Must-Try Food & Drinks for Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2024 at Universal Orlando Resort
Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2024 has kicked off at Universal Studios Florida! It runs from February 3 – April 7, 2024, and brings delicious food and drink offerings from around the globe. There’s over 20 food and beverage booths this year!This guide covers must-try food and drinks at Universal's Mardi Gras 2024. Belgium
Cookie Butter Liege Waffle – $7.99
Warm crystalized waffle topped with cookie butter, whipped topping, Biscoff cookies.10/10 for me. So delicious. If you’re a fan of cookie butter, you’re going to LOVE this. It’s Doused in warm cookie butter. This is Def on the sweet side, but not too too sweet. The waffle was perfectly crispy on the outside & fluffy on the inside.It’s one of the best sweet items at Mardi Gras this yearVegetarian option
Location
Belgium is located at Studio Snacksbetween the Today Cafe & Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast 
Brazil
Mango Caipirinha
Piras 51 Cachaça, Bols orange curaçao, lime juice, simple syrup, mango juice, mango purée, fresh min, lime wedge20-ounce Souvenir Cup – $17Refill – $1312 ounces – $13
Location
Brazil is located at Avenue Eats in Gramercy Park
Canada
Candied Bacon & Onion Poutine – $10.49
Candied bacon spiced curly fries with caramelized onion gravy, cheese curds, spiced maple bacon and parsley
Fire Cider
Fireball cinnamon whiskey, apple cider, cinnamon stick20-ounce Souvenir cup – $17Refill – $1312 ounces – $13
Location
Canada is located at Expo Circle across from Animal Actors.
China
Szechuan Noodle Salad $5.99
Spicy cold noodle salad with cucumbers, peanuts, cilantro, scallionsWhile SPICY, it was the perfect amount of heat. Make sure you have water on hand to drink. Good portion size.Vegan option
Hong Kong Boba Tea– $9
Hong Kong-style oolong milk tea over ice with coffee boba and salted cheese foamHuge size. Strong, creamy, and flavorful. The cheese foam added a small amount of saltiness to the drink which really balanced it out nicely.
Location
China is located across from Lombard’s Seafood Grille.
Colombia
Colombian Burger – $9.99
Grilled burger with Monterey Jack cheese, pineapple cabbage slaw, cilantro garlic sauce, potato sticks.
Aguardiente Punch
Cumbe Aguardiente, lime juice, simple syrup, blackberry concentrate, berry gummiesA very light and refreshing drink. Perfect amount of fruitiness. The notes of aguardiente tasted so good.20 oz. souvenir cup: $17Souvenir refill: $1312 oz. drink: $13
Location
Colombia is located in Gramercy Park directly across from the Macy’s facade. (Think where the big Christmas tree lives during the holiday season)
France
Bananas Foster Crème Brûlée Crepe – $11.99
Banana caramel, vanilla cream, fresh bananas, whipped topping, brûléed sugarThe best part of this crepe is the top layer of sugary, crispy crème brûlée. The freshly-sliced bananas and pudding really make the dish.
Location
France is located at Central Park Crepes across from the Horror Makeup Show.
Italy
Aperol Spritz Sorbet – $14
Aperol aperitivo with blood orange sorbetIf you can get past the small size, this drink was actually very good! Light, refreshing, You can definitely taste the alcohol in this one!
Location
Italy is located at Louie’s Italian Restaurant at the Guido’s Gelato service windowMexico
Chilaquiles Verdes – $7.49
Tortillas topped with chile braised shredded chicken, salsa verde, cilantro onion mixed with lime crema and cotija cheeseThis is a banging dish. The Verde sauce is the star & isn’t too too spicy. Fresh toppings, and decent amount of chicken.
Location
Mexico is located at Cafe La Bamba
New Orleans
King Cake Mini (Vegetarian) – $6.49
Traditional cake with cinnamon swirl icing, Mardi Gras sprinkles, and a Mardi Gras baby
Espresso Martini – $14
Brewed coffee, JF Haden Espresso liqueur, New Amsterdam vodka, black sugar syrupOne of the strongest drinks I tried. if you want a caffeine boost, it gets the job done!
Location
This specific New Orleans booth is located in Gramercy Park, facing the bar in the Transformers extended queue
Philippines
Crispy Lumpia – $7.49
Pork-filled crispy rice paper roll with dipping sauce
Pancit Bihon – $8.49
Rice noodles, sautéed vegetables, pulled chicken, garlic, soy sauce
Location
The Philippines is located at the Food Truck near Chez Alcatraz, and Richter’s Burger Co. in San Francisco.
Puerto Rico
Pastelitos de Guayaba – $5.99
Guava-filled puff pastry with powdered sugarLarge portion size. There’s a good amount of guava inside to balance out the soft doughy pastry outside.
Pastelón – $8.99
A layered casserole of sweet plantain, and picadillo beef topped with Edam cheeseLarge portion size. A delicious comfort meal option. The sweet plantains and the sweet + savory, beef picadillo tasted amazing.
Location
Puerto Rico is located in Gramercy Park facing the bar in the Transformers extended queue + Minions Cafe.
Spain
Sangria Flight- $17
Flight of Sangria Tinto, Sangria Blanco, Sangria RosadoNice sized drinks for a flight. The Sangria Blanco was my favorite of our these three. The Sangria Tinto was the strongest IMO.
Location
Spain is located at 57 Eats in Gramercy Park. Across from Mummy lockers.
Thailand
Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea
New Amsterdam gin, butterfly tea matcha, passion fruit syrup, mint syrup, simple syrup, lime juice in pipette.Super light & refreshing, The Matcha flavor isn’t overpowering. It has a floral, mildly sweet flavor. I didn’t really taste the Gin, which was fine by me. I love any drink with a pipette, too. So much fun.20 oz. souvenir cup: $17Souvenir refill: $1312 oz. drink: $13Moctail: $8
Location
Thailand is located in San Francisco across from the ride exit of Fast & Furios. Also next to Lombard’s Seafood Grille. 
NEW 2024 Food and Drink Pairings
Some of the new food and drinking pairings look yummu and are good deals. Each pairing is a $1.00 savings compared to if the two items were ordered separately. While $1.00 might not sound like a lot, it can add up for sure!Here are some 2024 pairings worth highlighting:
Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp and Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea
$20.49Thailand booth
Zabaglione with Berries with Aperol Spritz Sorbet
$18.99Italty booth
Chilaquiles Verdes with Gran Añejo Margarita
$19.49Mexico booth
Currywurst with Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
$18.99Germany booth
