From the Universal Orlando Blog
Ever feel like you need a mini dinner before your actual dinner? That’s why I love appetizers — it’s like having an opener for a “dinner concert,” and the main course is the headliner. I’m all for making dinner a whole event; plus, if anyone knows anything about me, they know I am the snacking queen. I could eat small plates of food all day long, especially if it’s in a themed restaurant with Revenge of the Mummy sitting right outside the window!
I was able to journey out and taste some of the most delicious appetizers around the theme parks to give you a list of must-try appetizers at Universal Orlando Resort. So, if you’re preparing for your next “dinner concert” at the parks, here are a few “openers” we recommend!
Lombard’s Seafood Grille
Monterey Garlic Shrimp
Is there a better way to start your meal at Lombard’s Seafood Grille than with some delicious pan-roasted shrimp? I don’t think so! These spiral-cut shrimp were swimming in a sauce of garlic herbed butter and fresh lemon, and if you like your seafood spicy, the chili peppers added a nice pop of heat that really made this dish dynamic. Dipping the bread in the butter and topping it with the shrimp (and chunks of garlic) made the perfect little open-faced sandwich. And don’t judge me if I use the rest of the sauce to cover my entrée!
Honorable Mention: San Pablo Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Now, I know Lombard’s is called a Seafood Grille for a reason, but sometimes you’re just not in the mood for seafood. That’s where the spinach and artichoke dip comes to the rescue! There is so much spinach in this dip and there are actually whole pieces of chopped artichoke in it! I was pleasantly surprised at how thick the dip was and how easy it was to pick it up with the fresh warm tortilla chips.
Honorable Mention: Roasted Garlic Edamame
I always love a dish that can double as a second meal or a snack for later, and the edamame proved to be perfect for that! There’s plenty to share for the whole table and if there are any left over, you can pack it up and enjoy it while walking through the park. The roasted garlic sea salt and sesame seeds covered each pod, so every single bite was flavorful and made me want to dive in for more.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
Guinness Warm 3 Cheese Dip
This appetizer begs the question: how can you go wrong with carbs and cheese? The fact that this dip comes with two pieces of pretzel bread makes it more than my favorite, it’s a necessity at Finnegan’s Bar & Grill. Before you think this cheese dip is like any other cheese dip, let me point out that this one features Guinness in it, giving it that extra stout-y flavor that really levels this dip up without overpowering it. The consistency is perfect for dipping those pretzel bread pieces right in and soaking up the cheesy goodness. I could eat five plates of this and, honestly, still want more — though that may require a nap afterward.
Honorable Mention: Irish Loaded Chips
As I said, how can you go wrong with carbs and cheese? The Leicester cheese, caramelized onions, bacon and corned beef that topped this dish paired so well with the chips, and the portion size is enough for a whole table of four to share for sure! I could probably eat this dish as a whole meal, it is so hearty and filling.
Honorable Mention: Shamrock Meat & Cheese Board
Ever go to a gathering and see a meat and cheese board and just get excited? Maybe it’s just me, but when I saw this adorable wooden shamrock board coming my way, I couldn’t wait to dig in! The tasty corned beef, pickles and the two different cheeses, English Bleu Stilton and Leicester, were perfect to snack on. I was also delighted by the pairing of the savory yet refreshing apple beet salad and the flavorful slices of the Irish banger together, but I think my favorite item was the yummy, soft soda bread. It is definitely worth coming back for!
Confisco Grille
Ahi Tuna Nachos
I am an enormous fan of sushi, poké bowls and pretty much anything that has fresh sushi-grade fish and wasabi, so when I saw this dish on Confisco Grille’s menu, you know I had to try it. I was blown out of the water (heh) by these nachos. I’d say they were the best nachos I’ve ever had in a theme park, and maybe even my life. Sesame seared ahi tuna, fresh avocado, wasabi aioli, and, for the spicy fans, jalapeños! It’s legitimately its own event. Also, wonton chips are my new favorite kind of chip.
PRO TIP: If you aren’t a fan of spicy foods, you can always ask for the jalapeños on the side.
Honorable Mention: Hummus Duo
I know hummus might be considered basic by some, but they clearly haven’t been ordering it at Confisco! The featured duo included a traditional lemon hummus with chopped Kalamata olives and ‑ wait for it ‑ roasted pumpkin hummus with pomegranate seeds! Now despite being a huge fall season lover, I’m not a huge fan of the taste of pumpkin, but something about that pumpkin hummus really turned things around. I was taking deep scoops of it and loving the pop of the pomegranate seeds mixing with the roasted pumpkin flavor. I highly recommend trying this if you’re looking for a small dish to share before your meal. As a note, the hummus flavors may vary according to season, so be sure to check out the menu beforehand to see what flavors they are offering.
Mythos Restaurant
Spanakopita Dip
If you’ve ever had the traditional Greek dish, spanakopita, you can understand why I was intrigued by this appetizer from Mythos. Not only is there a ton of spinach and fresh herbs, but it also includes one of my favorite cheeses, feta. The highlight of this dish, though, has to the be the fresh pita chips. The seasoning on them was so light but paired deliciously with the dip and they were soft, yet crispy on the edges. Usually for me, the pita chips are just a vessel to get the dip into my mouth, but these were so yummy to munch on even by themselves.
Honorable Mention: Baked Lamb Meatballs
I love Mediterranean cuisine. I love the sweet, aromatic and unique flavors that come from the mixture of spices and herbs, so when I took a bite of this appetizer, my tastebuds were cheering. The mint chimichurri and sweet chili marinara were a nice complement to the lamb and the rosemary-infused polenta was remarkable. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a delicious combination at a theme park before and now that I’ve tried polenta for the first time, I can say I’m a huge fan.
Honorable Mention: Mezze Platter
I love platters like this one because you get to sample so many different flavors in one plate! The hummus was delicious, but I’ve never had baba ghanoush before, so I was very interested in trying it. I was pleasantly surprised at the flavor of it paired with the charred pita pieces. It was also nice to have a few Kalamata olives to pop in my mouth for a quick salty snack. It is definitely a good dish to start off your luxurious meal at one of the most beautiful and award-winning restaurants on property.
If you read this article and decide to take your own appetizer tour around the park, I highly recommend going with an appetite because these restaurants make sure you are fed well. Honestly, I’m still thinking about those ahi tuna nachos, they’re practically haunting my dreams at this point. If you want to take your tour outside the theme parks, don’t forget to check out our Guide to Must-Try Appetizers in Universal CityWalk to help you find even more “openers” to try!
What do you think? Have you tried any of these appetizers? Are there any others in the parks we didn’t mention that you love?
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