dakota with me. Knowing that was not possible, I opted for the gift shop. I stocked up on a couple books, "Tales from Margaritaville" and "Where is Joe Merchant". I acted my age and bought one of those giant shot glasses and a t-shirt because this was going to be my new thing. Ever since that day I have been a die hard Parrot Head (Jimmy Buffett follower) and have joined the ranks of the margaritians. After college I even got a job at the Glendale, Arizona Margaritaville because that's all I really wanted to do. I also got an entire sleeve of Margaritaville/beach themed tattoos now....I might have taken it to a new level of fanatic but it sure looks cool :) What I've tried to tell all the people who give me a hard time about the fact that Jimmy Buffett doesn't have the voice of someone on "The Voice" or doesn't have the vocals of a rising Nashville star, I tell them that it's not about that. It's about the story he tells and how in the middle of a subarctic North Dakota winter you can turn on Banana Republics, make a stiff tequila sunrise and be transported via your mind to a tropical paradise. That's what Margaritaville is, it's all about your state of mind. Back to the review :) The food is great. I've probably had everything on the menu from the coconut shrimp, to the famous Cheeseburger in Paradise and all the way rabbit style to a salad. They've all been good. I'd say if it's your first time you should go for the Volcano Nachos. Trust me, they're massive. You and another won't be able to finish them. I've even tried doing it on one of those nights where you've had a few (too many maybe) and swear you could eat half of a cow. It's not possible. And don't make the mistake of thinking they are an appetizer and you will be able to slam down a burger afterwards. You will end up with a doggy bag fighting food coma in one of the beach chairs on the City Walk. I would also recommend the "Perfect Margarita" but only if you're not driving, because it's potent. All around great place to go. It's a great place living here now to just go and get away from it all and unwind.
(5)
Dennis S.
Service was good. Drinks were good. The food came out hot. The reason for the 2 stars are the restrooms were nasty, the bar area smelled pretty bad as well, and the food was below average. We like the atmosphere and understand this a tourist place, but for the money it was not that great.
(2)
Alexandre H.
As I mentioned in my previous reviews, the tourist traps in Orlando are improving... maybe the backlash of bad publicity (and the power of the internet, where regular folks can send out warning messages so other distracted tourist don't fall in the same traps) has helped change the landscape. Summarizing: - The service was very good, our server was friendly and efficient. - We went for the Shrimp Trio and the Cheeseburger in Paradise (of course!!), and both were above average. - The prices were just Ok, $12 for a cheeseburger is a bit over the top.... but this is Orlando after all. - Great selection of drinks and beer, reasonably priced. - Fun atmosphere with a live band, playing (evidently) Caribbean music and Jimmy Buffet songs. Recommended!
(4)
Joy V.
Only one Margarita needed. Very pleased with my to go drink. Great additive to The Citywalk
(5)
Jason H.
Yes we entered expecting the typical tourist trap theme park restaurant. We enjoy JB Margaritavilles whenever we find them. Sadly we could definitely tell the tourist season is wearing on the staff. The host stand was staffed by unemotional blank face young ladies that could barely muscle up a smile and greeting. We were hungry and opted for the opens eating in the high top tables as opposed to the main dining area with a 45 min wait. Our server was a bit more friendly and I think she gained a little more energy and smile when she realized we weren't the typical rude tourist family. We ordered three cheeseburgers and one steak taco plate. The burgers were ok, however the fries on all plates were definitely old and probably last batch before the next stop in the frier. The steak tacos were also ok, meat a little over done and rice was easily identified as minute bag rice. They all served the purpose of filling our bellies. Margaritas and other cocktails were tasty. It is obvious that there is no sense of pride or urgency in operating the restaurant. Remember to enjoy yourself and realize you are in a theme park.
(3)
Crista Z.
Compared to the other restaurants available in the are this place was not worth it. We went around 730 and left at 9pm...never got our food. They only had 1 kitchen open apparently. The service was really really bad and the wait time was terrible. It's relatively priced the same as the COWFISH and Anjtojintos but the food isn't good. We did manage to get our crab dip appetizer but it was tasteless. Never got to talk to the manager, he was too busy back in the kitchen I guess. Go somewhere else to eat if you're in Universal.
(2)
Matt W.
Food and drinks were great. Bartender was friendly and helped us with what to order.. Def stop in for a drink!
(5)
Jon W.
Awesome atmosphere and the concept is embodied very well. There is video footage of Buffett and Parrotheads continually projected onto the sails of the abandoned ships strewn throughout the restaurant. Ate at the volcano bar where every hour on the half hour... well you'll just have to experience it for yourself. Started with a frozen Who's To Blame Margarita which did not disappoint. Second one was a Perfect Margarita, which comes with a warning on the menu and is almost straight tequila! I was really impressed with how relatively inexpensive they were for being in the heart of Universal - both of them totaled $20. For my food I ordered the fish tacos and this is where I ding them a star. It's not good when your second bite contains a sharp fish bone that I could have very easily swallowed. Otherwise the tacos were flavorful, although I don't like cabbage and probably should have likewise ordered something else. If you find yourself on the CityWalk, you owe it to yourself to come here. Be prepared to wait if you don't sit at the bar, though. They also have a pretty sizeable gift shop and a second bar area that extends toward the nightclub section.
(4)
Melissa M.
After a long day of surviving Twister, escaping Gringotts with Harry Potter, and causing mayhem with the minions, my friend and I decided to head to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. I had been to this location and others before and have always loved the atmosphere this restaurant provides. We were seated right away, next to the live performer. Our waitress, Elyse, brought us waters immediately and was super friendly. She was great with refilling our drinks and making sure we had everything we needed. We ordered the crab dip and burgers. The crab dip took a somewhat long time to come out, maybe half an hour or so. Although we didn't complain, the manager comped the crab dip and both her and Elyse apologized about it taking so long. Shortly after, our hamburgers came out and they were both delicious. I had the "Burger, Black and Blue" and my friend had the "Cheeseburger in Paradise". More points to Elyse for telling us that the "Paradise" sauce was actually just thousand island dressing. Overall, amazing service and food. Elyse was probably one of the best waitresses I have had in a long time, and the management was great. The prices were reasonable, especially considering how expensive all the food inside the park is. Next time I visit Universal, I will make sure that Margaritaville is at the top of my list for places to eat on City Walk.
(5)
Kelsey H.
We had the best experience here after a long day at universal studios. We had an amazing waiter, Jorge, who anticipated every desire we had. He was the friendliest guy ever, always smiling and very helpful! The beers were reasonably priced and there was a decent variety. The food was absolutely superb, and the margaritas seemed to be endless in options. The atmosphere is light and casual, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was live acoustic guitar on the patio as well! All in all, we would definitely recommend Margaritaville in Orlando to anyone who happens to be in the area!
(5)
Jennifer A.
After several hours of walking around Universal I was ready for some real food (ie, not a turkey leg, cauldron cake or butterbeer). I've walked past the Margaritaville in Las Vegas many times without ever going in, but the huge patio at the City Walk location drew me in. I felt like eating nachos and quite a few of the tables nearby had ordered nachos, but they were ridiculously huge. It was just me and my mom and you would seriously need at least four people to come close to finishing them. So instead we shared a taco salad and fish & chips. I thought the taco salad was just okay - I enjoyed the flavor, but I thought the chili, salsa, sour cream and guac made everything really wet. The fish & chips were pretty good and a very big portion with five pieces of fish. The jalapeno tartar sauce was surprisingly spicy and I loved the fries. Overall, I thought Margaritaville was about 3.5 stars. Our server and the hostess were super sweet. Prices were reasonable considering the theme park location. I could see myself coming back (with more people) for nachos and beers!
(3)
Christina M.
This place isn't all that bad. Would I return here on a future trip to Universal? Probably not. For the wait-time and the price of our meals, I was not impressed. The decor and entertainment certainly made up for it, but spending $18.00 for a cheeseburger, I'd expect it to be a little bit bigger than my hand and be at least cooked, and the fries were sub-par. We did order the chicken wings and they were decent. And the service is good. Considering the location and the awesome atmosphere, I came in with high expectations and left mildly disappointed. I would suggest coming here if it was a last resort.
(3)
Frank S.
Decided to go here for dinner the other night with my girlfriend cause it looked interesting. When we got there the waitress wipes our table and then disappears leaving the table drenched with soap. We had to ask another waiter for napkins to wipe it down ourselves. It took another 30-45 minutes after that to even get our food order placed. I ordered the burger and when I got it the burger was cold. It was cooked, but it seemed like they just heated up a frozen burger. The fries were hotter than the burger. I wasn't very happy at all. The waitress didn't even seem to care or anything. She had an attitude and seemed like she didn't even want to be working. To top it off, we didn't even get a visit from the manager at all to apologize or anything. I'm in Orlando a lot and have been to most of the restaurants in City Walk, I've never been treated this badly before. I will not be returning anytime soon.
(1)
Jim B.
At Universal with my family and another and was nervous about going to this restaurant with 4 adults and 5 kids but I was wrong. It was incredibly family friendly and the staff did everything they could to accommodate us. Special mention to our server Becca who not only did a great job but anticipated our families needs. And to Taylor the balloon animal maker who keep the kids busy during the wait for our table! Highly recommend wasting away in Margaritaville - even if the kiddos are with you.
(5)
Lauren Y.
"If life gives you limes....make margaritas." Jimmy Buffett's carefree and eternal vacation mindset continues to shape music, beverages and now the restaurant world. And we'd take limes over lemons any day. Head down I-4 and escape to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville located in the heart of Universal's City Walk. To kick of our Labor Day weekend, we headed to City Walk to enjoy some boat drinks and a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Our "mini vacation" started with their Uptown Margarita with Margaritaville Gold Tequila, Cointreau® Orange Liqueur, house margarita blend and topped with a Gran Gala® float all on the rocks with salt. The margaritas were perfect and worth heading out to Margaritaville even if just for a drink. Probably most impressive on the menu are the extensive gluten free options. From burgers to brownies, the menu serves up a variety of options for those trying to avoid gluten. Even the fries are made in separate fryers! Hello tasty sweet potato fries. For the first course, per chef recommendation, we dove into the Volcano Nachos. Standing seemingly over a foot tall, these house-made tortilla chips are layers upon layers of chili, cheese, fresh guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, tomatoes and scallions. And yes, every bite was amazing. Next course, burgers in paradise. Our Cheddar BBQ Burger was topped with cheddar cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried onions, lettuce, BBQ aioli and served with a roasted jalapeño on the side. Hello, flavor explosion. Most burgers today are well, wimpy. But this juicy goodness was stacked high and filled with more than a single slice of cheese and crumbled bacon. Washed down with french fries and it's easy to see why Orlando's Margaritaville recently won Best Burger from Orlando Sentinel. Trying to avoid gluten? You'll find all you need on their gluten free menu, even burgers! We indulged in the tasty gluten free Cheeseburger in Paradise® with an Udi's signature bun topped with American cheese, lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles and paradise island sauce. You'd never know it was free of gluten! Whatever they did to that Udi's bun is simply unbelieveable, paired with krinkle sweet potato fries and you'll experience gluten free perfection. Topping off our tropical escape, we feasted on the Chocolate Hurricane, warm (gluten free) brownies with heath bar crusted vanilla bean ice cream, macadamia nuts, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. A mountain of brownies, sugary goodness and worth EVERY bite. We left Margaritaville full, happy and in a vacation state of mind. Visit margaritavilleorlando.com for menus, drinks and upcoming events.
(5)
Stefanie F.
Dear Anna H, I will like to discuss this matter with you. Please let me know how I may get in contact with you. Thanks!!
(1)
Anthony I.
Food is good. But IMO over priced. Then again. Everything in this area is. Live bands are awesome. But on the down side its so loud you cant talk to the people youre with. I had no idea there were live bands here. So that could be a bonus or not depending on what your loooking for in a dinning exp.. The place is huge and packed, so its loud regardless. If they werent over priced id def say 4 stars. But for food not really any better then what youd find else where, i dont feel its justified. So just a heads up if its your first time here./ Look for the stage, and maybe request a seat else where if you dont want to be blasted with music.
(3)
Liz R.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is located in CityWalk. It's a touristy trap on the way in and out of the theme parks. The themed restaurants there can be pricey.The first time I visited Jimmy Buffett's my husband and I just stopped in for a cold drink or two. Yesterday we stopped in again while waiting for the doors to open for a concert at The Hard Rock. This time we ordered an appetizer to eat as well as drinks. We sat at the bar. I started off with a Bama Breeze frozen drink and my husband a craft beer. I really liked the Bama Breeze. Yum. After looking over the menu, we decided on the Volcano Nachos. The bartender warned us they were huge....and they were! So big we couldn't finish them. They were loaded with Chili & Cheese, They also came with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo & Jalapenos. We ordered one more round of drinks. I ordered the Chocolate Banana Colada and my husband ordered a Corona with lime. I love Myers rum but the Myers floater on top mixed with the chocolate and banana liquor together just didn't taste all that great to me...so I ended up not finishing it. The drinks are a bit pricey but that's expected. The nachos were well worth the $15. We will be back again for sure.
(4)
Rob N.
We ate dinner and it was a good meal. The Seafood Macaroni and Cheese was a tasty dish. I liked it a lot and both of my kids tried to steel shrimp and crab meat. I had to stick my fork through my 7 year old's hand to get him to back off (don't screw with my shrimp). Both of my kids had kids mac and cheese (Kraft) and both thought my mac and cheese was superior. The wife had a salad which she ranked as about average. One complain- no damn balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing is an ender. Overall, not a bad place. Margaritas were very good.
(4)
Kristin C.
This place is ridiculously expensive, but it is City Walk, and it is convenient. I have been here a handful of times for that very reason. I like to go Rising Star Karaoke (with live band!) around the corner from Margaritaville, so we usually stop in there beforehand. I mean in places like City Walk, I expect the food to be mediocre and the prices steep, so my expectations aren't high, and Margaritaville is okay. I do think the music is way, way too loud. The last time I went, it seemed like it was extra loud to make up for the fact that the lead singer wasn't very good. I do like the bar area. I usually end up there to avoid the loudness of the regular area, although it still is too loud. Will I return? I hope so, because that probably means I will be returning to Rising Star that I love.
(3)
Jeffrey D.
Was at the park stopped in at 7 p.m. to get dinner told wait would be 45 minutes. So Sat at bar where we were treated well by bartender, after an hour he said, let me see your pager and I'll check on your table. Came back saying they had lost us but would seat us know. Took us upstairs not on the main floor as we were waiting. Our feet hurt and we had opted not to go up there and be seated immediately, sigh. Told our waitress, we were very hungry as had been waiting awhile. Immediately put in an order for Asiago crab dip. Was brought our waters and ordered our dinners, she stopped back ten minutes to say food would be right up.... Fifteen minutes later she brings it. Unfortunately, it was very salty and they forgot to put any crab into it. I had the bites and didn't eat any more. We pushed the half eaten dish to one side. After ten minutes she drops by and without asking if we were done takes it, also didn't ask if it was ok. Nor had she offered refills on our water. After fifty minutes from our order the food comes. I am forkless since she took mine, no ketchup for the fries. Still no water. We flash her down and my lady tells her how unhappy we are with the service, how some of the food isn't hot, fork, water, wait, how just right up means fifteen minutes... Waitress says she will send the manager over. Doesn't apologize at all. My food is so so, better than the appetizer at least, the one shrimp style is way too salty Is that the only spices they have? ) my lady tells the manager same info. They take out the appetizer and 30 percent. So food bill is 37 instead of 67. Bar bill was 60. Bartender got a ten dollar tip, waitress, three bucks. Would never go back!
(2)
Scott B.
Zipped in here on a drizzly Friday night to grab a margarita and use my free appetizer coupon for joining their email club. Went to the back bar and found an open seat. Bartender was a little aloof, but served me a small blueberry pomegranite margarita on the rocks. Ok, but not worth $13. I shouldn't complain about my free Drunken Shrimp appetizer but I will. It came with only 4 medium sized shrimp in a "soup" of butter and coconut milk along with a few small pieces of bell pepper and onion. No where close to 1/2 of what they charge for it... It may have been a funner place once the live band started playing at 10pm, but I didn't stick around. I'd consider going back only for live music...
(3)
Shane M.
Took the wife and kids tonight. Not happy with the service or food. SERVICE: MEDIOCRE at best. Staff leaning on the hostess station clock watch the mins till the end of their shift. Our server not overly helpful multiple stops to get basic items like drink refills. With the limited menu, you think it would come out with higher degree of accuracy. FOOD: drink were weak. If im paying10 bucks for a drink,a tumbler filled with ice I want to taste alcohol. Not look aid. I ordered a black and blue burger,rare. It came well done. The girls ordered salads which were good but the soup was baked potato, tasted like a mix of potato and clam chowder. But my family is awesome so we song along with the band and played all air instruments.
(2)
Christine W.
Stopped at the outside bar just to grab some drinks and people watch At the city walk. Drinks were just ok as I thought they were too sugary/watered down. It was nice to sit outside as it was a nice night and my bf and I just wanted to check out the city walk at night since we got to our hotel kind of late. Seems like there's a lot of people that just want to grab a beer here and the bartenders always warn people that they are not allowed to take the glass bottle of beer away from the bar area. Also the bartenders card everyone! Especially the couple of nights we were there because one direction was planning a performance or something. So it's convenient to grab a drink here but the mixed drinks are just ok.
(3)
Lindsey C.
My two friends and I came here on a Saturday night around 7-7:30. The wait was going to be 1 hour 45 minutes. But, we had our mind set on coming here since none of us had been to a Margaritaville before, so we decided we'd just drink while we waited. Ordered 3 beers at the bar ($5.75 for a Shocktop seems so high to us Oklahoma girls, but seems to be the norm at the CityWalk) and took them outside the restaurant to wait there. I like that you can take plastic cups out on the CityWalk, so you don't have to wait inside the crowded restaurant/bar. After that we ordered some margaritas at their "margaritas to-go" window, which is nifty. They were each around $9 and pretty tasty. We lost track of how long we had been waiting, so decided to check with the hostess and apparently our name had come up but our buzzer was broken - awesome. None of us really minded though since we had just been chatting, drinking and having a good time, but then they sat us right after that. Food was just average (especially for the price), but that's what I expected. I got a fish sandwich that was grilled grouper I believe. The fish was cooked fine and tasted fine. It came with a side salad and I actually ended up with 2 because our server brought it out early and it also came on the plate with my sandwich. That was fine with me because it was actually a good side salad - fresh, big pieces of tomatoes, cucumbers, and black olives - refreshing after being in the Universal parks all day. Service was fine. The bathrooms got pretty gross by the end of our night here (around 9:30-10). All the stalls had run out of toilet paper and it looked like one toilet had overflowed. The decor and atmosphere inside is pretty fun - there's a lot of fun stuff to look at hanging from the ceilings. A live band started playing upstairs towards the end of our meal, which I like. Apparently they have live music every night. Overall our experience wasn't bad, it just didn't make me want to come back in the future.
(3)
Katy S.
I had a great time at Margaritaville. Personally, I like Jimmy Buffett. I think his music is fun and exemplifies a fun Floridian lifestyle. When my work chose to take us to Margaritaville for a year end work outing, I knew it would be fun, but they exceeded my expectations. One of my colleagues set up a catered event. When we arrived we were brought up stairs where one of the servers greeted us and handed us Landsharks or glasses of wine when we walked in (SCORE)! When we arrived at the table our salads (Wedge with Bacon and Bleu Cheese) were waiting for us. We were given the option of 4 different items from the dinner menu (steak, chicken, grouper, or shrimp). I was expecting burgers or tacos so I was happy with the selection. They stopped by many times to refill our beers and the service was very good. I enjoyed my meal greatly and the Key Lime Pie was a special treat. At the end of the meal, they gave us all to go beers to bring with us out to City Walk. This was a really fun experience and I would definitely come back for a big ole Margarita after a day at Universal!
(4)
AJ M.
CityWalk may be filled with chain restaurants and tourists, but the food and service this restaurant put out was even worse than expected. If you're looking for a good, fun meal while enjoying the parks, avoid this place and check out one of a dozen other options. I came here with a party of 8 at the end of a day at Universal midweek and sat on the outdoor patio. Despite there only being a handful of full tables on the porch, our waiter was seen less than a handful of times. He greeted us very curtly and seemed annoyed any time we spoke to him. Our party all ordered various margaritas which were sadly, ironically horrible. Poorly mixed, very sour/too sweet and overpriced at $11 (Though that's par for the course on CityWalk). The menu here is a confused mix of southern seafood dishes and tex-mex. The volcano nachos were decent, though the chili was pretty average. For meals we had the tacos, which featured very dry steak, quesadillas made with teriyaki chicken, over spiced jambalaya and overdressed Ceasar salads. I expected this place to have a fun vibe with good drinks and decent food and I was sorely disappointed. Jimmy Buffet needs to do some work fixing this location up because it is certainly not living up to the name.
(2)
Brandon M.
Very good service. Came in with a party of 7 people and were seated within 10 minutes. The server was very nice and knowledgeable with the adult beverages(always a plus). They have three different seating areas so you can enjoy all that Margaritaville has to offer. The food was incredible and delicious (especially the nachos appetizer). This place is as good as it gets on City Walk. Cannot wait to return here.
(5)
Erin B.
If I didn't have a job and a dog to support, I'd throw away all my responsibilities and spend all my money at Margaritaville. Came here in the off season, so I hope this review is just as applicable when folks go in the summer frenzy. I have to say, this place was never packed, and my friend and I ate here for both lunch and dinner on two separate days. We politely requested sitting in the front of the porch (prime for people watching and getting occasional sunshine) and they had no problem seating us there each time. Our servers each time were friendly and phenomenal. They really pushed us to order their drinks- very expensive yet delicious and tropical. We were on vacation so why not? Fun fact- if you stay here and get drunk long enough like we did for one of the trips, you hear Margaritaville play A LOT. It plays every :35 after the hour. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is great. Pricey, but you're on vacation so you may as well spend. I recommend getting a classic Cheeburger in paradise and getting the Zombie drink or the Bama Mama.
(5)
Melissa Rose P.
Definitely a fan. First time at Margaritaville and we loved it. The drinks were delicious, I had the "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" margarita (delicious) some others had the watermelon and the classic. The larger option is definitely a good deal if you plan on having at least 2 drinks and not driving of course. The food here is absolutely great, I had the tacos some had the salads and a few had the special "Jurassic World" burgers (the indominous rex burger was amazing). They also had a live band play and their song selections were perfect, we all had a very good time.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Touristy Noise Level : Loud Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Dana M.
For the most part, we have always had a good experience at this location. Last night, it did start off a little rocky. It was a busy Saturday night so there was a line to wait in to put your name on the wait. After waiting in that line, she asked us if we would be okay sitting in the heated patio area. We said okay, thinking our name would still be put on the wait as first available. Instead, she sent us to the other side of the restaurant to wait in another line. Not another line to put our name in, but a line quite long where we would have to just stand there until a table opened. The main hostess should be more careful when explaining this situation so others are not in for the surprise. I personally think that is a bad system. There should be one wait and those who have agreed to that area should go to those tables first when they are available. By the time we for back to the original girl, our wait time had increased by over 30 minutes. What can ya do at this point? After we finally checked in, we went to the bar to wait for the rest of our party to join us an get some drinks. We stood there for almost 10 minutes before a bartender asked us if we wanted a drink. I would have been more than fine with this if they had been actually taking care of customers but all three bartenders were having conversations amongst each other or other bar guests. From my experience with bartending, it's common to be sociable, but you have to be aware of your bar and the other people who need you. Once we were waited on, everything was great. To our surprise, we were actually seated an hour earlier than quoted. Our server was great and everyone loved the food. I'll give my quick opinions on a few of the dishes I've tries here. Quesadillas and crab dip are great for appetizers. Corn and crab soup is very good. Coconut shrimp are tasty. The pasta was lacking flavor in my opinion. I never order it anymore. Cheeseburger in paradise had good flavor and was juicy. I thought the taco salad would have had a little bit more lettuce to it, but it was more of everything else. Flavors were good but just wasn't what I was looking for. Overall, we love Jimmy Buffett and the vibe here. It's a fun atmosphere and the prices are decent considering it's universal.
(4)Valley Guy G.
Checked it out on a Sat night and band was playing cover songs on stage. Apparently Nov is slow season but the place was lively. Good place for groups as there's a lot of seating. Service was fine.
(4)Alec J.
Went there right before they closed got a good drink and a yummy calimari and had a wall you cab put a not about your experience at universal it was a cool place and they had a live music
(5)Tom T.
All about ambiance and music but decent bar food too. Margaritas were variable, some good some bad some ok. It's really great if you like Buffett, and the stilt peformers were a nice add-on.
(4)Irnela S.
5 stars for atmosphere! This place is amazing! And if you're lucky you're here when there's live music...Michael is amazing! Oh and try the perfect margarita'
(5)Pamela M.
I have been here a few times since moving to Florida. The food is actually very good. The Mac n Cheese is wonderful, hamburgers, fish tacos...all good. Can get a little pricey especially once you add in the drinks but you are in the heat of tourism so that should be no surprise. At least you can be satisfied that you didn't spend a lot of money on bad tasting bar food.
(3)Heather.Spy P.
Good margaritas, good prices. Can't say I was crazy about the bartender but that was a personality thing. Really great that they'll give you a to go cup though so you can sit outside and leave when you want. Didn't get to try the food since the kitchen was closed.
(3)Karl S.
Drink and nosh on the patio after a quick promenade around CityWalk. Yes, it's industrial, but isn't all of Universal industrial? They were efficient in moving us in and out, and the staff was friendly.
(3)Maria V.
Had dinner here and our food was great but the waitress had no personality again.She sounded like a robot when she talked to us and then my husband overheard her say to another waiter that she couldn't wait to get out of there already.That would explain our service! I had a great burger and my sweet potato fries were amazing! The atmosphere there is very relaxing and it's very mellow.There was a man on stilts making balloon animals so the kids loved that.Overall great restaurant but the waitress sucked.
(3)Aleema R.
So I wasn't too impress with this restaurant. All the hype and I was quite disappointed. The live band was great. Maybe because we went a little late? That could have contributed to the lack of service but I just did not enjoy myself.
(2)George K.
Terrible experience at Margaritaville Saturday the 19th for lunch. We came in for some lunch and our buddy ordered a drink to which he was refused because they didn't think his ID was real. Sort of understandable, but on a brighter note the supervisor came over to see if she could get the ID verified or scanned. We were happy because it's a real FL ID, so we knew there were no worries. 20 minutes later, no manager in sight, all of our food devoured, still no drink. We were never informed of the manager's whereabouts or anything. We finished all of our food when the manager ( i believe her name was Bri) and a police officer came by to talk to our friend. Officer says everything is ok, and we get a drink and a check. With the 4 of us all working in service industry, we were shocked as to how the situation was handled. Our server Anna did a good job of trying to keep us happy but we were already pissed at this point. Anna you're great and we understand you were doing your job. The manager om the other hand just did not handle this situation thebright way. Whoever hired you made a mistake in having you as a front of house manager interacting with guests. Not once did she let us know what was happening with the ID, not once did she come back to even check on us or apologize, and honestly it's pretty embaressing to have a police officer walk to your table. Thanks to this, we will not be visiting any Margaritaville restaurant wherever we may come across one. Thanks for an absolutely pitiful experience. Btw, the food was pretty good.
(1)Yo K.
Always a hoot! Nachos, nachos! Great place to stop by and have a break from the park.
(5)Joe K.
I love this place. Great vibe. Music was fabulous. We had a large party around 28 people. We waited to get seating in the upstairs dining area to accommodate large parties. I had the burger and a good variety of beverages to choose from. The waitstaff were able to split checks with ease having the soccer team and parents on different checks. Fast service ,knowledgeable and friendly.
(4)Cathie D.
Love Margaritaville! We've been to multiple locations, & to this one numerous times! Love the margaritas & the land shark beer! The nachos are huge & very good. The conch fritters are good. I'm not really crazy about the fish spread appetizer! The burgers are good & the crab cake burger too! The atmosphere is very cool in the typical Jimmy Buffet style! Yes, it's a tourist trap, & yes, you will have to wait but that's something to expect in this area!!
(4)Lisa M.
It's not bad for a theme park touristy area. I had the quesadilla and the best strawberry margarita I've ever had there. Nice relaxing atmosphere while the kids played mini golf. I'd go again.
(3)Orin T.
Andrew the bartender was really cool and patient while I tried to decide which margarita I wanted and whether or not I wanted to try the fried pickles. In the long run I decided on The Perfect Margarita. I have to admit it was good... Wasn't the best I ever had but it was good. I was nervous to try the fried pickles because a delicacy like that has to be made just right and I've experienced them done right (Tin Lizzy's) but I've also experienced them done oh so wrong (Zaxbys). These were ok... They were a little to 'pickley' for me but some people might like that. The breading and sauce were tasty. I prefer thin pickles but these were chunky spears cut up into bites. If that's what you're into, go for it. The atmosphere was nice with live music and low lights. I'd go back and try the entrees.
(4)David M.
I ate at Margaritaville a few years ago so this review should be taken with a grain of salt. On second thought, make that two grains. My memory has been a little foggy ever since I fell off that carousel; and by carousel I mean merry go round. I went in the summer so it was pretty crowded. We had to wait about 45 minutes to be seated but they had wooden lounge chairs to sit in while we waited so I didn't mind one bit!!!! When we finally got to go inside we noticed the tropical island decor that was both pleasing and upsetting but I'll get back to the decor later. The food was good not great and the service was good as well. There was plenty of entertainment while we waited for our food so the wait time didn't seem long at all. The entertainment and decor however are my reasons for the 3 stars instead of 4. I really just didn't get it. For a restaurant owned by one of Forbes richest people in the world who also just happens to have coined the phrase "Let's get ready to rumble!!!!" there wasn't much of a boxing or business theme to this place. Not sure if this is like his vacation type of restaurant but you would never guess that he owned the place. Along with that they are playing the same songs on loop through the speakers. Same boring singer singing the same boring songs. There was one song named after the restaurant that sounded like it came straight off a radio or tv advertisement. Just seemed really cheesy, you don't see Olive Garden doing that. Not sure why but everyone else seemed to love the songs except us. It would have been really cool to have some classic boxing bouts on TVs throughout the restaurant or even some fun facts about his philanthropic work. I really just don't understand where they went wrong with this place. I heard its a chain as well so I'm not really sure if they're all like this or what. Hoping they'll fix this soon I would really like to go back.
(3)Mike D.
BBQ bacon cheeseburger was just OK, really not that good. Fries were terrible how do you mess up fries ? Quesadilla was very good
(3)Da G.
Came here a few times during my stay. Happy hour on the outdoor bar was good (3-5). Our Bartender Billy Ray was excellent an also sent us in the right direction around the parks. The margaritas frozen and on the rocks are definitely my recommendation. Hit this joint up
(4)Yvonne B.
A friend and I stopped in here for a drink after a concert at the Hard Rock. Obviously we had margaritas, he got original and I got strawberry...they were delicious! There was a good crowd around the bar and our bartender told me from where to find the "lost shaker of salt" so that we could get pictures with it. I am giving three stars just because we were there for less than an hour so I didn't have much time to get a good sense of the place, but I was a little disappointed because their margaritas were not the best I have ever had. They were definitely good, but I have a had a lot better. Overall it was a fun place and I am glad to be able to say that I have been.
