One of the most enticing parts of the Mardi Gras celebration that happens every year at Universal Orlando resort is the dozens of food offerings they introduce to their in-park menu for the event; these limited-time items are a huge hit of flavor that Universal chooses to respect the multicultural foods that make Mardi Gras the flavorful spectacle it is. From regions all across the world, Universal has used international cuisine to bring Orlando’s guests some of the tastiest dishes out there, and guests visiting with their regular day admission have the opportunity to buy some of the park’s most unique bites.
Ahead of the start of the event, which will feature a huge array of foods, bites, desserts, and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks!), Universal Orlando has given guests a peek at some of their favorites of the upcoming fare that will be offered at the event.
Hot Maple Lacquered Salmon from Canada:
“Get a taste of freshly grilled salmon topped with a Canadian maple syrup glaze, served with a mixed salad of chickpeas, dried cranberries, tomatoes, baby kale and a mustard vinaigrette.”
While not necessarily an on-the-go food for theme park travel, this decadent salmon dish promises to be sweet and savory, with the perfect pairing of greens as a healthy side! This dish, along with everything else at the Canadian food stall, can be found at the edge of Gramercy Park, right next to the Minion Cafe!
Spicy Szechuan Chicken Bites from China:
“Turn up the heat with a dish inspired by a region in China known for spicy food. Crispy chicken is topped with Szechuan powder, chili and sesame seeds, served in a takeout container with white rice.”
Universal Studios has loved showcasing flavorful Asian foods at its specialty events over recent years, and this year is no exception! With something like Szechuan powder in the mix, this dish is sure to pack a punch! This stall can be found to the right of the Fast and Furious gift-shop, so be sure to stop in and try it out!
Colombian Burger from – you guessed it! – Colombia:
“It’s time to sink your teeth into a freshly grilled, all-beef burger with a Colombian twist, topped with monterey jack, pineapple cabbage slaw, cilantro garlic sauce and potato sticks.”
Last year, this food item was a huge hit, and Universal Orlando decided to bring it back for an encore! Also located on the edge of Gramercy Park closest to the Minion Cafe, this Colombian Burger features some classic Colombian toppings. If you’ve never had a Colombian-styled burger before, it can definitely sound weird, but it’s phenomenal, and a highly recommended item for this year’s Mardi Gras food!
(And for anyone looking for a good Colombian-styled burger in Orlando during any time that isn’t Mardi Gras, be sure to try Junior Colombian Burger, located on South Kirkman Road!)
Beignets from New Orleans:
“It isn’t Mardi Gras without beignets! You gotta try some of these sweet, fried pastries, served hot and topped with oodles of powdered sugar.”
The iconic treat of the Mardi Gras season, no one is really surprised that the beignets are back, but we are all definitely pleased! Served up in a paper bag for ultimate portability throughout the park, these beignets are hot and sweet and really, really messy, which makes them the perfect Mardi Gras treat. This item can be found at Gramercy Park as well, on the long brick-paved strip between the green and the Christmas shop!
Duck a L’Orange Crepe from France:
“Get ready for a mouthwatering meal combining two French specialties. Buckwheat crepes are cooked fresh, filled with shredded duck, onion and cheese, topped with orange segments and orange sauce.”
Definitely one of my personal most anticipated foods of this season, duck is an unusual one – but not unseen in Universal Orlando’s specialty food! It’s almost like a spiritual successor to the Butternut and Duck Galette from HHN32. This particular food can be found – where else? – by the creperie across from both La Bomba .
Pinchos de Lechón from Puerto Rico:
“Savor pork char-grilled on an open flame, topped with guava barbecue sauce and served with pan sobao (bread). This dish comes from the Puerto Rican countryside.”
Food on a stick! It’s like, quintessential park food, right? Of course, Universal puts a sophisticated twist on the idea, serving on this pinchos dish just in time for Mardi Gras. This food item can be found at Gramercy Park as well (busy place!) right across from the Macy’s shop façade in the New York area of the park! Perfect for snacking or sharing, the pinchos dish definitely looks like one of the all-stars of this year’s event.
Cajun Mac and Cheese from New Orleans:
“If you love spicy food, just wait ’til you dig into this cavatappi pasta with andouille sausage, onions, celery and green bell peppers with a Cajun cream sauce. Made on the spot, it’s hot in every sense of the word.”
It’s mac and cheese!! What more could you need? I don’t even have to advertise for this one, it’s mac and cheese, you already know it’s delicious. And with how Universal Orlando’s put their own twist on it to give it a cajun kick, there’s no doubt that this is going to be one of the best mac and cheeses you’ve ever had in your life. Just be sure you have a nice cold drink with you for this one, folks!
This food item can also be found in Gramercy Park, right across from the Macy’s façade!
Potato Dosa from India:
“Find out why dosas have been popular in India for centuries. These crispy, savory crepes are filled with potatoes, onions and black mustard seeds, and accompanied by a cilantro dipping sauce.”
This dish is one of Universal Orlando’s various vegan offerings for the event! While undoubtedly not the only vegan or vegetarian offering that this year’s Mardi Gras event will see, it was the only one released in the food preview. While folks tend to think of vegan food as bland and unexciting, Universal works really hard every year to make sure that their vegan offerings are just as exciting as the rest of their menu, with unique and highly flavorful dishes that stem from a variety of cuisines!
And honestly, with Universal’s track record on vegan offerings over the last few years, I would wager this might be one of the tastiest snacks at the event. I mean, you had me at potato crepes. There’s no way that’s not fantastic.
This food item, along with all the other Indian foods offered at the event, can be found right in front of The Candy Factory in the San Francisco area of the park!
Leberkäse from Germany:
“This traditional Bavarian beef and pork meatloaf dates back over 200 years. The meat is griddled right to order and then served on a delicious pretzel bun with sauerkraut and sweet mustard.”
This food item can be found right across from the Fast and Furious gift shop, right by Lombard’s! Whether you’ve ever tried Bavarian beef and pork meatloaf before, the Germany food booth featured some of last year’s best bites, so this one’s certainly got big, chicken-schnitzel-shaped shoes to fill!
But this is all just a small glimpse of the full menu that Universal Orlando Resort will be treating guests to come Mardi Gras, which starts February 1st, 2025 this year! Other international cuisine like Italian and Mexican foods will also be available, as well as a variety of drinks, desserts, and the coveted Bloody Marys that make the Mardi Gras season so much fun! In order to make sure that guests can get the most out of their Mardi Gras food tour – and trust me, it’s hard work! – the park has provided this year’s event map to ensure each International food booth is easy to find!
You can also view or download a PDF copy of the official event map from Universal’s website, to take on-the-go. Find the official page [here] and make sure you hit all thirteen main food stalls that the event offers this year!
