Review: Is Dining at Atlantic Really Epic?

Epic Universe is a feast for the senses—and, in some corners of the park, for your wallet too. In the new Celestial Park area, nestled alongside the fountain-filled lagoon and within view of the Constellation Carousel, you’ll find Atlantic, one of Universal’s new flagship dining experiences. The restaurant promises elevated seafood in a setting that’s equal parts luxury and calm escape. It delivers on that promise in many ways. But depending on your expectations (and your budget), you might walk away impressed—or mildly perplexed.

Location, Views, and Vibe

Atlantic is perched along the western edge of the lagoon at the heart of Celestial Park, on the path from the main entrance to Super Nintendo World. Its position offers some of the best sightlines in all of Epic Universe. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the central water feature, with views of StarDust Racers and the entrance to Isle of Berk in the distance beyond the fountains.

Inside, the design leans modern coastal luxury, with an airy, upscale aesthetic that definitely doesn’t feel like you’re in the middle of a theme park. Think soft blues and whites, polished light wood finishes, lighting that walks the line between moody and bright, and enough gold hardware to remind you that this place isn’t pretending to be casual.

Most impressively, the designers really captured the feeling of walking down into the sea. Like most things in Epic Universe, stairs are featured prominently. All of the seating is located on several “sunken” levels compared to the restaurant entrance. And on the tall ceilings run tracks where colorful, brightly lit fish move slowly throughout the restaurant. Bubble “chandeliers” hang among the fish paths. It works, and it’s one of the most pleasant interiors I’ve experienced in a theme park restaurant.

Service was a highlight on our visit. I was seated promptly, my server was both knowledgeable and warm, and dishes were timed well. Not speeding me back out of the door to turn the table over, but not making me wait a long time for each course either. My many questions about dishes, preview experiences, and anything else about the restaurant or park were met with honest, thoughtful responses—something that always earns points in my book.

Drinks

Spice Route Old-Fashioned – $18.00
High West Distillery bourbon, date syrup, Fee Brothers cardamom bitters, Angostura bitters, orange twist and a Hotel Starlino cherry

I kicked off the meal with the Spice Route Old-Fashioned, one of the signature cocktails on the menu and the recommendation of my server. Music to this old-fashioned fan’s ears. It’s strong. Like, “you might not need a second” strong. The flavor profile hinted at warm spice—maybe cardamom or clove—but leaned more on strength than subtlety. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it also wasn’t a standout. A mid-tier old-fashioned in a top-tier setting and at a top-tier price.

Appetizers, Soups, and Salads

Baked Oysters Valentina – $19.00
Spinach puree, gruyere cheese, bacon herb crumb

The oysters were, frankly, fantastic. Served hot and bubbling, they balanced crisp and gooey textures with salty richness. There’s depth here—no overpowering toppings or too much breading to distract from the oysters themselves. But the portion? Just four oysters, at $19. That’s almost $5 per oyster. It’s a lovely starter to share between two people if you want a taste of something elevated, but it’s not going to fill you up and fuel you through a theme park day. Still, this price isn’t totally out of line with other Orlando locations. At BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs, you’ll pay $4.50 per oyster on the half-shell, or a whopping $27 for 5 Oysters Rockefeller.

Tomato Burrata – $18.00
Heirloom tomatoes, burrata, arugula, sherry vinaigrette

This was the only true miss of the meal. There were lots of tomatoes. Excellent ones, for the most part—juicy, ripe, and flavorful. But the burrata was small and felt like an afterthought off to the side. It wasn’t pulled apart or dressed in any way that made it feel like part of the dish. No crunchy texture to balance things out on the dish, and very little acid to cut through the sweetness. One wedge of tomato was noticeably unripe, which stood out more than it should’ve. Overall, this was a dish of most excellent tomatoes that costs $18 and tastes like something you’d get for free at a wedding in late summer. Catch me skipping this one.

Entrees

Sea Bass – $44.00
Carrot mochi, sugar snap peas, lemongrass broth, star fruit

Let me start with the positive: the fish itself is outstanding. Perfectly seared on top, with a crispy golden crust that gives way to buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sea bass. The sauce, poured tableside, was beautifully balanced and rich—maybe the best individual flavor of the meal. But the temperature contrast was jarring. The fish and sauce were hot. All of the fun stuff underneath was actually cold. Not just “cool” or “not warm,” but refrigerator-cold. It made for a strange sensory mismatch that I felt like kept the dish from reaching its full potential. Still, this was a decent portion of sea bass, well-prepared, and for less than what you would pay for sea bass at comparable Orlando restaurants.

Lobster Roll – $48.00
8 oz freshly cooked Maine lobster, drawn butter, lemon dill aioli, grilled bun, house-made potato chips

This dish will absolutely divide guests. The lobster is high-quality, lightly dressed, and piled onto one of the most perfect brioche rolls I’ve ever eaten. I would eat that bread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But it’s small. You could eat two of these before you feel full, and if you’re spending nearly $50 on a sandwich, you shouldn’t need to. It’s a luxury theme park twist on a simple dish, and while it’s delicious, the value just isn’t there.

Wrapping Up

I’ll be clear: Atlantic is good. In some ways, it’s excellent. The views are stunning. The space is calming and beautifully designed. The service was top-notch. The ingredients are fresh, the kitchen clearly has talent, and several individual components were stunningly good.

But the overall pricing here feels out of step, even by theme park standards. Yes, fine dining in a park is going to be expensive. But for the cost of one appetizer, one entrée, and one cocktail here, you could easily get a full meal for two adults at Mythos over in Islands of Adventure—and walk out just as satisfied. At Atlantic, you’re paying for the setting as much as the food. Maybe more.

This might make sense for a splurge meal on a kid-free day, or for adults looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a slow-paced dinner with a view. But if you’re traveling with a group, trying to maximize value, or just want to leave your meal feeling full, this may not be the best fit. The food is well-executed, but I’d love to see either the portion sizes increase or the prices drop by about 20%.

I focused on server-recommended and “fancy” dishes on this visit, but the menu does offer dishes at a lower price point, including a burger for $21 and a grouper sandwich for $24. Many of the other diners around my table were ordering these for lunch during my visit. So the TouringPlans team will eventually be back to get a review of some of these other dishes.

Summary

• Atmosphere: Outstanding. A true respite from the rest of the park.

• Service: Excellent. Confident, warm, and knowledgeable.

• Food Quality: High, across the board.

• Value: Tough sell. Even by theme park standards, this one stings.

• Best Bet: Baked Oysters Valentina (if you can stomach the price) or the Sea Bass (if you don’t mind cold sides).

• Skip: Tomato Burrata.

If your goal is to enjoy a beautiful, quiet lunch or dinner in the heart of Epic Universe, Atlantic is a solid pick. You’ll enjoy great service, beautiful surroundings, and technically strong food. But if you’re looking for the best value—or the most memorable meal—there are better ways to spend your dining dollars. This one’s a splurge. Know that going in, and you’ll probably still enjoy the view.

Have you been to Atlantic in Celestial Park? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!