We stayed here for five days and unfortunately had a disappointing experience with the restaurant's front staff. During our stay, we visited the restaurant three separate times, and each visit was consistently unpleasant. On each occasion, we felt unwelcome upon arrival. We were not greeted in a friendly manner, were not initially provided menus, and the interactions with the hostess/front staff came across as cold and dismissive. From our perspective, the level of professionalism and hospitality did not meet expectations for a property serving hotel guests. What stood out most was the consistency of the experience across multiple visits. While anyone can have an off day, the same issues occurred each time we visited, which made it feel less like an isolated incident and more like an ongoing customer service problem. First impressions matter, and the way guests are treated at the entrance sets the tone for the entire dining experience. Unfortunately, based on our experience, the service at the front of the restaurant needs significant improvement. We hope management takes guest feedback seriously and works on creating a more welcoming and professional atmosphere for future visitors. Update: After posting/sharing my concern, I ran into the manager and explained the situation to him directly. He was very friendly, professional, and accommodating. I appreciated that he took the time to listen and address the issue instead of dismissing it. While our original experience with the front staff was disappointing, the manager's response showed that he does care about the guest experience and is willing to make things right. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

A truly great breakfast in this world class resort at Lowe's Del Porto in Universal Orlando. We waited a mere ten minutes for our table at a corner booth and coffee and water were brought straight away. Abner, our server was very quick with a refill and answered questions about the menu. He also promised a much deserved and appreciated spicy Bloody Mary. Prices are higher because it's at a resort but the food selection made up for the cost and substantiated the value. $36 for an adult buffet but was only half that for a child. Mrs me had a Granola Parfait at $12. Bloody Mary was fair at $15 but delicious in taste. The restaurant will easily hold 100 or more patrons and the service staff was quick to turn over tables for a smooth breakfast experience. Definitely worth a return trip read more

Was at the Portofino for a business event and this was the nightly hang out spot. Good size restaurant with table and bar seating. SERVICE: Considering they had a significant computer issue, this team did a nice job trying to keep everything going. Very friendly bartenders (with great a memory - they remember customers and what they drink) FOOD: Very tasty food here. Their salads were fresh and their protein options are good and tasted Fab!! Oh and their drinks were spot on. Not a lot of places to eat on property, but this one is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. read more

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TY is an excellent bartender. He delivers exceptional service and knows the menu inside out and makes sure everything is to your liking. Above and beyond! Great atmosphere. read more

Had the best pasta ever. The staff were lovely and accommodating. We are traveling with a disabled child and they made her feel safe and happy. Her older sister also enjoyed the pasta and cheesecake. Their mother had a delicious ravioli that was so fresh she practically licked the bowl clean lol. We enjoyed the laughs over the duet del Porto dessert (pictured). Music was not too loud at all. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Duet del Porto. - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

We did Magical Dining at Trattoria del Porto, and it was such a wonderful experience! The journey itself adds to the charm -- since it's located at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal, we parked at CityWalk and took the water taxi over to the resort. Afterwards you can take the water taxi back and enjoy CityWalk if you want. Perfect for both a date night or a family night out. For the appetizer, I had the baked bread with burrata cheese and prosciutto. The burrata and prosciutto were fantastic -- creamy, fresh, and flavorful. I just wish the bread had been warm and a little lighter, but overall it was still delicious. For my main course, I went with the cheese tortellini, and it did not disappoint! The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was rich, flavorful. Dessert was my highlight -- the Crème Brûlée. Even though I was absolutely stuffed by that point, it was so good. Silky and sweet, with a perfect caramelized top... absolutely delectable. Overall, Trattoria del Porto made for a memorable night with great food, a lovely atmosphere. Definitely a Magical Dining win! read more

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As a local to Orlando, I am always trying to find a "staycation" spot. Tonight was my husbands birthday and I decided to take him here. We love to travel, but at the moment we can't so I thought bring Italy to us. The weather was amazing and the scenery was so picturesque, we decided to dine out doors. Juan and victor were our server team and they were very attentive and very welcoming. We wanted for nothing. The food was as to be expected. Salmon was cooked and seasoned well as well as my husbands pasta. Nothing really jumped off the page, but we enjoyed the experience. read more

