- Insider’s Guide to Mardi Gras 2026’s Exclusive Food and Drinks
- Insider’s Guide to Mardi Gras 2026’s Parade
It isn’t a party unless there’s tons of food (and drinks!), and it isn’t a Mardi Gras party unless there’s a plethora of “N’awlins-style food and spirits.” That’s why Universal has been steadily increasing the size, scope, and quality of its annual bayou bash’s offerings.
The company has gone ahead and put food at the front and center of this year’s experience, even going so far in 2021 as to rename it Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval. This means, essentially, that 2021’s first-ever Carnival around the Universe tasting tent, which brought together delicacies from carnavals all over the globe, has been expanded to cover pretty much the entire event (and many more countries from the entire world), which we’ll get into in-depth down below.
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Mardi Gras 2026 – Food & Drink Menus
The menu for Mardi Gras 2026 at Universal Orlando Resort is still cooking, so while we wait for the delicious details, feast your eyes on last year’s menu below!
Traditionally, a series of food and drink tents located in the New York backlot’s French Quarter Courtyard comprised the bulk of Mardi Gras’s culinary offerings, and while those food and drink tents are integral to the Mardi Gras experience, the food and beverage lineup has been expanded to include the entire theme park, part of Universal’s new International Flavors of Carnaval focus.
Bites of the Bayou
Food
Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese – $10.99
Creamy spicy cavatappi pasta with andouille sausage, holy trinity, and a cajun cream sauce, garnished with scallions
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo – $8.99
Stew of trinity, chicken, andouille, bacon over white rice
Cajun Spiced Twisted Tater – $9.99
Cajun seasoned potato, Creole remoulade sauce, herbs
Beverages
Miller Lite – $10.50
NÜTRL – $12.50
Modelo – $11.50
Canada
Food
Hot Maple Lacquered Salmon – $14.99
Griddled salmon fillet with a maple lacquer and an ancient grain mixed salad
Margherita Poutine – $10.49
Fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, basil cream and pub fries
Beverages
Ginger Snap
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, lime juice, ginger purée and maple syrup
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Ginger Snap Mocktail – $9.00
Lime juice, ginger purée, cinnamon syrup and maple syrup
Collective Arts Brewing Life in the Clouds IPA
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00
China
Food
Spicy Szechuan Chicken Bites – $11.99
Crispy pieces of chicken with white rice, sesame seeds, Szechuan chili crunch
Duck Xian Bing – $10.99
Shredded duck dumpling with Hoisin scallion ginger butter
Beverages
Luck and Prosperity – $9.00
Hokkaido Milk Tea powder, ginger puree, blood orange syrup, vanilla cream syrup and mango popping boba
Heineken
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $15.25
Refill – $11.25
20oz. Single Serve – $12.25
Bud Light – $10.50
NÜTRL – $12.50
Voodoo Brewing Co. Lacto-Kooler – $13.50
Coca-Cola Market Square
Beverages
Frozen Brandy Milk Punch – $13.50
Torres 10-year brandy, Old Forester bourbon, milk, cream, simple syrup, and vanilla bean
Frozen Irish Coffee – $13.50
Jameson Irish whiskey, JF Haden’s Espresso Liqueur, cold brew concentrate, and vanilla ice cream
Banana’s Fosters Fizz
Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Planteray O.F.T.D. rum, Bols crème de banana, and Barq’s Creme Soda
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Doberge Cake Cocktail
360 Sorrento Lemon vodka, 360 Double Chocolate vodka, vanilla cream syrup, cupcake cold foam, and Sprite
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Peach Cobbler Smash
Old Forester bourbon, peach puree, lime wedge, and Coca-Cola
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Peach Cobbler Smash Mocktail – $9.00
Peach purée, lime wedges, and Coca-Cola
Orange Coconut Snowball Mocktail– $9.00
Pineapple juice, coconut milk, cream of coconut, and Fanta orange
BLTC Bloody Mary
New Amsterdam vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, and black pepper
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $19.00
Refill – $15.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $15.00
Premium Cocktail mixed with your choice of liquor:
Tito’s vodka, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, BACARDI Superior rum, Patron Silver tequila, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey, Crown Royal whisky, Tanqueray London Dry gin
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $19.00
