Guidebook for New Orleans
Food Scene
Delicious breakfast and lunch paninis. Try the Fried Pepper Rings (like onion rings, but bell pepper) and gumbo. They also serve amazing French Truck coffee.
13 locals recommend
Luca Eats
7329 Cohn StDelicious breakfast and lunch paninis. Try the Fried Pepper Rings (like onion rings, but bell pepper) and gumbo. They also serve amazing French Truck coffee.
Diner-type basic breakfast fare. Hot coffee, friendly service and they serve brunch cocktails.
67 locals recommend
Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe
7801 Panola StDiner-type basic breakfast fare. Hot coffee, friendly service and they serve brunch cocktails.
My favorite breakfast spot in the neighborhood! Also great for lunch. Healthy food options, great atmosphere. Perfect for when you need a break from fried everything.
83 locals recommend
Satsuma Café
1320 Magazine StMy favorite breakfast spot in the neighborhood! Also great for lunch. Healthy food options, great atmosphere. Perfect for when you need a break from fried everything.
New Orleans Institution. Super eclectic and vibrant decor and large portions of delicious and rich traditional New Orleans food. Jacques (the owner and local 'character') sometimes wanders the restaurant with his little white dog, Beignet, under his arm. Put your name in and then go to Maple Leaf next door and have drinks while waiting for your table. They don't take reservations for groups smaller than 5 so plan accordingly.
406 locals recommend
Jacques-Imo's
8324 Oak StNew Orleans Institution. Super eclectic and vibrant decor and large portions of delicious and rich traditional New Orleans food. Jacques (the owner and local 'character') sometimes wanders the restaurant with his little white dog, Beignet, under his arm. Put your name in and then go to Maple Leaf next door and have drinks while waiting for your table. They don't take reservations for groups smaller than 5 so plan accordingly.
Guidebooks are full of French Quarter recommendations but I wanted to add my favorite spot. Sylvain feels like you're in a speakeasy from another era. They have phenomenal cocktails, a great menu and the service is always impeccable. Whenever people come to town and want to do a meal in the quarter, I always take them to Sylvain.
150 locals recommend
Sylvain
625 Chartres StGuidebooks are full of French Quarter recommendations but I wanted to add my favorite spot. Sylvain feels like you're in a speakeasy from another era. They have phenomenal cocktails, a great menu and the service is always impeccable. Whenever people come to town and want to do a meal in the quarter, I always take them to Sylvain.
Great scene, fabulous cocktails and food. 'Quintessential New Orleans' vibe.
118 locals recommend
Cane and Table
1113 Decatur StGreat scene, fabulous cocktails and food. 'Quintessential New Orleans' vibe.
Come to New Orleans and eat pizza?!?! I know, right? But seriously, do it. SO GOOD!
97 locals recommend
PIZZA domenica
4933 Magazine StCome to New Orleans and eat pizza?!?! I know, right? But seriously, do it. SO GOOD!
New Orleans institution. Great place to get your fill of local cuisine.
52 locals recommend
Frankie & Johnny's
321 Arabella StreetNew Orleans institution. Great place to get your fill of local cuisine.
Probably one of the most romantic restaurants in New Orleans. If you ask me, dinner at Cafe Degas followed by drinks at Pals would be the perfect Nola date night.
314 locals recommend
Cafe Degas
3127 Esplanade AveProbably one of the most romantic restaurants in New Orleans. If you ask me, dinner at Cafe Degas followed by drinks at Pals would be the perfect Nola date night.
Algiers Point, where this breakfast spot is located, is the cutest, most perfect little New Orleans neighborhood. Take the ferry across the river, go here for breakfast/brunch/lunch then wander around until you end up at another great dive bar, Old Point Bar. This would make an excellent day trip.
82 locals recommend
Tout De Suite Cafe
347 Verret StAlgiers Point, where this breakfast spot is located, is the cutest, most perfect little New Orleans neighborhood. Take the ferry across the river, go here for breakfast/brunch/lunch then wander around until you end up at another great dive bar, Old Point Bar. This would make an excellent day trip.
This place is probably top 5 coolest atmosphere in New Orleans. Go after dark and only when it's comfortable to sit outside. It's incredibly hard to find so take a cab/uber/lyft directly to the front gate. It's this little hidden gem behind a fence tucked into a quiet neighborhood. You seriously don't even realize it's there and feel like you're in on a secret.
