King cakes guide to Greater Milwaukee for Fat Tuesday

Fat Tuesday falls on February 17, 2026, and if your family wants to celebrate Mardi Gras properly, you'll need a king cake on the table. The good news for Milwaukee-area families is that you don't have to fly to New Orleans—more than a dozen local bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores offer these festive treats, from authentic Louisiana-style versions to uniquely Wisconsin interpretations featuring Danish kringle dough. The bad news? Most sell out quickly, so pre-ordering is essential at nearly every location. This guide covers every corner of the greater Milwaukee metro, organized by region to help you find the closest option to your home.

King cake tradition stretches back to medieval Europe, eventually becoming synonymous with New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations. The ring-shaped sweet bread, decorated in purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power), typically contains a tiny plastic baby—whoever finds it traditionally hosts next year's party or brings the next king cake. Most Milwaukee bakeries have adopted this tradition, though some place the baby on the side for safety reasons.

Related: How to find paczki in Greater Milwaukee for Fat Tuesday

Milwaukee

National Bakery & Deli has been a Milwaukee institution since 1925 and celebrated its centennial anniversary on Fat Tuesday 2025. Their original location at 3200 S. 16th St., Milwaukee (414-672-1620) draws legendary lines on Fat Tuesday, when they typically sell 300+ king cakes alongside more than 40,000 paczki. Their king cake features traditional Danish laminated dough infused with cinnamon, iced and decorated with green, gold, and purple sanding sugars. Price is $22.50 and includes a plastic baby. Pre-orders are accepted online at nationalbakery.com and strongly encouraged—walk-in availability is extremely limited. Hours are Monday through Friday 6:30am-3pm, Saturday 6:30am-2pm.

Stephen's Breads at 2018 S. 1st St., Suite 330 in the Bay View area (414-436-1828) offers a smaller, artisan option. Their king cakes feature house-made brioche dough with cinnamon, sugar, and pecan filling. At $15 each, their small cakes serve about 2 people—perfect for couples or adding multiple flavors to your celebration. Each includes a baby baked inside. Pre-orders typically run through late February, with pickup available at the bakery, Torzala Brewery, or New Barons' Brewing Cooperative (all in the same building complex). Very limited walk-in supply available until 4pm on Fat Tuesday. Website: stephensbreadsmke.com

Maxie's Southern Comfort at 6732 W. Fairview Ave. (414-292-3969) functions as Milwaukee's unofficial "Mardi Gras headquarters," hosting celebrations for nearly two decades. Their 12-inch king cakes at $30 each feature cinnamon-sugar flavoring with royal icing, jimmies, colored sugar, sugar pearls, and include a mask, beads, coins, and plastic baby. Pre-orders require minimum 24-hour notice. The restaurant transforms during Mardi Gras weekend with a special NOLA menu (jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, gumbo), live brass band music, and heated outdoor tent. The celebration typically runs Friday through Fat Tuesday, with doors opening at 3pm on the final day. Reservations essential—book at maxiesmke.com or OpenTable.

The Rumpus Room at 1030 N. Water St. offers a 4-course Mardi Gras dinner at $65 per person (plus service charge) that includes king cake as the dessert course. The prix fixe menu features baked oysters, duck jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée. Reservations required at rfrgroup.net.

SafeHouse at 779 N. Front St. takes a playful approach with their Mardi Gras Mission event, featuring king cake served as a sundae—whoever finds the plastic baby wins a $100 gift card. Live jazz and magician performances add to the spy-themed festivities.

West suburbs

The western suburbs from Wauwatosa through Waukesha County contain the highest concentration of king cake purveyors, anchored by several destination-worthy bakeries.

Aggie's Bakery & Cake Shop at 7328 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis (414-482-1288) stands as Metro Milwaukee's premier source for traditional Louisiana-style king cake, having served them since 1977. Their moist sweet bread comes elaborately decorated in purple, green, and gold with a plastic baby baked inside per authentic tradition. Four sizes accommodate any gathering:

Size Servings Starting Price Mini 5-8 people $18.95 Small 16-18 people $29.95 Medium 20-24 people $41.95 Large 45-50 people $59.99

Three filling options are available: cinnamon, cream cheese, or combination. Online ordering at aggiesbakery.com requires 48-hour lead time. Delivery available throughout Milwaukee County and parts of Waukesha. Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 7am-5pm, Sunday 7am-1pm. They also offer paczki for those wanting the complete Fat Tuesday experience.

