Are you curious about visiting New Orleans? In this blog post, I list some of my favorite places to eat, drink and be merry in New Orleans. For more info on what to do (activities like museums, live music, tours), check out my cultural tourism guide.
I fell in love with New Orleans the first time I traveled here for Mardi Gras 2008. The culture — the food, the music, the people — captured my heart and I knew I needed to return and learn even more about this city. Now I live here and continue to uncover more about the Crescent City, its fascinating history and vibrant communities. Living in a city that attracts and caters to tourists means I always have friends visiting and asking me for recommendations!
I especially love to support Black-owned or people of color owned establishments and/or spot that are owned and operated by local folks. I will admit I don’t have as many Uptown listings…not because I don’t like it but because I don’t go there as much. But I tried to spread out the love! I also create itineraries so feel free to contact me for more details on how I can help you plan a visit here! This is just a taste of what the city has to offer.
Eats
The good food here is INFINITE.
For poor boy sandwiches or “po-boys,” I’m a big fan of Verti Marte in the Quarter. NOLA PoBoys is pretty good too especially if you get your poboy dressed with gumbo…yummmmm. For classic Creole cuisine like jambalaya or gumbo, check out the historic Dooky Chase where civil rights leaders would gather, or Cafe Reconcile which provides hearty meals while supporting youth job training programs. Vyoone’s has a special place in my heart, offering contemporary French cuisine with an Afro-Creole French fusion twist – lots of seafood! It’s named after the owner who is friendly and brilliant (was a geneticist and a classical musician!) and who you may meet because she’s often there chatting with customers. Both are Black-owned by locals and the food is fantastic. Drago’s by the Riverfront (in the Hilton) has SLAMMIN’ charbroiled oysters — it’s the only reason to go there but they do it right!
For brunch, Bearcat CBD is my one of my go-to spots — their breakfast potatoes with cajun crawfish gravy is a MUST! But lemme warn you, there’s always a line so factor in your planning for that. Toast on Gentilly Boulevard is a neighborhood gem — no frills, come as you are and ALWAYS delicious (I love their catfish and grits, and their B.L.T. with a fried egg). Casimiro in the Bywater, owned and run by the award-winning chef Anna Castro, is also phenomenal! Delicious food and the owners are beautiful and talented humans.
For upscale dining, visit Compere Lapin, run by Nina Compton of Top Chef fame, which honors her Caribbean ancestry and New Orleans history through the menu. I’m also a fan gurl of Palm and Pine in the French Quarter — their dinner menu is fire and they also have late night burlesque and bites! Plates is a wonderful spot for brunch or dinner and if you have large groups, you can hire them for a private crawfish boil! I don’t go Uptown much but Mister Mao is worth a stop. Chef Sophia Uong’s “tropical roadhouse” is “unapologetically inauthentic,” merging global flavors with elegance and funk. Asian woman-owned and an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Irene’s in the French Quarter is TOP TIER Creole Italian cooking! Commander’s Palace is an institution and experience — it’s one of the oldest restaurants in the city but definitely more high-end and upscale. A place where you should make reservations before going!
CaFes + Treats
Okay, I know you wanna know about the beignets! In my opinion, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is the one. While the basic powdered sugar ones are amazing, branch out to the praline beignets or savory shrimp and crab beignets (next level!). Definitely worth stopping through and don’t sleep on their sweet potato cookies. If you’re in the quarter, I prefer the Cafe Beignet on Royal Street in the French Quarter over Cafe du Monde. Shorter lines and the beignets taste better to me. BUT many locals love Cafe du Monde so try them all and you decide! (The airport location is great for a snack on the way home.)
New Orleans has some outstanding bakeries! Lagnaippe Bakery in Central City always has a line so you know it’s the truth. Their sourdough loaf is perfect to take home for sandwiches and their cakes blew me away. Anything you get is a winner! Also Bywater Bakery has a hold on me but get there early for the best selection of their sandwiches and quiches and pastries. Ayu Bakehouse (woman-owned!) has wonderful coffee drinks but their jalapeno cornbread cookies and sausage rolls are dynamite! Levee Baking Co. (also woman-owned!) is phenomenal — their foccacia had me stressed out!
Backatown Coffee Parlour is right outside of the Quarter and a great space to chill, chat or co-work. It’s also Black-owned and excellent service. I’m a fan of Cafe Levant, a Palestinian owned cafe in Mid City, with some delicious cardamom coffee drinks and sweets. I also love Cafe Conmigo (Uptown) for their fantastic cafe con leche, guayaba pastries and other pastelitos. The owner, Fredo Nogueira, is a dope chef and is very community minded. If he’s doing a pig roast while you’re in town, RUN DON’T WALK!
Snoballs are a low-key New Orleans delicacy, and Chance in Hell Snoballs in the Bywater, run by two legendary drag and burlesque performers, serves up icy treats with seasonal flavors and housemade syrups. Both boozy and alcohol-free options and it’s woman, LGBTQIA+-owned. I also love Hansen’s Sno-bliz if you’re uptown — there’s always a line but I promise you it’s worth it. Been around for almost 90 years and has live 40 different flavors to mix and match!
Drinks
There’s infinite spots to have cocktails but here are a few of my favs: Nightbloom, a craft cocktail bar with a creative menu and lots of local patrons. It’s Black and Latinx-owned; a sexy yet chill little neighborhood spot. Justini’s has an amazing happy hour and vibes! It’s owned by a local Black woman mixologist who puts her heart into the cocktails. Bar Tonique on the edge of the French Quarter is an awesome spot for impeccably prepared cocktails at a great price! If you’re in the Quarter looking for a great happy hour, check out The Will & The Way from 3-7pm with well-crafted $9 cocktails and savory bar bites (the wings are on point). Anna’s is also divey but fly, where the cool kids go but also very unassuming. Highly recommend going there if you’re in the Bywater.
Jewel of the South has impeccably made cocktails which is why it’s always in the Top 50 Bars in the World. list. It’s well earned and a great spot for something a little elevated. Also in the Quarter is Arnaud’s French 75 Bar — the original home of the French 75 and they make it with either cognac or gin (your choice and both are fabulous). The Chandelier Bar in the Four Seasons New Orleans is picturesque and luxurious with a creative cocktail program as well.
I hope this gives you some New Orleans travel inspiration. There’s so much to explore and experience in this city.
For more New Orleans content and a deeper dive, check out my interviews with local New Orleans experts!
Ifatumininu Bamigbala-Aresa – Artist, Curator and Founder of A Black Creatives Guide
Dr. Nicole Caridad – Foodie, Historian and New Orleans Food Influencer EatenPathNOLA
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