Infographic: 10 Best Things To Do in New Orleans in 2025
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City Guide: 2025 Travel Guide to New Orleans
If you're looking for all The Best Things To Do in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in 2025, then this is The Travel Guide to New Orleans for you. It's Free!
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New Orleans?
The delicious FOOD?
The lively MUSIC?
The historic ARCHITECTURE?
The endless FUN?
YES to all of the above!
Whether you're a first time traveler or a frequent visitor to the Big Easy, this Travel Guide to New Orleans will help you select the top things to do in NOLA during your stay.
We start with The Top 10 Things To Do in New Orleans. Check off as many of these recommendations as you can squeeze into your visit. Details are below and here is a quick check list to help guide you:
What are The Best Things To Do in New Orleans in 2025?
The Best Things To Do in New Orleans are:
- Savor a Café au Lait and some Beignets at Café du Monde
- Devour a Muffuletta Sandwich at the Central Grocery
- Down a Hurricane Cocktail at Pat O'Brien's Bar
- Enjoy the Jazz Brunch at the Court of Two Sisters
- Ride the St Charles Streetcar to the Garden District
- Go Shopping along Magazine Street
- Partake in a fun Bar Crawl along Bourbon Street
- Listen to some great Jazz on Frenchmen Street
- Gobble a delicious Po-boy sandwich for lunch
- Indulge in lots of delicious pralines
What Are The Top 10 Things To Do in New Orleans in 2025
1. Café du Monde
800 Decatur Street, 1-504-525-4544, cafedumonde.com
From beignets to café au lait, Café du Monde in the French Quarter is a New Orleans tradition. This is one of the must visit places in New Orleans. Their coffee is made with chicory - a roasted root from a plant in the radish family.
Blending chicory into coffee is a tradition that started in France many years ago as a way of stretching coffee reserves during times of shortage. Chicory is delicious but very strong.
Chicory coffee is served au lait mixed 50/50 with hot milk. It's creamy & bold and most delicious.
Beignets are the traditional accompaniment, they are delicious deep fried mounds of dough served warm with piles of powdered sugar on top.
Be forewarned, that powdered sugar gets everywhere, especially on your nose and your upper lip.
If you're wearing black clothes, you're doomed! One order of beignets equals three of these delicious hot fritters.
Seat yourself. Pay when your order is delivered to your table.
Enjoy the live music from the street performers stationed just outside the railing of this perfect coffee stand.
And be sure to take a Café du Monde Selfie, preferably with powdered sugar on your face.
Post your selfie online with the hashtag #cafedumonde to let the world know that you are right here, right now and in the know.
Mention @NewOrleansBestThingsToDo to encourage others to join in.
This is one of New Orleans main attractions.
2. Central Grocery
923 Decatur Street, 1-504-523-1620, centralgrocery.com
You haven't truly been to New Orleans until you've had a muffuletta sandwich from the Central Grocery for lunch. This is one of the top things to do in NOLA.
Home of the Original Muffuletta, the Central Grocery in the French Quarter opened in 1906 and has been run by three generations of the Lupo family who emigrated from Sicily.
The muffuletta sandwich consists of a round loaf of muffuletta bread split in half horizontally and then layered with salami, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, mortadella and a marinated muffuletta-style olive salad.
If you have room for dessert and you're feeling adventurous, try the chocolate-covered grasshoppers. Crunchy!
3. Pat O'Brien's Bar
718 St Peter Street, 1-504-525-4823, patobriens.com
Since 1933, Pat O'Brien's Bar in the French Quarter has been making people happy with their originality. This is one of the cool places in New Orleans, so be sure to check it out.
It's home to the Original Flaming Fountain (located in the courtyard) and to the Original Dueling Pianos (in the piano bar) featuring twin dueling pianos where local entertainers take requests.
Pat O'Brien's also created the Original Hurricane Cocktail. It's a rum based drink served in a hurricane glass that's shaped like a hurricane lamp. Tasty and delicious, this is a must do in New Orleans.
Go! You'll have a fun time.
4. Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal Street, 1-504-522-7261, courtoftwosisters.com
Named after two Creole sisters who operated a notions shop here beginning in 1886, the Court of Two Sisters in the French Quarter is widely praised for their daily Jazz Brunch featuring a buffet of eggs any style plus Creole Classics like Chicken & Andouille Gumbo, Creole Jambalaya, Shrimp Étouffée, & Turtle Soup.
The stunning courtyard setting is a feast for the eyes and classic New Orleans. They also serve dinner à la carte.
For dessert, I love their Bananas Foster and their Courtyard Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce. Delicious!
Jazz Brunch here is one of the best things to do in NOLA.
5. Take the St Charles Streetcar to the Garden District for a Self-Guided Tour
2727 Prytania Street, Self-guided Tour Map, Streetcar Map
Hop on the Streetcar at the corner of Canal Street and Carondolet Street (Bourbon Street changes its name to Carondolet once it crosses Canal Street).
The fare is $1.25 - you must have exact change. The combination of a dollar bill and 25 cents in coins is fine.
Enjoy the great views as you make your way through the Central Business District, around Lee Circle and then up St Charles Avenue.
Get off the Streetcar at the crossing of Washington Avenue & St Charles Avenue.
Walk one block towards the river and you will find yourself in the middle of the Garden District on the corner of Washington Avenue & Prytania Street.
There is a boutique shopping mall here at 2727 Prytania Street with specialty shops and cafes. It's called The Rink as it is a former skating rink.
Grab a refreshment, use the facilities as needed, and then head out on your Self-Guided Tour of the amazing homes in the Garden District.
The Garden District is one of the must visit places in New Orleans.
After your tour, make your way to Magazine Street for lunch/refreshments/dinner/etc.
6. Lunch & Shopping on Magazine Street
2800 - 3400 Magazine Street, magazinestreet.com
Magazine Street offers six miles of shopping, dining, drinking and more.
If this is your first time, I suggest you focus on the stretch parallel to the Garden District that runs roughly between Washington Avenue and Louisiana Avenue. There are lots of fun restaurants, bars and shops here.
When it comes to food you can feel confident that you have made a smart choice because it is truly difficult to have a bad meal in New Orleans. No mediocrity is accepted in this city.
Some of the great offerings along this stretch of Magazine Street include: Joey K's for Cajun, Red Dog Diner for comfort food (fun alley bar in back), The Rum House for Caribbean & Latin American bites & drinks, Basin Seafood for Southern Louisiana-style seafood & cocktails, The Bulldog for Pub Grub & 50 beers on tap, Araña for excellent Mexican food & tequilas, The Daily Beet for healthy fare & juices, and the list goes on.