Beautiful little spot in Portofino Bay. I wish they utilized more of the view in front of the restaurant. The staff service was friendly but not super attentive, as it's typically very busy. The food itself was okay, nothing particularly amazing. My party did not bother finishing any of our meals or taking them to go. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Fettecuine alfredo - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We ate here during their weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The first date I ordered eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast (a la carte) and the second day I opted for the buffet. I didn't try the eggs on the buffet, but the scrambled eggs a la carte from the menu were pretty underwhelming. They looked amazing, but they didn't taste like eggs. The potatoes, bacon and toast were great, and the coffee and fresh orange juice were both amazing, but I wouldn't recommend the plain scrambled eggs. Day 2, I opted for the buffet. I have a gluten and dairy allergy, and they were able to make gluten free pancakes with soymilk. They were awesome!! Hot and fresh, with real maple syrup. And I topped them with bananas and strawberries from the buffet. The buffet had everything from smoked salmon and veggies, to charcuterie, fresh fruit, oatmeal, grits, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, cereal, pastries, bagels, green juice, and more. I was really impressed. $32 and includes coffee (so good) and fresh orange juice. And compared to the subpar, overpriced food in the parks at universal, this was a better start to our day! Others at my table ordered the eggs Benedict and omelet, and they enjoyed that too. Definitely recommend starting your day here if you want a hearty breakfast. read more

My sister and I shared a Tuscan chopped salad and minestrone soup for dinner since we had a massive lunch. The soup came out microwave hot, as in it was initially warm but quickly dropped to a disappointing cold. As far as taste, it seemed no better than a can of Progresso soup since it lacked anything that resembled handmade. The salad was a step up in that the ingredients were freshly and decently prepared. Overall, we had a mediocre experience with our good but saw some of the pasta dishes did look good. If I were to come back I'd have to come with a hungrier stomach because the soup and salad was not it. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Tuscan chopped - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We went here for brunch while staying at the hotel and it was blah. The server was nice enough and the atmosphere was okay, but the food was way too much for the quality. Everything was either cold or stale. It was extremely disappointing. You can either order off the menu or do the buffet. The buffet was more than just getting your own dish and I'm glad we went that route, because the food wasn't worth it and the buffet didn't have great options. I'm sorry to say We did not and would not visit again. read more

Service was terrible, didn't get small plates for the appetizer until after it was eaten. Took 30+ minutes to get the check. Floor was covered in food from the previous guest. Alfredo noodles were mushy, chicken dry. The snapper was good and the ravioli was good. read more

Delicious food, lovely staff, comfortable seating. Impressive drink menu, very nice server. Perfect date night restaurant. read more

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We had the most amazing dinner here while staying at the resort. Like too many other places, they are short on staff so although the dining area was not full, they were taking reservations. They offer both indoor and outdoor dining options. Our waitress was working both areas and they are not close so she was running constantly! Still, she had a great attitude and was very friendly and took time to chat. Reservations are recommended at every dining spot on the Universal property (hotels, CityWalk, in the parks). Even with a reservation, you may have to wait, so if you have an idea of when you would like to dine, do pre-plan. We lucked out getting a table here without a reservation but those who came after us had to wait, so we definitely lucked out! (or in?) We both ordered their Manzo and omg, this was amazing. Absolutely worth the price point. Perfectly cooked, tender beef that is a real pleasure to savor. My SO like carrots, and I love asparagus, so we swapped those making it absolutely perfect for us both! :D As drinks are ordered prior to deciding what meal you will order, I paired my meal with a cucumber twist cocktail. Not the correct compliment to beef, however, it is a light, refreshing beverage and would be absolutely perfect on a warm summer evening. Mild and cool. We usually eat our largest meal during lunch, so this meal was enough for our dinner. However, for many appetites, this meal would require an appetizer, or perhaps dessert to 'fill in the corners' a bit. You have to know your appetite, and for us, the size was perfect. The indoor dining is casual, and the outdoor dining includes views of the lagoon. Parking at the resort (Portofino Bay) requires a key card to enter, so if you are coming here locally, parking would be at CityWalk, then either take the boat from the CityWalk landing to Portofino, or follow the very nice, park like pathway to the resort. I enjoyed this experience, and wouldn't hesitate to return. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Their Manzo is exquisite! - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Just opened about a month ago after renovation. Buffet not as grandiose as before, but the food quality is on par with other high end hotels. Great job. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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If you're ever in the area, stop by and have a drink at the bar but don't expect to watch much in the way of sports. They need a television sports package to enhance the atmosphere. Ty makes a mean martini. read more

