Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel is a guest favourite for several reasons, and the resort's dining options are certainly one of them.
Besides the rock and roll aesthetic, the complimentary express passes, and the unrivalled proximity to the parks, the hotel serves up guests everything from comfort-food classics, to poolside cocktails, fine dining and over-the-top desserts.
And with Universal CityWalk just a short stroll away, dining options multiply with some of Orlando’s most unique restaurants right on your doorstep.
Here we take a closer look at the places to eat and drink at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando.
The Kitchen
The Kitchen is the Hard Rock Hotel’s signature all-day restaurant. It is at the heart of the resort's dining scene. The Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you've ever eaten in a Hard Rock Cafe, The Kitchen's design won't be entirely unfamiliar.
Casual seating, walls lined with memorabilia, and a kids’ area referred to as known as the Kid’s Crib, where younger guests can lounge on beanbags and watch cartoons while parents finish their meal in peace.
Breakfast is popular here with a buffet spread with omelette station, fresh waffles, biscuits and gravy, pastries, and “Elvis” French Toast with bananas and peanut butter.
On Sundays, guests can indulge in the Acoustic Brunch pairing live music, mimosas, a full breakfast buffet including salad bar, carving station, salmon platters and pastries.
At lunch and dinner, the menu is stacked with American comfort food done with flair.
Expect crowd-pleasers like flatbreads, burgers, fried chicken, and seared salmon, alongside gluten-free choices and hearty desserts.
Portions are generous, while prices lean toward moderate-to-expensive (with entrees priced between $22 and $40).
Guests looking for a meal that combines flavor with Hard Rock personality, The Kitchen is a can’t-miss.
The Palm
The Palm is presented as the Orlando outpost of New York's iconic steakhouse with the same name.
It's positioned as upscale dining, with a classic and upbeat setting (including the celebrity caricatures on the walls). The Palm is all about prime steaks and jumbo Nova Scotia lobsters. Sides come family-style with choices including creamed spinach, potatoes au gratin, macaroni and cheese, or asparagus.
It’s not cheap, entrées regularly top $40, but is very much a venue for special occasions, or when you simply want the best steak on Universal property.
If you plan to splurge on food during your Hard Rock stay, and if you enjoy steak, you may want to do so here.
Velvet Bar
Hard Rock Hotel's Velvet Bar is where the hotel’s cool, rock-chic personality really shines.
By day, it is a stylish spot for coffee or a light snack, and, by night, it transforms into a lively lounge with craft cocktails, small plates, and live music.
When it comes to food, the menu is heavy on shareable plates with options like sliders, charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and tacos.
Meanwhile, a stylish drinks menu brings with martinis, signature cocktails, and a pretty deep wine list.
Depending on the timing of your trip, you may also catch Velvet Sessions, a ticketed monthly event where classic rock acts perform live in the lobby.
On regular nights, meanwhile, live acoustic performances set the tone.
Beachclub
For a more laid-back vacation vibe, Beachclub is a popular choice.
It's a poolside bar and grill that keeps things casual with burgers, wings, chicken sandwiches, and flatbread pizzas, plus lighter options like salads.
Tropical cocktails and frozen drinks are particularly popular choices on the menu, as are the Piña coladas, margaritas, rum runners, and fun house creations like the Pineapple Express keep the vibe festive. Desserts like funnel cake fries add to the theme-park adjacent atmosphere.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch mid-swim or winding down with a frozen daiquiri, Beachclub is relaxation defined.
Emack & Bolio’s Marketplace
Hard Rock Hotel's grab-and-go is just the spot for guests when they need a coffee before rope drop.It's also a great spot for ice cream after a long day.
Part Starbucks, part deli, part ice cream shop, this grab-and-go spot covers all the bases.
In the mornings, you’ll find coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. During the day, grab deli sandwiches, pizzas by the slice, or salads to take back to your room.
The shelves are stocked with snacks, cold drinks, bottled beers and wine for convenience.
For quick bites and treats, Emack & Bolio’s is an essential part of the Hard Rock food lineup.
Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Though not inside the hotel, the Hard Rock Cafe Orlando at CityWalk is practically an extension of the property.
Just a five-minute walk away, it’s the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe, styled like a Roman coliseum packed with more music memorabilia than any other location worldwide.
Here, it’s all about hearty American fare: Legendary Burgers, hickory-smoked ribs, steaks, sandwiches, and giant desserts like the hot fudge brownie sundae.
Pair it with a cocktail in a souvenir glass and soak in the high-energy vibe.
Attached to the cafe is Hard Rock Live, a concert venue that often brings big-name acts to CityWalk.
Even if you’ve been to other Hard Rock Cafes, this one is a standout. For fans of the brand, or just those wanting a lively, music-driven dinner, it’s a must during your stay.
Dining nearby: CityWalk Favorites
One of the perks of staying at Hard Rock Hotel is just how close you are to Universal CityWalk, Universal Orlando’s dining and nightlife hub.
A short walk or boat ride connects you to some of Orlando’s most popular restaurants. Here are a few that stand out for Hard Rock guests:
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food: A colorful fiesta with tacos, enchiladas, tableside guac, and live mariachi.
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar: Quirky fusion of gourmet burgers, sushi rolls, and “burgushi.”
Vivo Italian Kitchen: Chic Italian dining with handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium: Steampunk-themed dining famous for its extravagant milkshakes and dessert creations.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville: Island vibes, tropical drinks, and Caribbean fare.
Bigfire: Modern American dishes cooked over an open flame, with DIY s’mores for dessert.
NBC Sports Grill & Brew: Massive sports bar with 100+ screens and a huge beer list.
With so many options at your doorstep, you can easily mix it up — casual one night, indulgent the next — without ever leaving the Universal property.
Eat like a Rock Star
Dining at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando is about more than just food, it also about atmosphere, convenience, and fun.
Whether you’re tucking into pancakes at The Kitchen, celebrating with a lobster at The Palm, grabbing ice cream at Emack & Bolio’s, or wandering over to CityWalk for a milkshake that looks like a work of art, guests will find plenty of ways to satisfy their taste buds.
With a mix of casual, quick, and upscale spots, and CityWalk right next door, guests really can eat like rock stars here!
