Northshore King Cake Guide

Editor’s Note: this post is updated for 2023. Most of the time I’ve been able to confirm that the information is correct, but please call in advance before you get in your car and drive somewhere. King Cake Season is a little wild and sometimes items won’t be available every day or they may only be available if you order in advance, and there are often sell outs of popular cakes so be aware.

This time of year is king cake time. You may think that Carnival season is about parades and fancy balls, but really. . . it’s about king cake. The great equalizer, king cakes can be bought practically anywhere this time of year–I just spotted some for sale at my pharmacy! They also start earlier in the season and you can fully enjoy one whether it rains or not. For some people it’s a sport–they try as many different types of king cakes as they can in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras day. Others have tasting parties and anoint the best king cake. It’s all very fun.

So for any of you approaching king cake season with a sporting attitude. We’re telling you who sells king cake and what kinds they carry. We’ve got a list of the specialties out there and we’ve also got a list of king cake inspired treats.

Bakery King Cakes

Cocoa Bean Bakery–the Cocoa Bean is known for their elaborate birthday cakes. Their king cakes have also been crowned the winner at New Orleans’ King Cake Festival for both the “most original” and “traditional” categories.

Dong Phuong–located in New Orleans East, this king cake is so hot that a few Northshore businesses carry them. They can be purchased this year at Pho Grace in Hammond, Pho Cong and Golden Koi in Covington, and Jazzy Pete’s Po Boys in Slidell.

Doughlicious Donuts–these donut-style king cakes are a big hit in Tangipahoa parish and available for pick up at their shop in Hammond. They also offer the creative flavors Almond Crunch and Zulu if you’re looking for something new to try.

Mandeville Bake Shop–Mandeville bake shop provides a variety of king cakes including some that are very similar to the classic McKenzie’s-style cake which is just sugar and glaze with no white icing. They also offer filled. Many varieties are available in small, medium, and large to best suit your needs. They also offer a unique chocolate king cake which you can read about here.

Maple Street Bakery–Located in Abita Springs, Maple street offers traditional, cream cheese filled, and a variety of other flavors. They are best-known for their “Mambo” cake that features four flavors in one medium-sized cake. This is a small operation so I recommended calling ahead to find out about availability. For pictures of the Mardi Gras Mambo, check out our post about this unique cake.

Marguerite’s Cakes–Marguerite’s cakes has been a staple in Slidell for ages. She claims to be the first baker to start filling her king cakes (with apple pie filling and cream cheese). You can also get a Marquerite’s Cakes at all Aquistapace’s locations and at Travis Supermarket in Bogalusa.

Navarre’s Bakery–now this bakery is actually located in Springfield, Louisiana which is in Livingston parish, but if you ask someone in Tangipahoa parish their favorite king cake, Navarre’s will inevitably get mentioned. These cakes are over-stuffed with filling and a little flatter than a traditional cake. Expect to get filling on your hands if you attempt to eat a slice that way. If you do make the trip all the way to Springfield expect an exceptionally nice staff and low prices.

Nonna Randazzo’s–a perennial favorite on the northshore, Nonna Randazzo’s makes a LOT of king cake this time of year. They have a Covington location and one right off of Highway 59. They make a ton of varieties–my personal favorite is the pecan praline.

Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery. If you grew up on Manny Randazzo’s and need your fix, Camellia City is pretty close. It features lots of icing and sprinkles. Unlike Nonna’s the sprinkles are purple green and gold instead of pink, yellow, and blue. They offer a wide variety of sizes and flavors during the season.

Sugar Love Bakery–home to delicious and slightly sparkly king cakes, Sugar Love frequently takes home the top prize at king cake parties. Sugar Love is also the inventor of King Cake on a Stick.

Sugar Shack–Located in Franklinton, LA, this is the favorite king cake of folks in Washington parish. It’s basically a giant glazed donut topped with sugar. Nothing like the king cakes you find most places.

Grocery Store King Cakes

Bakery king cakes are divine but sometimes you just want to pick one up while you’re shopping for other things. Many, many folks around here will swear that Rouse’s makes their favorite king cake. Others just like to always have a piece ready during carnival season (I would have to buy all new pants if I did this). Whatever your reasoning, here are all the grocery stores in our area that carry king cakes this time of year:

Acquistapace’s–Acquistapace’s has a huge variety of king cakes available in their Covington store. They carry their own brand in a variety of flavors, they have something called “decorate your own,” and they also have several bakery cakes imported from across the lake including Caluda’s and Haydel’s. Acquistapace’s is also home to the Queen’s Cake which is a combination of king cake and strawberry shortcake. You can see pictures and read more about it here.

