31-07-2025
Strong Water Tavern Is A Culinary Postcard From The Caribbean
There's one thing you'll read repeatedly in my articles: 'I'm an island gal.' And while I haven't quite figured out how to retire early and live in the Caribbean sipping cocktails under a palm tree just yet, I am unwaveringly committed to seeking out authentic and flavorful experiences in between my trips. So, when I stumbled across Strong Water Tavern at Universal Orlando, I was intrigued and had to check it out.
Strong Water Tavern serves as the primary bar and lounge restaurant at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal, focusing on rum and Caribbean tapas-style dishes. They also have a ceviche bar and an expansive selection of rums with table-side rum tastings led by a rum captain. Here's what our dining experience was like.
This Isn't Your Typical Theme Park Dining
At Strong Water Tavern, you're not just steps away from the roller coasters and character sightings of Universal Orlando. You're stepping into a unique Caribbean oasis, a World unlike anything you can find at a theme park. As Head Chef Carlos Castaño, a veteran of nearly two decades at Universal, puts it, 'We are not theme park dining. Here, you can escape the park's hustle and bustle and relax at the rum bar, immersing yourself in a one-of-a-kind Caribbean experience.'
Inside, you're greeted by a maritime mural above the bar and rum cask lids lining the ceiling. The space offers different seating options, including at the bar, at low tables, and on the outdoor patio, which features lounge chairs and benches with a view of the lagoon and a fire pit.
There are a few giant screens playing sports located towards the back of the restaurant, and lively music, either from the house speakers or in-person entertainers, sets the mood for a fun meal.
Bringing A Taste Of The Caribbean To Orlando
Caribbean cuisine has a complex history that dates back to the 16th century. The dishes vividly reflect the region's cultural heritage and the accessibility of ingredients on various islands.
Caribbean cuisine, with its rich and diverse history dating back to the 16th century, offers a menu that is a true reflection of the region's cultural heritage. The accessibility of ingredients on various islands has led to a diverse range of dishes, each with its own unique flavor profile drawing influence from Africa, Europe, and Asia. The menu takes you on a culinary journey through the Caribbean, featuring recipes and spirits from a diverse range of countries and islands, including Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Colombia, the Spanish Islands, the British Islands, and the French Islands.
Chef Carlos and his team encapsulate this perfectly.
Castaño revealed that the menu, a blend of year-round staples and seasonal offerings, is a genuine team effort for two essential reasons. Each dish is a reflection of a staff member's native country, ensuring an authentic taste that only a local can deliver. With team members hailing from Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, and more, the menu is an accurate representation of the Caribbean's diverse culinary heritage. And the majority of the menu items are cherished family recipes from the Chefs and fellow teammates, adding a personal touch to every dish.
This personal touch is what takes the dishes from an ordinary restaurant meal to a savory, mouthwatering, and appetizing journey through the Caribbean islands. Some of the menu highlights to me were:
The alcapurrias, a malanga and green banana fritter, accompanied by pork chicharrón, salsa rosada, and cilantro crema, are a traditional dish from Puerto Rico. What sets theirs apart is the unique blend of spices and the perfect balance of textures, making it a must-try for any Caribbean food enthusiast.
The Columbian Beefsteak Empandas are a nod to Chef's family. They are filled with onions, carrots, and potatoes, and spicy green garlic sauce. Here's a fun fact for you: Chef shared that they have handmade over 100,000 empanadas, a tradition passed down through generations in their family.
The pork belly tacos are served with mole poblano, cilantro, tomatoes, pickled onions, radishes, serrano peppers, Chihuahua cheese, and chipotle mayo, a treat from Mexico.
These dishes are not just food, but a part of the Strong Water Tavern staff's personal stories, making the dining experience more engaging and meaningful.
The food is presented as tapas or small plates, with dishes like jerk chicken and curry goat offered in slightly larger portions for sharing. To enjoy a good variety from the menu, order 2-3 tapas per person.
Strong Water Tavern's Rum Bar Is Top Notch
There are more rums available than one can try. I appreciated that the menu provided a brief history of rum before delving into the extensive selections from across the Caribbean.
Whether you are a new rum drinker or familiar with the spirit, the rum tasting experience is one of the best things offered on the menu. Suppose your palate for rum wants to travel across the islands. In that case, there are both preset and customizable flights featuring blends such as Abuelo Centuria, Diplomático Exclusiva Reserva, Flor de Caña 18, and Santa Teresa 1796 Solera.
Each flight includes three selections served tableside by a rum captain who brings a wealth of knowledge about each one, including tasting notes, the flavor profile, and details about the distillery and the region from which it originates. The flights start at only $20. These feature rums from the Spanish, French, British, Mainland, and New Horizon regions. The mid-tier flight, also known as 'Gold Tasting,' is fully customizable and costs $40. There are two premium flight options: the Buried Treasure ($65) and Royal Navy ($95).
But don't worry. The spirits menu isn't limited to just rums. You can enjoy cocktails and mocktails, as well as beers and wine, also sourced globally.
Strong Water Tavern Is A Gem In Orlando & Universal
The passion put into the food, drinks, and service has paid off, earning them the prestigious title of Hotel Restaurant of the Year four times in the past ten years.
"When we first opened, we didn't have a set format, but I was given a lot of freedom here—more than at other restaurants. We knew that if we didn't make a strong initial impression, success would be unlikely. Now, we're popular, still in business, receiving many accolades, and loved by both travelers and locals,' shared Chef Carlos. This success is a testament to the quality and authenticity of our dishes.
As for what's next for Chef Carlos and his team, they plan to continue using their family recipes and culture to bring guests dishes that welcome them into the Caribbean one bite at a time.