(3)Michael P.
With the Fact that Amusement parks are the one entertainment sector with positive growth I was not surprised to find that the Chained restaurants have stepped up their game a little. Was in the area using a friends Timeshare they had leftover and decided to relive my childhood and go to Buffett's Margaritaville. I grew up a Parrot Head so always down for Large Margarita's and Good tunes. First off the Parking guy let us through 5$ when I asked about only going into Universal to eat, we were expecting to pay the whole thing so that was nice. Upon Arrival it was 10pm so the restaurant was full but on the waning side, 35min for a table or choose from 1 of 3 bars. We took the Bar in the back by the big blender(hilarious), bartender was friendly and slightly attentive. Food took us by surpise, Peel and eat shrimp was good, Crab cakes were Tasty and the burger was on point! If you are in the area and need a bite to eat this would be my choice even for non Parrot heads!
(4)FS U.
The food is mediocre. The alcoholic beverages are good, at least the zombie and last mango in Paris (closest to Cadillac margarita). Kids menu is 9-10 bucks a meal. The burger isn't terrible, but Cody's Steakhouse has a much better looking burger. Th fish tacos was missing something, maybe lime and cilantro. It appears as if they have downsized thief menu since the last time I've been, ably 4 years ago.
(3)Edward S.
The boneless wings are moist. It is a little loud so make sure you are ok with that. It has live music and it is great for kids.
(3)Nancy C.
Had a great time !! food was exceptional and the drinks were on the money. Try the "5oclock somewhere" if your looking for a fruity drink with a kick. Lets not forget the customer service which was stupendous ! We will be back here for sure!
(5)Nicole L.
First time at this chain. The menu is pretty boring but to be expected given the type of restaurant. The atmosphere was lively and tropical. The staff was pleasant and inattentive. The buffalo chicken sandwich was huge. The chicken was protruding from each side by 3 inches. The chicken itself was slightly on the overcooked side. The fries were boring and unseasoned. The chicken and broccoli pasta was also large. It had a Alfredo type sauce and was very tasty.
(3)Annabelle S.
Yes- I AM a Parrothead- and so we'll make the trip to Citywalk just to go here. Sit on the porch of indecision, listen to a little radio margaritaville (which sometimes broadcasts live from the DJ booth) and kick back. Ahhhh. The shrimp and lobster salad is tasty and I always love the cheeseburger in paradise. My daughter could watch the Volcano blow ( in the bar) all night and we always round the trip out with a visit to the store for some more kitschy Buffett paraphanalia.
(4)Dustin W.
I've visited the Jimmy Buffett's location in Nashville so I already knew before hand what to expect. I kept it simple ordered a burger and fries. A few beers and few Margaritas made everything alright.
(3)Thomas C.
Margaritas don't come in margarita glasses. Once you get pass that fact you realize that this is an ok place geared for tourists. Good place for a late dinner and if your lucky you can catch a live band performing.
(3)Grant T.
Margaritas are really pretty good (I'm more of German beer kinda guy) but nonetheless still pretty good. I had shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta that was excellent. Live singer tonight was pretty entertaining.
(4)Guen S.
try the conch fritters! excellent!! this is a great place for families, and friends that want to get together and share appetizers and drinks. has a that kind of laid back, bar atmosphere. the wait staff was very courteous, made suggestions, and served us well. the portions are pretty generous. i don't think i finished everything. great place to stop after a long day walking City Walk or Universal Studios, and of course, have a margarita!
(4)Barry A.
Probably the best way to finish out a day at either of the Universal Theme Parks. It was a beautiful late spring day and I wanted to sit on the patio, drink some beers, and listen to some live music. Well this is definitely the place to do it. The Porch of Indecision didn't disappoint on those expectations. Always a sucker for locally brewed beers I tried their Lone Palm Ale. It was a light brown ale that wasn't overly hoppy or bitter. Just another beer from their Margaritaville Brewing Company. For the meal I decided to go with the Terkiyaki Steak which was served with a grilled pineapple slice, fresh vegetables, and mashed potatoes. I ordered my steak medium-rare (the way all steaks should be prepared) and it came to me well-done. I sent the steak back (which I rarely do) and got a new steak that was prepared rare. Closer to what I wanted but not quite there. The manager came over and gave me an excuse of a new ordering system was put in place and some of the servers were having to hand write tickets. Not really a valid excuse and there is no excuse for a poorly executed steak. The veggies were a little under done as well. The service was great but there was clearly a major problems in the kitchen that night. Saw three other tables send meals back throughout the night. THE BOTTOM LINE -- Great place to relax, have a few beers, and enjoy some live music. Not the best place to eat anything fancier than cheeseburgers in paradise.
(3)Heidi A.
First time ever to City Walk and Margaritaville... My friend and I sat downstairs on the patio area and had a nice meal. The food wasn't overly expensive and was well made and fresh...though no gourmet feast like you'd get at Emeril's of course--and the music was just at the right volume there so we could talk. Tourist trap? Perhaps, but I'm a local and I'd go there more frequently if I had company and if the parking lot wasn't so far away from the rest of City Walk. You have to budget for this. Later on, we walked around and came across the upper level of the restaurant--WOW! The cover band was amazing. More than excellent. They played everything from contemporary rock to Neil Diamond (Sweet Caroline) and the Charlie Daniels Band, some lower-key AC/DC, Guns n Roses (sweet child of mine) and Brown Eyed Girl and ALL of the songs sounded so close to the originals! Each of the band members had his own voice to add to the overall quality and it showed ...a very tight, together group. The songs that required the fiddle, like Devil Went Down to Georgia, were outstandingly executed. In fact, they were so awesome to the ears that we went back the next day to hear more and this time sat in the main seating area close to the band! The portobello mushroom quesadillas were so good my friend wanted to order them for her main dish too! The salads were well done, and the fish excellent. The drinks were good, too. It wasn't overpriced and the band engaged the crowd without being pushy or annoying. I'd recommend this place just for the music alone but the food is also not going to disappoint. Also, the band takes requests openly. I can't say enough good things about the overall experience there!! For the person who hated the cheesy volcano--sure.. it's corny as heck, but so are most things in any touristy area (why'd you go to City Walk if you hate tourist trap?)
(5)Ka T.
With the craziness of the crowd, Myself and a friend were able to find a seat and met a very friendly bartender who took care of us. I ordered the cheeseburger of course and i had no complaints. Priced were also very reasonable considering we were in the middle of tourist trap area.
(4)Trang N.
My love and I finished up our visit at Universal Studios here. We decided to be seated at the bar; We weren't planning on getting meals. The bartender suggested we order the Crab, Shrimp and Mushroom Dip and we went with it. It was good, but not fulfilling enough. The pieces of bread given with this starter were limited, but big. After three rounds of margaritas, we ordered the Volcano Nachos -- there's a reason they're called this! I wish someone would have warned us or we had gotten this first. The order was HUGE and for the same price as the dip. We came no where close to finishing it. Drinks were moderately priced and the live band gave it a fun atmosphere. I wouldn't mind stopping by again if I'm ever back in the area.
(3)Bill Y.
After a long day at the two Universal Studios amusement parks, my girlfriend and I decided to get some "real food," so we settled on Margaritaville, as neither of us thought Panda Express in CityWalk was a very great option. We sat on the "Porch of Indecision" -- and heard three Jimmy Buffett songs during our time there -- and the food was pretty good. We had just eaten some ice cream in the parks, so we skipped the appetizer and went straight to our burgers. The burgers were cooked well and the service was great -- something that doesn't always happen when you sit on the porch at a restaurant. The drinks were great as well. I had a Lone Palm Ale, which I assume the restaurant has specially made just for it, as I've never heard of it before. It was pretty good, red in color like a Killians. My girlfriend went with a margarita, and she seemed to live that as well. I'd recommend the place as the service was attentive and fast and the food was good. It doesn't try to be too much -- just a good, decent dining option outside the amusement parks -- and it hits on most every mark.
(4)Darren S.
This place is located on the CityWalk outside of the Universal properties. The food was pretty good for a touristy/chain restaurant. Our burger and buffalo chicken sandwiches were pretty good. Not outstanding, but after the park closed, it satisfied our empty stomachs. The prices were $2-$3 higher than they should have been.
(3)Annette G.
The cheeseburger in paradise is a very good burger. I'm not a big fan of Hienz 57 generally, and I order without onions, but it's good nonetheless. It's also huge. Considering your smack dab in the middle of tourist town, the prices aren't bad either. They offer a number of sweet and fruity concoctions, some better than others. The pineapple vanilla rum martini is like a pineapple upside down cake. For margaritas, go with the top shelf, otherwise you'll be disappointed. Generally, I'd say stick with beer.
(4)M M.
This place is a tourist trap that can still be fun! The food and drinks are over priced, but the ambiance you can't beat. I would recommend coming to this joint just for the ambiance alone.
(3)Jason J.
Wow. I knew this was going to be a tourist trap, but I didn't expect it to be this bad! The decor was kitschy and not entirely unexpected. Prices were perhaps a little expensive, but this was expected due to the close proximity of theme parks. We had dinner reservations for 6:30 and were seated/ordered shortly thereafter, but didn't receive our main course until 7:30. To fill the void, I had the "Who's to Blame" margarita which was long on margarita mix and short on tequila as well as the conch fritters which were very dense and doughy but had a decent conch/onion flavor. For my entree, I had a Cuban sandwich w/ onion rings. Let's just say the sandwich was "less than inspired". The pork tasted like it had been in the reefer for too long and there was almost no mustard on the Cuban! WTH?!? The final "nail in the coffin" was the horrible service. I was charged an 18% gratuity due to the size of our party and our server didn't even refill waters or other fountain drinks once. I will not return to Margaritaville nor will I recommend this place to my friends. I don't care if it IS 5 o'clock somewhere.
(2)Michael A.
I figgen LOVE Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville! They have the best nachos I've ever been served in a restaurant; and believe me when I say I've had my share of nachos. My girlfriend and I went there the first night we arrived for our week stay in Orlando and got absolutely PLASTERED. I know, that is not what makes a good restaurant, but they had a plethora of choices for margaritas and we tried them all and they were all fantastic. You know how sometimes you go and get a margarita and it's ALL juice? Not here. On top of that, I also had the burger, which was surprisingly good. Sure, it's not the greatest burger ever, but it's far from mediocre. We ate there again later in the week and I got the jambalaya, which was pretty good as well. I've been dying to get to the one that opened recently at Mohegan Sun because it's my favorite chain restaurant ever now.
(5)Scott H.
Initially we were told the 45 minute wait, and never offered seating on the outside patio. We discovered the outside patio on our and decided to eat there. It's the same menu plus it had live entertainment. The server was excellent, and the food was very good. Expect to pay a bit higher price since it's located at city walk but no complaints at all. I've had good days and bad days going half mad days. This was definitely a good day!
(4)John O.
Def the best Margaritaville I've seen yet with Cozumels location being 2nd. Great live music and tasty food. The Margaritas weren't too bad either ;)
(4)Emily D.
First time at Margaritaville. I honestly didn't expect the food to be that good, but I was pleasantly surprised! It wasn't on the menu, but we got chips and salsa as an appetizer, and WHOA, the salsa was awesome! We all really enjoyed our food, drinks, and the atmosphere!
(4)JENNY G.
Been here a few times. The margaritas arent very good The food isnt very good The service is awful But the music is AWESOME!!!!!!!
(3)Matt L.
Decent Margaritas and prices are surprisingly fair for a place where you might have to chew off your own leg if tourist traps were more physically similar to bear traps. Fortunately, they aren't! But that doesn't mean there's no wildlife up in this cheesehole. Cougars roam wild, but tend to lay in wait near the bar, viewing targets from afar across the savannah. While on safari, we witnessed one female stealing chardonnay from another's glass when one went to mark her territory in the ladies room. In times of extreme scarcity, the group dynamic is lost, and it's every cougar for herself.
(3)Bob L.
My wife, sister-in-law and myself had a great time at Margaritaville Cafe (Universal). The food was very good. The Nachos were huge and tasted great! It was a meal in itself. Robert M. (our server) was a great waiter! He was very friendly and kept coming by to check on us and was very prompt with bringing us our food and drinks.
(4)Cynthia L.
I adore this place! Good ribs and burgers and while you enjoying your meal every 15 mins a huge volcano explodes and pours fresh margaritas into a huge glass!!! Tere is usually a live band playing all Jimmy Buffet songs and then some. The staff is awesome and they even play games for kids and adults to join in. If you are a Jimmy Buffet fan then this is your place to be!!
(5)J J.
I planned this as our arrival dinner in Orlando, and did not arrive there until about 10 pm on a Saturday night. There is a large indoor dining area that was full. They had a band playing that sounded okay. We sat out on the deck, where they had an "entertainer" up on a small stage, his job seems to be to make jokes, and get some drunken guests on the stage dancing. The sound volume inside and out is extremely loud, music playing at almost unbearable levels, don't even think about having a conversation. The food was not good, third rate bar food. All things considered, including the weird Universal tourist atmosphere, makes this one of the worst restaurants I have ever visited. Jimmy Buffet should be ashamed of this one.
(1)Davis T.
i had the cheesburger which was pretty good. this place was kinda random as there were people walking on stilts entertaining and a live band but its all good
(5)Tina C.
I wanted to go here because I wanted to eat a good pasta on our last night on city walk. Well, we sat on the patio and got in quickly. Do not order the angel Hair pasta with shrimp unless u want garlic breath for 2 days! It was awful. Way too much garlic with 4 shrimp. My husband had ribs and they were fatty! Choose another place unless u want to have a great margarita!
(2)Jamie K.
Great music! Great Margarita's. Great time...
(4)Natalie C.
The Calypso Mahi Mahi is a swell choice if you have fish on your brain. It was flavorful in itself but with the mango salsa on top, it was very tasty. It's a light dish, worth the price and good enough for sharing if you order their nachos, or are planning on getting desserts. Because like everything else there, they do desserts well and large.
(4)Denise M.
After walking around the Disney parks all day, you have to replenish with delicious food and drinks. The calamari should not be missed. Coconut shrimp and jambalaya are a must. And of course, you have to get a margarita. Fun atmosphere, loud music, great to share with a group of friends.
(4)lorena w.
We at many restaurants during a 5 day visit to Universal studios. This was our favorite place. Good atmosphere, outgoing employees, great drinks. Our waiter was Philadelphia but forgot his name. He was great
(4)Sergio C.
OK, so I'm only going to review the walk up window bar and the to go margaritas, but man were those good margaritas. It's nice to find a place where you can walk up to a window and walk away with a margarita. My wife and I found the service to be quick and friendly and the margaritas were great!
(4)Lori G.
This is a cool bar/restaruant with big fruity drinks and an island vibe. by far one of the most popular restaurants in the busy City Walk area. There's aways a super long wait for the dining room area when the park is closing, but the large outdoor patio is first come first serve. Margaritaville has a huge volcano inside that erupts every hour with, you guessed it, a margarita type substance. There's also a big stage where fun bands play and people get to dancing. The food is good and festive and the drinks make you happy. Its a mighty fun place to spend an afternoon or evening wastin' away.
(3)Halley S.
This was not very memorable experience for me... maybe because I am not a Jimmy Buffet fan and don't like his music blaring in my ears... it was really deafening! Anyway... our server was extremely busy and did take good care of us and that is what the 2 stars are for. The food is average... nothing that I will be craving anytime soon.
(2)Eliza L.
This was a great experience. I was not even going to ask about being gluten free here, I was just going to do the best I could from the menu because I was so hungry and tired after a long drive from NOVA to Orlando. That is when I noticed at the bottom of the menu it said ask for the gluten free menu, which I did. They came out with a full menu of gluten free items, and not just partial meals with things like the bun or bread missing, but including the BREAD!!!! They have actual meals, desserts, and gluten free drinks. I ordered the Cheeseburger in Paradise (even though there were much fancier things to have like ribs!!!, I had not had a cheesburger is almost and entire year!) It was wonderful, it had the BEST GF Bread on it I have ever had. It was totally soft and squishy not on the firm side like most GF bread can be (the ones that cut your gums), and no ricey taste, or that freezer aftertaste/smell I think smells like wet dog. It also came with fries. It was a great experience totally effortless, I just ordered and got my food.
(5)Rich E.
I'm not going to go into detail as to why we ended up at Margaritaville on a Saturday night in Orlando, but there we were amongst the drunken tourists in Jimmy Buffett's bar. We were seated at the end of the bar next to the patio, and either someone had vomited earlier in the evening or the water was so stagnant it smelled like sick. The bar is also extremely loud- to the point where you cannot hear the person next to you talking. I know CityWalk is popular with the tourists (and even some locals), but you can find better things to do than waste your time here.
(2)Jenn T.
If you're going to eat here, eat at the bar. At 7pm, the wait for 2 people was over 1 hour. The bar wait was 5 minutes. But if you're willing to wait, at least there is a walk-up window for $6 margaritas! The mango one is really good. Check out their website for the menu. But I really liked the Jamaica Mistaica Wings. The bartenders were very attentive and very law-abiding, they checked everyone's ID. Oh, and to park, go after 6pm, it's free (or else it's $9).
(5)Phantom S.
When you have an experience as good as I have at Buffy's, don't ever go back. I walked around that silly amusement park for hours and I was parched and came to realize a bit hungry as well, where else can you eat without having the runs later, other then Buffy's. I went in an ordered an over priced burger and fries, I didn't feel like a margarita so I ordered a Pina colada, I know it's a bit fem, but I had my nuts tucked in so it was OK, the waitress wasn't friendly at all and the burger took forever to come out, so to equalize my manhood, I maybe had a shot or two, by the time that mutha F-in burger hit my table, I was rocking the volcano and doing table dances for dudes in a too too? but I ate that burger and those fries like they owed me money. I must admit, six years later, I think it was the best burger fries and Pina colada I ever had. Buffy's always wins when I think of great food and drink and that is the exact reason I have never been back to a Buffy's, I don't want to spoil greatness.
(5)Haru K.
Was hoping for more as a Jimmy Buffet fan. This place was so cheesy from the amateur cover band to the staged couple that danced to try and get others to join in. I got my cheeseburger (mediocre), but not in paradise... I've heard the one in Vegas is a lot better.
(2)Sean C.
When you go, ask for Rachel. Before moving to Orlando, I'd eaten here many times while on vacation with either family or friends. The atmosphere is a big party and, as such, can get a bit loud. Luckily, this is my only complaint. Since moving here, I've taken my sister and niece twice.Our luck-of-the-draw server the first time was Rachel. She made my family feel comfortable for their first visit, hit all the points that management wanted her too and went about making my 16 year old niece feel as if she were the most important person there. Even when a difficult situation arose at a nearby table, Rachel handled it with grace and courtesy. Two weeks later, we are back again for dinner. This time, we requested Rachel's section since we had enjoyed her so much the first time. Two weeks in a very busy tourist trap with a wait upwards of 1/2 hour tells you how many people she's seen in that amount of time. She remembered my niece & the drink she had ordered, which again made her feel special. We could easily have been vacationers who she would never see again, rather than locals who enjoy going there to eat. By remembering us, Rachel proved what a professional she is. I've eaten many things on the menu, always starting with the Conch Fritters. Never a disappointment. The Baja Tacos and Al Vacado Turkey burger are also top choices. Drinks are solid and well made. Why only 4 stars? Well, 3 for the restaurant itself. It's a chain in a tourist area and the prices reflect that. Don't know if I want to see what happens to the prices during the high tourist season. As a local I may only end up going during low season. Rachel gets 5 stars. I've not only had the privilege of being served by her, I've seen her interact with other tables. You can tell she holds herself to a high standard. So, an average of 4 stars between the two. In summary: Go. Enjoy yourself. Have a drink. And pass the shaker of salt.
(4)Ron W.
Touristy, kitschy but a little bit cool, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville brings a bit of caribbean to Universal's Citywalk. It's a big complex with a large dining room, stage, 2nd floor and outdoor patio. Menu is basic with a Mexican/caribbean flair. We're talking fish tacos, jerk chicken, habanero wings, etc. Nothing spectacular but done up with some love and care, you can't expect too much in these mega-vacation spots. My wings were large and plump but the sauce could have used some work. The main issue with Margaritaville is that it's popular, busy and loud. We had reservations and still had to wait a half hour plus for the table. Inside, the waitstaff is young and while well-trained, seems to struggle a bit with the volume. You've got Buffet videos running in the main dining room and we got seated right under the speakers, oy vey! But where else are you going to see a large man on stilts making balloon animals while having dinner?! And of course there's the obligatory Jimmy Buffet sing-alongs and cheeseburger in paradise. Now in the end I'm in Orlando expecting all this type of stuff so I'm going along with the flow. But if you're talking restaurants, Margaritaville is a nice spot for the family, nuttin' more or less!
(3)Anastacia S.
This place lives up to expectations - a very kitchy, touristy place with mediocre food at the boardwalk outside Universal Studios. It exceeds expectations with service (AMAZING service) and the fact it served lunch, which many of the restaurants on the boardwalk do not. If you want to sit indoors you wait for the hostess to seat you; if you want to sit outdoors just grab a table and a waiter will pop by.
(3)AJ M.
Food was great, good service, busy but servers were very attentive. Would definitely come back. Try the nachos and tacos. Very tasty.
(3)Jamieleigh W.
The drinks are the best part of this place. Just get drinks and eat elsewhere!
(2)Scott F.
Great experience. In fact it was so good, we went twice in less than 3 days. The restaurant is quite large and is very clean. Tables turn over pretty fast as the tables are cleaned quickly after the patrons depart. I had the fish and chips and while the food is not the cheapest, the amount of food and quality are very fair. I also got a grilled fish sandwich which was also excellent. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive to making sure we were alright with the food and making sure our drinks were filled when they ran low. Kudos Margaritaville!!
(4)James A.
I love the dedicated take-out section. A margarita to go!
(5)Michael M.
Food here a little above average taste wise, but the ambiance makes it a good place! The drinks are a little over priced, but filled with alcohol. Live band at night makes it entertaining! Only go here if you plan on going to Universal, otherwise you can be in for a long walk and that can be a bad thing if you're hungry!
(4)Magnus S.
Let me start by saying, if you have more than 1 butterbeer at Harry Potter world in Universal Studios, just go home. You are going to puke, and I don't want to watch you do it while I'm eating. This is a chain restaurant. They are in every tourist trap in the western hemisphere. So if you know that before you come here, then you won't set your expectations too high. They have a waterfall in the restaurant above the bar (or maybe they call it a volcano, but it's a waterfall). It's a gimmick. Booooring. This place is swarming with children, but then again so is Orlando, so it's unavoidable. Because of that the ambiance suffers. Yes, all you parents out there that can't teach your child to be quiet in public are TERRIBLE parents. My service experience here was just okay. After having to be reseated because of the vomiting problem (yes, children), the waitress seemed to assume we were going to be lousy patrons and started offering us lousy service. So that was a bummer. The food was exactly what I expected from a chain, so no fouls there. Bottom line, this isn't anyplace fancy, but a good alternative to eating inside Universal Studios. SERVICE: 4/10 AMBIANCE: 6/10 FOOD: 6/10 PRICE: 6/10 UNIQUENESS: 6/10 OVERALL SCORE: 56 Service: Graded by the "Keep my cup full principle". Ambiance: Pretty self-explanatory Food: A high food score does not always indicate it is a place for foodies. It is weighted based upon the establishment - thus bar food can receive a high score Price: Price is graded based upon what I believe is fair value for the food you are receiving. A high score does not necessarily indicate the establishment is cheap. Uniqueness: Higher scores indicate desire to return. STAR RATING: ***** Overall Score = 90-100 **** 75-89 *** 50-74 ** 20-49 * 1-19
(3)Gena F.
After a long day of visiting the two parks, loading up on butterbeer, smoked turkey legs and fountain soda, we decided we needed some real food and relax our tired feet. So of course the promising neon signs attracted our attention. The food here is pretty typical American, not bad, but the atmosphere is pretty fun. First of all, they have people walking around in stilts and costumes, (we were here around the holidays so they were wearing holiday themed outfits) giving out giant balloon hats, taking requests, how awesome is that? Second, their margaritas are delicious (as they should be :) and strong. Didn't go wrong by coming here. It does get a bit loud with the music playing and yells of "Happy birthday!!!" (loads of people were celebrating their birthdays that day), but overall fun and relaxing.
(4)R J.
Food and service were great. Volcano Nachos were very large and tasty. The atmosphe was fun.
(4)J T.
Love, love this bar. I've been here a few times now and frequent the outdoor bar on the City Walk. The drinks are perfect and the outdoor seats are a perfect way to people watch especially on vacation...nothing like getting buzzed and making fun of people!! Lol maybe one if these times I'll try the food!! Maybe next vacation!
(5)Mark H.
Ya was in Orland again, had to go and have a burger and margarita's! It was great!
(4)Chris M.
So I don't know anything about Jimmy Buffett, nor am I generally a fan of chain restaurants like this. After a long day of traversing Universal and being buffeted around (pun intended) by a tsunami of bodies at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we found ourselves with a couple of hours to kill before our bus arrived to bring us back to the hotel. We looked up and saw that we were in front of Maragaritaville and it seemed reasonable to go in and have a few beers while we wait--and boy am I glad we did. What a cool place. Braced for the worst (Planet Hollywood meets musician who's entire catalog I'm unfamiliar with), I was pleasantly surprised by the cool low-key vibe inside. They really do a good job cultivating the relaxing island aesthetic here. We had a few Landsharks, which they had on tap, and an order of fried pickles. All the while, we familiarized ourselves with this Buffett follow's music, which was on loop (of course) and not too bad. We also liked the gimmicky volcano that would erupt every now and again. Most surprisingly, the check was extremely reasonable, and we left satisfied. If I am ever at Universal again, I would totally come back here.
(4)Steve B.
Once Upon a Lizzard, Once Upon a Lizzard, Once Upon a Lizzard. Must I repeat-- Once Upon a Lizzard is that margarita. Simply amazing. Definitely go see the bartender Jerry there. He will hook up very good tasting margaritias. This is a tourist trap as most Maragaritavilles are located in tourist trap locations. The conch appetizer was ok at best. Didn't eat dinner here. Just threw back drinks after a long day at Island of Adventures. Menu seemed overpriced but loved the Once Upon a Lizzard Margarita. Grade: B-
(3)Miranda P.
Kind of a let-down for food and service. The only thing I would come back for is the live music and maybe a drink or two.
(2)Brian W.
Live music, big crowds, very enjoyable if you want loud and noisy. And huge platters of nachos. Key lime pie isn't bad, the jambalaya is only so-so (more spicy than anything else), the pulled pork sandwiches are giant. Bar was pretty slow getting our drink orders, but watching a balloon-maker on stilts run around was fun. Not bad for a specialty chain restaurant pretty much only seen at Universal Citywalk, but not much else to say for it.
(3)Mary B.
Margaritaville is pretty much what I expected it to be. Overhyped. it is in crazy touristy part of town, so I didn't expect much from it. The menu is very limited and overpriced. I got the bbq chicken sandwich and it was fine. Not great. My fries were a little bit cold when they came out - my guess if that my plate was waiting a bit before the rest of my party's food was finished. The live music was fun, but made it so that we were unable to talk at all as soon as they started playing. Our server was great though. We had a person in our party that was on a gluten-fre diet, and he made sure that everything that she ordered adhered to her dietary guidelines, which I know she appreciate.
(2)TamEra M.
Food sucks, but those Margaritas are AWESOME!
(4)Chaz M.
Another tourist trap at Universal City Walk. We decided to grab a quick dinner at Magaritaville and perhaps a few cocktails to liven up our Halloween Horror NIght Experience. We had gone to HHN and realized in order to enjoy the event one should probably be inebriated or slightly intoxicated. We were seated after approximately 20 minutes and we greeted by our waiter. We ordered out Margaritas and decided on an appetizer. We order the Quesadillas and sales. Not too complicated at all but we waited and waited with service that was absent at best. The Quesadilla arrived and were placed on a cutting board as the waiter had mentioned the ran out of plates to serve it on. Again just not a good impression. Now the Quesadillas looked fairly ordinary and we paid extra for chicken and I take a bit and I'm amazed that the chicken is canned chicken. It had to be and I have no proof of this but I was eating canned chicken. You just don't expect that when you are paying like $15 or something along those lines for an appetizer. I've never had Quesadillas with canned chicken EVER. It was mushy and just not good. The salads were lackluster and average. The drinks weren't bad really although I felt a little weak. The server was surprised that we wanted to leave. I think it was the guy on stilts making balloon hats or the drunks dancing around with paper salt shakers that had us make a hasty retreat. Oh and HHN was much better after 4-5 Margaritas.
(2)Christopher S.
Best place on City Walk. We love this place. A must stop when in Orlando. Always a great time.
(5)Jessica A.
Good solid place for a quick lunch before heading to Universal Studios. My Cheeseburger in Paradise was comes exactly as ordered and the fries were crispy. The service was fast and everyone was very nice. A good spot overall!
(4)Anthony M.
What goes well with Roller coasters? Margarita's and Burgers!!! This location is outside of Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios. I love to leave the park and eat here. The food is so much better then in the park! The burger is amazing...I ordered it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. I also walked in just in time to see the Volcano Bar explode ( not as impressive as the Vegas location but still fun)!!! Bartenders were good and fast...the restaurant and bar were packed at 2pm on a Friday. There was also a great happy hour from 3-6. Half price Margaritas and bud light on tap...I did not stick around for this but it seemed like a great deal. I do not know how well Happy Hour works with the Incredible Hulk Coaster but I definitely do not want to ride with you. Make sure you check out the live parrots on the way in and Jimmy Buffett's sea plane sitting out front.
(5)David M.
Burgers, nachos, margaritas, and jimmy Buffett music blasting. What more could you want in life?
(5)Mike L.
$$$$$$ Ok it's $17 just to park, it's Citywalk....to be expected. We dined here four years ago and the food quality was very good. Surprising for a tourist place. Atmosphere great and entertaining etc. volcano blows and creates excitement . Food portions were large and justified the somewhat overly priced menu. JB on the big screen. Cool setting! This visit not so good. Food and beverage products clearly outdated. When I say outdated I mean product is old and not fresh. "Born on" date on bottled beers over 130 days old. Sent the stale product back and they brought out another with same old date, same flavor and flat. Product was flat with no flavor, overpriced at $5.25. I just conceded and accepted the fact the buyer for this place had obviously been given a good buy on some old beer from the Bud Man and the whole Bud Light supply was old, so I just finished it and changed brands. Guess what ? The Coors Light was old and skunky tasting as well. Dinner was rushed. Soup and entree came out at same time, although we asked for the soup arrive first to allow us time to enjoy the music. The crab and corn bisque was so cold it had solidified on top and was cracking on the surface. Yuk! I had ordered a burger. Hard to mess up a burger right? Wrong ! Buns were very very stale, burger was terrible. Burger looked like it had been under a heat lamp for hours and was precooked hours in advance. Very dry. The coconut shrimp were tasty. Sweet potato fries and regular fries clearly out of a frozen bag and dry and barely eatable. Our total for 4 stale beers, one soda, leathery and dry hamburger and fries, coconut shrimp and a bowl of cold soup with tip $93. Counting the parking we spent $110 before we left this place just for our party of two. Sorry! Emerils is next door and you can dine there with great food for the same price or less. Sorry JB this place is really being poorly managed and whoever is purchasing the stale and outdated products is killing the place. I guess it is cheaper to buy old food than fresh. You should know about this. Outdated old food and beverage is being served here. Potential patrons ....my advice to you if you choose to stop in here....choose the volcano nachos and share with your mate. Eat at the bar, watch the volcano over the bar blow and then leave after one beverage. Coke products are $3.75 here btw ...that's a bit much also! This place only receives two stars because of the ambiance and the fact that watching JB on the big screen is entertaining.
(2)Shawn J.
Very good. Will no doubt be back. Food was outstanding. Very crowded, even with reservations had to wait a little. The outside bar is a nice place to sit, relax and have a few drinks.
(4)Jack B.
Get seated very fast (10 min) right as park was closing and everyone was piling out to city walk. Very loud, hard to talk with people next to you. I had the shrimp trio, a bit expensive for what you got but it was good regardless. Can't comment on alcoholic drinks. Service was good and nacho appetizer excellent. Felt a bit rushed because they obviously try to turn over tables fast. All in all it's one of those one time thing tourist places.
(3)Jen G.
My family and I ate here last night. Best dining experience since we've been here on this trip and we've been to Emeril's. Our server Jason was great. Attentive and friendly. Never needed a thing. Best we've encountered this week. Atmosphere is lively and fun. My 4 year old loved the men on stilts and his animal balloon that was made for him. Of course music was great. Our food was great. Everything cooked perfectly and delicious. We started with buffalo style wings. My husband had the blackened fish sandwich, My older son the avocado burger , I had the Seafood Mac n Cheese , our 4 year old had grilled cheese. Dessert was key lime pie. Everything was great, good food and service. We will be going back every time we return to Universal.
(5)Heather N.
Great food loud atmosphere has an indoor volcano which is cool. Usually very busy overall cool place.
(4)Pinky And The B.
I have to start off by saying I HATE chain restaurants. But Margaritaville is the exception. Jimmy Buffet is a genius and what America is about. How many middle aged fat slobs do you know who wish they were Jimmy Buffet but the closest they can get is going to Margaritaville and wearing their tropical shirts and drinking Margarita's? Jimmy Buffet invented an entire culture of escapism. The food is decent but it is all about the theme. Orlando is not a city known for food and in a city with limited choices Margaritaville is a good and fun choice! By: jimmy buffett 1977 Nibblin on sponge cake Watchin the sun bake All of those tourists covered with oil Strummin my six-string On my front porch swing Smell those shrimp they're beginnin to boil Chorus: Wastin away again in margaritaville Searching for my lost shaker of salt Some people claim that there's a woman to blame But I know it's nobody's fault
(4)Ty F.
My girlfriend and I were just in Orlando a couple weeks ago, as we stay on the Universal Resorts once or twice a year. We have always wanted to try Margaritaville as we pass it most days on our vacation so we decided to give it a try. We did not have to wait too long to be seated although they were busy. After being seated we waited over 10 minutes to be greeted( I have served in a restaurant and know that is far too long.) finally being greeted the server was not very social and seemed like he didn't want to be there. He just asked for our drinks, the drinks took another 10-12 minutes to come out, finally after being seated for 20+ minutes he takes our order. We get our food I need a refill on my drink he walks away before even giving me the chance to ask he drops the food and leaves, another 10 minutes to get the refill. He didn't ask how the food was he wasn't attentive and we sat with empty plates for 20 minutes waiting on the check. I work in the restaurant business and I know we focus a lot more on these things. When we come back in months time I do not know if I will return with that kind of service.
(3)Sandra M.
While on vacation to Universal Studios, we found ourselves eating at least one meal a day at Universal Studios Citywalk. There was a slight wait to be seated as can be expected at a resort restaurant during spring break. There were 4 adults and 3 kids and everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. Burgers were ordered and I really enjoyed my buffalo chicken sandwich. The place was nicely decorated and the music and staff were nice. What bothered me a bit, was the reaction (or lack of) of the staff when another patron was suffering from what seemed like a fainting spell or seizures. I couldn't really tell, but the family was going hysterical and many of the wait staff were just standing around, staring. Other diners got up to help and the paramedics finally showed up, but there seemed to be a lack of training with the young-looking staff. I lost my appetite after that, only because of seeing how upset the family was, not because of taste. We'd go back tho.
(4)Toshi I.
Only came here for cocktails and there's a fun, live band playing metal and hard rock classics which is cool to listen to, not necessarily easy to dance to. There were some out there who despite the challenge seemed to enjoy themselves regardless. Try to imagine rhythmless, jerky moves and the overbite. Bad, bad visual.... I was not hungry but saw the appetizers served which didn't apppeal to me. If it looked good, I would still steal a bite even if I wasn't hungry. It's another themed restaurant in a sea of 'em here in Orlando. My drink was a bit weak, but the company I was with was more important. We sat outside on the patio which was really nice and of course, not as loud as it is inside.
(3)Christina S.
Pros and cons...pros...not a lot of other choices in City Walk for this price range, so good choice. Nachos are huge and really good for price. Cons...rest of the food was sub par...not quality at all and the entertainment was AWFUL! Girl on stilts kept dancing by and screaming at the top of her lungs for others to dance. She had the most shrill voice I have ever heard. I just couldn't take it. There was a stage for a band, so maybe I was just unlucky and got the screaming banshee as entertainment instead. Joy.
(3)Dee D.
I LOVE Margaritaville in Key West and I love having one so close to home in central Florida. I have eaten here before and had a great time on the outdoor patio. But the most recent visit was terrible. We waited for 30 mins for a table. When we got inside we realized the restaurant was only at 2/3 table capacity. There were still plenty of tables open and available. When I asked why we had to wait they said they didnt have enough servers! Then they tried to seat us in a tiny table in the corner.... I refused. The menu has been redone. There are no conch fritters and the prices have all been increased! My margarita was weak and my food was mediocre at best. Our $60 meal for 2 was really worth $20. Way disappointed. The decor is very dramatic inside any they just play a continuous reel of random parrot heads drinking and partying. I would recommend going somewhere else :(
(2)Brandon S.
Caribbean-themed restaurant with loads of mixed drinks (iced or frozen) to choose from. The prices might scare some people away but I think the atmosphere inside and out is worth it. Located a few steps from the entrance to Islands of Adventure. If you're planning on going to Cityplace/Universal you should definitely try this one. There's a guitarist usually playing on the patio and a volcano display inside. Lots of seating, but be prepared to wait for a table on the weekends. The Uptown Margarita is the way to go. Service was awesome. There was even a stilt-walker making balloon animals for the kids.
(4)Cat B.
The outside bar has the best bartenders they are the friendliest and they are always Attended to the customer the needs I return there is a offen as a can. It is my first and last stop every time. Thank you for a great visit.
(5)Justin A.
This isn't a bad place on the City Walk. Sure, it may be full of tourists and other weirdos, but the place is pretty fun and can provide alcohol that should make your visit to the theme parks more bearable.
(4)Mallory C.
Cheesy fun atmosphere! Definitely sit inside so you can listen to the band on the weekends! The food was pretty good too. I got the chicken tortilla soup and it was delicious!
(3)Dawn L.
While I LOVED my margaritas, and LIKED my apps, the entrees were just okay. We ordered the Conch Fritters and Shrimp & Crab Dip... The Conch fritters were slightly greasy, but still yummy none the less... The dip was pretty darned good, I must admit!! For dinner my friend had the crab cakes, and those were pretty well done, nothing spectacular, but far better than I was expecting. I ordered the fish tacos, they were alright, again, nothing to ohhh and ahhh over... But I still enjoyed them. My bean & rice side was VERY bland and boring,but by that point I was so stuffed, I hardly noticed!
(3)Sui B.
Firstly, don't fall for the parrot picture scheme! Instead of paying for an overpriced picture they later bring to your table, have a friend with a cell phone discreetly take a picture of you posing with the parrot on your shoulder in a distance, pretending like he/she is doing something interesting on their cell phone instead of being cheap. Needless to say, I am very proud of my friend for performing this act. Ok, now on to the food and ambiance. We were given a beeper/shaky thing and were told to see if there are any seats open on the balcony. Luckily, a table was just leaving so we conveniently snagged it. We were killing some time before going to the 9 PM Blue Man Group show nearby so we took our time ordering and eating. Between the 4 of us, we had a Portabella Mushroom sandwich, crab cake sandwich, teriyaki chicken, house salad and corn and crab chowder. YUM!! If you are sensitive to creme, warning, do not have the corn and crab chowder soup....but it was SOOOO good and SOO worth it! ;) Our waitress is really nice too, learned that she is a local college student near by as a group of men were hitting on her at the table next to us. So we grabbed her and saved her.
(4)Dan H.
Yes, I'm the Yelp Duke of Margaritaville, and yes, I'm a huge parrothead, so I of course am going to give this restaurant 5 out of 5 stars. If you go in with realistic expectations, including knowing that you're going to see and hear A LOT of Jimmy Buffett (it is his restaurant after all), you'll be happy. And while I wish they featured more gourmet-type menu selections like those at Tommy Bahama, I am generally satisfied with what we have ordered. In fact, I love the quesadilla and several other options. I also will admit that the drinks tend to have too much simple syrup and sugary mixes, and not enough rum, tequila, and freshly squeezed juice. But that doesn't matter much to me because they have a perfect margarita (called the perfect margarita), and they have Land Shark Lager (ask for it "loaded"). But above all else--and why I give the rating of 5 out of 5--Margartiville Cafe is the only place you can go to experience the island attitude and Floribbean lifestyle of Jimmy's music and books. If you can't make it to a concert, this is the next best thing. While these may not be compelling reasons for some people, they are all I need to be happy visit after visit after visit. A few other fun facts: Radio Margaritaville premiered with the opening of Margaritaville Cafe Orlando back in 1999, and JD Spradlin broadcasts his show from inside the restaurant Wednesday through Sunday. The cafe also holds the world record for the largest margarita ever made. And while it has been a number of years since Jimmy stopped by, members of the Coral Reefers usually swing through a few times a year (see the picture I uploaded). If you're latitude needs a little adjustment, head on in.
(5)Ian W.
No shoes. No shirt. No problem! After a day at Universal Studios, I decided to stop for dinner at Margaritaville. I walked onto the Porch of Indecision past some very colorful wooden beach chairs around 5:00 PM on a Friday evening and I was seated immediately. The large Porch is covered and open air with lots of table seating and live entertainment (the musician was playing his guitar and singing covers of Jimmy Buffett songs). I love this feel good and laid back atmosphere. The menu offers a good selection of frozen drinks, beer, Coke soft drinks, starters, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, grilled specialties, and desserts. The prices here are moderate, with most entrees and sandwiches in the $10-$20 range. It took about 10 minutes for someone to actually come over and take my order. After that, the service was pretty good and attentive for the rest of the meal and several refills given on soft drinks. I had the Grilled (Blackened) Fish Tacos ($9.95) served with Island Rice, which was pretty good. This dish has two flour tortillas with blackened fish, tequila lime corn salsa, cilantro, sour cream, & shredded cabbage and Island rice with beans, which was spicy. I'd order 'em again! Overall, Margaritaville is a great place to chill out and unwind after a day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure over some drinks and food in a fun cool atmosphere. NOTE: Free Parking in the garage after 6:00 PM, otherwise $11 per vehicle.
(4)Stephanie W.
If I could, this review would be a 3.5 My boyfriend and I sat at the bar, and the bartender was nice to us but kind of harsh to one of the food runners when she made a legitimate mistake (delivered our nachos before another couple who had ordered the same thing a few minutes earlier). He was also a little rude when asking for our IDs for drinks, repeatedly stressing that he needed to see them before serving us even though we both had no problem pulling them out when we ordered. The food was pretty good (I'd give it a 4), and the portions were HUGE. We ordered the cheeseburger and the volcano nachos. The burger was pretty standard, definitely juicy. The nachos are in fact as generous as the bartender stressed ("a four person serving"). The toppings and cheese could be better mixed throughout but were otherwise good. The service was fast, and the restaurant was well-themed throughout. We just didn't really love it.
(3)Thu-Kim P.
We ( there were 6 of us in the group) stopped by Margaritaville after a long day at Universal. We were so excited for drinks and good food. It took about 20 minutes to get us seated which was fine. There was a group of 5 or something ahead of us. The disaster started after we were seated. It took the waitress 10 minutes? to get our order, that's fine as well. She was busy. We ordered drinks and our meal at the same time. Our drinks came out after 15-20 minutes and boy were they horrible! The nonalcholic drinks were fine. My sister ordered a non-alcoholic pina colada and enjoyed it. However our drinks were watered down with ice and tasted horrible. We felt like we paid 8-10 dollars for italian ice! (which would have tasted better than what was served). The horror didn't stop there... 40 minutes later we still haven't gotten our food. Now, the people behind us who came 20 minutes after us have gotten their food. 3 out of 6 people in our table ordered tacos. The easiest thing the make on the menu. My hubby ordered a panini, not hard either. When we finally tracked our waitress down and asked about the food and she stated " As soon as it comes out of the kitchen i'll bring it right over". Okay... 10 minutes after we asked she brings our food. It was COLD. Not lukewarm, not room temperature, COLD. My sister and I shared our taco plate and my hubby had his panini. For $50+ dollars we paid for 3 ppl it was the worst $50 I spent on my entire trip. We were too tired to complain and it was getting late so we just paid and left.
(1)David J.
Had lunch at Margaritaville with some friends from out of town yesterday. The food was pretty good and the service was above average. The biggest downside was that several of our friends who had the Perfect Margarita thought they were a little too far from perfect. That probably wouldn't count for as much if Margaritas weren't the namesake.
(3)Dee K.
HATED IT (if youve ever watched In Living Color, youll know exactly the accent I am thinking in)... Thats right, i said it. This place a tourist trap that lacks charm or substance. The food is not so great, the drinks are overly sweet and neon colored and there is a giant fake volcano thingy that explodes every couple of minutes while an endless torture of Jimmy Buffet songs play. Nothing against Buffet, but Im sure he has a lot of better songs that the over played 'Cheeseburger in paradise'. Ugh- my ears are bleeding. Overpriced for mediocre bar food.
(1)Jennifer M.
For the prices they charged, I thought the food would taste better. It wasn't that it tasted bad, it just could have been better. Drinks weren't too bad.
(2)Melissa M.
I was on vacation. I was hungry. There is no Margaritaville in Chicago. So I figured... why not? Let me tell you that either I was really, really hungry or that was one of the best cheeseburgers (in paradise) ever!! Tasty... perfectly seasoned. And for those who insist that asking for a burger well done is like asking for a dry rice cake... this place has just proved that you just don't know how to cook one. My cheeseburger was juicy, flavorful, AND well done. The service was spectacular. Everyone was so nice and attentive... very personable (with the exception of the broad that almost tripped me because I wasn't allowed to take a picture of her parrot! Really?!?!). It made for a great dining experience. By the way, they have parrots at the entrace that you can take photos with. That is... with their camera... not yours. For whatever ignorant reason, you cannot use your own camera and, of course, the photo is $20 should you choose to buy it.
(5)Joe C.
Let me go ahead and get it out of the way. I am not a fan of Jimmy Buffet. Beyond one or two songs of his, I really can't stand his music. Unfortunately for me, my wife and all of our friends are huge Buffet fans, so I get dragged there from time to time. This place is sort of a Jimmy Buffet themed Rainforest Cafe with island decorations and an "erupting" volcano. If the music wasn't annoying enough by itself, the annoyance is compounded by the fact that they seem to have a 20-30 minute loop of songs. This might work ok if you could get in and out, but that never happens. There's always a wait to be seated, and whether you sit in the bar area or browse the gift shop while you wait, you're subjected to the music. Then, once you're seated, you'll have to wait for the food - which generally doesn't take too long - and eat all while listening to the same 5 songs over and over again. Even those in our group who LIKE Buffet commented that it was annoying. Next time I go, I'm bringing an mp3 player. On some nights, they have a cover band playing. The one we saw was a pretty middle of the road band. Nothing offensive, but nothing to write home about either. At least it was a break from the endless barrage of Buffet's greatest 5 hits. This restaurant is pure tourist attraction. Between the volcano "eruption" every 30 minutes and the servers coming out to sing and dance and generally be annoying. The food is always what sinks or saves a restaurant though. The appetizers are decent. The volcano nachos are especially tasty. The rest of the food is ok, but not really worth the price. The drinks are pretty much the same. They have a bit of kick to them, but most of them carry theme park prices. For me, the saving grace is the Loaded Land Shark beer. A bottle of Land Shark topped off with a shot and change of tequila. It's pretty much the only good thing to come from Jimmy Buffet.
(2)Michelle P.
Although their margaritas are amazing, the food is nothing special at all. The server I had was so rude! It's not worth the wait that there usually is to have a table in this place.... Hit up the to-go bar if you want a margarita & eat somewhere else.
(2)Kristen M.
One of my favorite places to visit when I come to the Universal area. It makes you feel like you are on a wonderful beach vacation far away from lines, crying children, grumpy parents, and broken rides. I absolutely love the atmosphere, music, food, and drinks. Our waitress could have been a little friendler but I can only imagine the amount of emotional people she has had to deal with during spring break. The wait was not bad for it being spring break (45 minutes for 4) and the steak was really good. The coconut shrimp was also delicious.
(4)Neil Mikel L.
Lunch crowd is better than dinner. At night the place smells of a locker room with cheap perfume. During lunch, the staff were outstanding and really made the experience enjoyable. The food (Seafood Mac N Cheese) was so good, the Lava Flows great, the waitress was purely making sure everything was to our satisfaction. I went back later for dinner, it was a pick up joint for drunk/loud/annoying people.
(4)Lauren C.
I was here last week and we ordered drinks at the inside bar and then at the outside bar that is part of Margaritaville. My credit card statement has come up and on both charges I was billed for more than I agreed to pay. Overpriced, but what do you expect? It's CityWalk. Everything else was fine.
(2)JP H.
Volcano's Great nachos, and pretty good food. Whenever we are in Orlando which is often because we own a place about 20 minutes from City walk we always come here. Love the cheese music and the employee on stilts. Check them out if you are every on the Universal Property.
(4)Bill M.
I honestly think this is the best dining experience at City Walk. You have to be in the mood for what it is, if you're looking for a private/secluded/romantic atmosphere this isn't the place. If you're looking for really good "bar" food, some Buffett music and an erupting volcano this is it.
(4)Laura L.
Truly, I did not think that of the restaurants we ate at in Universal, I would give Margaritaville the most stars. We spent 3 times as much at another restaurant on the walk and didn't have near as good of an experience. The food was SPOT ON. Husband had the bbq bacon cheeseburger and I had the crab cake sandwich. We devoured every bite. I also had 2 strawberry margaritas and they were wonderful. The atmosphere was great. Last time I was there, we sat inside, which is a lot of fun. This time we sat out on the patio where the entertainment was set up. He was a one-man guitar band and he was great and played popular old songs that are always good to hear. Just a great time. Also, our waiter (pretty sure his name was Kyle) was just perfect. Just the right amount of attention - even brought out a flashlight for me to read the menu without me asking. Just a little extra thing that took him a second, but really came in handy. I give our experience here a solid A. We will definitely be back!
(5)Renato S.
Volcano nachos are humongous! The wait is pretty crazy here but it is a giant tourist trap so what do you expect, and as a tourists I didn't mind. Very cool dining area, but the cycling videos do get a little annoying to watch over and over again. Along with the songs haha. A good stop for a dinner while at universal, but don't expect too much in terms of food.
(3)Sara M.
Overall: Not bad for a touristy spot. If you love Jimmy Buffett then you need to come here. I had a Top Shelf Margarita and a Pink Cadillac Margarita, they were awesome but pricey at around $10 each. My friend and I split two appetizers: Buffalo Chicken Wings and Chicken Quesadillas. The chicken wings were very spicy and they were more like tenders than wings. Luckily it came with a side of celery to cool our taste buds down. The chicken quesadilla was really good with a great chicken to cheese ratio. Every hour or so they have a Jimmy Buffett jam session, loudly playing one of his songs while a HUGE blender built into the bar makes a fake drink. The atmosphere is loud so don't come here if you want to have an intimate evening.
(3)Mario P.
Debbie our waitress was great, drinks awesome, burgers ( cheese burger in paradise and the Al vacada burgers , great, kids loved their burgers, Rita's and Havana / bananas rum drinks awesome . I could go on. This is my 4 visit to this particular Margaritaville, and each time I leaving wishing I had more room to keep eating and drinking. I love the vibe this place has and I hope they open a place near Houston where I currently live. I will definitely stop here again on a future visit and so should if you visit the Universal theme park area.
(5)Y Y.
Margaritaville was a great experience . Great for kids . We got a seat on a boat. It is a clean place. The waiters and waitress were nice. For our app we ordered the pretzel sticks . They were amazing. They are big , hot, and soft. For our dinner I ordered the fish tacos . They were great served with rice and beans and pico salsa. My daughter had Mac 'n cheese and said it was delicious . The entertainment was so much fun . There was people on stilts making balloon animals for kids. There was also a volcano that erupts. The volcano didn't make a loud boom sound which was good. The stilt people and everyone else sang the Margaritaville song . The boys sat at the volcano bar and watched the knicks beat the magic. The grilled grouper fish sandwich was good and the chicken sandwich was average. Bartender was super! We give it a five star rating.
(5)Megan P.
We waited a long time for a water. They brought out one order of quesadillas, but not the other. Their "Perfect Margarita" was delicious. The shrimp was good while I ate it, but I got sick later.
(3)Hailey G.
I understand why people call this place a tourist trap,I am no tourist, I live half an hour away. It is made to attract tourists but it is SO much better then places like Hard Rock, the NBA place etc. I do find some dishes lacking in spice, but I am a girl who likes her habanero so it's nothing a little hot sauce can't fix. I was quite happy. My only real complaint is I wish the fries pickles were sliced not cubes. Otherwise great.
(4)Sean K.
Great food!
(4)Shar F.
I love this place hands down! If your 21 go get two margaritas one for you and then one for me ;) Good food 2. Have fun!
(5)Dan M.
Probably your best option (outside of Emeril's...and maybe the latin quarter...maybe) if you're at the Universal parks. It's very loud and the food is passable...but that means it's great for where it's located. Not worth going to otherwise.
(2)Anonmoyus P.
The food and the atmosphere are both great and the service is very good. Make sure to get the key lime pie.
(5)Ashley B.
This is the second Margaritaville I have been too. The first being at the Montego Bay Airport in Jamaica. I wasn't expecting much since we just left the park. Tired and ready to eat anything. I was pleasantly surprised. The waitress was nice and quick. Drinks in a matter of minutes. The food came quick and the portions were huge. We only had appetizers but there wasn't a complaint at our table. We left happy and satisfied.
(4)L S.
After cruising to the Caribbean and having a taste of their Volcano Nachos along with their Fish and Shrimp Tacos in Cozumel, Mexico, I was thrilled to see one in Orlando's Citywalk before my return to California. However, this was a big disappointment. First of all, this place will only take reservations a day prior to your arrival. Secondly, after a long and exhausting day spent in the themepark, my girlfriend and I expected our togo dinner to be quick. Unfortunately, that was not the case and took at least 30 minutes, in which we could've probably gotten a table by then. On top of that, their menu lacked the Shrimp Tacos. Not to mention, their Fish Tacos were completely different from the ones we had in the Caribbean. Overall, it was a mediocre experience with typical bar food. I prefer a taste of the Caribbeans instead.
(1)Matt H.
Great margaritas... But thats what you expect, right? The food was not bad either. Pricey for what you get, but you are at City Walk!
(4)Noell M.
After battling the INSANE crowds at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter you will need a margartia or a Landshark to get you back on track. This was the exact reason for stopping into this place while on our way out of the park. To be completely honest I know nothing about Jimmy Buffet (except the song for which this place is named after and that he makes LandShark) and I had every suspicion that this place would be ranked in the same category as a Planet Hollywood or Hard Rock Cafe (1 or 2 stars). However, I was pleasantly surprised, the beachy vibe and chill Buffet music was oh so relaxing, add that to the Landsharks and the fact that they have fried pickles on the menu (!!!!) it almost made me forget all of the Muggles that I had to battle just to get into Ollivander's wand shop! The appetizers that we ordered looked, smelled and tasted delish. The prices were not over-the-top tourist trap prices either. ...which is great after a day of shopping at overpriced theme park gift shops. I recommend this place if you need to regain some sanity after experiencing the Potter park. Kick back ,relax and enjoy the world of Jimmy Buffet.
(4)Rickey W.
The only other City Walk restaurant we hit twice on our trip. Great service, food came out quickly and the lava lava shrimp were still hot from the fryer both times. The Perfect Margarita was really good.
(4)Erin T.
We walked in during the middle of "Margaritaville" - and if you haven't been before, this place gets a little wild. Fun, but rambunctious. Things calmed down a bit and we ordered our food. We didn't care for the music, as we aren't Buffet fans. I had the house margarita, which was not very good. Maybe I'm used to authentic Mexican margs from CO, I'm not sure- but it tasted like water and tequila only. My husband had the Sharkbite beer, which he thought was okay. I had a gluten free Cheeseburger in Paradise on a GF bun, with fries that were made in a dedicated fryer. It was delicious! The bun did not disintegrate, and I was able to truly enjoy my meal. I wish I had room for the GF brownie a la mode... but it was not to be. Our server Nicole was attentive and pleasant. The balloon girls on stilts were entertaining, especially when they would target tables full of businessmen or kids, make them each a nice hat, then quietly connect their balloon hats together when they weren't paying attention... Hilarious!
(4)Annie K.
I was in Orlando last week for a mini getaway and we decided to have dinner at Margaritaville one night. Although we had reservations, we still had to wait about 30 minutes. Good thing the restaurant was in City Walk, because I utilized my time and went to the Universal gift shop to buy presents for my family. My boyfriend had a Patron Perfect margarita, while I had a strawberry mango daiquiri which was delicious! We ordered the volcano nachos as an appetizer, which were fairly good, plus the plate was gigantic! My boyfriend had the mahi mahi sandwich which he seemed to enjoy, while I had the fish tacos... which were average, nothing special. I've had better fish tacos in San Diego. There was a live band so it was pretty hard to talk over dinner and the service was pretty slow, but the overall experience was average.
(3)Tiffany L.
came here for an early lunch on a sunday afternoon. we sat on the patio outside, soaking up the florida sunshine before we returned to the wretched winter that is nyc this year. i had the club sandwich (HUGE) and substitued the fries for onion rings. YUM. it was simple, but done perfectly! we also had the deep fried pickles which were good, but the sauce that came with them kicked it up to awesome. :) i tried some of fiance's cuban sandwich which was also great. the music was kind of over-bearing, but after we talked to the waitress they turned it down a bit. :) liked how they gave us separate checks!
(4)Bryan D.
This location was much better than the one we have by our house. The food was good, service was great and we sat outside on the patio so it wasn't too loud and had good people watching.
(4)Edward W.
This place is a ton of fun. Any fan of Jimmy Buffet has to make this a stop while in Orlando. We've been here several times and each time we've loved it. Today the service was terrible so Jimmy gets one star taken away for this visit. Food was very good. Cold beer and great margaritas. Don't miss the erupting volcano.
(4)Lauren M.
I had been to this location a few years ago with my family (11 of us in all) for dinner and had strict instructions to get a reservation near the volcano. To which we did, and we had an amazing time. Yes, the deal is touristy, kitchy decor, etc. but really, you have GOT TO KNOW where you are! It's Margaritaville for cryin out loud! Those who want a gourmet meal, go to Emeril's and pay waaaay to much for stingy food. If you want to talk about your experience, come here! The vibe is awesome and everyone is laid back, especially on "The Porch of Indecision" :) Margaritas are very tasty as are all the rum drinks they offer. I have always had a good time when I come here and, yes, it's cheesy, but I'M ON VACATION GOSH DARNIT!! :):) ps---Last Wednesday I went there and the woman who was taking names for the waiting list said that outside on the deck and upstairs were open seating! SCORE!!! As there were only two of us, this task was easier but we were totally thrilled. Just a tidbit for those of you heading out to City Walk and Margaritaville.
(4)timm s.
Seriously ..... What is better than drinking a margarita, eating a juicy burger, listening to Jimmy Buffett's great repertoire (/rep(r)twär/), and watching a scantily clad mermaid slide seductively (...... and very awkwardly) down a volcano into a GIANT margarita glass!!!! I ask you..... what??! Nothing. The Drinks are strong .... the music is great .... you will leave relaxed, full and drunk. Watch out for Pop Tops!!
(4)Michael W.
Came for apps and drinks! Great atmosphere! We had the Volcano Nachos with fajita beef and a crab and mushroom dip which were awesome! Three of us shared the two apps and had leftovers still. The nachos are gigantic.
(4)Bryan M.
Gigantic order of nachos. Bring a friend. Overall decent for a theme park restaurant. Tourist, expected cheesy atmosphere, excellent service.
(3)Dana C.
Very good service and very good food. I had the jerk chicken (Super good) and my husband had the fish tacos (Super good). We got to sit outside and enjoy the day while eating some really good food! Nothing gets better than that!
(5)Juliet B.
Terrific food in a tropical beach party atmosphere. Fish tacos and coconut shrimp were tasty and well-prepared. Baby back ribs were very tender. They brought out a full rack of ribs. Always love watching the spectacle of the volcano margarita.
(3)Lori R.
Saturday, April 16th, about 11:30am. We had not eaten or had anything to drink yet. We had been wandering around IOA for a couple hours. We needed something. Nothing we passed in IOA sounded appealing, and we didn't want to get anything too heavy, as we had 4:30 reservations for Mythos. (which in hindsight I wish we hadn't done, but I digress). We found ourselves looking at the menu for Margaritaville, and it sounded good. (had eaten at one in Myrtle Beach before and remembered it being good anyway). It was early, no crowds in sight, yet we were told it would be a 10-15 minute wait. Seriously? What about the bar? No wait. Okay, that's the plan! It took a few minutes to get menus. We decided quickly to share a blackened fish sandwich. Deciding which "breakfast" drink to order took a little longer, but I decided on a Rum Runner, which was a GREAT choice...I remember it fondly. Husband got a frozen Hurricane, which I tasted, but I liked mine a lot better. But I'm not big on frozen drinks. He was very happy with it! Blackened fish sandwich with fries came out. It was a good size chunk of fresh-tasting fish that was very good, but definitely not blackened. We were too hungry to care. Tartar sauce was okay...some fresh onion would have added a nice texture and tang, but it didn't come with it. Again, we didn't care. Between the drinks and our starvation/parchment, we were happy with what we got. Service was good and friendly. We liked the bartender. We would not hesitate to go back.
(3)Kim W.
Same old story......mediocre food sold at a touristy price because of the name of the restaurant. I have eaten at the one back home on Oahu and didn't think much of the food. I expected this one to be better. Food is edible, I would stick to the burgers as they were the best things there. If you want to have the ambiance and eat a cheeseburger in paradise....you can make it happen here. But if that's not what you are looking for, head somewhere else.
(2)Scott B.