Sally's Sweet Shoppe in Genesee Depot at S42W31238 Highway 83 (262-968-1803) offers king cakes ONLY on Tuesday, February 17th—Fat Tuesday itself. This charming Lake Country scratch bakery creates two varieties of rich buttery brioche bread dough cakes, each weighing approximately 3 pounds and serving 12-20 people:

• Bavarian Cream filled: $28

• Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl: $24

Pre-orders are highly recommended given the single-day availability. Order by calling or emailing SallysSweetShoppe@yahoo.com with your name, phone number, pickup time, and which variety you want. Regular hours are Tuesday-Friday 6:30am-5pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 8am-noon. Website: sallyssweetshoppe.com

La Tarte Bakery & Coffee House at 6742 W. Wells St., Wauwatosa (414-456-0995) offers an affordable entry point into king cake territory. Their sweet yeast dough enriched with butter and cinnamon comes iced and coated with traditional purple, gold, and green sugars, with a baby baked inside. At $8.95 for small and $14.95 for large, these are among the most budget-friendly options in the metro. Pre-order deadline is typically the Saturday before Fat Tuesday; limited walk-in quantities available on the day itself. Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5:30pm, Saturday 8am-3pm. Website: latarte.com

Simma's Bakery at 817 N. 68th St., Wauwatosa (414-257-0998)—renowned for their award-winning cheesecakes—creates king cakes using yeasted dough rolled with cinnamon sugar, pecans, and butter, topped with glaze and decorated with purple/gold/green sugars and edible purple pearls. Their 12-inch cakes at $25 include both the traditional baby and Mardi Gras beads. Pre-order deadline is typically Saturday before Fat Tuesday with pickup on the day. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-4pm. Website: simmasbakery.com

Crawdaddy's on Greenfield at 9427 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis (414-788-2228) serves authentic Cajun/Creole cuisine year-round and goes all-out for Mardi Gras week with special menus, Hurricane drink specials, and live brass band music on Fat Tuesday. Check their website (crawdaddysccb.com) or Facebook for specific king cake availability.

Leff's Lucky Town at 7208 W. State St., Wauwatosa runs a special Mardi Gras menu featuring Louisiana boudin balls, Cajun shrimp & andouille pasta, gumbo, and jambalaya, plus BOGO $5 Hurricane specials and live music. King cake availability varies—call ahead to confirm.

Metcalfe's Market at 6700 W. State St., Wauwatosa (414-259-8560) has a full-service bakery capable of custom orders. Contact their bakery department directly to inquire about Fat Tuesday offerings.

National Bakery's Brookfield location at 13820 W. Greenfield Ave. (262-827-4097) carries the same $22.50 king cakes as the Milwaukee flagship—potentially with shorter lines.

North Shore and northern suburbs

Kurt Schulz Deli & Pastry Shoppe at 8752 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer (414-354-1004) began offering king cakes in 2022 after owner Brian Kennedy traveled to New Orleans to research authentic recipes. Their cakes are made fresh starting at 6:30am on Fat Tuesday—arrive early for best selection. They also offer paczki in cheese, raspberry, lemon, prune, and cinnamon raisin flavors ($2.50 each or $25/dozen). Pre-orders accepted online or by phone, deadline typically Saturday before Fat Tuesday. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 6:30am-3pm. Website: kurtschulzdeli.com

Breadsmith locations in Whitefish Bay and other North Shore communities have been mentioned in local king cake guides. As a Milwaukee-based bakery franchise, they've supplied king cakes for regional Mardi Gras events. Contact your nearest location directly to confirm availability and pricing.

Sendik's Food Markets operates multiple North Shore locations including Whitefish Bay and Mequon with in-store bakeries. King cakes have been spotted at approximately $7.99—among the most affordable options—though availability is limited. Their Downer Avenue location partners with North Shore Boulangerie for Fat Tuesday treats. Contact individual store bakery departments.

South suburbs and Racine County options

O&H Danish Bakery brings a uniquely Wisconsin interpretation to king cake tradition with their King Cake Kringle—using their famous 36-layer Danish pastry dough filled with cream cheese, topped with sweet icing in official Mardi Gras colors. At $29.99, each kringle serves 8-12 people and includes three strands of Mardi Gras beads, a King Cake story card, and plastic baby (placed on side, not baked in). The Oak Creek location at 9540 S. 27th St. (414-856-1141) is most convenient for Milwaukee-area families. Additional locations in Sturtevant (262-898-1950) and three Racine stores provide alternatives. This fourth-generation family bakery, founded in 1949, accepts pre-orders online with in-store pickup and offers nationwide two-day shipping for those sending to out-of-state family. Website: ohdanishbakery.com

National Bakery's Greendale location at 5637 Broad St. (414-423-4620) rounds out their three-store presence in Metro Milwaukee, offering the same $22.50 king cakes with potentially easier access for south-side families.

