Most people think of Mardi Gras as our season of merriment before Lent. Still, many of our traditions, such as the sweet and decorative king cake, actually begin with Christmas.

King cakes date back to 12th century France when a cake was baked on the eve of Jan. 6 with a small token hidden inside. Whoever got the token in his or her slice became the royalty of the night. The original French cakes, known as the galette des rois, were round, reflecting the route taken by the Magi to confuse King Herod, whose army was following the Wise Men.

The Louisiana king cake tradition differs from France. Louisiana king cakes are oval and decorated in the Carnival colors of purple, green and gold, which represent justice (purple), faith (green) and power (gold). Some are plain with only decorated sugar on top while others are filled with wonderful things like cream cheese, fruit preserves and praline filling.

Lafayette's culinary scene can be inventive, so don't be surprised to find king cake bread pudding on a menu and other variations such as the king cake martini. Looking to try your hand at making a king cake at home? Check out the video below or click here for even more recipe ideas.

For a list of places making king cakes, and those that deliver, see below.

Don't see your business? Want to update a listing? Get in touch with us and let us know.

Cajun Market Donut Company (Ships)

Cajun Market Donut

205 Rue Louis XIV
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 706-7970
 
219 St Nazaire Rd
Broussard, LA 70518
(337) 839-0610
 
Recommendation: "We usually stay open extended hours during king cake season because of the demand. Our Turtle King Cake does extremely well. It's a traditional king cake, but it's topped with chocolate, drizzled with caramel, sprinkled with pecans and sprinkled with a white gloss. And that's just the outside! You can get that filled with any filling you want!"

Champagne’s Market

Champagne's Bakery

454 Heymann Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 235-4114

Recommendation: "Try one of our award winning pulled pork King Cakes! We also have Chantilly and Boudin King Cakes! Call or stop by to order one today in our bakery!"

Crystal Weddings (Ships)

Crystal Weddings

Various Locations (see below)
(337) 989-1700

Recommendation: "We're in a number of different stores across Acadiana. Even if you can't make it into a bakery that sells king cakes, you'll still be able to shop local! We're even on Waitr! Our king cakes can be found at:

Gambino's Bakery

3802 Johnston St.
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 406-9066

Recommendation: "We have a Wedding Cake flavor, as well as a Brownie flavor for our king cakes and those, seem to be especially popular."

Gautreaux's Donuts

Gautreaux's Donut

705 S Adams Ave., Rayne, LA 70578
(337) 334-9211

Great Harvest of Acadiana (Ships)

Great Harvest of Acadiana

854A Kaliste Saloom Rd.
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 236-8966

Recommendation: "We'd recommend our Cinnamon Burst Extreme. It's cinnamon bread, cinnamon chips with a cinnamon and brown sugar filling."

Indulge

Indulge Desserts

1921 Kaliste Saloom Rd #111, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 534-8700

Recommendation: "While our Mardi Gras Cream Cheese Cake is always a favorite we do have Mardi Gras Hot Chocolate Bombs for when it's cold outside that is always a hit with the kids!"

Karma Collective

Karma Collective

104 E Kaliste Saloom Rd, Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 534-0173

Recommendation: "For something different try our wonderful gluten free plant based King Cakes!"

Keller's Bakery (Ships)

Keller's Bakery

1012 Jefferson St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 235-1568

Recommendation: "You'd want to try our Cinnamon Butter flavored king cake. And if you order one, you'll definitely want a large."

LA Cheesecake Bakery

LA Cheesecake Bakery

243 Knollwood Dr Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 658-5688

Meche's Donut King (Ships)

Meche's Donuts

306 E Willow St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 232-3782
 

402 Guilbeau Rd. 
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 981-4918

Recommendation: "We'd say go with the classic Bavarian Cream or Strawberry Cream Cheese. They're probably our most popular."

Poupart's Bakery (Ships)

Poupart's

1902 W Pinhook Rd.
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 232-7921

Recommendation: "Not too many people know about our Cookies & Cream option for our king cake, but the ones that do absolutely love it."

Reve Coffee Lab

Reve Coffee Lab

1042 Camellia Blvd #6, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 889-5782

Recommendation: "You’ve heard the traditional vs. donut argument in the king cake arena, now prepare to consider both of those obsolete! We're putting the “king” in “king cake” with these fabulous milk bread king cakes, now available for only $18 in limited quantities with weekly flavor options."

Rickey Meche's Donut King (Ships)

Rickey Meche Donut

2605 Kaliste Saloom Rd.
Lafayette, LA 70508 
(337) 989-9909

2025 West Pinhook Rd
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 484-1000
 
101 Sabal Palms Row
Youngsville, LA 70592
(337) 856-5151

Recommendation: "We'd say Half Bavarian Cream, Half Chocolate. Unlike other places, we don't charge for additional fillings so you can get as many as you'd like."

Rouses Market (Ships)

Rouse's King Cake

601 Bertrand Dr
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 889-0045
 
2900 E Milton Ave
Youngsville, LA 70592
(337) 362-2814
 
6136 Johnston St
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 889-0040

Recommendation: "The top-selling flavors include a list of 10 all-time customer favorites like strawberry cream cheese, Bavarian cream, praline and apple as well as flavors including caramel, chocolate, cherry, blueberry, cookies and cream, and coconut, among others. "

Twin's Burgers & Sweets (Ships)

Twin's King Cake

2801 Johnston St.
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 268-9488

Recommendation: "Well, of course, we'd say you HAVE to try a Boudin King Cake from here at least once. Our Pecan Praline and Cream Cheese flavor are the most popular of our more "traditional" flavors."

Village Deaux

Village Deaux

7992 1 2 Maurice Ave, Maurice, LA 70555
(337) 385-1444

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