The details of Mardi Gras 2023 have yet to be announced. Until then, enjoy 2022’s information!
- Insider’s Guide to Mardi Gras 2022’s Exclusive Food and Drinks
- Insider’s Guide to Mardi Gras 2022’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 in 2021 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.)
Skip to: Food and drinks | Tasting Gift Card | Tribute Store | CityWalk and hotels
Mardi Gras 2022 – 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, 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.
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. 2022 added a different spin on their food booths, taking inspiration from the Planet Mardi Gras theme and giving each booth a “far-out” name (although for the most part, this theme was very much on the back-burner and the international theme was more prominent).
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 or 11:30 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 $4.69.
- 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).
Bar, New York
Category 5 Punch – $7.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Myers’ Dark Rum, Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, passion fruit puree, orange and lime juice, grenadine, agave nectar
Pina Verde – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Bacardi Superior Rum, Chartreuse Green Liqueur, Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, pineapple and lime juice, fresh mint
Abita Purple Haze – $6.00 (9oz), $11.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Raspberry lager draft beer
Allagash White – $6.50 (9oz), $11.50 (12oz souvenir), $8.50 (refill)
Belgian-Style Witbier, Draft
Canned Beer – $10.00
Ommegang Neon Rainbows, Stiegl Radler Zitrone, Heineken, White Claw
Bud Light – $9.00
Sauvion Vouvray – $5.50
Slightly sweet white wine
Querceto Chianti – $5.50
Dry red wine
French Quarter, New York
The French Quarter has a selection of food booths to choose from. Here, guests can make their way through the booths, pick up the items that sound appetizing, and have a number of places to sit or stand and enjoy their selections.
FOOD
Cajun Twisted Frank with Chorizo Queso – $14.99
Flash fried ribbon potato thinly sliced, skewered and stuffed with a Nathan’s Famous foot long hot dog
Cajun Twisted Frank – $12.49
Cajun Twisted Tater – $8.49
Muffaletta – $7.99
Mortadella, salami, ham, mozzarella and provolone cheese, olive relish on a toasted sesame seed bun
Chicken & Andouille Sausage Jambalaya – $6.49
Mixed rice with andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp, peppers, tomatoes, finished with a spiced crawfish
Blackened Chicken Po’Boy – $7.99
Blackened chicken thigh, Cajun mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, served on a French Quarter baguette
Shrimp Gumbo with Rice – $5.99
New Orleans style gumbo with gulf shrimp, bacon, andouille sausage, okra, bell peppers, served over white rice
Carnitas Arepas – $9.49
Cornmeal cake filled with roasted pork shoulder, mayo ketchup, cojita cheese, micro cilantro
Picadillo Arepas – $9.49
Cornmeal cake filled with picadillo beef, mayo-ketchup, cojita cheese, micro cilanto
Mozzarella Arepas – $8.49
Cornmeal cake filled with shredded mozzarella
Yucca Fries with Chimichurri – $3.99
King Cake – $12.99
Traditional King Cake with cinnamon swirl icing and colored sanding sugar
Beignets – $5.99
Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar
Mardi Gras Marshmallow Pie – $5.49
Fresh made marshmallow, graham cracker cookies, chocolate, Mardi Gras sprinkles
BEVERAGES
A New Twist on Taters – $6.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Old Forester Bourbon, Gran Gala Orange Liqueur, brown sugar sweet potato syrup, Mexican Chocolate Bitters, and lemon juice
Category 5 Punch – $7.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Myers’ Dark Rum, Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, passion fruit puree, orange and lime juice, grenadine, agave nectar
Pina Verde – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Bacardi Superior Rum, Chartreuse Green Liqueur, Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, pineapple and lime juice, fresh mint
Abita Purple Haze – $6.00 (9oz), $11.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Raspberry lager draft beer