We had a great dinner! Our wait staff Becca was awesome. She helped us with recommendations from the menu, took our order from memory and didn't miss a thing! The manager stopped by to say hello and refilled out drinks. Great work Becca!!!
(5)Regina R.
I was in Orlando on a mini vacation with my boyfriend. We decided to go to City Walk for dinner on a Sunday. Afterward we wanted a couple of margaritas while we walked around and remembered from the previous night that they had a walk up window. We arrived, waited there for 10 minutes while the bartender ignored us and a line built behind us. Finally she turned around and gave us the throat cutting motion with her hand and let us know we weren't getting anything. They were still open and were serving people inside. Horrible service and fake margaritas aren't worth it.
(1)Sergio F.
This is one of those places that is just adequate and really, it's more of a tourist attraction than anything. It's Margaritaville so margaritas are a plus, but expect to spend over $10 per drink if you're looking for the good stuff. I had the premium margarita and my wife had the "one night in mango" (or something like that). Both margaritas were good, but a pretty small portion for the price and nothing that made us say wow. We shared the volcano nachos, which were really delicious! The portion is absolutely huge! That's all my wife and I ate and we couldn't even finish it. Some of the people we were with ordered the steak quesadillas and buffalo wings. Both were good, but nothing to write home about. The buffalo wings were REALLY spicy so beware if you're sensitive to spice. We got there around 9pm on a Friday and they were having "open seating", which was pretty inconvenient because we were a party of 11. The servers were really great about helping us figure out a solution, but I don't see why they couldn't have the host seating. It was odd. They also had a live band that was playing some of today's hits. That was a nice compliment to the atmosphere. We wouldn't choose to come here on our own, but we had some out of town friends who wanted to go so we did. Our experience was just okay.
(3)Melinda B.
Went in for dinner with some coworkers. We had a large party and had to wait about an hour for a table. I was really hungry at this point. Someone recommended " The Perfect Margarita" which should be renamed " the okay margarita" it wasn't anything spectacular. But I felt a little tipsy , probably because I was drinking on an empty stomach, but I guess it did the job. I ordered the volcano burger which is topped with volcano chili, lava cheese sauce, pickled jalapeños, guacamole and Fritos original corn chips. So basically it was a bland burger with a lot of stuff on top. It was okay. I've definitely had better burgers. The atmosphere was fun, with live music, and a tropical theme. The server was nice, she was able to handle our large group with minimal mess ups. We perused the dessert menu because I decided that I would start my diet in the morning. We ordered a brownie with ice cream which was not on the menu and they should probably keep it off. The brownie wasn't warm and it was kind of chalky which was weird. Anywhooo, we told the server that we were not pleased with it and she took it back and took it off the bill. Overall the company that I was with made the dinner worthwhile. The food, well, I'll try someplace else next time.
(2)Bill F.
This is a great place to have a cool adult beverage while watching the throngs and listening to great music but I would not go there again to eat the food. My unfortunate food poisoning event started with a wonderful looking and large Taco Salad. I was pleased by the large amount of chili that was included but not pleased with the result. Took about a day and a half to get over my visit to Margaritaville. Too bad...I enjoyed it when I was there.
(1)Harry W.
We have stopped in to Margaritaville several times while visiting Universal. We are always impressed with the service and the quality of beverage offerings. This time we tried a margarita flight. Four samples of some of the best margaritas Orlando has to offer. Great place to grab a drink before a show at the Hard Rock or Blue Man Group and also to take the edge off of the heat and lines associated with the theme park next door.
(4)AJ P.
The taco dinner was horrible...they should take it off the menu!!!
(2)Natalie F.
The experience from start to finish: We were trying to sit at the outdoor covered bar and had a lot of different directions given to us. When we eventually got to the right place we were told to stand in a line and then wound up getting seated after guests that walked ahead of the line right to the host stand even though we were waiting. This made the first few minutes of the experience confusing. We were then seated right in front of the live musician (loved that) Our server was so nice and friendly and great at his job alll of our food was delicious, especially the coconut shrimp (yummy)! The perfect margarita was so strong, and so perfect. Overall a very good experience after we were seated.
(4)Louis V.
Walked in to ask if they could accommodate a vegan in our party. The manager was short and did not care to be bothered with helping us find a menu item for them. We took our large party to another restaurant who seemed more willing to work with us.
(1)Ed M.
I've been to a number of Jimmy Buffet places, but the one in Orlando at CityWalk is always the best. Atlantic City is nice along the boardwalk but Landshark across the boards is much better atmosphere. Typical bar grub is always pretty tasty and doesn't disappoint. Live music is always a plus when you get it. Comfortable, casual and relaxing...
(5)Christian S.
New Year's Day 2015, my wife, and I dined at Margaritaville with her parents, and her two sisters. My in-laws recently moved to Florida, and they wanted to have dinner with us before we were scheduled to catch our separate flights back home. After some deliberating we decided to take a trip to Universal City-Walk, as we were more likely to have a decent meal there instead of taking our chances with the unknown near the Airport. Bad choice. When we arrived at City-Walk we contacted Margaritaville to inquire about the wait times. We were informed that the wait time was ten minutes. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we expected to wait but were seated almost immediately. This was helpful due to the fact we had flights to catch. Even though we were pressed for time, we were not in a rush. We left ourselves plenty of time to eat, and procrastinate if necessary. Once we were seated, we sat at the table a little over 10 minutes before my wife decided to ask the host about getting a server to come over to the table. When the waitress finally reached the table, she starts off by taking our drink orders. I asked for a Land Shark draft and hand her my driver's license. She informs me that she could not serve me because my driver's license had expired at the beginning of December. My father in-law asked why I was not able to have a drink since my DOB was still on a government issued ID. It's not as if I got younger, or my birthdate was no longer valid or verified. The waitress stated, that someone that looks like me could have provided me with the license, and it was Universal Studio's policy to not serve anyone with an expired license. I can understand the policy but I found it odd that I was able to get through Airport security with no issues but the same ID prevented me from getting a beer. 15 minutes go by before she comes back with our drinks and without my wife's Arnold Palmer. We ordered our appetizers and she returns with the Arnold Palmer some ten minutes later. It took 25 minutes for my wife to receive a drink made with iced-tea and lemonade. This is when our senses should have kicked in. Instead we decided to stick it out and proceed to order our entrees. Our appetizers reach the table in no time. The nachos were some of the best nachos I've eaten. In my opinion their tortillas are better than some of the Mexican establishments I frequently visit. The Jamaica Mistaica, their jerk glazed wings, were also pretty good. The wings were cooked and seasoned just right. I am glad we got to enjoy the appetizers because we never had the opportunity to enjoy or barely see our entrees. At this point we have been at Margaritaville for nearly an hour, half of that with our waitress missing. Once we were done with our appetizers, an additional 30 minutes went by without us seeing our waitress. That is twenty minutes without our water, or drinks being refilled. Her tables around us were not cleared off, so we took the opportunity to place our dirty dishes on them because no one came by to pick them up. When she finally made it back to our table, She informed us that our ticket was the next ticket out according to the line cook. She stated that most of the items were done but the Grouper was the cause for the delay. Already pressed for time my father in-law asked her to bring out the entrees that were ready. One would have thought that this wouldn't have taken anytime. After five minutes of waiting we decided that enough was enough and we were ready to leave. 10 minutes past before the young lady showed up with the entrees. By then it was too late, we were out of our seats and speaking with a Manager. To make matters worse, when the waitress finally reappeared with our food, she only had 4 of the 6 entrees; meaning her initial story was a lie. I believe she initially forgot to submit our entrees to the kitchen. The party of 6 that was seated minutes before us were done with their dinner service within the hour. The Manager asked if we wanted our food to go but we declined. Four of us had to go through a TSA checkpoint that was 30 minutes away. I for one did not want to carry extra items through security only to end up eating a cold meal an hour later at the gate. If we wanted take-out, we would not have paid $17 for parking to endure an extremely disappointing dining service at Margaritaville. I was upset that I had to resort to airport food, or wait until my flight landed at 11:45PM. I was upset that after enjoying good appetizers, I wasn't able to sample what could have been equally delicious entrees. What upset me the most, was that what should have been a meal to end our Christmas vacation, while giving my wife, her sisters, and their Mom those last few minutes to share now that she is no longer a car ride away, was disrupted. I find it appalling that we sat in a restaurant for an hour and a half, to only have appetizers, and one round of drinks. Without food, I was literally wasting away in Margaritaville.
(1)Wasilewski J.
20 minute wait turned to 45 minute wait because the host put our party of 3 in as 8. Bahama Mama drink is weak. Food was luke warm when it arrived. Save your money. Go somewhere else. Universal...please get some real restaurants. Every place so far has been sub par.
(1)Amy L.
I have to say we love Margaritaville! Their burgers and sweet potato fries are delicious. We always end up getting the guacamole burger with sweet potato fries. Yum
(5)Gail B.
We stopped in for a bit. It is fun to people watch. The view of the water is beautiful.
(4)Mary B.
So you might see that I visited Margaritaville at Orlando City Walk last year and gave it a pretty bad review. I was impressed that I received a reply from the restaurant's manager offering a voucher to try the restaurant again the next time I was in Orlando. I told him that I wasn't sure when that would be since I live in Minnesota but would take him up on his offer. The letter arrived shortly and in addition to the voucher he promised he asked that I call ahead of arriving so he could give my party priority seating. I happened to be in Orlando last week with my husband, sister-in-law and teenage nieces and decided to use it. I did try calling ahead of time as instructed but it seems that the manager that sent me the voucher was no longer with Margaritaville because the employee answering the phone had no idea who I was talking about and seemed to be having a hard time hearing me. When we arrived at the restaurant we informed the person at the host stand of the situation and they said they would have no problem honoring the voucher and seated us promptly. Caroline, our server, was very attentive and friendly. We could tell that they were really trying to give us a better experience and the manager had dropped by our table to ensure that everything was going alright. I really wish I could give this restaurant a better rating than three stars because of the extra effort that was put in to provide us with good service. Unfortunately the food had to be a large factor in the score and it was the consensus of the table that everything we ordered, while accurate, was very bland. Margaritaville creates an image of being of a Caribbean beach influence - I really wish they would utilize all of the fantastic spices and flavors of the Caribbean in their food!
(3)Andrew H.
With the help of executive chef Dan Murray, Margaritaville has rolled out a new menu at its Orlando location that will soon be available at all locations. Some of the classics, like "The Cheeseburger in Paradise" and the ever popular "Volcano Nachos" have stayed and have been upgraded, but overall the menu contains over 15 new items in entrees, appetizers and even new drink selections. The refreshed menu features new appetizers, like the Asiago Crab Dip, White Cheddar Cheese Curds, and a Drunken Shrimp Skillet. But a new twist to the menu is adding a "Bites" section. The bites are small plate offerings that include Jerk seasoned Shrimp Skewers, Beach Tacos, and a Crab Cake Slider among other things. When going to Margaritaville, you can expect lots of booze in the blender, that will render that frozen concoction that helps you hang on....you can even get your booze in a take-home mini blender cup. Some of the new margaritas are quite good. The Last Mango In Paris, and the Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita both add a unique and refreshing twist to a classic drink.
(4)Daniel S.
The only thing this place has going for it is its proximity to the park. The overpriced theme park-esque food took so long to arrive that we nearly left. Avoid if possible
(1)Kristin H.
Fun atmosphere and the margaritas are soooo good! Food is OK. Ambiance fun with great music of course!
(3)Jose A.
Never a disappointment!! I have visited this location some the early 2000's on many of vacations. This Jimmy Buffets location still is a top notch location that brings the nostalgic look look of the Keys along with a causal menu. Thanks again for a good time and excellent service!
(5)Jillian A.
Honestly the food was great, the price a little ridiculous .. Drinks we're terrible, way to sour and poor decoration..
(1)Scott M.
Words cannot really do justice to Margaritaville in Orlando. We have been to many of their other locations but NONE of them add up to the amazing experience we had in this location yesterday! Jim Quinn, the manager, set everything up for us and did not leave out a single detail. Our waiter, Devan, was nothing short of PHENOMENAL! He was super attentive, friendly, nice and went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with everything that we wanted and or needed. I have NEVER had an experience as incredible as this one in ANY restaurant. My hat goes off to EVERYONE involved and will ALWAYS remember the hospitality that they provided...would HIGHLY recommend!
(5)Jean-Marie M.
We had an amazing time at Margaritaville yesterday. Jim Quinn's hospitality and our fabulous waiter Devan made for a wonderful afternoon. We celebrated our cousin's birthday and the food was delicious. I recommend that everyone check out this yummy destination!
(5)Melissa L.
Of all the options available at Universal Studios, Margaritaville is one of the better choices. I'll be honest, I don't much care for (inter)national chain restaurants but the lure of a frosty beverage and some standard comfort food was more than we could resist. Plus, we were really tired and hungry after spending the day at the park. I was all set to order a chicken sandwich but the words coming out of my mouth sounded like "volcano nachos". What arrived was a mound (mountain more than a mole hill) of chili, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and green onions. It came with real cheese but I wish there had been some cheese sauce (aka Velveeta) as well as it has better coverage on the chips. It must have been 1 foot wide and 1 foot high! Despite m best effort I was barely able to make a dent in it. The dish itself was okay and paired well with my ice cold strawberry lemonade (I was driving so no alcohol for this chickadee). My friend did order a margarita and a burger and really enjoyed them both. Service was friendly; our water glasses were frequently topped off. My lemonade was replace without me even having to ask! Live entertainment came in the form of a man with a guitar who wasn't half bad. Yes, he sang THE song. I would come here again if I were visiting the park and would recommended it to others as well. There were large families and small groups and all of us received the same level of attention and service.
(3)Alicia T.
Good live band came on about 1030pm. A lil loud, but good. The coconut shrimp is fire! F-I-R-E!! It is literally life.
(5)Sean C.
The only place I actually look forward to leaving the Disney property for The food is fantastic. It tastes great and you get a ton of it. The staff is fun and friendly, as is tge restaurant itself. It is truly an attraction within itself. The wait can be long, but the outside bar is a fine place to wsit. The drinks are awesone and the price is right. Fins up!
(5)TJ M.
Nice theme but like most themed chain restaurants the food sucks. It's overrated and overcrowded...Margaritas are good though. As a bar I think it's a pretty cool spot, just don't go for the food or service.
(2)Missus F.
Sitting here waiting for my check - piss poor service on outside desk, s l o w. Received cold burger and fries and warm pickle. Sadly lately all margaritaville a are providing this level of service - watered down drinks and mediocre food. I think I'm done with this chain...
(3)Stephania K.
Our server Joel was awesome! He was very knowledgeable of the menu and gave us great suggestions! I have to admit the burgers are a little expensive, 16 dollars for a burger that wasn't anything special. But overall good experience and nice staff.
(4)Christina C.
Great place for drinks. My fiance and I decided to grab a before dinner drinks here and we were not disappointed. First of all the atmosphere is tons of fun. At 6:30 p.m. there were still a ton of families so there were people on stilts making balloon animals. I think the kids really enjoyed that. If you want to try a bunch of margaritas, get the margarita flight! I love beer flights and wine flights, so of course I wanted to try the margarita flight! It was the perfect amount of each margarita to really get an idea of whether I liked it or not. My favorite was the Mango flavor. The original was really good too. Honestly you can't go wrong with any of them. Next time I'll have to try the food, but I will definitely be back for the drinks!
(4)Maureen D.
This place is a fave of my family's and has been for years. We always make time for a meal or, at the very least, a margarita, whenever we are jn Orlando. Any restaurant worth eating at in the resort area of Orlando has a wait on Saturday night at dinner time, so my husband and I were fine with waiting 45 minutes for our table. (Especially since we were quoted an hour's wait, a quicker availability was a nice surprise). The hostess seated us, at a nice, spacious 4-top. I loved not being crammed into a tiny little 2 person table after a long day at Islands of Adventure. We barely sat down before our waitress approached to make sure we didn't need our drinks freshened up. She went to fetch a fresh margarita for me and by the time she came back, we were ready to order. My husband's House Sirloin was cooked perfectly and our waitress (I wish I could remember her name, she was a doll) even remembered the a-1 on the first trip back to us! I had the Teriyaki Chicken and it was heavenly. I feel safe in saying I pretty much inhaled it, and our waitress made a little joke about how Jimmy Buffett's music always seems to make people hungry and thirsty. There was still a fairly long line at the front door, which I could see from my seat. This did not make our waitress rush us out after we were done with entrees and declined dessert. She told us to take our time with our cocktails, and we were grateful for the few extra minutes of sitting after walking around all day. All in all, a very pleasurable meal and I can't wait to make it back for our next experience.
(5)Stan D.
Went for dinner when visiting Universal. For a family of four we found the prices reasonable and food was very good. We order the nachos ( which is huge) and a few sandwiches and also entrees. Our server was busy but did a excellent job .We left singing songs and enjoying the experience.
(4)Matt M.
Love the burgers! It never ceases to amaze me though, seems that every time we get a table instead of sitting at the Volcano bar, we hit right during a shift change or something that causes our server to be delayed. It was no different on this trip. Seriously? A Sunday afternoon, in Orlando, during the tourist season at 5:00 pm and they don't have enough servers? To me, that doesn't make a lot of sense and is becoming too often the excuse for slow service. Quite frankly, we know it's not true and even if it were, we, your customers, don't care. Your staffing issues are your problems, not ours. If it's true, then it's a poor reflection on the management and it makes me want to go elsewhere. Your food is good, I could eat the burgers all day long...but when there is something wrong, tell your staff to stop making excuse. They sounds weak and lame and have no business in a professional environment of any kind.
(3)Stephanie M.
Totally a tourist place to go but the kitchy theme is cute. I mean who doesn't love jimmy buffet and Palm trees and island life? The cost is quite expensive compared to some of the local places I've been to but for Universal studios, the cost was comparable to the other restaurants. We had the volcano nachos and the buffalo wings. Both these are appetizers but it's large enough to be an entree. Apt he nachos is huge!! And especially if. You have fruity cocktails win this like we did... You won't be able to finish it. The cocktails alone was filling with all the sugar and juice. The wings (get Jamaican jerk cause it's the best) comes a dozen a plate with celery and carrots. Both these items are perfect bar food if you plan on drinking more than eating. Again.... Go really hungry or with more than 1 other person. Any of their margaritas and "boat" cocktails are delicious. Boat means rum based drinks btw.
(3)Robert B.
Walked in and noted that there was outside and inside seating. Asked waiter which was better. He responded that we could sit anywhere we wanted to. I asked him again and he just shrugged. Picked a table outside because there was live music. The guy couldn't play and was texting between songs. He didn't know the words to the song, Margaritaville! Both restrooms were atrocious... Awful! At least five empty tables with trash all over them the entire time we were there. Food was mediocre at best, but SLOW in arriving... Margaritas were good... Asked manager what was wrong, since we'd been there before, and to the Vegas location many times. He said that they were bought out. Also said that lots of people are dissatisfied and complain. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!! It's just a dive bar now...
(1)Justin T.
Poor service. Poor attitude. Overrated and unpleasant. Band was a surprisingly good cover band with a good sound. Customer service killed it though.
(1)Heidi s.
Nachos!!! Get the nachos!!! Love entertainment, good food, good service - a little better than the other spots along the walk...nice way to end the day.
(4)Jeff C.
Kick ass volcano nachos complementing the perfect margarita after an exhausting day at the park. Thank you to our server Lisa who was on top of everything. We have a Margaritaville in New Orleans that doesn't compare.
(4)Adam P.
Coming to this restaurant you would expect quality music, good drinks and good cheeseburgers. Too bad it fails in all three categories. The musician forgot he was to play songs reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet. Half the time I seriously thought he had music piped in to support him. His voice was very weak. The pina colada lacked flavor. The cheeseburger is not cooked to order as advertised. I purposefully ordered rare so there would be no guessing as to what medium rare was. The burger was well done. Very expensive and not good value.
(2)Jon H.
We came here on a Friday evening after leaving Universal Studios, and were promptly seated with no reservation. Server was quick and friendly. Drinks were overpriced and didn't seem strong enough, especially for the price. The food was good. Dessert looked great as well but we couldn't fit anymore. Not a bad place to eat if you need to stop somewhere after leaving the park.
(4)Sarina B.
I've been past Margaritaville before in Vegas and when walking on the CityWalk in Orlando, but had never stopped in before. Once I did, I immediately regretted not having done so before! First off, the gluten-free friendly aspect of it was great, and went above my expectations. I dined here 3 times in my stay, and each time received great service while dining gluten-free. They have menus specifically for gluten-free (and vegetarian on the flipside), and there's a decent variety of choices on there. I tried the cheeseburger and grilled chicken sandwich, both were delicious and stuffed me full. They have a dedicated fryer for their fries, so those are safe as well - and the sweet potato fries in particular are amaaazing! My first waitress was super informed and attentive, and also asked if my GF needs were medical or only dietary, which is a nice reassurance for Celiacs to hear. The next waitress wasn't as outwardly friendly about it, but the food was still good. The frozen margaritas are tasty, but pretty sweet, so beware if ordering more than one (mango, strawberry, and raspberry are all great!). They also offer a margarita flight of their top selling margaritas, either frozen or on the rocks, which I highly recommend (ends up being about two drinks' worth). Dined outside on the patio each time, great place in the shade!
(4)Jack R.
Writing this because I know management here reads these posts as they responded to my original one. Dined here again a few nights ago. Ah what happened??? Maybe my expectations were too high. The menu changed a bit. No more grouper sandwich - so sad. It was the best ever. The food was barely acceptable and it took over 45 minutes to get to the table. Crazy! Waiter had a horrible attitude. When we asked for an eta, he said everyone waits at least 45 mins for food. Umm ok. The shrimp trip was horrible, swimming in oil and butter. Fish tacos were tasteless. We left the park specifically to have dinner here based on the last experience. Hate to retract a good review, but it was just that disappointing. ; (
(2)Charles L.
After a day at the park Jimmy Buffet's flagship was just what the Dr ordered. The crab dip was great. Margaritas were flowing and the waitresses were friendly
(4)Roy W.
Great time and out first visit!! The stilt walkers were very entertaining and the food was outstanding!! Portions were very pleasing and affordable. The ambiance is great for a group gathering or a first date!!
(5)Dean C.
Fun place to eat! DJ booth with live broadcast on satellite radio, cool volcano eruption if you are in the restaurant long enough, and great service. I can now say I have had my Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was delicious. I also recommend the Quesadilla. Tasty tasty!
(5)Joe R.
Service was exceptional but that didn't make up for overly sweet margaritas with little alcohol. Food was good, but nothing to write home about. The drinks at the to go window were way better than the flight ordered at dinner. The steak was cooked very well but probably wouldn't go back
(3)Samantha M.
We were looking for somewhere to eat before the evening show at Universal Studios and picked Margaritaville because of its Gluten Free Menu. The atmosphere is fantastic, I almost wish I had kids to take with us, because it's perfect for families (at least at the time we were there). A lot of fun, and live music to entertain us. The food was delicious. I had a gluten free burger which was perfection and we shared the chocolate brownie for dessert which was possibly the best chocolate brownie.... ever! (Gluten free too!) The only downside was the service. Our waiter was absolutely useless, kept missing things we'd ordered, didn't know what anything cost, took the wrong order and didn't seem to care at all.
(4)Douglas B.
Outstanding!!!! Get the nachos music is great stilt walkers awesome staff awesome only thing please please please please bring back the conch fritters!!!!!
(5)Vanessa G.
Great food... Cheddar BBQ Burger and WATERMELON MARGARITA is a most... Service and music was great and even our 5 yrs old kid had a great time.
(5)Jackie K.
Service was great (although seating was slow). Margaritas were good. I had the flight of four different drinks but prefer lighter margaritas and these were a bit sweet. Seating was good. The food looked good (we were full so we didn't order any). It's the same chain as everywhere and seemed in line with the other ones I have been too.
(3)Shawn C.
Terrible service when not that busy. Brought out half the table's food and then the other half about 10-15 minutes later.
(1)Joe T.
This is an ok place to eat. Service was quick and efficient. Food came out pretty quickly. I almost thought to quickly for a party of 6. I ordered jambalaya and it was decent. It was mildly spicy and after a day at Universal Studios, it was pretty filling. Out server was very good making sure everything was good and we had refills. My friends enjoyed there food. Portions were of good size. Even the children's fish and chips was larger then we expected. Overall, it was of good value. The menu is big enough to satisfy most people.
(3)Steve M.
I cannot believe people eat here. Food is bland expensive theme park trash. Save your money for kettle corn or a turkey leg.
(1)David B.
Food not so great. Tasteless, dry burger. Highlight of the meal was the pretzel stick appetizer. Server forgetful. No live music during our late lunch but concert clips were good. New choices at CityWalk make it unlikely we will return to what used to be a go-to.
(2)Ryan B.
Like all other Margaritavilles, this place is strategically placed in a tourist trap. I came here one night after a day of roller coasters and fun, and my girl really wanted to try it. If you've never been to one, then I guess the allure is overwhelming. So we waited in line and this other couple came in and just somehow got seated in front of us without a reservation. I mean we were standing right there in front of the hostess stand waiting for our turn and this couple comes in to our right and asks if they have any seats for two. The hostess asked if they had a reservation and "no" they didn't . Then she seated them right away. That was totally bull crappolla. I was compelled to call the hostess out on that one and she did apologize, but it still burns me up that two people standing in line for like 15 minutes right in front of you and you still help these two other people who just walk in and do the rude thing of jumping ahead of other people AND get seated. Now let me talk about the seating. The place is kinda big, but has a lot of tables and they do pack a lot of people in TIGHTLY. I was practically rubbing shoulders with the guy sitting at the table behind me. Noise level. If you like eating in a place where the music is blasting loud and you can't hear other people at your table because of everyone else around you and your conversations are somewhat like this: "so what are you thinking of having?" "I SAID WHAT ARE YOU THINKING OF HAVING" (making gestures of hand to mouth) "EAT!! WHAT YOU HAVING EAT???" Then you might enjoy this place. With the amount of people there, I knew the wait service was going to be a little slow including food preparation. So that was no surprise. The food was pretty good. I ordered a blue cheese bacon burger and it was pretty good. No complaints there. I guess that's what it comes down to. I'm sure the atmosphere changes with the time of day and amount of people. So if you are cruising the city walk and are a Jimmy Buffet fan you might want to experience this place at least once.
(3)Jon J.
We just had lunch here and the drunken shrimp was amazing! My beautiful wife had the cheeseburger of course and she loved it. Inside tip: Ask for Alexander! He is an exceptional waiter and a hell of a nice guy!
(5)Karolina P.
Best Margaritas around. I had fish tacos which were really tasty. Prices are reasonable and the staff is very friendly. If you don't want to eat there, you can order margaritas to go... Awesome idea!!! They have live band every night at 10pm.
(4)J D.
Greatest music around and a fantastic burger. Cheese burger in paradise with an onion ring on top is amazing. Compliment it with an nice cold land shark!
(4)Lindsey G.
Maybe you have to be a Jimmy Buffet fan to appreciate this place. I personally don't get it. The food was just OK. I shared buffalo wings (a bit too spicy) and nachos (lots of toppings I didn't enjoy) with a group due to not finding much on the menu to suit my tastes. I also had an $18 margarita. I enjoy that they have different flavors and definitely enjoyed my watermelon margarita to the typical lime variety, but only purchased one as a novelty experience. They weren't particularly strong or particularly special and to pay $10 for a regular margarita seems rather steep. And the same music plays, day in and day out, hour after hour.... I just don't know how many times a person can hear "Margaritaville" before going on a frenzy to pour their watermelon-tequila concoction into the sound system. If you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the same song, take the kids to Margaritaville and get a little tipsy while the staff makes the kiddos some balloon animals. Otherwise, enjoy one of the many other eateries in CityWalk.
(2)Christopher O.
This was my third visit to Margaritaville over the years that it has been open and each time my visit was okay. It is in the middle of one of the most touristy places in the world so expect higher prices and basic service. But compared to many of the other places to eat at City Walk, it is actually one of the better ones. The food each time is good and i have never had to complain about anything. The drinks are also good. I seem to only have beer when i visit so I can not give a review of their Margaritas... but I am told they are good. This last visit I got a blue cheese burger with fries. They did cook the burger Med rare as requested and it was hot when it arrived. I also had fries and they were hot and crispy. Our server (who was at the bar because that is were we ended up sitting) was super friendly. My only complaint about Margaritaville is the noise level. Besides the normal sounds of many people talking and eating, they are singing and every now and then, they seem to have pipped in 'crashing' noise that scarred the poop out of us each time it happened. We were sitting at the bar and the three of us had trouble having a normal conversation. We seemed to be yelling at each other to be heard. I know it is part of the atmosphere of the place but it was way too noisy for my taste. Service = 8 Atmosphere = 6 Food = 8 All in all, it continues to be one of the few places I enjoy at City Walk. Enjoy
(4)Bob C.
First visit to Margaritaville Orlando and I will be back! The drinks were big and priced fairly. The food is first rate! Jimmy Jammin Jambalaya was delicious and the shrimp trio was the best we had all week! The staff was a smiling, singing happy bunch especially Rachel who took great care of us! You all need to eat here!
(4)Shawn H.
So this started as a 2-3 star review. We weren't greeted by a server for 20-30minutes. The manager did take care of that however. The food was all good, the group enjoyed burgers and I had fish and chips. Safe meal with decent portions. My wife and I became quite fond of the Perfect Magaritas while we there, I definitely recommend one of those to help with long days that come with a trip like that. This is probably 3 stars anywhere else but compared to the other options at Universal Studios this is a very good option.
(4)Carla W.
I have wanted to eat at this place for a few years. Located on the Citywalk for Universal Studios this is a very nice facility. I was jamming to the music and enjoyed the stilt walkers singing and clapping to Margaritaville! I had the shrimp trio and it was delicious. They also have a spacious patio great for live music.
(5)Christian S.
Very cool atmosphere, and interesting video and activities all around. We got the cheese curd app, BBQ burger, chimichurri flat iron steak, and 2 small desserts that came with our meal plan. All the food was served hot and correct, and our server Nichole was really helpful with walking us through the meal plan options. 4 stars only because they seemed a little short staffed: we arrived at 12:55, drinks arrived at 1:16, and entrees were on the table at 1:35. Not terrible, and they seemed to catch up as we progressed through the meal. We'll be back, for sure.
(4)Sherry J.
Stopped here with RJ before we went to Universal HHN. The wait was about 45 minutes for inside, but only 10 for the deck and we were seated right away. I ordered the mango daiquiri which I have had before and is one of my favorite drinks, and we started with cheese curds which were delicious. How can you not love fried curds of cheese? I had the fish tacos which had large, tasty pieces of fish. Fried fis is not my favorite, but it was cooked perfectly. RJ had the grilled chicken sandwich which tasted grilled and was very juicy with crispy bacon. Service was great, as it always is here, and there was live music playing as well.
(4)Natalie G.
YUCK expensive crap food. Went there on for my birthday, half crap service. Food was very bad. I had the beach tacos very bland. Most people just like it because its trendy.
(1)Missy M.
Stopped in after a long day at the theme park. My kids were exhausted and wanted to go back to the hotel but we all needed to eat. It wasnt too busy so I thought it was a good pick and we had been there a few times before. Once we were seated, our waiter took about 15 min to come by and even get our drink order. It took about 15 more minutes to get our drinks and then he went to another table to laugh and joke around. After flagging him down, he took our orders. We only ordered appetizers at that point because the kids were getting rowdy from having been there for so long. He got aggravated that we only wanted apps but he finally put our order in. He said nothing when he brought our food. The food wasn't even hot when it came out and when I tried to get his attention that we weren't satisfied, he was nowhere to be found. He popped up about 40 minutes later and I asked for our check. He then got upset when I didn't "tip enough". I was so upset that I'll be finding a new place to dine in City Walk.
(1)Ginah T.
2 stars for the price and the portion of the wings. Other than that, service was slow and subpar and entrees were sorely lacking in taste. Had the Jambalaya and Surf and Turf. Steak was rubbery and not seasoned and the jambalaya was just.. Sad. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else for food.
(2)Joseph K.
First of all I LOVE this place. Food and drink amazing! But when I reviewed the bill at home, they over charged for drinks X2, watch you bill, don't be stupid like me. Lesson learned!
(4)Joseph S.
I am not a big fan of star created or themed restaurants but this one is an exception. We were there during our Orlando stay and were not dissappointed. The staff was friendly and courteous. I was in a wheelchair and they knew exactly what to do to accommodate me. The service was prompt and the food was hot when in got to the table. Speaking of the food, I personally loved the Landshark Fish & Chips. My family had an assortment of menu items, like jambalaya and burgers, all were great and executed well. Oh, and the key lime pie was fantastic. The in restaurant entertainment was fun and everyone was singing "margaritaville" together. Fun was had by all!
(4)Jim C.
Came here to keep the teens entertained for dinner. Worked great! Volcano nachos, burgers, they were happy! Balloon gal on stilts came over, initially embarrassed but they wore their balloon hats out. Drinks are steep price but good, hey, it's tourist season. I liked the jambalaya. Good time w ppl of all ages. Happy vibe. We had 7 ppl, it was great
(4)Michael P.
Wings and drinks...this place is solid. We showed up without a reservation and got seated within 5 minutes. Had a very friendly waiter who knew his menu and had a couple of recommendations for lunch. The food came out hot and on time as we enjoy our meal. The only downside were the drinks, margaritas came out too watery. The manager did comp us the drinks and gave us a premium ones to take its place. Nice job!
(4)Elle D.
Probably my fave Citywalk experience. I love Jimmy Buffet and the cover band was really good, so I spent half the night singing along (not too loudly) at the bar while we were hanging out. My fish and chips were yummy - I actually think it was the only meal where I ate the entire thing in Orlando. The drinks are fairly basic marg mixes, but that's standard. Didn't really have anything to complain about!
(4)Cale G.
I fell in love with Margaritaville on a night in Chicago's Navy Pier. When I saw the sign in Universal Studios, that romance was rekindled. The coconut shrimp called to me. Margaritaville still houses the best coconut shrimp I've ever had. I hate seafood but I just have to eat them here when I have the opportunity. The place was packed this day and our 17 bags filled with Harry Potter souvenirs did not make it easier. We were greeted and seated and appreciated the congrats from our host and server on our honeymoon. We also appreciated the zero comments regarding us taking half of Hogwarts home. I didn't order the coconut shrimp. Just kidding- Yes I did. It was delicious. As always. Get it!! Other treats we ordered were several freshly made tropical cocktails and most notably the margarita flight. That was intense in terms of the surprise intoxication from such tiny little glasses. Each margarita was delicious. We were both definitely partial to the blue ones. Our service received was attentive and more than satisfactory. I appreciate the bartender possibly over pouring as we had a girls soccer team at the table next to us. We got lost in the music and patio seating. What a beautiful place to be on a hot day!
(5)Arthur J.
Always excellent food at Jimmy Buffets. The coconut shrimp was totally amazing.
(5)Jonathan M.
Fun atmosphere and good food. Sit on the porch and partake in people watching to your hearts content. Good service and reasonable pricing for a theme park venue.
(4)Philip H.
The serve seemed very annoyed and unhappy to be working. The crab dip was great but that was all. We ordered cheeseburger in paradise and got hell. The burger was raw and the waitress disappeared. It is really to bad because this place was one of my regular stop's.
(1)Winger K.
The best meal of our trip. We had fish tacos and some sort of shrimp appetizer . Service was fast and made it fun!! We will be back!
(5)Terald H.
Waited 45 minutes while watching 12 tables sitting empty. When I mentioned it, they said we told you 30-45 min. even if the tables are empty. People were leaving. Not a good business plan. Then sat us at a table where the air conditioning dripped on us and our food. Then the stilt walker asked my son what he wanted him to make. His said a monkey. The guy made a weird hat and no monkey. We ate there because my son wanted to, because of the stilt walkers. He ended up in tears. I stopped the manager and explained every thing. He way of making us happy was to give us a free dessert. As a member of the e-mail club, I already had a free dessert coming. Offered to move us away from drip after we were done eating. He did have another stilt Walker come over and make a monkey balloon animal. We have eaten here more than 20 times, but I don't think we would eat here again.
(1)Kelli M.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is our go to spot when we visit Universal Orlando. The fun atmosphere and good eats make it a nice fit for our family. We've been here a handful of times; when it's been packed and slow. The service has been good each visit. One of our visits was on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate my daughter's birthday. The staff made her feel special, and she thought it was cool that they announced her birthday on Margaritville radio. While we enjoy grabbing some eats and drinks here; I have to say we only get the same couple of items from the menu each visit. The Volcano Nachos are not only tasty, they are gargantuan! We have split the appetizer between three of us, and we still had leftovers. Our other favorite is the Cheeseburger in Paradise. Each time we've ordered the burger it's been cooked to perfection and it goes down perfect with a draft beer. I love the atmosphere at Margaritaville's; it's all about having a good time. If you sit in the main dining room they play Radio Margritaville live. The "Volcano" erupts every so often and gets the crowd going. There is nightly entertainment seven days a week; 5:00pm some days on the Porch of Indecision and 10:00pm every night on the Main Stage in the restaurant. Across from the restaurant you'll find the Lone Palm Airport, complete with Jimmy Buffet's seaplane. This is a great spot to get a margarita and sit back and take in the view. The Lone Palm has a small menu great for an afternoon snack. This laid back outdoor lounge overlooks the lagoon at CityWalk. It's a nice way to escape the crowds and take in the Florida sun. If you're a Parrothead or someone who enjoys a "tropical" lifestyle be sure to check out the Smuggler's Hold gift shop located in the restaurant, where you are bound to find some goodies to take home. There's an array of apparel & accessories made for the beach. If the Margarita is your drink of choice you can purchase cups, mixes, salts & even your own Margaritaville maker. Everyone likes time to forget about their worries. Stopping by Margaritaville and listening to some Jimmy Buffet, getting some eats and drinks is a great way to escape.
(4)Erin C.
Let's start off by saying this is a great place to have drinks and be loud. I've been here multiple times and have been in groups and just with my husband. It's been great either way. For me the 'Don't stop the carnival ride' is my favorite drink hands down. It's frozen goodness so don't have too many and expect to be able to eat something after wards. Because I prefer their beverages here, I tend to only eat whatever appetizer we get. I have had the Cuban sandwich and it was good, nothing special, just good. I've also had the chicken Cesar salad, that sucker is huge, so share it. Just recently I tried their boneless buffalo wings, do not waste you money on those. Seriously go to a sports bar for those, they were too salty and just plan awful. Our go to appetizer is the volcano nachos, they never disappoint and they will fill you up! They are smothered with meats and all the nacho toppings you can imagine. They are a meal within themselves. It's a happy place, people on stilts walking around, an erupting volcano goes off, you stand up and sing, there are screens for watching music videos, as well as to see the live entertainment if you are not in the main area near the stage. We've sat upstairs, down stairs, at the bar(s), it doesn't matter where you sit you are still included in the fun.
(3)Frankie C.
Delicious wings and tasty drinks!
(5)Bill T.
Had dinner here Friday night and the food was very good. I had the burger, and my darling wife had the fish tacos. Both were very fresh and tasty. Crab dip appetizer was just okay, but the conch fritters were very tasty. Drinks were a little weak and overpriced, but it is a tourist spot so that is kind of expected. I still like the food and the vibe enough to give a pretty strong recommendation to check this place out if you are out this way.
(4)Amy S.
This is one of my favorite restaurant's at Universal's CityWalk. My husband and I have eaten here countless times. We always start out with the Volcano Nachos as an appetizer. The portion is HUGE and is always much more than we can eat. They can easily be shared amongst 4-5 people. They are piled high and positioned on the platter in such a way they do actually take on the shape of a volcano. The first time we ordered them I actually said, "Wow" when I saw them! My favorite dish is the Cheeseburger in Paradise and this is what I usually order. It's a very large, delicious burger. It's much more than I can eat (especially after always having the volcano nachos for an appetizer), so I immediately cut it in half and only dress one side of it and take the other half home which makes for a perfect lunch the next day. I've also had the Jerk Chicken and the Teriyaki Chicken. Both were very good portion sizes and the chicken was tender and yummy. Of the two, I would have to say I prefer the Jerk Chicken - amazing flavors! My husband almost always orders the Jimmy's Jammin' Jambalaya. He absolutely loves it and it too is a good portion size. I have tried his and it is very good; however, I have a sensitive palate and it's a bit too spicy for me. I just don't handle spicy food very well. My husband, on the other hand, has the opinion of the spicier the better. In addition to their wonderful margaritas, they also offer some other mighty fine adult beverage concoctions! I'm a big fan of the Bama Breeze and the Tropical Hurricane. My husband loves the Incommunicado and the 5 O'Clock Somewhere. Unfortunately, we have not tried any of the desserts as we have always been so full from the appetizer and our main courses we've never had room left in our stomachs for dessert. One of these days we're going to have to go in just for desserts and drinks! The restaurant is always very clean and they are generally always busy, even during the off-season. It's a pretty popular place! The service has always been hit or miss. We've had both really good servers and really bad servers - so we just adjust our gratuity accordingly. You cannot beat the atmosphere in this restaurant! Always great music playing. We've been there when they've had a live band (they were wonderful), we've been there on several occasions when the DJ was in the booth playing music for the Margaritaville XM radio station, and we've been there when they've had Jimmy Buffett concerts playing on the huge screens (one of which is a huge sail from a boat). The last time we were there they had beautiful girls walking around on stilts making crazy hats from balloons for all the guests. That was a ton of fun! Every single time we have eaten at this restaurant we have always been extremely pleased with our food and drinks and had an overall wonderful experience! I highly recommend eating here if you are at Universal's CityWalk! Also, if you happen to have a seasonal pass to Universal Studios, don't forget to show it to your server because you get a discount.
(4)Randy E.
Nibblin on sponge cake...watching the sun bake.... Oh, wait, I'm writing a review?! Let's get back to that... Where does one begin when writing about Margaritaville? The french fried potatoes maybe? The cold draft beer? Or maybe the booze in the blender, that soon will render, that frozen concotion that helps me hang on! Some locals call it touristy, tourists call it authentic...I'm here to tell you it's neither. Margaritaville is cool, it's fun, it's Jimmy...enough said. I spent many years living in Central Florida and sure I can say that tourists flockto Margaritaville, but I can also say that local Parrot Heads flock there just the same. From the six holes in the freezer to the Cheeseburger in Paradise, this is a destination for Parrot Heads and Parrot Head wannabes...Either way, come down to enjoy the food, drinks and entertainment that is served up nightly. The food is fun, the drinks are better....and the entertainment will keep you coming back for more!
(5)Kristen P.
Parrotheads rejoice. I had a friend in town so we did the tourist thing. It's pretty much what you would expect: Jimmy Buffet music playing, drinks, and cheeseburgers in paradise. All of us got cheeseburgers. They were good. A few people got margaritas. The other got a mixed rum drink that tasted like the beach. It's kind of chilly in the restaurant and a little dark. It's definitely good there. We had good service. It's just sort of your standard "on-vacation" pre-requisite chain sort of place. Not my first choice as a local. But we had fun nonetheless.
(3)Julie L.
Wastin' away again in Margaritaville...searching for my lost shaker of salt... You'll definitely find it here when they do the special song every hour on the half hour at this famed restaurant. Don't forget to snap a picture of the famous margarita volcano that erupts after the song. I had visited Margaritaville in Charleston and its sister restaurant Cheeseburger in Paradise in KC and was equally excited to visit this restaurant while in Orlando at Disney. They do not take reservations but have 2 levels with 3 bars and lots of seating that we got seated in no time. With JB playing in the background you're sure to find something on their large menu. We even splurged on dessert which was delish! Make sure you stop in the shop for a little reminder of your visit. I got a cute keychain and a postcard to put in my scrapbook. Make this a stop when at the Universal City walk...you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Zack G.
Food was very good. We go for the atmosphere, always a good time. Place is pricey, but that's Universal City walk standards.
(4)Lindsay A.
I came here for a bite to eat while i was on vacation at Universal Studios! I've always wanted to check this place out, my hopes ran so high. The restaurant itself if really cool looking. We were greeted promptly at the door by a hostess who led us downstairs to this massive dining room. I was all giddy as we sat down in this dining room (it was DEAD). I ordered the "Fajita Beef Taco Salad". BIG mistake. My father whom I was with ordered the fish and chips. BIG mistake. My salad came out, the beef was cold, like they took it out of the fridge and threw it on this pretty attractive looking salad inside this stale, greasy taco shell. It was seriously inedible. When the waitress came over to check on us, I reluctantly told her that my food was horrendous. She apologized and took it back. A few minutes later my salad comes out looking delicious and the manager comes out with it. I'm not sure if she just didn't know that much about this industry in general or what. She asked what was wrong with the salad and apologized and what not. Very nice! I asked her if they cooked the stale shells in the morning (it was maybe 3:00-4:00 at this point) or if they cooked the shells to order. She reply's "Oh we cook them first thing in the morning" KEWL. No wonder why it's stale. The fish and chips were mediocre at best. Being from New England, maybe i'm a serious fish snob....whatever. Next time i head to Universal i'll probably go back, but it'll be strictly for drinking margaritas only!!!
(2)Colleen B.
For some reason everytime I find myself here I end up on the outdoor patio... it's not a bad thing but I have NO idea what the inside is like. They usually have live music on the deck so that is a plus. I've only seen solo guys with guitars but usually... that's all people need. So, earlier in the evening I had a rough time with a margarita experience so this stop was like a redemption attempt and clearing my pallet and having a really delicious margarita hit my taste buds. I would love to say that it was the best margarita I have ever had but it was just mediocre. So this "Perfect Margarita" was perfectly okay. And for $10 a pop... well yeah... not so perfect. This is a good spot to lounge but I am not sure I would make this my goto for dinner and a night spot, more of a night cap or pre-movie drink stop!
(3)Susi D.
Well worth the 15 parfing fee for Universal City Walk. Wish I would have had time for Emerils
(5)Sydney S.
Yumm-O Not a huge fan of the fact that they won't seat you unless your entire party is there. I understand why, but I still don't like it. Fun little restaurant, very touristy for obvious reasons. There are balloon animal makers wandering around, a hoppin' dj and live singers, and great decor. Food gets a solid A. There wasn't anything I tried that wasn't delicious. I got the lobster mac and cheese and it was yum yum yum. Heavy, but not too much so, and the portion was just right. Overall, not bad.
(3)Robbie G.
compared to most margaritaville's this one has limited menu.. not a bad spot at city walk
(3)Adam G.
Tourist trap, so expect long lines. We had an hour wait, so we found a corner by the bar where I could slide in and grab some drinks while we waited or browsed the gift shop. Every drink is overpriced, but what isn't around here? Just a fact of going to touristy places, so I accept it. And after having spent hours wondering around that DRY Magic Kingdom, I'd have paid $10 a beer. The wait didn't seem that long though, despite it being a very busy Saturday night. The atmosphere can't be beat, imo, but I'm also a huge Parrothead. The volcano, the Lone Palm tiki bar outside with the Hemisphere Dancer (when weather is nice), it all just comes together and everybody is having a good time. The whackos on stilts playing with the crowds throw in some entertaining sillyness. The food was just fine. I really enjoyed the fries. They were like McDonalds fries, only less greasy and salty. I had the El Diablo burger. Perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned, though it didn't live up to it's name, so the waitress gladly brought me more pepper paste and spicy mayo so I could kick it up. Great flavors brought the burger together nicely. My wife isn't the adventerous type when it comes to food, so she had a normal burger that she enjoyed. I really wanted to try the shrimp/crab meat mac n cheese, which I've heard is amazing, but I was absolutely starving and how filling can mac n cheese really be? I had to have a big hunk of red meat to fill me up. Next time I'll plan accordingly so I can give it a shot. Sure, you pay for it's location and the attraction that it is, but I'll still go back anytime I'm in the area.
(4)Matt K.
The Quesadillas are amazing and same goes for the pina colada! The porch is a nice touch as well.
(4)Sarah L.
Wasn't expecting much but we were blown away. The service was great and the food was even better. We ordered the Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Grouper Sandwich...both were excellent!!
(5)Raven G.
Awkward. Middle aged drunk white people dancing to 80s cover band. I got the grouper fish sandwhich because its supposed to be a florida thing (that and key lime pie right?) It was slimey. My friend got the grouper fish tacos and said the same thing. They never brought out my sweet potato fries and the long island beer with a tequilla shot was ok. Kinda weak. The zombie cocktail was good, also weak. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is my waitress was a doll. Totally sweet and funny. I don't know if ill come back. I definitely won't sober.
(2)Carrie G.
Great drinks! Great food! You must eat here. It's cheesy, but good :)
(4)Austin R.
This place was great. The atmosphere was really cool. I was expecting an over priced theme park restaurant with iffy food. That was not the case. Our server, Sandra, was so nice an energetic. Although the food was great, her service really put our experience over the top along with Jessica (wildchild) with her balloon rose for my boyfriend. If you're questioning to go here or not, just go. I guarantee you won't e sorry.
(5)Steven D.
Fun atmosphere, pretty good appetizers ( the Lava Lava Shrimp were good) but this was the worst Fish and Chips EVER!!! The Fish and Chips were all breading and the existing fish was cooked to oblivian. Ver disappointing!
(2)C h.
Food was as expected. Decent for a corporate theme park restaurant, if not over priced...then again, expected, since you are a captive audience. Think Red Lobster, without the charm and twice as much. The problem was the wait staff seemed in fear of management. (Name i caught was Clint or Kirk?) Made for a very uncomfortable dining experience. The waiter had no authority to handle anything without some "manager" who never appeared. I expected a Jimmy Buffet restaurant to be a little more relaxed after an already stressful day at the park. You could save a ton by taking a cab across the street to Fridays or Ale House ( maybe $100 savings for a family of four)
(1)Chris E.
Six of us decided to dine here on Monday night after a long day on the conference floor. We arrived at 6:15pm and there was a 45 minute wait. No problem - we took the wireless buzzer with us to the bar across the way and enjoyed tropical drinks, salsa & chips until our table was ready. Food was good - not great, but good. Service was good - very responsive. Biggest drawback for me was the NOISE. It's incredible - music playing full blast, people trying to have conversations over the music, which boosted the decibels, and staff yelling for us all to join in with birthday song, etc. Madhouse - not relaxing. Other than that, it was really good!
(3)Pyra-Danny V.
The food? Ehhh, everyone knows the real catch of this place is the music atmosphere. In the night time, this is one of the few places on Universal CityWalk with free cover--perfect for broke young professionals who don't feel like clubbing yet want to feel like a tourist. You go to the bar which has a good collection of slightly pricey mixed drinks with a average amounts of alcohol... but every service person I crashed into was friendly. When there's no band playing, the restaurant often plays music videos on the walls and it's funny to watch the patrons just watching the videos like it's a flying saucer. As for the bands--I haven't heard a bad one yet. My last experience there--good looking guy? Muscular? Plays guitar? And can sing?? No wait... and he can sing COLDPLAY??? Score!! The music can be a little loud--it's not the best place for conversation at night. Don't forget to chill outside on the beach chairs. You don't have to burst your ear drums inside either to get a drink--there's a hole-in-the-wall behind the bar to order up drinks outside. Now chill.
(4)Rob N.
I am not a big fan of chain restaurants generally but I have now been here twice, once with my wife and kids and most recently with a friend during a conference. Mike T was our server and he was prompt, honest and friendly. Atmosphere is of course party themed and loud but that works just fine. Food was as expected, tasty but not over the top. i would go back when at Universal.
(3)Robert G.
It's touristy, and the same as all the other Margaritaville... But I like coming for the wings... And were were around so it was either here, or Emerls... or Nascar... and this was the less of the few evils...
(3)Lauren Sarah C.
The servers are amazing! The volcano nachos were A TON of food and tasty. The theme is constant in the entire restaurant. The live band really adds to the thrill of the entire atmosphere. The parrots that greet guests are charming. The retail staff are very knowledgeable and are willing to help with any and all questions.
(5)J. T.
This place is straight-up nuts, but in a mostly good way. From the zany antics of the entertainers to the shameless price gouging, you'll have no doubt that you're on property at a theme park even if Margaritaville is its own chain. There were people on stilts making balloon creations for the kids and leading them in rowdy Jimmy Buffett sing-alongs, and at one point, a pirate demanded we all get to our feet and chant to the Volcano God of flowing booze that glowed toxic green under the neon lights. I wanted to visit Jimmy's eatery because I heard he had some mighty fine nachos to offer, and being an avid consumer of nachos, I had to see how his measured up. I was not disappointed. The Volcano Nachos are awesome, much better than the salad I had as an entree. I'd come back just for the nachos, the drinks, and the crazy.
(4)Horus A.
No rum. That's all I've got to say.
(2)Sue D.
Great food, quick service, fun atmosphere. A favorite stop in Orlando.
(4)Keshar N.
This is what I hate about eating anywhere near a theme park. Why... WHY does everything have to have some kitschy theme. Wait... probably because it is near a THEME park?! Now, I am trying to be fair here for this review. This was in the middle of a very hot afternoon, after a reckless spending spree at the Harry Potter gift store. I was riddled with buyer's remorse, hungry and hot. DUM DUM DUMMMMMM, all the makings of a disaster. The service was excellent, we were greeted and seated immediately. I am trying to eat healthy to make sure I don't look like the Michelin Man at all the weddings I am in this summer, so I opted for the taco salad, Bob got the fish tacos. My taco salad was fine, meh. I could make it better at home. The taco-shell bowl was so oily it was seeping into my lettuce... thus killing my healthy lunch. Plus, it's not appetizing to eat oily slimy lettuce when it's 90 degrees outside. Bob's fish tacos were fine. The fish was cooked well, but lacked seasoning. It was not as bad as Moe's in Oregon, but it was pretty close. All in all, the cost of a deep fried salad and some bland tacos was pretty darn expensive. I guess the entire markup is basically so I can sit in Jimmy Buffet's make believe living room listening to his greatest hits... not worth it. Let's do it Orlando, let's actually have a non-themed restaurant for the rest of us to eat at!
(3)Rob W.
OK, I give this place two stars for food, its just a little better than fast food. I did like the nachos. Five stars for fun however, its a non stop party and the kids have a great time with parrot pictures and souvenier t shirts. The music is lively, the drinks are good, so you can have a good time.
(3)Elaine K.
Tourist trap. Food just ok. variety of foods on the menu. Seafood Mac n cheese was delish! Kid friendly, loud with a performer/singer on the outside porch. Balloon maker walks around to give balloons of various shapes/animals to kids. She is not allowed to take tips but plz leave comments for her on your comment card. With Orlando summer weather and outside seating, the atmosphere was uncomfortable. Waitstaff did a good job accommodating our very large group.
(2)Eric Y.
I think every time we come to Universal we end up here at least once, for better or worse. You come here because it's safe. There is something on the menu for everyone, the portions are big, there's good booze and the vibe is good - the shtick works. What doesn't really work though is the food and the service. The food is not very good, and some of it is actually not good at all. We had the conch fritters. These were more like hush puppies because, there's ... like ... no ... conch. If they had called them Jimmy's kicked up hush puppies, they might have been good. But as conch fritters, they are not. Burgers were meh - Cheeseburger in Paradise? Please. The crabcake caesar salad was actually pretty good, and there appeared to be real crab in the crabcake. Nice touch. Our server was earnest but slow. We had to complain to the manager who offered to buy us dessert but we weren't in the mood for that. They ended up paying for a souvenir family portrait. That was a nice gesture. Will we ever go back? Like I said before, the shtick works.
(2)Dan A.
Jimmy. You know I love you. And have been to 5 different M'Villes but this was my worst experience. Had conch fritters that were dusty dry and the remoulade had no heat. Tasted like straight mayo. Bartender at the volcano bar was making fun of Parrotheads watching the eruption. One star for the cold Landshark. The other because I am a Parrothead. Disappointing visit
(2)Channa P.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville has a fun atmosphere, live music, and full bar, but don't expect amazing food. I got a cuban sandwich and my friend got wings. We both thought the food was good, but neither of us were blown away. The location on Universal's City Walk makes it fun place to eat then bar hop. This place is fine for dining right before a night of drinking, but your taste buds won't be blown away.
(3)Jay E.
If you're just looking for a drink then turn your head to the right as you approach Margaritaville and take a seat. The drinks are good and that comes with a price at Universal.
(3)Marissa T.
As silly and touristy as this place was, it was really delicious. I ordered the blackened tilapia sandwich and a frozen drink that tasted like a creamsicle. Everything came in a timely fashion and our server was absolutely on top of things. Dislikes? The seizure inducing thunderstorm they had going on for what seemed like forever. My resort also gave me passes for a free gift while there, which happened to be a poster and not the glass I had hoped for. I'm not sure if I'd come back, but I didn't hate it.
(3)Jessi D.
The food here was good, drinks were great, the live band was excellent. Now if we could just get the prices down alittle we're talking about a perfect place to eat,drink,and party.
(4)Eric B.
This is very lively place. Their in the business of having you leave in a better mood by way of the singing and some dancing they'll ask you to participate in. I recommend the lobster macoroni dish. They often have live performances here. If you show at a time when this is happening, it's not in your best interest to sit as close as possible to the stage because you'll be sitting to close to the speakers and be deaf by the time you leave. It also makes watching the band difficult as they sit you along side the stage meaning you'll have to turn your head to see them playing. I have no complaints of this place and would visit again.
(4)Shellie H.
Such a fun restaurant. I'd recommend booking through OpenTable, though. We were seated immediately. And apparently the wait would have otherwise been over two hours.
(5)Viv L.
I would drive the 210 miles from Miami to waste away in Margariraville! Words cannot express how much I love this place! Margaritaville has the perfect blend of food, drinks and atmosphere to take you away somewhere never want to leave. My family drives up to Orlando for quick weekend trips and this spot is ALWAYS a must on out list. Their drinks are amazing but don't fall for the souvenier glass unless you really want to schlep around the park with it afterward. Be sure to come with a hearty appetite and allow yourself pleanty of time to sit back and enjoy the ambiance. If you have plans for after your meal, most likely you will end up canceling. Not that it's a bad thing. Their corn and crab chowder is amazing and has a slight spicy "kick". I simply must have it every time I visit. The burgers and salad don't disappoint either. Sadly I've never made it to dessert, not that I'm complaining though. I can't say that Margaritaville has the "best dishes in the world". This place doesn't aim to just serve up a good meal, but what it does promise is a great time, an unforgetable atmosphere and to take you away to a place you'll long to one day return to.
(5)Cait C.
Make sure Stacey is your waitress. She is awesome. The food and drinks is also awesome.
(4)Maria L.
I really like this place. The food is good and the house band is really great. The guitarist is something amazing. He can play all the solos of those 80's song we loved like from Sweet Child of Mine. I'm a parrothead at heart, so going to Universal Citywalk and not stopping would probably be considered a sin in parrothead world. I love the lounge chairs out front or on the sides of the restaurant. I could just chill there all day and watch people.
(4)Craig G.
FANTASTIC! Oh my that was amazing. That staff is awesome, the drink are great!
(5)Dusty K.
If you were to think of themed restaurants, great food and intimacy don't come to mind. I'm surprised many people came here expecting something different sitting in the middle of Universal. I really liked this place. Granted, you won't find foie gras lined hot dogs and duck fat fries with truffle aioli and house made ketchup. But isn't that the point? It's unpretentious food served to tourists out to enjoy laid back music in a friendly atmosphere. And it's done fairly well. Speaking of the music, Jimmy Buffet ruled the air waves but other songs and music videos were played - many of them country. At 9 PM, a local band showed up playing songs from UB40 to Kid Rock. By the end of the night, the little dance floor area was flooded with people enjoying their vacations. The food was rather bland. My burger and fries ranked on the lower end of burger and fry dinners. The giant pile of nachos is something you'll find at any tex mex restaurant and some of the other appetizers were much the same. But I wasn't really here for the food. The Caribbean theme, the erupting volcano, and people on stilts did appeal to this outsider. I had a great time here and would recommend a visit to anyone looking for a fun experience while away on vacation.
(4)Anne H.
No trip to Universal would be complete without a pit-stop at Margaritaville! It is just so much fun to eat here! By the time we go here, around lunch usually, it is after Universal Studios and on the way into where the real fun begins at Islands of Adventure. The music just pulls you in. We have eaten inside many times but prefer sitting outside after a long, New England winter. My husband orders the beers, I love the Margarita's. Favorites are the chicken wings, the burgers are really good as well. It really is an entertaining time. We once sat at the outdoor bar area by the plane. That was the best ever if the weather is warm enough or it is not too hot. Super relaxing, chairs in the sand under the sun and swaying palms. You can order appys and drinks. Great for hyperactive kids (sand keeps em' busy) Sit there long enough, you won't want to get up!
(5)Emily H.
The best part of the experience was the quickness with which we were seated, due to our reservations.... The service was pretty slow, and they weren't that busy. My margarita, the very thing they are famed for, had huge chunks of ice in it and was not well blended at all. My burger and fries were not at all delicious...in fact it was pretty much below average. The only cool thing was the volcano erupting... Maybe I'm just used to the delicious experiences I've had at Cheeseburger in Paradise, which is MUCH better... the obvious poster child of Jimmy Buffet foodness. Also, just get your margarita from the outside bars... much better.
(2)Lloyd B.
Had a great time at this place after visiting the theme park. Food was fun, staff was great and the live band played everything you would expect from Jimmy Buffett's place. The little beachy Margarittaville bar across the boulevard is a great place to start with a few margaritas.
(4)Kimberly A.
I have come here many times over the past few years, but I have realized that it is definitely for the atmosphere. I love Jimmy Buffet and am always drawn in by Margaritaville's merch store. Typically I order nachos (which are HUGE) and a Cheeseburger in Paradise. That is always great. But, when I deviate from those choices I am always disappointed. The jambalaya is average and the coconut shrimp is too sweet. The drinks are definitely strong and the wait staff is very hit or miss. We have had times where service is fantastic and other times service is really lacking. We always go in the late afternoon, before the dinner rush. I hate to give this place a so-so review, but as I said, it is very hit or miss.
(3)Justin M.
