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New Orleans is a foodie’s paradise. There are so many amazing places to eat in New Orleans that you could plan your entire trip around the food. With New Orleans food, you’re likely to get a lot of Cajun and Creole flavors as well as soul food influence.
Louisiana history has much to do with the flavor profiles of their local cuisine. Louisiana used to be a colony of France and Spain. The descendants of those European settlers integrated their home country flavors into their cooking. Though not necessarily spicy, many New Orleans dishes use a wide variety of seasonings.
The soul food influence originated from cuisine made by African-American descendants of slaves. These foods often consisted of cornbread, fried catfish, and collard greens with pork.
Louisiana’s geography also has a part to play in New Orleans cuisine. Because the Mississippi River flows through Louisiana into the Gulf of Mexico, fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish are often on the menu. A visit to New Orleans is not complete without trying shrimp, crawfish, oysters, or crab.
In this round-up, I’m going to touch on every meal so that you have a good idea of where to eat in New Orleans during your next trip!
Coffee
Spitfire Coffee - $$
Photo courtesy of Spitfire Coffee.
This little nook of a coffee shop in the French Quarter opened in 2013 and features espresso, cold brew and V60 pour-overs. Though not an ideal spot for posting up and working (they are currently operating as a walk up window), this is still a great local spot to try if you’re a coffee lover.
If you’re feeling adventurous with you coffee, try the Las Tres Flores (latte with lavender milk, orange blossom syrup and rose petals) or the Hellfire Mocha with habanero bitters.
French Truck Coffee - $
Image courtesy of French Truck Coffee.
Primarily based in New Orleans, French Truck Coffee has 6 different locations. Starting in 2012, this coffee shop offers macchiatos, lattes, iced beverages, coffee, tea, and more. This spot actually delivers their coffee too, so if you order online, you may just spot the actual French Truck Coffee truck!
Breakfast
Ruby Slipper Cafe - $$-$$$
Ruby Slipper Cafe. Photo courtesy of nola.eater.com.
The first location opened in 2008 in Mid-City, and now there are eight locations in New Orleans. It’s a local favorite and has been voted first place in the “Best Brunch Spot” category by Where Y’at readers several times.
At Ruby Slipper Cafe, you can expect monthly brunch specials, seasonal cocktails, and New Orleans classics with local flair. For example, Shrimp Boogaloo Benedict and the Grilled Fish St. Peter.
You may consider reservations for this spot because mornings can be busy at this popular spot!
The Court of Two Sisters - $$-$$$
The Court of Two Sisters. Photo courtesy of wedding-spot.com.
Every day, The Court of Two Sisters hosts a live jazz brunch buffet from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The price starts at $33 for adults and reservations are recommended.
Brunch buffet options include dishes like classic Eggs Benedict, Gumbo, and Veal Grillades and gravy.
Lunch
Napoleon House - $$-$$$
Napoleon House. Photo courtesy of myfavoritecocktailbars.com.
Originally known as the Mayor Girod House or Nicolas Girod House, this once historic home is now serving classic New Orleans style cuisine. This spot claims to have the best muffulettas in town as well as signature Pimm’s cups (which I LOVE)!
Commander’s Palace- $$$$
Commander’s Palace. Photo courtesy of Epicurious.
Though you can eat here for dinner, I recommend taking advantage of the famous 25-cent martinis offered at lunch (max of 3). Menu staples include Pecan-Crusted Fish, Turtle Soup, Shrimp Po Boy, Gumbo, and smoked Boudin Stuffed Quail.
Be sure to make reservations and try to book lunch as early as possible because this place is super popular with locals and tourists alike. Save room for the Creole Bread Pudding Souffle (which needs to be ordered 20 minutes in advance)!
Happy Hour
Bar Marilou - $$
Photo courtesy of Bar Marilou.
Bar Marilou is a secretive cocktail bar defined by deep red bookshelves and tiger-print and velvet upholstery. If you’re a hotel guest, you have access to a smaller parlor within the swanky library by opening a secret bookcase.
A stylish, sophisticated spot, Bar Marilou is the only bar in the United States designed by Paris-based hospitality creatives, Quixotic Projects. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar - $$-$$$
Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.
This spot has a casual, sports bar feel and is located inside the La Galerie French Quarter Hotel. Happy Hour is from 3:00 to 6:00 PM on weekdays. During Happy Hour, raw oysters are half price at the bar and drink specials include $5 bloody mary’s and hurricanes, $3.50 martinis, $3 draft specials, and $3 house red and white wine by the glass.
Dinner
Red Fish Grill - $$-$$$
At Red Fish Grill, you can expect warm bread and butter served at the table before ordering. I tried the Shrimp Bienville which was shrimp stuffed with mushrooms, Parmesan, butter, and herb breadcrumbs. The Double Chocolate Bread Pudding was also divine!
Enjoy live piano music on Saturday and Sunday during brunch, as well as bottomless cocktails for $25 served until 2:00 PM!
Herbsaint - $$$$
Herbsaint. Photo courtesy of neworleans.com.
The food here is extremely good, which is why I didn’t want to completely write the restaurant off just because I had a pretentious waiter. I would like to think that my experience would have been top-notch had it not been for that.
Classics here include dark roux Gumbo and Duck Confit with Dirty Rice and Citrus Gastrique.
Dessert
For dessert, it’s got to be the battle of the beignets! Beignets were brought to Louisiana by the Acadians. They were fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit. Today, the beignet is a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar.
Cafe Beignet - $
If you would like to try more than just a beignet for breakfast or dessert, this spot has more breakfast options on the menu than Cafe du Monde. The 3 beignets are slightly higher in price compared to Cafe du Monde, however they are also a bit larger in size.
Cafe Du Monde- $
Cafe du Monde. Photo courtesy of louisianatravel.com.
Their chicory coffee and beignets are synonymous with New Orleans tradition. You can’t make reservations at Cafe du Monde, so expect to stand in a line for a little while to be seated. Note that the menu here only consists beignets and beverages.
Are you ready to try some delectable meals yet?! What would you add to this list of “where to eat in New Orleans”? I’d love to know! Drop them in the comments below!
Author Bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
