This morning I am off to New Orleans to attend the International Food Bloggers Conference put on by Foodista. I have been wanting to visit New Orleans for a while now and this was the perfect chance! In addition to the conference, I will be spending a few extra days there to explore the city. What are the must eat foods and restaurants in New Orleans? What are the must see and do things in New Orleans?
Jen says
Hi there,
Long time reader, first time commenter. I am so jealous that you get to go to New Orleans, I love that place. I'd recommend Coop's Place on Decatur Street for some awesome local food, and don't forget to go to Cafe du Monde. Have fun at the conference!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Have fun! I can't wait to read all about it.
Cheers,
Rosa
Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living says
Cafe Du Monde for chicory coffee and beignets is a must. I also suggest exploring the French Quarter. Have a great time!
Beth M says
Oh my god, there are SO MANY. You should check out Couchon (for dinner) and/or their charcuterie Butcher (they have nibble plates, sandwiches, and wine. Just around the corner from Couchon). I also love Crescent City Pie and Sausage – they make all of their own sausages and their own mozzarella. They have an awesome static menu but always have good specials as well – check their website. Anyway, I could go on forever… those are just two out of a million 🙂
I can't believe I didn't know about this food blogger conference in my own town 🙁 I wonder if it's too late to go!
Beth M says
p.s. Since the conference is at the Hotel Montelone, make sure you go down stairs to the carousel bar and have a Sezerac!!
bellini says
I have never been to New Orleans Kevin so will live vicariously through you!
Anonymous says
You are so lucky! I grew up in New Orleans, and even though I am attending graduate school just a few hours away, I miss it and my family.
Cafe du Monde's beignets, Palace Cafe's bananas foster bread pudding (or French toast… I forget…), La Boulangerie on Magazine Street's anything (especially their brioche and chocolate croissants), Lebanon's Cafe on Carrolton's chicken shawarma platter…
Looking forward to reading about your eating adventures!
Avi
Anonymous says
And I forgot… La Crêpe Nanou's Crêpe Provençal (as well as the crêpe with salmon) is excellent!
Avi
Anonymous says
Jacques-Imo's should not be missed.
Denise says
I've heard the cemetery tours are pretty cool.
http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/Voodoo.htm
There's some pretty neat architecture, if you're into that.
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/architecture/
(you can also poke around on that site to find some other things to do if those don't strike your fancy)
Audje says
I have lived in New Orleans all of my life – too many great places for great food! Make sure you have beignets, a fried soft shell crab po-boy, Chargrilled oysters preferably from Drago's, and you can never go wrong with a Brennan's or John Besh restaurant – oh, and have some good gulf fish while you are here too!!
Anonymous says
I'd stay away from Bourbon St. If you want to see music- head over to Frenchman St in the Faubourg Marigny.
While you're there you must try a po boy. My favorite places for this are Domilise's in the Irish Channel and Parkway in Mid City. Central Grocery on Decatur is the place to go for a muffaletta.
Sunday Brunch at Commander's Palace is highly recommended. There's a great little restaurant in the French Quarter called the Green Goddess that I recommend. They have a web site where you can read about their menu- their chef, Chris Debarr, is just excellent. Cochon is also good, as are Stella! and Restaurant August. I'd stay away from Jacques Imo's at all costs- the food there tastes canned- it's geared toward tourists.
If you are there on a Thurs. night you should try to go see Kermit Ruffins play at Vaughn's in the 9th ward- take a cab there and back. He cooks (free!) red beans and rice for his guests!
Anonymous says
I live in New Orleans! Magazine street is awesome!! I 2nd the suggestion for Coop's on Decatur. Try the Tchoupitoulas Chicken or the Jambalaya! Cafe du Monde of course for beignets, Deanies, French market, etc….you really can't go wrong!
Pay the $2.50 and get on the St Charles Streetcar located on Canal across from Bourbon street and ride it–it goes thru the Garden District and you will see beautiful homes and Loyola/Tulane Universities.
I do highly suggest going down Magazine!
Have fun and don't melt in the heat!
