You’ve reached NOLA – the city that feeds the soul. It’s not hard to figure out where to eat, but a little guidance never hurts. Before heading to New Orleans we asked locals where the best places to eat were, and they returned with a list of over 100 restaurants! That’s hard to fit in just a weekend trip. The city offers wide varieties of food that comfort the palette in unimaginable ways. We couldn’t hit all 100 recommendations, but do have some favorites. Here’s where to eat in New Orleans, broken down by neighborhood!
THE FRENCH QUARTER
Salon Restaurant by Sucré – fulfill your brunch needs with this photogenic restaurant in the heart of the French Quarter.
Royal House Oyster Bar – food to feed your soul. Here you’ll get the type of meals your grandmother makes at home (if she was from New Orleans that is). Hearty food, everything you want from an authentic NOLA experience will be served right here.
The Carousel Bar – the famous rotating bar in Hotel Monteleone. Although you’d think one would get dizzy sipping and spinning, it’s still a treat to stop by.
Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria – located on the edge of the French Quarter, Felipe’s will satisfy your taco needs. Want a deep-fried burrito? This is where you belong.
Cornet – balcony dining is a staple of Bourbon Street, although this may give you all the sports bar feels – it’s nice to dine while enjoying a view of the busy street from above.
Café Amelie – hidden amid the chaos that is Bourbon Street & the Quarter in general, Café Amelie has a secluded little courtyard for the perfect breakfast.
Café du Monde – this isn’t on this list because it’s the most cliché café in all of history, but literally it’s one of the only casual places that is open past midnight and sometimes a girl needs a late-night snack. Thankfully you can grab a café late and beignet 24 hours a day here.
Kingfish Restaurant – if you’re looking for more of a fine dining experience, Kingfish is a great option. The Crawfish Gratin did not disappoint, so much we ordered two of them.
Tropical Isle – these are scattered around the French Quarter like a coin purse just spilled in the middle of NOLA. Grab the famous Hand Grenade cocktail at this island themed dive bar.
FRENCHMEN STREET
Three Muses – There are three muses: Food. Music. Spirits. That is their slogan, and they surely do not disappoint in any of these areas. This is a piano dive bar with a super unique assortment of appetizers and small plates. I got the Gulf Fish Tacos and the assortment of cheeses with fig jam.
GARDEN DISTRICT & MAGAZINE STREET
You may be wondering what there is to do in the Garden District. Many visitors come to this quaint neighborhood to marvel at the architecture but also to venture on a cemetery tour. But we’re here to eat!
Commander’s Palace – the most famous restaurant in the Garden District! Notable for its authentic Louisiana dishes and grand decor. If the Palace is out of your budget, keep scrolling. We had a great hidden gem to share with you that’s just around the corner.
Mojo Coffee House – start your day tour of the Garden District at Mojo. Very laid back coffeehouse, perfect way to start your day strolling down Magazine Street, the Garden District and checking out ancient grave sites.
Baru Bistro & Tapas – while everyone recommends eating at the Commander’s, we stumbled upon what we think is hands down the best Tapas restaurant we’ve ever been to. To this date, Baru is one of our favorite restaurants combining authentic Caribbean Latin food with a modern twist and mouthwatering food presentation.
We hope you enjoyed these favorite NOLA restaurants. But remember, this post is just scratching the surface of New Orleans’ cuisine. Enjoy your stay in this picturesque town and let us know if you’ve found any hidden gems yourself!