Breakfast, lunch and dinner at New Orleans restaurants: local favorites off the beaten path

Eat like a local in New Orleans & get out of the French Quarter! Join me for an all-inclusive food & drinks tour in the Garden District or Marigny Bywater neighborhoods! Looking for a bar crawl that's better? I also offer a Cocktail Tour of the French Quarter and a New Orleans Craft Brewery Tour!

People visit NOLA with their loose pants packed, ready to try all the city has to offer. Don't get sucked into the same old touristy places that any Google search can pull up. Here's a list of great spots that locals love & you will too, linked so you can check out their menu and hours in advance. Remember, calories don't count on vacation!

Best New Orleans breakfasts

• Horns Eatery - truly a neighborhood vibe with undeniably great breakfast

• Slim Goodies - right on Magazine St., a great way to start a day of shopping local

• Willa Jean - I'll let the biscuit menu speak for itself

• Bearcat Cafe - something for the Good Cats (healthy) & Bad Cats (indulgent)

• Elizabeth's - one of the few places that make Calas, a sister of the beignet. Known for pig candy praline bacon- prepare for a wait on the weekend, but weekdays also have breakfast.

• Molly's Rise & Shine - a unique menu from the Turkey & the Wolf team

• quick & easy neighborhood casual breakfast spots/cafes: Who Dat Cafe, Buns on Banks, Wakin Bakin

Best New Orleans lunch spots

• Po-boys at Frady's, Domilise's, Parkway Bakery or Parasol's

• Liuzza's By The Track for classic NOLA atmosphere and food

• Joey K's for rotating plate lunches & great red beans & rice

• Lil' Dizzys - only open 11am-3pm, this is where I send tourists I like who are looking for Creole soul food. The kind of spot where you're greeted with a "what can I getcha, ma' baby?"

• Cochon Butcher for high-class Cajun charcuterie and sandwiches

• St Roch Market a food hall with several food options for everyone

• Do a lunch bang bang: blocks from each other are Turkey & the Wolf and Stein's Deli. It sounds crazy but the collard greens sandwich is the best thing on the menu at Turkey & the Wolf. Really live it up with a dessert donut from District Donuts, right next to Steins.

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Best New Orleans Happy Hours

• Toups Meatery, Happy Hour: Mon-Fri: 3-5

• The Vintage - every singe day from 3-6pm, get beignet bites!

• Boucherie or Bouree (their sister spot next door) - definitely EAT along with your drink, Chef Zimet is one of the best kept secrets in town!

• Basin Seafood & Spirits have a Monday oyster happy hour, too.

• OK, here's my absolute favorite & it's great for tourists because of the timing- Atchafalaya has about 50 cocktails on their WEEKEND happy hour menu between busy lunch/brunch and dinner (Thurs - Mon. 3-5:30) and it's the best kept secret in town. Not only are they in my neighborhood, but it's a great chance to drink like there isn't a recession for $5 a drink and lots of options for any palette.
  

Best New Orleans dinner spots

• GW Fins - seafood lovers! you know it's good if it's in the Quarter and locals go to it. I've literally only ever heard good things about this place.

• Doris Metropolitan - chic steakhouse in the Quarter, great for a special night out.

• Tableau - a Brennan's restaurant means white table cloths and great service- a beautiful setting and classic NOLA dining

• Neyow's Creole Cafe - black owned & very popular with the locals- homestyle Creole food & great gumbo

• Cafe Degas - a neighborhood French bistro for a casual dinner & catching up on your trip's highlights. Total hidden gem.

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