Dining, Events

A Complete Food Guide to Universal’s Mardi Gras

January 30, 2019
Universal's Mardi Gras - Jambalaya

Another foodie guide coming your way, this time diving taste buds into all the Cajun dishes and signature drinks from Universal’s Mardi Gras.

You’ll be able to enjoy new and returning favorites daily in the French Quarter Courtyard located in the New York area in Universal Studios Florida starting at 4 p.m. from Feb. 9 – April 4. New this year, all food and drink items will be served in tasting sizes. You know what that means – more opportunity to indulge in EVERYTHING.

Crab Etouffee

Universal's Mardi Gras - Crab Etouffee

Your classic etouffee dish with rice and crab smothered in a savory sauce.

Catfish Po Boy

Universal's Mardi Gras - Catfish Po Boy

Fried catfish po boy with a crisp slaw and hot sauce, served with kettle chips. Also new is the shrimp and andouille sausage po boy and chicken po boy.

King Cake

Universal's Mardi Gras - King Cake

Returning this year are the authentic classics you know and love: Gumbo, jambalaya (available without shrimp), red beans and rice (available without shrimp) and beignets. You’ll also be able to get twisted taters but with a new Cajun seasoning twist!

Universal's Mardi Gras - Gumbo
Universal's Mardi Gras - Beignets
Universal's Mardi Gras - Jambalaya
Universal's Mardi Gras Food - Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Po Boy

There are also new drinks to quench your thirst in-between bites…

Specialty Drinks

Universal's Mardi Gras - Signature Drink Concepts

There are are a variety of new specialty cocktails you can try in the French Quarter:

Mimosa Bar: Also new to this year is a bar dedicated to Mimosas. You read that right. You’ll get to try unique flavors like caramel apple, raspberry rosemary, mojito mint and more.

Signature Drink: If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, check out the Bayou Bog Water – complete with gummy worms and fish, blueberry boba beads and a lemonade and ginger ale mix.

Other specialty drinks include:

  • Carnival Cocktail
  • Ragin’ Rumbalaya
  • Vicious Voodoo (a combo of the two above!)
  • And a wide variety of craft beer selections

NEW OFFERING: Bayou Boil

Universal's Mardi Gras Food Feature

One of the big new additions to Mardi Gras this year is the Bayou Boil – An Exclusive Mardi Gras Dining Experience. On select nights, you can enjoy the delicious fun of a traditional crawfish boil, chicken and andouille sausage jambalaya (available on request). Then you head over to your exclusive parade viewing area with endless king cake, complimentary sparkling wine and non-alcoholic beverages. This experience can be purchased for $59.99 per adult and $39.99 per child plus tax. Plus, Premier, Preferred and Power Passholders get a 20% discount. Click here for more details.

Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard 

A great new perk for this year’s event is the Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard. These sampling lanyards give you the option to try your favorite tasting dishes for one price. They can be used on all nights of Mardi Gras, so you can come back and use them again for another night if you have leftovers. Here’s a breakdown on options and pricing:

  • 5 items lanyard for $30
  • 10 items lanyard for $50
  • 15 items lanyard for $60 – Passholder Exclusive!

Beignet Voodoo Doughnut

Mardi Gras Beignet Doughnut from Voodoo Doughnut

You can also swing by Voodoo Doughnut in Universal CityWalk and pick up the new Mardi Gras themed doughnut. The Beignet is a yeast raised doughnut half dipped in vanilla, half dipped in sugar, filled with Bavarian Hickory and topped with Mardi Gras sprinkles. This doughnut is available for a limited time, so make sure you grab one now.

Catch all the festivities daily starting Feb. 9 – April 4. Don’t forget to share your foodie adventures using #UniversalMardiGras on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can get 3 days of Mardi Gras and all the thrills of Universal Orlando Resort for just $159.99 with the purchase of a Coca-Cola or Coke Zero Sugar now – April 4. Click here for details. OR you can upgrade to an Annual Pass* and get up to six months free with the purchase of any pass. Click here for details.

Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.
*Blockout dates apply for Seasonal Passholders on all concert event nights at Universal Studios Florida. You will still receive access to Universal Islands of Adventure.

