- Insider’s guide to Mardi Gras 2021’s exclusive food and drinks
- Insider’s guide to Mardi Gras 2021’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 – yes, even with the onset of COVID-19.
Actually, because of the pandemic’s lingering presence, the company has gone ahead and put food at the front and center of this year’s experience, even going so far as to rename it Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval. This means, essentially, that last year’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.
(Before we do, however, you may want to spend just a quick moment reading our review of the various food and drink offerings or checking out all the other modifications that were made to the festivities due to the coronavirus.)
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Mardi Gras 2021 – the food and drink booths
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; this year, however, the lineup has been expanded to include the entire theme park, part of Universal’s new International Flavors of Carnaval focus. The idea behind the initiative is simple: collect over 70 dishes and drinks from 13 different locations around the globe that celebrate one form of carnaval or another. (And, in another arresting twist, each booth has its own themed seating area around it, helping expand the Mardi Gras footprint – and its festiveness – even more.)
As noted above, the international practice got its start at Mardi Gras 2020, when the Carnival around the Universe tasting tent rotated its menu every two weeks or so between four different countries or cities: Trinidad and Tobago, New Orleans, Brazil, and Germany. For 2021, the new international destinations include Puerto Rico, Spain, Belgium, the Bahamas, Cuba, Canada, Italy, Colombia, and France.
Given this new approach, we’re going to break all of the gastronomical options down by their country (or city) of origin, and note where in Universal Studios Florida you can purchase each one.
Before we dive into the international waters, however, first we have a few quick notes to go over:
- Each food kiosk, no matter its location in the park, is open from 11:00 am daily.
- For each alcohol transaction, there is only one drink per person per ID.
- Many of the drink tents serve bottled water for $5.00 and bottled soda (Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Sprite) for $4.49.
- Finally, if you’re an annual passholder, be sure to use your pass for a discount off of your purchase (during certain times of the day, at least).
Bahamas
The Bahamas kiosks at Mardi Gras 2021 are located in World Expo (near Fear Factor Live and Men in Black Alien Attack).
Food
- Jerk Chicken – $7.99 – jerked marinated chicken, rice, peas, and scotch bonnet salsa (spicy, gluten-free)
- Jerk Jackfruit – $7.49 – jerked marinated jackfruit, rice, peas, and scotch bonnet salsa (spicy, vegan, gluten-free)
Drinks
- Goombay Smash – $7.00 – Bahamian rum punch (9 oz.)
- Carib Lager – $5.00 – international pilsner (9 oz.)
Belgium
The Belgium kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone (near Animal Actors on Location).
Food
- Belgium Liege Waffles – $4.49 – sweet liege waffles with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate (vegetarian)
- Brussels Frites – $3.99 -crispy seasoned fries with choice of garlic mayonnaise, andalouse, or joppieaus dipping sauces (gluten-free, vegan)
Drinks
- Hoegaarden Witbier – $5.00 – Belgian wheat beer (9 oz.)
- Lindemans Strawberry Lambic – $9.00 – fruited sweet and sour ale (9 oz.)
- St. Bernardus Abt. 12 – $9.00 – Belgian quadruple, Abbey ale (9 oz.)
Brazil
The Brazil kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone (near Animal Actors on Location).
Food
- Moqueca de Camarao – $5.49 – shrimp coconut cream stew, white rice, and sweet potato curls (gluten-free)
- Brigadeiros – $4.49 – Brazilian classic with condensed milk, cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles, and toasted peanuts (gluten-free, vegetarian)
- Stuffed Coxinha – $5.49 – crispy pulled-chicken teardrop fritters
Drinks
- Pineapple Caipirinha Punch – $7.00 – Cachaça and pineapple flavors (9 oz.)
- Strawberry Caipirinha Punch – $7.00 – Cachaça and strawberry flavors (9 oz.)
