Vivo Italian Kitchen Review: The BEST Italian Restaurant at Universal CityWalk?
If you’ve ever walked through Universal CityWalk and thought, “I need a real meal… like a sit-down, breathe, reset my whole nervous system kind of meal,” let me point you straight to Vivo Italian Kitchen.
It’s one of those places that feels like a tiny glow-up in the middle of theme-park chaos which for me is polished without being stuffy, cozy without being sleepy, and consistently satisfying when you want something beyond quick-service survival food.
Something like real food…
People love Vivo because it hits that sweet spot: fresh-made pasta, wood-stove pizzas, solid cocktails, and a vibe that works for everyone such as date night, family dinner, or (my personal favorite) a peaceful solo dinner where nobody asks you to share your appetizer.
And yes, it’s located right in Universal CityWalk Orlando, so it’s easy to slide in before the parks, after the parks, or on a “parks are a lot today” kind of night.
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What to Expect at Vivo Italian Kitchen
Vivo is a full-service Italian restaurant with a modern feel and a menu that covers the classics (like spaghetti and meat sauce energy) plus a few more adventurous picks.
Here’s what you can realistically expect:
- A host stand that keeps things moving (but CityWalk can get busy, so plan smart and book that reservation ASAP!)
- A comfortable dining room that feels a little elevated (you don’t feel like you’re in a theme park destination)
- A menu with enough variety for picky eaters and foodies
- A bar program that makes it easy to treat yourself without going overboard (get the Cosmo here…it’s wonderful!)
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Atmosphere
Vivo gives “modern Italian” with warm lighting, clean lines, and that soft CityWalk buzz in the background.
It feels lively, but not loud in a way that makes you lean across the table yelling “WHAT?!” every five seconds.
It’s also one of those restaurants where you can actually do a solo dinner without feeling awkward.
I’ve done the solo dining thing so many times, and Vivo has that sweet, comfortable energy where you can people-watch, sip your drink, and relax into your own little main-character moment.
If you’re the type who loves seeing the kitchen energy and plates flying out, you’ll appreciate the overall “this is a real restaurant” vibe and not just a theme-park add-on.
Menu Highlights
Let’s talk about what you should be looking at when you open that menu.
Start with the “Primi” (appetizers), because Vivo does starters right.
Their calamari is a popular pick, served with both marinara and a lemon-garlic aioli situation that makes it hard to stop “just one more bite”-ing.
If you want something fresh and simple, the Classic Caprese is exactly what you want it to be: tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, balsamic, and sea salt (clean and bright).
For mains, Vivo is known for pasta, and they literally tell you the pasta is made fresh daily, which you can taste.
And if you’re a “take a little piece of vacation home with me” kind of person, they even sell dried house-made pasta to-go for $10.
Other menu standouts people tend to gravitate toward:
Starters
- Calamari: Lightly crispy, not greasy, and super snackable (especially with the marinara + lemon-garlic aioli combo. If you’re sharing, start here).
- Classic Caprese: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic, and sea salt. Simple, refreshing, and the perfect “balance” after something fried.
- Meatballs (Polpette): A cozy, saucy starter that screams Italian Sunday dinner energy (great if you want something hearty right out the gate).
- House Salad / Caesar: Underrated move if you’re doing a full meal and want something crisp before pasta.
Entrées
- Chicken Piccata: Bright lemon + buttery goodness with that salty pop from capers. If you want something comforting but not heavy, this is the move (one of my favorite dishes on the menu).
- Classic Pastas (made fresh daily): This is what Vivo is known for—go for a hearty sauce (like bolognese-style) when you want full comfort, or something lighter if you’re pacing yourself.
- Chicken Parm: Crispy, cheesy, classic and one of those “you can’t go wrong” plates when you just want a guaranteed good dinner.
- Lasagna / Baked Pasta Options: Rich, warm, and nap-inducing in the best way (ideal after a long park day when you’re ready to sit down and recover).
Handhelds & Desserts
- Wood-Stove Pizza: Perfect for sharing (or not…no judgment). Great crust, classic Italian toppings, and a solid choice when your group can’t agree on one thing.
- Dried House-Made Pasta (to-go): This is a little detail people miss (Vivo sells dried pasta you can take home, which is such a fun “souvenir that you can eat later.”)
- Tiramisu / Cannoli: The “I walked 17,000 steps today so I earned this and don’t judge me” dessert lineup. Sweet, classic, and exactly what you want to finish your CityWalk night.
- Cosmo (or your cocktail of choice): Crisp, refreshing, and makes dinner feel like a mini vacation.
Dining Tips and Details
A few “ThemeParkHipster”-style tips so you can do Vivo like a pro:
- Make a reservation when you can. CityWalk dining can spike fast, especially evenings and weekends. Reservations are available online.
- Dress code is casual, so don’t stress (park clothes are fine as long as you’re comfortable and presentable).
- Parking: You’ll be using the Universal Orlando parking garages for CityWalk visits, so build that into your timing, your budget, and your patience (parking is free after 6 p.m. unless it’s during a Halloween Horror Nights event).
- Solo diner hack: Ask for a table where you can people-watch (or snag a seat at the bar). This is an easy place to linger with a drink and decompress.
- If you’re sharing: Do an appetizer + pizza + pasta situation and call it a night. It’s one of the better “split-this” menus at CityWalk.
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My Review of the Food
Okay, let me tell you how my meal went because it was one of those dinners where I could literally feel my shoulders drop after the first few bites.
The Calamari
This was the perfect “I’m hungry but I want to start cute” appetizer. It had that light crisp that calamari needs…not rubbery, not oily, not heavy.
And the dipping sauces? The marinara gave classic comfort, but that lemon-garlic aioli is what made me keep going back for one more piece.
Classic Caprese
Fresh, simple, and honestly kind of refreshing in the middle of a CityWalk day.
The tomatoes and mozzarella combo felt clean and bright, and it was the perfect balance to the fried appetizer.
It gave me that “I’m being healthy-ish” feeling… while still fully enjoying my life.
The Piccata
This was my “I want something comforting but not heavy” main, and it delivered!
You know that classic piccata vibe which has a bright lemon, buttery richness, that little pop of briny capers? It tasted like a real dinner, not a rushed park meal.
The flavors were balanced, and it felt like the kind of plate you order when you want to be taken care of for an hour.
A Cosmo
I had to channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw and grab a nice Cosmo.
It was crisp, pretty, and exactly the kind of drink that made me feel like I was on vacation even when I was just escaping the crowds for a bit.
It was refreshing without being overly sweet, and it paired surprisingly well with the zesty flavors I had going on.
Service
This is a big one for me, especially as a solo traveler. The service made me feel comfortable, like I could take my time, enjoy my meal, and just exist without being rushed.
It felt warm and attentive without hovering, and that’s honestly the sweet spot.
Vivo gave me that “safe little bubble” feeling in the middle of a very busy summer day at Universal Orlando.
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My Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a solid Italian meal at Universal CityWalk with a modern vibe, strong menu options, and the kind of atmosphere that lets you actually relax, Vivo Italian Kitchen is a yes.
Between the fresh-made pasta focus, crowd-pleasing starters like calamari and Caprese, and a cocktail moment that feels like a treat, it’s one of my favorite “reset” spots when I want theme park fun and real comfort.
Final Score and Review of Vivo Italian Kitchen:
- Ambiance: 9
- Food: 9
- Prices: 8
- Drinks: 8
- Service: 9.5
I give this restaurant a 8.7out of 10 on the ThemeParkHipster dining scale and I know you will definitely enjoy it too!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
