Legend has it, if you eat or sell king cake before January 6, it will rain on Mardi Gras day and the Saints will lose. Southerners know not to mess with long-standing superstitions, which is why we've gathered the best king cakes in New Orleans that are certainly worth patiently waiting to enjoy. Simply put, Dong Phuong’s famed king cakes reign supreme in New Orleans.The New Orleans East Vietnamese bakery sells its standard six flavors — cream cheese, pecan, cinnamon, strawberry, coconut, and almond creme — every day except Tuesdays for walk-in purchase from January 6 to March 3, 2025. Antoine's Bakery - King cakes and queen cakes available. Order via 504-309-8599 or at AntoinesFamousCakes.com starting Jan. 11. Bittersweet Confections - Several cake options available. Yes! You can definitely start a tradition of making your own king cakes at home with your loved ones. Check out Sucre’s award-winning king cake recipe for inspiration this Mardi Gras season. Voted "A Favorite" by the Times-Picayune King Cake Contest and "BEST" King Cake by a Washington Post blind taste test. Mardi Gras and king cakes go hand in hand – especially in New Orleans where hundreds of thousands of king cakes are enjoyed at parties, offices and in homes every year. According to the Christian faith, Jesus first showed himself to the three wise men and to the world on January 6th, also known as Twelfth Night or the Epiphany. Make sure to call three days in advance for orders outside of the Mardi Gras season, so you can enjoy king cake on any given day of the year. Saba — New Orleans culture meets this traditional Jewish dessert with Saba's babka king cake. Dripping in pomegranate caramel, enjoy this king cake in-restaurant only this Mardi Gras season. It's the most magnificent time of the year in New Orleans: king cake season. What's happening: King cakes are sold seasonally between Jan. 6 and Mardi Gras, which is Feb. 13 this year. Zoom in: While the traditional cinnamon pastry is common, more unusual options are popping up like bacon/marshmallow, Vietnamese coffee and crawfish. Mardi Gras is a wonderful time and always celebrated in New Orleans the day before Ash Wednesday. We ship our delicious king cakes all over the USA, but cannot ship to post office boxes. Our shipped king cakes include local New Orleans coffee and Mardi Gras beads and cups. New Orleans’s king cake is a culinary symbol of Mardi Gras and the festive, months-long lead-up known as Carnival season. Beginning on January 6 and continuing until the season’s culmination on Fat Tuesday – this year taking place on March 4 – revelers across the region enjoy slice after slice of this traditional, cinnamon-flavored cake. The full cake boxes come with Mardi Gras beads and a baby, and you can sample mini versions of the traditional king cake, complete with a cute gold baby trinket, at Café NOMA in the New Orleans Where To Find King Cakes For Mardi Gras . Some New Orleans-area bakeries require in-person pickup, like James Beard Award-winning Dong Phuong Bakery, where the highly coveted cakes inspire lines out the door; but others, like family-owned Manny Randazzo King Cakes in Metairie, will ship them right to your door. The tradition of hiding objects in the cake dates back to the 19th century, when king cake had become a staple dessert at Mardi Gras celebrations, including the annual balls in New Orleans. Bakers began to hide objects inside the cake. A festive brioche crown adorned with vibrant sugars and hiding a lucky surprise - the Mardi Gras King Cake transforms a rich, sweet dough into a celebration of New Orleans tradition. This homemade version captures all the joy and symbolism of the carnival season while delivering a tender, flavorful treat that surpasses any store-bought variety. Mardi Gras and king cakes go hand in hand – especially in New Orleans where hundreds of thousands of king cakes are enjoyed at parties, offices and in homes every year. According to the Christian faith, Jesus first showed himself to the three wise men and to the world on January 6th, also known as Twelfth Night or the Epiphany. Mardi Gras in New Orleans In the heart of New Orleans, where jazz notes linger and the aroma of delectable treats fills the air, King Cakes stand as symbols of joy, unity, and indulgence. These oval-shaped wonders, adorned in royal hues of purple, green, and gold, carry profound significance, symbolizing justice, growth, prosperity, and wealth Decorating Mardi Gras king cakes at Dong Phuong Bakery & Restaurant in New Orleans. Photo by C. Ross for The Washington Post via Getty Images Elias Alvarado rolling out butter for a king cake at Another well-known and popular King Cake bakery around the New Orleans metro area is Caluda's.Chef John Caluda is an alumnus of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, however, he also has The 2025 King Cake season starts on Twelfth Night or Epiphany January 6th through Mardi Gras March 4th, 2025. Annual Tradition A taste of Mardi Gras shipped nationwide. We're renowned across the United States for delivering the finest King Cakes right to your doorstep! The King Cake is unlike any other cake. Imagine cinnamon bread coffee cake topped with sugary goodness and decorated in the traditional purple, green and gold of Mardi Gras. All King Cakes are baked with the traditional baby inside, and include the Traditions of New Orleans brochure which is a fun read for New Orleans lovers. It covers specialty foods of New Orleans, fine restaurants, all King King Cakes 1616 L&A Road Suite 101 Metairie LA 70001. Phone: 866-546-4225 Fax: 504-831-0601
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() |