Two blocks beyond Louisiana Street at 3454 Magazine Street is Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood. They opened in 2008 and quickly became one of the best po-boy shops in New Orleans.
It's a charming six block stroll from Washington Street all the way up to Mahoney's, so it's easy to take it all in and let your eyes, nose and ears help you decide where you want to eat & drink.
And who says you have to pick just one spot?
You could have a drink at one place, lunch at a second, dessert at a third and do some shopping along the way.
Relax & enjoy. Magazine Street is one of the must visit places in New Orleans.
7. Bar Crawl on Bourbon Street
100 - 1000 Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is the most famous thoroughfare in the French Quarter and in New Orleans. It's one of New Orleans main attractions and a bar crawl here is one of the top things to do in NOLA.
It's known throughout the world for: Nightlife, Bars, Restaurants, Live Music, Strip Clubs, Souvenir Shops & Go Cups.
Don't bring the kids.
Go for a stroll, have a drink, have some fun and then decide how much time you want to spend on Bourbon Street. An Hour? An Evening? A Vacation? A Lifetime? It's your choice.
First thing to know: Anyone of legal age can carry an open container of alcohol in the French Quarter as long as it is not glass. No one can have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana.
Second thing to know: There is a Straight Bourbon Street and a Gay Bourbon Street. St Ann Street is the Dividing Line/the Velvet Line/the Lavender Line). Straight Bourbon Street is eight blocks long and runs from Canal Street to St Ann Street (the 100 - 800 Blocks). Gay Bourbon Street is two blocks long and runs from St Ann Street to St Philip Street (the 800 - 1000 Blocks). The four remaining blocks of Bourbon Street that run from St Philip Street to Esplanade Avenue are quiet and primarily residential.
Third thing to know: The most popular drinks on Bourbon Street are: The Hurricane, The Resurrection, The Hand Grenade, and the Huge-Ass Beer.
Fourth thing to know: There are some very fine restaurants on Bourbon Street: Galatoire's and the Bourbon House are top notch.
Fifth thing to know: Karaoke can be fun. For a change of pace from the Bacchanalia that is Bourbon Street, poke your head into the Cat's Meow at 701 Bourbon Street and listen to a few songs. That place attracts some VERY talented people.
8. Jazz on Frenchmen Street
500-700 Frenchmen Street, frenchmenstreetlive.com
Frenchmen Street equals Live Music. These few blocks of Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood are home to many of the most popular music venues in New Orleans and attract locals in addition to tourists. Consider some time spent here a must do in New Orleans.
The most famous clubs include: Cafe Negril, Blue Nile, Snug Harbor, the Spotted Cat, and the Maison.
The talent and the energy level at all of these places changes by the time of day, the time of night and the day of the week.
Every club is great about posting their schedules so you can pick the best place and time for you and your group.
If you're in a more mellow mood and would like to sample the scene during the daylight hours, then I suggest you poke your head into Bamboulas at 516 Frenchmen Street.
Bamboula's restaurant opens at 11AM and they typically have talent performing from 12Noon - 3PM and 3PM - 6PM on most days.
Frenchmen Street is truly one of the most cool places in New Orleans.
9. Grab Yourself a Po-boy for Lunch
New Orleans most famous sandwich is the Po-boy. Indulging in a Po-boy for lunch is a must do in New Orleans.
While the muffuletta sandwich is round and has very specific fillings, the po-boy is made on a long loaf of New Orleans French Bread (crispy crust & soft middle) with a wide range of creative fillings as options.
Roast beef, other lunch meats, deep fried seafood (shrimp, oysters, crab, fish), sausage (hot or smoked), french fries with gravy, and the list goes on.
The creativity is endless and the competition to be voted the Best Po-boy in New Orleans is fierce.
If you order your po-boy "dressed" it will come with mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and pickles.
My favorite is the classic Hot Roast Beef Po-boy with gravy, dressed, with a side of fries. Perfection!
Enjoying a Po-boy for lunch is classic New Orleans - one of the best things to do in NOLA.
10. Get Yourself Some Pralines
In France, praline is a generic term for any kind of a candy with nuts.
In New Orleans, pralines morphed into something more specific, more creamy and most delicious.
A classic New Orleans praline is made from brown sugar, granulated sugar, cream, butter & pecans.
Overtime, many delectable varieties evolved including: chocolate, peanut butter, rum, vanilla and shredded coconut. And there are many different Confectioners in NOLA who have creatively refined and expanded upon these recipes. The result? There are lots of flavors and styles of pralines to enjoy all over New Orleans.
As you stroll across this city, you'll encounter a great number of praline shops and praline street vendors. Watching them make pralines is one of the must see things in New Orleans.
They all claim to be the best. And that might just be true.
So I encourage you to try different varieties of pralines from several Confectioners and judge for yourself.
Try at lease three. And the next time you come back to New Orleans, try three more.
Into each day in New Orleans a little praline must fall (into my mouth).
Personally, I'm partial to the shredded coconut variety. Yum!
Sampling many different flavors of pralines is one of the top things to do in NOLA.
Neighborhoods - Best Things To Do in New Orleans
Our next list of suggestions is organized by neighborhood, so you can group together activities based on WHERE Y'AT or where you plan to be.
Bywater:
What Are The Best Things To Do in the Bywater Neighborhood of New Orleans?
The Bywater is the trendy, hipster neighborhood that's just a five minute drive or a 15 minute walk downriver from the French Quarter.
Artists and musicians relocated to the Bywater when the French Quarter became too pricey.
Now joined by professionals and young families, its high elevation has allowed it to thrive post Katrina as it never flooded.
The Bywater along with neighboring Faubourg Marigny are historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
They are two of the most colorful neighborhoods in New Orleans.
You'll find incredible restaurants, hip bars, lively pubs, art galleries and great architecture throughout the neighborhood.
Bywater American Bistro
2900 Chartres St., 1-504-605-3827, bywateramericanbistro.com
Celebrated chef Nina Compton of Top Chef fame [Season 11] opened this spot on the ground floor of the Rice Mill Lofts.
With chef Levi Raines heading up the kitchen, the bistro offers affordable, ingredient-driven cuisine. Hip space. This is one of my favorite restaurants. When I dine here I tend to keep it simple - I start with the Little Gems Salad and then have the Spaghetti as my main corse. The wine offerings are great.
You can park in the lot but be sure the read the signs - certain spots are for the restaurant and other spots are for the residents of the Rice Mill Lofts upstairs.
Bywater Bakery & Coffee Shop
3624 Dauphine St., 1-504-336-3336, bywaterbakery.com
Tucked inside a vivid red corner building, this bakery offers both savories and sweets.
