Where to eat for the true NOLA eating experience.
New Orleans is a city that always leaves a lasting impression, especially on your taste buds. Whether it’s the world-famous beignets or the sumptuous seafood, this colorful city is a paradise for food lovers. After a recent trip, where we stayed at the W Hotel in the French Quarter – an excellent location for exploring a lot of the New Orleans hotspots – here are our top tried and tasted recommendations:
Day 1: Classic New Orleans Flavours
Breakfast: Beignets at Café du Monde. Start your day with a New Orleans classic: beignets at Café du Monde. This iconic spot is a must-visit in the heart of the French Quarter. The beignets are light, fluffy, and generously dusted with powdered sugar. Pair them with a café au lait for the whole experience. It’s cash-only but open 24 hours a day so that you can satisfy your craving at any time of day.
Lunch: Po’boy Sandwich at Parkway Tavern. No trip to New Orleans is complete without sinking your teeth into a Po’boy. Head to Parkway Tavern for a genuinely authentic experience; from the outside appearance, you can’t possibly anticipate how delicious these New Orleans classic sandwiches will be. Whether you choose the sausage or oyster Po’boy, you’re in for a treat. They’re hearty, packed with flavor, and served with a side of local history – this tavern has been open since 1911!
Dinner: Charbroiled Oysters at Mr. Ed’s Seafood & Oyster House. For dinner, take a tip from the locals and head to Mr. Ed’s Seafood & Oyster House. Also nestled in the French Quarter, this place is famous for its charbroiled oysters, bathed in butter, garlic, and herbs and topped with Parmesan. Be sure to try the Creole gumbo, too – a rich, flavorful dish embodying New Orleans cuisine’s essence. If you’ve got room for dessert, you have to head to Brennan’s, a couple of blocks over on Royal Street, where the banana foster with vanilla cream is a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Day 2: The Local Scene with Hotel Pitstops
Breakfast: Shrimp Benny or Shrimp Creole at The W Hotel. The hotel’s breakfast menu features a twist on the classic Eggs Benedict: Shrimp Benny – poached eggs served on a bed of sautéed shrimp, all smothered in a creamy hollandaise sauce. It’s a great way to start the day well-fuelled before you explore the city.
Lunch: Acme Oyster House. For lunch, make your way to Acme Oyster House, a New Orleans institution. The queue might be long, but it’s worth the wait. Enjoy oysters served in various ways – raw, charbroiled, or fried – and soak in the lively atmosphere, complete with street performers just outside from morning all through the night.
Dinner: Back to the hotel. Please return to the W for a three-course dinner and enjoy the Shrimp & Crawfish Katsu Sando, followed by their traditional Cajun Gumbo. If you’ve room for a third course, the New Orleans favorite bread pudding is the obvious choice. The gumbo is rich and hearty, packed with seafood and spices, while the bread pudding offers a sweet, comforting end to your meal. With a full stomach, slip upstairs for a good night’s sleep and another day of eating across New Orleans tomorrow!
Day 3: Music, Markets, and More
Brunch: Savory Beignets at Loretta’s. Head over to the French Market and try the much talked about crab-filled beignets, followed by their classic praline-filled beignet, and maybe even pick up some cookies for the road.
Explore: Frenchman Street and Royal Street. After brunch, stroll down Frenchman Street, known for its vibrant live music scene. Stop by the bars and listen to the latest tunes from local musicians, or head to Royal Street for some antique shopping and street performances.
Dinner: Superior Seafood at Superior Seafood. End your day at Superior Seafood with another round of chargrilled oysters* topped with garlic, herbs, butter, and a mix of Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Also, try the Blackened Catfish Napoleon, which has the most delicious flavor profile, and you must save room for the homemade carrot cake for dessert, topped with cream cheese icing and Louisiana pecans. The restaurant often has live music, and a regular trio will play various genres of songs from hip-hop and jazz, which sets a delightful atmosphere. Superior Seafood is also known for the frozen French 75—an extra refreshing take on the traditional French 75 cocktail made with sparkling wine, gin, and lime.
Day 4: A Taste of Tradition
Breakfast: Classic beignets at Café Beignet. The charming interior and delicious beignets make it a perfect relaxing spot before heading to your next destination.
Lunch: Oysters and Catfish at Cochon. Don’t leave without treating yourself to a meal at Cochon. Start with the super juicy wood-fired oysters with chili garlic butter, and use the perfectly soft rolls to soak up any extra sauce. Then, move on to the catfish court bouillon with rice, a rich fish stew. Add sides of mac ‘n’ cheese, potato salad, and okra—we promise every bite celebrates Southern comfort food.
Dinner: A Final Feast at Muriel’s. Conclude your culinary adventure with a three-course dinner at Muriel’s near Jackson Square. Start with shrimp and goat’s cheese crepes, followed by the pecan-crusted drum fish. For dessert, choose from the vanilla crème brûlée, pain perdu bread pudding, or dark chocolate pecan tart—you can’t go wrong with any of them.
New Orleans is a city that feeds the soul as much as it does the stomach. From its iconic beignets to its flavorful seafood, every meal here celebrates the city’s rich culture and history. Bon appétit!
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
