Review: Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Tasting Pass

A full look at all of the must-try treats from Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras is one of our favorite springtime events at the parks. The entire place transforms into a full-on celebration inspired by New Orleans, with music playing, beads flying, and my favorite part, the food booths.

It feels like part street festival, part global tasting tour. You’ll find everything from classic Louisiana dishes to flavors inspired by countries all over the world, all packed into one event.

I went in fully expecting to love the desserts, which I did, but the savory side surprised me just as much. There were multiple dishes I would go back for without even thinking twice.

So I’m breaking this down into the standout savory bites and, of course, the sweets that completely stole the show.

The Savory Standouts

The Cajun Mac And Cheese Everyone Wanted More Of

The Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese was one of those dishes we immediately started fighting over.

Made with cavatappi pasta, andouille sausage, and the holy trinity, all tossed in a spicy Cajun cream sauce, it hit that perfect balance of rich and flavorful with just the right amount of heat.

I’m a huge fan of a breadcrumb topping on mac and cheese, so this was a texture dream. That added crunch on top of the creamy pasta made every bite even better.

Easily one of the most memorable dishes of the day and one I would order again without hesitation.

Flame-Grilled Pork That’s Full Of Flavor

The Pinchos de Lechon were a really solid savory option.

These char-grilled pork shoulder skewers had that fresh-off-the-grill flavor you can’t fake. The pork was tender, juicy, and clearly marinated well before cooking.

The guava BBQ sauce added a light sweetness that worked perfectly with the smoky meat without overpowering it. It felt balanced and really well executed.

Crispy Pastelón Fritters That Reminded Me of My Grandmother

This was the standout of the entire savory lineup.

The Pastelón Fritters are crispy on the outside, filled with sweet plantains and seasoned picadillo beef, and served with mayo ketchup for dipping.

The texture alone makes them worth ordering. That crisp exterior gives way to soft, sweet plantains and a savory, flavorful beef filling.

The mayo ketchup ties everything together with a slightly tangy, slightly sweet finish that makes it hard to stop eating.

This one felt extra special to me. It reminded me so much of my grandmother, who made incredible Puerto Rican food. Since this booth was representing Puerto Rico, I had high hopes, and it completely delivered.

A Perfectly Grilled Picanha With Bold Flavor

The Picanha was a simple dish done really well.

This char-grilled beef sirloin cap steak had a nice crust on the outside and a smoky flavor that came through in every bite. It was seasoned just enough to let the quality of the meat shine.

The vinaigrette added a bright, slightly acidic contrast that balanced the richness of the steak.

The farofa was interesting to try, but the steak easily held its own, and I passed on that part.

Brazilian Cheese Bread That’s Always A Win

The Pão de Queijo was exactly what you want from Brazilian cheese bread.

Warm, chewy on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and packed with that signature cheesy flavor. These are simple, but when they’re done right like this, they’re hard to beat.

We went back for seconds, which pretty much says everything.

The Sweet Treats You Shouldn’t Skip

The King Cake That I Had a Hard Time Quitting

The King Cake instantly stands out because, ahem, it’s covered in sprinkles. The gold Mardi Gras baby on top adds a little fun, but the flavor absolutely holds up.

It was soft, moist, and filled with a warm cinnamon flavor that stayed balanced and didn’t drift into that cinnamon gum territory.

The icing added just enough sweetness without taking over, so you get soft cake, sweet vanilla frosting, and that little bite from the sprinkles all in one.

This ended up being one of my favorite desserts of the entire event.

Fresh Beignets That Taste Like New Orleans

The Beignets are a must if you want something classic.

They’re served hot in a paper bag, and you shake them up with powdered sugar before opening, which is mind-blowingly amazing.

The texture was exactly what you want. Light and airy on the inside with a slight crisp on the outside. The powdered sugar melts slightly into the warm dough, adding just the right amount of sweetness.

I can never pass up a beignet, and these are easily some of the best I’ve had at a theme park.

A Piña Colada That Feels Elevated

The Piña Colada from the Puerto Rico booth was a nice surprise.

Instead of the typical frozen version, this one is served chilled, which actually lets the flavors come through more clearly.

Made with rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, lime, and a hint of smoked sea salt, it felt balanced instead of overly sweet.

It’s refreshing and a really different experience if you’ve only ever had the frozen drink.

Mardi Gras Macarons That Nail The Texture

I tried both the Salted Caramel and King Cake macarons, and they were done so perfectly right. I was completely surprised because macarons can be hit of miss.

The shells had that slight crisp on the outside with a soft, chewy center.

The King Cake version had a light cinnamon and vanilla flavor, while the Salted Caramel was rich, sweet, and balanced with just a hint of salt. Both were good but the Salted Caramel was my favorite.

The edible designs on top were also really cute. I love when parks go out of the way to give things a special themed touch.

More Mardi Gras Treats Around The Park

The festival booths aren’t the only place to find themed food. (I couldn’t be happier about this.)

Inside the shops, there are displays completely themed with decorated caramel apples, brownies, and cupcakes, all in classic Mardi Gras colors.

You’ll also find fun candy options like cotton candy and rock candy, plus over-the-top drinks like the King Gator’s Praline Party Shake at Schwab’s Pharmacy.

It’s one of those events where the food really is everywhere you look.

Why Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Food Is Worth It

This event has a reputation, and it holds up.

The variety alone makes it fun, but what really stands out is how well the food is done. The flavors, textures, and portions all feel like classics, yet still creative.

The savory dishes go beyond typical theme park food, and the sweets bring in both classic Mardi Gras flavors and super fun twists like sprinkles, edible images, and toppers.

If you’re visiting Orlando during Mardi Gras season, this is something to plan time around, not just stumble into.

There are multiple dishes here that I would go back for again, and that doesn’t always happen at events like this.

Sprinkle Of Fun

Turn this into a full food-focused park day. Grab a tasting lanyard, split dishes so you can try more, and rate your favorites as you go. If you’re a foodie, you’ll totally understand why this is so fun. It turns the whole experience into your own mini food tour, and it brings an extra dose of fun to an already amazing day at the park.