Laissez les bons temps rouler! Mardi Gras season is here (Fat Tuesday’s coming up on Tuesday, February 17) and Houston is bringing the party. From King Cakes and crawfish boils, to festive cocktails and Fat Tuesday parties across the city, here’s Houston’s ultimate Mardi Gras guide.
King Cake and Mardi Gras Specials
Badolina Bakery, 5555 Morningside
Rice Village’s Badolina Bakery offers full king cakes for $40, or single slices for $10, now through February 17. The cakes will be available for pre-order (24-hour notice required), or on a first-come, first-serve basis from the pastry case.
BB’s Tex-Orleans, multiple locations
Now through Fat Tuesday, BB’s is serving $5 regular frozen drinks all day, every day (dine-in only), including daiquiris, margaritas, and signature swirls. King Cake by the slice, a raspberry cream take on the Mardi Gras classic, is $8.
Blood Bros. BBQ, 5425 Bellaire
Now through Monday, February 24 , the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient is bringing the Carnival spirit with a limited-time Blue Plate Mayo collaboration that bridges Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras flavors. Folks can pop in for Prosperity Green Curry Boudin Eggrolls, Louisiana-style boudin reimagined with Thai green curry and coconut milk, wrapped crisp and golden and served with a tangy Blue Plate Asian remoulade for dipping.
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith
Throughout the season, guests can enjoy a Shrimp and Sancerre special at the Courtyard Bar, featuring a half-pound of boiled and peeled Gulf shrimp with all the fixin’s, paired with a glass of crisp Bernard Fleuriet Sancerre. During brunch, guests can share the Mardi Gras Praline Monkey Bread, topped with caramel praline sauce and candied pecans for $14. Or toast the season with the King Cake Brandy Milk Punch, blending cinnamon- and pecan-infused brandy with milk, vanilla and sugar and finished with a colorful sugared rim, $12. Both are available now through Fat Tuesday.
Common Bond, multiple locations
In its sixth year supporting Sky High for Kids and childhood cancer patients at Texas Children’s Hospital, Common Bond is offering traditional Cinnamon and Raspberry Cream Cheese King Cakes, DIY kits, and mini cakes. Preorder full-size cakes and donated kits by February 14 (72-hour lead time). Mini King Cakes, King Cake lattes, and select pastries are available in-store through February 17.
Chubbies Sliders, 14775 Memorial
Grab the limited-edition Mardi Gras Shake, riffing on the classic king cak with warm cinnamon note and creamy vanilla sweetness. The shake is available through the end of February.
Dandelion Cafe, 611 West 22nd, 5405 Bellaire
Dandelion Café is bringing the Mardi Gras spirit to both the Bellaire and Heights locations with festive, limited-time treats perfect for Fat Tuesday celebrations, now through Tuesday, February 17. Guests can sip a Mardi Gras Latte topped with colorful purple, yellow, and green sprinkles or indulge in a Mardi Gras Cinnamon Roll finished with matching sugar.
The Fancy, 1002 Seawall, Galveston
At Galveston’s Hotel Lucine, The Fancy offers a Mardi Gras menu both Mardi Gras weekends—February 6–8 and February 13–15. Enjoy King Cake Kolaches, Boudin Balls, Shrimp & Grits and a Hurricane cocktail; plus to-go drinks. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged through OpenTable.
Jason’s Deli, multiple locations
Jason’s Deli is offering a limited-time Mardi Gras Package built around its nearly 50-year-old Muffaletta, made in partnership with New Orleans’ famed Leidenheimer Baking Company. The bundle feeds up to 10 and includes sliced Muffaletta, seafood gumbo with rice, potato salad and cookies—aka everything you need for a no-stress celebration at home. Available for pickup or delivery through February 17.
Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition, 318 Gray,
Enjoy Josephine’s Mardi Gras King Cake ($28), available to-go or for dine-in and serving four people, with each cake containing the traditional hidden baby and featuring strawberry jam and cream cheese filling. Orders must be placed with a 48-hour lead time. Call 713-527-8988 or email josephinesgulfcoast@gmail.com.