Refill – $16.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $16.00
Colombia
Food
Colombian Burger – $10.99
Grilled burger with Monterey Jack cheese, pineapple cabbage slaw, cilantro garlic sauce, potato sticks
Chicken Empanadas – $8.99
Crispy corn masa chicken empanadas with aji picante
Pandebono – $7.99
Warm Colombian cassava bread
Beverages
Aguapanela – $9.00
Panela sugar, water, and fresh-cut lemon
France
Food
Duck a l’orange Crepe – $15.99
Freshly made crepes filled with shredded duck, onions, Boursin cheese, orange segments, and an orange slice
Germany
Food
Leberkäse – $10.99
German-style meatloaf served on a pretzel bun with mustard and sauerkraut
Currywurst & Pommes – $9.99
Crispy bratwurst topped with spicy curry ketchup served with fries and mayo
Apple Strudel – $4.99
Flaky pastry layers wrapped around spiced apple filling
Beverages
Beer Flight – $13.00
Bitburger Premium Pils, Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier, ERDINGER Weißbier Dunkel
Bitburger Premium Pils
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00
Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00
ERDINGER Weißbier Dunkel
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00
French Quarter Sips
Beverages
Category 5 Punch
Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Myers’s dark rum, lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, passion fruit puree, and grenadine
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Espresso Martini – $18.00
Julius Meinl breakfast blend, JF Haden’s Espresso Liqueur, New Amsterdam vodka, and simple syrup
Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s No 1 Cup and Seagram’s ginger ale garnished with fresh-cut orange, strawberry, lemon, and cucumbers
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Bud Light
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $14.25
Refill – $11.00
20 oz. Single Serve – $11.25
Modelo – $11.50
Corona – $11.50
NÜTRL – $12.50
India
Food
Potato Dosa – $7.99
Griddled dosa filled with curried potatoes, onions, and black mustard seeds, served with coconut chutney
Butter Chicken – $10.99
Tender chicken in a spiced tomato butter sauce with Naan bread and cilantro
Beverages
Jaljeera Soda – $9.00
Jaljeera Spice mix, lemon juice, and Sprite
Iced Chai Latte – $9.00
Chai, milk, and house-made masala cold foam
Italy
Food
Trapizzini – $10.99
Warm ciabatta, meatball, marinara, and spiced parmesan
Beverages
Peachello Spritz – $17.00
Pallini Peachello, Cavicchioli 1928 Prosecco, and club soda with peach bursting boba
Mexico
Food
Chilaquiles Verdes – $7.99
Tortillas topped with chile braised shredded chicken, salsa verde, cilantro onion mix with lime crema and Cotija cheese
Quesabirria – $10.99
Birria beef in a corn tortilla with Monterey Jack and Oaxaca cheese served with a birria broth
Churro Loops & Chocolate – $8.49
Crispy cinnamon sugar loops with dulce de leche and chocolate sauce
Beverages
La Tormenta
Cuervo Tradicional blanco tequila, lime juice, orange juice, dragon fruit puree, passion fruit puree, and smoked sea salt
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Elote Old Fashioned – $19.00
Desert Door sotol, Nixta Licor de Elote, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, and agave syrup
Puerto Rico
Food
Pinchos de Lechon – $10.99
Char-grilled pork shoulder skewer with guava BBQ sauce and pan sobao
Pastelon Fritters – $8.99
Crispy sweet plantain and picadillo beef fritters served with mayo ketchup
Cheese Dog – $9.99
All-beef hot dog with cheddar cheese wrapped in an empanada disc served with mayo ketchup
Limber – $9.00
A Puerto Rican frozen iced treat with a choice of coconut or guanabana
Beverages
Piña Colada
Ron del Barrilito Three Star rum, lime juice, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and smoked sea salt
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Ponche – $9.00
Welch’s grape juice, sweetened condensed milk, and blackberry essence
Taste of the Quarter
Food
Red Beans & Rice – $7.49
Vegan sausage with stewed beans, white rice, and garnished with scallions
Beignets – $7.49
Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar
King Cake – $7.49
Traditional cake with cinnamon swirl icing, Mardi Gras sprinkles, and a Mardi Gras baby
Mardi Gras 2026 – Food and Beverage Gift Card
While we await details about the 2026 Mardi Gras Food & Beverage Card, read on to see how last year’s worked!
In previous years, guests have been able to purchase a “tasting” lanyards to sample food and drink items throughout the festival. This year, the “sample” sized options have been removed from menus, and guests are invited to purchase Food & Beverage Gift Cards to use on tasty Mardi Gras items.