143 locals recommend
N7
1117 Montegut StThis place is probably top 5 coolest atmosphere in New Orleans. Go after dark and only when it's comfortable to sit outside. It's incredibly hard to find so take a cab/uber/lyft directly to the front gate. It's this little hidden gem behind a fence tucked into a quiet neighborhood. You seriously don't even realize it's there and feel like you're in on a secret.
Best burger of your life. Don't even think about ordering anything other than a burger. The cocktail they are known for is the 'Monsoon'. Drink more than 1 at your own peril....
386 locals recommend
Port of Call
838 Esplanade AveBest burger of your life. Don't even think about ordering anything other than a burger. The cocktail they are known for is the 'Monsoon'. Drink more than 1 at your own peril....
Just love this little neighborhood spot. Bonus points if it's a nice day and you can score a spot outside. My favorite time to go is during a quiet weekday morning. Come here after yoga at the cabildo and you'll have had the most perfect Nola morning.
121 locals recommend
Horn's Eatery And Catering
2440 Dauphine StJust love this little neighborhood spot. Bonus points if it's a nice day and you can score a spot outside. My favorite time to go is during a quiet weekday morning. Come here after yoga at the cabildo and you'll have had the most perfect Nola morning.
More than just traditional hot dogs - they have all sorts of sausages (vegetarian, fish, pork, beef etc) and tons of delicious fillings. The french fries are also excellent. Also a great excuse to check out the booming Freret Street corridor which is always lively and fun!
359 locals recommend
Dat Dog
5030 Freret StMore than just traditional hot dogs - they have all sorts of sausages (vegetarian, fish, pork, beef etc) and tons of delicious fillings. The french fries are also excellent. Also a great excuse to check out the booming Freret Street corridor which is always lively and fun!
Fine dining at it's best. Tucked into a gorgeous residential neighborhood. The menu and the service is always perfect. GET THE LEMON ICEBOX PIE! *Patois across the street is also awesome.
146 locals recommend
Clancy's Restaurant
6100 Annunciation StFine dining at it's best. Tucked into a gorgeous residential neighborhood. The menu and the service is always perfect. GET THE LEMON ICEBOX PIE! *Patois across the street is also awesome.
You've probably read about it and I'm here to tell you it lives up to the hype. Pro-tip: it's hard to get a reservation but they keep the courtyard open for walk-ins. If you go at an off-time, you might get lucky.
218 locals recommend
Shaya
4213 Magazine StYou've probably read about it and I'm here to tell you it lives up to the hype. Pro-tip: it's hard to get a reservation but they keep the courtyard open for walk-ins. If you go at an off-time, you might get lucky.
Tal's Hummus
4800 Magazine StReally good Israeli food and a super casual atmosphere.
This place is the most adorable thing you've ever seen. It's a tiny little 'pagoda' where you order and then you sit outside on their awesome patio/deck. The food is fresh and delicious and wonderful. Very casual. The perfect spot for a breakfast/lunch/snack.
233 locals recommend
Pagoda Café
1430 N Dorgenois StThis place is the most adorable thing you've ever seen. It's a tiny little 'pagoda' where you order and then you sit outside on their awesome patio/deck. The food is fresh and delicious and wonderful. Very casual. The perfect spot for a breakfast/lunch/snack.
Great lunch spot! Super cool inventive menu with healthy options and a full bar.
126 locals recommend
Turkey and the Wolf
739 Jackson AvenueGreat lunch spot! Super cool inventive menu with healthy options and a full bar.
Every New Orleanian has their favorite po'boy shop. This is mine. Get it dressed, don't think about the calories, and indulge! Take it to-go and enjoy it on the fly with an Abita and you're in Nola heaven.
113 locals recommend
Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar
5240 Annunciation StEvery New Orleanian has their favorite po'boy shop. This is mine. Get it dressed, don't think about the calories, and indulge! Take it to-go and enjoy it on the fly with an Abita and you're in Nola heaven.
Drinks & Nightlife
Classy wine bar with frequent live music. Ale, which is next door, is connected via a courtyard so you don't have to choose between beer or wine. Also has great small plate snacks.
47 locals recommend
Oak
8118 Oak StClassy wine bar with frequent live music. Ale, which is next door, is connected via a courtyard so you don't have to choose between beer or wine. Also has great small plate snacks.