Christmas dinner special A nice Italian Restaurant with great water front dining. Great atmosphere inside too with nice paintings and sculptures. We had the option to pick 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and one side. The meals were served with mini desserts. All served family style. For appetizers we picked pasta fagiol, charcuterie board, and bruschetta with burrata. The soup 5/10 there was no pasta in it. Charcuterie great selection of meats and cheeses including brie 10/10. The burrata on the bruschetta was creamy and delicious. 10/10 For entrees we picked vegetable lasagna with fried goat cheese, beef short ribs, and chicken marsala with polenta. The best part of the veggie lasagna was the fried goat cheese. It had a lot of eggplant and cheese on top. 7/10. Chianti Beef short ribs were the favorite great sauce and cooked perfectly. 10/10. The marsala sauce with mushrooms 10/10 great flavor. The polenta was creamy and buttery 10/10 the chicken was dry 3/10. Desserts. Mini creme brûlée, tiramisu, and chocolate torte. Best was creme brûlée vanilla custard and melted sugar on top 10/10, chocolate really nice and rich flavors. 9/10. Tiramisu not enough coffee taste 7/10. read more

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There's a vegan breakfast option! We were staying at Portofino Bay at Universal with a group of friends and some weren't vegan so we had to find dining options that worked for everyone and this place was a winner. The vegan tofu scramble was our only vegan option but it was great! SUPER heavy on the garlic but it was flavorful and filling. Maybe chase it was a pastry or fruit before getting on a bunch of rollercoasters though, could be a bit overwhelming for your stomach with coffee. The atmosphere seemed a bit dated but it was fine! We were more excited to run to the parks anyway. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Vegan Tofu Scramble w/ Parsnips - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Came to order food and drinks. Was ready to splurge with cocktails, dishes and desert. Service was terrible, the ladies at the front desk completely ignored my reservation, made us wait an unnecessary long time. All the servers but Victor were unhelpful and rude. At the end food arrived and it was ok, not worth all the ordeal. Would never return and would not recommend. read more

We ate breakfast here a couple of times while staying at Portofino Bay. Opted for the Buffet which was $29. It was a good buffet, albiet a little pricey for what was offered. Service was good and not at all rushed. Photos included showing our various plates. read more

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The Good: Nice decor Great location; felt like we were in Italy! Decent pasta bar with lots of options Fresh items at the salad bar The Bad: Waiter who didn't know anything about gluten options and belittled my friend Exorbitant prices read more

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Service is good, I thought it was Italian but only played Hispanic music killed the vibe I came in with. For drinks it is nice, otherwise over priced 2 scale bar food. read more

The breakfast buffet at Trattoria del Porto is the perfect way to start the day before hitting the parks. They have everything you need for a rounded breakfast including a custom omelette station. While the food is outstanding, the service might be better...everyone there is incredibly friendly and happy that you're there. We loved our time at Portofino and all their wonderful staff. read more

Trattoria del Porto - a view of a river with boats in it - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

After checking in at the hotel and waiting for our room to be ready we were starving so we headed down to eat. Trattoria del Porto only had 3 other tables of people so we figured that would be the fastest place to go to. The restaurant is really pretty and open. The service was friendly and mostly good. My issue wasn't with the service itself but with how long it took to get our food. We didn't order anything complicated and as I said, the restaurant only had 3 of groups there, one of which had already finished eating. The waiter told us that it was taking so long because the same kitchen does the room service orders and they were super backed up. The burger, panini, and fries were all good but not worth the crazy long wait. read more

They were not ready, at the omelette station and pasta station they were having issues with the burners, that made the waiting time longer. The meat station, there was only one person taking care of everything. Meat was cold, ham and salmon were good The trays with ham and cheese, some were empty, and it wasn't even 11:00am, aren't they supposed to refill them. The best station was the one doing the banana foster, the lady was very attentive making sure everything was done properly and we were satisfied. I thought the concept was good, but they were not ready for customers today. Not worth 300 dollars, sorry!! I will give it 6/10, just because it's mother's day!! read more