North Coast Brewing Co. Pranqster – $6.50 (9oz), $11.50 (12oz souvenir), $8.50 (refill)
Canned Beer – $10.00
Heineken, White Claw, Ommegang Neon Rainbows IPA, Bud Light ($9)
Bottled Soda – $4.69
Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Sprite
Premium Bottled Water – $5.00
Italy, New York
Tomato Basil Arancini – $5.99
Fried risotto filled with tomato basil mascarpone with a spicy arrabiata sauce
Meatball Garlic Bread Pressed Slider – $7.99
Italian meatballs topped with mozzarella cheese stuffed between two slices of Texas Garlic Toast
Orange Dream Spiked Float – $14.50
New Amsterdam Vodka, Gran Gala Orange Liqueur, vanilla gelato and Orange Fanta
Vanilla-Amaretto Rum Gelato Float – $14.50
Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Disaronno Amaretto, vanilla gelato, Coca-Cola
Triple-Raspberry Gelato Float – $14.50
360 Raspberry Vodka, raspberry puree, raspberry gelato and Sprite
Vietti Moscato – $5.50
Sweet sparkling white wine
Truffle Hunter Barbaresco – $5.50
Dry red wine
Querceto Chianti – $5.50
Dry red wine
Bloody Mary, San Francisco
Bloody Mary – $8.00 (9oz), $14.00 (12oz souvenir), $9.00 (refill), $18.00 (24oz)
Traditional Bloody Mary, spiked with New Amsterdam Vodka. Your choice of traditional MILD or WILD version with Louisiana hot sauce and Sriracha hot chili sauce
Nashville Chicken, San Francisco
Nashville Hot Chicken Mac & Cheese – $10.99
Creamy white cheddar mac & cheese topped with crispy chicken bites tossed in Nashville hot sauce and green onions. Substitute sauces: hot honey, Golden BBQ.
Chicken Biscuit with Red-Eye Gravy – $12.99
Crispy chicken thigh, red-eye gravy, garlic pickles on a warm buttermilk biscuit with a side of apple cider slaw.
Canned Beer – $9.00 – $11.00
Ommegang Neon Rainbows IPA, White Claw, Hazy Little Thing IPA, Heineken, Bud Light
Bottled Soda – $4.69
Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Sprite
New Orleans, Battery Park
FOOD
Crawfish & Shrimp Boil – $13.49
Mixed bag of crawfish, shrimp, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob
Crawfish Boil – $11.49
Mixed bag of crawfish, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob
Shrimp Boil – $11.49
Mixed bag of shrimp, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob
King Cake – $12.99
Traditional King Cake with cinnamon swirl icing and colored sanding sugar
Beignets – $5.99
Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar
Mardi Gras Marshmallow Pie – $5.49
Fresh made marshmallow, graham cracker cookies, chocolate, Mardi Gras sprinkles
BEVERAGES
Category 5 Punch – $7.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Myers’ Dark Rum, Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, passion fruit puree, orange and lime juice, grenadine, agave nectar
Pina Verde – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Bacardi Superior Rum, Chartreuse Green Liqueur, Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, pineapple and lime juice, fresh mint
Abita Purple Haze – $6.00 (9oz), $11.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Raspberry Lager, Draft
North Coast Brewing Co. Pranqster – $6.50 (9oz), $11.50 (12oz souvenir), $8.50 (refill)
Belgian-style Golden Ale
Food Trucks, San Francisco
FOOD
Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche – $8.99
Poached shrimp, marinated radish, blood orange sorbet
Conch Fritters – $8.99
Flash fried conch served with grilled pineapple and a pineapple remoulade
Buttermilk Strawberry Pancakes – $4.99
Marinated strawberries, basil mascarpone cream, orange blossom honey on a buttermilk biscuit
Buttermilk Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – $4.99
Blueberry compote, basil mascarpone cream, orange blossom honey on a buttermilk biscuit
Sweet Corn Johnny Cake – $6.99
Pulled jerk jackfruit, blood orange crema, avocado, yellow mole sauce
BEVERAGES
Cape Guayaba – $6.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
New Amsterdam Vodka, guava and lime juice, agave nectar, fresh mint
Goombay Smash – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Cruzan Dark Aged Rum, Don Q Coco Rum, Grand Marnier, Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, pineapple, orange and lime juice
Tampa Bay Old Elephant Foot – $10.00
IPA, Canned
