Where to Eat in New Orleans
08 August, 2018
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Elizabeth’s
New Orleans, United States
Everything from the tablecloths to the food here is vibrant and colourful. The place is all Southern soul, with dishes executed to the highest standards and made from the finest local ingredients. Feast in Elizabeth’s funky surroundings: crazy combinations like the French Toast Burrito will leave you full for the rest of your day.
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Cake Café & Bakery
New Orleans, United States
This family-run café and cake shop serves up some of the best brunch in New Orleans. Get your fix of southern comfort in this sunny yellow creole cottage and tuck into a plate of homemade boudin, biscuit and eggs – everything is fresh and locally sourced. There are great veggie options too.
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Three Muses
New Orleans, United States
Find the rhythm of New Orleans at Three Muses: daily live music means that this place is always swinging. Expect to hear some jazz from a variety of star ensembles and singers. While you listen, munch on Louisiana’s finest take on tapas – think bite-size fish tacos, cheese boards and lamb sliders. Make sure to wash it all down with a house cocktail.
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Parkway Tavern
New Orleans, United States
Po’ Boys are to Louisiana what bagels are to New York: these crusty french rolls filled with meat or fried shrimp are the stuff of legend. According to many Louisianans – a.k.a people that know their Po’Boys – Parkway Tavern has the best sandwiches in town. Their house special is bursting with beef and brimming with gravy. Napkins are essential.
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Sylvain
New Orleans, United States
Sylvian has a trendier vibe than many of its NOLAn counterparts with its wooden tables and grey-blue walls. But this place doesn’t put style over substance – everything is homemade down to the house-cured meats. The menu is characterised by its global take on the city’s favourite dishes with kimchi, yuzu and labneh making an appearance.
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Neyow’s Creole Cafe
New Orleans, United States
This café doesn’t look like much but, trust us, the taste of the food more than makes up for it. A favourite local spot, this is the place to get your fix of proper Cajun soul food. The portions are gargantuan but despite feeling as full as a house, you won’t be able to stop eating the mac and cheese, fried oysters and collard greens – they’re that good. This is a meal you won’t forget.
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Café Du Monde and Central Grocery
New Orleans, United States
Sometimes the hordes of tourists do get it right: this is the case with these two famous NOLA eateries. The beignets (hot fried dough with sugar) from Cafe Du Monde are so good that Hollywood stars go crazy for them, while Central Grocery’s original muffuletta sandwich is filled with Italian homemade goodness. Just a two minute walk away from each other, you can eat a beignet and muffaletta in the same afternoon (albeit a greedy one). Our verdict: both touristy, but both undeniably delicious.
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Peche
New Orleans, United States
Seafood (as the name suggests) is the star of the show at Peche: this award-winning restaurant serves up only the freshest fish, prepared in a rustic, mouth-watering style. The chefs count Spain and South America as inspiration for their dishes. If you’re in a group opt for the whole grilled fish and plenty of small plates to share.
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Bacchanal Wine
New Orleans, United States
With live music playing in the courtyard, a never-ending flow of wine and an extensive selection of deliciously cheesy small plates, this minimalist food and wine mecca in the Bywater district is fast becoming a New Orleans institution. Escape the hoardes of tourists and kick back at this hip local haunt with its Mediterranean influences and expertly picked local and imported wines.
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The Ruby Slipper Cafe
New Orleans, United States
This New Orleans chain serves arguably the best brunch in the city, while sticking strictly to its Southern roots. Signature dishes such as barbecue shrimp and grits and catfish coubion have locals flooding to its doors, meaning there’s often a wait – but it’s worth it. We’d recommend the Chicken St. Charles, a decadent breakfast with fried chicken, eggs, buttermilk biscuits and gravy.
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Killer PoBoys
New Orleans, United States
Located in the heart of New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter, Killer PoBoys offers a global twist on traditional New Orleans sandwich. French chef Camille Boudreaux adds a gourmet touch to the hearty sandwiches, with fillings like roasted sweet potato and seared gulf shrimp taking the place of typical sloppy roast beef or fried crawfish.
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Dick & Jenny’s
New Orleans, United States
A combination of Southern, French and Creole cuisines, this restaurant is the one for an authentic New Orleans experience. Get ready for a “feel-good, funky vibe” and eclectic food selection. Dinner plates with the names of the founders line the walls of this mid-19th-century cottage. After some fine but laidback dining, head over to the legendary music club Tipitina’s for some live music.
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N7
New Orleans, United States
Named after a Parisian highway, N7 is a charming French restaurant and bar for those in the know. With no website, phone or reservations, this secret is a one-of-a-kind, featuring European canned seafood dishes, classic French small plates and a diverse natural-wine selection. Imported directly to New Orleans, the canned options include mussels in escabeche sauce, spiced calamari and smoked sardines. Open in the evenings from 6-10PM (and 11PM on weekends), the only way you’ll find this concealed hideaway is by spotting N7 daubed on the wooden fence in red paint.
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Pho Tau Bay
New Orleans, United States
Serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine on the West Bank, the acclaimed Pho Tau Bay reopened in May 2018 to rapturous applause after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The restaurant is renowned for its beef pho, made from scratch and simmered for over eight hours. But if you fancy something more classically Louisianan, you can try one of their po’boys with a Vietnamese twist.
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Cavan
New Orleans, United States
Set in a 19th-century Garden District mansion, the menu is a little less grand than the surroundings (discounting the caviar sides, of course). Uptown meets Downtown at Cavan, with happy hour daily from 4-7PM, followed by burrata and stone fruit. Don’t skimp on the sides – the truffle parmesan fries are scrumptious.
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Adolfo’s
New Orleans, United States
It feels like this spot has existed since time immemorial. Dated by its gingham tablecloths and hotchpotch collection of picture frames that clamber across the walls, Adolfo’s is a homely setting for out-of-towners to refuel. The 30-seat dining room has a distinct neighbourhood feel; the cannelloni wrapped around a sweet filling of ricotta, crab and corn have certainly got the locals talking.
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Nine Roses Café
New Orleans, United States
Located in the French Quarter (with a second branch on the West Bank), Nine Roses serves up an array of pretty darned authentic Vietnamese dishes. Order shrimp spring rolls, steamed pork-belly bun, pho and vermicelli with chicken – sounds like a lot for two but when the food is this good (and fairly light) it’s the only way to do it.
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The Joint
New Orleans, United States
As they say themselves, The Joint is “always smokin’”. Nineties catchphrases aside it’s a great spot for a casual meal yet hearty meal – perhaps before heading out to explore the city’s nightlife. A meat-lovers utopia, chose from a menu of ribs, pulled-pork sandwiches and the somewhat ambiguous “meat combo”. Not a spot for vegetarians, The Joint has developed a national reputation for some of the best barbecue around.
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Pizza Delicious
New Orleans, United States
The number one pizza spot in New Orleans, Pizza Delicious is precisely that. While the menu offers pasta and salad (are you joking) there’s no point combing to this notable spot and not ordering an 18-inch NYC-style pizza pie. Save room for a snickerdoodle cookie for dessert.
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Sneaky Pickle
New Orleans, United States
With so many meat-heavy menus, Sneaky Pickle comes as a relief to those who have jumped the carnivorous ship. While meat is served here, the made-from-scratch veggie fare is the main seller. The smoked tempeh flatbread is particularly good, and it goes without saying you must also try the pickles.
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Red’s Chinese
New Orleans, United States
When a pug is a restaurant’s mascot, you know you’ve hit some sort of eccentric jackpot. Kitsch and relatively cheap, this is a great grab-and-go option. Finish with Chinese doughnuts because, well, why wouldn’t you?