Toothsome Chocolate Emporium: A Universal Studios Dining Review

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood is a popular dining destination. With its unique steam-punk theme, extensive menu, and decadent desserts, it's a place that attracts many visitors. But is this restaurant a good choice for everyone? This review delves into the details of the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium experience to help you decide if it's worth including in your Universal visit.

A Steampunk Factory of Flavors

Located in CityWalk, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium immediately grabs your attention with its striking steam-punk factory aesthetic. Smoke stacks, intricate metalwork, and ornate gold touches create a visually appealing exterior. The theming continues inside, with a sleek design incorporating black and gold accents, maps, and unique lighting. While the atmosphere is impressive, some may find it lacks the whimsical, quirky vibe of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."

The story starts with Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome and her sidekick Jacques (who seems to be a robot) exploring the world in their dirigible (think balloon airship). Upon returning home to London, Penelope determined that she would share her love and knowledge of chocolate with the world. At the Orlando version of the restaurant, I’ve seen Professor Penelope and Jacques meeting guests.

Locations

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium has multiple locations:

Universal CityWalk Orlando (opened in Sept. 2016)
Universal Studios Hollywood (opened earlier in 2023)
Universal Beijing Resort

The popularity of the Orlando location has spurred expansion to other Universal Destinations and Experiences locations. The Toothsome “brand” has even entered a sporting arena to sell its decadent desserts at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Navigating the Dining Experience

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a table-service restaurant, and due to its popularity, long wait times are common, especially during peak hours. It is highly recommended to make dining reservations online, via the Universal Orlando Resort mobile app, or by calling (407) 224-3663. Universal annual passholders may also receive a discount.

Upon entering, you'll see a large bakery display case showcasing treats for purchase on the right. On the left is the Confectionary or Foundry area, a walk-up counter selling desserts. The check-in counter for table service dining is straight ahead, leading to the main indoor dining area. The dining area spans two levels, with screens displaying the inner workings of the factory. A large bar area and additional seating are available on the second floor. If you are arriving as a walk up they will send a text message when your table is ready. Some of the tables offer great views of CityWalk.

A Menu as Vast as the Imagination

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium boasts an extensive menu with a wide variety of options, reminiscent of The Cheesecake Factory. From brunch items served all day to sandwiches, salads, and entrees, there's something for everyone. However, the sheer size of the menu can be overwhelming.

The menu is largely American with touches of French cuisine. Most dishes range from $15-$25, with milkshakes and cocktails around $15. The restaurant frequently adjusts its menu, rotating items off and on, but the brunch and dessert menus remain relatively constant.

Appetizers: Starting on a Savory Note

Two popular appetizers at Toothsome are the Totchos and the Roasted Brussels Sprouts. The Totchos ($10.95) provide comfort food goodness. The Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($8.95) earned being a fan favorite. The popular “Warm Chocolate Almond Bread” makes an excellent way to start your meal. The bread is sweet but not overly so and is served warm. It was baked perfectly, the salt in the butter added a nice contrast to the sweetness. At $5.95, this is worth getting.

Entrees: A Mix of Hits and Misses

The sandwich section contains some solid options. The restaurant offers flatbreads and some flavor-filled salads on its menu. The burger menu includes the smallest number of burgers at Toothsome we have ever seen. The crispy boneless chicken breast presents itself, avoiding dryness issues. Tomatoes, butter-bibb lettuce, bacon, and mustard aioli complement the chicken. Another good-tasting brioche bun holds it all together. To our surprise, this tuna sandwich brings good flavor at another value for a theme park resort price. The Challah bread at Toothsome receives high marks.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen restaurant also serves more upscale entrees like pasta, steak, chicken, pork, and salmon. Guests speak highly of the Wild Mushroom Chicken Risotto and the Gnocchi entrée that contains grilled chicken, sweet peppers, rapini, and mole cream sauce. We cannot speak highly enough of the Brisket and Wild Mushroom Meatloaf ($20.95) from our dining experiences. This combination of roasted corn, crispy fried onions, mushroom gravy, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, Bordelaise sauce, and, of course, the brisket brings a solid savory sensation to your taste buds. I ordered the Grilled Teriyaki Salmon and it was so nice to add some much-needed vegetables to my meals this week.

