As Fat Tuesday, the height of the Mardi Gras season, approaches on March 4, 2025, restaurants, bars, grocers, and other food and drink venues in Dallas-Fort Worth are gearing up to celebrate the holiday. Here’s a look at what’s going on across North Texas in honor of Mardi Gras:
Aw Shucks and Big Shucks
The oyster houses across North Texas will offer a variety of specials on March 4, including $9.99 per lb. crawfish specials, happy hour prices all day, $5 shrimp cocktail, and $8 hurricane cocktails (Mockingbird Lane in Dallas and Richardson locations only). There will be live music at Big Shucks in Richardson and in Dallas on Mockingbird Lane from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Bbbop Seoul Kitchen in Oak Cliff
Find Cajun flavors on the menu at Bbbop, like Asian-Cajun drumsticks and classic Hurricanes. It’s a spot where guests can watch the Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade on March 2.
Breadwinners
On March 4, Breadwinners will offer specials like shrimp étouffée, King Cake, and $8 King Cake martinis. Mardi Gras items are also available to order via Breadwinners catering.
Cinnaholic
A lot of spots require you to order a King Cake ahead of time, but Cinnaholic is doling them out across North Texas, no reservation required. The shareable cake is about $29.99, depending on the store.
Colombian Country Club in East Dallas
Festive decorations, live music, and Bourbon Street-inspired fare will fill CCC on Fat Tuesday. Think gumbo and frozen strawberry daiquiris, among others.
Dan’s Bagels in Trophy Club
Bagels might not sound like Mardi Gras at first, but Dan’s is making a sparkle bagel with purple, green, and gold on March 4.
Dee’s Table – Burgers & More in Frisco
It’s Mardi Gras all day on March 4 with food and drinks infused with Cajun flair like voodoo daiquiri, pastalaya, shrimp po-boy, and bananas foster bread pudding. The celebration starts at 11 a.m., and live music commences at 3 p.m.
Dodie’s Cajun Diner in Rockwall
The Rockwall outpost of Dodie’s has a packed schedule for Mardi Gras. From February 28 to March 3, customers can find $10.99 Gator Bites, $6.99 King Cake, and ice cream and $5 hurricanes and margaritas. On March 2 and 3, there will also be a special on crawfish and beer. There’s a big party on Tuesday, too, with a $5 cover with even more festivities, including live music and $3 drink specials from 6 to 7 p.m. on margaritas, hurricanes, and Miller Lite.
Evan’s Meat Market in Highland Park
The butcher shop will have Cajun specials to pick up like jambalaya, chicken and sausage gumbo, and more on March 4.
Evan’s Meat Market in Highland Park
The butcher shop will have Cajun specials to pick up like jambalaya, chicken and sausage gumbo, and more on March 4.
Ida Claire in Addison
Through March 4, Ida Claire is offering Mardi Gras-related fare like boiled crawfish, King Cake bread pudding, gumbo, daiquiris, and hurricanes.
Jack & Harry’s in University Park
The restaurant is, at its core, a New Orleans-inspired chophouse. So think of it as a built-in spot to stop into during the Mardi Gras season.
Little Daisy in downtown Dallas
A crawfish boil takes center stage at the restaurant on the 9th floor within the Thompson Hotel on March 4. The experience is $65 per person and starts at 6 p.m.
Nuri Steakhouse in Uptown Dallas
The upscale newcomer is hosting a Mardi Gras gathering on its Jade Terrace on March 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. Masks and festive attire are encouraged at the cocktail-style reception, priced at $150 per person.
Quarter Bar in Uptown Dallas
On March 4, find New Orleans-inspired specials. Examples include $6 hurricanes and $8 King Cake shots, along with eats like a shrimp and crawfish boil. There will be live music playing, too.
S&D Oyster Company in Uptown Dallas
The 48-year-old Gulf Coast establishment will offer mini king cakes, alongside its regular menu that features New Orleans classics, on March 4. Twenty-five of the mini king cakes will have a baby hidden inside and the finders will get their cakes for free, along with a $20 gift card to S&D.
The Statler in downtown Dallas
From March 4-7, the hotel’s Bourbon & Banter speakeasy will offer Louisiana-inspired bites and drinks, including blackened catfish tacos ($14), Cajun shrimp beignets ($13), speakeasy sazerac ($12), and masquerade milk punch ($13), among others. A tarot card reader will make an appearance from 9 to 11 p.m. on March 4, and a jazz band will perform on March 7 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The hotel’s diner, Overeasy, will also serve a King Cake-inspired waffle for $9 during that timeframe.
The Village in North Dallas
March 1 ushers in Mardi Gras at The Village, with the development’s Main Street transforming into Bourbon Street West from 12 to 6 p.m. packed with live music, crowd games, and food and drink specials. The event is free to attend, but it’s 21-and-up only. There are a variety of packages for purchase and Cajun bites at the district’s restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is Mardi Gras?
A: Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a carnival-like celebration that takes place before the Christian season of Lent, which is the period of 40 days before Easter. It’s a time of feasting, partying, and merriment before the 40-day fast and prayer of Lent.
Q: What is the significance of King Cake?
A: A traditional Mardi Gras treat, King Cake is a sweet bread typically eaten during the Carnival season. It’s often flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange, and is typically decorated with purple, green, and gold, the traditional Mardi Gras colors. A small plastic baby (representing the baby Jesus) is often hidden inside the cake, and the person who gets the piece with the baby is said to have good luck for the year and is often tasked with hosting the next Mardi Gras party.
Q: What are some popular Mardi Gras traditions?
A: Some popular Mardi Gras traditions include wearing costumes and masks, attending parades and parties, eating traditional Mardi Gras foods like gumbo and jambalaya, and participating in bead-throwing and other festive activities.
