Let's eat! Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras 2025 has a smaller selection this year, with 13 food and beverage booths (keep reading for the FULL MENU). This annual festival at Universal takes place February 1 through March 30, 2025 and is perfect for date night.
In our expert guide to Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras food and beverage, we will focus mostly on Universal Studios Florida since that is where you'll find the Mardi Gras parade and concerts.
Speaking of which, if you want to view the concert lineup, parade schedule, and get tips on what not to miss then jump over to our Guide to an Epic Date at Universal's Mardi Gras.
BEST Food and Drinks at Universal's Mardi Gras 2025
After years of visiting Universal Mardi Gras, I can safely say that 2025 has a great lineup. This guide covers our 8 MUST TRY Food and Drinks at Universal's Mardi Gras 2025. Then you can keep reading for the ENTIRE MENU of Mardi Gras food and drink.
Top 8 MUST TRY Food and Drinks
- Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese and Gumbo (Bites of the Bayou booth)
- Hot Maple Lacquered Salmon (Canada booth)
- Quesabirria Birria beef in a corn tortilla with Monterey Jack, Oaxaca cheese, with birria broth (Mexico booth near Hollywood area)
- Pastelón Fritters (and Pinchos) and Pina Colada (Puerto Rico booth in New York area)
- Chicken Empanadas (and Burger) (Colombia booth in New York area)
- Bloody Mary (at the Coca-Cola Market)
- Beignets and Espresso Martini (New York Area)
- Banana's Fosters Fizz (Coca-Cola Market Square near Animal Actors)
All of the above food items cost about $7-$9 each and the servings were pretty generous. Drinks are about $13 – $15 depending on what size you order.
A friendly reminder, there is only one drink per person per ID.
Keep reading to see what we like about each of these drinks and food at Universal Mardi Gras, as well as some other items we've heard are great.
Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese
The Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese is rich and decadent, and definitely spicy. If you'd rather not go for something so heavy then the Gumbo is excellent this year and tastes straight out of N'awlins.
Hot Maple Lacquered Salmon
The Hot Maple Salmon is very pricey and isn't really worth the hefty price tag, BUT if you want something satisfying that isn't heavy this is a good choice. The Salmon is easily shared, and the accompanying multigrain rice is served cold which can be refreshing on warm days. I wouldn't make this a top priority, but it's worth mentioning if you enjoy salmon or something lighter.
Quesabirria Birria
While waiting in the long line to order the Quesabirria Birria, I witnessed two different guests get right back in line to order seconds after taking their first bit. The serving size is small but this Quesabirria is so tasty! Braised beef is stuffed into a corn tortilla with Monterey Jack, Oaxaca cheese, served with birria broth. I shamelessly drank the remaining broth once my husband and I ate the Quesabirria.
You can find this tasty morsel at Mexico booth near Hollywood area.
Pastelón (and Pinchos)
The Puerto Rico booth is one of our favorites, especially around parade time, thanks to its location in the New York area of the park.
The Pastelón Fritters will certainly not compete with any local Puerto Rican cuisine in Orlando, but it is a great way to try this traditional dish. These tasty fritters have flavors of the traditional casserole of sweet plantain, picadillo beef topped with Edam cheese is hearty.
Also at this booth are the Pinchos de Lechon. These fresh grilled skewers of pork shoulder come with guava bbq sauce and pan sobeo. Delicious!
No blenders here! This Classic Pina Colada, also at the Puerto Rico booth is served on the rocks. The pineapple flavors are more forward than the coconut, and we found it more refreshing this way.
Chicken Empanadas and Burger
The Chicken Empanadas are smaller than we had hoped which is disappointing. But the flavor is there and the accompanying sauce is fantastic. The Aquapelena is a non-alcoholic drink reminiscent of sweet tea and very refreshing.
Rave reviews are coming from the Burger at Colombia Booth, and while it is pricey it may be worth adding to your list for something hearty.
Bloody Mary
The Traditional Bloody Mary, spiked with New Amsterdam Vodka is completely reimagined this year. It's a BLCT Bloody Mary.
With the 20 oz souvenir cup, we got our Bloody Mary at the $15 refill price – and with all the toppings (candied bacon, tomato, and cheese bites). You can find this at the Coca-Cola Market.
Note, the smaller drink sizes just come with a celery stick and lime wedge garnish.
