2023 Mardi Gras in Columbus: King Cakes and Fat Tuesday meals

While Columbus isn’t “known” for Mardi Gras celebrations, that doesn’t mean YOU can’t celebrate in your own way!

The celebration of Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday marks the end of the Carnival season and the last night of excess before the Lenten season. Originally adopted from French immigrants, it’s a legal state holiday in Louisiana, but celebrated all over the US.

We’re gathering a list of Mardi Gras specials and events around Columbus, with lots of way to celebrate at home. Grab your beads and a King Cake, and celebrate New Orleans-style at home on Tuesday, February 21, 2023!

La Chatelaine Mardi Gras Dinner Party Box

Order a complete carry-out dinner from La Chatelaine for Fat Tuesday! Get a Mardi Gras Dinner Party Box for just $55.

Dinner includes:

Cup of Crawfish Bisque (gf) & a couple of cooked whole Crawfish on the side
La Chatelaine Jambalaya sous-vide (shrimp, house-made kielbasa sausage, Ohio chicken thigh, cajun seasonings, onions, celery, garlic, bell peppers, tomato) not too spicy & served with Creole rice
La Chatelaine Hurricane Rum Punch (bottled on site + made fresh) *alcohol
Individual King’s Cake. Made with our very own puff pastry & almond paste. Watch out for that porcelain charm!

The entire dinner is gluten-free except the King’s Cake. Mask, beads, and trinkets are provided with each dinner. Dinner will come with heating instructions.

Pickup is February 21 for all 3 locations: Dublin, Upper Arlington, and Worthington. Call, stop by a location, or place an online order. See website or Facebook page.

Order your King’s Cake now! They are $25, and serve 6-8 people.

Colin Lazarski’s NOLA Quintet at The Refectory

February 20, 2023 from 5:30 – 8 pm. Four-Course Dinner and Private Concert 130. per guest (+tax and gratuity) Seating is limited; make reservations early to secure your table.

Advance online Reservations (or phone 614-451-9774) are required and confirmed with cc. See booking and cancellation policy. Details/reservations here.

Chef Butcher’s Creole Kitchen

Creole Kitchen is celebrating Mardi Gras with 3 events! Find details on the Facebook page.

February 18, 2023: Kickoff Saturday with a light creole buffet from 12 pm – 6 pm; $12/person

February 20, 2023: Sip and Step with DJ Nip from 2 pm – 6 pm

February 21, 2023: Fat Tuesday Shrimp Boil and Free Beignet Bar featuring the William Brady Project Band from 2 pm – 6 pm.

Order Creole food any day, or celebrate Fat Tuesday with some authentic Mardi Gras style food. 1052 Mt Vernon Ave Columbus, OH 43203

King Cakes at Tremont Goodie Shop

Order to your made-from-scratch King Cake from Tremont Goodie Shop. All contain a plastic baby and filling of your choice.

They are iced with a light lemon frosting and sprinkled with festive purple, green and gold sugar. They also feature Mardi Gras beads on top for decoration. Each King Cake serves 10-12.

Available fillings (choose one or two):
Cinnamon (traditional), Raspberry, Lemon, Cream Cheese, Blueberry, Cherry, Strawberry and Apricot.

Place your orders 48 hours in advance; see Facebook page for details. 614-488-8777. 2116 Tremont Ctr Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Short North Piece of Cake

This sweet staple typically makes King Cakes each year! Order in advance; (614) 421-0399. 772 North High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

Resch’s King Cake and Paczki

Order King Cake and Paczki from Resch’s! Call or stop in to order; pre-payment is required. (614) 237-7421. Open Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-2:30. Details on website and Facebook. 4061 E Livingston Ave Columbus, OH 43227

J Gumbo’s Delaware County

King cakes are available for order! Call ahead and put your order in (highly suggested) at 740-368-9494, or order online, starting the evening of the 15th.

Mardi Gras Party Pack for 4 is under $80. (Pickup Monday, Feb. 20 ONLY 4:00pm-6:30pm) Find more details on Facebook page.

Now located at 39 E. William St, Delaware, OH 43015

Looking for more Paczki?

Pączki are a specialty pastry made on Fat Tuesday as a Catholic day of celebration before the Lenten season, and the last day to indulge in foods before the traditional 40-day period of fasting before Easter.

There are several places you can find Paczki in Columbus- find the awesome list from Breakfast with Nick (after all, he’s an expert at this type of thing!)

Looking for winter fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!