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 2024.
The Top 10 Food and Beverage Items at Universal Mardi Gras 2024
Colombia: Arepa de Choclo
If you love corn bread, immediately make a (honey) bee-line for the Colombia booth on the streets of New York. Don't expect a traditional arepa. This sweet corn cake filled with cheese and griddled with honey butter is griddled to perfection — giving this vegetarian dish a slight and surprising crisp. Additionally, the honey butter baked into it makes it just sweet enough to counterbalance the savory flavors of the corn cake and cheese. Truly the epitome of comfort food.
France: Bananas Foster Crème Brûlée Crepe
If you're the type of person to order a banana pancake at breakfast, you're not going to want to miss this mouthwatering item at Central Park Crêpes. This made-to-order, vegetarian crepe is filled with banana caramel, vanilla cream, fresh bananas, whipped topping and topped with brûléed sugar. Once you break through the hard shell at the top, the rest is essentially freshly sliced bananas and vanilla pudding. That being said, Leap had to pry one this out of my hands to get a bite in.
Germany: Chicken Schnitzel
Crispy, savory and perfectly moist, the Chicken Schnitzel was a surprising favorite at the Germany booth, now in Battery Park. This fried crispy chicken thigh cutlet is served with mustard and a lemon wedge — which you can't froget to squeeze all over the cutlet. What's great about this option is that it's guaranteed picky-eater safe, since it's not far off from a chicken tender. Be sure to grab a knife because you're going to want to split this!
Germany: Mutzen
Chef Jens Dahlmann, Vice President, Executive Chef of Culinary Operations at Universal Orlando, has joked that these vegetarian pastries are "better than the beignets Americans are used to". He might not be wrong. These fried lemon-vanilla fritters dusted with powdered sugar are pure melt-in-your-mouth heaven. They also have just the slightest hint of citrus to add to their already delectable flavor. Three come in an order so they're perfect for sharing!
New Orleans Desserts: Beignets
While the Mutzen are delicious in their own right ... the iconic, vegetarian Mardi Gras pastries are a fierce competitor. For the uninitiated, Beignets are sweet fried pastries with powdered sugar. While Universal brings these back every year, we'd actually go so far as to say the park upped its game this year. If you weren't a fan last year, we highly recommend giving them another chance. Be sure to grab some napkins! You can find this booth on the streets of New York.
New Orleans Desserts: Mini King Cake
The Beignets aren't the only Mardi Gras staple Universal modified this year for the better. We used to say the King Cake couldn't be conquered by one frog alone ... but this year, the vegetarian king bundt cake topped with cinnamon swirl icing and Mardi Gras sprinkles is now tadpole sized! (Yes, they still come with the plastic baby!) If you love coffee cake, do not miss out on this iconic sweet treat.
Philippines: Pancit Bihon
If you're a fan of lo mein, we highly recommend checking out its thinner cousin over at the Philippines booth. Pancit Bihon consists of rice noodles, sautéed vegetable, pulled chicken, garlic and soy sauce. We can't even begin to describe how much this hit the spot mid-day when we were looking for something savory. Perfect to share (or keep for yourself) this item was definitely the stand-out at a booth rife with delicious options! You can find this booth in San Francisco.
Puerto Rico: Pastelitos de Guayaba
Universal Orlando truly did not do wrong with any of its powdered sugar covered pastries. This vegetarian Puertan Rico staple is a guava filled puff pastry with powdered sugar and a massive win for any guava lovers. If you want to break up the sweet treats, grab this delicacy in the morning because you can easily gobble it down for breakfast. It's perfect to balance out the savory goodness of the Pastelón or the Bacalaitos should you opt for either of those! You can find this booth in New York.
Puerto Rico: Piña Colada
Hopfully, you're not getting caught in the rain but, regardless, this refreshing and fruity cocktail is delicious in any weather! Consisting of Ron del Barrilito Santa Ana Overproof Rum, lime juice, coco cream, pineapple juice and smoked sea salt, this cocktail is served on the rocks and not lacking at all in pineapple tang. It's silky smooth — making it the perfect drink to wash down any food items from the same booth.
Thailand: Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea
I'm not a matcha lover, but I'll order this cocktail again and again and again. If you're looking for something light, floral and refreshing (and not overly sweet), I can't recommend the Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea enough. A delightful mix of New Amsterdam gin, butterfly tea matcha, passion fruit syrup, mint syrup and simple syrup (and served with a pipette full of lime juice), you can purchase this drink as a cocktail or mocktail! Be sure to grab it as you're strolling through San Francisco.
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