Kolache Shoppe, multiple locations
All Houston-area Kolache Shoppe locations are celebrating Mardi Gras with sweet and savory kolaches alongside its regular menu. Specials are available Thursday–Saturday at Greenway, and Friday–Sunday at Heights, Memorial, and Pearland through March 1. Highlights include the King Cake Kolache ($3) with cinnamon cream cheese, pecans, and festive glaze; and the Boudin Kolache ($4), a fan-favorite made with La Boucherie’s fresh pork boudin; and at Memorial only.
Monkey’s Tail, 5802 Fulton
Monkey’s Tail is bringing the Mardi Gras spirit to your glass with a lineup of festive cocktails, offered now through Fat Tuesday, February 17. Sip on the Frozen Hand Grenade served in a 16‑oz Bacardi hurricane cup to keep (while supplies last), the classic Cat 5 Hurricane, a smooth Sazerac, or celebrate with a King Cake Shot.
Fat Tuesday Celebrations
BB’s Tex-Orleans, 2701 White Oak
BB’s annual Fat Tuesday party is going down at the Tex-Orleans Heights location, featuring a neighborhood parking-lot party with live music and more.
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith
The Creole institution is hosting a festive Mardi Gras dinner party on Tuesday, February 17. Guests can enjoy a live jazz band, dancing in the dining room and a special three-course Mardi Gras prix-fixe menu for $94, featuring entrees like Prime Rib and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, alongside a la carte options. Reservations are by phone only at 713-522-9711
The Decoy, 1222 Witte
The Decoy brings the Nola to Houston with a Texas-sized crawfish boil by Blazin Cajun HTX this Fat Tuesday. Specials include buy 7 pounds, get one pound free crawfish, $13 frozen Hurricanes and $29 Abita Strawberry buckets.
Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park
Celebrate Fat Tuesday French-style with chef Philippe Verpiand’s Crepe Suzette Flambé, a caramel- and citrus-topped crepe flamed tableside with Grand Marnier for $16 ($12 without). The crepe is available for lunch and dinner as an off-menu special on Tuesday, February 17.
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine, 1985 Welch
Fat Tuesday brings King’s Drinks, Mardi Gras decor and revelry at this Montrose favorite.
Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition, 318 Gray
Josephine’s celebrates Mardi Gras with a one-night-only Fat Tuesday Dinner as Gulf Coast chefs Lucas McKinney and Dominick Lee (of the upcoming Augustine’s) team up for a Creole-driven collaboration. Expect dishes like Alligator Sausage Corndog with Chicago condiments, Oxtail Spicy Rigatoni, Pork Belly Rillion and Grits and Sweet Potato Pecan Pie with honey ice cream, alongside festive cocktails including riffs on the Hand Grenade and Vieux Carré. Reservations are first-come, first-served.
From Friday, February 6 through Tuesday, February 17, Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration takes over Galveston with 20+ parades, live music, balcony parties, and over 3 million beads thrown, as Downtown and Seawall Boulevard come alive with food, drinks and revelry.
Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House, 113 6th
Pier 6 is throwing its Sixth Annual Mardi Gras Party by the Bay on Tuesday, February 17, with festive decor, a DJ, a and New Orleans–inspired specials from Executive Chef Joe Cervantez. Highlights include Boudin Roasted Oysters, Blackened Snapper with shrimp étouffée, jambalaya and pickled okra slaw, Crawfish Pie with Louisiana crawfish tails and andouille, and King Cake Bread Pudding with Mardi Gras ice cream.
Sunset Rooftop Lounge, 2119 Dallas
Beads, booze, and beats take over Sunset Rooftop Lounge on Fat Tuesday, as live DJs spin hip-hop, Latin and party anthems all night, while Mardi Gras drink specials – including Hurricanes and New Orleans classics – keep the revelry going. 21+ only.
Wakefield Crowbar, 954 Wakefield
This Fat Tuesday, Wakefield invites you to celebrate with hot, seasoned crawfish, ice-cold drinks and nonstop good vibes. Drink specials include $5 Busch Light Big Beer, $5 Texas 2 Step, $5 Long Drink Gin Seltzer and $5 Weber Ranch Vodka.
Winsome Prime, 5888 Westheimer
Winsome Prime brings Big Easy energy to Houston with a Fat Tuesday Happy Hour featuring $1 chargrilled oysters and $7 signature Hurricanes, plus all regular happy hour specials. Expect Mardi Gras beads and a local DJ spinning NOLA-inspired sounds.