Way more than a bakery, it's a breakfast place, a lunch place and a coffee house with a piano.
The Bywater Bakery has delicious food and a great vibe. Very creative and most delicious. Go!
N7
1117 Montegut St., n7nola.com
Tucked behind a tall fence, this divine French restaurant and wine bar has both indoor and outdoor seating.
To get a seat, show up and hope for the best, because they don’t take reservations.
The space is charming both inside and outside in the garden.
If it's a buggy or wet evening, do not hesitate to go here and take a seat inside.
This is a very magical place. It's hidden and not well known, so while this is not one of the top things to do in New Orleans, it is most definitely one of the best things to do in New Orleans.
It's located on a side street on the up & coming side of St Claude Avenue.
Don't walk here. Take an Uber or drive yourself.
Bacchanal Wine Bar & Restaurant
600 Poland Avenue, 1-504-948-9111, bacchanalwine.com
If you're looking for cool places in New Orleans, then plan to have a meal at Bacchanal. This is a funky restaurant in an odd location where wine, cheese, gourmet food and great live music converge into something magical.
You buy a bottle of wine upfront and then walk either upstairs to the dining room or outside to the courtyard to enjoy lunch, dinner and live music.
The wine list is extensive with options in every price range.
The food is delicious, creative and adventurous.
This is the perfect place to go when the weather forecast is dry and warm.
The outdoor space and great music make for a memorable experience.
Open from 11AM until Midnight seven days a week.
Extremely popular. If the weather forecast is great, get yourself to Bacchanal.
Elizabeth’s
601 Gallier Street, 1-504-944-9272, elizabethsrestaurantnola.com
This longtime neighborhood favorite brunch place has the motto: “real food done real good,” and they will exceed your expectations.
The weekends here are all about brunch.
During the week they have both a breakfast menu and a lunch menu.
Extremely popular with locals & tourists alike, there can be a line to get in on weekends.
Weekdays it's easy to get a table.
The portions are enormous & the bar upstairs makes an awesome Bloody Mary.
You must try the Praline Bacon. I consider it a must do in New Orleans.
If the upstairs is open when you arrive, sit up there - nice high ceilings & big windows.
You will LOVE this place.
Satsuma Café & Coffee House
3218 Dauphine St, 1-504-304-5962, satsumacafe.com
Satsuma is the hub for the Bywater neighborhood - the local watering hole.
The heavily pierced and heavily tattooed staff make this one of the cool places in New Orleans and they serve a delicious full breakfast and lunch.
They are not open for dinner.
Do not dismiss the food here thinking that Satsuma is just a coffee shop – it is not.
This is an excellent restaurant with exceptional food that appeals to meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike.
Plus amazing coffee & pressed juices.
Dr Bob's Art Gallery
3027 Chartres Street, 1-504-905-6910, drbobart.net
Dr Bob's Art is a small gallery run by local self-taught folk artist.
Found objects and bottle caps feature prominently in much of his work.
His "Be Nice or Leave" series is on display throughout establishments all over New Orleans. If you fall in love with his work and want to bring a piece home with you then consider a trip to his studio one of your must visit places in New Orleans.
You can stop in at his studio in the Bywater to see works in progress or buy a finished work.
Who knows, you might even get to meet & chat with the man, the myth, the god, the legend himself.
Enter through the driveway on the side.
The Country Club
634 Louisa Street, 1-504-945-0742, thecountryclubneworleans.com
The Country Club is a a three-in-one kind of place:
1. A Fine Restaurant
2. A Fun Bar
3. A Lovely Backyard Retreat featuring a pool & hot tub.
The front porch and the three front parlor rooms of this historic mansion are an elegant restaurant. This is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. Lunch on the front porch is highly recommended during the week - very civilized with a lovely view.
The Bar runs different events each night of the week so check the schedule to see what appeals.
The pool in the backyard is heated in the winter and chilled in the summer so there is always an incentive to take a dip.
This backyard retreat is popular on weekends, too popular for my taste. My days to indulge in the pool and hot tub are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.
Crescent Park
Three Entrances:
1. Corner of Marigny Street & N. St Peters Street
2. Corner of Piety Street & Chartres Street
3. Corner of Mazant Street & Chartres Street
Crescent Park is a beautiful 1 1/2 mile linear park with stunning views along the Mississippi River in the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods of New Orleans.
A stroll through Crescent Park is an excellent way to travel between the Marigny/Bywater neighborhoods and the French Quarter.
Professionally landscaped with native plants, the park includes walking/jogging/bike paths, a dog run and event pavilions.
The Joint
701 Mazant St., 504-949-3232, alwayssmokin.com
The Joint has been smoking meat since 2004.
Amazing ribs, chicken and pulled pork. Great sides.
And the Peanut Butter Pie is hard to resist.
Excellent homemade iced tea & lemonade plus a full bar.
Order at the counter, pay and tip. Serve yourself a beverage. Then find a table.
When your order is ready they will call your name and bring your food to you at your table.
They will bus your table after you leave.
The Joint is extremely popular, it was featured on the Food Network’s program “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” I absolutely LOVE the food here so this is one of my top things to do in NOLA.
My standard order is 1/4 chicken (dark meat), with sides of baked beans & cole slaw, a slice of peanut butter pie for dessert, and a self-serve Arnold Palmer to drink.
All my needs are met.
Markey’s Bar
640 Louisa Street, 1-504-943-0785, no website
Markey’s is a friendly and very popular neighborhood dive bar on the corner of Louisa Street & Royal Street.
It’s a great place for drinking, watching sports on TV, playing shuffleboard & people watching.
Bratz Y’all!
617-B Piety St., 504-301-3222, bratzyall.com
Modeled off a traditional German biergarten, this bistro and bakery features outstanding brats, beer and baked goods (like a delicious bacon and cheese pretzel) in a festive outdoor courtyard.
This place started out as a food truck and this is their first bricks & mortar location.
It was built on a tight budget and that shows.
The food is excellent and the outdoor space is fun.
Pizza Delicious
617 Piety St., 504-676-8482, pizzadelicious.com
Consistently named “Best Pizza in New Orleans” by Eater NOLA, this place is named appropriately.
Amazingly delicious pizza.
My personal favorite is their Peppadew & Arugula Pizza.
Their house salad is a winner and a great accompaniment to a slice or two.
Be sure to order one of their home made cookies for dessert. Perfection.
Note: Pizza Delicious and Bratz Y'all! are in the same building but not connected. Pizza in the front, Bratz in the back. Take the side alley to get to Bratz.
