Much love to Big Freedia and to New Orleans.
I was in NOLA a few years ago in January and had a slice of galette des rois (apologies if my French is off) for dessert. OMG it was so good, flaky pastry filled with a bit of almond paste, heaven on a plate. I purchased an entire cake the next day to bring home, I don't remember the name of the bakery. The food in general is so good, I would be HUGE if I lived there.
RIP Circle Food Store
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Morrow has to be one of the most disgusting kitchens I’ve ever seen. Days old food, sticky floors, no accountability, and a disaffected staff. How did this make the list?
Yall should add Mommashouse to this list
What a terrific article. And three cheers for Big Freedia..!! She’s fabulous. Just like the spirit of New Orleans.
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Felix's oysters
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I’m nola born and raised, and most of my family still lives there. We’re an hour away and visit often. Best King Cake is Haydels on Jefferson Hwy. Best seafood is either Acme Oysters on Veterans Blvd in Metairie (the French Quarter location is packed with tourists and the line wraps around the corner; the Metairie location is full of locals and has a parking lot). Best Italian is Venezia on Carrollton (the tradition is to dine at Venezia and then go the next block down to Brocato’s for ice cream and Italian pastries for dessert - when you are at Brocato’s you will see the people who were at the table next to you in Venezia having their own dessert in Brocatos). Second best seafood is at Dragos in the downtown Hilton Riverside. Breakfast is either Willa Jean on O’Keefe Ave, or Mothers on Poydras (there is a line down the street all day long for Mothers - poboys and red beans/rice, gumbo, etc - worth standing in line for, it’s the only location).
Uptown off Carrollton I recommend Maple St Cafe on Maple St (only locals, never any tourists). Also highly recommend Atchafalaya on Louisiana Ave (garden district), with a terrific Sat/Sun brunch. Overlooked by many is Legacy Kitchen Craft Tavern on Tchoupitoulas; we had Cristmas Day dinner there in the evening with 6 people, and although it was packed, we were all served timely and had terrific oysters, crawfish and cornbread. For a fancy night out, I recommend Palace Cafe on Canal St. (Galatoire’s isn’t what it used to be).
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I would also recommend Cafe Pontalba. It's located near Jackson Square which is fun in its own right.
During the span of a three day business meeting in New Orleans, two out of our group 15 were mugged. Best suggestion : Go elsewhere & skip the food and the predators.
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@Bongo It is a dangerous city and always has been. Keep your wallet close by it usually gets taken just as you leave your hotel.
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@Bongo I had a similar experience in NYC but wouldn't blame the city. Had great time anyway, loved the people and the food. Let New Orleans love you, Bongo.
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@Bongo Try to venture out, away from the tourist traps recommended by the concierges. Muggings occur in all cities, worst for muggings and pick pocket is Europe.
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Freedia ain't lyin! All of these are great spots!!
Don't forget Willie Mae's Scotch House for some of the best fried chicken in the city! Get there early because the line starts about a half hour before they open and it could take you up to an hour and a half to get seated!
Morning hangovers? Ruby Slipper! They're all over the city. Again, get there early to avoid the rush.
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The beauty of New Orleans is its diversity. From Friday lunch at Galatoire's to steak night at The Upper Level on North Claiborne, and everything in between, there is something for everyone. For all its problems, and there are many and they run deep, at its heart NOLA will make you happy. I've never experienced a more welcoming, life-loving city. You will be welcomed here and vert well rewarded if you come with an open mind, good appetite, a set of earplugs and just treat people with kindness.
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Have you ever visited an Italian American feast during a NY summer? I ask because the worst zeppole served at a feast are as good as Cafe du Monde. Seriously! These beignets [zeppole] are not very good they are heavy and hard. I have had them multiple times to find out what the fuss is all about but I am at a loss. Try them, then come to NY in the summer for a better version of a southern Italian delicacy.
Lastly, NOLA is a great American food city that I enjoy visiting and will look forward to trying these places next time. Thanks for sharing.
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Sorry, @TL, but you must have been there on a bad night or something. I grew up enjoying zeppole from Brooklyn Italian street fairs and beignets are simply different. They are neither heavy nor hard. Been living in NOLA for 7 years and Cafe du Monde's beignets are the best (but go after midnight when the crowds thin).
