For a look into the best local food with a side of history, or a night out with live music and drinks, book a Bon Moment walking tour!
Why reinvent the wheel when Eater has done such a good job rounding up an exhaustive list of some of the best eats in town. Updated for 2023, follow your nose & remember, we in New Orleans discuss what's for dinner over lunch so don't waste any calories on less than stellar meals while you're here! Eater's Guide to New Orleans.
Additional shout-outs from your Bon Moment guide:
Late night eats in the Quarter: Verti Mart or NOLA Poboys. FYI- those Willie's chicken places all over the Quarter are trash food owned by a trash family, avoid them.
A nice dinner inside the Quarter: Jewel of the South (& historic cocktails) or new spot Miss River
A nice dinner outside the Quarter: Gris Gris for modern Creole (same chef as St John if you couldn't get a reservation to that new hot spot)
Brunch in the Quarter: Palm & Pine
Brunch near the Quarter: Bearcat (CBD location), Horn's or Birdy's
Seafood in the Quarter: GW Fins or Drago's
Seafood outside the Quarter: Basin Seafood & Spirits (Mon. oyster happy hour)
You'll love this place near the Quarter: Lil' Dizzy's for Creole soul food, get there at 11am when they open
You'll love this place outside the Quarter: Atchafalaya for brunch, dinner or for the ultimate cocktail lover's happy hour (Thurs-Sun 3-5:30pm). Just go!
A taste of Cajun in NOLA: in the CBD near the Quarter is Cochon Butcher, but Bouree or Boucherie is worth the $1.25 streetcar ride to the other end of Uptown!
Other:
order the cafe au lait whenever at a coffee shop- PJs & CCs are crap coffee. French Truck, Mojo and small independent coffee shops are far superior!
Cafe Beignet or Loretta's beignets, not Cafe du Monde
go to Saba instead of Shaya
La Petite Grocery is over-rated
your last night in town, trek out to Bacchanal in the early evening, before sunset, for wine & music- can be romantic or to catch up on convo with friends
Breweries: Urban South, Brieux Carre, Courtyard, NOLA, Miel, Parleaux and Zony Mash. Also, definitely hit up Happy Raptor for a rum distillery tour!
Be sure to check out my recs in my other post for groups outings!