Alma Café
800 Louisa Street, 504-381-5877, eatalmanola.com
Delicious Honduran Café in a beautiful sunny space with authentic cuisine. Chef Melissa Araujo pays tribute to her grandmother’s cooking with hearty dishes like Arroz con Pollo and Chicharron con Yuca.
Great food & strong coffee in a clean, stylish space with a nice bar.
Sneaky Pickle and Bar Brine
3200 Burgundy Street, 504-218-5651, yousneakypickle.com
This corner restaurant and bar goes by the name Sneaky Pickle at lunchtime and Bar Brine at dinner. Creative and Indulgent offerings with a healthy twist as the lunch menu features about 80% vegan dishes while the dinner menu offers about 50% vegan options. The vegan ruben sandwich is a home run, and I'm not a vegan. These restaurants are also a great value. Most lunch dishes are under $15 and most dinner options are under $20.
Faubourg Marigny: What Are the Top Things To Do in the Marigny Neighborhood of New Orleans?
Faubourg Marigny, also know more simply as "The Marigny," is the hip neighborhood immediately downriver from the French Quarter. It is best known for its excellent Live Music District on Frenchmen Street.
The Marigny also offers great restaurants & cafés, fun bars, creative shops, excellent coffee houses and amazing historic architecture.
Paladar 511
511 Marigny St., 1-504-509-6782, paladar511.com
This sophisticated Marigny restaurant with a New York vibe, is located in an old Sock & Hosiery Factory.
The food here is excellent.
While pizza is featured prominently on the menu, I always go with an entrée and a salad.
The menu changes with the seasons, gulf seafood and local produce are often featured.
Affordable in a stylish & funky space.
Great brunch offered on weekends.
This restaurant is a favorite of mine. It has become extremely popular so it is best to make a reservation.
St. Roch Market
2381 St. Claude Avenue, 1-504-609-3813, strochmarket.com
A beautiful historic food market restored into a hip food hall with a full bar.
Excellent variety of food on offer from a wide range independent vendors who lease stalls at this stylish marketplace.
Tables and seating clustered in the center. Seating also available at the bar.
For lunch, I love the ceviche served at Elysian Seafood. I get a big bowl with their delicious crackers, plus a glass of wine from the bar.
Afterwards I stroll around and let my eyes select a dessert from the many offerings on display. Heaven.
The Franklin
2600 Dauphine Street, 1-504-267-0640, thefranklinnola.com
Very stylish restaurant & bar housed in a former grocery store.
Chic and sophisticated setting. Down to earth, warm & welcoming staff.
Excellent food. Creative menu.
When I go there, I put on a nice shirt and wear a decent pair of shoes.
It's not a T-shirt and flip-flops kind of place, but there is no dress code.
Open on Monday nights for dinner (not easy to find that in NOLA). Closed on Sunday.
Ruby Slipper
2001 Burgundy Street, 1-504-525-9355 ext 3, therubyslippercafe.net
Amazing place for breakfast & brunch, the Ruby Slipper is actually a small chain of restaurants in New Orleans and across the South.
This location in the Marigny is by far my favorite as it's located in a big, historic bank building that's rumored to have been robbed by Bonnie & Clyde.
Very High ceilings, fun space.
Amazing eggs, decadent French Toast, creative pancakes, perfect Bloody Marys, strong coffee - they know how to please.
I typically order an egg dish for the illusion of health plus an order of the decadent Bananas Foster Rum Soaked French Toast as a second entrée for everyone at the table to share as dessert. Yum!
2601 Royal Street, 1-504-766-8376, annasnola.com
Anna's is a Destination Dive Bar. The drinks aren't fancy and the food is better than it should be.
Cocktails, pool table, jukebox and Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap seven nights a week.
Orange Couch Coffee
2339 Royal Street, 1-504-267-7327, theorangecouchcoffee.com
Another great option for coffee is a chic, artsy coffee house called the Orange Couch.
Cool vibe, excellent coffee hot or iced.
Good luck scoring a seat on the namesake Orange Couch.
Horn’s Eatery
2440 Chartres Street, 1-504-609-3745, hornsnola.com
Horn’s is a cute corner cafe serving excellent breakfast & lunch fare.
Horn's is owned by the same people who run the Slim Goodies Diner uptown.
They serve the Slim Goodies menu at breakfast and offer more upscale food for lunch. It's all absolutely delicious.
Excellent coffee.
Sidewalk seating also available outside, under a balcony to provide shade and protection from the rain.
Horn's is a favorite place of mine for breakfast. It's not fancy and a visit here won't give you bragging rights once you get back home, but breakfast at Horn's is one my favorite things to do in NOLA.
My order is a special request which they are happy to accommodate: Two eggs over easy on whole wheat toast with sliced avocados topped with their spicy black beans. Perfection.
Breakaway's R&B
2529 Dauphine Street, 1-504-571-5179, breakawaysrb.com
A dive bar in the Marigny that also just happens to be a truly amazing restaurant. The restaurant features old school New Orleans Classics with a fresh twist. There are also many delicious vegetarian options.
Gumbo, Poboys, Red Beans & Rice plus spectacular fries. What's not to love? The atmosphere is weak, but the food is most impressive.
French Quarter:
What Are The Best Things To Do in the French Quarter of New Orleans?
The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré, is the oldest and most historic neighborhood in New Orleans and it is the city's cultural heart.
This is the ground where the original European Settlers landed and set up shop in 1718.
The look & feel of the French Quarter is European, not American. It was first built by the French but much of that burned. Most of what stands today was built by the Spanish when they controlled New Orleans. Ironic, huh? It's called the French Quarter but it consists primarily of Spanish Architecture.
The French Quarter is famous for its high energy nightlife, street performers, live music and colorful buildings with cast-iron balconies.
Bourbon Street features jazz clubs, Creole & Cajun eateries and raucous bars serving potent cocktails.
The French Quarter is also home to New Orleans' most sophisticated restaurants, upscale art galleries and posh antique stores.
So the French Quarter is both Highbrow and Lowbrow and everything in-between Brow.
It's got something for everybody and more than any one body can handle.
Pace yourself, keep an open mind, explore & enjoy.
The Carousel Bar & Lounge
214 Royal Street, 1-504-523-3341, carousel-bar.com
New Orleans first and only rotating bar is beautifully situated in the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street.
This storybook bar is styled after a circus Carousel complete with a top. It rotates one revolution every 15 minutes on 2,000 steel rollers that are installed under the floor.
The bar seats 25 people, and it's extremely popular so you may have to wait for a seat. The Carousel Bar is one of New Orleans Main Attractions. Consider this one of your must visit places in New Orleans.
The bartender has to hop over the bar to get in and out as there is no open passage. This is an entertaining spectacle and often generates applause.
