Best Soulard Restaurants During Mardi Gras

The Soulard neighborhood will be packed this weekend with Mardi Gras revelers. The Grand Parade begins at 11 a.m., on Saturday, February 2. After the parade, I suggest trying some of the great restaurants in the area. Here are my top picks for Mardi Gras food.

Norton's Cafe - 808 Geyer
Norton's offers a taste of New Orleans with its Cajun and Creole dishes. Crab cakes, jambalaya and red beans & rice are all on the menu. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. I also recommend coming back when the weather is warm and the outdoor courtyard is open.

Fat Toney's Bar-B-Que - 9th & Lafayette
Go to Fat Toney's if you're really, really hungry. This is hearty, stick to your ribs kind of food. And speaking of ribs, you can get a half or whole slab. There's also pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken or sausages if you prefer.

McGurks Irish Pub - 1200 Russell
Don't wait until St. Patrick's to check out McGurks. This restaurant features some of the best Irish food and music. Try the fish and chips or Irish stew and wash it down with a cold Guiness.

Joanie's Pizzeria - 2101 Menard
Fresh ingredients make this pizza stand out. You can have a traditional pie with sausage and pepperoni or try something a little different like the Grilled Chicken BLT pizza. There's also pasta, sandwiches and salads if you're not in the mood for pizza.

1860's Hardshell Cafe - 825 Geyer
The Hardshell Cafe is known for its fresh seafood and Cajun dishes. Enjoy some fresh oysters, spicy shrimp or seafood gumbo. If you'd rather have steak or chicken, they can do that too.

Check out my St. Louis Mardi Gras Guide for more ideas on how to celebrate all the way up to Fat Tuesday!