How to Celebrate Mother’s Day 2021 in New Orleans

Mother’s Day is a couple of weeks away (Sunday, May 9, write it down) which means the time is nigh to secure a reservation, pick out a care package, or order sweets. With special brunches, dinners, and food events returning to New Orleans after a year of household-based celebrations, there are no shortage of options to fete the mother figure in your life. From drag brunch to a turtle parade to afternoon tea, here’s how to celebrate Mother’s Day 2021 in New Orleans.

Brunch With a View at Jack Rose Roof

Show mom one of the best views in the city on top of St. Charles’s Ponchartrain hotel, with brunch at Jack Rose Roof. In addition to the regular brunch menu, special Mother’s Day additions include sweetbreads with poached egg and fava beans; oyster Benedict on a buttermilk biscuit; and halibut & spring vegetable ragout. Reserve tables from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 9.

Drag Brunch at Artisan Cafe

Artisan Cafe, the kitschy neighborhood bar on St. Claude Avenue, is bringing back drag brunch just in time for Mother’s Day — Mama Honey’s Drag Brunch hosted by Ms. Vanessa Carr. Shows are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 9. Reserve spots here for $10 (brunch sold separately).

Turtle Parade at Brennan’s

The family of turtles that serves as Brennan’s mascot, aka the Krewe of Turtles, will have their annual parade, floats and all, in the Brennan’s courtyard this year rather than through the Quarter, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 8. There are special menus all day, including 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. seatings for brunch and a special happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m.

Afternoon tea at Sucre

The revamped Sucre, reopened by new owners at the end of 2020, is hosting an elegant afternoon tea, with sweet and savory bites for kids and adults. Seating for tea are available on Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8; reservations are required.

Boozy Brunch at Compere Lapin

Nina Compton’s downtown hotspot Compere Lapin is always a best bet for brunch, and this Mother’s Day the menu of food and drinks are especially memorable. Food highlights include the doughnut with Chantilly and caviar and buttermilk gnocchi and for cocktails, the frozen drinks are tops — there’s one with cold brew, Branca Menta (the mint version of Fernet), and almond, and the Catalina 28 is made with gin, grapefruit, strawberry, Dimmi, and amaro. Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brunch with Chef Mac at SoFab

Chef Lloyd McKissick, aka Chef Mac, hosts a special three-course brunch at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFab), and there’s a rare kid menu available. Choose from including croquettes, an acai bowl, shrimp and grits, duck and French toast, strawberry shortcake, and beignets, and for the kids, potato “lego” and eggs, fruity pebble French toast, and bacon and eggs. $65 tickets ($10 for kids) include mimosas.

Sunday Dinner at Toups’ Meatery

If mom deserves an indulgent, homestyle Cajun dinner after all the ones she’s made over the years, look no further than the city’s resident meat experts at Toups’ in Mid City. Sunday dinner specials on May 9 include Louisiana wagyu served with creme fraiche and caviar smashed potatoes; Louisiana crawfish pies, and the fan favorite seared venison loin. If brunch is more mom’s speed, there are special items served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. alongside bottomless mimosas.

Rooftop Brunch and Manicures at Alto

There’s a special addition to Sunday brunch on top of the Ace Hotel for Mother’s Day, as Alto is bringing in a crew from the nearby Blanc Beauty Bar to offer manicure and massage packages (starting at $40) in addition to brunch service. Rooftop manicures and massages, and brunch, available 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 9.

Care Packages from Saba

Alon Shaya’s Israeli stunner Saba is offering two care packages for mom this year, one featuring biscuits and jam and one with a selection of Shaya’s favorite Israeli pantry staples (including Soom tahini, orange blossom water, and La Boite za’tar. Order Mother’s Day boxes by 3 p.m. Monday, April 26 for nationwide shipping on Friday, April 30 or for local pickup.

Box of Sweets from Ralph’s on the Park

If a beautiful box of assorted cakes, chocolates, and macarons isn’t a great Mother’s Day gift, we don’t know what is. Ralph’s on the Park is packing up a petite strawberry doberge cake, Caribbean milk punch bonbons, blueberry cheesecake and raspberry blossom macarons, a vanilla shortbread cookie, chocolate mousse hearts, and coconut macaroons for $35 per box — with the option to add a bottle of Palmer & Co. Brut Reserve for $55. Preorder here for pickup from Ralph’s on the Park on Saturday, May 8 from 3 to 5 p.m.

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