Mardi Gras Food Ideas & Where To Find It
New Orleans is a melting pot of food. There are so many different types of cuisine to taste while visiting the city. When visiting during the Mardi Gras festival you may experience long waiting times at restaurants. No worries, there are lots of options for grabbing a quick bite. Throughout the city, you’ll find plenty of food trucks, casual dining, and cafés. Food trucks are a great option for grabbing a bite while on the go, keep your eyes peeled as the trucks will most-likely be parked nearby the different events. Look for casual dining outside of the French Quarter as this will be your best bet for finding a table. There are tons of cafés located around NOLA, perfect for grabbing a coffee in the morning and a sandwich for lunch. Many cafés will also offer Wi-Fi to guests. Finally, try booking a hotel with a bar or restaurant, this will make it easier and more convenient when the city is at its busiest. Here are the best ways to grab food during Mardi Gras. Food Trucks Most of the food trucks change their location daily, so you’ll have to keep a lookout while exploring the city. Some trucks to watch out for include Food Drunk and Foodie Call. However, now there are a few food trucks that have a permanent address. In the Garden District check out La Cubana for some tasty Cuban and Latin American food. Or Crepes a La Cart is another good choice if you’ll looking for something sweet and savory. The best part is that new food trucks are popping up every year! Cafés There are cafés scattered throughout the city making is super easy to grab some coffee and a quick bite to eat. In the morning, pop in a café for some coffee/tea and a muffin. Many cafés will also have a selection of sandwiches available for purchase. Check out Antoine’s Annex conveniently located in the French Quarter for a delicious full breakfast. If you’re trying to satisfy a sugar craving look no further than La Boulangerie located in the Garden District. This coffee shop is also a full bakery offering a selection of pastries, muffins, pies, and so much more. Finally, for lunch head to Maple Street Patisserie et Deli also located in the Garden District for the perfect deli sandwich. Casual Dining Your best bet for grabbing a table during lunch or dinner is outside the French Quarter. This is a nice option for couples or families looking to get away from the crowds for a couple of hours. Casual dining offers the chance to sit down and enjoy your meal. You can’t leave New Orleans without eating some seafood. Head to the Art District and check out Peche Seafood Grill for the best seafood around. If you’re in the mood for Italian stop by the Domenica Restaurant located in the Roosevelt Hotel for a tasty meal. Top Traditional Mardi Gras Dishes Gumbo Gumbo is a traditional Mardi Gras dish that originated in Louisiana. It is a flavorful stew that typically includes a combination of meat or seafood, vegetables, and spices. The key ingredient in gumbo is the roux, which is made by cooking flour and fat together until it reaches a rich, dark brown color. This gives the gumbo its distinctive flavor and thickens the stew. Gumbo is often served over rice and is a popular dish during Mardi Gras celebrations. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that warms the soul. There are many variations of gumbo, with different regions and families having their own unique recipes. Some popular types of gumbo include seafood gumbo, chicken and sausage gumbo, and vegetarian gumbo. If you’re looking to try gumbo during Mardi Gras, you can find it at various restaurants and food stalls in Louisiana and other areas with Mardi Gras celebrations. It is also a common dish at Mardi Gras food festivals, where you can sample different types of gumbo from local chefs and vendors. Jambalaya Jambalaya is a classic dish that originated in Louisiana and is commonly associated with Mardi Gras. It is a flavorful one-pot dish that combines rice, meat, and vegetables. The key ingredients in Jambalaya are sausage, chicken, and shrimp. The dish is seasoned with a blend of spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme, which give it a spicy and aromatic flavor. Jambalaya is traditionally cooked in a large cast-iron pot, which helps to develop a rich and smoky flavor. The dish is often served with a side of cornbread or French bread. Here is a simple recipe for Jambalaya: Tip: For an extra kick of flavor, add a splash of hot sauce to your Jambalaya. Crawfish Etouffee Crawfish Etouffee is a classic Cajun dish that is a must-try during Mardi Gras. This rich and flavorful dish features tender crawfish tails smothered in a thick and savory sauce made with onions, bell peppers, celery, and a blend of spices. The dish is typically served over a bed of fluffy white rice, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly. Etouffee is a French word that means “smothered” or “suffocated,” which perfectly describes the cooking method for this dish. The crawfish tails are cooked low and slow in the sauce, allowing them to become tender and soak up all the delicious flavors. If you’re looking to make Crawfish Etouffee at home, here’s a simple recipe to get you started: Tip: For an extra kick of flavor, add a splash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the dish. King Cake King Cake is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert that is enjoyed during the carnival season. It is a sweet, yeasted cake that is typically decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles. The cake is often shaped like a ring or oval, symbolizing the unity of the community. The most important ingredient in a King Cake is the hidden plastic baby figurine, which represents good luck and prosperity. The person who finds the baby in their slice of cake is said to have good fortune for the coming year. Tip:
