Guidebook for New Orleans
Drinks & Nightlife
noon-close daily. Bywater's most famous music venue. Thursday nights when righteous-trumpter/bandleader Corey Henry and the Funktet is in town, he and and his band play here; Thursday with Corey at Vaughan's is a New Orleans favorite. 8:30 PM they say; don't expect shows to start at their clock time in New Orleans. Expect crowds and good times. Boiled crawfish or shrimp every Friday. Free Food during Saints games. The is the "Cheers" of the Bywater.
221 locals recommend
Vaughan's Lounge
4229 Dauphine Stnoon-close daily. Bywater's most famous music venue. Thursday nights when righteous-trumpter/bandleader Corey Henry and the Funktet is in town, he and and his band play here; Thursday with Corey at Vaughan's is a New Orleans favorite. 8:30 PM they say; don't expect shows to start at their clock time in New Orleans. Expect crowds and good times. Boiled crawfish or shrimp every Friday. Free Food during Saints games. The is the "Cheers" of the Bywater.
Great pub food in what can only be described as a standard, classic neighborhood bar (with a few microbrews on tap). Big juicy burgers, fresh salads, and the best wings in the neighborhood. Daily specials and crawfish on Fridays (in season). $7-18.
392 locals recommend
Surrey's Café & Juice Bar
1418 Magazine StreetGreat pub food in what can only be described as a standard, classic neighborhood bar (with a few microbrews on tap). Big juicy burgers, fresh salads, and the best wings in the neighborhood. Daily specials and crawfish on Fridays (in season). $7-18.
11AM-midnight daily. Wine shop, offers wine by the glass—and features the cuisine of Chef Joaquin Rodas, who prepares seasonal gourmet treats. Now offers lunch too.
One of the most romantic spots in the city, go sit in their backyard and take in some live jazz.. this spot isn't a secret anymore so peak times can make it difficult to find a spot! Yes to go early 3-5pm or late 9-11 to get an easy spot!
839 locals recommend
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland Ave11AM-midnight daily. Wine shop, offers wine by the glass—and features the cuisine of Chef Joaquin Rodas, who prepares seasonal gourmet treats. Now offers lunch too.
One of the most romantic spots in the city, go sit in their backyard and take in some live jazz.. this spot isn't a secret anymore so peak times can make it difficult to find a spot! Yes to go early 3-5pm or late 9-11 to get an easy spot!
Friendly neighborhood dive with a colorful cast of characters. Beer and booze bar-you're not gonna get an apple martini here. Cookoffs and potlucks are fairly frequent, occasional live music. If you are at Vaughan's Lounge, hop on in and get a bit stronger dose of Bywater.
151 locals recommend
B J's Lounge
4301 Burgundy StFriendly neighborhood dive with a colorful cast of characters. Beer and booze bar-you're not gonna get an apple martini here. Cookoffs and potlucks are fairly frequent, occasional live music. If you are at Vaughan's Lounge, hop on in and get a bit stronger dose of Bywater.
This is a strange old bohemian dive with some of the city's funkiest and most bizarre decor-soaked in neon and covered in old-school sci-fi posters (sadly, the old jukebox that only played Frank Sinatra's Witchcraft regardless of what you picked is defunct). Drink cheap beer, whiskey, or Southern Comfort. Don't expect them to know how to make fancy-pants mixed drinks. Occasional live music. Rumored to be the favorite of Nick Cage.
129 locals recommend
Saturn Bar
3067 St Claude AveThis is a strange old bohemian dive with some of the city's funkiest and most bizarre decor-soaked in neon and covered in old-school sci-fi posters (sadly, the old jukebox that only played Frank Sinatra's Witchcraft regardless of what you picked is defunct). Drink cheap beer, whiskey, or Southern Comfort. Don't expect them to know how to make fancy-pants mixed drinks. Occasional live music. Rumored to be the favorite of Nick Cage.
Shopping
"Officially. A small gallery run by local self-taught folk artist, (you'll see examples of his work at local bars, cafes, and restaurants all over town) with eccentric artwork for sale that will immediately conjure New Orleans and the nearby Cajun Country.
29 locals recommend
Dr. Bob Art
3027 Chartres St"Officially. A small gallery run by local self-taught folk artist, (you'll see examples of his work at local bars, cafes, and restaurants all over town) with eccentric artwork for sale that will immediately conjure New Orleans and the nearby Cajun Country.
Funky ambiance, huge selection specializing in jazz, soul, and New Orleans music.
85 locals recommend
Euclid Records
3301 Chartres StFunky ambiance, huge selection specializing in jazz, soul, and New Orleans music.
Food Scene
Upscale and stylish American cuisine at great prices, with dining in a beautiful old dining room or on the veranda overlooking the pool. It's a great brunch place. Gay and straight friendly private club and pool in rear, where you can sip cocktails in the jacuzzi into the night . $10-25 to use the pool and hot tub depending on the season. If you go, go with an open mind.
