Mardi Gras, meaning Fat Tuesday in French, lives up to its name. For some, the day before Lent is dedicated to flashing their goods for plastic beads, but for many pious foodies it’s a chance to indulge before the start of the yearly fast that accompanies Lent. Mardi Gras is a celebration dedicated to the foods our stomachs adore so tonight, jump right in to a bucket of Cajun crawdads or a heaping serving of gumbo to celebrate this holiday right. Whatever your reason for celebrating Mardi Gras, here are a few great NYC New Orleans-inspired restaurants celebrating today’s holiday in big ways.

 

Gravy (32 East 21^st Street)

If you’re looking for an upscale New Orleans’s style meal this Mardi Gras make sure to check out Gravy. Tonight they will be serving a $45 per person prix fix menu. Menu items include a chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, southern-styled fried chicken, and to keep your sweet tooth satisfied until the end of Lent, a sour apple king cake. Gravy is also giving back to the city that celebrates Mardi Gras the hardest, New Orleans. Proceeds from the corn-fried Blue Point oysters and “The Bacchanal” dishes (both $12) will go to Make It Right Foundation, a charity that is dedicated to rebuilding New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward.

 

Bourbon Street Bar & Grill (346 West 46^th Street)

This Hell Kitchen’s bar and grill will be celebrating Mardi Gras with fresh and authentic menu items. For $25 dollars, diners can partake in the buffet selection which includes Louisiana crawdads, flown overnight on Monday to ensure freshness, and renowned New Orleans bakery, Gambino’s sent up their delicious king cakes to make a complete Mardi Gras feast. Bourbon Street Bar & Grill will also have plenty of beads and a DJ tonight.

 

Back Forty (190 Avenue B)

For $50 dollars, Back Forty will be serving up a fantastic three-course feast. Each course has been paired with a different Sixpoint beer. The three-course meal will include shrimp and bacon beignets and a spicy chicken and andouille sausage gumbo made by Chef Michael Laarhoven.

 

East Harlem’s Creole Restaurant (2167 3^rd Avenue)

For an authentic Creole experience, head up to East Harlem to enjoy Mardi Gras with a complimentary buffet at East Harlem’s Creole Restaurant tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. The buffet includes jambalaya and catfish. No Mardi Gras celebration would be complete without Jazz, live Jazz will begin at 7 p.m. Bartenders will also be serving up exotic Hurricanes made of mint and cayenne pepper. Stay and enjoy the bells and whistle drinking game ran by the bartenders to ensure everyone drinks the last drop of their Hurricanes.  

 

Ninth Ward (180 2^nd Avenue)

Located on the Lower East Side this hip bar and restaurant will be serving New Orleans’ own, Abita beer on tap all night long. Enjoy your beer and beads with their shrimp po’boy and other New Orleans-inspired menu items. Make sure to spice up your night with Gators on Horseback; bacon-wrapped jalapenos stuffed with shrimp and cheese.