12 Places to Eat in New Orleans

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the USA! It’s bursting with culture, from the architecture to the cuisine. I could write so much about this vibrant city, but I’ll stick to writing about one of my favorite things about New Orleans – the food. This guide will take you on a journey to the best eats in the Big Easy!

1. St Roch Market

St Roch Market is a food hall that’s well worth leaving the French Quarter for! This trendy spot has numerous options for food and beverages and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food vendors rotate on a regular basis, so you’re basically guaranteed to find something new on every visit. I can confirm this because my friends and I went to St Roch Market five times during our week-long trip and got something different and outstanding every time!

2. Two Chicks Cafe

Two Chicks Cafe, which is indeed a women-owned business, is an excellent option for a casual brunch! Their original location is near the convention center, and they have a second location closer to Bourbon Street. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat before a conference or before day-drinking, Two Chicks is the place to be! This restaurant offers homemade breakfast staples and fresh juices. Get the shrimp and grits and thank me later!

3. Coterie Restaurant and Oyster Bar

So you wanted to go to Acme Oyster House, but the line to get in is insane. Coterie has you covered! Grab a seat in the bar area and treat yourself to their massive oysters shucked right in front of you. They’re as good as they look! And if you get lucky, the shucker might give you an extra or two. The menu also boasted a wide variety of Cajun dishes – I didn’t have a chance to try them, which means I must go back someday!

4. Café Du Monde

A tourist spot that’s 100% worth the hype is Café Du Monde. Their beignets and coffee are so fresh and delicious! There are many locations, but I recommend going to the original location in the French Quarter, which has been open since 1862 and is open 24 hours daily. Although nothing beats a fresh beignet for breakfast, check out Café Du Monde in the late afternoon or evening to avoid the busiest times, especially on the weekends. I personally think these beignets pair well with a to-go drink from Pat O’Brien’s! If you don’t make it to any of the Café Du Monde locations during your New Orleans trip, then be sure to stop by their airport location on your way back home.

5. Café Beignet

If you’re looking for amazing beignets that aren’t as well-known by tourists, then Café Beignet is your go-to. They have multiple locations that are equally charming! In addition to warm, fresh beignets and café au laits, Café Beignet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items and alcoholic beverages – perfect for those who want something savory as well as sweet!

6. Napoleon House

Napoleon House is the perfect mix of European and Creole charm and history – and the food is good too! This house was meant to be a place of refuge for the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800s, thus the name Napoleon House. Although that intention never came to be, this house has been used as a grocery store and, since 1914, a restaurant serving Creole food and a delectable variety of cocktails, from Pimm’s Cup to sazeracs! The ambiance is beautiful – we were sat in a courtyard filled with palm trees and historic architecture. I got the gator po’ boy and absolutely loved it!

7. Red Fish Grill

Craving delicious Cajun food on Bourbon street? Then head to Red Fish Grill! This casual spot has a fresh variety of Cajun food – jambalaya, gumbo, you name it! I started with a half-dozen oysters on the half-shell, then got the crawfish étouffée. Both choices were amazing! This was the first restaurant we went to when arriving in New Orleans, and it was the perfect way to kick off the trip!

8. The Ruby Slipper

The Ruby Slipper is a fantastic brunch spot with locations throughout the city of New Orleans! The first location opened in 2008 with the idea of creating a gathering place of food and community after Hurricane Katrina. The soul of New Orleans shines throughout your experience in this restaurant, from the friendly staff to the unique New Orleans flavors in their food and drinks! Everything on their menu sounded amazing, but after much deliberation I decided to get the Ruby Mimosa and the mix-and-match bennies. I have zero regrets about my choices, but The Ruby Slipper seems like one of those places where you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu!

9. Queen Trini Lisa

I discovered Queen Trini Lisa at the very first Wanderfest hosted by Wanderful (shameless plug – it’s an amazing fest, you should go!), and was blown away by the flavors in this double. This was my first time trying Trinbagonian Island soul food, and I must say I am soul-d on it! Definitely make time to check out this POC woman-owned business and indulge yourself in this wonderful cuisine!

10. Lebanon Grill

Bourbon Street is, as you could probably guess, filled with many options for Cajun food. If you’re looking for a great restaurant near Bourbon Street that’s different from Cajun food, then head to Lebanon Grill! The staff are very friendly, and they have a variety of delectable Lebanese eats. Some friends and I split a platter of various Lebanese appetizers such as bread and hummus, cheese, and salad. A few of us also got chicken and beef shawarma wraps that were hot, fresh, and delicious!

11. The Delachaise Wine Bar

The Delachaise Wine Bar not only has an extensive selection of wine and beer, but also handmade food. They’ve been voted best fries in New Orleans for five years in a row, and it’s easy to see why! They’re perfectly crispy and seasoned. In my opinion, they pair very well with their lamb burger and a glass of red wine! The restaurant itself is cozy and charming – perfect for a wine bar!

12. Central Grocery and Deli

**NOTE: As of July 2022 Central Grocery and Deli is temporarily closed due to hurricane damage**

Central Grocery and Deli is a must-visit during your New Orleans trip! This grocery store is a third-generation establishment that’s been open since 1906. The founder of this shop put it on the map by inventing the muffuletta sandwich! All it takes is one bite of their famous sandwich to see why they’re still serving up muffulettas to this day. Their in-house meats, fresh bread, and the family’s Italian olive salad all come together to make this one of the best sandwiches you’ll have in New Orleans! It’s also worth mentioning that these muffulettas are enormous, so the half order is more than enough for one person!

New Orleans is packed with incredible restaurants and bars! This list only scratches the surface of all the amazing eats this culturally rich city has to offer. Do you have any New Orleans favorites that aren’t mentioned here? Let me know in the comments!