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- Even better places to eat in New Orleans
With over 1,000 restaurants in the city, travelers flocking to New Orleans (famous for its fish dishes) may not get unanimous answers from locals when they ask: Where's the best place to eat? Aside from the festive New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations, this Louisiana city is world-famous for its Creole and Cajun cuisines, two distinct cuisines native to the state.
Primarily inspired by French cuisine, Cajun food usually consists of meat ingredients with rice, such as Jambalaya or boudin (a spicy smoked pork sausage). On a side note, New Brunswick offers popular French cuisines, too, much like New Orleans. Meanwhile, Creole food draws inspiration from cuisines in Europe, Africa, and Native America and is characterized by rich, tomato-based sauces.
When combined, New Orleans offers the traveling foodie a rich culinary experience exclusive to The Big Easy. With millions of tourists visiting New Orleans yearly, famous cafés and bistros are filled with out-of-towners, especially in the city's French Quarter. Travelers seeking a superb eating experience while dining in New Orleans should consider visiting some restaurants while touring the city! Whether they're seeking the ultimate lunch in New Orleans, a hearty breakfast, or indulgent evening dining, there's something for everyone here.
Before planning a trip, learn when to visit New Orleans first.
UPDATE: 2023/07/15 11:32 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA
Even better places to eat in New Orleans
The secret to discover the best restaurants in New Orleans is discovering where locals eat. This list has been updated to add more restaurants, including more brunch options locals love in NoLa.
16 Enjoy the Original Brunch
Having brunch has become a worldwide tradition, especially during the weekend. Yet, only some people know that the original brunch was created in New Orleans, and it was initially known as the second breakfast. The city boasts excellent brunch options, such as Brennan’s, a classic restaurant from the 1940s featuring dishes such as eggs Benedict and crawfish omelets.
Elizabeth’s Restaurant is famous among locals for its comfort food. The menu includes traditional dishes, redneck eggs with fried green tomatoes, French toast burritos and chicken.
Address: Brennan’s: 417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | Elizabeth’s Restaurant: 601 Gallier St, New Orleans, LA 70117
15 Street Food Won’t Let Visitors Down
The street food scene in Nola also deserves attention. Travelers should join locals and try the traditional po’ boys, the sandwich normally filled with roast beef, shrimp, and chicken. It can be found almost everywhere, from local restaurants to food trucks.
The muffuletta is another tasty sandwich filled with cured meats, provolone cheese, olive dressing, and great bread. But where can visitors try the best street food? The French Quarter is an excellent place to start, and the Restaurant Bon’s is quite popular with locals.
Address: 620 Decatur St Unit 1B, New Orleans, LA 70130-1010
14 For Beignets, Visit The Morning Call Coffee Stand
Simply put, beignets are French-style donuts dusted with mountains of powdered sugar. They're often one of the foods eaten during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Café du Monde is famous for these sinfully delectable pastries, which opened in 1862 in the French Market. Today, multiple chains can be found across New Orleans. The original Café du Monde on Decatur Street is known for its great atmosphere but can get a little busy.
So if you're looking to satiate your beignet cravings, locals flock to the Morning Call Coffee Stand in City Park. Regarded as the "most famous coffee drinking place" in New Orleans, order some fresh beignets alongside café au lait, a local coffee mixed with chicory and milk.
13 Great Seafood In New Orleans Can Be Found All Over Town
In New Orleans, tourists can often enjoy delectable seafood (and other local) delights from restaurants like Deanie's Seafood, Dooky Chase's Restaurant, and the Gumbo Shop. Tourists worldwide can easily find a seafood restaurant in the city's French Quarter, a bustling tourist destination, meaning restaurants can get a little crowded (and noisy).
But where do the locals eat in New Orleans French Quarter? Even among the tourist-driven restaurants in the famous part of the city, more quaint restaurants like GW Fins offer an extensive seafood menu perfect for date night. Good things can also be said about Basin Seafood and Spirits and Adolfo's Italian Eatery on top of the Apple Barrel Bar Inn (though locals say there is a lineup due to the restaurant's reputation for making delicious Italian food with a Cajun-Creole twist).
