Happy King’s Day!
In New Orleans, we celebrate King’s Day. Also known as Twelfth Night or Epiphany, King’s Day is a Christian holiday that falls on January 6th and marks the end of the Christmas season. In the city, we celebrate with parades and parties as King’s Day marks the official start of the Mardi Gras season.
On King’s Day, it’s tradition to grab a “king cake” in honor of the three wise men who visited baby Jesus. King cakes are round or oval-shaped, covered with purple, green, and gold icing and sprinkles, and either plain [my fave] or filled with cinnamon, cream cheese, or fruit flavors. A small plastic baby is hidden inside the cake, and the person who finds it is said to have good luck for the rest of the year. However, in true New Orleans fashion, if you “get the baby,” you have to buy the next king cake.
If you’re looking for the best places to find king cakes, look no further! Here are some of the top spots to check out [click the bakery’s to be routed to its website]:
Haydel’s Bakery
Source: haydelsbakery.com
This family-owned bakery has been a New Orleans staple since the 1940s, and its king cakes are top-tier. They offer a variety of flavors, including traditional cinnamon, cream cheese, pecan praline, and more.
📍4037 Jefferson Highway New Orleans, LA 70121
Tues – Fri: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Manny Randazzo King Cakes
Source: randazzokingcake.com
This local bakery is renowned for its award-winning king cakes, which are made with a secret family recipe. They offer a range of flavors, including the popular “Manny Randazzo Original,” which is filled with cream cheese and topped with cinnamon sugar.
📍3515 N Hullen St, Metairie, LA 70002
Mon – Fri: 7 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sat: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
[WHILE SUPPLIES LAST]
Antoine’s Famous Cakes
Source: antoinesfamouscakes.com
Another local favorite, Antoine’s has been serving up delicious pastries for over 30 years. The bakery is known for its fabulous king cakes, but its exclusive Queen cakes” have become a fan-favorite. The best part? They will conveniently ship king cakes to wherever you are, all year long.
📍1300 Stumpf Blvd, Gretna, LA 70053
Mon – Sun: 6 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍3030 Severn Ave #8, Metairie, LA 70002
Tues – Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon & Sat: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Mardi Gras day: 6 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Note: All holidays have extended hours.
Dong Phuong Bakery
Source: antoinesfamouscakes.com
Located in New Orleans East, Dong Phuong is a James Beard award-winning Vietnamese bakery. Its king cakes come in various flavors, including cream cheese, pecan praline, and strawberry. Walk-in purchases are available every day except Tuesdays, starting at 8 a.m.
A quick tip: Go as early as possible as their cakes tend to sell FAST.
📍14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129
Every day except Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
DP king cakes are also available at these authorized reseller locations. Availability varies by location.
Rock-N-Sake
Source: sushikingcake.com
Traditional king cake, but make it sushi! Like most traditional king cakes, this sushi king cake is decadent and perfectly colorful. The “dough” consists of pressed sushi rice which is stuffed with cream cheese and snowkrab. The “dough” is then layered with assorted raw fish, accouterments, and sauces. Sushi king cakes will be available to order on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
📍2913 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001
📍3043 Perkins Rd Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
📍107 Stonemont Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508
All Locations
Mon: Closed
Tues and Wed: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thurs:11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
While the list goes on, these are the bakeries I would frequent for a good piece of king cake. No matter which bakery you choose, you can’t go wrong with a king cake from any of these top-rated spots in New Orleans. Just be sure to get yours before Mardi Gras season is over!
Which bakery has your favorite king cake? Let me know in the comments and SHARE this with friends!