Saturday drag brunch is a MUST, but gets booked up to a month in advance so call ahead for reservations.
451 locals recommend
The Country Club
634 Louisa StreetUpscale and stylish American cuisine at great prices, with dining in a beautiful old dining room or on the veranda overlooking the pool. It's a great brunch place. Gay and straight friendly private club and pool in rear, where you can sip cocktails in the jacuzzi into the night . $10-25 to use the pool and hot tub depending on the season. If you go, go with an open mind.
Saturday drag brunch is a MUST, but gets booked up to a month in advance so call ahead for reservations.
This is the sort of place you would only know about if you get a local recommendation—it won't be in your guidebook... For the most part, this is simply a corner store, but the po' boys, particularly the oyster po' boy, are some of the best you'll ever eat. The old-timey Bywater feel to the place is an added plus. $5-12.
81 locals recommend
Frady's One Stop Food Store
3231 Dauphine StThis is the sort of place you would only know about if you get a local recommendation—it won't be in your guidebook... For the most part, this is simply a corner store, but the po' boys, particularly the oyster po' boy, are some of the best you'll ever eat. The old-timey Bywater feel to the place is an added plus. $5-12.
This is about as divey and old-school New Orleans as a seafood restaurant can possibly be—you can't be much further from the four star contemporary American dining in Uptown and the Quarter. It's so dark inside, you'll hardly be able to see your big plate of heavily fried seafood and delicious mac 'n cheese (this is one of my personal favorite places, their gumbo is awesome!). $10-24.
99 locals recommend
Jack Dempsey's Restaurant
738 Poland AveThis is about as divey and old-school New Orleans as a seafood restaurant can possibly be—you can't be much further from the four star contemporary American dining in Uptown and the Quarter. It's so dark inside, you'll hardly be able to see your big plate of heavily fried seafood and delicious mac 'n cheese (this is one of my personal favorite places, their gumbo is awesome!). $10-24.
Excellent down home barbecue with a casual, wooden picnic table-style dining room. Aim first for the ribs and the pulled pork, but really everything is great here. $7-21.
405 locals recommend
The Joint
701 Mazant StExcellent down home barbecue with a casual, wooden picnic table-style dining room. Aim first for the ribs and the pulled pork, but really everything is great here. $7-21.
A rather hip spot to get your yuppie-ish fix of "fair trade" espresso, fresh juices, quiches, salads, sandwiches, etc. The popularity means long waits on weekends, but the high quality does actually merit the wait. $6-12.
376 locals recommend
Satsuma Cafe
3218 Dauphine StA rather hip spot to get your yuppie-ish fix of "fair trade" espresso, fresh juices, quiches, salads, sandwiches, etc. The popularity means long waits on weekends, but the high quality does actually merit the wait. $6-12.
Dinner Wed-Sun; Brunch Sat-Sun. Eclectic innovative cuisine in matching decor. Fresh, tasty, and distinctive. mid priced.
86 locals recommend
Suis Generis
3219 Burgundy StDinner Wed-Sun; Brunch Sat-Sun. Eclectic innovative cuisine in matching decor. Fresh, tasty, and distinctive. mid priced.
Best pizza in New Orleans. Local beer on tap, pasta and sauces all made in house, local produce, and all around $3 a slice. They've got a funky outdoor garden / patio and the interior is decorated like a gallery space.
460 locals recommend
Pizza Delicious
617 Piety StBest pizza in New Orleans. Local beer on tap, pasta and sauces all made in house, local produce, and all around $3 a slice. They've got a funky outdoor garden / patio and the interior is decorated like a gallery space.
This gem is easy to miss, hidden behind Pizza Delicious hides the best sausages you'll find, made in house (you can even watch them).. along with a beer garden and board games galore this is a great spot to drink with friends and kill some time with delicious food.
73 locals recommend
Bratz Y'all! Bistro • Bakery • Biergarten
617-B Piety StThis gem is easy to miss, hidden behind Pizza Delicious hides the best sausages you'll find, made in house (you can even watch them).. along with a beer garden and board games galore this is a great spot to drink with friends and kill some time with delicious food.
Parks & Nature
Catch the entrance dubbed "the rusty rainbow (you'll see why)" at Piety and Charters St.
This park boasts the most beautiful views of downtown New Orleans. Great for photo ops, or just a relaxing afternoon taking in the beautiful weather.
423 locals recommend
Crescent Park
2300 N Peters StCatch the entrance dubbed "the rusty rainbow (you'll see why)" at Piety and Charters St.
This park boasts the most beautiful views of downtown New Orleans. Great for photo ops, or just a relaxing afternoon taking in the beautiful weather.