Here’s the pricing for the Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard:
- Pay $65 for a $75 Universal Orlando Resort Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard
- No limit on the quantity for purchase
- No expiration date
If you don’t use up your remaining balance by the end of the day, worry not – they don’t expire, although, obviously, Mardi Gras comes to an end on March 30. Even then, this gift card can be used at any Food & Beverage location in Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk.
What’s available to eat and drink outside of Universal Studios Florida?
It’s not enough to celebrate the bayou bash only in Universal Studios Florida, right? For 2026, a number of establishments within Universal Orlando’s hotels are getting in on the festivities, too.
Be sure to check back closer to Mardi Gras 2026 for the hotel food offerings lineup. In the meantime, explore last year’s menus below!
Universal Orlando’s hotels
Mardi Gras 2025 Hotel Offerings
Just as if you were in New Orleans itself, one of the best ways to get a taste of Mardi Gras is through the hotels. Universal Orlando Resort hotels provide a number of specialty menu items during the Mardi Gras season.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
The Thirsty Fish
Boulevardier – $16.00
Bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth
Splendido Bar & Grill
Mojito Lampone – $16.00
Vodka, Chambord, simple syrup, raspberry, mint
Trattoria del Porto
Seafood Étouffée with Dirty Rice – $24.00
Tomato, “Holy Trinity,” Cajun-inspired dirty rice, scallions
Hard Rock Hotel Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
The Kitchen
Bourbon Street Beignets – $12.00
Bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar
Velvet Bar
Blackened Grouper Po’ Boy – $21.00
Seared Blackened Grouper, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Cajun Remoulade
Loews Royal Pacific Resort Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
Islands Dining Room
Crawfish & Andouille Sausage Egg Roll – $12.00
Served with creole aioli
Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar
Orchid – $16.00
Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Violet Liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, pea flower float
Tuk Tuk Market
Chocolate Bomb – $10.00
Choose from chocolate and caramel with spiced pecan with Mardi Gras purple, green, and gold decor, s’mores, or cookies & cream
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
Amatista Cookhouse
Mardi Gras Empanada – $14.00
Chicken and Andouille Sausage, Cajun Aioli
Strong Water Tavern
Cucumber Hurricane Twist – $16.00
Light rum, lime juice, Melon Liqueur, sliced cucumber
New Dutch Trading Company
Traditional King Cake – $8.00
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
Galaxy Bowl Restaurant
Shrimp Po’boy – $18.50
Crispy Cajun fried shrimp piled on a French baguette and topped with a creole-inspired creamy remoulade sauce with Cajun fried wedges
Louisiana Lemonade – $14.00
Vodka, Lemonade, Sprite, Mango & Raspberry Syrup
Bayliner Diner
Muffuletta – $15.50
Salami, Mortadella, Ham, Provolone Cheese and Olive Tapenade, House Made Chips, Fruit Salad, or Pasta Salad
Universal’s Aventura Hotel Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
Bar 17 Bistro
Bayou Shrimp and Grits – $19.50
A blend of cheddar, parmesan, and brie cheese grits, topped with Cajun shrimp seasoned with house blend of spices and Creole-seasoned butter
Hurricane – $15.00
Light Rum, Dark Rum, Passion fruit Puree, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine
Sazerac – $15.00
Rye Whiskey, Absinthe, Simple Syrup, Bitters
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
Beach Break Cafe
New Orleans Chicken or Shrimp Po’ Boy – $16.00
Served with a Creole Remoulade Sauce and Fries
Sandbar
Frozen Bayou – $15.50
(Refills $12.50)
Rum, blue curaçao, finest call mango, grenadine, Pineapple garnish
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites Mardi Gras 2025 Offerings
Pier 8
Cajun Grilled Shrimp and Cheddar Grits – $18.00
Shrimp and Cheddar Grits served with Andouille Sausage and Tomato Jam
Sunset Lounge, The Oasis Beach Bar, and The Wave Maker’s Pool Bar
Fleur de Lis – $14.00
Gin, Muddled Cucumber, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Elderflower liquor, Lime and Cucumber garnish
That’s all we got for our Mardi Gras 2026 guide to food and drinks. Please keep in mind this is only one page in our Mardi Gras insider’s guide – for the most effective planning, please be sure to read through all of our pages, which you can access at any time using the navigation links at the top and bottom.