Mardi Gras isn’t confined to New Orleans. Long Island Cajun restaurants bring the spirit of Fat Tuesday to the Northeast with their cuisine.
From Cajun-style food to jazz-fueled atmospheres, here are some restaurants to eat at in celebration of Mardi Gras this year.
Long Island Spots to Visit for Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday 2023
Big Daddy’s
1 Park Lane, Massapequa, 516-799-8887, bigdaddysny.com
Big Daddy’s offers a week-long celebration of Fat Tuesday starting on Feb. 14 that is filled with live music, live crawfish boils, and 2-for-1 Oyster Shooters. This all leads up to their big party on Feb. 21, that’ll include a classic New Orleans Style Buffet and live music from Al Santo Fat Tuesday Band. Some of the Louisiana style cooking that Big Daddy’s has to offer are Baton Rouge Broiled Oysters, Cajun Burger, Big Easy Fried Chicken, and Habanero Goat Cheese Grits.
Cajun Claws
6 N. Ocean Ave., Patchogue, 631-714-4477, cajunclawsrestaurant.com
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is incomplete without some Louisiana-inspired eats. Chow down on Cajun Claws’ ultimate boils, raw bar, seafood baskets, and more in celebration. And don’t forget to try a cocktail while you’re there.
Grand Lux Cafe
Roosevelt Field Mall, 630 Old Country Rd., Garden City, 516-741-0096, locations.grandluxcafe.com
Though not a Cajun restaurant, Grand Lux Cafe will serve up some Cajun dishes in celebration of the holiday this year. Try the restaurant’s Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Jambalaya or its made-to-order New Orleans Beignets for a truly delicious meal. Plus, there’s something for everyone on the menu here.
Grasso’s
134 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, 631- 367-6060, grassosrestaurant.com
Searching for a friendly place with food and live music to celebrate Mardi Gras? Look no further than Grasso’s, a place that visitors have called the “Cheers of Cold Spring Harbor.” Patrons can enjoy a meal off of Grasso’s Mardi Gras special menu made by executive chef Tony Canales, as they enjoy blues music performed by the band Back on Bourbon Street. By the end of this relaxing night, it’ll surely feel like Grasso’s is a place “where everyone knows your name.”
Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood
Multiple Locations, hookreel.com/locations
This chain Cajun joint is the real deal. Head to its Valley Stream, Hicksville, or Bay Shore location and you’ll be hooked by the enticing menu. Happy hour is from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, so head there on Mardi Gras for drink specials and a bite to eat.
The Paramount
370 New York Ave., Huntington, paramountny.com
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will play at The Paramount for the Huntington venue’s first-ever Mardi Gras party on Feb. 18. Tickets start at $19, and the festivities will include live music, carnival performers, hurricane drink specials, beads, and more. There will also be drink specials and a rockin’ after-party that is not to be missed!
Po’Boy Brewery
200 Wilson St., Port Jefferson Station, 631-828-1131, poboybrewery.com
Wear a Mardi Gras mask or outfit and enjoy a refreshing beer while listening to jazz music. Po’Boy Brewery will be pairing up with Island Empanada for the event. Seating is limited so it is advised to get tickets in advance. There will also be a jazz night to keep the festivities going on Feb. 24.
The One Juicy Cajun Seafood
113 Front St., Massapequa Park, 516-882-4255, theoneseafood.com
Hop off the train at the Long Island Rail Road’s Massapequa Park station and you can walk right over to The One Juicy Cajun Seafood, where you’re in for some delicious dishes for Mardi Gras. Here, you can build your own boil with your favorite seafood and seasonings, or try a basket with tasty sides and appetizers.
Voodoo Crab
Multiple Locations, voodoocrab.com
Visit Voodoo Crab in Rockville Centre, Massapequa, or Centreach, and you’ll get the same thing at each: choices of seafood boils, a raw bar, pasta and rice, meat entrees, and more. The owners want to give Long Islanders a true New Orleans experience, so expect a fun night there for Mardi Gras.
