Mardi Gras dining guide: Emeril’s, Chibang and an included-food plan
Find Mardi Gras dining options, from Emeril’s Bistro 1396 and Piazza Panini to Chibang, Cucina, Big Chicken and included cruise meals.
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Mardi Gras makes the strongest food argument when you use its variety, not when you try to eat everywhere. Emeril’s Bistro 1396 brings a New Orleans-inspired paid option, while Piazza Panini, Big Chicken and the familiar Carnival counters make everyday meals easy to vary.
A successful plan leaves room for both: included meals when speed or simplicity matters, and one chosen restaurant when the cuisine is the attraction. Pay particular attention to Chibang and Cucina del Capitano, where the current first-meal offer is different from an unlimited free-dining promise.
What matters for your decision
- Emeril’s Bistro 1396 is the ship’s New Orleans-inspired paid venue.
- Piazza Panini and Pizzeria del Capitano are useful included alternatives to poolside burgers.
- Check Chibang and Cucina repeat-visit rules instead of relying on launch-era claims that everything is free.
Which restaurants are included on Mardi Gras?
Build around the Main Dining Room, Lido Marketplace, Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, BlueIguana Cantina and Street Eats. Piazza Panini adds sandwiches and Pizzeria del Capitano provides pizza. Carnival’s current Chibang and Cucina pages identify Mardi Gras as eligible for a first meal on the house, with additional visits charged and premium selections subject to their own terms.
The table covers principal venues. Confirm hours and access in the official ship information. Drinks, premium dishes and delivery may cost extra even where standard food is included.
| Venue | Food and occasion | Cost / access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Dining Room / Lido Marketplace | Served meals / buffet | Included base meals |
| Guy’s Burger Joint / Big Chicken | Burgers / chicken | Included |
| BlueIguana Cantina / Street Eats | Tacos and burritos / rotating dishes | Included |
| Piazza Panini / Pizzeria del Capitano | Sandwiches / pizza | Included |
| Chibang! | Chinese and Mexican menus | First-meal offer; repeat visits charged |
| Cucina del Capitano | Italian meal | First-meal offer; repeat visits charged |
| Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse–Brewhouse | Barbecue in a brewery setting | Included lunch and dinner; beverages and premium items may cost extra |
| Emeril’s Bistro 1396 | New Orleans-inspired dishes | Extra charge |
| Rudi’s Seagrill / Fahrenheit 555 | Seafood / steakhouse | Extra charge |
| Bonsai Sushi / Bonsai Teppanyaki | Sushi / interactive grill | Extra charge |
| Seafood Shack / JavaBlue Café | Casual seafood / specialty coffee | Extra charge |
| Fresh Creations / Swirls | Salads / soft serve | Included; hours and access apply |
Make Emeril’s a deliberate stop, not an automatic dinner expense
The Mardi Gras ship page describes Emeril’s Bistro 1396 through New Orleans and Creole dishes, with breakfast and later meal options. That creates a different decision from a steakhouse reservation. If a particular bistro dish is the attraction, a daytime order may satisfy it without replacing an entire included dinner. Compare the current menu and the amount you want to eat.
Piazza Panini belongs in the everyday plan because it provides a simple alternative to the pool-deck grill. For a family returning at different times from activities, sandwiches and pizza can be easier than getting everyone ready for the buffet simultaneously. Check the posted service times and agree where to meet; a large ship’s food variety helps most when people know where they are going.
Chibang’s menu separates Chinese and Mexican choices and also marks premium selections. That makes it a useful venue for a group with different cravings, but the menu should still be read carefully. An included first visit does not automatically cover an upgraded entrée, another entrée or a cocktail.
Which meal is worth booking first?
For a first Mardi Gras cruise, sample the included casual variety and plan one Chibang or Cucina visit before adding several paid dinners. Choose the second first-visit restaurant if its cuisine interests the party; there is no requirement to collect both just because the offer exists. A relaxed evening in the Main Dining Room can be the better choice when everyone wants a predictable routine.
For a paid occasion, match the restaurant to the person celebrating. Rudi’s is seafood-led, Fahrenheit 555 is the conventional steakhouse and Bonsai Teppanyaki adds a shared performance. If you want to explore New Orleans flavors rather than a formal occasion, Emeril’s may be the more relevant expenditure. Those are different kinds of value.
Build a dining plan around the actual sailing
Space the substantial meals across the sailing rather than treating every included option as a daily obligation. Carnival’s current directory identifies Guy’s Pig & Anchor dinner as included on Mardi Gras, alongside its complimentary lunch service. That gives barbecue enthusiasts another included evening option; drinks and any premium selections still need their own menu check.
On an excursion day, confirm what is serving when you expect to return. Save the specialty booking’s time and cancellation conditions alongside the tour information. If the schedule is tight, an included meal after returning avoids turning a normal port delay into a missed restaurant reservation.
Reservations, menus and the total food budget
If you have a food allergy, contact the cruise line before departure and discuss preparation with the dining team before ordering. Our cruise dietary-needs guide explains what to confirm.
Compare departure dates and cabin fares on CruiseGem’s Mardi Gras page, then add the optional meals and drinks you actually plan to buy. Use the resulting trip total to compare sailings.
Your decision checklist
- Open the current Mardi Gras venue list and save the restaurants you want
- Check the daily opening times before leaving for an excursion
- Match every paid meal to a specific reservation and all-in price
- Confirm any package exclusions and cabin-based restaurant access
- Tell the dining team about food allergies before ordering
- Keep one convenient included option as a backup
Questions travelers ask
Can I eat on Mardi Gras without paying for specialty restaurants?
Yes. Mardi Gras has a broad included-food base, including its main restaurants, buffet, burgers, chicken, tacos, pizza and panini. Chibang and Cucina currently advertise a first-meal offer with charges for additional visits.
Which Mardi Gras restaurant should I book first?
Choose a restaurant tied to a specific priority: Rudi’s for seafood, Fahrenheit 555 for a steakhouse occasion, Bonsai Teppanyaki for the grill experience or Emeril’s for New Orleans-inspired dishes.
Does Mardi Gras charge for every Pig & Anchor dinner?
No. Carnival’s current named-ship policy includes the ordinary Pig & Anchor dinner on Mardi Gras. Beverage purchases and any premium menu choices should still be checked.
Official sources and further reading
Sources checked September 20, 2026. Explore the original policies, destination guidance and provider information behind this article. Each description explains what you will find at the source.
- Carnival Cruise Line: Mardi Gras ship pageShip-specific roster, Piazza Panini and Emeril’s Bistro 1396.
- Carnival Cruise Line: ChibangFirst-meal offer on Mardi Gras.
- Carnival Cruise Line: Chibang sample menuSeparate cuisine choices and premium dish markers.
- Carnival Cruise Line: Cucina del CapitanoFirst-meal and repeat-visit distinction.
- Carnival dining directory: Excel barbecue inclusionCurrent directory explicitly includes Smokehouse–Brewhouse dinner on Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras; generic venue paid markers do not override named-ship exception.