The good times are rolling in Baton Rouge. This means that seasonal snacks and beverages are back on the menu at your favorite local coffee shops. What better way to celebrate the Mardi Gras season than indulging in festive foods and drinks?
I hit up some local coffee shops to see which items could get me into the Carnival season spirit.
Magpie Cafe
Magpie Cafe is located on Perkins Road, the perfect location for students looking to grab a coffee or snack.
The cafe offers a four inch round cake, along with a vegan option. I ordered the non-vegan miniature king cake. Similar to the beignet, this had a nutty flavor from its pecan-filled center. The king cake was a decent sized portion for one person and did not disappoint with its traditional flavor and appeal. For a price of around $6.50, I think the king cake was just what I was looking for.
This treat deserves an 8/10.
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The Vintage Restaurant Baton Rouge
I went to The Vintage, located in downtown Baton Rouge, to get a taste of a king cake beignet. The cozy bar and restaurant serves a full menu, but also has a separate coffee bar that serves drinks and pastries.
The king cake beignet is a hit around Mardi Gras season, especially at the New Orleans location. Not only does the treat have powdered sugar on top, it also comes lathered with a pecan pie-like custard and Mardi Gras themed sprinkles. The pastry was flavorful and rich, leaving my appetite satisfied after only one beignet, which will run you about $4.50.
The restaurant offers an order of three beignets, but plan to take home leftovers if you choose this option.
Overall, I would give this order a 7/10.
CC’s Coffee House
My next stop was CC’s coffee, also located on Perkins Road; however, there are three spread out on LSU’s campus.
I decided to try the shop’s king cake flavored cake ball. It’s what was expected for a $3.00 snack. The king cake ball was a cinnamon, frosted, bite-sized ball covered with festive sprinkles. The taste and texture was similar to a Starbucks’ cake pop. The flavor also resembled a cinnamon scone from PJ’s.
This king cake ball received a 6/10.
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Lighthouse Coffee
I ended up at Lighthouse Coffee to order a drink, specifically the king cake iced latte for nearly $6.50.
The atmosphere of the shop was unfamiliar, and the latte had a kick. The drink was topped with purple, green, and gold powder. It was definitely on the sweeter side, but it did give me a refreshing boost of energy accompanied with a cinnamon roll flavor.
This latte receives a 6.5/10.
PJ’s Coffee
PJ’s Coffee is no stranger to Mardi Gras. The shop, originally created in New Orleans, offers a menagerie of seasonal beverages. Personally, I am a devoted king cake fan, so I grabbed a slice. The king cake served at PJ’s is from ‘Caluda’s’, a bakery based out of Harahan, LA – and it is delicious.
The icing isn’t too light nor too heavy, so this slice of cake knocked it out of the park. With a price of about $4.00, I’ll definitely be coming back for seconds.
This king cake deserves a solid 9/10.
Mardi Gras is famous for being a season of indulgence and great food, but it always tastes better when it comes from a local business. Be sure to check out the treat that these coffee shops have to offer during this festive season.