Brunch All Day

Yes, you can order brunch whenever at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen serves guests. The brunch menu contains waffles, crepes, French toast, and quiche. During a recent visit, we ordered the Bananas Foster Waffle ($11.95) at lunchtime on a weekday. This larger waffle comes topped with caramelized bananas, brown sugar, walnuts, rum, butter, whipped topping, and powdered sugar. The savory Patty Melt French Toast does not need syrup, nor would we recommend using it with this brunch entrée. The Challah bread used provides a solid foundation for the rest of this brunch item. The half-pound house-made fresh hamburger patty stars in this show. It also comes with Lyonnaise potatoes. Nevertheless, the Patty Melt French Toast presents a decent value and flavor.

Desserts: The Main Attraction

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is renowned for its extravagant desserts, particularly its photo-worthy milkshakes. These milkshakes often function as two desserts in one, featuring entire slices of pie or cake, cupcakes, or brownies on top. While the milkshakes are a major draw, the sundaes are easier to share and cost less.

Some popular milkshake flavors include Dulce de Leche (salted caramel ice cream, Dulce de Leche, salted pretzels, fresh whipped cream, and chocolate cigars) and Red Velvet (vanilla ice cream, red velvet cupcake, raspberry sauce, rainbow sprinkles, fresh whipped cream, and a cherry).

The cakes and sundaes sold at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen bring good value. We once recall sharing a Banana Cream Pie among three people for dessert. By the way, the piece of banana cream placed in that sundae tasted great. We would buy just that pie without anything else. We consider the sundaes worth it. The milkshakes present a more arduous evaluation. Are these milkshakes good? Yes, the Toothsome versions taste better directly compared to popular milkshakes over at Walt Disney World. Are they worth $16 on average? They are probably worth it.

Pricing and Value

Dining at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is not cheap. Expect to pay at least $20.00 per entree. While the prices are high, they are on par with most of the sit-down restaurants at CityWalk. The portions are generous, and many find the experience worth the cost.

Potential Drawbacks

Long Wait Times: Due to its popularity, expect long wait times, especially during peak hours.
Inconsistent Food Quality: Some diners have reported inconsistent food quality, with some dishes being hits and others misses.
Overwhelming Menu: The extensive menu can be overwhelming and make it difficult to choose.
Price: The prices are high, which may not be suitable for all budgets.

Final Verdict

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen offers a unique and memorable dining experience. The steam-punk theming is visually appealing, and the extensive menu offers something for everyone. While the prices are high and the food quality can be inconsistent, the extravagant desserts and overall atmosphere make it a worthwhile stop for many visitors to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

For a first-time guest, I would include Toothsome in your Universal trip. It is also a fun atmosphere and work trying for yourself. Overall the food was still delicious and although we don’t visit every trip to Universal we do enjoy including it in our trips. Even if you choose not to dine here, swinging by for a sweet treat here always sounds like a good idea to us.

Tips for Your Visit

Make Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended to avoid long wait times.
Arrive Early or Try Lunch: Consider visiting before 5:00 pm or during lunch hours to avoid peak crowds.
Share Desserts: The milkshakes and sundaes are large and rich, making them perfect for sharing.
Check the Menu in Advance: Familiarize yourself with the menu beforehand to make your decision easier.
Consider the Chocolate Shop: If the wait times for the restaurant are too long, consider visiting the on-site chocolate shop for a variety of treats.
Look for Penelope and Jacques: Keep an eye out for Professor Penelope and Jacques, who sometimes make appearances at the restaurant.

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