Trattoria del Porto is a restaurant within Loews Portofino Bay Hotel serving Italian Cuisine. They offer a breakfast buffet daily from 7:00am - 11:00am. It's $19.50 for Adults and $10 for Kids ages 12 and under. Lunch and Dinner is also offered. However, the restaurant is closed for dinner every Tuesday and Wednesday. We decided to have lunch here. Upon entering the restaurant, we did not see a host or hostess. After waiting for a few mins, a kind gentleman apologized for the wait and seated us. We were told our waiter would be with us in a few. When he didn't show up, the host ended up taking our order. Our waiter introduced himself as he brought out our Appetizer. Complimentary bread and butter is offered. They also have the cutest mini ketchup and Tabasco bottles at the table. We decided to try the Blue Lump Crab & Tomato Gazpacho, Roasted Shrimp Pappardelle Pasta, and Grilled Chicken Gemelli Pasta. The Gazpacho was cool, clean, and refreshing. The Crab was fresh and the drizzle of olive oil was lovely. The Pappardelle pasta was al dente. They gave a generous serving of pasta and shrimp. However, I wasn't impressed with the shellfish butter and the shrimp was lacking in flavor. The Gemelli Pasta was al dente. The Parmesan Cream Sauce was well made and the Prosciutto was slightly salty and savory. I enjoyed this dish a lot. Things appeared a bit disorganized at first, but the host and waiter were very friendly and apologetic. Once our meals arrived, our waiter did a wonderful job checking on us and our water cups were always full. He even packed our leftovers for us to take back to the hotel. There is a children's play area hidden towards the corner of the restaurant. So if you're bringing little ones, they have child-size tables and chairs, beanbags, and a large screen TV to keep them entertained and comfortable. For a restaurant at a Universal Orlando On-site Hotel, we were quite impressed. After eating mediocre burgers and pizza at the parks, this is definitely a nice option to have on hand. read more

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Ate breakfast there three times during our recent stay. It was obviously pretty good or we would not have been back multiple times. I could easily go 3.75. Service was always great. That said, nit pick a few things: * Pricey. Breakfast should never run $25/per (w/tip). Yikes. * The salmon/lox was super chewy, didn't even finish what I started. * Bagels were bad. Much rather than a Kroger bakery bagel. * Several instances with stains/lipstick/whatever on coffee mugs. Fix it. Still, recommended. The food choices were good, and the quality was good (sans the salmon and bagels). read more

Awesome service and great atmosphere. We love the experience. Todd were so good and takes care us so nicely. On the food side it's good but not that great. We like the food but it was not yummy as expected. read more

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Nothing like a good old Italian buffet to lighten the spirit. Came here for breakfast and dinner. Dinner was really good and seating in the outside patio while enjoying a cool fall central Florida evening just made it a very special experience. The service is attentive and the pasta made to order at the chef's station is pretty darn good. Trattoria del Porto earns four solid stars for good service, good food and good ambiance. Order that extra bottle of wine and feel free to linger, because life is good. read more

Twice I came to Trattoria for a la carte breakfast on a weekday in February. The first time I was alone and sat outside. My server raised an umbrella to block out the sun. It was a beautiful view and so serene. The second time I came with my husband and we sat inside. Both times I had the eggs Benedict and subbed the Canadian bacon for smokes salmon. I enjoyed my first experience more. The atmosphere outside is so peaceful, and the second time I was a little frustrated that it seemed the coffee and juice were complimentary (but they were not). However, I do feel like we got quality food and good portions for what we paid for, the service was good all around, and neither time were crowded. We took a peak at the breakfast buffet before we decided if we were going to do that or the a la carte. I don't think the buffet looks worth the price. Do yourself a favor and get the eggs Benedict ! read more

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Great food, great service, pretty ambiance. Eggs Benedict were the best I've ever had. Servers are quick to refill coffee and assist with anything and everything. Loved it! read more

What is the definition of good? Of great? If you pay little and get a lot, that is good. Great only comes with delivering more than expected when it is unexpected. Charging a lot for mediocre, is not good or great. This is Trattoria del Porto. I've dined here enough times that my experience is not a chance "bad day." (Dined at least 6 times for breakfast or lunch on two separate stays) The food is actually pretty good and it should be for the cost. The servers are apathetic. (From Merriam-Webster: having little or no interest or concern; indifferent) At times, they seem to be bothered to have to help diners at all. The Lowes Portofino is spectacular. I would like for this eatery to be better because the decor is very nice and the resort is delightful. When I come back this December, I hope the Trattoria del Porto has improved. From Southern California, Bon appétit! read more