We recently went to Margaritaville when some family came to town. Of course, parking is a pain in the butt. This alone is the reason we rarely come out. Well, we met them and the restaurant was very slow so we got right in. The podium host was friendly and pointed out some features while we waited for the few moments. The seater took us through and sat us near the volcano. The place seems too dark and very loud. It was so dark, I had a hard time reading the menu. One thing that struck me as odd was the music. It was entirely from live performances. I like Buffet, but not so much that I want to hear only live shows. Every so often there would be this weather event with a show of sorts and volcano erupting. It was very much like Rainforest Cafe or Dinosaur at Disney. Of course, like always, I checked the cleanliness of the restroom when I was there, and all was OK. The server was very nice. He was a former Disney server, and you could tell. His mannerisms gave him away. He was knowledgeable with the menu and drinks. He suggested a margarita for my wife, and she loved it. My wife and I split the double cheeseburger. It was HUGE. It was so big, we didn't even finish the split plate. Of course the prices were too high, but with the shared burger, it was OK. We also had some margaritas. The 4 adults in our group had drinks, and all were delicious. The kids meal was rather expensive too, but I expect that at Disney or Universal. My overall impressions are that this place is run of the mill formula tourist trap. The food is OK, but not much more. The location is a major hassle as you have to park 45 miles away AFTER you paid $3000 to park. Validation is still a pain in the rear. I will only go again if someone visits and I can't talk them out of going.
(3)Jenni R.
Overpriced food and drink for average taste. However, LARGE portions. When you read the menu and it says Volcano Nachos, they aren't referring to it being spicy, but rather the monsterous portion that's about to engulf whatever appetite you'd reserved for your entree. As for the margaritas (let's be realistic that's all you care about), make sure to go ahead and order the "Big Rita", because otherwise you'll blow through them so quickly that even a Cheeseburger in Paradise wouldn't be enough to slow you down. Typical touristy restaurant with an excessive gift shop and sub par live music. Jimmy himself would be less than thrilled unless he'd been drinking.
(3)Mitch M.
The food was delicious (ask for the Chicken Fingers Platter - it's off menu but a great choice). The service was flawless. The location is superb. If you're lounging around on a warm, breezy Florida day this is the perfect place to do it. Get a margarita, sit on the porch outside and enjoy a perfect afternoon. Then head over to the park (it's about a 3 - 5 minute walk) and have a great time! I highly recommend this Margaritaville!
(4)Crissy H.
Love the vibe that this restaurant has...so much fun! Beachy décor, live band, flowing drinks, and some pretty good food. I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that it was packed (with a wait) at 10 PM on a Sunday night. Thankfully we only had to wait about 30 minutes to be seated. Once we sat down - we dug into fried pickles, Thai Chili wings and the All American Burger. Everything was delicious. I wish we had one of these by my house - or maybe not - I would be visiting way too much - more than my belly and wallet can handle.
(4)Steven S.
Came to city walk for an easy day, had a great lunch with Greg and his staff at margaritaville
(5)Jenna L.
Excellent spot for casual dining and entertainment! The menu has a large variety, including seafood, burgers, sandwhiches, and grilled entrees. Wait times can be very long for the inside resturant, particularly when dining close to theme park closing times, however you can wait in a line outside the Porch of Indecision if you like dining outside. The porch has a nice atmosphere and a singing guitarist most nights.
(5)Gerard B.
(Mar/ 2005) OK so maybe I don't remember the food all that much, but I sure do remember the drinks-- and they were FAB U LOUS! Live music and crazy guys on stilts making balloon hats-- need I say more? My boyfriend and I had a great time.
(4)Rebecca M.
I must preface this review -- I am a huge Buffett fan and I'm a sucker for anything that makes me feel tropical (after all, I do live in arctic-like weather for a good portion of the year). But I'll try to make this review as objective as possible: Margaritaville is a must-stop every time I'm in Orlando (about once a year). I was here a couple days ago for lunch and like always, I was very happy with my visit. Our server was fantastic and the food was great - not outstanding, but it was definitely satisfying. I had a margarita (phenomenal) and the Cuban sandwich (minus the Swiss cheese - sick!), and my two friends both had burgers (which they loved) plus pineapple rum martinis, which they swear by... I had a sip and now I know why -- delish!! Oh -- and we split the brownie sundae goodness... I'm in heaven just thinking about it. The only downside that I see is parking and price. Margaritaville is part of Universal Studios' CityWalk, so you have to pay to use the park's parking garage (which I think is really cheap after 6 p.m.). We paid $14 for parking all day, but we hit up the park as well. The food and drinks can be expensive, but you're on Universal property -- everything is expensive! I'm a bit more understanding though -- the $7.50 marg was a steal compared to some drinks I purchase in my hometown of Chicago!!
(4)Ali P.
Environment: Visited Margaritaville on a Thursday night. It was fun, hype, and thrilling. We entered upon the talent of the local resident talent singing his rendition of the classic Jimmy Buffet songs. This was my 1st time here. We decided to eat outside of course it was sticky and hot, but the environment felt right to be eating outside. It is very dark we had to ask our waitress for 2 candles. Drinks: The Perfect Margaritas are very strong! I believe it's about 1/3 margarita mix and rest is tequila. Do not choose this concoction if you are driving! I had the Pink Cadillac Margarita. This was perfect for me and made me night a little more bearable from the crazy Universal antics. Appetizers: The appetizers are very good we had the hot wings and peel and eat shrimp. They season the shrimp with the shell on so you can suck all the seasoning out and not feel guilty! The hot wings are finger licking delicious! Spicy and Bearable. The en tree's were savory : Entrees' sister had: Pineapple Chicken with Rice bro in law: Mahi- mahi Fish with Rice I had: Coconut Shrimp with Rice Kids had: Fries and Chicken fingers The rice is a yummy blend of butter and cilantro. I think I love rice like that! Entertainment: The band stopped after 10 I believe and the balloon lady on stilts retired for the night and the kids could not get any cool balloon hats. =( Service: The waitress was outstanding! She checked on us frequently and provided above average service even we she had a lot of tables. She even went to the backroom to check if they had extra balloon hats, but did not have any. She was a sweetheart. =) Overall it was a good experience and I believe you receive 15 or 20% off the gift shop and Dippin Dot's ice cream. Fun for the whole family!
(4)PB F.
The taco salad is good. It is a big serving. If you have a small to normal appetite, the taco salad is more than enough for a main meal. The jerk chicken is good too. It is sweet. The serving is huge. Enough for two people with small to normal appetite. They don't do half orders here, unfortunately. The margarita was gross. I got a strawberry one. It tasted like from a mix. With a name like Margaritaville, I had a much higher expectation. I would never have a margarita from here again. Ever. Get a water or diet soda instead and don't bother to waste your calories on their disgustingly sweet margaritas. As for the restaurant itself, it is what I expected. A flashy waterfall-volcano above the bar with smoke and noise, tv screens, a stage with performers, a beach/boat/cabin/marine theme. Lots of tourists in the restaurant, including me.
(3)Jonathan H.
Very nice atmosphere. We stopped to have one of their famous margaritas, but I think they forgot to add tequila.
(3)Justin P.
I consider Margaritaville to be the best of the theme restaurants. In other words, if I have no other choice, I would rather go to Margaritaville than to a Hard Rock Cafe, NBA City, Bubba Gump Shrimp Let's See If We Can Make More Money Off A Movie From Ten Years Ago Factory, Etc. Compared to other theme restaurants, Margaritaville appears to have actually tried to personalize their food and make it decent. However, in the end, the food is still mediocre. I once considered it a borderline two to three star place, but the burned conch fritters I was recently served were enough to drop it down to two.
(2)Gina H.
Man this place is BUSY!!! and LOUD!! HELOOO...WHAT ?? WHAT??? Smile banely at jokes you can' t hear over the din. Good cocktails - had the bahama mama (or two) and a margarita (I HAD to...its Margaritaville for Pete's sake). Not so good food. But the calimari were excellent. Nice and hot and fresh and chewy but not rubbery. Had some of the nachos which were typical heart attack material (good guac.). I wasn't hungry for a big meal so I had the gumbo...OY!!! Too smokey. I couldn't eat it after a few spoons. This is ME...human garbage pail. BUT the service was good, our server was very attentive. But I suspect it had more to do with her knowing someone in our party than anything else. Its not somewhere I would go back to eat, but the bar area was hopping, there were lots of "brides" in veils wobbling about the place. I let the kids run amok and HEY...the balloon guy doesn't accept tips. Shouda had a burger maybe. A cheeseburger...in paradise.
(3)Will L.
The Pulled Pork sandwich here is excellent. The fries that accompany it are great as well. The only really bad part about this place is you have about a 50/50 chance of either getting a great, friendly waiter who is attentive or the absolute worst waiter you could possibly be dealt. I've had great waiters and I've had waiters that are so spaced out they almost spin off the earth.
(4)Matthew W.
Service - 1 (the waitress checked on us about 5 minutes after we were seated and then again when our food came, but was extremely quick at cashing us out) Price - 3 (expensive because its a tourist trap, but not as expensive as the parks) Food - 2 (moderate portions, but no bold flavors) Atmospheres - 4 (live music and a vibrant beach theme)
(2)Maria W.
Cheeeeezy. Margaritas are passable. I've had much better at Chili's. Two stars for service; our waiter was working hard with a smile on his face, personable, quick and helpful. The clowns on stilts making balloon hats were pretty nifty. Not just regular balloon hats, real works of balloon art. I'd think about returning only if I had a few kids in tow to enjoy the silliness.
(2)Andria B.
Delicious food and fantastic service! Alicia our waitress was so friendly and was always back to check in on us to make sure we were doing ok. The only suggestion I may have for this location is that your store is incredibly overpriced! $32 for a t shirt is a bit much. But, I understand it's a tourist thing and in an amusement park, so I'm not too surpirsed. Would definitely visit again the next time I'm in town!
(5)pac s.
Good restaurant, excellent margaritas. We ordered nachos and it was enough for three of us. I am glad the waitress told us not to order an entree until we tried the nachos.
(4)Leonardo C.
Let me start by stating that yes, I am a Parrothead! :) Yes, the wait was about 45 minutes to get a table but with a Loaded Landshark, good music and food friends, you won't even notice. I had the mushroom provolone burger with the extra beef patty. My wife had the Cuban ( which I think is the best outside of P.R.) both plates were delicious, as were the drinks and the atmosphere.
(5)Me H.
Wasted away again in Margaritaville, Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt. Some people claim that there's a woman to blame, But I know it's nobody's fault. While at Citywalk we all stopped in to Margaritaville, only because it was the first place we saw and our feet were killing us, ok no my feet were killing me and I wanted someone to sit. We walk in and it's packed, music playing, lines at the bar, and it's pretty much wall to wall people. All of a sudden I spy with my with my little eye a table being emptied and I snagged it. We sat, drank, danced and had an over all great time. The band played something for everyone and the bar had something for everyone too. A good time was had by all in Margaritaville that's for sure.
(4)Dana Q.
The food was ok....your standard theme-restaurant food with a Caribbean flare. Their margaritas were what made my meal. Particularly the Pink Cadillac Margarita. Oh man. I normally am not a big fan of tequila...(as my friends about my "tequila face") But this one was so good. It was pretty "girly" I guess as far as drinks go. It's made with mango tequila and cranberry juice and it's just very yummy and refreshing. The exact recipe is on their website which is awesome because I've made them several times at home. I wouldn't go out of your way to go here, but if you do, order the pink cadillac margarita, or at least get the recipe from their website so you can make one yourself! Hmmm...I think tonight is a Pink Cadillac kinda night...
(3)Jason A.
Awesome place, lots of fun, decent prices!!! Service is great, hosts are friendly, and managers are visible at all times. Highly recommend!! Just know this is not a place to go to have a quiet dinner. It's a party! Its Jimmy Buffett's place!!!!
(4)Evan G.
I have been to Margaritaville a few times during my trips down to Orlando. The food is pretty much whar you would expect from a chain. The atmosphere is pretty cool though, especially if you like Jimmy Buffet. One time I met a friend who brought his kids there, and the kids loved it. Especially when they have the volcano errupt and pour margaritas into the giant blender, they loved it. I think its the best place to eat on City Walk.
(4)Rosie P.
This place is pretty cool, but more of a tourist thing than a local thing. They have good drinks, and food, and you are pretty much paying for the name, and the fact that its inside City Walk. You can get way more for your money somewhere else. But everyone needs to try it at least once.
(3)Nina P.
Tried to go there for a late night dinner bc everything else was pretty much closed. There wasn't really any clear directions regarding where to wait to be seated. After standing around for a few minutes we are told to have a seat anywhere outside and that a server would be right with us. 10 minutes later we notice no waitor except one that was cleaning up a bunch of tables. We ask him about getting a waitor over here and he says that they stopped serving dinner outside now (you think he could have told us that before considering he was out there longer than we were). So we go inside and follow an arrow that we thought was taking us to the area where we are supposed to wait to be seated. Some waitresses are passing us by, some are saying hello, nobody asked if we were waiting to be seated. So we finally approach a waitress and she says "Oh! You can sit anywhere!". So we sit down to realize the menu only has like 5 things on it. At that point we are so fed up that we just walk out. What a disorganized place!
(1)Mike B.
Have been here 3 times now. First time, I wanted to try the nachos, and the waiter talked me into getting it as an entrée. Good call. They're massive and I couldn't finish them. Second time, was a cheeseburger in paradise, which was a great burger. And the most recent time was the Jerk Salmon, which was an interesting combination. The outdoor porch seating area is also very cool. I would eat here every time I'm around Universal Studios.
(5)Mike M.
By far the nachos you can find. The cheese burger in paradise is excellent as well. Have been to multiple locations with the same results.
(5)Dan F.
I have an allergy to glutton and they have a gluten free menu!!! I had a cheeseburger WITH a bun that was not too bad. As those of us with the allergy know burgers are usually without a bun or with something pretty bad. Margaritas were great and Billy Ray provided great service.
(4)Lucy W.
As long as you go to this restaurant fully expecting a touristy chain type of experience, you'll be fine. We sat on the Porch of Indecision right in front of the live music. There are entertainers on stilts that go around making balloon animals and hats...they are loud and interupt your meal frequently by either yelling or popping balloons. Food is your typical crappy chain stuff- fried foods are overcooked (calamari), entrees are tasteless but HUGE (fish tacos, quesadillas, nachos), frozen drinks are fun to look at but not much alcohol. I would have given 1 star, but the server was excellent and took care of our large group very well, amidst all the noise and chaos. I also like the Jimmy Buffett theme that is everywhere, include the menu item names, as well as the live music, which was pretty good.
(2)Aaron P.
Loving found memories of Margaritaville in Key West and Orlando, during the days of imbibement. The atmoshpere is usually fun with its hurricane mixer of margarittas behind the bar. Jimmy Buffets is in a recession, the mixer was empty and no hurricane sound at lunch. It was freezing outside and they failed to turn off the ceiling fans in the outdoor dining area. Service was mediocre, crab cake sandwhich; the crab cake was mooshy and Daniel didnt eat any of his barbeque sandwhich.
(2)Deirdre O.
I like this place. It is perfect just before and after visiting the parks. I have mostly always just had the appetizers. I've tried just about all of them. My favorite is the conch firtters, the nachos and wings. Never had a bad waiter. I also am a huge fan of the margarittas. I've only sat in the patio area. Its so much better there than inside. I like to people watch, and the fresh air.
(4)Essie A.
so this place was really fun. Margaritas, fried pickles, more margaritas, and live music. It was a fun place to have a good time!
(5)Katie K.
I give Margaritaville a four starts because of the fun atmosphere and music! I like the grilled chicken sandwich and would probably prefer to just go with a large group order a bunch of appetizers and drinks instead of ordering one meal.
(4)Bob M.
Yes, the place is cheesy but if you are into JB like I and my family are, you have to eat here. Volcano nachos, cheeseburgers in paradise and atmosphere are the reason we go. With tip and only soft drinks we were at $100....not cheap but decent quality food for Universal Studios.
(4)Amelia S.
I recently had my 21st birthday at Margaritaville and could not have been happier! I had a part of 18 and although they had to split our tables, it was barely noticeable! The restaurant was packed and they treated me like I was the only person in the place! The band "Hypersona" played amazingly all night long and even gave me a few shout outs for my birthday! I was walked around by a giant guy on stilts and got to sing a Jimmy Buffet tune in front of the whole restaurant, I have never had a better time. Our server was a guy with a gauged earring and a landshark hat, I'm not sure of his name but he was phenomenal! I will definitely be going back soon!
(5)Jennifer H.
I had the jambalaya here, and it was pretty good. It had a great Cajun-food flavor, and they gave enough to fill my stomach after a long day at Universal. The place also has great ambiance - they have music if you sit inside, and if you sit outside, you can watch the lights and colors of the boardwalk.
(4)David D.
Left Universal around 8pm and the GF and I were starving. Didn't feel like paying $40 for a dish at Emeril's place, so we went with Margaritaville - mainly due to the raving reviews from every Universal employee that we spoke to that day. Good god. The restaurant looks like a Jimmy Buffet concert threw up on it. Granted, it IS Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, but sweet Jesus, talk about corny and kitschy. I guess some people like that, but this restaurant is essentially a really bad Applebee's with Jimmy Buffet flair. Seated relatively promptly despite the "leaving Universal for dinner" crowd. Our waiter, however, was a freaking disaster. Good god, he was like Bizarro Waiter. Think of the best waiter you've ever had in a restaurant. Think of all the excellent service he or she gave. Now picture someone who does the complete opposite of all that...and he mumbles...and he's got a thick Australian accent....and he speaks faster than the guy in the Micro Machines commercials. Yep, that was my waiter. The menu is your run-of-the-mill assortment of burgers, fish, steaks, and "featured selections". Based on the recommendations of the Universal peeps (and based on the fact that the main restaurant is down in N'Orleans), I ordered their jambalaya. The GF, after studying the menu intently, opted for some Alaskan King Crab salad - dressing on the side. Bizarro Waiter seriously asked me 5 times in one conversation if I was really sure I didn't want an appetizer. Then disappeared...never to be seen again until the time came for dessert....when he asked me 5 times in the same conversation if I was really sure that I didn't want dessert. Oy. Dinner: My jambalaya was surprisingly good actually. Though, my usual M.O. is to play to a restaurant's strengths and not stray to far from their core focus. Knowing that, you can probably guess how the GF's salad was. Yep - wilted salad-from-a-bag with a scoop of king crab mix on top. Needless to say, Dave ordered another margarita once he saw the look on the GF's face. =) Margaritas: Very good. Of course, with a name like Margaritaville, if they screwed this up, it would be pretty sad. Atmosphere: Ugh. Only fun if you're drunk...and even then, you better be pretty drunk. They have this volcano monstrosity over the bar that erupts and cascades down to a blender in the backdrop of the bar. After the blender is full, the volcano belches...just like nature intended. Wow. And I thought I'd seen it all. Overall: I could see the fun if you were here bar-hopping and completely plastered or if you were simply looking to kick back with some drinks on their porch/patio, so I gave it two stars based on that realization. But the service I received was terrible, and the food really wasn't anything to write home about. The inside of the restaurant is extremely kitschy and cramped, and that volcano was simply stupid and annoying. I personally won't be going back, but if you're still hankering on going, my advice would be to aim for the outside patio, and go for the margaritas. After a few of those, you should be able to stomach what's on the menu.
(2)Karen C.
Pretty darn good and not too expensive for a theme parkish place. I could have spent just as much money at a local red lobster. We went on a weekday at an odd hour though. I bet it can get really crowded during peak times.
(4)Gladis G.
NIce environment. It was a cold night and we sat out in the patio, but the heaters we on so it was nice. I got the quesadilla. I wanted something simple and it was really tasty. This is my first time being to a Margaritaville. I've definitely go visit another one.
(5)Ms B.
We went there for a bachelorette party. They don't take reservations but "priority seating" which is basically the same. We were seated right away with it despite the large group during prime dinner time. We were waited on right away by a friendly waitress. We got several appetizers for the table which were a lot better than the dinner. I got a hamburger which was soggy. I didn't eat it all because it was very large. The menu is very limited to say the least. I found it interesting that they still added the tip despite the changes of the laws on January 1. I made the comment to the waitress and she acted like she didn't know. Wonder how irs would take it since they think it's their thing? With that being said, she cheap herself since I would have given her more since she was good. With the soggy hamburger and the automatic adding of the tip, I have to give it only three stars.
(3)Jennifer P.
We came here in a group and had purchased the City Walk pass that gets you a meal and entrance into a few of the bars without having to pay a cover. I was not expecting much, but I ordered the basic cheeseburger, well done, with sweet potato fries and was very happy with my order. Everything tasted really good. I recommend the Living it Up margarita. They had a couple of people in stilts making balloon animals and hats for kids and groups. They did some cheesy song and dance. This was my first Margaritaville experience and I was overall pleasantly surprised by the experience.We did not feel rushed and they split our bills four-ways without any issues.
(4)Jacob N.
Great location right out of the universal Orlando park. It has great burgers and salads and a nice heated porch and of course Jimmy Buffet music.
(4)Victoria D.
I went here with some colleagues at a conference and definitely wouldn't have chosen it myself. The margaritas were strangely warm, which was disconcerting, and my quesadilla was rubbery, cold and nearly impossible to cut through. It definitely seemed like it had been sitting around and they just chucked it in the microwave before serving. Shortly after eating I began to feel very unwell and couldn't get back to the hotel fast enough. I would suggest avoiding this place unless you want to ruin your vacation.
(1)Jay G.
It's about the atmosphere... Which is awesome... Food is not bad and service is average... But we keep coming back.
(3)Todd B.
It's a chain - what do you expect? This particular Margaritaville is inside Universal Studios in Orlando. Therefore, it gets slammed. Slammed like you better make a reservation when you arrive at the park in the morning or you're waiting for hours. We showed up at the worst possible time - around 7PM without a reservation - as we were running late for a show at Hard Rock Live and didn't have time to eat before hand. Thankfully, it was a really cold and ugly night, so the parks were empty. They were on a wait - 30 minutes - but there were a couple of spots open at the bar and we grabbed them. We both got a burger - mine was a BBQ bacon, hers was a veggie. They were both good. Nothing fantastic, but nothing bad either. In fact, I would probably go so far as to give it 3.5 and maybe even round up to 4, but it's Margaritaville at Universal, and their prices kill it. We also split a flavored margarita, though I don't remember which one. That was very good, but obviously, this is incredibly unhelpful to you, so ignore this paragraph.
(3)Elise W.
Is there a way to give no stars? Didn't have a reservation, was quoted a 35-45 minute wait on a Monday night. Waited 45 minutes and was seated in a half-empty restaurant. No need for the long wait. Our party of 4 ordered and did not get food for almost 40 minutes. Our food did not come out until we spoke to a manager. The manager explained the long wait being due to private parties booked, but in the almost 2 hours we were subjected to being there, the empty tables never filled. No offer to comp our drinks or anything due to such a bad experience. This restaurant is a waste of time and if you do speak to a manager, all you will get is excuses.
(1)Jason L.
Without a doubt the worst restaurant we had dinner at during our stay at Universal Studios. We ordered the seafood mac and cheese it looked like something only Applebee's could ruin. The seafood seems nonexistent, this does pain me to say... because we eat at all the Jimmy Buffett restaurant we are around. Two of three meals were cold. Also, I had to listen to the balloon animal guy try to get laid by a table of girls celebrating someones 21st birthday...
(2)Kirsten B.
Serving staff is nice enough, but the hostesses...you know the first people you meet, rough, gruff, and down right rude. We mentioned we were here just for drinks, but wanted a patio seat. This resulted in a big ol' eye roll from one hostess to another and then a shitty table after that. Then, after a party of 4 sat themselves they were rudely told they had to check in. They left. We probably should have too. There are just so many better ways to go about these little food service obstacles...you know?
(2)Crystal C.
This place is okay, but nothing to go crazy over. I had the seafood mac and cheese. It was nothing special. First of all, it's hard to mess up mac and cheese in my book, so for it to be just "alright" is almost a negative thing for me to say. Second, it was served to me luke-warm. I can't tell who was at fault here, but the service was clunky and slow, and the menus were also quite dirty. We sat outside, so I didn't get to hear any of the live music. But I think if you want to hold a decent conversation, you'd need to sit outside anyway. P.S. I regret not being able to write a review on the drinks, as the name of the establishment is Margaritaville, but... sorry. I didn't have a drink. Plus, I probably won't even return to try one and update this review, because I hated the service so much.
(2)Kareem S.
Drinks were great, the music was ok, if you're looking to get some food there's not one healthy item on the menu, so forget about eating here unless you want some deep fried green shrimp salad
(3)China F.
I love coming here but seriously people the food doesn't really taste all that good anymore... I ordered my favorite fish Tacos and what i got instead was rubbery something with a tortilla looking soggy thing. Service is always excellent and drinks are too... But man work on the taste . Please.
(2)Sean L.
If I wasn't England biggest parrot head id still love this place! The food is excellent, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is out of this world. They had a great acoustic duo that play to request and if they don't know your song they will look it up and play it anyway! Jimmy would be proud!
(5)Rebekah T.
On our way out of City Walk and off to the airport, we saw the little cantina by the water and the large airplace that offers Happy Hour! We decide to stop and take a shot to all of the good times we spent over the last 48 hours of fun in Florida. What a fast but fun trip. We ordered two Brain Darts, Happy Hour Special $4 each. As I toasted my sweetie, I thanked him for bringing me on one of my favorite vacations of all time. I really can't think of one that wasn't the best of that city but this one was definately a crazy fun with my favorite friend and lover.
(4)Chris D.
My family and I chose to eat here after a day at the park. The food took forever and was cold when we complained Gina the manager was very rude about it. She has got to be the worst manager I have ever dealt with. We will not be back as this is one of many times we have had a bad experience and we are locals. Disappointing at best.
(1)BayAreaMom M.
Worst dining experience. EVER. After a long day at the Park we were so happy to walk the short distance to Margaritaville to sit down and relax and grab some dinner. We were seated right away on the patio but waited a long time for our waiter to arrive. We finally ordered our drinks which took a long time to come. My bottled beer came without a glass. I asked for one but after a long wait and now really needing this beer, I gave up and drank it straight from the bottle. We ordered our food and waited f-o-r-e-v-e-r for it to come. After 14 hours at the Park we were starving and at 10:30 we just wanted to eat and go back to the hotel. Our food finally came and mine was inedible. I got the shrimp trio with sweet potato fries (at 24.99 plus a buck extra for the fries I was expecting something above average at least.) It literally looked and tasted like it was put together from plates that were returned to the kitchen. The fries were cold and shriveled, the "blackened" shrimp was 3 cold shrimp with no seasoning on a skewer, and the "sautéed" shrimp were 3 cold shrimp in a dish of cold sauce of some sort. The only edible thing was the coconut shrimp which was warmish. I was so starving that I just ate the coconut shrimp and then ate my husband's fries. My daughter's pasta with marinara and the kid's shrimp plate were ice cold too. The 3 dishes obviously had been sitting for quite some time. My husband got a burger with fries which was the only thing that was hot. After waiting for so long we were beyond disappointed. When my husband told the waiter (after not seeing him for 10 minutes after the food was served) he apologized and offered to get me another skewer. I just asked for the check so we could leave and go to bed. When the check came I was expecting some sort of compensation. Maybe not charge us for my meal that was barely touched? But no, we were charged for all of it. The only time in my life where I actually contemplated dining and dashing. My husband asked for the manager and he did comp my meal and one of my daughters which was nice. SKIP THIS AWFUL ESTABLISHMENT!
(1)Liz G.
We ordered the nachos, a steak dish, a chicken sandwhich, and drinks.. everything tasted amazing!! The drinks seemed overpriced but they were very good. The steak was cooked to perfection, it just melts in your mouth. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone I know.
(5)Geno K.
Stick to the burgers. I tried the jambalaya, added a Caesar side salad and a margarita. The margarita was decent, but the jambalaya just tasted bland and as I watched my friend eat his much cheaper burger, I was a little envious. The $5 Caesar side salad was about the size and quality of the one you get for $1 at Wendy's. Skip it. Save time too by just eating at the bar. The wait can get long otherwise.
(3)Brian K.
Always a great place for a Margarita...! Food was EHHH...Drinks are mucho denero, but hey at least the envornmey is cool!
(3)Kristin S.
It was a long wait but decided to sit at the bar and got right in. Excellent waitress and food! I enjoyed my margarita!
(4)José A.
I always wanted to visit this place and had my chance last night, and took it. Even so, I am always wary of big box restaurants, and even more suspicious of these places by the theme parks, but nonetheless, I wanted to try the place out. And boy, was I surprised! The restaurant is a dinner and entertainment experience. Foodwise - everything we had was excellent. From the cheddar churds to my wife's coconut shrimp and my fish sandwich, it was all cooked to perfection and very flavorful. Our dessert was the Chocolate Avalanche - another excellent choice, if not wrong since we needed at least another one or two people to finish it off. As far as entertainment is concerned - the music they play is a mix of Buffet's favorites with some 80s and 90s tune - all of it fun and easy to listen to. They have these people come out in stilts making hats and animals out of balloons and leading the dinner goers in a boisterous rendition of "Margaritaville." To say the least, this was not what I was expecting when I came to dinner. Overall, it was fun. It will not be the normal dinner night out you walk in expecting to be...
(5)Carla T.
The food is okay but in general very pricey. I don't really get the appeal of it. I'm not a real big fan of Jimmy Buffett so I could take it or leave it really. The restaurant atmosphere is nice and it's mildly entertaining when the volcano goes off. The outside bar can be fun when they have live singers out there.
(3)Cosmo W.
I like this Margaritaville. Food overall is good, Nachos are huge, Cheeseburger in Paradise is what you expect and the Margaritas are my favorite. The "Margarita Volcano" is a novelty, and fortunately it only goes off rarely- having said that, though, you have to see it at least once! I have been here several times, waitstaff and bartenders have always been good to me. Probably my favorite restaurant at CityWalk.
(4)Ian P.
As a major Parrothead I love visiting the Orlando property. Go earlier in the day to enjoy JD Spradlin broadcasting Radio Margaritaville live. He is very friendly and was nice enough to give my family a shout out over the air. Staff are friendly and provide a good time with the same menu standard across the chain. You can never go wrong with the Cheeseburger, of course, but there are a lot of great other options. Shrimp, ahi, nachos, are all quite nice. The fajitas are not that great, but that's okay. It's really the experience you are there for in the first place. I always recommend the "Perfect Margarita", why waste time, it's Perfect!
(5)Lynn H.
Came here twice in 3 days. I loved the volcano nachos and atmosphere, but the service was horrible. The first time we came was awesome. No wait, big portions, and a good deal for being a tourist area. However, the second time we came....Waited to be seated, waited for the waitress forever once we were seated, was served the incorrect meal, and then double charged because the waitress forget to remove the incorrect meal. All in all this place is average.
(3)Gina P.
Really cool atmosphere. The place is totally decked out with decor a huge volcano that goes off every hour or so and giantess stilted performers were coming around making people laugh and giving the kids balloon animals. Live music after 10- but jimmy playing all day before. Always order a hurricane! I
(3)Adam S.
Late lunch here after a visit to the theme parks. Although there seemed to be plenty of free tables, took 15 minutes to get seated. Our server took our order quickly and we soon had our drinks. Main course on the other hand took quite a while to arrive, but we were both pleased with our meals. Nicely cooked and presented. If not for the slowness would have been 4 stars, but we would eat here again.
(3)Taryn A.
