Where To Eat & Drink During Mardi Gras 2025 - New Orleans - The Infatuation

"You’ll probably have to walk past Carnival food trucks, rows of people screaming for beads, and in front of (but please never through) a middle school marching band to get to Birdy’s. But being in the Lower Garden District, they’re just far enough off the Uptown parade route that it feels like a Mardi Gras party without being too chaotic. The brunch board is your order here—a spread that combines sweet and savory things like pancakes and donuts that can fit in the palm of your hand, soft-baked chocolate chip cookies, ube waffles, soft-boiled eggs, bacon, and prosciutto. There’s a common New Orleans saying, “you can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning.” So kick off the marathon with a king cake martini, complete with a purple, green, and gold sugar sprinkle rim, and the iconic plastic king cake baby." - megan braden perry