12 For Po'Boys, Visit These Local New Orleans Restaurants
Another famous New Orleans favorite, the Po'Boy, is a sandwich made of French bread, usually filled with fried seafood, roast beef, lettuce, tomato, and a generous slather of sauce like mayonnaise. However, the "best" po'boy in New Orleans is debatable among locals.
Places like Mother's Restaurant in the heart of downtown serve their famous po'boy sandwiches to tourists and locals alike. Locals recommend joints like Johnny's Po-Boys, Killer Po-Boys, Acme Oyster House, and Verti Marte in the French Quarter for great sandwiches and deli fare. If someone finds themselves in uptown New Orleans, they should visit Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar to try their sandwiches (they've been a family-owned restaurant since 1918).
11 Enjoy A Fine Dining Experience At Commander’s Palace In New Orleans
The Commander's Palace stands out with its charming and distinct blue building in New Orleans Garden District. This fine-dining restaurant has served Haute Creole cuisine since 1893 and is known for items like their Turtle Soup Au Sherry and the Commander's Creole Gumbo.
Regarded as the most expensive restaurant in New Orleans, patrons wishing to dine at The Commander's Palace must adhere to the formal attire dress code while preparing themselves for a possibly hefty check. Still, it's worth it; this restaurant offers some of the best creole food in New Orleans.
10 Try A Cozy Wine-And-Dine At Vyonne’s In New Orleans
Travelers looking for a more cozy wine and dine experience should instead visit Vyonne’s. This restaurant has been recognized as one of the best restaurants in New Orleans in recent years. This establishment is tucked away within the city’s Warehouse District and serves French cuisine with a modern twist. Visitors can enjoy a range of French-inspired dishes, from escargots de Bourgogne to tuna tartar.
Travelers looking for a more cozy wine and dine experience should instead visit Vyoone's. This restaurant has been recognized as one of the best restaurants in New Orleans in recent years. This establishment is tucked away within the city's Warehouse District and serves French cuisine with a modern twist. Visitors can enjoy a range of French-inspired dishes, from escargots de Bourgogne to tuna tartar.
- Address: Vyonne's restaurant, 412 Girod Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130, United States, 504-518-6007.
The mussels in white wine, herb, and cherry tomatoes, topped with plaquettes, known as Lesmoules De Marinara, is a must-try at Vyonne, alongside the Award-winning French onion soup.
9 Hit The Levee Baking Co Paradise
Christina Balzebre owns a paradise of a bakery in New Orleans called Levee Baking Co. Balzebre serves savory loaves of bread, coveted croissants, and delicious cookies in her shop, where locals visit the bakery and don't mind standing in line to taste its yummy food. Levee Baking Co started recently serving savory galettes, hand pies, jam-filled biscuits, and scones.
- Address: Levee Baking Co., 3138 Magazine Street, Ste D, New Orleans, LA 70115, 504-354-8708
8 Happening Local Brunch Favorites In New Orleans
Hungry travelers looking to munch on some brunch often flock to places like Elizabeth's on Gallier, The Ruby Slipper Café, Mr. B's Bistro, The Court of Two Sisters, and Antonie's Restaurant. These restaurants are praised for their cheery vibe and eclectic atmosphere, while some unhappy patrons dub them "overrated tourist traps."
On the flip side, locals enjoy having breakfast at Dots Diner, a 24/7 diner chain that serves traditional American breakfast at an affordable price. While there are multiple locations across Louisiana, there's a chain in New Orleans, specifically in Jefferson. Remember that Dots Diner is far from the city's tourist areas. Still, patrons rave about their large portions, low prices, and delicious menu (especially their big American-style breakfasts).
7 Quiet Local Brunch Favorites In New Orleans
For a quaint setting with a quieter crowd, tourists visit Chais Delachaise, Gris-Gris, or Patois for a lovely brunch. While they are a little far from the bustling French Quarter in New Orleans, locals complement these restaurants for their elegant take on French cuisine and local favorites, such as blueberry bourbon pain Perdue (Gris-Gris), chicken and wild boar sausage gumbo (Patois), and coconut curry mussels (Patois).
