Restaurants in Universal City

A sister establishment of Marina del Rey mainstay Killer Shrimp, the recently inaugurated Killer Cafe grants its diners picturesque views of the sparkling harbor as they savor handcrafted dishes. Customers can sprawl inside an oversize booth in the dining room, perch on the outdoor patio, or tie up their boat along the dock for dock-and-dine service. Each spot affords glimpses of the aquatic surroundings, where they can sample bites of classic breakfasts such as traditional eggs benedict and buttermilk pancakes or opt to split a plate with nearby pelicans.

Since 1952, Melody Bar and Grill has gathered diners and bargoers in an unvarying array of midcentury comfort and luxury. Amber chandeliers dangle from ornate copper ceilings in the dining area where guests enjoy menu selections such as chicken parmesan and top sirloin culotte steak designed by chef and owner Christian Warren. In the bar area, light fixtures reminiscent of a Japanese dojo illuminate a bar upholstered with tufted brown leather. Matching intricate cocktails with special events throughout the week, Melody hosts Monday evening karaoke.

A shared love of beach volleyball led the two owners of Marine Street Cafe to move to Manhattan Beach, famed for its surfers and beach-volleyball players. The area’s history has continued to inspire the ownership duo—they have named some of their sandwiches after athletes who regularly visit the café. In their sandwiches—and the rest of the items on the menu—the team uses natural and organic ingredients to craft a wide range of dishes that draw from international cuisines. Many of the sandwiches feature a housemade aioli; that includes the Cooker, a banh mi sandwich that features grilled free-range chicken, pickled carrots, and sriracha. For breakfast, a housemade vanilla whipped cream tops dishes such as the belgian waffle and ricotta pancakes.

Chefs at Flavor Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge brew up Turkey’s signature strong black coffee to help diners to cleanse their palates between bites of delicacies such as stuffed grape leaves, breakfast crepes, falafel sandwiches, and shawarma. Servers also ferry platters to tables laden with signature meals including juicy rib eye steak and jojeh kebabs. Morning fare comes in light and hearty varieties, including protein-packed smoothies, omelets, and paninis to help to fuel up diners for watching their morning exercise tapes.