Maple Leaf Bar
8316 Oak StGreat dive bar with frequent live music.
Charming atmosphere and excellent wine list. Great little menu, too. Favorites include Pommes Frites, Flank Steak Bruschetta, and Grilled Cheese Anabella
188 locals recommend
The Delachaise
3442 St Charles AveCharming atmosphere and excellent wine list. Great little menu, too. Favorites include Pommes Frites, Flank Steak Bruschetta, and Grilled Cheese Anabella
The bar at The Columns is another quintessential New Orleans spot. Ride the streetcar to The Columns for happy hour. The experience will make you fall in love with New Orleans.
220 locals recommend
The Columns Hotel
3811 St Charles AveThe bar at The Columns is another quintessential New Orleans spot. Ride the streetcar to The Columns for happy hour. The experience will make you fall in love with New Orleans.
Best Mojito you've ever had. Head to the back courtyard for the magical atmosphere.
60 locals recommend
St. Joe's Bar
5535 Magazine StBest Mojito you've ever had. Head to the back courtyard for the magical atmosphere.
Pal's Lounge
949 N RendonDive bar perfection.
This place is so cool. Giant courtyard with frequent live music. You can order at the bar, or buy a bottle of wine from the wine store and drink it outside. It's a bit of a trek but a great place to hang for hours. Great for weekend day drinking, or warm evenings.
839 locals recommend
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland AveThis place is so cool. Giant courtyard with frequent live music. You can order at the bar, or buy a bottle of wine from the wine store and drink it outside. It's a bit of a trek but a great place to hang for hours. Great for weekend day drinking, or warm evenings.
Giant courtyard that's perfect for warm days. There is also a wine bar connected at the back so you don't have to choose between beer and wine.
356 locals recommend
Bayou Beer Garden
326 N Norman C Francis ParkwayGiant courtyard that's perfect for warm days. There is also a wine bar connected at the back so you don't have to choose between beer and wine.
Old Point Bar
545 Patterson RdAlgiers Point dive bar. Can you tell I love dive bars?
Chickie Wah Wah
2828 Canal StIntimate local spot for live music!
Essentials
Grocery store with small prepared food section. Has anything you could need including produce, meat, beer, wine, dairy etc..
316 locals recommend
Robért Fresh Market
135 Robert E Lee BlvdGrocery store with small prepared food section. Has anything you could need including produce, meat, beer, wine, dairy etc..
Walgreens
1100 Elysian Fields AveWhole Foods Market
300 N Broad StSometimes you just need a whole foods.
Parks & Nature
You can't go to Nola and not walk around Audubon Park. Grab a coffee from PJ's on Maple Street and walk around the 1.8 mile path. It's gorgeous. *start at the St. Charles Avenue entrance. You can take the streetcar there.
344 locals recommend
Audubon Park station
You can't go to Nola and not walk around Audubon Park. Grab a coffee from PJ's on Maple Street and walk around the 1.8 mile path. It's gorgeous. *start at the St. Charles Avenue entrance. You can take the streetcar there.
This is THE spot to watch the sunset over the Mississippi River. If it's crawfish season, go to Big Fisherman on Magazine Street and buy some boiled crawfish and a beer to take with you. (yes, you can drink in public here)
110 locals recommend
Audubon Riverview Park
6500 Magazine StThis is THE spot to watch the sunset over the Mississippi River. If it's crawfish season, go to Big Fisherman on Magazine Street and buy some boiled crawfish and a beer to take with you. (yes, you can drink in public here)
Entertainment & Activities
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at 8:30am there is a yoga class held inside this iconic New Orleans building. It's $15 and the instructor is wonderful. Look up 'Yoga at the Cabildo' to sign up. Right about when you're settling into the final meditation, the musicians start playing in Jackson Square. Magical New Orleans Experience!
96 locals recommend
Cabildo
701 Chartres StEvery Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at 8:30am there is a yoga class held inside this iconic New Orleans building. It's $15 and the instructor is wonderful. Look up 'Yoga at the Cabildo' to sign up. Right about when you're settling into the final meditation, the musicians start playing in Jackson Square. Magical New Orleans Experience!
Sightseeing
This is the iconic New Orleans spot you always see in print. The best vantage for a picture is taken from the top of the steps across Decatur from the square.
477 locals recommend
Jackson Square
701 Decatur StThis is the iconic New Orleans spot you always see in print. The best vantage for a picture is taken from the top of the steps across Decatur from the square.
Shopping
Palmer Park Art Market held on the 4th Saturday of every month (check website for updates). Local vendors selling art, jewelry, clothing, food etc..
57 locals recommend
Palmer Park
8211 S Claiborne AvePalmer Park Art Market held on the 4th Saturday of every month (check website for updates). Local vendors selling art, jewelry, clothing, food etc..