A Guide to Universal's Marvel Character Dinner

Nothing at Universal Orlando is average, not even your meals. The Marvel Character Dinner elevates the dining experience by turning it into part meal, part interactive adventure. Here, you’ll get to chow down on some delectable food while meeting some of your favorite Marvel characters. It all comes together for one superhero night.

The Experience

Marvel Character Dinner takes place at Cafe 4 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Upon arrival, you and other guests will have the restaurant to yourselves. (You will have to choose a seating time when you purchase tickets.) Team member servers will help you to your seat, take your drink orders and give you an overview of the dinner menu.

Once you start eating, the real fun begins when in walks Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Rogue and many of your other favorite super heroes. The characters not only pose for photos, they will also sign autographs and talk with dinner guests. You can take your own photos or take advantage of My Universal Photos, in which you can view, purchase and download high-quality photos taken by Universal Orlando’s professional photographers. (Each guest receives one digital photo via My Universal Photos with the purchase of a Marvel Character Dinner ticket.)

The Marvel Character Dinner is open from Thursday to Sunday, beginning each night at 5 p.m. But Cafe 4 is still open when Captain America and friends aren’t there. The Fantastic Four-themed Italian restaurant serves pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccini Alfredo, meatball subs, Caesar salads and much more.

The Menu

Marvel Character Dinner offers a full buffet menu of salads, pastas, meats and specialty pizzas. The salads include orzo, marinated artichoke, bow tie pasta, fresh mozzarella and tomato, chef-tossed Caesar and tossed house salad. Pasta offerings include penne Bolognese and stuffed jumbo shells with pesto. Meat entrees such as roasted rosemary lemon chicken, chicken scaloppini and shrimp scampi are available. Diners who opt for the specialty pizzas can choose Tuscan, Roman Bianca, Mediterranean vegetable, Hawaiian or cheese. Assorted breads, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages are also available. The culinary team is able to accommodate any dietary needs or special food requests you may require.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Cafe 4 is located in the heart of Marvel Super Hero Island, and there’s no reason not to experience everything the location has to offer. From rides to shopping to entertainment, spending a full day exploring Marvel Super Hero Island is the perfect way to work up an appetite.

Rides

Marvel Super Hero Island contains several Marvel-inspired rides. The Incredible Hulk Coaster catapults you forward before propelling you upside down into a weightless zero-gravity roll, racing faster and faster down the track. The ride hits a top speed of 67 mph.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man brings you into the 3-D world of the world’s most famous webslinger. In this virtual reality ride, you’ll face a cast of Marvel characters as you soar above the streets, scale skyscrapers and battle bad guys.

Speaking of soaring into the sky, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall launches riders 185 feet into the air before hurling them back down to earth with a force stronger than gravity itself. For a more kid-friendly experience, hop on the Storm Force Accelatron for a spinning-good time.

Things to Do

The Marvel Character Dinner isn’t the only place to meet your favorite Marvel characters. Just outside Cafe 4 is the Marvel Alterniverse Store. Here you can meet and pose for photos with Spider-Man himself. You can also interact with the likes of Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm and Marvel Villains like Dr. Doom and the Green Goblin on the streets of Marvel Super Hero Island. If you’re looking to face off against a villain in a more competitive setting, head to Dr. Kingpin’s Arcade for exciting arcade and video games.

Where to Shop

At the Comic Shop, peruse the comics and graphic novels that have defined Marvel for more than 75 years. Collectible figurines, busts, posters and apparel are also available. When you’re not snapping photos with your favorite characters at the Marvel Alterniverse Store, be sure to pick up as superhero T-shirts, mugs, toys, collectibles and more. If it’s Spider-Man memorabilia you’re after, the Spider-Man Store was made for you. Here you’ll find aisles upon aisles of Spidey action figures, toys, T-shirts and more.

Other Character Dining Experiences

If sharing a meal with your favorite characters proves to be your new favorite mode of dining, you’re in luck. Universal Orlando has several character dining experiences located throughout its destination. Every Saturday morning the Loews Royal Pacific Resort puts on the Despicable Me Character Breakfast. The Tahitian room offers a full buffet of pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and more. As you’re enjoying your delectable breakfast you’ll have the chance to meet some of your favorite “Despicable Me” characters such as Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the Minions.

Universal Orlando also offers seasonal character dining. During Halloween, head to the Classic Monsters Cafe for the all-you-can-eat Halloween Horror Nights Scareactor Dining Experience. When Christmas rolls around, what could be better than spending time with the mean one himself? While you chow down at The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, the Green One will make the rounds, stopping to take photos and maybe swiping a piece of bacon.

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