D.C. isn’t the first place most people think to celebrate Fat Tuesday, but it turns out there’s plenty of places to party. We’ve broken it down for you, from Cajun feasts to King Cake to the biggest bashes.
King Cake
Baked and Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW
The Georgetown bakery might specialize in “cakecups,” but has King Cakes available to order for Mardi Gras. They’ve been known to sell out fast, so act quick.
Bayou Bakery
1515 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington
One of the area’s only eateries dedicated to New Orleans cuisine, Bayou Bakery has been selling its King Cakes since January 6 and will have them available through Fat Tuesday. Crafted by Chef David Gaus, the “B.B. King Cake” features a cream cheese filling, and comes in a box with tri-colored beads and a customary toy baby.
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
2150 N. Culpeper St., Arlington
The German bakery is stocking its King Cake through the end of April. Made with yeasted dough, raisins, and nuts, the sizable cake is topped with a fondant icing and dusted with green, purple, and yellow sugar.
Republic Cantina
43 N St. NW
The Tex-Mex restaurant has officially rolled out its King Cake Kolaches, a “mashup of NOLA and Texas culture.” The cakes are being sold exclusively at the restaurant on Saturday and Sunday morning through next weekend, with pre-orders available for pickup. In addition, Republic Cantina is also offering various themed food and drink specials, from a Texas Hurricane cocktail made with mezcal and passionfruit and a fried gator po-boy sandwich.
Fat Tuesday Feasts
Astro Beer Hall
1306 G St. NW
This sister spot to Astro Doughnuts is offering—what else?—a doughnut in honor of Fat Tuesday. Their special pastry is a filled doughnut decorated with green, purple, and gold sprinkles, and—for customers 21 and over—a shot of the hurricane cocktail to be infused into the doughnut. The item, priced at $5.25, is available all day on Tuesday, along with full-size hurricanes for $8.
Brookland’s Finest
3126 12th St. NE
The Cajun feast at Brookland’s Finest is just $35 on Tuesday: You’ll get gumbo made with Andouille sausage, pecan-roasted fish with red beans and rice, and King Cake for dessert. Each course comes with a whiskey pairing from Whiskey Wright Distillery.
The Salt Line
79 Potomac Ave. SE
Even though incoming seafood restaurant Dauphine’s isn’t projected to open until this spring, its sister restaurant The Salt Line will preview the new spot’s Mardi Gras menu on Feb. 25 from 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Diners can expect a twist on charcuterie boards made with boucherie, seafood gumbo, and NOLA style cocktails. Walk-ins are welcome and reservations are recommended.
Maydan
1346 Florida Ave. NW
On Fat Tuesday, five local chefs are celebrating Mardi Gras and garnering philanthropic support at Maydan with “Carnival Around The World,” a night of curated menus featuring dishes that highlight each of their respective heritages. Expect dishes from Maydan’s chef Marcelle Afram, plus pastry chef Paola Velez of Kith/Kin, chef Jerome Grant of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, chef Tim Ma of American Son, and chef Angel Barreto of Anju. All proceeds from the pre-fixe, family-style meal will benefit Anacostia High School and the International Center for Research on Women. Tickets start at $350 per person and include house wine, tax, and gratuity.
Mardi Gras Parties
Black Jack
1612 14th St. NW
On Sunday, Feb. 23, the bar above the Pearl Dive restaurant is hosting a “Funk Brunch” from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Priced at $80 per person, a ticket includes all-you-can-eat Cajun and Creole-inspired brunch bites and a full raw bar, along with bottomless mimosas, beer, and bloody Marys. There will be a live DJ, along with a drag burlesque performance.
Bayou Bakery
1515 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington
Bayou Bakery isn’t just rolling out King Cakes—on Fat Tuesday, the eatery will host its 9th annual “Bayou Gras.” From 6 p.m.-9 p.m., there will be live music and $5 food and drink specials such as “N’awlins Cocktails” and beignets, muffalettas, and jambalaya.
The Wharf
101 District Square SW
On Saturday, District Wharf is going all out with its Mardi Gras festivities. Beginning at 4 p.m., a parade will feature the all-women’s drum corps Batalá, stilt walks, Eastern High School’s marching band, and floats from Wharf business such as Cantina Bambina and Kaliwa. Live music will begin at 5:30 p.m., and fireworks will go off after dark.
Po Boy Jim
1935 9th St. NW
Going from 3 p.m. until midnight, the Cajun restaurant is hosting its “biggest New Orleans party of the year.” There will be free beads and beignets, along with King Cake available to munch on. Drink specials include $7 Hurricanes and $4 Abita beer all night.
Union Market
1309 5th St. NE
For the fourth year in a row, Union Market is hosting its annual indoor Mardi Gras Extravaganza on Tuesday from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. $50 tickets include “all you can eat, drink, and dance.” There will be a costume contest, a Hurricane cocktail competition, and appearances from local celebrity chefs such as Spike Mendelsohn and David Guas.