The Carousel Bar is a magical place. Go.
If you can't get a seat at the bar, stay for drink anyway and take in the view. Circle back later or the next day to try for a seat again.
It's worth the effort and the wait.
Brennan’s
417 Royal Street, 1-504-525-9711, brennansneworleans.com
A spectacular fine-dining landmark famed for Creole cuisine since 1946.
Beautiful space & delicious food. Posh. Elegant. A magical experience.
Bananas Foster was created here, so be sure to order it for dessert.
If you're looking for a great meal that you can brag about when you get back home, then consider Brennan's one of your must visit places in New Orleans.
Reservation required. Dressy attire.
Bayona
430 Dauphine Street, 1-504-525-4455, bayona.com
One of my favorite high-end restaurants in the French Quarter is Bayona.
Susan Spicer is the chef and she cooks creative Louisiana fare. The location is a charming Creole cottage.
The courtyard is stunning. The food is amazing.
If you go here for dinner, it will be a memorable evening.
Reservation required.
Arnaud's
813 Bienville Street, 1-504-523-5433, arnaudsrestaurant.com
Head to Arnaud's for an upscale experience featuring Creole cuisine, excellent cocktails and Dixieland jazz.
Arnaud's is a New Orleans institution and has been in business since 1918.
Beautiful, delicious, posh & memorable.
Reservation required.
Tableau
616 St Peter Street, 1-504-934-3463, tableaufrenchquarter.com
Another great Brennan's restaurant in the French Quarter is Tableau.
More casual than Brennan's but the food is still top notch French Creole Cuisine.
A table on the second floor out on the balcony is an especially memorable experience.
Louisiana Pizza Kitchen
95 French Market Place, 1-504-522-9500, frenchquarterlpk.com
A great pizza joint in the French Quarter is Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, right at the end of the French Market.
My two favorites of their wood-fired pizzas are the Margherita and the Four Seasons.
And we order Arnold Palmers all around.
For refills, they will bring a carafe to the table.
The perfect stop for a light lunch.
The Bombay Club
830 Conti Street, 1-504-322-3650, bombayclubneworleans.com
Posh, wood paneled bar & restaurant featuring Martinis, Steak, Seafood & a Courtyard.
This is a magical and elegant space that has a British Colonial feel.
The bar is popular and energetic during happy hour. After happy hour, the noise level drops.
Top notch food, excellent service. Elegant, clubby atmosphere.
Live music on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9PM. Happy Hour starts at 1PM on Fri, Sat & Sun.
I suggest you stop in for a drink at Happy Hour one night and then see where that leads.
Port of Call
838 Esplanade Avenue, 1-504-523-0120, portofcallneworleans.com
There is a great burger joint called Port of Call on the corner of Esplanade and Dauphine just at the end of the French Quarter.
It's extremely popular with locals and tourists alike as it is consistently voted the best burger in New Orleans.
This is not an upscale place - it's a fun, energetic pub for a burger.
Standard fare is a burger plus a baked potato.
The bar features six different huge sweet drinks in go cups that are extremely popular plus standard beers and cocktails. Their most famous sweet drink is called the Monsoon. Dark Rum, Light Rum, Pineapple Juice, Passion Fruit Juice and Sweet & Sour Mix over ice. Careful, it's lethal.
Bar Tonique
820 N Rampart Street, 1-504-324-6045, bartonique.com
An excellent option for a cocktail is Bar Tonique on North Rampart Street in the French Quarter.
The space has lots of crusty old charm.
This is not an upscale or posh place. It's classic NOLA decrepit and extremely charming.
The cocktail menu is extensive and very impressive.
The bartenders here are top notch. They handcraft every cocktail with skill.
But there is no pretense - this place is completely down to earth. And I consider this one of the cool places in New Orleans.
During cold weather the two gas fireplaces are on and cranking out heat.
I love to stop in here on a chilly night.
I'll end my night on the town at Bar Tonique with a hot buttered rum in front of one of the fireplaces.
Stroll Around the French Quarter in the Fog
One of my favorite things to do in New Orleans is to take an evening stroll around the quiet, charming part of the French Quarter after dark when all the gas lamps are on.
This area is roughly between Dumaine and Esplanade from Burgundy Street to Royal Street.
If you are lucky enough to be in town on a night when there is a heavy fog, be sure to go for an evening stroll anywhere in the French Quarter
Very special.
Canal Street:
What are the Best Things To Do on Canal Street in New Orleans?
Canal Street is the Champs-Élysée and Fifth Avenue of New Orleans.
Hustle and Bustle. Posh Hotels. Streetcars. Palm trees.
Canal Street also marks the dividing line between the French side of town and the American side of town.
All of the streets change their name at Canal Street.
Bourbon Street becomes Carondelet Street
Royal Street becomes St Charles Avenue
Chartres Street becomes Camp Street
And all of the addresses start over at the number 1 going in both directions.
So if an address you're looking for is in the 3400 block that means it is 34 blocks from Canal Street - either upriver (American side of town) or downriver (French side of town).
Davenport Lounge
921 Canal Street (3rd Floor of the Ritz Carlton), 1-504-670-2828, jeremydavenport.com
The Davenport Lounge is an elegant Jazz Bar at the Ritz Carlton Hotel featuring Jeremy Davenport and his band.
Jeremy is the golden boy with the trumpet at this posh venue that was named after him.
Wednesday & Thursday he plays from 5:30PM – 9:30PM.
Friday and Saturday, he plays from 9PM – 1AM.
Davenport & his band are tops and have a very high profile; they put on a great show with tremendous energy.
There is no cover charge to get in, but the drinks are expensive.
I typically go for an hour or so on a Thursday night and order a bottle of wine for about $65.
The server typically brings me a bowl of complementary snacks. If I'm with a group, I'll also order the cheese plate.
Sazerac Bar
130 Roosevelt Way, 1-504-648-1200, the-sazerac-bar.com
The Sazerac Bar traffics in classic cocktails, plush banquettes & an elegant old-world vibe.
A great start to any evening is a Sazerac cocktail at this incredibly beautiful bar at the Roosevelt Hotel.
The Sazerac Bar is one of New Orleans main attractions. The atmosphere is amazing. You must poke your head in here and grab a drink. It's a must do in New Orleans.
The Sazerac is the world's first cocktail and it features Peychaud's bitters to enhance the taste of the Rye & Absinthe in the drink.
These bitters were created in the 1800's by a local pharmacist named Antoine Peychaud.
His pharmacy was located at 437 Royal Street in the French Quarter.
Lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel
130 Roosevelt Way, 1-504-648-1200, therooseveltneworleans.com
If you are in town between Thanksgiving and New Yearʼs, itʼs worth checking out the decorations in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel – very impressive.