I guess you know what you are getting here. High priced (and not very strong) margaritas and mediocre food. (probably a 2) I had the key west fish sandwich and it was only ok, a bit over cooked with some soggy coleslaw on top What I do like about this place is the atmosphere, they have volcanoes go off, guys on stilts, and live music if you are there later in the night. Not too bad for theme park food, but I wouldnt go out of my way to come back
(3)Shayne S.
Margartaville is a fun place to eat. Jimmy Buffet videos played while we were there and some other artist and songs. We got the mini golf and meal package, so our choice of foods were limited. I got chicken breast and mango salsa and my mom got the grouper fish sandwich. The food wasn't mind blowing but it was still good for the price and deal. The atmosphere is really what made this place fun!
(3)John K.
Not sure how this place got 3 1/2 stars. The service was good, but the food was horrible. I'm not sure how you screw up a cheeseburger and panini, but they managed to do so. This was our 2nd time eating there and our last. We should have learned from our first trip.
(1)Rob L.
Drinks great. Wait for service not so much
(3)Brian C.
Stopped in for a late supper and drinks. The setting and decor is nothing fancy but great atmosphere. Great drink menu, we had a couple of Margaritas and really dont remember anything after that ;) Had the shrimp pasta, it was a good size portion and tasted very good. Nothing super special, but was what i expected.
(3)Tish R.
Great staff! My friend and I both had burgers and fries. They weren't amazing, but they were a good size. Could use a little more seasoning. Good drinks and it's nice to sit outside on the patio and people watch.
(3)Melissa M.
My son and I took a break from the parks to have apps and a drink. The mango margarita was super yum (really really sweet). We also had pretzels and cheese curds that were pretty good. The atmosphere was fun. My boy liked the "rainstorm" and the music. We will try it again on another visit for lunch or dinner.
(3)Rob M.
Very good food. Maybe just a bit pricey but that's ok. It seems like a good place to hang out too especially at night.
(3)Cici F.
I recently ate here in January 2015 when I visited Universal Studios Orlando and it was awesome! The margaritas were truly the best I've ever had and I was able to find something to eat very easily as they had a gluten-free menu with lots of options; there was even a GF brownie sundae available! The food itself was very good, a tad overpriced but that's City Walk for you. It's a little loud because of the music but it wasn't so loud that I couldn't have a conversation with the people at my table. Bottom line, I'd definitely eat here again!
(5)McGell G.
Just got back from an Adult (Parent's Running Away from Children for a Weekend) Trip and we went to MargaritaVille for dinner just past 9PM. There were 12 of us so as a former server I understand how difficult that can be. However, this is MargaritaVille in Universal Studios and I imagine that at least 1/4 of the customers have large groups. The server did what she could, but she can't control the food quality nor the time it took us to get our food. It took over an hour for us to get our food. My wife had the Seafood Macaroni and I had the Steak Tacos. My wife's Mac and Seafood had a left out quality to it and what there was of seafood was lumped at the bottom. Not good at all. My steak tacos we just bad. When ordering steak tacos, if the server doesn't ask you how you like your steak cooked, mmmmthat's bad. I should have ordered something different right then and there. The meat was way overdone and not juicy at all. Also it seemed to be left over from someone else's steak order. I haven't posted many reviews as of yet, and if I have a bad experience, it has to be pretty bad for me to post a negative review.
(2)Iris F.
We came here without reservations which was a mistake but still not. As we got seats upstairs and outside - which was perfect (to watch people passing by on the Walk). We ordered nachos and the serving was HUGE! After that we weren't hungry anymore. Lucky thing the waitress forgot our main dish order...we didn't even care to remind her. It looked really cool inside, next time I have to make reservations. They accept AMEX.
(3)Tim S.
Ignored by waitresses and the manager. After 5 minutes of being totally ignored with no acknowledgement what so ever (they all walked right buy us half a dozen times) we walked out. We walked back outside to the patio. Again we stood there, being ignored by the same 4 or 5 waiters and the manager. Finally one of them walked over and said the patio is closed and to walk inside. We gave up. In short YOU PEOPLE SUCK!!!
(1)Frances F.
I'm bored and borderline irritated by Margaritaville. I will never go in here without being dragged by the arm. The drinks are overpriced, the music is obnoxious and I'm sorry to say the clientele are normally equally as obnoxious. I just don't get it. If you like typical white people music and mediocre food, this is your place. They have live jam bands and normally people are up and dancing to it. If you have a soul patch and wear sandals and shorts 95% of the time, you'd probably like it here.
(2)Chris W.
Cool misters on the deck are great to cool you off. Serving sizes are large! Recommend splitting a meal. I had Beach Club - excellent but only ate 1/2.
(5)Victoria V.
So disappointed. There's all this hype about Margaritaville but we waited over a half an hour for a table even though there a lot of open tables. We where Sat right near the speaker so we couldn't hear each other talk. It took us a very long time to get our drinks and our food. Our server rarely checked on us. It took us over hours to get our food. They did not have enough staff to accommodate the guests.The food was tasty but over priced. My husband spilled his drink and no one offered to get him another or helped us clean up. Very poor service. Will not be going back
(2)Ari A.
I'm visiting from New York and trying to wrap my head around Orlando as a city. I'm having a tough time convincing myself this place isn't drab even when in the company of good friends. We decided to hit up City walk on a Friday evening, to explore and take in the tourist aspect. But when you're living in NYC & have been to New Orleans a few times, all the bars seem a bit overkill. There's a fake Pat O'Brien's, but it won't live up to the original one in NOLA and a hurricane outside of NOLA is just wrong. All these other bars are charging a cover & why? Could you imagine if you got charged to go into the bars in Times Square, just so you could say you were in Times Square? It just wouldn't happen. I just want a bloody drink and that's what I'm going to do. So we meander over to Margaritaville and realize there is a giant bar area, there's live music, waiter service, chilled drinks at prices better than in Manhattan, we can sit, we can dance, we can sing along, and overall enjoy ourselves ten times more. Do I know what I was missing out on by not paying a cover to go into the other bar next door? I don't, but I really couldn't care. I would rather get a drink from the push cart guys outside of the bars and walk along City Walk taking in the moonlight or some remnants of Harry Potter World.
(4)Greg B.
Good frozen margaritas in a fun atmosphere. The volcano behind the bar erupts every hour on the half hour. Some waiters wander around on stilts and engage customers in sing alongs.
(3)Rob M.
We went to eat here after walking around Universal City Walk. There are many places to choose from and I have been wanting to try this place for awhile but usually it gets voted down by my wife and kids. This time I won. We were seated quickly, and waited on shortly thereafter. The waitress was friendly. The environment is fun and casual. The food was ok. Nothing really outstanding. I can say I've eaten here, not sure I will go back. There are other options that may be better. But overall we had a good time.
(3)ruth f.
Both my husband and i had bad Meals. .I had grilled chicken breast with mango sauce. . Chicken almost raw..a few pieces of mango dry chicken too. The rice had a strange taste. Coconut milk?? Yucky.. the corn was blackened with lime.. totally NOT. What i was expecting. . They did take the meal off the bill so proactive but i should have been happy with the meal.so i give them two stars
(2)Harold J.
For what it is, its a pretty fun place to hang out, drink, and eat OK food.
(4)Chelsea W.
It hurts my heart a little bit to give Margaritaville a "3 star" rating because I'm a parrothead through and through but the Margaritaville experience itself at Citiwalk has just gone downhill. I may be biased because I can't stand the super touristy areas of Orlando, especially Universal since its always a huge production getting in and our of Citiwalk alone but if you hate crowds and spending 45 minutes just to pay for parking and walk all the way to the restaurant then we are kindered spirits. Once I finally get through the production of getting there then i end up standing in line for forever just to get a seat on the outside patio. The inside of the restaurant is cool but I prefer the live music outside. The margaritas are yummy and if they weren't $12 a piece I'd probably drink them all night long but if you don't buy the more primo ones then they can be a little watered down. I always get the Cheeseburger in Paradise so I can't even tell you what the other food on the menu is like (and I like mine with lettuce and tomata..heinz 57 and french fried potatas). Sorry, off track. The music is always fun if you like jimmy buffet/kenny chesney type stuff which I personally love. Overall stance: Margaritas- the expensive ones are good but expensive Food- haven't tried much, I like what i get but again, expensive Music- live music is great, ususally the same songs every visit Effort to get there? Too much of a hassle to be worth it. If you are in Orlando on vacation then go, its part of the experience.
(3)Bill S.
Fins up!! Pinky always makes me laugh, she brings it to reality. But yes, there is nothing that I'd like more than to grab my high school divorced buddy and hole up in Key West serving suds to tourists. I also want to marry I Dream of Jeannie but its not gonna happen. So? I say Fins Up and go to work on Monday.. Damn it Jimmy Buffett! This is a fun place, I can't believe July 4th weekend, its was kinda empty? We walk in for a quick lunch and a cold one, I ordered some table food, Chicken Wings, Boneless Chicken Bites and Conch Fritters. And beer on tap. Heaven! Somehow the hotel gave me a coupon for a free gift, they gave me a nice Margaritaville Bag? Rock on Jimmy, for all the old guys with 13 years left on the mortgage and now paying for college tuition. Rock on..
(4)Shay B.
Wait was shorter than they told us. Very loud inside the restaurant, wasn't really expecting that. The food was ok and the drinks were decent. The only big downside was that we were pretty rushed you can tell they try to turn the tables over as quick as possible.
(2)Pauline T.
Place was pretty good. Short wait to get in, service was great, food was good and the live band was nice. Atmosphere is very fun and relaxing with the band. "Don't stop the carnival" drink was delicious. I tried the fish tacos which were good and filling. The baja burger my boyfriend said was ok. Overall I would come back.
(4)Kendal O.
It hard. It's really really hard to go to a restaurant like this after experiencing quality. Margaritaville is made for the masses, and the food is prepared as such. Our first two margaritas were way below par for the $10 price tag. When the food came out it was equally un impressive. The $17 fish sandwich reminded me of a McDonalds dollar menu item. Deep-fried to disgust and topped with a slime ball of coleslaw, stuffed between a hamburger bun. This place is way overpriced and disgusting. But hey, it you like surrounding yourself with that tourists, expensive shitty food, and low quality of alcoholic drinks. This is the place for you!
(1)Britt Z.
My girlfriend & I decided to grab a drink before heading out of the park. The outside sand bar is a lot of fun. Our waitress was great & my frozen margarita was absolutely delicious. Between the two of us we had four drinks & the bill was only $25.00. Great prices, cool atmosphere, good service & yummy drinks, what more can a girl want?
(5)Lisa H.
Love the guacamole! I also had a caribbean chicken salad and it was really good. When they came around with the dessert shots, I opted for all of them (haha), and my favorites were the red velvet cake and peanut butter reese's. Our waitress was really friendly and prompt with the drinks, which were super yummy!
(4)Annie T.
Coincidentally walked in the night of National Margarita Day! Great deal here for $5 a drink. Our waiter was sooo precious. Sweet and attentive. We were content with the mammoth mountain of Nachos. It was enough for the 4 of us and still with leftover! Conch fritters were. But overall, the food here is seems more tasty for a chain. Very loud atmosphere. Don't go in expecting to converse with your party Good place for a casual, cheap night.
(3)Haley D.
For the typical tourist trap, you can expect it to be busy and loud with lots of chaos and cheesiness. But the bartenders can make or break your experience. Ours offered his personal suggestion with the Uptown Margarita, which features tequila, Cointreau, blueberry pomegranate purée and margarita mix. It was absolutely fabulous and I loved drinking it outside with my friends while we watch the tourists stumble through the walkways. We munched on wings and nachos which were the highlight of my experience. Who can have a margarita at a cheesy restaurant without nachos and hot wings? The cheese was layered perfectly throughout the chips with layers of chili, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and jalenpeno peppers. The chicken wings were tasty and hit the spot after a day at the parks. Overall, the experience was exactly what I expected. Carefree and fun.
(3)Amanda P.
Fairly good drinks, okay food and not too terrible service. Overall, a fine experience for my first dinner at Universal. I got the sangria, my friend got margaritas. For dinner, I got the fish tacos and asked for them unbreaded - pretty good. My friend got steak and was not too impressed.
(3)Brad J.
Really like the feel for this place. Great food, music and atmosphere. The server was nice and friendly but was very slow. I will visit again. The Volcano Nachos are Huge. If your hungry order them.
(3)Sharon P.
Ate on the patio because it was quicker and we have obvious passes to Halloween Horror nights and don't have the time to wait for a table. We ordered "boneless chicken wings that came with bones and my spouse ordered the black and blue burger and got grouper with mango salsa! She chose to take it due to time and we were even forced to pay for it! A service
(2)Cheryl K.
What's not to love? Island atmosphere, live music, cold beer, great service and food. We sat on the outside patio while visiting Universal over the Christmas break. Kids had chicken bites - jerk sauced - quite spicy. I had the crab corn chowder which was very very delicious and some shrimp on a skewer - delish. Hubby went with grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese. Came with sweet potato fries. Great dinner - our server Adam was very attentive. And I love Jimmy Buffet music which was being played live by a performer with a guitar right on the deck - fun!
(5)Maya C.
We were a party of 4. We arrived earlier than our reservation and were seated immediately. Ambience: The place is big with plenty of tables. We sat on the patio area with heaters as we were there the day after New Year's. Food: Average. I had a burger. It was standard and cooked at the temperature I requested. Service: Our server was very nice and friendly, but one of our entrees was wrong so it took more time before one of the kids could eat.
(3)Victoria L.
What a wonderful experience each time! Everytime I come down to Florida, I HAVE to go to Margaritaville, especially before going to Universal Studios. We try to go early in the morning but it does get really busy at night because everyone likes to come out at night at the City Walk. The service here is amazing, wait staff is friendly and attentive. We usually have a table of about 10 or more people and employees are accommodating and courteous. Some tasty dishes I enjoy here are the heaping volcano nachos, lava lava shrimp, all the burgers, coconut shrimp and chocolate banana bread pudding. I can tell you all of these are delicious and tasty. Drinks are also great, definitely worth it! Haven't had a bad experience here and hopefully it stays this way. A must stop in Orlando, especially if you haven't been to a Margaritaville.
(5)Adrie D.
A nice place to go to!! We are annual passes holders and every time we go to the parks we end up having margaritas and appetizers at Margaritaville! I've been to the one in Vegas and its nothing like this one! I really enjoy the service, ambience and food on this location. My favorite drink is the Last Mango in Paris!!!! Amazing sweet margarita with a tropical twist! We also get the white cheddar cheese curds ... and that's a MUST!! They're great with marinara sauce and I could eat 10 plates of those!! If we are hungry we get the Volcano nachos but if not it's too much food in plate!! We mostly enjoy this place on weekends because Eric Von is playing and keeping the place alive!! Other days the entertainment is not that good. I really recommend this place as a bar to hang out with friends or a restaurant to visit after going the park. And the best thing is that it is kids friendly so you can go any time!
(5)Brandon S.
Nice staff and tasty drinks. The margaritas arent as handmade or really special as i would have thought they would've been. I had the blueberry pomegranate margaritas. It was yummy! Didn't stay for dinner but overral had a nice time with my bf and drinking a couple drinks.
(4)Dale H.
Great food. I had the fish and chips and my girlfriend had the coconut shrimp. We had great service and it was fast. The ambiance was fun and light at 5pm. It's part of Universal City Walk so parking is pricey but we stopped here in between visiting parks.
(4)Dolora M.
Live music, high priced drinks, friendly, cool atmosphere. Havent tried the food but hopefully things are a little better if I decide to come back.
(3)Craig R.
Great burgers, conch fritters were awesome.Servixe was very good and the view of Universal sitting outside was great
(4)Brad E.
The margarita was very syrupy and the bartender didn't seem to care. If Margarita is in your name and you charge $12.50 for them they shouldn't be awful. Very un-Buffet like.
(1)Larry V.
Margaritaville is our standard I am a Parrothead fan of Jimmy Buffett music since I was just out of high school and went to my first concert. I was hooked. I was very very very very happy that there was a Margaritaville located in Orlando when we first moved here. We still go regularly to this day and always have a great time the staff is sometimes great sometimes ok the food is always solid and no matter what we always have a great time Thank You Jimmy.!.
(5)Lissett D.
This place took forever!! We just ordered 3 Margs...shouldnt take 30min for something that's your specialty? The server was a bit helpful but he seemed distracted and anxious. We sat upstairs in the outside tables. I thought it was strange they had a sink outside. Seems as if they need more staff...and the marg wasn't special.
(2)Gastromere F.
They are trying hard to be cool and I have to admit they might be succeeding. Good drinks, nice menu with both healthy and fried favorites. The family loves to eat here where the burgers always seem to come out just right even on the kids menu. I had a banana/Chocolate colada and it was good. Our waiter Jeremy was very accommodating and went out of his way to point me toward the healthy alternatives. For example they have a fried fish sandwich. Jeremy offered to have that broiled or blackened instead. It was cooked perfectly. The side salad was not quite as impressive and the dressing did not taste quite home made. But overall dinner was good, quick and relatively inexpensive. We might go again tonight. Enjoy.
(3)Lauren P.
This place is perfect for families with parents who like to drink and have low standards for what tastes good. Stop with the "Salt chant." No one gets into it and it's painfully obvious that your employees hate it too. I'm pretty sure our server had like 7 teeth and could not care less about serving us since our group was big enough to qualify for the automatic 18% gratuity. Ugh
(2)Elizabeth N.
This restaurant is exactly what I thought it would be. I had a friend in town and she wanted to visit CityWalk and do some of the typical touristy things. We decided we would eat here for dinner. There were 3 of us who ate and order drinks. We all ordered different types of drinks some margaritas some not, and they were all very good!! My favorite was a coconut one with white chocolate I think. They were a bit pricey, but I kinda expected that. This is a loud place. So not somewhere you would go for a nice conversation. They have Jimmy Buffett and similar artists' music videos playing. They also had men on stilts doing something when we walked in. My husband and I both ordered the Cheeseburger and it was really really good! Better than I expected. My friend ordered a BBQ chicken sandwich, and she said it was also good. I will be back next time I have friends in town.
(4)Scott R.
Wasn't very happy with the server she was not friendly at all and didn't hide it. Food wasn't anything to brag about. Big tourist trap. Don't recommend this place.
(2)Denice C.
Within all of Universal Studios City Walk area, and the two Universal theme parks themselves, I can honestly say this is the only establishment I found where the food was genuinely tasty and enjoyable. While I admit I am very selective when it comes to food, restaurants, and the quality of both, and while I also admit I'm a parrothead, in this instance I'm being honest and unbiased. Why? Hmmm, let me just say ... if you happen to visit Universal Studios, Orlando, don't expect great food ... anywhere, except that is, at Margaritaville. The remaining restaurants are overpriced, lacking in quality and taste, and overall undesirable. So what's so great about Margaritaville, Orlando, aside from the good eats offered, which as I've said, were hot and delicious? Well, for starters, the atmosphere is simply fun and simply shouts ... VACATION! The huge volcano in the back of the restaurant that overflows with "real" lava on cue when the Jimmy Buffett song, "Volcano" plays, is a sight to see and definitely adds to the parrothead ambiance of the place, as do the various island-themed props, gizmos, and souvenirs adorning the walls, ceiling, and bars. From classic surfboards, to giant margarita statues and tropical replicas galore, all things in combination are sure to take any parrothead back to the islands, even if only in their minds. What a nice escape. In addition to the ambiance, the drinks are pretty darn good, too, and for an Orlando theme park area, they also happen to be decently priced. I had the infamous frozen concoction that helps parrotheads worldwide, hang on, as the Margaritaville song so eloquently states, and it was a real treat on the smoldering 95 degree Orlando day of my visit. Maybe a bit sweet, but I can't complain. I enjoyed it thoroughly, as did my traveling partner, who had the rocks version of the same. Good stuff! For dinner I enjoyed the Cheeseburger in Paradise. But, come on ... how could I not? It's a classic. Heck, there's even a song written about it, so you know it's gotta be good. But okay, okay, you caught me. I admit I order it nearly every time I visit a Margaritaville restaurant, with the exception of the Margaritaville restaurants in Mexico, where for some reason, hamburger beef just doesn't taste like US hamburger beef (be warned), but that's of little concern in this review. The point is, the cheeseburger was delicious perfection! The bun was soft on the outside and toasty on the inside, the beef was cooked perfectly to medium-well, per my request, and the fries that accompanied my little piece of heaven on a bun were hot, crisp, plentiful, and fresh. Two parrot talons up! My dining companion, being a beef hater, ordered the tropical salad, or was it Caribbean? I can't be sure. It was one of the two. Either way, it was a hit. Loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, nuts, and flavorful chicken, it offered a genuine tropical taste and vibe. The bite I sampled was quite good, and my dining companion mirrored my opinion of the dish. Service was good, though a bit slow, and I don't have much to add further than that. Overall, my Margaritaville, Orlando experience was completely enjoyable, and the food, as previously stated, was by far the best in all of Universal Studios. The surrounding restaurants could definitely learn a thing or two about good food, quality, menu selection, and feel good, vacation ambiance from old Jimmy. Let's hope they do.
(5)Mark C.
Ordered the BBQ Burger w/ fries and Land Shark brew. This was a great burger with onion rings, bacon and the usual - along with some borrowed jalapeño mayonnaise. (never to b returned) Actually the burger was good before the adder too. Fries were crispy-hot and brew was spot on and just what a body needs. Note to self: This restaurant is not under obligation to re-fill your (reduced price - or is it upsized qty.?) Universal souvenir beer glasses. Lucas was probably the most attentive waiter we have had in some time too. Not once did he fail to check on us whenever he was within 2 tables from us. I'd a tipped him even more for the extra efforts, but I feared he might think I was gettin sweet on him. NEWS ALERT! If you particularly liked the dog character "Kyle" in Universal's movie Despicable Me, they now have him in a full sized plush toy! Right, our cat, couldn't care less either.
(4)Matthieu K.
Just exactly what I expected this place to be ... Not a bad thing. It's a touristy bar/restaurant in a vacation destination. Atmosphere is ... great. Probably the best service and staff we encountered in the whole greater 'Disney Coprosperity Sphere.' Beer selection was just fine. At a Buffet establishment ... there is one obvious choice! Live music was crazy loud. Forget chatting with your party. Food was ... 3 stars. Average. Better than crApplebees but not so much a Great American Restaurant (Jackson's ... droooool!) Highly recommended.
(3)T S.
very nice atmosphere very nostalgic . Not a very good around the on the menu the drinks are okay nothing to write home about find place if you are a Jimmy Buffett fan
(3)Cait H.
A little too kitchy for my tastes, but hey - that's Margaritaville. This was my first time to a Margaritaville location, and we had a pretty good time. We were totally exhausted after spending the entire day at the Universal parks, and were definitely starving. We ordered the Buffalo Bite app, and were kind of disappointed. Really just tasted like chicken nuggets, no real Buffalo flavor at all. I really enjoyed the sirloin and shrimp combo, which was my first foray into the realm of "coconut shrimp" (not a coconut fan) but I found these to be very delicious. My pomegranate margarita was also very good, and went down smooth (got the biggest size and a take home cup - whatta ya know?) I didn't totally understand the whole "volcano" thing at the bar, or the balloon animal guys on stilts, but...we're in Orlando, right?
(3)Katie T.
My friends and I were starving and looking for a place that served something besides fried food. The atmosphere is fun, the food is lacking. I can't comment on my friends food, but the three girls who ate salads said they were good. I ordered the fish tacos with tilapia- catch of the day. They weren't the best. The flour taco shell fell apart immediately upon picking it up. The beans and rice were good however. The store was fun, a lot of options to choose from. To be honest, I would only come back here to drink.
(2)M T.
Good, clean, fun, atmosphere. Food is ok; it is not the greatest but also not the worst. We always have a good time when we go up to Universal and eat or drink there. Stilt walkers roam around making balloon hats for kids and adults alike. You have to go at least once.
(3)Kathy W.
We visit this Margaritaville each summer and usually enjoy the meal. I always enjoy the Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Volcano Nachos. My husband typically looks forward to Jimmy's Jammin Jambalaya but this time was very disappointed as it appears that they've changed the recipe. The previous recipe was a tomato-based, spicy version of the dish. The new recipe is not tomato based and is very bland. Not sure if its another case of restaurants being too nervous to have truly spicy dishes on their menus.
(4)Olga C.
I really enjoyed my dinner. I had the shrimp trio and it was delicious. The waitress was amazing and very accommodating to my daughters. I recommend this place
(4)Katie W.
Been here several times and always leave happy! The volcano nachos are wonderful and a great value! Service is great and I recommend call ahead seating.
(4)Carl S.
4 stars thanks to the friendly staff. This place was packed and we had to seat ourselves. It was confusing to figure out where we were allowed to sit because some places were closed off and no sign indicating so. However, by the time we got a table, someone made sure we were taken care despite the large capacity. We had their margaritas and crab dip. Very relaxing to snack and listen to their live band. Their live band was also amazing singing covers from guns n roses to dirty heads to nelly.
(4)The Yelp-inator W.
I think my head is going to explode if I hear another Jimmy Buffet song....I know this has to drive the staff crazy. Friendly smiling staff....slow serivce...tourist atmoshpere with big screens playing Jimmy Buffet videos over and over and over. Tourist trap...beware...jerk chicken is NOTJerk chicken. Burgers and fries and mac and cheese of the kids. my wife liked her cuban sandwich. This whole place is a scam...downtown disney is much better
(2)Patricia G.
I really like the vibe at Margaritaville. Its always a good time especially when you're trying to finish the volcano nachos. It always seems to win the battle, I dont think we've ever been able to finish one of those! I've also had the quesadillas which are good too. If you like margaritas and tropical drinks, this is a great place to treat yourself after a hot day in the parks. Sometimes you just gotta sit back, relax, and drink some margaritas at Margaritaville :)
(4)Ben B.
The Porch of Indecision is the place to be to cut down on the wait. Try the Volcano Nachos, which are big enough for about three adults. They're some of the best in Orlando. Live music from time to time as well, and a nice view of a river between the porch and Universal's Islands of Adventure. My wife and I stop in for the nachos almost every time we go to the parks.
(4)Beini S.
Multiple bars inside the restaurant, live music in the evenings (on the evening that I was there, it was an average joe with a great voice, so I definitely enjoyed it), cool bartenders, but wow do their specialty drinks taste bad, and their food as well. I got the crab dip and it was basically a ball of oil. Tasted good in the "this is going to make me feel terrible tomorrow but right now it's satisfying my fat kid desire to eat cheese and butter" kind of way. I'm sure you can find somewhere better to go on the boardwalk
(3)Glenn G.
My coaster-crazed compadres and I flew three thousand miles to Orlando to visit Universal Studios and Disney. Everyone has to eat, even inside Universal Studios, but nobody expects haute cusine inside an amusement park. Personally, I don't usually expect much better than two-star fare, and am not surprised by one-star swill, and so I was delighted with my experience at Jimmy Buffett's! After nine-straight hours running amok in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the rest of Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, even my glacial metabolism was running low on fuel, and my coaster-crazed compadres were eyeing each other like members of the Donner Party, so we decided to try our luck with one of the restaurants in CityWalk - Universal's answer to Downtown Disney. Yelp and I chose Jimmy Buffett's (I've always liked his Dad's stock-picking abiltities) and off we went. At 5pm on a Tuesday night, we waited only 10 minutes for a table, and then got seated just as Eric Von was about to start a new set. I must confess that the notion of live music before I'd even had a beer didn't really thrill me, and I debated checking out our 2nd choice, but I allowed discretion to be the better part of valor, and decided to stay put and peruse the menu instead. First up, the service - from the moment we were seated until we paid the check, everyone was attentive, pleasant, and happy; just the thing after a really fun but VERY long day in the park. We asked the server what was good, and he recommended The Cheeseburger in Paradise; for the members of the crew that didn't feel like burgers, he said the Seafood Mac and Cheese was quite popular. Neither of these thoughts really did it for me. I ended up ordering the Cuban Sandwich - Roasted pork and sliced ham pressed in a crusty Cuban loaf with mustard, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles. yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… Both of my compadres decided to try the Seafood Mac and Cheese - Shrimp and lump crab meat tossed with elbow macaroni in a Boursin cream sauce baked with mixed cheese and toasted bread crumbs. yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… I also got a Blue Moon on draft to part the dust of the day. yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… My beer thankfully arrived promptly (even before the music started); I sipped it, listened to the Carribean stylings of Mr. Eric Von yelp.com/biz_photos/s33d… , and was totally surprised (and more than a bit relieved) to discover that he was really good! Great energy, lots of enthusiasm, decent voice, and a nice touch with the crowd. His rendition of the obligatory "Wasting Away in Margaritaville" would have made 'ole Warren proud! :-) Our food came, and my Cuban Sandwich was wonderful! The pork was flavorful and tasty, the bread was fresh, and the fries were much better than I had any right to expect in an amusement park. My compadres, who wolfed down their mac & cheeses like IRS Auditors going after lottery winners, had no complaints about their chow either. If I wasn't in an ajacent amusement park, I doubt I'd have set out to eat at Jimmy Buffett's, but I was, and I'd happily come back any time I'm in the neighborhood to feed my coaster Jones. I'd rate it 3.5 stars for the food, and then round it up to 4 for the excellent service and surprising good music. Rested, refreshed, and entertained, the three of us headed back toward The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey one last time!
(4)Karen C.
I wasn't sure what to expect from here, but I was genuinely surprised by how good the food was. The place was very packed when we stopped by which could've been due to the fact that it was dinner time and there was a thunderstorm going so people were looking for shelter. The portion sizes were generous so we had left overs for the next day which were still very tasty. We tried the jerk chicken with cilantro coconut rice and the seafood mac and cheese. Both items sounded weird at first but really good at the same time so my boyfriend and I gave it a try. The jerk chicken was full of flavor and very savory; I'm generally not a rice person but the cilantro coconut rice was very good it actually enhanced the jerk chicken flavor when eaten together. Seafood mac and cheese was very savory and appetizing as well, the ooey gooey melted cheese was delicious over the shrimp. To finish off our meal we had desert shots, which were very rich and thick. We tried all 5 flavors but the best ones were the chocolate on chocolate and red velvet shots. The birthday cake shot was very sweet, and the reese peanut butter cup was very rich and after a few bites it's becomes overpowering. The 5th one was chocolate mousse with gummy worms wasn't bad but after all the others it's just too much sugar.
(4)Stephanie W.
Kitchen closes at 1145 on Fridays I guess! The service was pretty good, but the food was just ok. 3 stars for the Margaritas though!
(3)Renee B.
This place is always at the top of my list. I love walking through City Walk but, I can't not stop at Margarittaville. I love the people that walk on the stilts as well as the fact that they make silly balloons to wear on your head. The buffulo wings were awesome. And the drink I had was the king of somewhere hot. It had a jalapeano on top and I believe red pepper was at the bottom. Delicious is all I'm saying.
(5)Jenny U.
Robert the server was great. We were forced out by the ridiculously loud DJ from across the water. We wanted to chill but couldn't even tell what music was playing at the place we had chosen to go to. DISAPPOINTING
(2)Sandi C.
Yum! Great Drunken' Shrimp Skillet appetizer .... Good atmosphere and attentive waitress! And wonderful Keylime Pie
(5)Katherine M.
