Where to Eat on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans

Cooter Brown’s Tavern

For parade-goers staying Uptown, Cooter Brown’s is a sports bar with darn good eats. The limited Mardi Gras menu puts the emphasis on fried seafood, burgers, po’ boys, and local comfort fare, including red beans and jambalaya. There’s a veggie burger and cheese fries for the meat-averse. Open ‘til 8 instead of the usual 1 a.m.

Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar

Ground zero for parades, Superior Seafood i s mobbed even on an average Tuesday. Expect droves of seafood eaters dining within gawking distance of the action. The restaurant is known for fresh oysters and seafood, which feature in dishes like shrimp and grits and crab bisque. Seating is first come, first served, with the exception of the window seats which are already booked.

Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro

Good Catch Nola is the latest from chef Aom Srisuk, who opened Pomelo Uptown with her husband Frankie Weinberg in late 2021. The larger restaurant in the CBD is open for parade goers craving dishes like flavorful pad Thai with shrimp and scallops and seafood tom yum ramen. There’s a full bar. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Bayou Bar

There are so many reasons to love Bayou Bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel, from the intimate pub’s outstanding live jazz to its menu of excellent American eats, including a fine burger, satisfying red beans, dirty rice, and fried catfish on a bun. Bayou Bar will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mardi Gras day. The hotel’s coffee shop, Silver Whistle, will serve coffee and breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Avenue Pub

Mardi Gras central since it opened in 1987, Avenue Pub is open for the duration, with a limited menu of food faves, Jell-O shots galore, frozen daiquiris, and of course 48 beers on tap. Lots of portable toilets in the back, but you need to buy a drink/get a wristband to use them. Limited to 21 and over on Mardi Gras day.

Lula Restaurant Distillery

Smack dab in the heart of Mardi Gras action, Lula will open at 8:30 a.m. and serve its regular menu all day, until 9 p.m. or the last truck parade passes by. Try the boudin egg rolls, chicken and sausage gumbo, or crawfish mac n cheese, but the fried chicken sandwich and the burger are two more fine options.

Copper Vine

This handsome, wine-forward bistro will open at 11 a.m., on Mardi Gras Day. An all-day brunch along with dinner service from chef Amy Mehrtens continues until 9 p.m. Copper VIne’ s brunch is substantial, offering short rib ragu with pappardelle and filet mignon with frites besides the usual egg dishes.

Commons Club New Orleans

Chef Chris Borges presides over the Commons Club, the cheeky restaurant space in the Virgin Hotel, with its peekaboo-themed shag room and art-filled setting for conversation and noshing. The menu, which includes gluten-free and vegetarian options, ranges from fried Brussels sprouts to wild mushroom rigatoni with kale pesto to barbecue shrimp.

Cleo’s

Cleo’s is a winner, a place to get vegetarian options as well as Middle Eastern salads, shawarma, gyros, mezze and salads with many vegetarian dishes. There’s a location at 117 Decatur too, but this spot on Canal Street is strolling distance from the parade action.

Criollo

Criollo at the Monteleone offers a special Mardi Gras lunch menu served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with options like seafood gumbo, chicken comfit and mushroom crepes and a killer bacon cheeseburger on a brioche bun. Try to get a seat at the Carousel Bar, which stays open until midnight, although crowds are three deep on Mardi Gras day.

Compère Lapin

Compère Lapin’s soulful Caribbean cuisine earned chef Nina Compton a James Beard award. Tuck into some of that goodness on Mardi Gras day, when the restaurant stays open for regular dinner hours, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Savor the likes of jerked pork belly, tuna ceviche, curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi, and fried chicken with coconut grits.

Higgins Hotel

Hotels have to feed their guests every day of the year, and the Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, just two blocks off the parade route across from the National WWII Museum, is no exception. Cafe Normandie is open for breakfast and lunch, Rosie’s on the Roof offers cocktails and a bird’s eye view from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., hit up Provisions for grab-and-go eats from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Kilroy’s lobby lounge will serve drinks and snacks from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mother’s

Mother’s Restaurant, on the end of the parade route for many krewes, will dish out strong drinks and huge portions of New Orleans comfort food from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mardi Gras Day. The debris po’ boy is one specialty or order the meaty bits piled on a plate of eggs. Nothing fancy to see here but lots of options to banish the hangries.

Justine

Justine is open for Mardi Gras day from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The sexy French bistro offers an abbreviated version of its all day menu. Expect dishes like fish and chips, the Justine burger (so good), and shrimp and grits. Selfies in front of the gorgeous pink neon sign are a must.

Felipe’s Taqueria

Fuel up at the French Quarter location of Felipe’s with signature tacos, burritos, and potent margaritas. Order from the satellite bar for margaritas to go or take a break from the madness and dine in. Try a caramelized pork al pastor taco, bright with notes of pineapple and gaujillo chile, also available in a bowl.

Tujagues Restaurant

Although no longer at its original 823 Decatur Street location, Tujague’s still carries the baton as the oldest stand-up bar in America. Brunch will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an abbreviated menu served til closing: think wedge salads, filet mignon, and fish almondine. Have a Grasshopper on the way out — the frothy minty dreamsicle drink was invented here.

Four Seasons New Orleans

Ducking into the swank Four Seasons New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day is a fine idea if you aren’t on a budget and need a dose of pampered civility. Have a drink at the James Beard-nominated Candelier Bar, get some raw oysters and steak frites at Donald Link’s Chemin à la Mer or a whole fried chicken at Miss River from Alon Shaya. Both restaurants are serving the regular menus.

MRB Bar & Kitchen

MRB, with its rear courtyard where live music often prevails, is a hidden gem ideal for taking a load off and having a bite. Order at the back kitchen window for raw and chargrilled oysters and sandwiches (think Philly steak, turkey neck po’ boys, and even a vegetarian sloppy Joe). Drinks are cheap and potent.