The holiday decorations here feature a combination of flocked Christmas trees and white arching branches with white lights.
This display has made the hotel world-renowned and regarded as one of the best hotel lobbies to visit during the holidays. Between Thanksgiving and New Years, this lobby is one of the must see things in New Orleans.
Domenica Restaurant
123 Baronne Street, 1-504-648-6020, domenicarestaurant.com
Domenica offers delicious, rustic Italian food in a chic modern space.
Fresh pastas made by hand daily, roasted vegetables, meats and Napolitano style pizzas, all prepared in the restaurantʼs iconic wood oven.
Reservations required, especially Thursday – Saturday and if there is a convention in town.
Domenica is located in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel just down the hall from the Sazerac Bar.
Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal Street, 1-504-525-1052, saengernola.com
A beautifully restored 1927 theatre designed like a 15th century Italian courtyard & gardens with a blue domed sky ceiling complete with stars.
The theatre books a wide variety of theater and musical acts throughout the year.
It’s a beautiful space and enormous. Perhaps a bit too long.
Avoid seats in the back balcony as they are too far from the stage – you will not be able to see the expressions of the actors from that distance.
Uptown:
What are the Best Things To Do Uptown in New Orleans?
It's hard to find a definition of Uptown that locals agree upon.
For this guidebook, Uptown is the area towards the Mississippi River that runs from the Garden District to the Riverbend where St Charles Avenue meets Carrollton Avenue.
This is a beautiful section of the city that is lush and green.
There are countless Live Oak Trees, stunning gardens with beautiful plantings, spectacular architecture, excellent restaurants & great shopping.
The major thoroughfares are St Charles Avenue and Magazine Street.
The big Uptown park is Audubon Park.
Audubon Clubhouse Cafe
6500 Magazine Street, 1-504-212-5282, audubonnatureinstitute.org
If you make it uptown to Magazine Street & the Garden District you may also think you can add on Audubon Park.
The challenge will be time. Audubon Park is three miles from the Garden District section of Magazine Street. That's an hour or more of walking or a 12 minute Uber ride. So plan accordingly.
If you have enough time during your visit to New Orleans to take a leisurely pace, you may want to plan to see the Garden District & Magazine Street on one day and then schedule Audubon Park on a second day.
The Audubon Clubhouse serves a nice lunch and cocktails until 3PM on weekdays and 2PM on weekends.
I recommend eating outside on the porch which offers spectacular views of the golf course and the live oak trees.
The Clubhouse Café is located on Golf Club Drive, right in the middle of Audubon Park. Golf Club Drive is a parking lot/loop and the Clubhouse it at the far end of the lot.
If you get a day with a light rain, the porch would be a great place to keep dry but still be outside to take in the view.
La Madeleine
601 South Carrollton Avenue, 1-504-861-8662, lamadeleine.com
If you take the St Charles Street Car uptown one day, you may want to get off at the Riverbend and have a nice lunch at La Madeleine.
It’s on the bend in the river where St Charles Avenue turns into Carrollton Avenue.
La Madeleine is kind of a rustic, yet upscale, French gourmet cafeteria.
It’s a small chain restaurant, they have several locations dispersed across the Southern US. The food is excellent.
I recommend the soup and sandwich combo. My standard order is Tomato Basil soup, a Chicken Parisien sandwich, Mango Iced Tea and an order of Lemon Madeleines for dessert.
During nice weather, I like to eat outside. After lunch, it’s fun to walk across the street and up to the top of the levee to take a look at the Mississippi River.
There is also a fun Daiquiri Cafe across the street, called New Orleans Original Daiquiris. They have a wall of frozen daiquiri machines fully loaded and ready to dispense into giant go cups.
Jacques Imo’s
8324 Oak Street, 1-504-861-0886, jacques-imos.com
A rockin' loud, funky New Orleans place for dinner Uptown is Jacques Imo's.
They take reservations for groups of five or more, otherwise it's first come, first served.
You will probably wait for a table even with a reservation.
Very authentic Creole Soul Food.
Beware, you will get “critters” on your food; e.g., alligator, crawfish, shrimp with their heads, etc.
Extremely popular with tourists and locals alike.
Dinner only. Opens at 5PM.
Taqueria Corona
5932 Magazine Street, 1-504-897-3974, taqueriacorona.com
Five blocks downriver from Audubon Park on Magazine Street is Taqueria Corona.
It a fun casual Mexican restaurant popular with young professionals and students from Tulane.
I highly recommend getting two Rib-eye Carne Asada Tacos.
This place is casual, not upscale, and most delicious.
Slim Goodies Diner
3322 Magazine Street, 1-504-891-3447, slimgoodiesdiner.com
Located down near the Garden District along Magazine Street, Slim Goodies is a very fun place to go for breakfast.
It's a classic diner and their menu is a laugh riot.
The names they have chosen for their different dishes are hilariously offensive, making equal fun of every socio-economic-ethnic-religious group on the planet.
On weekends there is always a line to get in. Probably a 20-30 minute wait.
On weekdays there is never a line.
Cash only.
Red Dog Diner
3122 Magazine Street, 1-504-934-3333, reddogdiner.com
Near the Garden District on Magazine Street, Red Dog Diner is not a true diner - it's a restaurant.
A very fun restaurant with both a front bar and an especially charming back alley bar that is sort of outside and kind of inside at the same time. If the weather is nice, you can also grab a table in front on the sidewalk.
I love to start with a cup of their chili which comes with a delicious hunk of corn bread.
For my main dish, I'm partial to their sirloin sandwich. The sandwich is huge, it can easily be shared.
The ribbon French fries that come with the sandwich are a hoot and delicious.
Bayou Saint John:
What Are the Best Things To Do in the Bayou Saint John Neighborhood of New Orleans?
The Bayou Saint John neighborhood is bordered by its namesake waterway, Bayou Saint John.
This is a quiet neighborhood close to the Fairgrounds, the site of the annual Jazz & Heritage Festival.
The bayou is popular with kayakers.
The banks of the bayou are popular with picnickers enjoying the view.
The neighborhood features some hidden gem restaurants, bars, and more.
Café Degas Restaurant
3127 Esplanade Avenue, 1-504-945-5635, cafedegas.com
I highly recommend Café Degas, which is on Esplanade about three quarters of the way between the French Quarter and City Park.
It’s a unique space – sort of an outdoor tree house in a garden setting that is very special & romantic.
This is an excellent restaurant that is French owned and features authentic French cuisine.
Great for dinner and an excellent choice for brunch.
Reservations required.