Swamp Head Wild Night – $6.00 (9oz), $11.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Honey Cream Ale, Draft
Mohua Sauvignon Blanc – $5.50
Dry white wine
Fusion Food Truck, London
Creole Crab Beignets – $9.99
Cajun brown sugar dusted beignets, stuffed with creamy crab dip and scallions
Ube Ice Cream Bubble Waffle – $8.99
Purple sweet potato ice cream in a matcha green tea bubble waffle, topped with marshmallows, toasted coconut, strawberry pocky sticks, and popping candies
Mardi Gras Bubble Waffle – $8.99
Ube and matcha swirl soft serve ice cream in a Belgian bubble waffle, topped with Mardi Gras sprinkles and sweet corn pocky sticks
Carrot Cake Concoction (Non-alcoholic)- $5.50
Frozen carrot cake slush topped with purple ube ice cream
Junk Barge Fuel – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Kahlua, Monin caramel, Mexican Chocolate Bitters, agave nectar, iced coffee
Duclaw Sweet Baby Java – $6.00 (9oz), $11.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Espresso bean infused chocolate peanut butter Porter
Fonesca Ruby Port – $6.50
Sweet red fortified wine
Fonesca Tawny Port – $7.50
Sweet dark fortified wine
Croft Pink Port – $7.50
Sweet rose fortified wine
Plant-Based Food Truck, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Vegetable Vindaloo – $9.99
Romanesco cauliflower florets and sweet potatoes, braised in a hot and sour broth, served with basmati rice
Chana Masala – $9.99
Spiced chickpea curry, served with tomato and onion salad, basmati rice, naan bread
Potato, Pea, and Carrot Samosas – $8.99
Potato, pea, and carrot samosas, served with green chutney
Vegan Golden Chai Chocolate Blondies – $4.99
Chai spiced vegan dessert bar with dark and white vegan chocolates
Emerald Mojito – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Bacardi Superior Rum, agave nectar, lime juice, tropical green tea, and fresh mint
Gaea Smash – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
New Amsterdam Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling mineral water, and fresh purple opal basil
Allagash White – $6.50 (9oz), $11.50 (12oz souvenir), $8.50 (refill)
Belgian-Style Witbier, Draft
New Belgium Dominiga Mimosa Sour – $9.50
Wood-aged, Orange-Flavored Sour Wheat Ale
Raventos I Blanc Cava – $7.50
Dry sparkling white wine
Central America Food Truck, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Papas Bravas – $7.99
Crispy roasted potatoes, salsa bravas, garlic aioli, parsley
Savory Sopaipilla – $5.49
Roasted butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, pebre salsa, cilantro
Cosmic Cornucopia – $6.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
New Amsterdam Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Owen’s Cucumber, Lime, and Mint Craft Mixer, honeydew melon balls
Stiegl Radler Zitrone – $10.00
Lemon Radler, Canned
Sauvion Vouvray – $5.50
Slightly sweet white wine
Southeast Asia Food Truck, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Shrimp Laksa – $9.99
Shrimp, tofu, chicken, hard boiled eggs, Asian noodles in a spicy coconut curry broth
Rou Jia Mo – $8.99
Braised pork, Thai chili peppers, mustard greens, cilantro in a soft griddled bun
Cosmic Mangonada (non-alcoholic) – $5.50
Frozen purple mango slush layered with Tajin seasoning and Chamoy sauce
Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze – $6.50 (9oz), $11.50 (12oz souvenir), $8.50 (refill)
Draft beer
Steigl Radler Zitrone – $10.00
Lemon radler, canned
Sauvion Vouvray – $5.50
Slightly sweet white wine
Brazil, Cafe La Bomba
Chicken Coxinha – $5.49
Crispy pulled chicken tear drop fritters
Romeo & Juliet Coxinha – $5.49
Guava and cheese filled pastry bites
Beef Rissole – $5.49
Tender beef filled crispy rissoleMardi Gras Cocktails
Strawberry Caipirinha Punch – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Leblon Cachaça, agave nectar, strawberry purée, lime juice
Pineapple Caipirinha Punch – $8.00 (9oz), $13.00 (12oz souvenir), $8.00 (refill)
Leblon Cachaça, agave nectar, pineapple and lime juice
Mardi Gras 2022 – Food and Beverage Gift Card
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
- Pay $120 for a $150 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 April 24, and you would then be forced to use your lanyard only on the regular theme-park snacks.
