7 Must-Try Mardi Gras Eats & Treats

The Big Easy meets big thrills at Busch Gardens Williamsburg with parkwide Mardi Gras celebrations well underway! Featuring electrifying entertainment including a cirque show and colorful brass band, to over 30 culinary delights, this one-of-a-kind party has it all. Offering the best of the bayou from Cajun cocktails to decadent desserts, we’re giving you the inside scoop on all the must-try items at this year’s event.

1. Chicken & Andouille Gumbo - Clancy’s Cajun Creations

There’s no better way to start off your Mardi Gras tasting adventure than with a fresh bowl of gumbo! This hearty stew is a delightful mix of smoked andouille, shredded chicken, okra, bell peppers, and plenty of aromatic spices that pack a punch. Swing on over after a ride on Finnegan’s Flyer, as you can find this dish in Ireland village.

2. Hurricane - Grogan’s Pub

Let loose and “Laissez le bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) by toasting a Mardi Gras staple, the hurricane. This fruit-filled cocktail is a classic for any Mardi Gras celebration! Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with rum, passionfruit purée, orange juice, and a squeeze of lime.

In the mood for something more traditional? You can also choose from 22 rotating draft beers brewed locally and internationally, or wines from across the globe, at Grogan’s Pub.

3. Specialty Beignets - Café Lulu or King of Cakes

Beignets? More like beign-yay! These iconic pastries are a delicious delicacy featuring deep-fried sweetened dough and dusted with powdered sugar. Only at Busch Gardens Mardi Gras - choose from 3 different sauces to drizzle on top: chocolate, caramel, or raspberry! The choice is yours. Which one will you choose?

4. Cajun Bloody Mary & Magic Mimosa - Big Easy Spirits

Sip on a specialty cocktail and sing along to the New Orleans Jazz Band during a visit to Big Easy Spirits, located in Das Festhaus. Spice things up with a Cajun Bloody Mary, a creole creation full of tomato juice and vodka with a Louisiana twist.  Looking for a classic cocktail to start the day? Enjoy a Magic Mimosa, a refreshing mix of orange juice and chilled sparkling wine.

5. Banana Fosters Cheesecake - King of Cakes

Cheesecake by itself is enough to catch anyone’s attention… Adding fresh banana, warm caramel drizzle and glazed pecans to the mix is what makes this sweet treat a fan-favorite! Located in Rhinefeld village near Wilkommen house, this delectable dessert is best enjoyed while the wacky court jester drummers of Samba Jamboree entertain you with their jazzy New Orleans rhythm!

6. Crawfish Boil - Creole Grill

As one of the most popular recipes down in the Big Easy, you won’t want to miss this iconic Cajun dish. Made with crawfish, corn, red potatoes, smoked sausage and the perfect blend of aromatic seasonings, this Crawfish boil will leave you wanting more. You can find this near Trapper’s Smokehouse in New France, near Caribou Pottery!

7. Member-Exclusive DarKoaster Specialty Beverage - Der Marktplatz