We went here most days for breakfast and typically chose the buffet, which I do agree was the better deal given the al-la-carte choices on the menu. Service was friendly and helpful, and courteous. The buffet was ok, but the quality of the food was disappointing. The bagels were sort of dry and the lox were just ... not right. Many of the pastries were also dry, not stale, just not delicious. The pancake machine didn't seem to work. The French toast was stale and old. The omelet guy was great! But, for a glorified 'continental' breakfast with a few hot options, the price was ridiculous. I had a 'hot buffet' at Marriot that were way better at $10 less per plate. read more

I ate here about 3 months ago and can still taste the delicious pasta. On a beautiful July evening I ventured out to try the pasta bar. Craving pasta and received the most amazing service. From being seated promptly, I went over to the pasta bar. They had an array of varies meats and vegetable. The chef did not speak English well, but understood everything I requested. With his guidance I went with penne pasta and mix of white and red sauce. Great choice as everything was delicious. The second dish was pesto and penne, no meat with lots of veggies. Honestly I think the chef made my experience very favorable. The most kind hearted person you'll ever meet. Sad I forgot his name. Will definitely return.... read more

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We were staying at the Loews Portofino for Halloween Horror nights so where there for the weekend. We were mostly out but we did stop in for breakfast on Sunday. It was really busy and the servers seemed overwhelmed a bit. I was not impressed - the food was mediocre to say the least. The scrambled eggs were hard, so I ordered an omelette and it was not cooked all the way thorough. The egg was still runny - blechh. I just have a hard time when the sous chef/chef/cook who makes the omelettes does not know how to make them. Raw egg is not good for anyone- especially children. He was so busy I think he was rushing to accommodate everyone. Not an excuse!!! So the buffet was plentiful, but the food was just not very good. Bacon overcooked, french toast cold and hard...... However, the fruit was fresh , the smoked salmon, oatmeal and bagels were fine and the muffins were pretty good. However, If we stay here again, we will go somewhere else for breakfast. It was just not a positive experience. read more

Good food with large portions for breakfast. They also do a breakfast buffet for about $23pp. The organic egg frittata was delicious, made with eggs, sausage, boursin cheese, potatoes and onions. read more

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Came in as the last customers, and they still gave outstanding customer service and let us take our time. The food is absolutely worth the price, fresh and delicious. There's something for every taste and the service once again, amazing! Highly recommend especially for a special occasion. The atmosphere is casual but intimate all at once. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Land and sea dish with mashed potato and asperagus as well as squash - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I went back and forth a bit about whether Trattoria was 2 or 3 stars, and finally landed on 2. Trattoria is the only restaurant at the hotel that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We only had dinner here, so my review is based on that. The ambiance is really better suited to a breakfast buffet rather than a mid-priced dinner service. As far as atmosphere is concerned, I'd give it 1 star. It's very generic and open, much like a typical breakfast buffet at a Drury Inn. Prices are about $30 an entree and $10 for a salad, which isn't exactly in line with the pasta/salad buffet in the middle of the room with precooked noodles and prepared sauces. The server aggressively pushed the buffet, which we were not interested in. The food we ordered off the menu was 2 or 3 stars. The fresh mozzarella salad was okay, not great. Same with the wedge salad. My husband liked his steak but the potatoes on the side seemed to have been frozen or leftover and reheated. My pasta entree was okay. Short story... Go to Mama Dellas next door. You will spend about the same and the food and ambiance will be far better. read more

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What a rip! This is institutional food at fine dining prices. Take a pass -- no matter what anyone else says. Brown bag lunches would taste better -- and don't be fooled by the photo op with Universal theme park characters. The only saving grace was dessert (decent sorbet, cakes and creme brûlée) - hence two stars -- Otherwise a 1 star experience. read more

Trattoria del Porto - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I had breakfast here twice. This is located at Portofino near Universal. The breakfast buffet was full of dishes to please and also unique ones... freshly smoked salmon was one of the options. They also had gluten free baked goods. They have a custom omelet station that can make 'em how you like 'em! The fresh fruit was fresh and sweet. The standard coffee was good, but lacking in fancy schmancy coffees, so don't expect those. All in all, if I am at Portofino again, I will be sure to stop by there. read more