Beignets
Many of the traditional New Orleans foods at Universal's Mardi Gras are disappointing. However, the beignets are a must! The soft, sugary, and the perfect boost of energy when you've been indulging all day.
Banana's Fosters Fizz
The Bananas Foster Fizz is bringing rich, dessert-inspired flavors to this year’s Universal Mardi Gras. Made with Cruzan® Aged Dark Rum, Planteray® O.F.T.D. rum, Bols® crème de banana, and Barq’s® Creme Soda, it’s a boozy twist on the classic New Orleans dessert.
Last year, the Blackberry Krewe Cocktail was a refreshing highlight at the Coca-Cola Market Square, which was a nice hidden gem. This year the Coca-Cola Market is now in a prominent position near Transformers and Central Park.
Click here: Check Out the Universal Mardi Gras Guide Map
If you think we should add some great food and drinks you've had this year, connect with us on Instagram and send us a message.
Now, let's talk about some of the food and drinks that disappointed us.
Foods to Avoid
The most traditional New Orleans and Cajun style food can be found around the New York area. It's worth getting the shrimp or crawfish bowl or perhaps some gumbo. But, overall the traditional New Orleans dishes inside the park led me to disappointment.
Margherita Poutine
Last year the Candied Bacon Poutine at the Canada booth did not blow us away – however, it made for a hearty plate to enjoy together. I do not have high hopes for this year's Margherita Poutine with Fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, basil cream and pub fries, but we'll give it a try… for research!
Take a look below at the complete menu for this year's Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando.
Universal Mardi Gras Food and Beverage Menu
Bites of the Bayou
- Cajun Spiced Twisted Tater
- Gumbo
- Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese
Canada
- Hot Maple Lacquered Salmon
- Margherita Poutine
China
- Spicy Szechuan Chicken Bites (11.99)
- Duck Xian Bing (10.99)
Coca-Cola Market Square
- Frozen Brandy Milk Punch – $13.50
- Frozen Irish Coffee – $13.50
- Bananas Foster Fizz
- Doberge Cake Cocktail
- Peach Cobbler Smash
- Peach Cobbler Smash Mocktail – $9.00
- Orange Coconut Snowball Mocktail – $9.00
- BLTC Bloody Mary
Colombia
- Colombian Burger ($9.99)
- Chicken Empanadas ($8.49)
- Pandebono ($7.99)
- Aguapanela ($9.00)
France
- Duck à l'Orange Crêpe ($15.99)
Germany
- Leberkäse – $10.99
- Currywurst & Pommes – $9.99
- Apple Strudel – $4.99
French Quarter Sips
- Category 5 Punch 20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50, Refill – $13.50, 12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
- Espresso Martini – $18.00
- Pimm's Cup
India
- Potato Dosa ($7.99)
- Butter Chicken ($10.99)
- Jaljeera Soda ($9.00)
- Iced Chai Latte ($9.00)
Italy
- Trapizzini – $10.99
- Peachello Spritz – $17.00
Mexico
- Quesabirria – $10.99
- Chilaquiles Verde – $7.99
- Churro Loops – $8.49
- La Tormenta, 20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50, Refill – $13.50, 12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
- Elote Old Fashioned – $19.00
Puerto Rico
- Pinchos de Lechón ($10.99)
- Pastelón Fritters ($8.99)
- Cheese Dog ($9.99)
- Limber ($9.00)
- Piña Colada
- Ponche ($9.00)
Taste of the Quarter
- Red Beans & Rice – $7.49
- Beignets – $7.49
- King Cake – $7.49
Mocktails
- Hong Kong Boba Tea – Hong Kong-style oolong milk tea over ice with coffee boba and salted cheese foam (China)
- Jaljeera Soda – Jaljeera spice blend, lemon juice, and Sprite (India)
- Iced Chai Latte – Chai tea with milk and masala cold foam (India)
- Limber – Puerto Rican frozen iced treat (choice of coconut or guanabana) (Puerto Rico)
- Ponche – Welch’s grape juice, sweetened condensed milk, and blackberry essence (Puerto Rico)
- Horchata – Rice milk with vanilla and cinnamon, served chilled (Mexico)
- Peach Cobbler Smash Mocktail ($9.00): Peach purée, lime wedges, and Coca-Cola. (Coca-Cola Market)
- Orange Coconut Snowball Mocktail ($9.00): Pineapple juice, coconut milk, cream of coconut, and Fanta orange. (Coca-Cola Market)
