It’s that time of year when it’s socially acceptable to eat six meals in a day...because, Fat Tuesday. If you plan on taking full advantage of this holiday, check out our picks for where to eat and drink on Mardi Gras.

 

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Acadiana with live music from a New Orleans-style jazz band and menu specials featuring signature carnival appetizers: crawfish bread, cracklins, alligator fritters, popcorn shrimp, and lamb lollipops. Also available is a prix fixe menu with oysters Rockefeller, oyster pan roast, crawfish monica, rabbit etouffee, shrimp creole, and king cake donuts. (901 New York Ave, NW; 202-408-8848)

 

Bayou will be hosting its 6th Annual Fat Tuesday Celebration complete with live music and an all-you-can-eat buffet for $30 per person. Food specials include jambalaya and assorted po’boys. There’s no better way to complement Cajun cuisine than with $6 hurricanes, $6 grenades, and $5 Abita Mardi Gras Bock and Purple Haze. Live music begins at 11 AM, buffet begins at 5 PM. (2519 Pennsylvania Ave, NW; 202-223-6941)

 

Head to chef David Guas’ 5th Annual Bayou Block Party at the Capitol Hill location. (Don’t worry, the Courthouse location will still be decked out in Mardi Gras decor for the annual Clarendon Parade.) The Block party will feature a live band, Rappahannock River oysters, and authentic New Orleans food including jambalaya, muff-a-lottas, and andouille and shrimp gumbo. For beverages, choose from three cocktails or three Abita draft beers. Kids 12 and under eat for free. 6–9 PM. (901 Pennsylvania Ave, SE; 202-664-5307)

 

With four days of Mardi Gras festivities, Black Jack will be transformed into a scene from Bourbon Street complete with carnival decorations, masquerade-style masks, beads, and live music. Food and drink specials include crawfish fritters, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, Absinthe Frappe, Sazerac, Roffignac, and more. Festivities run from February 6 through 9. (1612 14th St, NW; 202-986-5225)

 

On Fat Tuesday, Central will be hosting a Mardi Gras Masquerade Party with classic New Orleans cocktails and complimentary hors d’oeuvres in the bar and lounge area from 5–8:30 PM. In the dining room, guests will enjoy Mardi Gras cocktails and Cajun inspired menu items. (1001 Pennsylvania Ave, NW; 202-626-0015)

 

Serving up Cajun favorites, beads, and Hurricane specials, City Tap House will be hosting Mardi Gras festivities from open to close on Fat Tuesday, ending with late night happy hour from 10 PM–12 AM. (901 9th St, NW; 202-644-9433)

 

From February 9 through 14, Masseria will host Mardi Gras festivities in honor of Carnevale. Enjoy a five-course tasting menu with dishes including lasagna, meatballs, beef, and salumi ($95 per person). The celebrations will reach a peak on Friday, February 12, with a late night party featuring free-flowing sparkling wine, glowing candles, and Carnevale masks. Tickets are $75 per person. (1340 4th St, NE; 202-608-1330)

 

From 11 AM–10 PM on Fat Tuesday, enjoy menu specials: Cajun catfish with hush puppies, coleslaw and remoulade; MBG Jambalaya with Gulf shrimp, chicken, Logan’s Andouille sausage, smothered in rice; and cast-iron baked bread pudding with warm rum sauce and cinnamon ice cream. (800 North Glebe Rd, Arlington; 703-841-2337)