Swirl Wine Bar & Market
3143 Ponce De Leon Street, 1-504-304-0635 swirlnola.com
Just across the street from Cafe Degas is a great wine store & bar called Swirl. They attract a fun, energetic crowd on Friday nights for their tastings.
I like to start my evening at Swirl with some Wine & Cheese and then walk across the street to Café Degas for dinner.
Be sure to make a reservation at Café Degas ahead of time.
City Park:
What Are the Best Things To Do in City Park in New Orleans?
If you have an urge to commune with nature during your visit to New Orleans, then City Park is the place to go.
City Park is a magical 1,300-acre outdoor oasis.
Key Highlights include the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the Botanical Garden, and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
The crown jewels of City Park are its magnificent Live Oak Trees which includes a grand oak that dates back nearly 800 years.
NOLA Gondola
Big Lake Trail in City Park, 1-504-491-3245, nolagondola.com
A great thing to do in City Park is to take a 50-minute Gondola ride through City Park’s rustic lagoons.
The tour costs $90 for the first two people. Additional riders are charged $10 each.
A maximum of six can fit in the gondola.
Best to call ahead for a reservation.
Besthoff Sculpture Garden
1 Collins Diboll Circle, 1-504-658-4100, noma.org/sculpture-garden
For me, a trip to City Park always includes a walk through the impressive outdoor Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
It's a beautiful walk around a small lake with amazing sculpture to appreciate at every turn.
And best of all, admission is free of charge.
When you are looking at the New Orleans Museum of Art from the front, the sculpture garden is located to the left and around back.
New Orleans Botanical Garden
5 Victory Avenue, 1-504-483-9488, neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden
After the Sculpture Garden, I like to check out the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
It’s right behind the Sculpture Garden. Take the exit gate from the Sculpture Garden by the three giant Urns.
The Botanical Garden is beautiful 12 months of the year. It's a very impressive place, even more so when you learn that it’s all private money and volunteer labor that make this Botanical Garden thrive.
Admission is $4.
After the Botanical Garden, I like to take a beautiful 15 minute stroll through City Park to an amazing restaurant called Mopho. It’s located just two blocks outside the park.
Mopho Restaurant
514 City Park Avenue, 1-504-482-6845, mophonola.com
Mopho offers an amazing fusion of Vietnamese and Louisiana Food. Truly delicious and remarkable.
Be sure to start with an order of the Fried Oysters as an appetizer to share, they are over-the-top delicious. If you are a fan of pho, I suggest a special request that pairs the beef broth with chicken. It's most delicious. And if you have room for dessert and the Banana Split is on the menu that day, go for it. They brûlée the banana and serve it up with some amazing peanut butter ice cream. Superb!
The chef here, Michael Gulotta, was named one of the “10 Best New Chefs in America” by Food & Wine magazine in 2016.
Mopho is a cool place that is affordable, casual and approachable.
It's located in a strip mall next to a Burger King and behind Ike's Snowballs Stand.
Café du Monde
56 Dreyfous Drive, 1-504-766-0250, neworleanscitypark.com/cafe-du-monde
After lunch at Mopho, and a possible Snowball at Ike's, I like to walk back to City Park and have coffee & beignets at Café du Monde coffee stand.
Yes, Café du Monde has several locations in New Orleans, including one at the airport. Mopho also has a location at the airport.
Family Fun:
What Are the Best Things To Do With Family in New Orleans?
In addition to being a playground for adults, New Orleans also offers many family-friendly activities to enjoy with kids.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal Street, 1-504-565-3033, audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a truly spectacular aquarium run by the Audubon Institute, which also supervises the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and Audubon Park.
Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street, 1-504-861-2537, audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo
The Audubon Zoo in Audubon Park is a very entertaining place.
The staff here makes it fun to learn and offers hands-on experiences.
Be sure to check out their mysterious white alligators.
Louisiana Children's Museum
15 Henry Thomas Drive, 1-504-523-1357, lcm.org
30,000 sq. ft. of interactive exhibits include a climbing wall, art studio & mock cafe.
This place has a bajillion things for kids to do.
Storyland
5 Victory Avenue, 1-504-483-9402, neworleanscitypark.com/storyland
Climb aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship, follow Pinocchio into the mouth of a whale or scamper up Jack & Jill’s Hill!
Fairytales and fantasy come to life before your eyes in City Park’s Storyland.
This charming theme playground is a child’s dream come true filled with 20 larger-than-life storybook sculptures featuring classic fairytale characters.
Open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4:30pm.
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
7 Victory Avenue, 1-504-483-9402, neworleanscitypark.com/carousel-gardens
The stunning Carousel is the masterwork and has drawn praise from the National Historic Preservation Society. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park is open only seasonally: Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 29th through May 24th from 11am to 6pm and on Memorial Day 11am to 5pm.
It is also open in December during the Celebration in the Oaks.
Swamp Tours:
What Are The Best Swamp Tours in New Orleans?
There are many service providers and many different swamps to tour. Some operators provide transportation from Canal Street for an additional charge. I have always driven myself.
AIRBOAT TOURS BY ARTHUR
4262 US-90, Des Allemands, LA, 1-800-975-9345, airboattours.com
I really enjoy Airboat Tours by Arthur.
They have a great swamp and their drivers are extremely entertaining.
Airboat Tours is located in Des Allemands, LA, it’s a quick and easy one-hour drive from New Orleans.
You have to make a U-Turn to cross the highway to enter their location. If you miss the first U-Turn, there are many other U-Turn locations. When I miss the first U-Turn, I keep going past several subsequent U-Turn locations as they are too small for me to feel safe. I strongly encourage you to keep driving until you find a substantial U-Turn location. They are just a few minutes down the road.
I always call in advance and make a reservation for a specific day and time.
SPAHR’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
3682 Highway 90 East, Des Allemands, LA, 1-985-758-1602, spahrsseafood.com
Depending on the time of your airboat tour, you may want to have lunch down the highway at a restaurant called Spahr’s Seafood.
It’s a fun place.
A lot of the offerings are deep-fried. And grilled options are also available.
This is not a fancy place. It's fun & delicious.
Plantation Tours:
What Are The Best Plantation Tours in New Orleans?
I have been to three plantations, they were all different and all very enjoyable. All three are about an hour drive west of New Orleans.
However, be forewarned that between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the Mississippi River is heavily industrial - the businesses in this area are primarily focused on oil, gas and petrochemicals. It can be quite ugly.
There is also a high levee the entire length of the river. So you won't see the water from your car or even from the front porch of any of the plantations. You will be looking at a big wall of earth covered in nice green grass.
You have to walk up to the top of the levee to see the River.
