Mardi Gras Must-Eats: Top Foods to Try in New Orleans

New Orleans, a city renowned for its rich history, lively music scene, and unparalleled cuisine, comes alive during the annual Mardi Gras celebration. This festive season is not only about colorful parades and lively parties but also about indulging in the city’s iconic dishes and drinks. Food plays a central role in Mardi Gras culture and traditions, with locals and visitors alike eagerly anticipating the delectable offerings that come with the carnival season.

TL;DR

• Must-try traditional dishes: King Cake, Jambalaya, Gumbo, and Red Beans and Rice.
• Renowned restaurants like Brennan’s, Dooky Chase’s, Café du Monde, and Commander’s Palace offer signature Mardi Gras specials.
• Mardi Gras food events showcase the city’s culinary delights, such as the Food Truck Festival and Lundi Gras Riverfront Celebrations.

Traditional Mardi Gras Dishes

King Cake

King Cake is a sweet, oval-shaped pastry that has become synonymous with Mardi Gras. The cake is typically decorated in the festival’s colors of purple, green, and gold, and contains a small plastic baby figurine inside. Tradition dictates that whoever finds the baby in their slice must host the next King Cake party or buy the next cake. Variations of King Cake include fillings like cream cheese, fruit, and chocolate.

Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a quintessential New Orleans dish that combines rice, meat (usually chicken and sausage), vegetables, and Creole seasonings. This hearty, one-pot meal is perfect for feeding large crowds during Mardi Gras gatherings. Jambalaya can be served in two main styles: Creole (red jambalaya with tomatoes) and Cajun (brown jambalaya without tomatoes).

Gumbo

Gumbo, a thick and flavorful stew, is another staple of Mardi Gras cuisine. This dish typically features a variety of meats and seafood, such as chicken, sausage, shrimp, and crab, along with vegetables like okra, onions, and bell peppers. Gumbo is often served over rice and can be found in many variations throughout the city during the carnival season.

Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice is a simple yet iconic New Orleans dish that holds a special place in Mardi Gras tradition. Historically, this meal was served on Mondays, when families would use leftover pork bones from Sunday dinner to flavor the beans. The dish consists of red kidney beans slow-cooked with herbs, spices, and pork products, then served over rice. Many New Orleanians continue to enjoy Red Beans and Rice on Lundi Gras (the Monday before Mardi Gras).

Iconic Mardi Gras Drinks

Hurricane

The Hurricane is a sweet, fruity cocktail that has become a Mardi Gras favorite. Invented at Pat O’Brien’s Bar in the 1940s, this drink is made with rum, passion fruit syrup, and lemon juice, and is often served in a distinctive hurricane lamp-shaped glass. During Mardi Gras, you can find some of the best Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s (718 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116), Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116), and Tropical Isle (600 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130).

Sazerac

The Sazerac, a classic New Orleans cocktail, is a popular choice during Mardi Gras. This strong, whiskey-based drink is made with rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, sugar, and absinthe or Herbsaint. Top bars known for their Sazeracs include The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel (130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112), Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112), and Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone (214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130).

Ramos Gin Fizz

The Ramos Gin Fizz is a creamy, frothy cocktail that has been a New Orleans favorite since its creation in the late 1800s. This labor-intensive drink is made with gin, lemon juice, lime juice, egg white, sugar, cream, orange flower water, and soda water. Its unique texture and flavor make it a sought-after treat during Mardi Gras. Recommended places to try a Ramos Gin Fizz include The Sazerac Bar, Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, and Brennan’s (417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130).

Famous Restaurants and Their Mardi Gras Specials

Brennan’s

Brennan’s, a French Quarter institution, is known for its elegant Creole cuisine and charming courtyard. During Mardi Gras, the restaurant offers special menus featuring its signature dishes, such as Bananas Foster, a dessert of bananas flambéed with rum and served over vanilla ice cream. Brennan’s is located at 417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, an iconic Creole eatery in the Treme neighborhood, has been a longtime favorite of locals and visitors during Mardi Gras. The restaurant is known for its gumbo, fried chicken, and other traditional New Orleans dishes. During the carnival season, Dooky Chase’s often hosts special events and offers festive menu items. The restaurant is located at 2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, and is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday.

Address: 2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Café du Monde

No Mardi Gras experience is complete without a visit to Café du Monde, the legendary French Market coffee stand known for its beignets and café au lait. Beignets, square pieces of fried dough covered in powdered sugar, are a beloved Mardi Gras treat. Café du Monde is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has several locations throughout the city, with the most famous being at 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Address: 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Commander’s Palace

Commander’s Palace, a grand, turquoise-and-white Victorian mansion in the Garden District, is renowned for its haute Creole cuisine and impeccable service. During Mardi Gras, the restaurant offers a festive atmosphere and special menus showcasing its signature dishes, such as the Shrimp and Tasso Henican and Pecan-Crusted Gulf Fish. Commander’s Palace is located at 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, and is open for lunch and dinner.

Address: 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Mardi Gras Food Events and Festivals

Mardi Gras Food Truck Festival

The Mardi Gras Food Truck Festival is an annual event that brings together some of the city’s best mobile eateries. Held in the week leading up to Mardi Gras, the festival features a variety of food trucks offering everything from traditional New Orleans fare to international cuisines. Highlights include the Creole Tomateaux truck, known for its Creole-inspired dishes, and the Frencheeze truck, which serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

Lundi Gras Riverfront Celebrations

Lundi Gras, the Monday before Mardi Gras, is marked by lively riverfront celebrations featuring food booths, culinary demonstrations, and traditional dishes. Visitors can sample classic New Orleans fare like jambalaya, gumbo, and po’ boys while enjoying live music and entertainment. The celebrations take place along the Mississippi River, with the main stage located at Woldenberg Park (1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130).

Address: 1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Mardi Gras Brunch Spots

Many New Orleans restaurants offer special Mardi Gras-themed brunches during the carnival season. Popular spots include The Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130), known for its lavish jazz brunch buffet, and Arnaud’s, which offers a festive Mardi Gras brunch menu in addition to its regular jazz brunch. Other notable brunch spots include Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, and Muriel’s Jackson Square (801 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116).

Address: 613 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Address: 801 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Street Food and Vendors

Lucky Dogs

Lucky Dogs, the iconic hot dog stands that have been a part of the New Orleans landscape since the 1940s, are a popular choice for a quick bite during Mardi Gras. These distinctive red and yellow carts can be found throughout the French Quarter, serving up classic hot dogs with a variety of toppings. Lucky Dogs are a beloved part of the Mardi Gras experience, offering a tasty and affordable snack between parades and festivities.

Praline Vendors

Pralines, sweet, pecan-filled confections, are a New Orleans specialty that can be found in abundance during Mardi Gras. Street vendors and candy shops throughout the French Quarter offer a variety of praline flavors, including traditional, chocolate, and rum. Famous praline sellers include Aunt Sally’s Pralines (810 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116) and Leah’s Pralines (714 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130).

Address: 810 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Address: 714 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Muffuletta Stands

The muffuletta, a massive sandwich filled with cured meats, cheeses, and olive salad, is another iconic New Orleans dish that is popular during Mardi Gras. Many vendors set up stands along parade routes and in the French Quarter, offering whole or half muffulettas to hungry revelers. Top muffuletta vendors include Central Grocery (923 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116), the original creator of the sandwich, and Cochon Butcher (930 Tchoupitoulas St A, New Orleans, LA 70130).

Address: 923 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Address: 930 Tchoupitoulas St A, New Orleans, LA 70130

Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options

While traditional New Orleans cuisine is often meat-heavy and gluten-rich, many restaurants now offer vegetarian and gluten-free adaptations of classic dishes. For example, Seed (1330 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70130) is a vegan restaurant that serves plant-based versions of gumbo, po’ boys, and other New Orleans favorites. Carmo (527 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130) offers a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options, including a gluten-free version of their popular Burmese Tea Leaf Salad.

When navigating the Mardi Gras food scene with dietary limitations, it’s essential to communicate your needs to restaurant staff and vendors. Many establishments are happy to accommodate special requests or offer alternative menu items. Additionally, researching restaurants in advance can help you identify those that cater to your specific dietary requirements.

Address: 1330 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Address: 527 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Mardi Gras Food Traditions and Customs

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers

Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is also known as “Pancake Day” in some parts of the world. In New Orleans, many churches and community organizations host Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers, serving up pancakes, sausage, and other breakfast foods. These events often have a festive atmosphere and are a way for the community to come together before the start of Lent.

Greasing of the Poles

The Greasing of the Poles is a unique Mardi Gras tradition that takes place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel (300 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130). On the Friday before Mardi Gras, the hotel’s staff “greases” the building’s support poles with petroleum jelly to prevent overzealous revelers from climbing them during the festivities. The event has become a popular spectacle, with celebrity guests often invited to participate in the greasing ceremony.

Address: 300 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Mardi Gras Indians

Mardi Gras Indians are African American tribes that create elaborate, hand-sewn costumes and parade through the streets on Mardi Gras day. These tribes have their own unique culinary traditions, often featuring dishes like Creole stuffed bell peppers, fried chicken, and potato salad. To experience Mardi Gras Indian cuisine, visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum (1116 Henriette Delille St, New Orleans, LA 70116) during their annual Lundi Gras celebration, or attend the Super Sunday parade, which takes place on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day (March 19).

Address: 1116 Henriette Delille St, New Orleans, LA 70116

In the City of New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a celebration of the city’s vibrant culture, music, and, of course, its incredible food. From traditional dishes like gumbo and jambalaya to iconic drinks like the Hurricane and Sazerac, there is no shortage of delicious options to indulge in during the carnival season. Whether you’re attending a parade, visiting a renowned restaurant, or exploring the many food events and festivals, Mardi Gras offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of New Orleans’ culinary scene. So, grab a slice of King Cake, raise a glass, and let the good times roll!