Otherwise, travelers keen on staying in the French Quarter should visit Vacherie on the first floor of the Hotel St. Marie. This restaurant serves some of the best Cajun food New Orleans has to offer. Plus, the establishment serves breakfast specials such as andouille hash, boudin benedict, and breakfast bread pudding.
6 Find The Best Jambalaya In New Orleans
The best Jambalaya in New Orleans probably comes from someone's grandma's kitchen, but that isn't too useful for travelers. Thankfully, a few places in the city serve up great Jambalaya to the city's visitors.
Coop’s Place is one of the first places to come to mind. Located at 1109 Decatur Street, they have served their Creole Jambalaya for years. The seasons and flavors are delicious and include boneless rabbit, smoked pork sausage, tomatoes, and everything else.
Mother’s is another excellent stop located at 401 Poydras Street. This legendary eatery is just outside the French Quarter and has served New Orleans for twenty years. They aren't a bad stop for a po'boy, either.
5 Discover New Orleans' Favorite Red Beans And Rice
Travelers looking to eat like a local in New Orleans should try some red beans and rice. It's not a complicated meal, but it's delicious, and travelers won't be hungry after eating it. One good place to start is Riccobono's Peppermill. This spot is nearly forty years old, with years of practice making its savory flavor perfect. Travelers can find them at 3524 Severn Ave, Metairie, LA 70002.
Joey K's will be another good choice for travelers if they happen to be in the city on a Monday. Here they have their special red beans with smoked sausage, immensely popular with the locals. Joey K's can be found at 3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115.
4 Grab A Late-Night Bite At Olde Nola Cookery
Another spot to try while traveling through New Orleans is Olde Nola Cookery. This restaurant opens around 11 AM and closes at 1 AM. This is one of the best New Orleans restaurants for a late-night meal, especially during Mardi Gras celebrations.
Olde Nola Cookery is known for its fresh seafood and fun ambiance, making it a popular location in Nola. Furthermore, travelers can find Olde Nola Cookery on Bourbon Street, placing it right in the middle of all the action. Rating-wise, this seafood establishment scores well, around 4.5-5.0.
This is the place to go if someone wants to have a fancier dinner or grab food after midnight.
3 Experience A One-Of-A-Kind NOLA Tavern
Three-Legged Dog Tavern in New Orleans may be the perfect spot to check out for those who want to keep the party going. This eatery/bar serves classic pub grub plus local specialties like boiled crawfish. Like most New Orleans establishments, Three Legged Dog gives tourists a taste of authentic Southern recipes and fresh seafood.
Notably, this tavern is located on Burgundy Street and is open a staggering 24 hours a day. It's not every day that people can order delicious seafood whenever they want: so make sure to take advantage of this well-rated (and busy) establishment while in the area.
2 Grab Authentic Mexican At Panchita's Mexican Criolla Cuisine
If anyone is visiting New Orleans wanting a bit of Mexican food, trying out Panchita's Mexican Criolla Cuisine won't disappoint. This homey restaurant features Creolle-Mexican dishes and fresh seafood, offering a small-business feel.
Many past diners recommend the outdoor patio seating and watching the nearby Trolley Line. This restaurant is more casual, meaning someone doesn't need to get too dressed up before heading over. For the hours of operation, Panchita's Mexican Criolla Cuisine is open from 11 AM to 9 PM on Sunday and Monday and then from 11 AM to 10 PM every other day.
1 Share A Table At The Will & The Way
Lastly, for those wanting to make new friends in Nola, The Will & The Way restaurant/bar in the French Quarter is the perfect location. Generally, this eatery is laid-back, with a Southern charm only New Orleans has. Another unique feature of this establishment is that it features snacks/specialty cocktails on a shared wooden table.
Tourists will sit beside each other at long tables, sharing space and conversing. The Will & The Way is rated well for ambiance, cocktails, and food: all great things for a successful New Orleans day. This restaurant is another late-night choice, as it's open from 12 PM to 1 AM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and from 3 PM to 1 AM Monday through Thursday.
Many restaurants and bars in New Orleans will be open past midnight. It's a good idea to check their official websites before heading over, however, because times can change during holidays.