Kalyn says
I hope you have a great time in New Orleans. It's one of my favorite food cities. Two of my favorite places are Mother's (for Po' Boy Sandwiches) and Commander's Palace (for elegant dining.)
Aunt Sally says
Eat at Mr. B's across the street at Hotel Monteleone for their famous BBQ shrimp dish! I love all of your recipes you post! You are very creative!
Anonymous says
Port of Call for a Burger.
anniebakes says
Lucky you! Enjoy, Anne
Michael Calderin says
It may seem like antiquated advice, but no foodie visit — especially a first visit — to New Orleans is complete without a trip to Commander's Palace in the Garden District. It's not just for the food, but for the experience. Don't skip the turtle soup.
I second the Sazerac if you like brandy and whiskey; it's quite unique. Since you're staying in the French Quarter, there should be ample drinking opportunities. If you're interested in heavier drinking, the Hurricane and Hand Grenade are New Orleans specialties.
Also in the Quarter, on Decatur, stop by Central Grocery for a muffaletta, but be prepared to walk and eat; it isn't a restaurant. Brennan's is the birthplace of Banana's Foster, but imho, if you really want Banana's Foster, go just for that.
Cafe du Monde's (also on Decatur) chicory coffee au lait is a love-it-or-hate-it kinda thing, but worth a stop, especially if you fall in the earlier category (my wife makes me stock up each visit). There are better beignets, but unless you want to go out into the burbs, they'll do nicely.
Take the St. Charles streetcar line (just outside the quarter, across Canal Street from Bourbon) Uptown to take in the scenery and stop for a burger (or omelette) at The Camellia Grill, located at the end of St. Charles, where the streetcar makes a right turn onto Carrollton.
There are also some great little places a few blocks away on Maple Street, including the aforementioned Jacques-Imo's. Jamila's also used to be a favorite spot when I lived nearby. Mom and pop place with great Tunisian and Mediterranean cuisine and the service you'd expect in New Orleans.
I've been dying to get to Cochon, in the Warehouse District, as well as some of the other new places that have opened in the last few years, but between all the old favorites that call me back and limited scheduling, I haven't been able to make a reservation during my last couple visits.
As for must see places that don't involve eating (to me, there really are so few), just walk around, especially in the Quarter. The Uptown and Garden District areas can be beautiful. If you're wandering around by yourself, I do want to caution you though. There's no reason not to feel safe in most of New Orleans, but since Katrina, crime has shot way up and neighborhoods can change very quickly in NoLa, not quite like I've seen anywhere else. Don't let this discourage you from exploring, but just stay alert and you'll be fine.
Audubon Park and Zoo (Uptown) can be a nice diversion if the weather's decent (which I wouldn't expect this time of year). In the summer, the aquarium is usually a better choice; you can find it where Canal meets the river — a short walk from The Monteleone.
On the other side of the Quarter is the Faubourg-Marigny area (or The Marigny – mar-in-nee). Good spots for music and after hours entertainment. More local and authentic than what you usually find near Bourbon Street.
That should more than keep you busy. Visiting New Orleans can do more harm to your waistline than a cruise, so just know what you're getting into!
Worker Bee says
Simply a must… but it is TINY get the opening time and show up when they open the door. We studied the menu before hand and were ready to order. It was divine – Menu etc on line here: http://www.greengoddessnola.com/
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hi Kevin! Have a wonderful time! Wish I was there with you!
riot says
I've read your blog for some time now and I love it.
I was just in New Orleans for Mardi Gras earlier this year, when I had several brunches at Cake. It's in the Bywater and open 7a-3p, for breakfast and lunch. The vibe is very local and the food is incredibly delicious. I highly recommend it as an out of the way and down to earth non-touristy option!
http://www.nolacakes.com
Have fun!
The Wandering Minstrel says
Hi, I found your blog while blog hopping and quite love the huge repertoire of really diverse recipes you have put up. I am adding you to my blogroll 🙂
Anonymous says
You must try the barbequed shrimp at Mr. B's Bistro! It's the best I have ever had!
Fey says
I highly recommend Mother's on Canal Street.
