Lexington Mardi Gras guide: Where to find gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, King Cake
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lexington spots offer Cajun menus and King Cakes.
- Crawfish supply may be limited due to Louisiana harvest delays.
- Many venues take preorders and host Fat Tuesday events and takeout options.
Mardi Gras is almost here, and you need Cajun food to celebrate. We’re talking jambalaya, gumbo, Hurricanes and shrimp boil — and don’t forget the King Cake.
Crawfish by the pound is often a staple of Mardi Gras menus but may be hard to find again this year. The harvest in Louisiana has been delayed by weather.
The King Cake is a special treat shared before and on Fat Tuesday. And if you get the baby in your piece, tradition says you bring the next cake. So you’ll need to know bakeries that have it.
Mardi Gras is Feb. 17 this year, but you can celebrate well before Fat Tuesday at several restaurants.
Here’s our guide and list of local Lexington restaurants, bakeries and caterers offering a menu of Cajun and Creole favorites from alligator etouffee to zydeco music and more.
B’s Bakery
241 W. Main St. in Frankfort, 502-699-2222. B’s Bakery is taking orders for King Cakes. Each serves eight to 10 ; King Cakes with fillings also available ; call for flavors. Mardi Gras-themed cupcakes and cookies also available. B’s Bakery will be closed on Tuesday, but everything will be available Thursday through Saturday before Mardi Gras.
Bayou Bluegrass Catering
903 Manchester St., jhospgroup.com, 859-523-7915. Bayou Bluegrass will have seatings and carry-out pickup at 899 Manchester St. on Mardi Gras.
They have a crawfish boil sold by the pound at market price and fried alligator by the half-pound, as well as a menu of Cajun favorites to carry out including Hurricanes by the gallon. Call ahead to order.
Or go with the on-site buffet that includes Louisiana-style fried catfish, Cajun fried turkey, red beans & rice, shrimp etouffee, chicken & sausage jambalaya, chicken & sausage gumbo, New Orleans bread pudding, N’awlins pralines, King Cake, beignets, pralines and more. Fried alligator, crawfish boil and Cajun pork boudin available a la carte as well.
Make reservations for dining in with lunch seatings (adults $31, children $24) or dinner seatings (adults $40, children $27.)
Bear & The Butcher
815 Euclid Ave., bearandthebutcher.com, 859-469-9188. Bear & The Butcher will have Cajun shrimp & grits, shredded Cajun chicken tacos with chorizo and corn salsa, mini King Cakes, $8 Hurricanes in a take-home cup and Mardi Gras themed trivia starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Bourbon ‘n’ Toulouse
829 Euclid Ave. and 1781 Sharkey Way, Ilovecajun.com, 859-335-0300 and 859-303-5012. This year, the party starts Feb. 13 and runs through Fat Tuesday with specials each day.
Look for alligator sauce piquant, shrimp Creole, alligator sausages, Swamp Dogs (gator sausages topped with crawfish étouffée) crawfish creole and alligator étouffée, plus King Cakes and Mardi Gras cookies from Sequel Catery. You can also order Mardi Gras Party Packs online.
At the Euclid locations, there are hurricane and beer specials next door at Chevy Chase Inn with live music.
Caramanda’s Bake Shoppe
2220 Nicholasville Rd., caramandas.com, 859-278-7172. Caramanda’s will have a “confetti” version of King Cake as well as regular King Cake. You can pre-order whole cakes and cupcakes decorated in Mardi Gras colors. Order at least 48 hours in advance.
The Cellar
3256 Lansdowne Dr., cellargrille.com, 859-317-8301. The Cellar will have specials on Tuesday including jambalaya, gumbo, chicken Creole, shrimp Creole, beignets and Hurricane drink specials.
Donut Days
185 Southland Dr., Donutdaysbakery.com, 859-277-9414. Donut Days is taking orders for King Cakes and has them in store now. Available in cinnamon, cream cheese, apple and cherry flavors for $26.99 and comes with beads, coin, and baby in a presentation box.
DV8 Kitchen
867 S. Broadway and 594 E. Third St., dv8kitchen.com, 859-955-0388 and 859-832-0388. DV8 will have King Cake cinnamon rolls, complete with Mardi Gras colored sugar, through Feb. 17, while supplies last.
Gumbo YaYa
294 E. Brannon Rd., gumboyayaky.com, 859-245-9292. Gumbo Ya Ya’s 23rd annual celebration will kick off on Feb. 13, dubbed “Fat Friday,” with alligator etouffee, shrimp & lobster etouffee, chicken creole and other traditional favorites.
You can pre-order their made-from-scratch fully decorated King Cakes for $35. Baby King Cakes (serve 4 for $12) are also available in limited quantities. Call ahead for carry-out party packs, which serve 10 for $50, quarts and gallons.
On Fat Tuesday there will be lots of giveaways, including beads, T-shirts, free meal cards, etc. And, as always, free slices of King Cake with purchase while supplies last.
J. Render’s
3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, jrenders.com, 859-533-9777. J. Render’s will have from shrimp & sausage gumbo and fried okra from Fat Tuesday through Feb. 22.
Martine’s Pastries
Martine’s Pastries, 400 East Third St., martinespastries.com, 859-231-9110. Martine’s is taking orders for King Cakes to pick up Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Fat Tuesday, available with pistachio or cinnamon cream filling. Call or email to pre-order. Martine’s also has new King Cake latte, housemade with King Cake syrup, whipped cream and sprinkles.
Midway Bakery
510 S. Winter St. in Midway, themidwaybakery.com, 859-846-4336. Midway Bakery is taking orders for large and small King Cakes. The small will serve 4-6 and the large one will serve 8-10.
The Mousetrap
3323 Tates Creek Rd., Mousetrapky.com, 859-269-2958. House-made gumbo, jambalaya, Cajun shrimp, muffaletta sandwiches are available in the deli.
Proud Mary BBQ
9079 Old Richmond Rd., Proudmarybbq.com, 859-913-5611. Proud Mary will have a heated tent and live music as well as boiled crawfish, Hurricanes, boudin balls, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, fried catfish, barbecue shrimp, corn maque choux, fried catfish, barbecue brisket, smothered cabbage, seasoned green beans, beignets and King Cake.
Ramsey’s
All four locations, Ramseysdiners.com. Ramsey’s Diners will be celebrating Fat Tuesday with shrimp boil and crayfish boil if available. The special also includes seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, corn, red potatoes and garlic french bread. Wash it down with a great selection of all-day drink specials including house-made Hurricanes. Come get your beads from 11 a.m. until the Fat Lady sings. Shrimp Special is $23.95, Crawfish special $26.95, Combination $25.45.
Shamrock Bar and Grille
Patchen Drive and Brannon Crossing; shamrocksky.com. Shamrock will have jambalaya, gumbo, chicken Creole, shrimp Creole, beignets and Hurricane drink specials
Smithtown Seafood/West Sixth Brewing
501 W. Sixth St., Smithtownseafood.com, 859-303-4100. Smithtown Seafood and West Sixth Brewing have teamed up for a Mardi Gras party that will feature a Cajun buffet from Smithtown chef Agnes Marrero. On the menu: Blackened shrimp, chicken and andouille gumbo, fried catfish, Creole greens braised in West Sixth Amber Ale, King cake and more. Party begins at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17. Buffet opens at 5:30. Tickets and more info: West Sixth
Windy Corner Market
4595 Bryan Station Rd., Windycornermarket.com, 859-294-9338. In addition to its usual po-boy lineup, Windy Corner will offer several specials, including a crawfish po-boy, boudin balls, chicken étoufée, Cajun crab cakes, and beignets.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
