Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk – Trendy Treats in a Vintage-Industrial Setting
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of Universal CityWalk with a hankering for something sweet? (That’s a pretty universal experience, right?)
There are, thankfully, plenty of places to satisfy those sugary cravings, but the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium rises above the rest as the most unique confectionary you’ll find. From amped-up milkshakes and sumptuous sundaes to the immersive, whimsical 19th-century theme, this wondrous Emporium serves up an experience unlike any other.
More Than a Sweet Spot
Universal‘s Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is the dessert equivalent of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium! (In other words, it’s a super fun place to shop for sweets!)
While the main event is definitely dessert – as it should be – the Emporium is also a full-service restaurant, so come hungry!
Another thing that sets the Emporium apart from other sweet shops is the ambiance. You’ll enjoy your meal in an industrial-themed dining room. Every aspect of the atmosphere adheres to a steampunk theme, all the way down to your waitstaff’s attire. It’s a whimsical play on the creativity, artistry, and science that goes into creating the sweets you’re about to enjoy.
Another thing we love about the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium? They’re open late into the night, so you can get your sweet fix first thing in the morning or right before you turn in for the night. After all, there’s nothing like a bit of chocolate to cure insomnia!
Everyday Menu
The atmosphere at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is so lively and unique that we recommend having a full meal there instead of just stopping by for dessert. Start your meal with warm avocado bruschetta or Philly cheese-steak rolls with cherry pepper aioli. Craving a bite of something sweet as a preview of what’s to come? Try the warm chocolate almond bread with salted caramel butter.
The rest of the menu focuses on hearty American food or localized takes on foreign recipes. Offerings include dishes like Niçoise salad, French onion soup, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and more. Prepare your taste buds for a trip around the world!
A Brunch Menu Worth Waking Up For
For a sweet start to your day, stop by for brunch and choose from crepes (sweet and savory), waffles, quiche, and French toast (including a savory take with Challah bread, a patty melt, and pork belly).
Desserts to Delight You
Of course, at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, it’s absolutely imperative that you save room for dessert! (You might just want to make dessert the main course to be on the safe side.) If you’re like us, you’ll have a hard time choosing just one sweet snack, so we recommend teaming up with your party to choose a few different options and sharing bites.
Milkshakes
The Emporium’s milkshake menu includes amped-up takes on classic flavors like That’s “Mint” (mint chocolate), Heavenly Hazelnut (Nutella), and Thrilla in Vanilla (vanilla with pastry cream, vanilla wafers, and macarons). It’s a great way to enjoy a bite of the familiar, turned up a notch.
However, the real stars of the milkshake menu are the ones that aren’t quite so familiar, like the Marshmallow Crisp, the Emporium’s decadent take on the gooey Rice Krispies treats from your childhood (rice krispies, marshmallow fluff, and a full Rice Krispies treat). In the true Florida spirit, there is also a Key Lime Pie Milkshake! Or you can try the specialty Black Sesame Spider Shake, featuring black sesame soft service ice cream, white whip, and Oreo cream-filled spider chocolate cake.
Sundaes
When you want to go all-in on the ice cream, check out the Emporium’s sundae menu. Instead of the typical banana split, you can choose from artisanal flavors like the Apple Pie sundae with a full slice of apple pie, streusel, apple pie filling, and cinnamon sugar pie crumbles on top vanilla ice cream.
Want a little bit of everything chocolatey and delicious? Try the Brookies, Cookies & Cream – a brookie (brownie-cookie combination), chocolate chip cookie, Oreo cookies and cream ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and chocolate shavings.
Yup, this is where the “Toothsome Chocolate” part of the name comes in!
Other Desserts
Not in the mood for ice cream or a milkshake, but still want something sweet to end your meal?
The Emporium’s dessert menu includes riffs on classic upscale desserts to suit whatever you’re craving. These are slightly more refined than the all-out wildness of the over-the-top milkshakes and Instagram-worthy sundaes – ideal for those with a more sophisticated palate. But they’re also still fun and in keeping with the Emporium’s theme of whimsical flavors!
The menu includes Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding with white chocolate ice cream, creamy Chocolate Crème Brulee, Potted Chocolate Cream served in its own copper pan, and the ultra-luxurious Flourless Chocolate Cake served warm alongside Nutella ice cream and drizzled with raspberry sauce.
Luxurious Libations
The sweet surprises don’t end at the dessert menu – their drinks menu offers up delightful sweet treat-themed twists on classic cocktails.
We love how many riffs they have on the classic Old Fashioned. The Very Old Fashioned stays faithful to the original recipe, while the Old Chocolate Fashioned adds chocolate whiskey, cherry liqueur, and chocolate and orange bitters. The Mocha Old Fashioned kicks it up a notch with cocoa-infused dark rum.
Looking for something you’ve never tried before? Try the Macadamia Chocolate Cherry with vodka, Drambuie 15, and macadamia nut liqueur. It’s like a chocolate-dipped macadamia nut you’d buy as a souvenir from a Hawaii vacation but in liquid form! Feeling flowery? Check out Violette’s Dream – gin and crème de violette, woken up with a splash of citrus.
They also have whiskey flights, a great wine list, and a long list of spirits to choose from – including a delightfully eclectic list of cordials including Heering Cherry, Sambuca, Chambord, and Godiva White Chocolate. If you love combining your sweet tooth with a great drink, this is the perfect spot.
The Confectionary
Before you leave, stop by the confectionary! Even adults will feel like a kid in a candy shop browsing the whimsical displays and selection. Shop candy floss by the jar, gift-worthy boxed treats (a perfect souvenir or gift for your loved ones back home), and everything you’d hope to find in a well-stocked candy store.
The real showstoppers are the handcrafted treats, though. Displays showcase macarons in a whole range of colorful flavors. The artisanal cupcakes are each equipped with a chocolate collar, giving them the look of treats from a fine French patisserie. Individual trifles, mousse cups, cake pops, and other treats always offer something new to savor. Grab one to go, to share, or grab a few and steal bites of each other.
And the selection of fine truffles (in flavors like pistachio, banana rum, peanut butter crunch, cherry liqueur cheesecake, cashew, lemon blueberry, and more) are each designed not only to be delicious but also to look like a tiny work of art. Even if you’re not planning on taking one home, it’s worth stopping by just to admire them.
Gift Shop
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a unique experience worth remembering, which is why they’re set up with a gift shop full of souvenirs to commemorate your visit. Shop memorabilia while you admire the steampunk-inspired mannequins – all dressed to the nines.
What’s your go-to treat when you want to go all-out on sugar? Are you a fan of the amped-up milkshake trend? Chime in below!
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Photo: Unsplash
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