The worst thing that can happen to you at Universal Mardi Gras? Your feet failing you. The second worst thing? Your stomach failing you. Because as any true Mardi Gras scholar knows, the food is a huge part of the party! Here’s the down-low on the eats available at this year’s Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval:
- Universal Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida features specialty food and beverage offerings inspired by Carnaval celebrations from around the world, including Puerto Rico, Austria, and Brazil, along with classic New Orleans fare. And the action doesn’t stop when you leave the theme park; Universal CityWalk and the Universal Orlando hotels also offer exclusive food and beverages!
- With the Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine experience, you can dine at select full-service restaurants before or after you take a ride (and throw some beads!) on a Mardi Gras Parade float.
- If you’re interested in sampling all of the Carnaval food offerings, snag a Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card to get more bang for your buck; you can either pay $65 for a $75 value, or pay $120 for a $150 value.
Wondering just which food and beverage items you should grab first when your Mardi party begins? Wonder no more and read on for a quick look at this year’s top eats at Universal Mardi Gras!
Beignets & King Cake from New Orleans
I’d be out of my Mardi-loving mind if I didn’t start with two of the most famous French Quarter treats: beignets and King Cake, of course! Just in case you haven’t had the pleasure of trying these two iconic items, beignets are light, airy pockets of fried dough covered with powdered sugar, and King Cake is traditional cake covered with cinnamon swirl icing, Mardi Gras sprinkles, and — famously — a Mardi Gras baby on top. You’ll find these at the Taste of the Quarter food stand in Gramercy Park.
Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese from New Orleans
Mac & Cheese is already pretty much a perfect food, but at Universal, we’ve figured out how to take it to the next level: turning up the heat with a spicy Cajun cream sauce and sprinkling some andouille sausage and holy trinity (onion, celery, and green bell pepper) on top. You’ll find this returning favorite at the Bites of the Bayou food stand in Gramercy Park.
PRO TIP: The Universal Orlando Resort App will be your best friend on your Mardi Gras culinary journey! When in doubt, all of the food stand locations are just a few taps away.
Coconut Flancocho & Pina Colada from Puerto Rico
The only way to make flan even better? Make it coconut flan with pineapple cake and a rum whipped topping, of course! For guests 21 years and older with valid photo ID, this sweet treat pairs perfectly with a Piña Colada, made of rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, cream of coconut, and a hint of smoked sea salt. You can find both at the Puerto Rico food stand in Gramercy Park.
Jerk Chicken from Jamaica
No taste of Mardi Gras is complete with a taste of the island, too! At the Jamaica food trailer located in San Francisco, you’ll find Jerk Chicken: fire-grilled jerk marinated chicken thigh with a Caribbean jerk barbecue sauce and a side of coco bread. If you’re looking for something more filling to fuel your dance moves, this protein-forward option is a great one to swing for.
Sfogliatelle “Lobster Tail” from Italy
One thing about me: I’m Italian. Another thing about me: I love sfogliatelle, which would probably win my award for the most underrated Italian sweet treat on the market. If you don’t believe me, you can grab this sweet, flaky pastry filled with a rich vanilla ricotta cream from Louie’s Italian Restaurant in New York. And if you do believe me, well, I don’t have to convince you to go grab one!
Shrimp Fried Rice & Milk Tea from China
You’re telling me a shrimp fried this rice? No, because that would be a lie, and we don’t do that on the Discover Universal Blog — a paragon of truth! I am telling you that you can grab this on-the-go-friendly eat from the San Fran Snacks food stand located in, fittingly, San Francisco. You’ll also find one of my personal favorite sips, Milk Tea, featuring a delicious combination of milk tea powder, ginger puree, blood orange syrup, orgeat syrup and brown sugar tapioca boba!
Ham, Brie and Berry Crepe from France
Looking for something a little more filling? The Ham, Brie and Berry Crepe might be the move for you. This freshly baked crepe is filled with sliced ham, brie cheese, and mustard cream sauce, and it’s topped off with a berry gastrique. How perfectly Parisian! Grab it at Central Park Crêpes, located near to the Hollywood section of Universal Studios Florida.
Vienna-Style Pork Schnitzel & Eiskaffe from Austria
One of my personal favorites this year? The Vienna-Style Pork Schnitzel from the Austria food stand, located in San Francisco! This crispy pork cutlet with potato salad and a side of lingonberry jam is the perfect fuel for the cardio of bead-catching (if you take bead-catching as seriously as I do, anyway). If you’re like me and you’re constantly found with an iced coffee in-hand, you’ll want to give the Eiskaffe a try: iced Vienna coffee and simple syrup with cold foam and cocoa powder on top.
Red Beans & Rice and King Cake Cola from New Orleans
You can simply never go wrong with a classic serving of Red Beans & Rice — and this dish is vegan-friendly, too! Dig in to stewed beans, white rice, and vegan sausage, all topped with scallions. If you’re a Passholder, you’ll want to give the UOAP-exclusive King Cake Cola a try, too!
…And Even More Eats & Sips!
The Mardi Gras food and beverage offerings don’t stop there! You can find exclusive eats and sips at all of the Universal Orlando hotels and at Universal CityWalk. Here are a few more of my favorites across the resort:
- Carnavale Shake from The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk
- King Gator’s Praline Party Shake from Schwab’s Pharmacy in Universal Studios Florida
- Soul Crab Beignets from Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
- Voodoo Street Fries from Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn & Suites
- French 75 (gin, single-pressed lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling wine, lemon peel garnish) from Hard Rock Hotel
- Sujeonggwa (Korean-style punch with cinnamon, ginger, simple syrup, soju) from Universal Aventura Hotel
- Specialty beverage offerings at the Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk
PRO TIP: Want to try even more of our hotel Mardi Gras offerings? Complimentary transportation lets you explore all the food and beverage options with ease.
If you can believe it, there are even more Mardi Gras dining offerings than I covered in this article. Your Mardi Mission, should you choose to accept it: Try them all! Trust me, you’ll need the energy for all the dancing and bead-catching.
Which Mardi Gras eat or sip is your favorite? Did I leave it out? Comment and let us know!
Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.