First-Timer’s Food Guide to New Orleans
New Orleans…land of hauntings, music, and food. What more could you want? I famously plan my vacation days around food and this was especially true in New Orleans. I really wanted to try as much New Orleans food as possible – beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and anything else that came my way.
I didn’t really have a plan of attack because honestly, you can’t go wrong. If you go on Yelp, literally every restaurant review is 4+ stars out of 5.
However, here are my recommendations for some restaurants and foods that I’ve tried – mostly in the tourist areas because that’s where we spent the most time as first-timers. I’m sure even locals are still discovering all the food choice New Orleans has to offer!
Must-Try Foods
It’s nearly impossible to narrow the list of must-try foods down, but here’s a recommended shortlist of foods to cross off your NOLA food bucketlist. I’ll dive deeper into each one and where to find them.
- beignets
- gumbo
- jambalaya
- red beans and rice
- étouffée
- po’boys
- muffuletta
- oysters
- drinks: Hurricane, hand grenade, mint julep, sazerac
The best way to try as much food as possible is to go on a food tour.
My absolute favorite is by Doctor Gumbo. Not only will you try some of the most amazing food around the city, but you’ll learn the history and significance of each food.
It’s truly the most memorable thing we did on our New Orleans itinerary so I highly recommend.
Beignets
Of course, the most famous is Café du Monde in the French Quarter. I went there exclusively my first time in New Orleans. It was open 24 hours so after staying out late on Bourbon Street, it was always the last stop of the night. However, I will say the location in the French Quarter is dirty and crowded, so I would go to say you went but otherwise, you can find good beignets elsewhere. And dear gawd, avoid the bathroom if you can.
I highly recommend the Cafe du Monde in City Park for a much more pleasant experience! The beignets and coffee are just as good, but the cafe has a gorgeous outdoor patio surrounded by Spanish-moss covered oak trees. When I visited, there was even a saxophone player setting the mood.
My second time there, I wanted to branch out and try more than just the popular spot. I discovered Café Beignet and honestly, I think it was better than Café du Monde. There are multiple locations throughout the French Quarter, but I visited the location along Decatur St. across from Café du Monde. It looked like a little old-timey soda shop adorned with tiled floors, a self-playing piano, and a beautiful bar. So cute!
An order of beignets usually ranges from $3-5 and has three beignets. You can’t miss it!
Finally, I urge you to try Loretta’s in the French Market. They have crab-stuffed beignets with the most delicious dipping remoulade sauce. Plus, praline filled beignets!
Cajun and Creole Food
There are so many incredible restaurants in New Orleans, and again while I’ve been three times now, I was only there for a couple days at a time. So, I’m no authority on New Orleans, but I will say the Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter has an amazing menu that allows you to try multiple different classic dishes in one meal. I discovered it the first time I went and knew I had to go back when I returned to the city.
The “complete Creole dinner” is a four-course meal with choices including seafood okra gumbo, chicken andouille gumbo, shrimp creole, jambalaya, red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, chicken espagnole, creamed spinach, and dessert! It costs $27, but where else can you try so many different and delicious foods!
Oysters
Another essential food in New Orleans is oysters! There are a few ways that oysters are prepared so if you’re super into seafood, try to taste them all!
Acme Oyster House serves traditional raw oysters and is very popular.
Antoine’s is the oldest restaurant in New Orleans and created oysters Rockefeller, which are highly seasoned with butter, herbs, and breadcrumbs.
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant developed the charbroiled oysters with rich butter and herb sauce. We went with this one and the oysters were phenomenal!
Po’boys and Muffuletta
Po’boys aka poor boys aka sandwiches on the fluffiest French bread. They’re a must-try in New Orleans. And, don’t skip muffuletta, a Sicilian sandwich with olive-salad spread inside.
For both, I recommend a hole in the wall NOLA Poboys. They’re right in the French Quarter and have an extensive, yet simple menu to try the essentials!
Breakfast
I have to make a quick note about breakfast. I might not be a sandwich person (sorry, muffuletta), but I LOVE breakfast and New Orleans has no shortage of delicious breakfast restaurants. While I was there, I went to a place in the French Quarter called Curio. It was similar to Café Beignet in appearance with cute tiled floors and airy spaces. And, of course, the food was amazing!
The next morning we went to a local chain called The Ruby Slipper Café in the Garden District. There are other locations in the French Quarter and Marigny District as well. I absolutely loved the food here! I got a pancake flight with a maple bacon pecan pancake, cinnamon swirl pancake, and cream cheese blueberry crêpe. For someone who isn’t the biggest drinker, but a huge breakfast lover, this was my kind of flight! I’ve also loved this pie flight in Asheville, NC.
I also loved Bearcat for breakfast, which has some great vegan options for New Orleans. They were always packed when we visited though so plan accordingly!
One unique breakfast option is to do a jazz brunch. While many restaurants around town do it, Court of Two Sisters is one of the oldest and they hold it every day (not just on the weekends like other places).
It can be expensive at ~$40 per person, but the food is buffet style with SO MANY options, both traditional New Orleans foods and classic American brunch fare. Drinks are not included in the price so take that into account.
Finally, be sure to request the courtyard when making your reservation.
One of my favorite breakfast spots is Elizabeth’s in the Bywater. They’re known for their incredible praline bacon and it was worth the wait!
Drinks
So far, I’ve found that the most famous places in New Orleans for drinks (for first-timers) are along Bourbon Street, which is similar to the Las Vegas strip. The open container laws here mean you can get your drinks to-go and carry them along Bourbon Street.
A couple important drink mentions are the Hand Grenade from Tropical Isle (multiple locations) and the Hurricane that was created at Pat O’Brien’s bar. Pat O’Brien’s has a dueling piano bar and outdoor courtyard and the Hurricane is dangerously delicious!
You can get a Sazerac and Mint Julep from many bars so don’t be afraid to ask.
I also recommend stopping in the famous Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone (one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans). The bar does rotate like a carousel albeit very slowly! It’s fun, but was already packed right at opening (11am).
One final place that’s a fun spot is the Old Absinthe House on Bourbon St. They serve traditional absinthe over sugar and aflame!
More New Orleans resources:
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