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18 Comments

  • Reply P.griffin February 5, 2019 at 3:45 am

    Just read that seasonal passes have block out dates on concert nites????….Really???…what stupendous person or grp of people made this rule???…the family is planning a quick weekend Feb 8-10…no accesss to Mardi Gras???…Please don’t tell me you are going to ruin my weekend…Someone please go back to the drawing board and reconsider…7 family members just bought high end annual pass…Hoping this will not be a regret…😪

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Social Media Team February 5, 2019 at 7:05 am

      Power, Preferred, and Premier Annual Passes will have access to the parks on our Mardi Gras concert nights. Our Seasonal Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida on these concert nights, but will still have access to Islands of Adventure on these dates. I apologize for any disappointment surrounding this, and will share your feedback with the appropriate teams. If you have any additional questions regarding the benefits of your specific pass type, please feel free to call 1-866-PASS-4-FUN.

  • Reply B.H. February 7, 2019 at 9:36 am

    Where can you purchase the lanyard and are only food items included?

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Social Media Team February 7, 2019 at 9:47 am

      Hello!
      Tasting Lanyards can be purchased at French Quarter (Starting at 4pm daily through event duration), Monster’s Café , and Bone Chillers. They include select food items as well as Assorted Craft Beers for Guests over the age of 21 with valid photo ID and non-alcoholic specialty beverages in non-souvenir glasses. We look forward to your visit!

  • Reply Tonya February 9, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    I have a food allergy to shell fish
    I wanted to known if I can eat anything at the event ? I really wanted Jambalaya but dont know what the base is made out of as some use seafood base. Is there a way to find out ?

  • Avatar photo
    Reply Social Media Team February 9, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    Hello Tonya, please send our Guest Services Department an e-mail, so we can assist with providing you information about your request.

    GuestServices@universalorlando.com.

  • Reply Michelle Simmons February 12, 2019 at 10:59 am

    I’m just finding out about this and I’m sad we won’t be there until April 8th. 🙁

  • Reply Terry Schneider February 13, 2019 at 5:09 pm

    SO-since my annual pass will not get me in to see the Steve Miller Band concert, what do I need to do to get into the park to attend the concert? Also, please include the dollar amounts to the associated fees. Thank You.

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Social Media Team February 13, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      Hi Terry! If your pass is blocked out for Concert dates, you are welcome to upgrade your pass to a higher tier so you can visit on that date.

  • Reply HB February 20, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    Can people purchase individual food items just like a booth during HHN, or do we need to purchase a food package or lanyard ?

    • Reply P. J. March 5, 2019 at 11:45 am

      HI,
      Just went to the Mardi Gras event. Food items were available for purchase at the individual food tents in the French Quarter area.
      Hope this helps.

  • Avatar photo
    Reply Social Media Team February 20, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Hello! I do not have any information on our food options just yet, but continue to monitor our social media pages as well as our website for any updates.

  • Reply Maureen March 3, 2019 at 8:07 am

    I have an unusual food allergy (potatoes, modified food starch).
    I am coming down for Mardis Gras & would love to try many of the dishes.
    Is there anyway to get an ingredients listing?

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Social Media Team March 3, 2019 at 8:56 am

      Hello, I recommend contacting our Guest Services Department for assistance with food allergies. Please contact our Guest Services Department at 407-224-4233 option 4 or via email at GuestServices@universalorlando.com.

  • Reply Neiceeb February 7, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Were passholders looking forward to the visit next month. What foods are included for tasting in the Landyard pass please? Thank you much.

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Social Media Team February 7, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      Hello! We have plenty of different options available for use with the Tasting Lanyard, at 10 different locations. Once you arrive to the French Quarter, you will see a special logo next to each menu item that is included.

  • Reply Ash February 18, 2020 at 11:10 am

    Can 2 people share 1 lanyard or does each person need their own?

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Social Media Team February 18, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Hello Ash, for further assistance with the Tasting Lanyard, please feel free to contact our Guest Services team at 407-224-4233 option 4 or via email at GuestServices@universalorlando.com.

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