- Strawberry and Pineapple Caipirinha Punch – $7.00 – a blend of pineapple and strawberry caipirinhas (9 oz.)
Canada
The Canada kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone (near E.T. Adventure and SpongeBob StorePants).
Food
- Beef Short Rib Poutine – $7.99 – crispy fries with short rib, cheese curds, and demi glaze
- Nutella Canadian Doughnut – $6.49 – fried, sweetened dough, Nutella, sugar, and chopped hazelnuts
- Maple Canadian Doughnut – $6.49 – fried, sweetened dough, cinnamon sugar, and maple syrup
Drinks
- Sugar Shack Springtime Punch – $5.00 – a complex Canadian whiskey punch with a pear-juice base (9 oz.)
- Lablatt Blue – $5.00 – international pilsner (9 oz.)
Colombia
The Colombia kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in New York (next to Park Plaza Holiday Shop).
Food
- Carnitas Arepas – $9.25 – cornmeal-cake pocket filled with avocado, carnitas, mayo ketchup, and cilantro
- Beef Picadillo or Pollo Arepas – $9.25 – cornmeal cake filled with savory beef or shredded chicken, mayo ketchup, and cilantro
- Queso Arepas – $8.25 – cornmeal cake filled with white shredded cheese, may ketchup, and cilantro
Drinks
- Limonada de Coco – $4.00 – limeade sweetened with coconut cream (non-alcoholic) (9 oz.)
- Coco Loco – $5.00 – Limonada de Coco spiked with rum and tequila (9 oz.)
Cuba
The Cuba kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in a food truck in San Francisco (across from the Fast & Furious – Supercharged gift shop).
Food
- Cuban Sandwich – $7.99 – roasted pork, Serrano ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles on Cuban bread, served with plantain chips
- Cuban Flan – $4.49 – baked vanilla custard with dark caramel (gluten-free, vegetarian)
- Plantain Chips – $3.50 (gluten-free, vegan)
Drinks
- Cuba Libre – 9 oz. – choice of Bacardí Light ($5.00), Bacardí 4 ($6.00), or Bacardí 8 ($7.00)
- Cuban Coffee – $3.49
France
The France kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in Hollywood (across from Mel’s Drive-In and Cafe La Bamba).
Food
- Poached Pear Crème Brulee Crepe – $8.99 – red-wine poached pear, vanilla pastry cream, toasted almonds, caramel, and crispy sugar topping
Drinks
- Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone Blanc – $6.00 – white wine (3 oz.)
- Notorious Pink – $6.00 – slightly sweet rosé wine (3 oz.)
- Vieux Chateau Lamothe Bordeaux Rouge – $6.00 – red wine (3 oz.)
- Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Rouge – $6.00 – red wine (3 oz.)
Germany
The Germany kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in San Francisco, just before The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Food
- Pork Schnitzel Slider – $5.99 – fried pork cutlet, spicy mustard, red braised cabbage, and gruyere cheese
- Bratwurst with Beer-braised Onions – $8.99 – bratwurst, beer-braised onions, and spicy mustard on a warm baguette
- Vegan Bratwurst with Beer-braised Onions – $8.99 – vegan bratwurst, beer-braised onions, and spicy mustard on a warm baguette (vegan)
- Bavarian Pretzel – $8.49 – warm pretzel with spicy mustard cheese sauce
Drinks
- Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier – $6.00 – clarified wheat beer (9 oz.)
- Weihenstephaner Vitus – $7.00 – strong wheat, bock hybrid lager (9 oz.)
- Aecht Schlenkerla Marzen Rauchbier – $7.00 – Smoked Märzen Oktoberfest-style lager (9 oz.)
- T. Schmitt Riesling Kabinett, Estate – $7.00 sweet white wine (9 oz.)
Italy
The Italy kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in New York (across from Louie’s Italian Restaurant, which also serves some of the items).