Costco locations in Oak Creek (8550 S. Howell Ave.), Grafton, and Menomonee Falls seasonally stock Caluda's King Cake shipped from New Orleans at $15.99-$16.99 for a 2.25-pound cake. Membership required; availability varies and cakes often sell quickly.

Grocery stores

For families prioritizing convenience, several grocery chains stock king cakes during Mardi Gras season:

Whole Foods Market locations on Milwaukee's East Side (2305 N. Prospect Ave.) and in Wauwatosa (11100 W. Burleigh St.) offer multiple varieties including Berry Chantilly, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese, Raspberry Cream Cheese, Praline, Chocolate, and even a Vegan option. Pricing ranges $10.99-$17.00 depending on variety. Made with all-natural ingredients; plastic baby included on side. Both slices and whole cakes available at the bakery counter.

Sam's Club locations carry La Louisiane Bakery king cakes from Harahan, Louisiana in Cinnamon Plain (24 oz), Cinnamon Cream Cheese (32 oz), and Pecan Praline (32 oz) varieties. Includes plastic baby for host to place. Membership required.

Pick 'n Save/Kroger stores offer both in-store bakery king cakes and pre-packaged options including Gambino's Mardi Gras King Cake. Availability varies by location—contact your store's bakery department.

Festival Foods at 11111 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis (414-316-9019) has a full scratch bakery with custom ordering capability. Contact the bakery to inquire about king cake availability.

Sendik's multiple metro locations stock king cakes at budget-friendly prices around $7.99, though quantities are limited. Also hosts paczki and beignet stations on Fat Tuesday (9am-6pm).

Special events featuring king cake

Potawatomi Casino Hotel at 1721 W. Canal St. (800-729-7244) hosts a multi-day Mardi Gras celebration with Cajun/Creole food at Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill, Hurricane specials throughout the property, parades, strolling bands, stilt walkers, and entertainment. Check potawatomi.com closer to the date for specific 2026 details.

Motor Bar at the Harley-Davidson Museum (400 W. Canal St.) runs a special Mardi Gras menu leading up to and through Fat Tuesday—check motorrestaurant.com for king cake availability.

Cheers for Wishes, the annual Make-A-Wish Wisconsin fundraiser at Marcus Performing Arts Center (929 N. Water St.), typically held the Friday before Fat Tuesday, features New Orleans appetizer stations with king cake, live brass band music, silent auction, and casino tables. Tickets run approximately $75-$125.

Practical planning tips for families

Order early—most bakeries begin accepting king cake pre-orders in early January around Epiphany (January 6), and popular spots like Aggie's and National Bakery sell out well before Fat Tuesday.

Know your deadlines: Most bakeries require orders placed 2-7 days before February 17th. Sally's Sweet Shoppe, La Tarte, Simma's, and Kurt Schulz typically need orders by the Saturday before (February 14th, 2026).

Plan for the baby: If small children will be eating king cake, ask whether the bakery bakes the baby inside (traditional) or includes it on the side (safer). O&H Danish, Whole Foods, and some others keep babies separate.

Consider serving size: A standard king cake serves 12-20 people. For larger gatherings, Aggie's large size (45-50 servings) eliminates the need for multiple cakes. For intimate celebrations, Stephen's Breads' smaller 2-person cakes or La Tarte's $8.95 small option work well.

Don't wait until Fat Tuesday morning: Walk-in availability is extremely limited at most locations. National Bakery's legendary lines and rapid sellouts make pre-ordering the only reliable strategy for popular vendors.

Check social media: Many bakeries announce specific ordering dates and any new flavors through Facebook and Instagram in late January/early February.

Fat Tuesday 2026 offers Milwaukee families abundant king cake options across every price point and neighborhood. Whether you want an authentic Louisiana-style cake from Aggie's, a Wisconsin-Danish fusion from O&H, or a budget-friendly option from Sendik's, starting your search now ensures the purple, green, and gold centerpiece arrives on your table February 17th—baby and all.