Key Takeaways New Orleans features 21 top-rated restaurants spanning French Quarter landmarks like Commander’s Palace and Antoine’s to neighborhood gems like Willie Mae’s Scotch House and Jacques-Imo’s Café. Historic restaurants include Café du Monde established in 1862 for beignets, Dooky Chase’s for Creole gumbo, and Mother’s Restaurant serving po’boys since 1938. Dining options range from upscale fine dining requiring reservations and business attire to casual cafeteria-style spots and walk-in neighborhood eateries across multiple...

Key Takeaways Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans features Bayou Classic football rivalry, annual Thanksgiving Classic horse races at Fair Grounds, and Turkey Day 5-mile run in City Park. Over 40 restaurants across French Quarter, Central Business District, and other neighborhoods offer dine-in or take-out Thanksgiving dinner with advance reservations recommended. Large vacation rental homes in Mid-City and Bywater neighborhoods accommodate groups of 8-15 guests with full kitchens, private pools, and proximity to streetcar lines. Thinking of spending your Thanksgiving weekend...

Key Takeaways Hidden local restaurants include Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits Bywater courtyard with live jazz, Justini’s NOLA hot sausage tacos, and Biscuits & Buns On Banks Mid-City brunch. Iconic establishments feature Café du Monde beignets established 1862, Lil’ Dizzy’s Café Treme Creole soul food, and Dooky Chase’s Restaurant legendary gumbo since 1941. Sweet treats include Creole Creamery Garden District handcrafted ice cream, Vieux Carre Pizza 24-hour French Quarter slices, and B. Sweets Bistro praline cheesecake. Hello fellow foodies!...

Key Takeaways New Orleans breakfast spots feature Creole and Cajun specialties including beignets, crawfish omelets, and Banana’s Foster french toast. Featured restaurants range from budget-friendly diners like Camellia Grill to elevated options like Willa Jean and Stanley Restaurant. Breakfast locations span popular neighborhoods including French Quarter, Uptown, Mid-City, Marigny, Lower Garden District, and Bywater. New Orleans is known as a foodie destination, and its breakfast spots are no exception. In a city as unique as New Orleans, you’ll find one-of-a-kind...

Key Takeaways Cajun and Creole cuisines both use the Holy Trinity base of onion, celery, and bell peppers. Essential dishes include gumbo, crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, po-boys, red beans and rice, turtle soup, and fried seafood. Cajun food originates from rural Acadian settlers while Creole cuisine blends European, African, and Caribbean influences in New Orleans. It’s no secret that New Orleans is one of the best food cities in the United States. Blending African, Caribbean, and European roots, the Big Easy is known for its unique Creole and Cajun cuisine that pays homage...

Key Takeaways Po-boys originated in 1929 when Martin brothers served free sandwiches to striking streetcar workers in New Orleans. Traditional po-boys feature French bread from Leidenheimer Bakery, fried seafood or roast beef, and Cajun remoulade sauce. Top po-boy restaurants include Domilise’s, Parkway Bakery, Guy’s, and Johnny’s across Uptown, Mid-City, and French Quarter neighborhoods. In a city that’s known for its one-of-a-kind cuisine, there are a few staples that stand out among the crowd. From beignets and gumbo to fresh seafood and plenty in...

Key Takeaways Beignets are Louisiana’s official state doughnut, traditionally made from yeast dough fried until golden and covered in powdered sugar. Cafe du Monde founded in 1862 serves only beignets with chicory coffee and has multiple New Orleans locations including City Park. New Orleans offers 12 top beignet spots featuring traditional powdered sugar beignets and creative variations like praline-filled and blue crab beignets. A trip to New Orleans isn’t complete until you’ve sampled the beignets. Bite into one of these warm, puffy pillows of fried dough, smothered...

Key Takeaways New Orleans features seven top seafood restaurants ranging from casual po-boy joints to James Beard Award-winning fine dining establishments like Peche Seafood Grill. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant is credited with inventing the original chargrilled oyster, now a New Orleans signature dish served citywide with garlic butter. Must-try New Orleans seafood dishes include fried shrimp po-boys dressed with all the fixings, seafood gumbo, and fresh Gulf oysters prepared raw or chargrilled. New Orleans is known for its delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine. But beyond...

Key Takeaways New Orleans brunch features 22 recommended restaurants spanning price ranges from inexpensive cafes to luxury establishments like Commander’s Palace with seven James Beard Awards. Popular New Orleans brunch dishes include shrimp and grits, crawfish etouffee, biscuits and gravy, and unique items like bananas Foster French toast. Many brunch spots offer bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, and brandy milk punch, with some locations featuring live jazz bands and drag brunch performances. New Orleans, Louisiana is a city of jazz, Bourbon Street, po’ boys,...

Key Takeaways Gumbo is a roux-based stew served over white rice featuring the Cajun holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell peppers as its foundation. Seven top gumbo restaurants include Liuzza’s By the Track in Mid-City, Dooky Chase Restaurant in Treme, and fine-dining Restaurant R’evolution in the French Quarter. Gumbo varieties range from seafood gumbo with shrimp and crab to chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, often thickened with okra or file. Ask any New Orleanian what one quintessential dish you must try before leaving the Crescent City, and you’re bound...

Key Takeaways Cafe du Monde founded in 1862 serves beignets, Louisiana’s official state donut, with powdered sugar and cafe au lait at multiple New Orleans locations. Brennan’s restaurant invented the original Bananas Foster dessert flambeed tableside with bananas, brown sugar, vanilla ice cream, and dark rum. New Orleans desserts include Italian cannolis from Angelo Brocato, Louisiana pralines from Aunt Sally’s founded in 1925, and French macaroons from Sucre patisserie. In a city steeped in culinary talent and one-of-a-kind Creole cuisine, you can expect...

Key Takeaways French Quarter features 15 top restaurants ranging from budget-friendly delis to century-old fine dining establishments serving diverse cuisines beyond Cajun-Creole. Cafe du Monde operates 24/7 serving only beignets and cafe au lait on the riverwalk across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Galatoire’s holds iconic Friday lunch tradition since 1905 with cocktails, seafood platters, second-line parade, no reservations, guests line up at 7 am. If New Orleans is one of the greatest food cities in the world, the French Quarter is its shining star. The...

Key Takeaways New Orleans features over 1,400 restaurants influenced by French, Italian, African, Spanish, Caribbean cultures spanning budget-friendly diners to fine-dining establishments across neighborhoods. Commander’s Palace opened 1893 has won multiple James Beard Awards, serves famous $.25 martinis, offers weekend Jazz Brunch with live music from Joe Simon’s Jazz Trio. Galatoire’s hosts iconic Friday Lunch tradition with cocktails, seafood platters, second-line parade, no reservations accepted, guests line up at 7 am to secure spots. Consistently...