Looking for a Shrimp & Grits review? We tasted the savory returning dish at the SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival to see if it lives up to the hype.
The Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando has officially kicked off for 2026, and with it comes the return of a fan favorite that consistently tops “must-eat” lists. This year, the festival is introducing a new rotating menu system to keep things fresh, meaning certain signature dishes are only available for a limited window.
If you have your heart set on the Shrimp & Grits at the Gulf Coast Marketplace, you’ll want to act fast. This savory staple is part of the first wave of the rotating menu, available only through March 8. However, the festival runs on Thursdays through Sundays until May 17.
Shrimp & Grits Review: Opening Weekend Tasting Notes
We headed out to the Gulf Coast Marketplace during the festival’s opening weekend to see if this returning favorite still holds its crown. The menu describes the dish as “Shrimp, Tomato, and Cheesy Grits,” and it definitely delivers a unique twist on the traditional recipe.
The standout feature this year is the unique tomato sauce that is used in this dish. While a tomato base isn’t always standard for this dish, it works surprisingly well here, adding a bright acidity that cuts through the heavier elements. Here is the breakdown of our experience:
- The Shrimp: We were served three shrimp that were a very good size for a festival portion. They were cooked well and absorbed the flavor of the sauce perfectly.
- The Grits: The texture was interesting—we found them to have decent flavor, though they weren’t particularly “gritty” in the traditional stone-ground sense.
- The Cheese: The cheese component was a bit inconsistent in our serving, but where it was present, it added a lovely, necessary creaminess to the base.
- The Value: With an à la carte price of $12.99, the portion size is decent. However, as with most items at the Seven Seas Food Festival, we highly recommend using a sampler lanyard to get the best bang for your buck. For example, as SeaWorld Orlando annual pass members, this would have cost us $5.
Maximize Value with the Sampler Lanyard
To truly conquer the 200+ flavors at the Seven Seas Food Festival, the sampler lanyard is essential. For 2026, SeaWorld offers 10-item and 15-item options, starting around $75.00. Pass members can even snag an exclusive 18-punch lanyard for just 15. At roughly $6.00 to $7.50 per item, it is a significant discount over the $12.99 a la carte price of the Shrimp & Grits. Lanyards are valid throughout the festival (until May 17), making them perfect for multiple visits.
The Gulf Coast Marketplace Menu
The Gulf Coast Marketplace is leaning heavily into its regional inspiration this year. While the Shrimp & Grits are the current star, they will eventually make way for other Gulf classics as the season progresses.
- Shrimp & Grits (Available Jan 30 – March 8): Savory shrimp over creamy grits.
- Shrimp Gumbo (Available March 9 – April 12): Flavorful shrimp stew with vegetables and spices.
- Jambalaya (Available April 13 – May 17): Traditional rice dish with sausage, shrimp, and spices.
- Pork Boudin Balls: Crispy fried pork and rice bites.
- Bananas Foster Beignets: Beignets topped with caramelized banana sauce.
Shrimp & Grits Review
If you are visiting Orlando this winter, making a detour to SeaWorld Orlando for the festival is a great move. The Shrimp & Grits remain a reliable, high-quality option, even with the slightly unconventional tomato twist. Just remember to grab them before March 8!
Thank you for reading our Shrimp & Grits review. These even received the Rhonda stamp of approval for theme park food festival shrimp & grits.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. Of course, sometimes we publish bonus theme park dining reviews such as this one. As always, eat like you mean it!
Additional Seven Seas Food Festival Reviews
Expertise. Ease. Value.
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