Mardi Gras 2022 – 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.
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 2022, a number of establishments in CityWalk and Universal Orlando’s hotels are getting in on the festivities, too.
CityWalk
If you haven’t gotten enough sweets in the park, there are two Mardi Gras offerings for you in CityWalk. The Toothsome Milkshake is decidedly more impressive, incorporating the Ube Ice Cream that is also featured inside the park itself.
- The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – Mardi Gras Rhythm & Shake
- 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
Mardi Gras 2022 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 2022 Offerings
Trattoria del Porto
- Creamy Polenta Shrimp – Jumbo shrimp, chorizo sausage, Cajun sauce, creamy polenta
- Masquerade Cannoli – Mixed berry insalada
The Thirsty Fish
- Magari – Aviation Gin, limoncello, Limone Di Genoa Cider, fresh basil
Splendido Bar & Grill
- Mojito Lampone – Aviation Gin, limoncello, Limone Di Genoa Cider, fresh basil
Hard Rock Hotel Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Velvet Bar
- Abita Amber Ale Shrimp – Gulf shrimp lightly sautéed in creole garlic butter and Abita Amber Ale, served with sliced French bread
The Kitchen
- N’awlins Po’Boy ’ – A classic, piled high with crispy fried shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes, pickle, and creole mayo, served on New Orleans very own Leidenheimer bread
beachclub
- Muffuletta Sliders – Central Grocery’s spicy olive salad topped with mortadella, ham, salami and provolone cheese, all on classic Sicilian sesame slider rolls
Loews Royal Pacific Resort Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Islands Dining Room
- King Cake Pancakes – Lemon and powdered sugar glaze, spiced walnuts
Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar
- Orchid – Roku Gin, sweet potato shochu, mint, cucumber, absinthe
Tuk Tuk Market
- Chocolate Bomb – choose from: chocolate and caramel with spiced pecan with Mardi Gras decor, s’mores, or cookies & cream
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Amatista Cookhouse
- Andouille Sausage & Pulled Chicken – with queso fresco empanada, Cajun aioli
Strong Water Tavern
- Cucumber Hurricane Twist – Light rum, lime juice, Midori, sliced cucumber
New Dutch Trading Co.
- Traditional King Cake
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Galaxy Bowl Restaurant
- Shrimp Po’Boy – with queso fresco empanada, Cajun aioli
- Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler Hurricane – Bacardi Light Rum, Cruzan 12 Year Single Barrel Rum, passionfruit purée, orange juice and grenadine served in a 32-ounce souvenir Galaxy Bowl cup
Universal’s Aventura Hotel Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Bar 17 Bistro
- Chicken, Andouille & Shrimp Jambalaya
- Mini King Cake
- Hurricane – Bacardi Superior Rum, Myers’s Original Dark Rum, passionfruit, tropical juices
- Sazerac – Rye, Whiskey, absinthe, simple syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Beach Break Cafe
- New Orleans BBQ Shrimp & Dirty Rice
- Dockside Beignets – Sweet fried pastry with a bourbon caramel sauce and topped with powdered sugar
The Oasis Beach Bar & The Sunset Lounge
- The Endless Carnival – Castillo Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, a pinch of dried blackberries, pineapple wedge and a green sugar rim
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites Mardi Gras 2022 Offerings
Dockside Pier 8 Market
- New Orleans BBQ Shrimp & Dirty Rice
- Dockside Beignets – Sweet fried pastry with a bourbon caramel sauce and topped with powdered sugar
The Oasis Beach Bar & The Sunset Lounge
- The Endless Carnival – Castillo Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, a pinch of dried blackberries, pineapple wedge and a 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.