Food
- Italian Rainbow Cookie – $4.49 – colorful layers of almond cake sandwiched with raspberry jam and coated in chocolate
- Cannoli – $4.99 – Italian pastry shell, chocolate-chip cannoli cream, and chocolate shavings
- Arancini – $5.99 – fried risotto, wild mushrooms, truffle, and parmesan cheese (vegetarian)
Drinks
- Affogato – $5.99 – vanilla gelato served with a double shot of espresso
- Fantinel – $6.00 – prosecco (3 oz.)
- Vietti Moscato d’Asti – $6.00 – slightly sparkling, sweet white wine (3 oz.)
- Querceto Chianti – $5.00 – red wine (3 oz.)
- Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – $5.00 – red wine (3 oz.)
New Orleans
The New Orleans kiosks at Mardi Gras 2021 are located in Production Central (at the Music Plaza, near Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket) and in Battery Park (on the lagoon, across from Transformers: The Ride – 3D).
Food
- Crawfish and Shrimp Boil – $12.99 – mixed bag of crawfish, shrimp, andouille, red bliss potatoes, and corn on the cob
- Shrimp Boil – $10.99 – mixed bag of shrimp, andouille, red bliss potatoes, and corn on the cob
- Crawfish Boil – $10.99 – mixed bag of crawfish, andouille, red bliss potatoes, and corn on the cob
- Jambalaya – $5.99 – mixed rice with andouille, shrimp, chicken, peppers, and tomatoes (gluten-free)
- Etouffee – $5.49 – New Orleans-style creamy stew with crawfish, bell peppers, and white rice
- Muffuletta Sandwich – $7.99 – mortadella, salami, ham, mozzarella cheese, and olive relish on a toasted bun
- Shrimp Gumbo – $5.49 – New Orleans-style gumbo with gulf shrimp, bacon, andouille sausage, okra, bell pepers
- Beignets – $5.99 – sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar
- Andouille Twisted Tater – $10.99 – stuffed Cajun twisted tater with sausage (add andouille queso for additional cost)
- Twisted Tater – $7.99 – flavored with Cajun spices
Drinks
- Abita Purple Haze – $5.00 – raspberry fruited lager (9 oz.)
- Wild Bloody Mary – $7.00 (9. oz), $18.00 (24 oz.) – with spice
- Mild Bloody Mary – $7.00 (9. oz), $18.00 (24 oz.) – without spice
- Tropical Storm Punch – $6.00 – a traditional Mardi Gras cocktail incorporating rum, orange, and passionfruit flavors (9 oz.)
- King Cake Milk Punch – $6.00 – a bourbon milk punch using our house-made King Cake syrup (9 oz.)
- Bourbon Street Coffee – $7.00 – Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, cold brew coffee, king cake syrup, and lemon juice
- Vieux Carre Coffee – $4.00 – cold brew coffee, king cake syrup, and lemon juice
Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in San Francisco (across from the Fast & Furious – Supercharged gift shop).
Food
- Pernil and Mofongo – $5.99 – roasted pork, smashed plantains, and onion mojo (gluten-free)
- Picadillo Empanada – $6.99 – picadillo beef-filled fried pastry dough
- Quesitos – $3.99 – guava- and cream cheese-filled fried pastry (vegetarian)
Drinks
- Piña Verde – $7.00 – a twist on the classic piña colada, incorporating green chartreuse (9 oz.)
Spain
The Spain kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in Hollywood (across from Mel’s Drive-In, on the patio of Cafe La Bamba).
Food
- Paella Mixta – $5.99 – saffron yellow rice with chorizo, squid, mussels, and shrimp
- Charcuterie Plate – $6.99 – a traditional platter of Spanish meats and cheese, olives, grapes, and lavosh
- Leche Frita – $5.49 – crispy fried with condensed milk, vanilla, and cinnamon
Drinks
- Pinord La Dama Cava – $5.00 – sparkling wine (3 oz.)
- Don Olegurio Rias Baixas Albarino – $7.00 – white wine (3 oz.)
