Getting to Know Universal – Red Oven Pizza Bakery

This week Getting to Know Universal covers the pizza joint Red Oven Pizza Bakery! Located next to Starbucks in CityWalk, Red Oven opened in 2014 as the first addition in a massive CityWalk refresh project. Unlike typical theme park pizza, Red Oven features artisanal pizzas with fresh ingredients cooked in a high-temperature oven for a crisp crust.

Quick Glance

• Location: CityWalk
• Cuisine: Pizzas and salads
• Service: Counter service
• Price: $10-$15 per entree
• Universal Dining Plan Accepted: Yes
• Touring Plans Rating: 3 1/2 stars, 90% reader approval
• Seating: Outdoor, covered

The Experience

Universal embraced the Neapolitan pizza and quick service trends of the 2010s with Red Oven Pizza Bakery. Red Oven features a large, covered outdoor seating area with views into a large pizza oven. Inside houses a small ordering space that is surrounded by a modern pizza preparation area and bar. Guests place their orders at the counter and receive a buzzer and choose their seats outside. Team Members deliver silverware, napkins, condiments, and entrees to the tables.

The decorations and theme are minimal but modern, featuring Roma tomato cans, bottles of wine, and white tile. Outside tables and chairs are wooden with bright highlights of red.

The Food & Drink

Red Oven is similar to Blaze at Disney Springs and offers fresh, quick personal pizzas. Unlike Blaze there is no pizza assembly line, guests order from a set of red and white sauce pies – do not worry, modifications are allowed. Pizza options range from the classic cheese and pepperoni to rapini and roasted chicken.

If you are unfamiliar with Neapolitan pizzas, they feature crispy, airy crusts, chewy but firm dough, and well-balanced ingredients. Compare this to a typical theme park pizza that has the mouthfeel and taste of soggy cardboard covered in congealed cheese. Needless to say, Red Oven is a step above nearly all theme park pizza and easily matches the quality at Via Napoli. Ceasar, arugula, and Caprese salads are also available.

What pairs better with pizza than beer? Red Oven offers bottle selections plus draft beer, including Peroni from Italy. Fountain drinks, bottled water (including San Pellegrino), and red and white wine are also available.

The Opinion

Red Oven Pizza Bakery gets thumbs up from Touring Plans, the community, and me. The pizzas are perfectly sized, feature fresh ingredients, and stand heads and shoulders above typical theme park pizza. Out of the fast-food options in CityWalk, Red Oven is the best. If Red Oven sounds great but you wish for something more upscale, visit Vivo Italian Kitchen next door.

Have you been to Red Oven Pizza Bakery? What is your go-to meal? Let us know in the comments.