Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!
Did you know there are roughly 150 dining options spread throughout Walt Disney World property? Between Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, the many Disney Resorts, and even Disney water parks – there is no shortage of food and drinks to satisfy any cuisine your tastebuds are seeking. One of the most common Disney fan debates is which Disney restaurant is the best of the best, and which restaurant do you find yourself never caring to try again. The best part is there is no right answer as it really depends on what you’re looking for in flavor, atmosphere, budget, and convenience. As much as we recommend staying in the “Disney bubble” when it comes to food, there is one Universal Orlando Resort restaurant that we genuinely love and wish Disney World had it!
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If you’ve never been to Disney World’s neighbor and competitor, Universal Orlando Resort, they have a CityWalk portion which is basically like their version of Disney Springs. CityWalk is also the entrance to the two Universal Parks, Island of Adventure and Universal Studios. Located in CityWalk and nestled very close to the Island of Adventure, you’ll spot a stunning structure that is enticing from the get-go. The factory-looking restaurant is called The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.
The picture above is legitimately what the restaurant looks like with massive smokestacks and interesting golden, industrial features. Universal describes the Chocolate Emperium as follows: “Eatery. Drinkery. Confectionery. Extraordinary foodstuffs abound at this full-service restaurant, bar, and confectionary. Indulge in classic dishes like steak and seafood, but save room for the grand finale. Our chefs create culinary alchemy with gourmet chocolates, artisanal milkshakes, and sumptuous sundaes. It’s a 19th century themed dream, and a truly fantastical feast.”
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The dining experience offers character… well kind of! These are the Disney characters you’re used to. Instead, you’ll likely have a chance to interact with the proprietors of the Chocolate Emporium, the inventor Professor Doctor Penelope Toothsome, and her robot companion Jacques as shown in the image above.
If you’re a chocolate fan you might as well get in the car and drive over to the Chocolate Emporium immediately. Not only do some of the basic menu items feature chocolate but the dessert menu is unmatched (sorry, Disney!). Start off your meal with some Warm Chocolate Almond Bread or popular Coffee and Chocolate Stout Chicken Wings. Enjoy a variety of entree options from salad to flatbread, burgers, pasta, steak, seafood, and more. The Toothsome Signature Beef Filet Mignon is heavenly! You can even have breakfast items any time of the day so go ahead and order a massive Chocolate Waffle with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and rainbow sprinkles for dinner if you’d like.
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Partner your meal with one of their refreshingly delicious cocktails! Our favorite cocktail is the Old Chocolate Fashioned which includes Bird Dog chocolate whiskey, Cherry Heering liqueur, sugar, chocolate bitters and orange bitters. We also enjoy the Vanilla Chocolate Cocktail and Macadamia Chocolate Cherry.
Of course, if you don’t save for one of Jacques’ Specialty Milkshakes, you’re missing out completely. Some of our favorites are the Cookie Jar Milkshake and Chocolate X5 Milkshakes. If you’re feeling chocolate ice cream overload, have no fear, you can order vanilla ice cream, strawberry, mint, and many other ice cream flavors. Plus, you can always try their sundaes, pies, cakes, and more!
Shh… don’t tell Mickey, but our experiences here have been superb. The atmosphere is vibrant and fun for the whole family, the food and drinks are top-notch and our pick as the best on Universal property, the service is on point, and yes, the desserts just can’t be beaten. If there is anything we wish Disney could take from Universal, we’d have to say Chocolate Emporium makes the top of our list! Go ahead and make those reservations well in advance, however, as this popular location is known for boasting unavailability or long waits without a reservation. There! Our secret is out! Any other Universal favorites you wish Disney had?
