Where can you get a king cake in Memphis and the Mid-South?

Mardi Gras is coming up on March 1, 2022. Below you have a list of places to get King Cakes in Memphis, a list of Mardi Gras events in Memphis, and a list of places to find Cajun and New Orleans inspired food in Memphis.

King Cakes from Primas

Where To Get King Cakes In Memphis + The Mid-South

Most folks will tell you to order a king cake from the many bakeries farther south, i.e, Louisiana, that ship them. But if you want to go local, here are a few places to get king cakes in Memphis:

• Blanchard's Organic Breads has king cakes available for pre-order.
• Ginger's Bread Co. makes king cakes and praline, just pre-order for pickup in midtown.
• Jacque Louise Bakery offers gluten-free king cakes
• Kroger carries king cakes in their bakery.
• La Baguette in East Memphis offers king cakes—just call to order at least 3 days in advance. They have limited capacity so days might fill up.
• Lucy J's Bakery in the Crosstown Concourse bakes kings cakes; you can pre-order online.
• Primas Bakery + Boutique offers king cakes and other Mardi-Gras inspired treats for online pre-order. Scroll down to "Mardi Gras Menu" on the pre-order page here.
• Super Lo grocery store on Spottswood carries king cakes.
• Thomas Meat & Seafood ships in Gambino's cakes. Follow them on Facebook for info.
• DeSoto Snow and Creamery has a variety of king cake flavors for pre-orders. Just call fo more info.
• Sweet Lala's Bakery has kings cakes available for pre-order. 
• Whimsy Cookie is offering a King Cake flavor Ooey Gooey cookie during the season.
• Voodoo Cafe sells Mardi Gras "3 Wise Men" beignets. 

Many people opt order king cakes online and have them shipped to Memphis from Louisiana/South Mississippi. Folks swear by Manny Randazzo, Paul's Pastry, Haydel's, Gambino's, among many others.

I'm sure someone will try to fight me for leaving off their favorite NOLA/other king cakery. Don't panic, just feel free to add your suggestions in the comments.

Mardi Gras Events In Memphis

• Mardi Gras Party at DKDC: Celebrate Mardi Gras with special musical guests Marcella & Her Lovers and the Lucky 7 Brass Band at the Cooper Young late night spot, Bar DKDC. Friday, Feb. 25th at 9 p.m. Cover charge TBA.
• Mardi Gras Masquerade Party at Blind Bear: Downtown’s favorite neighborhood speakeasy-style bar hosts a Mardi Gras party on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. Dress up with masks and beads, take a photo with Amurica 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Make a reservation for dinner ($45/person or $90/couple includes a bottle of bubbly.) 
• Old Dominick Mardi Gras Party: Old Dominick Distillery hosts a beads, bling, and cocktails at the bar at the distillery downtown. Saturday, Feb. 26 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
• High Point Pub’s Annual Mardi Gras Parade: High Point hosts their annual mini parade on Feb. 26 through the breezy by their shop. Think “bikes, scooters, and shopping carts” starting at 9 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
• Crunk Brunch at Wiseacre HQ downtown: Lucky 7 Brass Band performs before the Tigers game from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Little Bettie will have breakfast pizza, and you’ll get 10 percent off your tab if you show your Tigers ticket stub. Not going to the game? They’ll have it on the taproom’s big screens. This is not really a Mardi Gras party but given the timing, the goal of crunk, and the brass band, I’m including it here.
• Tug's on Mud Island will have Mardi Gras specials on March 1. See the list.
• Complicated Pilgrim and Tiger & Peacock will be offering a Mardi Gras special, featuring a Hurricane accompanied by Lucy J’s Bakery King Cake for $15-$18. Enjoy from March 1st - March 5th.
• Mardi Gras Masquerade at Meddlesome Brewing: On Fat Tuesday (March 1) Meddlesome will host a gumbo-cooking contest, masquerade-themed party with karaoke and their Purple Nurple brew. 
• Mardi Gras at Bayou: Bayou is hosting the main midtown Mardi Gras event on Fat Tuesday with the Mighty Souls Brass Band and $3 Memphis Made pints. 
• Mardi Gras at Owen Brennan’s: Make your reservations asap for March 1 Fat Tuesday night at Owen Brennan’s—live music and speciality menu items.
• Young Avenue Deli: Loads of drink specials, including limited edition king cake beers, plus DJ Bizzle Bluebland. 
• Crosstown Brewing: Crosstown will have a Fat Tuesday party with their Virtual Baby king cake stout beer, crawfish, and DJ.
• Railgarten Mardi Gras: Railgarten celebrates Mardi Gras…after Mardi Gras? Anyways, they’ll have four days of live New-Orleans / jazz / zydeco music March 3 through 6, and they’re advertising live crawfish too. See the lineup here and get individual show tickets in advance through Railgarten’s website.

If you're hosting a Mardi Gras event, please email info to [email protected] and we'll try to get it added here before March 1. 

Cajun Food In Memphis

Award-winning gumbo from King's Palace Cafe on Beale. Photo by Kim Thomas.

If you just want some Cajun and Creole cuisine for Mardi Gras in Memphis—or anytime—try these spots:

• Regina's Cajun Kitchen downtown
• Bayou Bar & Grill in Overton Square in midtown
• Owen Brennan's in East Memphis
• Itta Bena on Beale Street
• The Second Line
• Ben-Yay's downtown
• King's Palace Cafe on Beale Street
• Parish Grocery in Cooper Young

Places like Half Shell, Lafayette's, Rizzo's, and Blues City Cafe also have Cajun-inspired options and seafood and such.

Also, check out the Crawfish guide here and the Oyster guide here.