Welcome to California’s Restaurant
At California’s Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Universal City, we celebrate the essence of New American cuisine. Our story is one of passion and flavor, where each dish is crafted with care, showcasing local ingredients and culinary creativity. Guests rave about our tender meatballs and vibrant vegan gnocchi, while others savor our delightful breakfast buffet featuring pancakes and omelets. The casual atmosphere is perfect for groups, and our outdoor seating invites you to enjoy the California sun. With excellent service and an inviting setting, California’s is a culinary destination that promises both comfort and quality, making every meal a memorable experience.
- 333 Universal Hollywood Dr Universal City, CA 90068 United States Hotline: (818) 980-1212
Welcome to California’s Restaurant, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Universal City, California. As a vibrant New American dining destination, this restaurant caters to diverse palates with its innovative menu and inviting atmosphere.
Conveniently located at 333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 90068, California’s Restaurant is perfect for families, groups, and anyone looking to unwind after a long day of adventure. The restaurant features a range of amenities including:
- Takes Reservations
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Outdoor Seating
- Causal Dining
- Good for Groups
- Valet Parking
- TV for Entertainment
The dining experience here is a mixed bag, drawing both rave reviews and constructive feedback. Many patrons have praised the comfort food, with standout dishes like the vegan gnocchi that his packed with wild mushrooms, and the rigatoni bolognese, teeming with flavor. Reviewers have noted the Mediterranean salad, characterized by its crisp cucumber and surprising caper berries, as a must-try.
Breakfast options garner some mixed reviews, with some guests enjoying the bountiful breakfast buffet and others finding the offerings inconsistent. Customer Tara M. highlighted the delightful experience of the breakfast buffet, relishing dishes like pancakes, cheese blintz, and a zucchini omelette. It's clear that the breakfast buffet is a highlight for many, providing satisfaction and energy to fuel their busy days ahead.
However, not every dish has been met with enthusiasm. The pizza, in particular, has drawn criticism for its flat crust, with some likening it to a "super flat crust, reminiscent of Lunchables." This trot of disappointments underscored the need for quality consistency across the menu.
In a bustling atmosphere, California's Restaurant serves as a convenient stop for families visiting Universal Studios. While its location offers an appealing ease, the dining experience is a reminder that, while some dishes delight, others linger behind. With great potential for satisfying meals amidst its flaws, California’s Restaurant is a place worth revisiting. Enjoy the journey, and may you delight in the dishes that speak to your palate!
Don't forget to call ahead for reservations at (818) 980-1212 to secure your place in this charming spot.

Food was really good I loved the meatballs so tender and delicious! I only wish they had more vegetables side dish options

OK, I usually avoid the hotel restaurants because the food is usually average and the prices are typically high but I'm staying at this hotel for four nights and they've been late. There's been both good and bad. The bad: when I met with hotel staff for business someone mentioned that they got a new pizza oven in so I was very intrigued and I had assumed that that their pizzas were Neapolitan style . I ended up ordering one for dinner and was certainly disappointed. It was like a super flat crust, reminiscent of Lunchables. Maybe the pizza oven is a conveyer belt style? Honestly, very disappointing and the worst dishes we ate - we took one side and left the rest. Other than that, everything else was actually REALLY good. We had the vegan gnocchi which was Incredible with the wild mushrooms, my colleague had a rigatoni bolognese, which was very flavorful and we also shared the Mediterranean salad which was sooo good. The dressing had a ton of oregano, the cucumber was crisp and sweet and the caper berries were a briny surprise. We also shared the warm cookie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. All our entrees were right around $20 and a good size; the salad was $14 and well worth it in my opinion. I also had breakfast and got the egg white omelet. It was not great. Had a bite of my coworker's mushroom omelette. Also very average. The menu made everything sound way better than it tastes. In conclusion, lunch/dinner menu was very good except for pizza and avoid breakfast.

I came here with my son and friends during our recent Universal Studios trip and it did not disappoint. I'm so happy we chose the package that included the breakfast buffet. We ate both days of our stay and had a great experience. We enjoyed excellent service in an incredibly beautiful setting. The buffet was plentiful. Day one I enjoyed pancakes, bacon, spinach and mushroom omelette, and fresh fruit. Day two I devoured a yummy cheese blintz, bacon, waffle, zucchini omelette, and fresh fruit. I ordered decaf coffee on both days. The presentation was beautiful and every bite was flavorful. I normally don't eat that much, but it was my vacation and the options made it difficult to choose so I just ate what I wanted. What I noticed was even though I felt full, I didn't feel heavy, and enjoyed good energy both days. For me that means the food was great quality. Honestly, I was full both days and didn't eat again until dinner. My whole party agreed, our next trip we will return and enjoy this amazing buffet breakfast.

This place is convenient (obviously) but uneven in terms of service and quality. For most kids, it's great. My kiddos liked the pasta with chicken, the desserts, and the breakfast-- both buffet and a la carte. They don't have the price for kids buffet on the menu, which is annoying. It was $15, and includes waffles they will make for the child. Lots of fresh fruit, bacon, cereal, bagels, and small muffins. I wasn't a big fan of the chick pea burger (too mushy, not enough feta), but I liked the oatmeal and breakfast potatoes. The waiters were either very attentive or gone for very long periods of time at dinner. At breakfast they had lots of people, which makes sense. The rib hash at breakfast is chunks of steak, not shredded as I was expecting, so just a head's up. You can also eat upstairs in the bar/lounge area, which is often quieter in the evening. Again, service there is uneven. I really liked Tristan, who was friendly, and just the right amount of attentive. Some of the other servers seemed less experienced and bland. The espresso drinks from the bar in the morning are maybe a bit better, but be careful to check your drink. I asked for a pumpkin chai and I'm pretty sure I was not drinking chai. It seemed more like an espresso drink. If you're headed to an amusement park, it's super convenient to roll out of bed and eat here. Not gourmet, but lots of options, and as others have said, it's not cheap. **Oh, and good luck getting down there on an elevator! You might want a room lower down so you can take the stairs, if stairs work for you.