Berry Town Produce–For many folks in Tangipahoa parish, this is their FAVORITE king cake. Definitely one of the higher-quality cakes you can purchase outside of a bakery.

Fresh Market–Fresh Market used to make their own king cakes in-house and they were pretty good! In recent years they have started carrying a variety of cakes made by other bakers and as a result, quality is hit or miss. Sometimes you’ll get a good one and sometimes you don’t.

Rouse’s–probably the most-controversial king cake of them all. Many people like them a lot. Other people hate them. Maybe it depends on the location?

Walmart–It looks like a king cake and it’s readily available but it’s nobody’s favorite. Some people think it’s made out of state and shipped in.

Healthy? King Cakes

We could get into a big debate about what is and isn’t healthy and I really don’t want to. Just know that these king cakes are available for people who are pursuing a particular diet or who just want something “lighter.”

Keto King Cakes–Everyday KETO to go is located on the southshore. They used to deliver to Slidell and Mandeville but I’m not sure if they still do. They do ship though! They also offer vegan and gluten-free.

Eat Fit King Cakes–Created in partnership with Ochsner, Live Fit King Cakes are sweetened with Swerve and claim to be grain free, keto, gluten free, dairy free, and have only two net carbs. They are carried at a variety of location including many PJ’s coffee shops. For a full list, see their website.

Gluten Free King Cakes

If you are willing to drive further for your gluten free king cake then please see our full listing located here.

White House Coffee And Creamery  

Celiac Dedicated Kitchen. This year they are only doing king cake by the slice and you need to go in to purchase.

Eat Fit King Cakes

Created in partnership with Ochsner, Live Fit King Cakes are sweetened with Swerve and claim to be grain free, keto, gluten free, dairy free, and have only two net carbs. They are carried at a variety of location including many PJ’s coffee shops. For a full list, see their website.

Zoe’s Bakery

Zoe’s offered a Bundt-style gluten free king cake last year–I haven’t confirmed if they will be offering it this year or not.

King Cake-Inspired Treats

Maybe you’re in the mood for that king cake flavor but you want it in slightly different packaging. Maybe it’s breakfast-time and you feel weird about the idea of eating king cake for breakfast (you shouldn’t). Regardless of why, king cake inspired treats can hit the spot in a variety of situations. Here are some available here on the Northshore:

Crawfish King Cake–this one is actually savory! It’s similar to crawfish bread and topped with sour cream and parmesean cheese (dyed purple green and gold, naturally). Available in individual sizes and large cakes throughout the season. Get yours at Bosco’s Italian Cafe.

Doberge King Cake–a combination of the New Orleans classic Doberge cake with King cake flavors, this is another favorite of mine. Available at Bosco’s and Rouse’s ( I have not personally seen it at Rouse’s but folks tell me they offer it).

King Cake Bread Pudding–Available at Bistro Byronz, Phil’s Marina Cafe, and Sugar Love Bakery, this treat is exactly what it sounds like: slices of king cake turned into the classic New Orleans dessert.

King Cake Cheese Cake–You’ll usually find this with a layer of king cake on the bottom topped with cheese cake. It’s hands-down my favorite variation on the traditional. You can find this one at Copeland’s, and Liz’s Where Y’at.

King Cake French Toast–Offered by Liz’s Where Y’at, this is the perfect start for the day if you’re not feeling like eating actual king cake for breakfast (but really, you can–I won’t tell anyone).

Ooey Gooey King Cake–Created by the award-winning chefs at Lola in downtown Covington, this treat combines ooey gooey with a king cake crust. Available in individual serving or a whole cake.

King Cake You Can Drink

King Cake Cocktails–There are actually a bunch of these available this time of year. A few purveyors include: Reginellis, The Lake House, Bistro Byronz, Felix’s, Lighthouse Daiquiris, and The Brass Monkey.

King Cake Coffee–PJs is the place to be if you’re looking for some king cake coffee! Likewise CC’s coffee house in Covington offers a king cake latte and mochasippi.

King Cake Smoothie–if you’re really looking for a healthy option, maybe a protein shake with the taste of king cake is the way to go. You can find these at Core Nutrition in Abita Springs and Live Fit Nutrition inside of Pelican Athletic Club.

Make Your Own?

If none of these suit your fancy, we also have a few recipes you can try:

This is a recipe for a traditional, McKenzie-style king cake developed by one of our writers.

This is a recipe for gluten free king cake developed by one of our writers who is also a baker.