New Olreans is, IMO, the most unique city in the U.S. and the cuisine is nothing short of incredible. Here are some of my favorite places, in no particular order. Be prepared, New Orleans’ cuisine is phenomenal, drenched in butter, and pricey. 🙂 At high-brow places reservations are wise to avoid a wait, especially on weekends. At low-brow places just show up and wait in line. There is no in-between.
401 Poydras
Cafeteria-style small, low-brow dive with southern cuisine since 1938. Order and pay at the counter. Rockin’ roast beef debris po’ boys. Also breakfast all day. Numerous Zagat awards. 600 feet from Loews New Orleans’ Hotel, 3 minutes. $$
2301 Orleans Avenue
Dookey Chase is the oldest still-operating black-owned restaurant in New Orleans (1941). New Orleans’ hub for the Civil Rights Movement, planning was done here with MLK, Thurgood Marshall, et al. Incredible fried chicken. Lunches include Red Beans and Rice and Chicken, Poor Boys, Gumbo and Shrimp Creole, and salads with Shrimp and Oysters. Dinner Fridays and Saturdays only: Fried Chicken, Shrimp Clemenceau, Chicken Creole, Stuffed Shrimp, Oyster Norman and Shrimp Linguine. Frequented by Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, Jesse Jackson, Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, James Baldwin, Ray Charles, Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. 2 miles from Loews New Orleans Hotel (in Tremé), so catch a ride. $$
713 St Louis St
Located in the French Quarter, Antoine’s is the oldest restaurant in New Orleans (1840). Still owned by the 5th generation of the family. French creole, fine dining. Check their hours before you head out. 15-minute walk from Loew’s New Orleans Hotel (.7 miles). $$$
605 Canal
This is a Dickie Brennan restaurant, creole cuisine, on Canal at the edge of the French Quarter. Try the crabmeat cheesecake as a starter. The Sazerac may be the signature drink in New Orleans (and oldest known cocktail in the U.S.), but try the Vieux Carré here. Open 8:30 am weekdays, 10:30 am weekends. Closes when it closes, usually 2-3 am. 4-minute walk from Loew’s New Orleans Hotel (.5 miles). $$
1403 Washington Avenue
Just down the road from Bethlehem Lutheran (Central City) across St. Charles, into the Garden District, where Mardi Gras parades begin. Since 1893. Michelin 3-star. Haute creole cuisine. One of the world’s best restaurants. 25¢ martinis at lunch, but when you get the bill for lunch you’ll see why. 2 miles from Loews New Orleans Hotel, so catch a ride and make a reservation. $$$
417 Royal St
This is the famous restaurant where bananas foster was invented by Ella Brennan. A New Orleans landmark. Jazz brunch Saturdays and Sundays. Located in the French Quarter. 15-minute walk (.7 miles). $$$
Right on Jackson Square in the French Quarter, next to the St. Louis Cathedral. Phenomenal balcony views, but it will likely be too warm for Northerner’s in July. BBQ shrimp, shrimp roumelade, etc. Vegan options. 15-minute walk (.7 miles).
I include this because Cafe du Monde is a New Orleans icon for its beignets and coffee (usually cafe au lait). A must see. It’s right across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. CASH ONLY. Limited indoor seating. Long lines. Tourists go in the morning. Locals go late at night. I once bumped into the mayor there at 11 pm. Open 7:15 am to midnight.
201 Royal Street
In the French Quarter, Mr. B’s serves modern creole cuisine at the corner of Royal and Iberville. It is run by Cindy Brennan. Incredible BBQ shrimp and grits. Crispy fried oysters (try them with a little of the southern gravy. Truffle fries. Hot butter pecan pie. 11-minute walk from Loews (.5 mile).
2 Poydras Street (walk) or the original at 3232 N. Arnoult in Metairie (drive)
If you want the best charbroiled oysters you’ve ever had, this is the place. Watch a video of them being made. Great seafood and other main courses, but I make a meal of the oysters. Their original site is up in Metairie (20 minute drive), but there is a small Drago’s branch in the Hilton Riverside, about 700 feet from Loews.
200 Magazine St
Brunch all day, 7am-2am. You have to try this place for breakfast. Just incredible. Eggs Cochon. Cajun Catfish Cubion. King Cake Stuffed French Toast. White chocolate bread pudding pancakes. Seasonal beignets. A half a dozen Bennies (eggs benedict variations). Gluten-free options. Scratch prep and locally sourced whenever possible. Situated in the CBD, just a 6-minute walk from Loews New Orleans Hotel (.3 miles). $$
Other favorites
The truth is, it’s hard to miss in New Olreans. The bar is so high, bad restaurants don’t make it. It’s hard to find bad food and hospitality. Here are some other favorites:
- Mr. Ed’s
- ACME Oyster House
- Arnaud’s
- Emeril’s
- Central Grocery (muffalettas)
- MaMou French Brasserie
- Irene’s Italian Cuisine (Recommended by David Roschke)
- Clancy’s
- Deanie’s
