🍽️ Carnival Mardi Gras Food Guide

What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra

One of the best things about sailing on Carnival Mardi Gras is the huge variety of food — and a LOT of it is included.

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If you’re planning your cruise, here’s a clear breakdown of what’s free vs. extra, so you know exactly what to expect 👇

🍔 INCLUDED (FREE) FOOD ON MARDI GRAS

These are all included in your cruise fare and you can eat here as much as you want:

🍽️ Main & casual staples

• Main Dining Rooms (Palm & Flamingo) – sit-down breakfast, brunch & dinner

• Lido Marketplace – buffet with tons of options

• Swirls – soft serve / frozen yogurt

🌮 Quick-service favorites (all free)

• Guy’s Burger Joint 🍔

• BlueIguana Cantina 🌮 (tacos, burritos, breakfast burritos)

• Big Chicken (Shaq’s) 🍗

• Street Eats 🍜 (3 stations: noodles, kebabs, loaded fries)

• Pizzeria del Capitano 🍕 (no longer 24/7 — typically open late but may close for a few hours in the early morning)

🥪 Other included spots

• Piazza Panini / deli-style sandwiches

🍝 “Specialty but FREE (with rules)”

These feel like specialty dining but are included (with a catch):

• Cucina del Capitano (Italian)

• Chibang! (Mexican + Chinese fusion)

👉 Typically:

• Lunch = free always

• Dinner = usually 1 free visit, then small fee (~$8 after)

🍖 Bonus included

• Guy’s Pig & Anchor BBQ (lunch/sea days) – super popular BBQ spot

🥗 Additional included option

• Fresh Creations (Serenity area) 🥗 (included, lunch only)

💰 EXTRA-CHARGE (SPECIALTY) RESTAURANTS

These cost extra (either flat fee or à la carte):

🥩 Upscale dining

• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

• Rudi’s Seagrill (seafood)

🍣 Asian dining

• Bonsai Sushi (à la carte)

• Bonsai Teppanyaki (hibachi experience)

🍤 Casual but paid

• Seafood Shack

• Emeril’s Bistro 1396 (New Orleans-style, à la carte)

☕ Snacks & extras

• JavaBlue Café (coffee, desserts, etc. — not a free venue)

• Room service (most hot items)

• Pizza delivery via the app

🍷 Premium experience

• Chef’s Table (multi-course VIP dinner)

🧠 QUICK WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT

• Most food = FREE (you will NOT go hungry)

• Quick-service + buffet + burgers + tacos + chicken = included

• Sit-down specialty or chef-driven restaurants = extra

• A couple “specialty” spots are partly included (Chibang & Cucina)

💡 My quick take (as a frequent Carnival cruiser)

Mardi Gras is one of the best ships for included food—you could easily cruise the whole week without paying extra and still have a ton of variety.

**information provided in this blog is subject to change. If you notice any changes please leave a comment so i can make changes and keep this blog current. Thank you!