Main Dining Room

You will be assigned to one of the Palm or Flamingo dining rooms.  Both carry the same menu each night.  The Main Dining Room is a traditional staple of many cruise lines.  This restaurant features a rotating menu so there’s always something different on offer every day.  Have a favorite that you want to eat time and time again?  Ask your server, they might be able to whip that up for you.  Can’t decide between two options?  Order both, or order a small plate to taste.  You can even order a larger plate to be served family style.  No room for dessert but can’t pass on that Melting Chocolate Cake? Ask for dessert to go.  You can even take a whole meal to go if a member of your party wasn’t feeling up to going to dinner today.  

On port days, the main dining room is open for breakfast.  There is also an express option which is useful if you have an excursion to get to.  On sea days you can find a very extensive, and insanely delicious brunch menu.  

Lido Marketplace

The Lido Marketplace is Carnival's buffet option.  Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner you will find something different every day.  Most of the dinner options are modelled off the main dining room so it's a great option for anyone who is looking for a flexible, casual dinner option.  

You will also find some stations around the marketplace.  At breakfast there is the omelete station, and throughout the day you can grab schwarma, sea dogs, and gelato. 

Fresh Creations

Open for lunch only, this little known salad bar is tucked away on the adults only serenity deck.  With a choice of salad leaves, meats, nuts, seeds, cheeses, berries, vegetables, and dressings, you truly can create your salad your way.  

My favorite creation is Spring Mix, Grilled Chicken, Black Olives, Red Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Walnuts, Blue Cheese, and Balsamic Dressing.  What's yours?

Piazza Panini

Replacing the more traditional Carnival Deli featured on most other ships in the fleet, the Piazza Panini sandwich bar offers the same deli classics, from Ham and Cheese, to Turkey, or Ruben.  

Of course with "Panini" in the title you would expect some traditional italian pressed sandwiches, and Carnival doesn't disappoint.  With ingredients like Mozzerella, Arugula, Salami, Capicola, Provolone, Prosciutto, and Ciabattas this is perfect place to grab a tasty lunch.  

Shaq's Big Chicken

Mardi Gras offers the first of Shaq's Big Chicken restaurants at sea.  This quick service option serves  up fried chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and fries.  Make it just the way you like with the toppings bar.  

Breakfast items include biscuits, and omeletes.  Partied too hard last night and slept in?  Shaq's got you covered! You'll find breakfast is served here until 3pm!

Guys' Burger Joint

No Carnival cruise is complete without a visit to Guy's burger joint.  Now offering a vegan patty, Guy's has fast become a favorite of carnival cruisers.  Homecut fries weren't available when I sailed, this could be down to a supply chain issue, but if they ever make their way back on the menu they are a must try.  

Guy's also offers some Breakfast burgers, a new addition currently (at the time of writing) only available on Mardi Gras.  

BlueIgauna Cantina

Another favorite, the BlueIguana offers fresh made tacos and burritos.  Although only chicken, pork, and fish are mentioned, you can make a vegeterian option thanks to the countless toppings and vegetables available, such as tomatoes, roasted corn, and charred peppers.

Did you wake up craving a freshly made breakfast burrito?  Then head on up to the BlueIguana where your burrito will be stuffed with Mexican style scrambled eggs and your choice of other fillings. 

Street Eats

Street Eats is new feature which brings you different offering from each of the three food carts.
Street eats are basically light bites you might find from a street vendor.  Although the menu changes every day you can expect small plates such as:

• Steam Dream - Steamed asian treats like bao buns, pot stickers
• Mad Sizzle - Skillet sizzled kebabs, satay
• Time Fries - loaded fries, try the cheesesteak fries

Pizzaria Del Capitano

This is the pizzaria that never sleeps.  Open 24 hours per day you can eat pizza for every meal and snack if you so wish.  Find your fan favorite or try all 5 pizzas, you can order by the slice or get a whole pizza to share (or to keep to yourself, you're on vacation).  

If you are in a hurry, they usually have premade slices available, but if quality is more important to you, then just ask for a fresh made pizza and they will have it to you in under 10 minutes.  

The pizzaria does tend to get busy late at night, especially as the bars and nightclubs close up for the night.  

Swirls

I don't really consider this a dining option, but Carnival do list swirls on under Dining on their site, which is why I chose to include it here.  Swirls is available 24 hours per day and is a hit with kids and adults alike.  Choose a cup or a cone, choose your flavor, and self-serve your soft-serve swirls. 

Emeril’s Bistro 1396 

Creole cuisine from Emeril Lagasse, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

A la carte pricing.  Fried oysters, BBQ Shrimp, duck, & sausage gumbo, po-boys, and more. Currently $5 for small plates, $8-$15 for bigger plates, $4 or $5 for desserts and breakfast, and MP for seafood bar.  

This is a counter service restaurant, just grab a table then head to the counter to place your order.  Reservations are not possible.  

Rudi’s Seagrill 

Elegant seafood dining from master chef Rudi Sodamin costing $38 for adults. 

Look for delectable seafood bisque and crab-stuffed lobster tail imperial.  Reservations are required and recommended

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi has become a staple of Carnival cruise ships, and Mardi Gras is no different.
 

You can expect to pay nominal a la carte pricing  for appetizers, soup, salads, sushi, sashimi, and rolls ranging from $1.50 to $7.00 per item.  

For more of a set lunch or dinner approach try the chefs special Bento Box for $10 or try a sushi dinner feast with the Sushi Ship for two, costing $22.  This is a walk up restaurant, first come first served and has been known to get busy at times

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Part of the Bonsai family of restaurants, here you can lLet the Teppanyaki chefs entertain and delight you for $32 per adult.  You’ll find traditional teppanyaki offerings from filet mignon, grilled tofu, fish, shrimp, and lobster.  Advanced reservations are recommended as this restaurant has been known to sell out before departure.  I definitely suggest you reserve this one as soon as possible  

Farenheit 555 

Carnival's signature steakhouse.  For $38 per adult you can experience the mouthwatering, delectable offerings at the steakhouse.  Your meal includes an appetizer, salad (most servers will let you order a second appetizer in lieu of a salad), entree, side (again most servers will let you order more than one), and a dessert.  

For an entertaining way to enjoy dessert try the art at your table dessert (minimum 2 people required for this one) and watch in amazement as your chef creates an edible masterpiece right in front of your eyes.  Add on the wine pairing and receive 4 half glasses of wine for an additional $18

Reservations are required, and this restaurant sometimes sells out.  

I've heard that if you dine here on day one, you will be treated to a complimentary bottle of wine

Seafood Shack  

This New-England style counter service seafood bar offers fresh catches from Shrimp to Lobster and everything in between at a la carte market pricing.  This one is located by the lido deck and is a casual, on the go eatery.

Carnival Kitchen

Cookery Master Classes range from $30-$60 per person and can last anywhere from 1 - 2 hours.  Here you can learn to make homemade favorites such as pasta, sushi, ice cream, pizza, and cupcakes, or take a master class in cake decorating, pit grill and smoking, or tailgate parties.    

Chefs Table

The other side of Carnival Kitchen is the culinary VIP Chef’s Table, a must for any foodie.  For around $95 per person you will be treated to cocktails, hors d’ouevres, then an 8 course tasting menu with pairing.  This intimate experience only seats 14 people and usually books up early so advanced reservations are definitely recommended.