There’s no worse feeling than being hungry on the parade route. If you’re tired of king cake, here are some spots to get some sustenance.
For neutral ground lovers like me, Zee’s Pizza is my go-to for grabbing a slice. They have red top margherita and pepperoni slices for $4 each, plus a rotating special. I love the side options here, particularly the Calabrian chili emulsion, the house cold-pickled jalapeños and the killer garlic knots. Just a couple blocks from St. Charles Avenue, this is a favorite of mine for a lunch during parade season or to grab a pizza on the way home. Check out their Mardi Gras hours here.
Gracious bakery has a St. Charles Avenue location, meaning if you set up your spot on the route correctly, you can easily swing
by and grab some food. Their pastries are perfect parade pick-me-ups, cookies and croissants alike. They also offer savory food options like sandwiches and hand pies, but perhaps most importantly — gumbo, the perfect warm soup for a cold day on the route.
Bayou Bagel Company is located on Prytania Street, just a block from St. Charles Avenue. It’s a quiet spot to grab a bagel, perfect for morning parades like Iris, Rex and Thoth. They use Central Grocery’s olive salad to make muffuletta cream cheese for an authentic New Orleans comfort flavor. If you’re feeling especially festive, they’re also making Mardi Gras colored bagels.
Get Your Mom & Dim Sum is also just a block from the parade route, serving their food out of the kitchen at Milan Lounge. I love their crab rangoon dumplings as a higher quality version of the classic dish, and their shrimp and charred scallion noodles are fun for more adventurous diners. If you’re looking for a spot to grab a late-night bite and drinks with friends, I couldn’t think of a better spot.
Located right on St. Charles Avenue, Superior Grill is decked out for the parade season. This spot serves up Mexican food that hits the spot after a long day of parades. They are a well-oiled operation, with wait times for a table being around an hour in my experience — even in the peak hours of parades. Perhaps more importantly, they can fix up their classic margaritas — especially the frozen margaritas — out of a to-go window.
The bar at Mosquito Supper Club feels like a cheat code to getting their Creole food without the tasting menu price tag and commitment — especially considering the food might be as good as any Louisiana-native grandmother’s. The sweet potato biscuits and gumbo stand out. They offer an a la carte menu, cocktails and wine in both the bar and the courtyard. Mosquito Supper Club is as authentic as it is innovative.
I wouldn’t send you to Magazine Street without it being worth it, and the Thai food at Sukho is exceptional. I love their curry and noodle dishes, especially the great selection of vegan dishes. This is a great option for takeout if you’re looking to brave the box during the parade season.
This adorable coffee shop makes a mean coffee and has a great breakfast and lunch menu. Open until 4 p.m., this is a lovely spot for sandwiches, wraps, bowls and more. They have an adapted menu during Mardi Gras which includes alcoholic beverages. Located in The Rink, a small shopping center in the Lower Garden District, this is the perfect little getaway from the parade route and a cool spot to check out if you’re visiting New Orleans.