I've been here twice, and I'm just never impressed. The margaritas are just - okay. I don't think they are anything special. The first time we came because we wanted to compare the margaritaville cafe to cheesburger in paradise. It didn't compare. The food was overly salted, not hot, and just not good. The second time, our bus back to our hotel wasn't coming for another hour and we figured drinking was a good way to pass the time. It's an experience for many. I'm not a big Jimmy Buffet fan (although I live in a city that worships him I guess) so that part is not important to me. The food is not worth the price in my opinion. Overall, I just felt like I had to go here to say I had.
(2)April K.
I have no idea how I always end up eating at this place whenever I am at City Walk. We had some friends who were staying at the Lowes Portofinio Resort so we took them up on their offer to enjoy some pool time and take the water taxi over to City Walk for dinner. We first wanted to go to Bob Marley's for dinner but that place was H.O.T. open seating in an enclosed patio and no AC/fans is not the way I want to enjoy a meal. So we headed over to Jimmy Buffet's for dinner. I ordered an Italian Margarita which was pretty awesome. The glass was rimmed with cane sugar and came garnished with lime and cherry and was DELish! It was so good I ordered a second glass, but this one had no garnish and no sugar, not a big deal just a little disappointing... For dinner I shared the Seafood Mac and Cheese and Taco salad with my friend and both were pretty awesome. The Seafood Mac and cheese was pretty heavy but had just the right amount of crab, shrimp, scallops, cheese, scallions, and crispy bread crumb toppings. YUM! My only complaint was the entertainers on stilts who were going around the restaurant and seemed angry when we did not stand up and sing a song right as our food was served. I get that it is a touristy location filled with young children and families, but I just wanted to sit and enjoy my food and drink without being harassed by someone making balloon animals! Other then that the food was tasty, not crazy expensive and our server was super attentive and fantastic. Just beware of the slightly annoying people on stilts...
(3)J P.
My tacos looked great at first, but after I started eating them they fell apart and instead became a taco salad sort of thing, and the chicken tacos weren't even that good, for the price not worth it. Burger bun was soggy also and fries were cold, Ditto!!!food blah! Avoid at all costs!! Drinks are the only thing worth trying, and those aren't even cheap, I mean $17 for 22oz?! No thanks!
(1)Runa Z.
$26 for 9 pieces of shrimp and a handful of fries? No, thank you. Such limited food choices (especially for those of us with food allergies) for absurd prices. One of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had.
(1)Michael F.
It's a novelty. Food is just okay. The service was okay. Pricing is very pricey for the quality and portion. Again it's just a novelty, so don't expect to be blown away by anything spectacular.
(3)Mark H.
The food & drink are always good. My problem with the place is not the touristy aspect, not the $16 parking ($5 after 6pm) and the loooooong walk to the place, that is what it is, a tourist spot at a theme park. My problem is that the rent can't be that high to charge $20 for 2 fish tacos. They were good but cost about $3 a bite. It would have been nicer at a $14.99 cost. I ordered a margarita (when in Rome...). It was like $11 so I was expecting this big ol goblet I could share with my wife. It was in an 8oz drinking glass. We shared it, neither of us could feel a buzz on that amount. It taste great, but it was a $4 drink for $11. If you don't mind the cost, you'll enjoy this place.
(2)George D.
I went here one evening with my wife after a movie. We were told that there would be a 45 minute wait for a table. So we went to the bar. We were graciously greeted by the bartender George. Let me tell you this guy is awesome. He informed us that we could have our meal at the bar. So we promptly cancelled our notification at the front desk. My question is, why didn't the lady at the front tell us that we could eat at the bar? A note for customer service. We were using the dinner and a movie package that they offer at Citywalk. It's a limited menu they use for this. So my wife and I both ordered a "Cheeseburger in Paradise," accompanied by a margarita. The hamburger was cooked to absolute perfection, and I seldom eat french fries, but they were delicious. The margarita prepared by George, was fabulous. When you go to Margaritaville, go to the bar and ask for George his service was stellar.
(4)Steve C.
It was a hot day at Universal theme parks, we were hungry and hot by late afternoon. Margaritaville is in Universal CityWalk. We decided to sit at the bar. They serve full menu at the bar. Our bartender/server Conner was awesome. He made several recommendations for us. They were all great. I think we had better service sitting at the bar than some tables. Conner was very busy making drinks for other people and he was very attentive to make sure we were helped.
(4)Rich E.
Was not impressed. "Volcano Nachos" are over rated. Have had better from food trucks, there maybe was a good sized pile but, the chips felt stale or undercooked. The chili was nothing special, unless you call black beans "gourmet", the melted cheese was more like "cheez sauce" from a can pump. 1 tablespoon each of guacamole and sour cream. AVOID the "Jambalaya" was not authentic it was more of a sadly done etoufee. It was inedible, watery sauce, mushy chicken and 'andouille sausage', any flavor was overpowered by a nasty thyme or bay leaf heavy hand. The few bits of shrimp were OK. Server was best part, he was quick with refills and table touches. Not his fault food is sub par. The pirate clown was annoying and loud, maybe fun for the kids ( the ones not running wild) but leave the groups of adults talking alone. The campy JB Margaritaville music and video loops are a new layer of hell. Try anything with in throwing distance at City Walk first.
(2)Katie D.
The french dip was absolutely gigantic and had pretty good flavor but was a little overcooked. Husband had fish and chips and really enjoyed it. Daughter's chicken tenders were great. Volcano nachos were huge and delicious. Everyone else at the table was really happy with their meals. Great service, also.
(4)Rachel M.
Love love love Jimmy Buffet. I have part parrot head in me. After all, he's got the best tailgating parties ever. Hello!!!! I always stop here when at City Walk. I have to, have to. I often buy something anything Jimmy Buffet. I stop by for a drink too. That's my happiness when I come here. I haven't eaten here. I always simply pass through, buy fun stuff and get a fun drink. After all, gotta drink and be merry because it's 5 o'clock somewhere. Wish it was here!
(4)Claudia A.
I didn't think I would like this place as much as I did. It's gimmicky like everything else on the strip but I was glad I stopped here for dinner. The seafood Mac and cheese was cheesy and chunky. A great pick! I got the Louie wedge. I really wish they had put the dressing on side and it was missing cheese (it's not supposed to have cheese on the description, just wish it did). I probably won't get this again. I wanted something healthy but it lacked in flavor and the dressing just made it too soggy for me.. We also go the cheddar bbq burger with sweet potato fries. It was a large burger, nice and moist. It was really good. We tried a few of their alcoholic drinks and each was great. The hot and spicy margarita hit the spot and the moonshine margarita was yummy too. Not too sweet and strong enough.
(4)Amie G.
When you go to Universal Studios in Orlando you have to visit Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Great food, great service and great FUN! Get ready to be well fed and they'll let you sing and dance if you want too :) Make sure you ask for Chelsey. She'll take good care of you!
(5)Troy T.
Jorge was a great server. Outstanding service!! Great food. Because of Jorge we will be back
(5)Ania P.
Tasty food, great ambiance and nice staff! What else? :) They quickly take care of you, no need to wait for hours even without booking!
(4)Gatangalie S.
LOVE!!!! Before entering either Universal Studio or the Island of Adventure parks, please make your first stop at MargaritaVille! You have the option to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and breeze while sipping on a margarita of your choice. I had the strawberry margarita and it was near perfect. Very fresh and delicious with the right kick. This place is huge, it's enjoyable both inside and outside. So many different selections for lunch, I had their jumbo coconut chicken shrimps with fries! Must have if a seafood lover. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Anita B.
Kids loved it. Lots of atmosphere and fun. The food was very good. Coconut shrimp and fish tacos. Didn't have a margarita but everyone else around us were !
(4)David M.
Had a BBQ burger. Cooked perfectly, could have used more bbq sauce. Tasted great. I will order it again
(5)Joshua S.
I love this place. This is still my favorite Margaritaville that I've been to. You really get the true Margaritvaville/Jimmy Buffett experience here, hopefully you visit this one before, let's say, the one in Glendale, Arizona. Here you get the Buffett tunes, the fun, the festivities and the overall Buffett-vibe. My first time here was back in 2003 after leaving Universal Studios with my family. At the time I was in my early/mid 20's and still in a somewhat of a "OG" phase and I think, don't tell anyone, still listening to Tupac or some rap sorta crap. So, when my father said "Hey kids, we're going to Margaritaville" and stopped my brother and I in our tracks on the path to Hard Rock Cafe, I said "huh?" He was like "you know, Margaritaville?" I gave him a dumb look. After protesting and not winning, we headed to Margaritaville. I remember thinking that I needed a drink. So as touristy and young as I was, I opted for a pina colada. Isn't that what everyone does in Florida on vacation? Upon entering Margaritaville I was stunned. The plane hanging from the ceiling, fake palms trees, island music, run drinks, an erupting blender-volcano, I was sold. I kid you not it changed my life. I kept drinking throughout dinner as I stared in awe at the decor and the feel of complete escapism, a feeling I had never had but a feeling that felt good wondering how I could put it in a capsule and bring it back to Fargo, North Dakota with me. Knowing that was not possible, I opted for the gift shop. I stocked up on a couple books, "Tales from Margaritaville" and "Where is Joe Merchant". I acted my age and bought one of those giant shot glasses and a t-shirt because this was going to be my new thing. Ever since that day I have been a die hard Parrot Head (Jimmy Buffett follower) and have joined the ranks of the margaritians. After college I even got a job at the Glendale, Arizona Margaritaville because that's all I really wanted to do. I also got an entire sleeve of Margaritaville/beach themed tattoos now....I might have taken it to a new level of fanatic but it sure looks cool :) What I've tried to tell all the people who give me a hard time about the fact that Jimmy Buffett doesn't have the voice of someone on "The Voice" or doesn't have the vocals of a rising Nashville star, I tell them that it's not about that. It's about the story he tells and how in the middle of a subarctic North Dakota winter you can turn on Banana Republics, make a stiff tequila sunrise and be transported via your mind to a tropical paradise. That's what Margaritaville is, it's all about your state of mind. Back to the review :) The food is great. I've probably had everything on the menu from the coconut shrimp, to the famous Cheeseburger in Paradise and all the way rabbit style to a salad. They've all been good. I'd say if it's your first time you should go for the Volcano Nachos. Trust me, they're massive. You and another won't be able to finish them. I've even tried doing it on one of those nights where you've had a few (too many maybe) and swear you could eat half of a cow. It's not possible. And don't make the mistake of thinking they are an appetizer and you will be able to slam down a burger afterwards. You will end up with a doggy bag fighting food coma in one of the beach chairs on the City Walk. I would also recommend the "Perfect Margarita" but only if you're not driving, because it's potent. All around great place to go. It's a great place living here now to just go and get away from it all and unwind.
(5)Dennis S.
Service was good. Drinks were good. The food came out hot. The reason for the 2 stars are the restrooms were nasty, the bar area smelled pretty bad as well, and the food was below average. We like the atmosphere and understand this a tourist place, but for the money it was not that great.
(2)Alexandre H.
As I mentioned in my previous reviews, the tourist traps in Orlando are improving... maybe the backlash of bad publicity (and the power of the internet, where regular folks can send out warning messages so other distracted tourist don't fall in the same traps) has helped change the landscape. Summarizing: - The service was very good, our server was friendly and efficient. - We went for the Shrimp Trio and the Cheeseburger in Paradise (of course!!), and both were above average. - The prices were just Ok, $12 for a cheeseburger is a bit over the top.... but this is Orlando after all. - Great selection of drinks and beer, reasonably priced. - Fun atmosphere with a live band, playing (evidently) Caribbean music and Jimmy Buffet songs. Recommended!
(4)Joy V.
Only one Margarita needed. Very pleased with my to go drink. Great additive to The Citywalk
(5)Jason H.
Yes we entered expecting the typical tourist trap theme park restaurant. We enjoy JB Margaritavilles whenever we find them. Sadly we could definitely tell the tourist season is wearing on the staff. The host stand was staffed by unemotional blank face young ladies that could barely muscle up a smile and greeting. We were hungry and opted for the opens eating in the high top tables as opposed to the main dining area with a 45 min wait. Our server was a bit more friendly and I think she gained a little more energy and smile when she realized we weren't the typical rude tourist family. We ordered three cheeseburgers and one steak taco plate. The burgers were ok, however the fries on all plates were definitely old and probably last batch before the next stop in the frier. The steak tacos were also ok, meat a little over done and rice was easily identified as minute bag rice. They all served the purpose of filling our bellies. Margaritas and other cocktails were tasty. It is obvious that there is no sense of pride or urgency in operating the restaurant. Remember to enjoy yourself and realize you are in a theme park.
(3)Crista Z.
Compared to the other restaurants available in the are this place was not worth it. We went around 730 and left at 9pm...never got our food. They only had 1 kitchen open apparently. The service was really really bad and the wait time was terrible. It's relatively priced the same as the COWFISH and Anjtojintos but the food isn't good. We did manage to get our crab dip appetizer but it was tasteless. Never got to talk to the manager, he was too busy back in the kitchen I guess. Go somewhere else to eat if you're in Universal.
(2)Matt W.
Food and drinks were great. Bartender was friendly and helped us with what to order.. Def stop in for a drink!
(5)Jon W.
Awesome atmosphere and the concept is embodied very well. There is video footage of Buffett and Parrotheads continually projected onto the sails of the abandoned ships strewn throughout the restaurant. Ate at the volcano bar where every hour on the half hour... well you'll just have to experience it for yourself. Started with a frozen Who's To Blame Margarita which did not disappoint. Second one was a Perfect Margarita, which comes with a warning on the menu and is almost straight tequila! I was really impressed with how relatively inexpensive they were for being in the heart of Universal - both of them totaled $20. For my food I ordered the fish tacos and this is where I ding them a star. It's not good when your second bite contains a sharp fish bone that I could have very easily swallowed. Otherwise the tacos were flavorful, although I don't like cabbage and probably should have likewise ordered something else. If you find yourself on the CityWalk, you owe it to yourself to come here. Be prepared to wait if you don't sit at the bar, though. They also have a pretty sizeable gift shop and a second bar area that extends toward the nightclub section.
(4)Melissa M.
After a long day of surviving Twister, escaping Gringotts with Harry Potter, and causing mayhem with the minions, my friend and I decided to head to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. I had been to this location and others before and have always loved the atmosphere this restaurant provides. We were seated right away, next to the live performer. Our waitress, Elyse, brought us waters immediately and was super friendly. She was great with refilling our drinks and making sure we had everything we needed. We ordered the crab dip and burgers. The crab dip took a somewhat long time to come out, maybe half an hour or so. Although we didn't complain, the manager comped the crab dip and both her and Elyse apologized about it taking so long. Shortly after, our hamburgers came out and they were both delicious. I had the "Burger, Black and Blue" and my friend had the "Cheeseburger in Paradise". More points to Elyse for telling us that the "Paradise" sauce was actually just thousand island dressing. Overall, amazing service and food. Elyse was probably one of the best waitresses I have had in a long time, and the management was great. The prices were reasonable, especially considering how expensive all the food inside the park is. Next time I visit Universal, I will make sure that Margaritaville is at the top of my list for places to eat on City Walk.
(5)Kelsey H.
We had the best experience here after a long day at universal studios. We had an amazing waiter, Jorge, who anticipated every desire we had. He was the friendliest guy ever, always smiling and very helpful! The beers were reasonably priced and there was a decent variety. The food was absolutely superb, and the margaritas seemed to be endless in options. The atmosphere is light and casual, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was live acoustic guitar on the patio as well! All in all, we would definitely recommend Margaritaville in Orlando to anyone who happens to be in the area!
(5)Jennifer A.
After several hours of walking around Universal I was ready for some real food (ie, not a turkey leg, cauldron cake or butterbeer). I've walked past the Margaritaville in Las Vegas many times without ever going in, but the huge patio at the City Walk location drew me in. I felt like eating nachos and quite a few of the tables nearby had ordered nachos, but they were ridiculously huge. It was just me and my mom and you would seriously need at least four people to come close to finishing them. So instead we shared a taco salad and fish & chips. I thought the taco salad was just okay - I enjoyed the flavor, but I thought the chili, salsa, sour cream and guac made everything really wet. The fish & chips were pretty good and a very big portion with five pieces of fish. The jalapeno tartar sauce was surprisingly spicy and I loved the fries. Overall, I thought Margaritaville was about 3.5 stars. Our server and the hostess were super sweet. Prices were reasonable considering the theme park location. I could see myself coming back (with more people) for nachos and beers!
(3)Christina M.
This place isn't all that bad. Would I return here on a future trip to Universal? Probably not. For the wait-time and the price of our meals, I was not impressed. The decor and entertainment certainly made up for it, but spending $18.00 for a cheeseburger, I'd expect it to be a little bit bigger than my hand and be at least cooked, and the fries were sub-par. We did order the chicken wings and they were decent. And the service is good. Considering the location and the awesome atmosphere, I came in with high expectations and left mildly disappointed. I would suggest coming here if it was a last resort.
(3)Frank S.
Decided to go here for dinner the other night with my girlfriend cause it looked interesting. When we got there the waitress wipes our table and then disappears leaving the table drenched with soap. We had to ask another waiter for napkins to wipe it down ourselves. It took another 30-45 minutes after that to even get our food order placed. I ordered the burger and when I got it the burger was cold. It was cooked, but it seemed like they just heated up a frozen burger. The fries were hotter than the burger. I wasn't very happy at all. The waitress didn't even seem to care or anything. She had an attitude and seemed like she didn't even want to be working. To top it off, we didn't even get a visit from the manager at all to apologize or anything. I'm in Orlando a lot and have been to most of the restaurants in City Walk, I've never been treated this badly before. I will not be returning anytime soon.
(1)Jim B.
At Universal with my family and another and was nervous about going to this restaurant with 4 adults and 5 kids but I was wrong. It was incredibly family friendly and the staff did everything they could to accommodate us. Special mention to our server Becca who not only did a great job but anticipated our families needs. And to Taylor the balloon animal maker who keep the kids busy during the wait for our table! Highly recommend wasting away in Margaritaville - even if the kiddos are with you.
(5)Lauren Y.
"If life gives you limes....make margaritas." Jimmy Buffett's carefree and eternal vacation mindset continues to shape music, beverages and now the restaurant world. And we'd take limes over lemons any day. Head down I-4 and escape to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville located in the heart of Universal's City Walk. To kick of our Labor Day weekend, we headed to City Walk to enjoy some boat drinks and a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Our "mini vacation" started with their Uptown Margarita with Margaritaville Gold Tequila, Cointreau® Orange Liqueur, house margarita blend and topped with a Gran Gala® float all on the rocks with salt. The margaritas were perfect and worth heading out to Margaritaville even if just for a drink. Probably most impressive on the menu are the extensive gluten free options. From burgers to brownies, the menu serves up a variety of options for those trying to avoid gluten. Even the fries are made in separate fryers! Hello tasty sweet potato fries. For the first course, per chef recommendation, we dove into the Volcano Nachos. Standing seemingly over a foot tall, these house-made tortilla chips are layers upon layers of chili, cheese, fresh guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, tomatoes and scallions. And yes, every bite was amazing. Next course, burgers in paradise. Our Cheddar BBQ Burger was topped with cheddar cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried onions, lettuce, BBQ aioli and served with a roasted jalapeño on the side. Hello, flavor explosion. Most burgers today are well, wimpy. But this juicy goodness was stacked high and filled with more than a single slice of cheese and crumbled bacon. Washed down with french fries and it's easy to see why Orlando's Margaritaville recently won Best Burger from Orlando Sentinel. Trying to avoid gluten? You'll find all you need on their gluten free menu, even burgers! We indulged in the tasty gluten free Cheeseburger in Paradise® with an Udi's signature bun topped with American cheese, lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles and paradise island sauce. You'd never know it was free of gluten! Whatever they did to that Udi's bun is simply unbelieveable, paired with krinkle sweet potato fries and you'll experience gluten free perfection. Topping off our tropical escape, we feasted on the Chocolate Hurricane, warm (gluten free) brownies with heath bar crusted vanilla bean ice cream, macadamia nuts, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. A mountain of brownies, sugary goodness and worth EVERY bite. We left Margaritaville full, happy and in a vacation state of mind. Visit margaritavilleorlando.com for menus, drinks and upcoming events.
(5)Stefanie F.
Dear Anna H, I will like to discuss this matter with you. Please let me know how I may get in contact with you. Thanks!!
(1)Anthony I.
Food is good. But IMO over priced. Then again. Everything in this area is. Live bands are awesome. But on the down side its so loud you cant talk to the people youre with. I had no idea there were live bands here. So that could be a bonus or not depending on what your loooking for in a dinning exp.. The place is huge and packed, so its loud regardless. If they werent over priced id def say 4 stars. But for food not really any better then what youd find else where, i dont feel its justified. So just a heads up if its your first time here./ Look for the stage, and maybe request a seat else where if you dont want to be blasted with music.
(3)Liz R.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is located in CityWalk. It's a touristy trap on the way in and out of the theme parks. The themed restaurants there can be pricey.The first time I visited Jimmy Buffett's my husband and I just stopped in for a cold drink or two. Yesterday we stopped in again while waiting for the doors to open for a concert at The Hard Rock. This time we ordered an appetizer to eat as well as drinks. We sat at the bar. I started off with a Bama Breeze frozen drink and my husband a craft beer. I really liked the Bama Breeze. Yum. After looking over the menu, we decided on the Volcano Nachos. The bartender warned us they were huge....and they were! So big we couldn't finish them. They were loaded with Chili & Cheese, They also came with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo & Jalapenos. We ordered one more round of drinks. I ordered the Chocolate Banana Colada and my husband ordered a Corona with lime. I love Myers rum but the Myers floater on top mixed with the chocolate and banana liquor together just didn't taste all that great to me...so I ended up not finishing it. The drinks are a bit pricey but that's expected. The nachos were well worth the $15. We will be back again for sure.
(4)Rob N.
We ate dinner and it was a good meal. The Seafood Macaroni and Cheese was a tasty dish. I liked it a lot and both of my kids tried to steel shrimp and crab meat. I had to stick my fork through my 7 year old's hand to get him to back off (don't screw with my shrimp). Both of my kids had kids mac and cheese (Kraft) and both thought my mac and cheese was superior. The wife had a salad which she ranked as about average. One complain- no damn balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing is an ender. Overall, not a bad place. Margaritas were very good.
(4)Kristin C.
This place is ridiculously expensive, but it is City Walk, and it is convenient. I have been here a handful of times for that very reason. I like to go Rising Star Karaoke (with live band!) around the corner from Margaritaville, so we usually stop in there beforehand. I mean in places like City Walk, I expect the food to be mediocre and the prices steep, so my expectations aren't high, and Margaritaville is okay. I do think the music is way, way too loud. The last time I went, it seemed like it was extra loud to make up for the fact that the lead singer wasn't very good. I do like the bar area. I usually end up there to avoid the loudness of the regular area, although it still is too loud. Will I return? I hope so, because that probably means I will be returning to Rising Star that I love.
(3)Jeffrey D.
Was at the park stopped in at 7 p.m. to get dinner told wait would be 45 minutes. So Sat at bar where we were treated well by bartender, after an hour he said, let me see your pager and I'll check on your table. Came back saying they had lost us but would seat us know. Took us upstairs not on the main floor as we were waiting. Our feet hurt and we had opted not to go up there and be seated immediately, sigh. Told our waitress, we were very hungry as had been waiting awhile. Immediately put in an order for Asiago crab dip. Was brought our waters and ordered our dinners, she stopped back ten minutes to say food would be right up.... Fifteen minutes later she brings it. Unfortunately, it was very salty and they forgot to put any crab into it. I had the bites and didn't eat any more. We pushed the half eaten dish to one side. After ten minutes she drops by and without asking if we were done takes it, also didn't ask if it was ok. Nor had she offered refills on our water. After fifty minutes from our order the food comes. I am forkless since she took mine, no ketchup for the fries. Still no water. We flash her down and my lady tells her how unhappy we are with the service, how some of the food isn't hot, fork, water, wait, how just right up means fifteen minutes... Waitress says she will send the manager over. Doesn't apologize at all. My food is so so, better than the appetizer at least, the one shrimp style is way too salty Is that the only spices they have? ) my lady tells the manager same info. They take out the appetizer and 30 percent. So food bill is 37 instead of 67. Bar bill was 60. Bartender got a ten dollar tip, waitress, three bucks. Would never go back!
(2)Scott B.
Zipped in here on a drizzly Friday night to grab a margarita and use my free appetizer coupon for joining their email club. Went to the back bar and found an open seat. Bartender was a little aloof, but served me a small blueberry pomegranite margarita on the rocks. Ok, but not worth $13. I shouldn't complain about my free Drunken Shrimp appetizer but I will. It came with only 4 medium sized shrimp in a "soup" of butter and coconut milk along with a few small pieces of bell pepper and onion. No where close to 1/2 of what they charge for it... It may have been a funner place once the live band started playing at 10pm, but I didn't stick around. I'd consider going back only for live music...
(3)Shane M.
Took the wife and kids tonight. Not happy with the service or food. SERVICE: MEDIOCRE at best. Staff leaning on the hostess station clock watch the mins till the end of their shift. Our server not overly helpful multiple stops to get basic items like drink refills. With the limited menu, you think it would come out with higher degree of accuracy. FOOD: drink were weak. If im paying10 bucks for a drink,a tumbler filled with ice I want to taste alcohol. Not look aid. I ordered a black and blue burger,rare. It came well done. The girls ordered salads which were good but the soup was baked potato, tasted like a mix of potato and clam chowder. But my family is awesome so we song along with the band and played all air instruments.
(2)Christine W.
Stopped at the outside bar just to grab some drinks and people watch At the city walk. Drinks were just ok as I thought they were too sugary/watered down. It was nice to sit outside as it was a nice night and my bf and I just wanted to check out the city walk at night since we got to our hotel kind of late. Seems like there's a lot of people that just want to grab a beer here and the bartenders always warn people that they are not allowed to take the glass bottle of beer away from the bar area. Also the bartenders card everyone! Especially the couple of nights we were there because one direction was planning a performance or something. So it's convenient to grab a drink here but the mixed drinks are just ok.
(3)Lindsey C.
My two friends and I came here on a Saturday night around 7-7:30. The wait was going to be 1 hour 45 minutes. But, we had our mind set on coming here since none of us had been to a Margaritaville before, so we decided we'd just drink while we waited. Ordered 3 beers at the bar ($5.75 for a Shocktop seems so high to us Oklahoma girls, but seems to be the norm at the CityWalk) and took them outside the restaurant to wait there. I like that you can take plastic cups out on the CityWalk, so you don't have to wait inside the crowded restaurant/bar. After that we ordered some margaritas at their "margaritas to-go" window, which is nifty. They were each around $9 and pretty tasty. We lost track of how long we had been waiting, so decided to check with the hostess and apparently our name had come up but our buzzer was broken - awesome. None of us really minded though since we had just been chatting, drinking and having a good time, but then they sat us right after that. Food was just average (especially for the price), but that's what I expected. I got a fish sandwich that was grilled grouper I believe. The fish was cooked fine and tasted fine. It came with a side salad and I actually ended up with 2 because our server brought it out early and it also came on the plate with my sandwich. That was fine with me because it was actually a good side salad - fresh, big pieces of tomatoes, cucumbers, and black olives - refreshing after being in the Universal parks all day. Service was fine. The bathrooms got pretty gross by the end of our night here (around 9:30-10). All the stalls had run out of toilet paper and it looked like one toilet had overflowed. The decor and atmosphere inside is pretty fun - there's a lot of fun stuff to look at hanging from the ceilings. A live band started playing upstairs towards the end of our meal, which I like. Apparently they have live music every night. Overall our experience wasn't bad, it just didn't make me want to come back in the future.
(3)Katy S.
I had a great time at Margaritaville. Personally, I like Jimmy Buffett. I think his music is fun and exemplifies a fun Floridian lifestyle. When my work chose to take us to Margaritaville for a year end work outing, I knew it would be fun, but they exceeded my expectations. One of my colleagues set up a catered event. When we arrived we were brought up stairs where one of the servers greeted us and handed us Landsharks or glasses of wine when we walked in (SCORE)! When we arrived at the table our salads (Wedge with Bacon and Bleu Cheese) were waiting for us. We were given the option of 4 different items from the dinner menu (steak, chicken, grouper, or shrimp). I was expecting burgers or tacos so I was happy with the selection. They stopped by many times to refill our beers and the service was very good. I enjoyed my meal greatly and the Key Lime Pie was a special treat. At the end of the meal, they gave us all to go beers to bring with us out to City Walk. This was a really fun experience and I would definitely come back for a big ole Margarita after a day at Universal!
(4)AJ M.
CityWalk may be filled with chain restaurants and tourists, but the food and service this restaurant put out was even worse than expected. If you're looking for a good, fun meal while enjoying the parks, avoid this place and check out one of a dozen other options. I came here with a party of 8 at the end of a day at Universal midweek and sat on the outdoor patio. Despite there only being a handful of full tables on the porch, our waiter was seen less than a handful of times. He greeted us very curtly and seemed annoyed any time we spoke to him. Our party all ordered various margaritas which were sadly, ironically horrible. Poorly mixed, very sour/too sweet and overpriced at $11 (Though that's par for the course on CityWalk). The menu here is a confused mix of southern seafood dishes and tex-mex. The volcano nachos were decent, though the chili was pretty average. For meals we had the tacos, which featured very dry steak, quesadillas made with teriyaki chicken, over spiced jambalaya and overdressed Ceasar salads. I expected this place to have a fun vibe with good drinks and decent food and I was sorely disappointed. Jimmy Buffet needs to do some work fixing this location up because it is certainly not living up to the name.
(2)Brandon M.
Very good service. Came in with a party of 7 people and were seated within 10 minutes. The server was very nice and knowledgeable with the adult beverages(always a plus). They have three different seating areas so you can enjoy all that Margaritaville has to offer. The food was incredible and delicious (especially the nachos appetizer). This place is as good as it gets on City Walk. Cannot wait to return here.
(5)Erin B.
If I didn't have a job and a dog to support, I'd throw away all my responsibilities and spend all my money at Margaritaville. Came here in the off season, so I hope this review is just as applicable when folks go in the summer frenzy. I have to say, this place was never packed, and my friend and I ate here for both lunch and dinner on two separate days. We politely requested sitting in the front of the porch (prime for people watching and getting occasional sunshine) and they had no problem seating us there each time. Our servers each time were friendly and phenomenal. They really pushed us to order their drinks- very expensive yet delicious and tropical. We were on vacation so why not? Fun fact- if you stay here and get drunk long enough like we did for one of the trips, you hear Margaritaville play A LOT. It plays every :35 after the hour. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is great. Pricey, but you're on vacation so you may as well spend. I recommend getting a classic Cheeburger in paradise and getting the Zombie drink or the Bama Mama.
(5)Melissa Rose P.
Definitely a fan. First time at Margaritaville and we loved it. The drinks were delicious, I had the "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" margarita (delicious) some others had the watermelon and the classic. The larger option is definitely a good deal if you plan on having at least 2 drinks and not driving of course. The food here is absolutely great, I had the tacos some had the salads and a few had the special "Jurassic World" burgers (the indominous rex burger was amazing). They also had a live band play and their song selections were perfect, we all had a very good time.
(5)