- Arizano Hacienda de Arinzano Rosé – $7.00 – Tempranillo-based rosé wine (3 oz.)
- Hazaña “Viñas Viejas” Rioja – $7.00 – red wine (3 oz.)
Trinidad and Tobago
The Trinidad & Tobago kiosk at Mardi Gras 2021 is located in a food truck in New York, across from the Tribute Store.
Food
- Pholourie – $5.99 – deep-fried spicy split-pea dough with turmeric, curry powder, and a side of tamarind chutney or powdered sugar (spicy, vegan)
- Pineapple Trini-Chow – $4.29 – grilled pineapple skewers, spices, micro cilantro (vegan)
Drinks
- Queen’s Park Swizzle -$7.00 – the national cocktail of Trinidad and Tobago; minted dark-rum grog with a light float of Angostura bitters (9 oz.)
- Carib Lager – $5.00 – international pilsner (9 oz.)
Mardi Gras 2021 – Tasting Lanyard
For the third year in a row, Universal is offering a Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard, which allows guests to try out a number of different food and beverage tasting portions for just one flat price – with that price depending, of course, on how many entries the lanyard is good for:
- 10 items – $55 ($5.50 per item)
- 15 items – $65 (exclusive to annual passholders) ($4.33 per item)
(Please note that Universal isn’t selling a five-item lanyard for 2021, like it did for the first two years.)
These dishes and drinks can be found at locations all throughout Universal Studios Florida, with a special icon located next to their names on the various menus (spoiler – it’s all of them for Mardi Gras 2021). However, as something of a bonus, Universal will also allow you to use your Tasting Lanyards on a couple of normal snack items that can be found all throughout Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk during normal park hours: soft pretzels, regular popcorn, and bottles of water. Choose wisely!
If you don’t use up all of your credits by the end of the day, worry not – they don’t expire, although, obviously, Mardi Gras comes to an end on April 11, and you would then be forced to use your lanyard only on the regular theme-park snacks. If, on the other hand, you do burn through your points and would like more tasting-size samples to munch on, you can reload your Tasting Lanyard at the same places you bought it in the first place, which is at any of the food kiosks located throughout the theme park or at the Universal Studios Reservation Cart, which is located in Production Central.
Mardi Gras 2021 – the Tribute Store
Much like the Halloween and Holiday Tribute Stores from 2020, Mardi Gras’s rendition of the fabled shopping experience this year features a room that has a number of baked goods on hand. There are three different food stalls, in fact: one sports a variety of sweet treats, the next serves up some savory hand pies, and the third one brandishes talking gummy skulls (all of which isn’t to mention the different varieties of hot sauce that are also available here).
You can find a complete listing of all the food items, including their prices, below; for a full accounting of this room’s impressive, sweeping theming – including its rather interesting backstory – you can check out our full write-up.
Sweet Treasures
- King Cake – $4.99
- Praline Cookie – $3.99
- Salted Caramel Praline Sandwich – $4.99
- Bananas Foster Cheesecake Pop – $5.49
- Mardi Gras Vanilla Cake with Cinnamon Swirl – $4.99
- Mardi Gras Macaron “Doughnut” – $5.99
- Moon Pie – $5.49
- Masquerade Cookie – $3.49
- Vegan Brownie Skull – $5.49
- Chocolate-covered Bourbon Pop – $3.49
Bayou Bites
- Andouille Puff Pastry with Creole Mustard – $8.99
- Crabmeat Hand Pie – $6.99
- Spinach & Artichoke Vegetarian Hand Pie – $6.99
Pirate Skulls
- Talking Skulls – $5.99
What’s available to eat and drink outside of the theme park?
It’s not enough to celebrate the bayou bash only in Universal Studios Florida, right? For 2021, a number of establishments in CityWalk and Universal Orlando’s hotels are getting in on the festivities, too.
