Seven Places to Eat King Cake in Boston for Mardi Gras

King cake at Kane’s Donuts. / Photo provided

Before the beer goes green for St. Paddy’s Day, the boozy and beaded antics of Mardi Gras are coming up on February 28. And while that signals an excuse to gorge on jambalaya and other Southern specialities, it also means the annual return of king cake. The decorative pastry plays different roles in different countries, but for Fat Tuesday revelers in Boston, it often comes down to heaps of colored icing and a plastic baby figurine potentially tucked inside. Think you’ll be the one to find the treat this year? Here are seven local restaurants dishing out fresh king cake this year, no pre-orders necessary.

Bisq

The team at Bisq is throwing a Mardi Gras brunch the Sunday prior to Fat Tuesday, complete with jambalaya, gumbo, and yes, king cake. A live jazz band will strike up the proper ambience.

Sunday, February 26, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Bisq, 1071 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-714-3693, bisqcambridge.com, Facebook.

Buttermilk & Bourbon

Chef Jason Santos is days away from debuting his Southern-inspired fare in Back Bay, and one of his first orders of business will be throwing a proper Mardi Gras party. There, snack on decadent slices of king cake and sip draft hurricanes, all while navigating through the restaurant’s New Orleans-esque rooms.

Tuesday, February 28, Buttermilk & Bourbon, 160 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-266-1122, Facebook.

Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen

On Fat Tuesday, this restaurant will add king cake to its Southern-rooted menu of catfish and gator tacos. And if the spot’s rocking Sunday jazz brunch is any indication, we can expect an authentic Mardi Gras bash in tow.

Tuesday, February 28, $6, Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, 604 Columbus Ave., South End, 617-536-1100, dcbkboston.com.

Dorchester Brewing Company

Grab a snifter of Baltic porter and nosh on king cake at the Dorchester taproom, courtesy of Revelry food truck. The first 50 customers in line get their treat on the house, but the truck will continue to dish out priced slices for late arrivals. The brewery is hosting a slew of other celebratory events that day, too.

Saturday, February 25, 4 p.m., $2, Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.

Kane’s Donuts

The doughnut shop is straying from its namesake to offer a made-from-scratch king cake for Fat Tuesday. The cake is about the size of the the store’s coffee rolls, and its recipe mirrors those treats as well. The decorated cake—plastic baby and all—will be available at both Kane’s locations from Saturday, February 25, through Mardi Gras.

Saturday through Tuesday, February 25-28, $15, Kane’s Donuts, Two International Pl., 90 Oliver St., Boston, 857-317-2654, 120 Lincoln Ave., Saugus, 781-233-8499, kanesdonuts.com.

South Street Diner

The Bourbon Street traditions of New Orleans are hitting South Street for an all-day party. Alongside the endless jambalaya, voodoo cocktails, and alligator sausages, will be enough king cake to keep the festivities going well into the night.

Tuesday, February 28, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., 178 Kneeland St., Southie, 617-350-0028, southstreetdiner.com.

Sweet Cheeks

Tiffani Faison’s barbecue haven is hosting a crawfish boil for Mardi Gras, featuring crustaceans flown in from Louisiana. Each helping is served with seafood gumbo, andouille sausage, king cake, and more.

Tuesday, February 28, seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., $40, 1381 Boylston St., Boston, 617-266-1300, Event Page.