King cakes

Question

Hi!

We are headed to NOLA in two weeks. We would like to bring home a King Cake. Are they available a lot of places? Should we preorder? We will not have a car and will be staying in the French Quarter.

Thank you in advance!

Answer

It’s great that you’ll be in New Orleans during King Cake season! King Cakes are a beloved tradition in New Orleans, especially during Mardi Gras season, but they’re available throughout the year. Since you’ll be staying in the French Quarter and don’t have a car, you’ll find plenty of places nearby to grab a King Cake to take home with you. Here’s everything you need to know:

### 1. Availability of King Cakes in New Orleans: King Cakes are available at many bakeries and grocery stores around New Orleans, but some of the most famous spots are in or near the French Quarter. You won’t have trouble finding one, especially if you're visiting during Mardi Gras season (which starts on January 6th and runs until Fat Tuesday, usually in February or early March). While King Cakes are traditionally eaten from Epiphany (January 6th) through Mardi Gras, many bakeries continue making them beyond that, but they may start to sell out as the season winds down.

Popular King Cake Spots in the French Quarter:
- Gracious Bakery: Known for their delicious traditional and unique King Cake flavors. It’s not too far from the French Quarter and a local favorite.
- Haydel’s Bakery: This bakery is a little further out but has been making King Cakes for decades and is beloved by locals. They offer both in-store pickup and shipping options.
- Manny Randazzo King Cakes: While their bakery is a little farther from the Quarter, they are widely considered to make one of the best King Cakes in the city. They offer delivery if you don’t want to venture too far.
- Sucré: A more upscale option, Sucré offers beautifully decorated King Cakes with a variety of fillings and flavors. They have a location in the French Quarter, making it easy for you to stop by.
Grocery Stores: Many grocery stores around New Orleans, like Rouses, will also sell King Cakes, and they can be a more affordable option. However, these may not be as unique or as famous as the bakery varieties.

### 2. Preordering King Cakes: It’s always a good idea to preorder if you know exactly when you want to pick up your King Cake, especially during Mardi Gras season when they can sell out quickly. Some of the more popular bakeries, like Haydel’s or Gracious Bakery, allow you to preorder King Cakes online or by phone. Since you won’t have a car, it’s best to check with the bakery about how easy it will be to pick up your order or if they offer delivery services, which some do within the city.

Preorder Options:
- Visit the bakery’s website or call ahead to reserve a cake.
- Check if they offer delivery or local shipping if you’re looking to take the cake back home with you.

### 3. Picking Up Your King Cake in the French Quarter: Since you’ll be staying in the French Quarter, you won’t need to venture far for a good King Cake. Sucré is a great option if you’re looking for something stylish and delicious, and it’s right in the Quarter. Gracious Bakery is also a short walk from the Quarter, and they offer a variety of flavors. If you want to try a more traditional cake or something a little different, you can easily walk to one of the other bakeries I mentioned.

### 4. Shipping King Cakes: If you fall in love with a particular bakery’s King Cake and want to bring one home, many bakeries in New Orleans ship King Cakes nationwide. Haydel’s and Randazzo’s, for example, offer online ordering and shipping if you’d like to enjoy your King Cake after you return home. If you’re planning on bringing one home with you, it’s a good idea to ask the bakery about the best way to pack it for travel or shipping to make sure it stays fresh.

### In Summary: - King Cakes are widely available in New Orleans, especially during the Mardi Gras season, and you should have no trouble finding one in the French Quarter or nearby. - You can preorder King Cakes to ensure you get the flavor and size you want, especially if you’re visiting during a busy season. - If you don’t have a car, there are plenty of options for pickup within walking distance of the French Quarter, and some bakeries even offer delivery.

Enjoy your trip, and I’m sure the King Cake will be a sweet and memorable souvenir!