The drive along the main highway - Route 10 - can be quite beautiful once you get west of the Louis Armstrong Airport.
There are some excellent views and lots of water.
Large sections of the highway are built on piers directly above the water.
OAK ALLEY PLANTATION
3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA, 1-225-265-2151, oakalleyplantation.org
Classic, grand, old house with beautiful gardens and a restaurant.
Best to call ahead and reserve a specific time for your meal that aligns with your tour.
The tour is focused on the personalities of the people who lived at the plantation.
LAURA PLANTATION
2247 LA-18, Vacherie, LA, 1-225-265-7690, lauraplantation.com
Small house & charming gardens.
No restaurant but Laura is very close to Oak Alley (just a seven minute drive) where you can eat.
What sets Laura apart is their great tour focused on the history of plantation life and the house.
If you are a history buff, this is probably the best plantation to visit.
They do a great job interpreting the time period and the house.
HOUMAS HOUSE AND GARDENS
40136 LA-942, Darrow, LA, 1-225-473-9380, houmashouse.com
Classic, grand house and event space.
Houmas House is not a fussy museum and this is not your standard historic plantation tour.
Your guide will encourage you to sit in certain furniture.
You are encouraged to drink and carry cocktails with you on the tour.
As you are waiting for your tour to begin, you should enter the octagonal brick building on the grounds. This is a full service bar with a bartender. Order a cocktail. Mint Juleps are the norm. Relax and enjoy. The tour guide will ring a giant bell when your tour is ready to start.
There is a huge gift shop at Houmas House and there are several great restaurants.
We did not make a lunch reservation and they were able to accommodate us at the mainstream restaurant.
If you want to experience one of the premium restaurants you will most likely need a reservation.
Since Houmas House is also a big event space for weddings you may see brides running around with their photographers taking staged photos in advance of their wedding.
Of these three plantations, I like Houmas House the best, as it is the most laid back and fun.
Once I had an amazing tour guide who is also a great singer.
She stopped our tour for a bit in the living room, sat down at the piano and serenaded us with a great rendition of the song "Desperado."
She's talented and her music is available on CD at the gift shop.
Historic House Tours:
What Are The Best Historic House Tours in New Orleans?
If you’d like to tour a great house or two but don’t want to leave the city, you have several great options. I’ve toured two and enjoyed both. So here are my recommendations:
LONGUE VUE HOUSE & GARDENS
7 Bamboo Rd, New Orleans, LA, 1-504-488-5488, longuevue.com
Spectacular estate on the edge of the city. You will need to drive or take an Uber.
Remarkably beautiful home and gardens created by two huge benefactors to the City of New Orleans.
HERMANN-GRIMA HOUSE & GALLIER HISTORIC HOUSES
820 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA, 1-504-274-0750, hgghh.org
Two grand old homes with out buildings located in the French Quarter.
You get a very accurate feel for life in an earlier time on this tour and you get to admire paintings, decorative arts & furniture.
New Orleans Cuisine:
Best Things To Do in New Orleans
Louisiana and New Orleans are traditionally known for Cajun and Creole Cuisines.
These cooking styles are different although they share many spices and they both trace their roots to France.
CREOLE CUISINE:
What is Creole Cuisine?
City Food that emerged from the many different cultures that settled in New Orleans:
French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Italian.
Preparations are classically French and rich like Shrimp Rémoulade and Trout Meunière.
Creole Roux is made from butter and flour.
CAJUN CUISINE:
What is Cajun Cuisine?
Country Food that emerged from the resettling of the French Acadians from Canada into rural, southern Louisiana.
Hearty one-pot cooking with rustic ingredients like salt pork, corn, wild game & seafood. Cajun Roux is made from lard or oil and flour.
COMMON INGREDIENTS IN CREOLE & CAJUN CUISINE
Rice, Beans, Okra, Crawfish, Oysters, Crab, Shrimp, Fish, Yams, Andouille, Chicken, Onions, Celery.
TYPICAL SPICES IN CREOLE & CAJUN CUISINE
Paprika, Ground Cumin, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Thyme, Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Cardamom, Caraway Seeds, Dried Basil, Filé Powder, Dry Mustard.
HOW TO SAY IT: How Do I Pronounce the Names of the Different Foods in New Orleans?
Beignets (Ben-YAYS) - Fried pastry dough with a heavy sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Étouffée (eh-too-FAY) - From the French word that means "smother" this dish is a shrimp or crawfish stew over rice.
Rémoulade (rem-oo-LAHD) - Mayonnaise mixed with mustard, hot sauce, garlic, paprika and Cajun or Creole seasoning.
Roux (ROO) - The base of sauces, gumbos and stews. It's made with butter, lard, or oil plus flour.
Filé (fi-LAY) - Powder made from the ground leaves of the sassafras tree. It's a thickener for gumbo.
Doberge (dough-bash) - Cake consisting of multiple layers of cake and pudding or custard - usually chocolate, lemon or caramel - topped with a rich icing.
Andouille (an-DOO-ee) - A spicy pork sausage brought by the French to Louisiana. Often mixed with seafood and rice.
TRADITIONAL FARE IN NEW ORLEANS: What Are Some Good Dishes To Try in New Orleans?
Appetizers
Oysters, Stuffed Jalapeños, Barbecued Shrimp, Crab Claws
Soups
Turtle Soup, Gumbo, Crab & Corn Soup
Entrées
Jambalaya, Étouffée, Red Beans & Rice, Muffuletta, Crab Cakes, Shrimp or Chicken Creole, Red Snapper, Po' Boys, Stewed or Fricasseed Rabbit.
Desserts
Beignets, Bananas Foster, Pralines, Bread Pudding, Lemon Icebox Pie, Snowballs (cups of finely shaved ice with any number of syrups or creams.)
More Recommendations to Come
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Contact Information
New Orleans Best Things To Do
3419 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA, 70117
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About The Author
James has over a decade of experience in the Vacation Rental Industry. He owns and operates stunning vacation rental homes in both New Orleans, Louisiana & Ocean Grove, New Jersey. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Vacation Rental Home Owners Associations in both New Orleans and Ocean Grove.
All of his vacation rental homes are historic and are located in National Historic Districts. Each of his homes has been beautifully restored. For his restoration work, James has won the Beersheba Award for Historic Preservation. His homes have been featured in national magazines including House Beautiful and Martha Stewart Living. And these homes have been used as filming locations for both entertainment and advertising productions.
James is also a gifted writer. He has written numerous travel articles and travel guidebooks on New Orleans, Louisiana and Asbury Park, Ocean Grove & Bradley Beach, New Jersey.
James is a graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
jamesbrubaker@gmail.com
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