This past weekend the TouringPlans Foodie Squad visited Universal Studios Florida to sip and snack their around Universal’s Mardi Gras 2024. This article covers the Mardi Gras food offerings with food and menu photos, our suggested Best Bites, and our touring advice to save money and time.

Mardi Gras Overview

Mardi Gras is Universal’s premier food festival featuring over 50 dishes and dozens of cocktails inspired by carnivals all over the world – From Beignets and King Cakes to Chilaquiles Verdes and Godiva and Biscoff Liege Waffles. Universal Studios Florida is home to all the international destinations while New Orleans’ classic food and drinks are found in all the theme parks, resorts, and CityWalk.

Booths open at 11:00 am and close approximately half an hour before the park closes. Food items range in price from $5 to over $15 with most dishes between $8-12. Alcohol is served at all locations and full-sized drinks range from $10-$15 per drink. We advise skipping the batched cocktails and ordering fresh at Finnegan’s Bar in New York or CityWalk.

Pack your patience at the Universal food booths as waits after you order can be 10-15 minutes long. Our Foodies note:

Most booths took 11 – 18 minutes which is an eternity longer than EPCOT festivals but they also don’t appear to use heat lamps with the same frequency as Disney. You’re waiting because they’re frying the [dishes fresh].

For more information on parades, concerts, the Tribute Store, and more read our 2024 Mardi Gras Guide.

Saving Money with the Universal Food & Beverage Card

Save $10 by purchasing a pre-loaded Universal Orlando Food & Beverage Card for all your snacking and sipping. Cards start at $65 and include $75 worth of dining credit valid at Mardi Gras food booths and other dining venues located around the parks. The cards have no expiration date and prior years’ card balances are still valid at this year’s Mardi Gras food booths. Even if you never eat at a food booth purchasing dining cards can still save you 14% on food around the resort – that’s a good deal.

Mardi Gras 2024 Food Menus

Mardi Gras food options are separated across a dozen food booths throughout Universal Studios Florida. Each booth’s menu has two or three small dishes, regional alcohol, soft drinks, and water. The latest food booth menus, with drink options, are found on Universal’s website or the Universal Orlando mobile app.

The TouringPlans Foodie Squad enjoyed this year’s Mardi Gras agreeing the food was a noticeable step up from last year. The TPFS spent hours debating the best dishes under $50 in total, our Best Bites, plus a bonus alcohol pick. Also, whenever you see a blue quote box those are notes from our foodie team.

Belgium

Brazil

China

Colombia

Coca-Cola Market Square

Cherry Cola BBQ Pork Sliders – $9.99

Slow-cooked carnitas with cherry cola BBQ sauce on a Hawaiian pretzel bun served with lemon-lime soda-infused coleslaw.

Orange Whoopie Pie – $6.99

Orange soda whoopie pie filled with whipped topping and orange marmalade.

Twisted Tater – $9.49

Fried spiralized potato topped with choice of seasoning: seasoned salt, ghost pepper, garlic parmesan, or sour cream and chives.

France

Bananas Foster Crème Brûlée Crepe – $11.99

Banana caramel, vanilla cream, fresh bananas, whipped topping, and brûléed sugar.

Germany

Chicken Schnitzel – $8.99

Fried crispy chicken thigh cutlet served with mustard and a lemon wedge.

Currywurst – $7.99

Crispy skin German bratwurst sliced and topped with spicy curry ketchup.

Käsespätzle – $4.99 (Vegetarian)

Cheese spätzle topped with crispy onions.

Bavarian Pretzel with Obatzda – $11.49 (Vegetarian)

Warm pretzel with Bavarian beer cheese dip.

BEST BITE Mutzen – $6.99 (Vegetarian)

Fried lemon-vanilla fritters dusted with powdered sugar

Floofy, sweet, tart. [Food at] the Germany booth is heavy and fried so the lemon in the fritters was a nice way to cut that feeling. It was tart but not too puckery.

Mexico

New Orleans

We never add drinks to our “Best $50” but this one deserves an exception!

Philipines

Puerto Rico

Spain

BEST BITE Sangria Flight – $16.99

Fruity & sweet – a great sharing option

Thailand

Chicken Satay – $8.99

Marinated grilled chicken skewer with Thai cucumber and topped with a peanut sauce.

Universal Marid Gras 2024 Menu Photos

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• Save Money and purchase a Food & Beverage card starting at $65 and receive $75 in dining credit. These cards are valid at most Universal Theme Park dining locations and kiosks, including full service restaurants.
• Some booth menus feature a Food and Drink pair that saves $1 over purchasing them separately.
• Free water is available at all restaurants, kiosks, Coke Freestyle machines, and food booths that have fountain drinks.
• Save Time and visit booths with high guest capacity like Mexico.
• Current food booth location maps are online and in the Universal Orlando app.
• From waiting in line to eating, expect every booth to take approximately 20 to 25 minutes to experience when factoring them into your touring plans.
• Food Allergies are listed on the menu boards located outside the booths. Discuss food allergy concerns with the cashier at the time of placing your order.
• Our Best Bites are
  • Colombia Burger – $9.99
  • Mutzen – $6.99
  • Quesabirra – $8.99
  • Chicory Coffee – $7.99
  • Crispy Lumpia – $7.49
  • Papitas Bravas – $5.99
  • Sangria Flight – $16.99

Have you visited Universal Mardi Gras 2024 and have a favorite dish? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!