Kelly says
I'm young, but I lived there for a really long time and got to try some excellent restaurants. Voodoo BBQ, Juan's Flying Burrito, Lil G's Cajun, Jacques-Imo's, Mother's, Palace Cafe!
Chuck says
Acme Oyster Bar.
Napolean House, a Pimm's Cup and the cheese board.
Worker Bee says
I posted earlier about The Green Goddess restaurant and now have been thinking about it all day! We went for brunch and I had the – Painted Hills Organic “Grits and Grillades”
Organic beef tri-tip, hand-cut and seared in a rich red wine & beef
gravy in our updated version of a classic New Orleans dish.- with a side of sweet potato biscuits. Dang. I wanna go back.
Aurelia says
You must try Brennan's!
http://www.brennansneworleans.com/
Have fun!
Christine Moser says
Just moved to New Orleans (French Quarter) two months ago, and absolutely love it!
In terms of food, Green Goddess is good, so is Eat New Orleans. If you're looking for some good authentic Jazz (especially if you want to run into the swing dance crowd, which is always a blast to watch), check out Meschiya Lake at the Spotted Cat Saturdays 10-2, and the Palmetto Bug Stompers at dba Sundays 6-9. Or if you're still here Monday, Meschiya and her band play upstairs at Mimi's in the Marigny, whose kitchen serves a great selection of spanish tapas.
Magazine St is definitely worth checking out, too.
And I'll second whoever said to stay away from Bourbon – there are so many better places to visit.
Welcome to New Orleans!
ellaizee says
La Madeleine! Wonderful food and even better desserts. The creme brulee tart is AMAZING. As is the fruit tart.
Marguerite says
Have a bon temps in NOLA. I highly recommend Drago's, Mulate's, Central Grocery, and Mother's. Wish that I could be there! Enjoy!
~Chris says
I think everyone pretty much has you covered with the restaurants…except maybe Semolina if you're in a pasta mood. I think they're down to one location now though, so if you're out in Metairie around dinner time, they're in the Clearview Mall. I never did get the hype about Commanders personally, but it's one of the standard stops.
If the weather permits, DEFINITELY hit the zoo. I love that place, and it's always changing. Also, if you get a chance, cross the river and go check out Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World (across from the Riverwalk). It's like getting to see Mardi Gras without the crowd! You can check out some floats, see how the characters are made, try on costumes, see a film about Mari Grad, eat some King Cake …
Most of all, have fun. And if you see my Mom, say hi for me. 😉
T says
I actually live right outside NOLA and go pretty often. I like finding little hidey holes like La Peniche. It's at 1940 Dauphine St. And it's open Thursday through Tuesday 24/7. So it is my go to place for good wonderful food at random hours. Their Fried Green Tomatoes are to drool over.
Devil's Advocate says
I could recommend plenty to see, plenty to do, plenty to drink, and plenty to eat. But I don't see the point. In my experience in New Orleans, its far too easy to get caught up in the life blood of that city, that you likely won't follow much of your travel itinerary anyhow. I do however recommend if you are staying a few extra days to spend a few nights in the India House Hostel. This is one of the greatest places I have ever stayed on any continent. From there, just go with the flow and you will have a great time.
Hyosun Ro says
Mother's, Coop's, and K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen! Enjoy!!
Tika says
Crawfish Etouffee at Deenie's. It is unbelievable. But how could any place that gives you a basket of boiled new potatoes instead of bread not be.
Al Cuoco! says
Thank you so much for your comment! Enjoy the Conference:)
bye!
Anonymous says
When you're ready to take a break from eating I recommend a nighttime ghost tour! An easy walk through the historic neighborhoods with a new perspective and a fantastic storyteller. I think different companies offer differently tailored tours, so try to get specific recommendation. And I second the motion of checking out the Zoo!
Nicole says
I recommend Napoleon House as well! Very European in a way and historic, with authentic food. Its right in the French Quarter.
Helene says
Let me know if you go to Café du Monde Kevin. I really like their beignets. Have fun!
Dmarie says
you definitely need to bring home some Central Grocery's Olive Salad and some cans of cane syrup! hope you get to take advantage of their free trolley and enjoy your visit!
Leigh says
Hope you have a FABULOUS time.