CityWalk
Twelve new offerings, also inspired by carnavals around the world, are on hand at Universal Orlando’s dining/shopping/entertainment district for this year:
- Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food – Pescado a la Yucatan (mahi mahi with rice)
- Bigfire – hot smoked salmon with oranges and maple syrup
- Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom – Bake & “Shark” (flatbread with breaded catfish)
- Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches – Sanduiche de Mortadela (mortadella sausage on sourdough)
- The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar – Picanha Sushi Roll (top sirloin with farofa, black bean puree, chimichurri)
- Hot Dog Hall of Fame – Sauerbraten Dog (brat with sauerbraten, red cabbage, shredded potato)
- Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville – Shrimp & Grits
- NBC Sports Grill & Brew – Abendbrot (a German charcuterie selection of meat, cheese, cabbage, pickles, pretzels, and bread)
- Pat O’Brien’s – Blue Crab Beignets
- The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – Moon Pie Milkshake
- VIVO Italian Kitchen – Polenta e Osei (stuffed quail with polenta)
- Voodoo Doughnut – Mardi Gras Doughnut (raised yeast doughnut with bananas foster Bavarian filling and vanilla frosting)
In addition, one of the kiosks set up near the waterfront in CityWalk has been outfitted with a small selection of Mardi Gras beverages, offering some choice items from New Orleans, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Belgium, and Germany (just like over in Universal Studios Florida’s New York backlot).
Universal Orlando’s hotels
Much like with CityWalk, Universal’s various hotels are also expanding their annual-event presence:
Trattoria del Porto (Portofino Bay Hotel)
- Olive Polenta Cake with Jumbo Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with a Cajun Cream Sauce
- Masquerade Cannoli with a Mixed Berry Insalada
The Thirsty Fish (Portofino Bay Hotel)
- Magari – Aviation Gin, Limoncello, Limone Genoa cider, fresh basil
Splendido Bar & Grill (Portofino Bay Hotel)
- Mojito Lampone – Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Chambord, simple syrup, raspberry, and mint
Velvet Bar (Hard Rock Hotel)
- French – Hendrix Gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, champagne
- Smoked Andouille Sausage – Cusano’s bakery rolls, caramelized onions, spicy brown mustard
Beachclub (Hard Rock Hotel)
- Beachclub Hurricane – $15 – Don Q Passion Rum, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rim, grenadine, pineapple, orange juice
- Shrimp Po Boys – $18 – Cusano’s bakery rolls, remoulade, LTO, herb fries
Jake’s American Bar (Royal Pacific Resort)
- Mongolian Beef Bao Bun
- Tropical Fruit Cake with Coconut Crunch Chocolate Reveal
Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar (Royal Pacific Resort)
- The Purple Samurai – Japanese Iwai Whisky, Lillet, lemon juice, blueberry rosemary syrup
Tuk Tuk Market (Royal Pacific Resort)
- Selection of chocolate bombs – pumpkin spice, s’mores, cookies & cream
Galaxy Bowl (Cabana Bay Beach Resort)
- 3 Cajun Chicken Empanadas with Black Bean Salsa and Three Sauces
- Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler Hurricane
- “Let The Good Times Roll” – Bacardi Light Rum, Cruzan 12-Year Single-Barrel Rum, passionfruit puree, orange juice, and grenadine, served in a 32-ounce souvenir Galaxy Bowl cup
Pier 8 Market (Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites)
- Vieux Carré Shrimp & Grits – Louisiana pink shrimp and white-corn aged cheddar grits, maple syrup, candied bacon, and scallions
- Dockside Beignets – bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar
The Oasis Beach Bar (Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites)
- The Endless Carnival – Castillo Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, pinch of dried blackberries, pineapple wedge, green sugar rim
Sunset Lounge (Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites)
- The Endless Carnival – Castillo Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, pinch of dried blackberries, pineapple wedge, green sugar rim
That’s all we got for our Mardi Gras 2021 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.