New Orleans Food & Drink

“We dance even if there’s no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we’re suspicious of others who don’t.” – Chris Rose, 1 Dead in Attic, 2006

 

Cafe du Monde – No trip to New Orleans is complete without beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter. Wear something you don’t mind getting powdered sugar on!  AND it’s open 24 hours for those middle-of-the-night beignet binges.  800 Decatur Street, New Orleans | www.cafedumonde.com

Cafe Beignet – If you want to avoid the lines at Cafe du Monde but still want your beignet fix, this is another great option. They also have excellent gumbo. Three locations in the French Quarter: 311 Bourbon Street at the Musical Legends Park boasts live jazz, also 334 Royal Street and 600 Decatur Street | www.cafebeignet.com

 

Carousel Bar & Lounge – Famous revolving bar at the Hotel Monteleone.  214 Royal Street, New Orleans |  hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/carousel-bar

 

 

Casamento’s Restaurant – Seasonal seafood and oyster bar with gluten-free fried seafood. A New Orleans staple since 1919.  4330 Magazine Street, New Orleans | www.casamentosrestaurant.com

Central Grocery & Deli – Italian grocery and deli in the French Quarter, famous for its muffaletta sandwich. These New Orleans-Italian staples can be found all over the city, but Central Grocery provides the bar against which all others are measured. 923 Decatur Street, New Orleans centralgrocery.com

Cochon/ Cochon Butcher – If you like meat, stop in here! Cochon serves higher end Cajun and Southern fare. Butcher, around the corner from Cochon, serves some of the best sandwiches in town in a low-key setting. Both are delicious! (The Butcher muffaletta gives Central Grocery a run for their money.)  930 Tchoupitoulas |   cochonrestaurant.com, cochonbutcher.com

Coop’s Place – French Quarter dive with great food. Try the jambalaya! 1109 Decatur Street, New Orleans | www.coopsplace.net

Cure – Imaginative, high-end cocktail bar. 4905 Freret Street, New Orleans |  curenola.com

Elysian Seafood at St. Roch Market – Oyster happy hour! St. Roch Market is a food hall with lots of options and outdoor seating.  2381 St. Claude Ave. New Orleans | www.strochmarket.com

 

 

Fry and Pie – Late night joint for gourmet loaded fries and personal dessert pies in the cozy courtyard of the Hi Ho Lounge. They also have a takeout window.  2239 St. Claude Ave. New Orleans | www.fryandpie.com

 

 

Dooky Chase – New Orleans staples and a fantastic lunch buffet. Once the hub of the New Orleans civil rights movement, Dooky Chase is still an important meet-up spot in the city. Chef Leah Chase is a national treasure! 2301 Orleans Ave. New Orleans |  www.dookychaserestaurant.com

High Hat Cafe – Casual spot for Southern food and great cocktails. Try the catfish.  4500 Freret Street, New Orleans |  highhatcafe.com

Kajun’s Pub – Home watering hole with karaoke, a jukebox, elevated bar bites, drinks & late hours. (Keywords: LGBT friendly; Karaoke) 2256 St Claude Ave, New Orleans |  www.kajunpub.com

Mother’s Restaurant – Breakfast, po-boys, and other New Orleans staples, steps from the Intercontinental.  401 Poydras Street, New Orleans | www.mothersrestaurant.net

Parkway Bakery and Tavern – Arguably the best po-boys (sandwiches) in town.  538 Hagan Avenue, New Orleans |  parkwaypoorboys.com

 

Roosevelt Hotel/ Sazerac Bar – Sample a little old New Orleans grandeur at this swanky bar. The Roosevelt’s Christmas light display is a local favorite. The lighting ceremony will be held in the lobby Tuesday, November 28th at 5:15pm. This year the display will be lit by the family of Fats Domino. therooseveltneworleans.com/dining/the-sazerac-bar.html

 

St. Roch Tavern – Divey bar with vegan options. 1200 St Roch Ave New Orleans, LA 70117 (Keywords: LGBT friendly; Vegan) | On Facebook: www.facebook.com/StRochTavern

Ruby Slipper – Great breakfast and brunch spot serving a top notch mimosa. There are a few locations around town, one just a quick walk from the hotel.  www.therubyslippercafe.net

Seed – Vegan restaurant with solid New Orleans and Southern food even meat eaters will enjoy. Get your vegan po-boy here!  1330 Prytania Street, New Orleans | seedyourhealth.com

Surrey’s Cafe and Juice Bar – Breakfast and lunch. http://www.surreysnola.com/ Two locations: 1418 Magazine Street and 4807 Magazine Street.

Toups South –  Southern cuisine featuring  food and cocktails inside of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (try the “pork rinds”!). 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans | www.toupssouth.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House – Famous for their fried chicken, but their butter beans are magical. Expect a wait.  2401 St. Ann Street, New Orleans |  www.williemaesnola.com

 

Coffee Houses around the CBD (Downtown)

  • Merchant – 800 Common Street. Stop here for the best homemade chai.
  • Pulp and Grind – 644 Camp Street
  • Louisiana Products – 618 Julia Street. Not exactly a coffee shop, but a locally-owned grocery / very small deli with the best red beans and rice in the CBD. Very cheap, too.
  • Rouler – 601 Baronne Street
  • Revelator Coffee – 637 Tchoupitoulas
  • French Truck Coffee – 1200 Magazine Street
  • Mammoth Espresso –  Baronne Street
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