Where To Celebrate Mardi Gras In Omaha This Year

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a day of indulgent food and revery. It’s a day to share King Cake or to order some gumbo at a restaurant. In Omaha, whether you want to go out or stay in, you have plenty of Mardi Gras options. Read on for my recommendations on where to celebrate and where to pick up some treats for the day.

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Omaha restaurants that celebrate Mardi Gras

Omaha has just a handful of Cajun/New Orleans-inspired restaurants, but the ones we do have are notable. Three standout restaurants guaranteed to have great food on Fat Tuesday (February 17, 2026) are Mouth of the South, Taste of New Orleans, and Herbe Sainte.

A magician at the table during Mardi Gras festivities at Upstream Brewing Co.

Fat Tuesday at Mouth of The South, 16909 Lakeside Hills Plaza, is all day, but the best time to go is when Hector Anchondo and his band are playing (noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.). The restaurant will have a special menu and drinks.

No official Mardi Gras festivities have been announced for Taste of New Orleans, 6023 Maple St., but as always, you can dine in or carry out there. I like their location because they share a building with my favorite ice cream shop, Ted & Wally’s.

Herbe Sainte, 1934 S. 67th St., is a fun place to go for Mardi Gras. It’s a cute place in Aksarben Village In the past, they’ve had hurricanes and Étouffée, among other things on their menu. Beignets are always on the menu, so I’d recommend those for sure. I haven’t seen any announcements for 2026 Mardi Gras, but there’s no doubt something is in the works.

On to the restaurants that aren’t exclusively Creole or Cajun. Upstream Brewing Co., 514 S. 11th St., is always a lively place for Mardi Gras. I’ve taken my family there for an early dinner and can confirm it’s very kid-friendly during the daytime. And it’s fun since there’s usually live music by The Prairie Gators or a similar band. Upstream has a special menu for the day, and if you like things spicy, try the jambalaya. Their appetizer list also has boudin balls that day, which was something I loved trying on our trip to Louisiana two years ago.

Crescent Moon Ale House, 3578 Farnam St., is a good spot for Mardi Gras festivities, too, though I haven’t been since my younger, bar-hopping days. As a I recall, things got rowdy as the night wore on. But, you can go for lunch and soak up the atmosphere without the sloppiness. The food menu sounds great this year, with items including Cajun wings, gumbo, gator bites and New Orleans-inspired bread pudding.

Other places to celebrate:

Full Fledged Brewing Co., 40 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa, will start celebrating at 4 p.m. with live music by Joe and Tae and King Cake for all. There will also be a food truck parked nearby.
Sean O’Casey’s Pub, 2523 S. 140th Ave., will have some Cajun food specials, as well as bingo and trivia. Plus, free beads. Festivities start at 7 p.m. on Fat Tuesday.
Mardi Gras Bash at Blondie’s Pub & Pizza, 5010 Grover St., is on Feb. 17 and includes live music by Jordan and the Jeg Legs from 8 to 11 p.m. You get beads with any purchase of a featured drink (Hurricane, French Quarter Punch, Bayou Margarita, or King Cake Shot).
Omaha Scottish Rite, 202 S. 20th St., celebrates early. The Fat Tuesday Warm-Up Party is Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. It’s open to the public, not just members. Cost for dinner is $35 per person or $50 per couple; music-only tickets are $15.
Omaha Lancers are getting into the Mardi Gras spirit, too. They’re handing out beads at the game on Feb. 13. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. They play at Liberty First Credit Union, 7300 Q St., Ralston, Neb.
The Mardi Gras Celebration at Tangier Shrine Center, 2823 S. 84th St., is Feb. 21 starting at 6 p.m. with cocktails. There will be food, music and prizes. It’s open to the public. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple.
The Mardi Gras Celebration at American Legion Post No. 1, 7811 Davenport St., keeps the Fat Tuesday spirit going even later. Festivities are March 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. Entertainment is by Dan Reynolds, a multi-artist impersonator. The kitchen is usually open until 7 p.m., but maybe will be open later for this event.

Unique Mardi Gras events in Omaha

Let’s say you don’t want to sip a frozen hurricane or dig into jambalaya. You have other options for celebrating Mardi Gras.

Lauritzen Gardens, 100, Bancroft St., will have a Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring live music, tarot card readings, mask decorating and face painting for all ages. Tickets include a complimentary festive drink, and food will be available for purchase (muffuletta, anyone?).

Where to find King Cake in Omaha

King Cake is a traditional dessert associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It’s the one with Mardi Gras colors and the little baby hidden inside. Typically, it’s eaten anytime during Carnival season, so early January through Fat Tuesday. So, many Omaha bakeries already have orders open for King Cake.

Some local bakeries and restaurants that sell King Cake right now include Mouth of the South, Pettit’s Pastry (look under Special Order & Other menu), Cakes By Diane, Brandy’s Bakery, Mae’d With Love (remaining pick-up dates are Feb. 5, 6 and 12), A Taste Of Home Southern Belle Bakery, Freestyle Flavor’s Catering, Lithuanian Bakery, and Great Harvest Bread.