With a name like International Flavors of Carnaval, there were sure to be some amazing culinary creations at this year's Mardi Gras festival at Universal Orlando Resort. And boy, did we find some! Universal unveiled some brand new booths this year at the festive event — inspired by Carnaval celebrations from countries around the world. (You better believe we were drooling just thinking about most of these items.) When Mardi Gras season finally arrived at the resort, our feet didn't fail us as we hopped around Universal Studios Florida ... and neither did the food. Without further ado, here's our list of the top 10 food and beverage items you can get at Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval in 2025.
The Top 10 Food and Beverage Items at Universal Mardi Gras 2025
Italy: Trapizzini
If you can't pass up a meatball sub, I highly recommend high-tailing it into Louie's Italian Restaurant for the Trapizzini. Made with warm ciabatta, meatball, marinara and spiced parmesan, this Roman street food loved throughout Italy hit the spot when I was looking for something savory before the parade and Foster the People concert.
Italy: Peachello Spritz
Put peach and/or boba in a cocktail and I'm there. That being said, the Peachello Spritz checked so many boxes for me. Made with Pallini Peachello, Cavicchioli 1928 Prosecco, club soda and peach bursting boba, this cocktail was definitely on the lighter side and not overwhelmingly sweet. A refreshing, fruity option, this sparkling bevvy hit all the right notes.
French Quarter Sips: Pimm's Cup
A local favorite in New Orleans, the Pimm's Cup is made with Pimm's No 1 Cup and Seagram's ginger ale garnished with fresh cut orange, strawberry, lemon and cucumbers. In our opinion, it's the best remedy for a hot Orlando afternoon! Incredibly refreshing, slightly fruity and safely on the lighter side, this is an amazing festive alternative if you don't want to go for something as strong as, say, a Category 5 Punch.
Puerto Rico: Cheese Dog
Perfectly portable in fun, finger-sized packaging, this all-beef hot dog with cheddar cheese wrapped in an empanada disc and served with mayo ketchup is a Puerto Rican staple that tastes so delightfully familiar. The flaky empanada wrapping gives it a bit of crunchy and the mouthwatering mayo ketchup makes this a can't-miss purchase on your way around the culinary world.
Coca-Cola Market Square: Banana's Fosters Fizz
A brilliantly boozy version of the delicious Big Easy-birthed dessert, the Banana's Fosters Fizz is made with Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Planetary O.F.T.D. rum, Bols crème de banana and Barq's Creme Soda. The sweetness of the banana and cream soda make it deliciously rich and a great pairing for a salty, savory or spicy dish — of which there are a'plenty at Universal Mardi Gras.
Colombia: Colombian Burger
A consistent Mardi Gras favorite, the Colombian Burger has never disappointed. This grilled burger with Monterey Jack cheese, pineapple cabbage slaw, cilantro garlic and potato sticks is the ideal option for a small savory bite on the go if you need something to hold you over. Packed with flavor and perfectly textured with that the crunch from the potato sticks, this is one burger you do not want to pass up.
TODAY Cafe: Banoffee Tart
Not exaggerating when I say this is possibly my favorite offering of the whole festival. Tucked away in TODAY Cafe, this decadent dessert is dulce de leche caramel, sliced bananas and coffee-flavored whipped cream in a buttery crust. Beautifully hidden beneath the whipped cream, sprinkles and gold mask is a beautiful bevy of brûléed bananas. If you're looking for actual banana's foster, this is the closest you're gonna get. And it's darn good!
India: Iced Chai Latte
As a frog with a certified Chai latte obsession (I'm literally drinking one while updating this list), the Iced Chai Latte at the India booth was a massive win for me. Made with Chai, milk and house-made masala cold foam, it's deliciously creamy and marvelously spiced. Less sweet than the Banana's Fosters Fizz but just as spiced as the King Cake, this is the perfect pick-me-up when your feet inevitably start to fail you mid-day.
Taste of the Quarter: Beignets
There's one thing you can't go to Crescent City without ordering. For the uninitiated, Beignets are sweet fried pastries with powdered sugar and a staple of any worthy Mardi Gras celebration. Doughy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these pillows of powdered sugar are vegetarian and come in a paper bag (not pictured) so you can easily indulge in them on-the-go. Be sure to grab some napkins!
Taste of the Quarter: King Cake
The king of all Mardi Gras treats is back this year in all its spiced, moist, creamy, sprinkly glory. The one item a Mardi party is truly incomplete without, King Cake is a traditional cinnamon cake with cinnamon swirl icing, Mardi Gras sprinkles and a Mardi Gras baby. A nod to Epiphany — the celebration that kicks off Mardi Gras — the baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it. (That automatically means you since it sits right on top!)
See our real-time reactions to these mouthwatering bites and bevvies and more in our Universal Mardi Gras 2025 vlog:
What do you think is the best food or drink item at Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnival? What can you not wait to try? Let me know in the comments below!
Related: Our Jubilant Guide to Universal Orlando Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval
