Carnival Concoctions: A Taste of Mardi Gras
Believe it or not, eating during Carnival season isn't just about seeing how much red meat you can get in before the start of Lent. And it's not just about devouring pounds of crawfish and fresh Gulf seafood either. It's not just about fried chicken and funnel cakes on the parade route. It's not even just about king cake. While people all over the city are busy decorating shoes, purses, grails, toilet plungers and bras this time of year, New Orleans' best chefs, bartenders and baristas are getting inspired by Mardi Gras, too. Check out these great offerings from some of New Orleans' most festive restaurants.
ANNUNCIATION'S Housemade Cheesecake is dressed for Carnival season in traditional purple, green, and gold with orange liqueur drizzle and cinnamon sugar cookie. Fit for Mardi Gras royalty!
Cafe Beignet's King Cake Beignets
Who says beignets have to be white? You can wear black – or Mardi Gras colors – when eating these King Cake Beignets from Cafe Beignet. They're on the menu at all locations through Mardi Gras Day so get 'em while they're purple, green, and gold!
Court of Two Sisters' Moon Pie Cocktail
This Royal Street jewel is always ready to celebrate. This year, the Court of Two Sisters is offering both a King Cake Cocktail and a Moon Pie Cocktail in honor of those sweet little chocolate marshmallow frisbees we love to catch on the parade route. Head over there sooner not later.
Houmas House's King Cake Bread Pudding
This sweet concoction from Houmas House is fit for a sugar baron. When you're not on the parade route, hop the I-10 to Ascension Parish and check it out!
Grand Isle Mardi Gras Mambo
This fun drink at Grand Isle is quack for another Carnival Season. It’s the perfect celebration for Muses’ Hersday or any day.
Add a little bass this Mardi Gras and step inside Hard Rock Cafe. This music-infused restaurant is a great place to indulge in a fresh, crafted cocktail while exploring signature pieces of memorabilia from New Orleans’ legendary musicians. Or, stay a while and enjoy a feast fit for a Carnival King or Queen. You keep the guitar and be sure to grab your 2025 limited-edition Mardi Gras tee while you are there.
Deanie's Mardi Gras Cheesecake
One of our favorite Carnival Concoctions this year comes from Deanie's in the French Quarter. Their homemade Mardi Gras Cheesecake (made right in their kitchen daily) features a graham cracker pecan crust, fluffy filling with a cinnamon swirl, a sour cream topping, whip cream and anglaise sauce. It might just be the perfect bite.
Loft18's Mardi Gras Dump Cake
Loft18 has thrown together something really special for Mardi Gras. This rendition of a New Orleans style bread pudding is made with an evenly distributed mix of cinnamon swirled cake mix, baked to perfection and topped with white sugar glazed icing and Mardi Gras themed sprinkles. So good.
Where To Get Your King Cake On!
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