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@TL When I attended my first St. Gennaro Fest last year, my Italian-American SIL insisted I try zeppoles. I asked, "are they like beignets?" And she became thoughtful before she said in her New Yawk accent "They're like beignets, but ya know, they're Italian, so they're better"
She wasn't lying.
Sounds like it's just chock full of healthy food lol
@john wombacher
You can have a long life or you can have a good life.
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Read the whole article. Now I don't have to eat for at least 24 hours.
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May I add, girl, Lil Dizzy's for Gumbo and Parkway Bakery for Shrimp Po' Boys. And bike there.
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Great spot Big Frieda! I loved Neyow's , gotta try Mqnchu's Chicken. I love you girl, from Treme on. This picture of you rocks, stunning! Good food all over NOLA, I love the Gumbo Shop also!
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Manchu Food Store is about 3 blocks from us. We go there too much but not often enough.
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Cafe du Monde is excellent, but the Beignet Cafe is better without the long lines.
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Soda fountain.
I want another five spots from Miss Freedia, please!
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Big Freedia! You blew up every scene you had in Tremé !
"Imma tell you when I'm ready, when I'm ready Imma tell ya!"
Thanks for the foodie insight! Long Live Big Freedia!
AND LONG LIVE NEW ORLEANS!
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Do we really need another list with Cafe Du Monde on it? There's so much more to the city than this.
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@Sam Don't be hatin. I've been going to NOLA for 30 years and I still like that pause that is Cafe Du Monde. Just because the tourists like it doesn't mean it's not good. I sit, sip and then see what's next. You never know, what's next in NOLA.
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@ALnKY
Me too. My godmother had a walk up on Jackson Square. We’d go to the To Go window, rarely a line even when there was a wait for tables, and grab a bag and go sit on the top of the levy to watch the boats and ships. I “blame” her for my love of coffee at a tender age and love of watching the world go by.
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I am less enthusiastic about recommendation these days. I have been in New Orleans several times, having lunch and dinners in various restaurants. Like any tourist cities, some restaurants are good and some are not. I ate at some recommended restaurants primarily in the French Quarter area but failed to be impressed. I would suggest visitors to these places that pricy dish does not mean it is better. Other times, a small and unimpressive roadside restaurant may be more to your taste and pocket book.
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I, sadly, live five hours from New Orleans in the infinitely more drab northern part of the state. But I visit every chance I get. My favorite city. Ever.
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I’m a fan of Port of Call on Esplanade Ave. One of the best burgers I have ever had and the interior looks like a 1970s singles bar that has been impeccably preserved.
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She's right but don't miss Bywater Bakery on Dauphine Street! Best King Cakes in town with regular live music with Tom McDermott, shrimp and grits breakfast go-cups and Chaya Conrad's Chantilly Cake.
Off the tourist track and oh so real.
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@Dan Wald Thanks! And Elizabeths in the Bywater... fried chicken livers with pepper jelly. Just do it.
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Tom McDermott is amazing!
Sorry, dude. The best King Cake is from Haydels on Jefferson Hwy. And I’m nola born and raised. Go to the website, they ship to the whole US. For Christmas time they make a Kris Kringle Cake that is a mix of pralines and maple syrup with sugar icing. To die for. They ship that throughout the US too. Nola is so much more than the French Quarter, Treme and Marigny.
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just remember Cafe Du Monde is cash only, no debit cards... or at least that was the case 3 years ago.
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Thanks .. Fun times ... good memories. Can't say that about many places.
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I'm a displaced "yat" (local New Orlean) and this list only scratches the surface. You can cruise Big Easy with no list, not know where you are, just stop at the nearest restaurant.
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I have had better beignets in NO than the Cafe du Monde and I have been there many times. I would rate the beignets at Lucilles in Boulder better as well. Look forward to trying the other recommendations though.
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Very eclectic list which represents NOLA diversity. Hotel concierges usually recommend the French Quarter, and I was always told to stay away from the black community (I didn't). Best to ask the service staff where would they eat. Greasy spoon hole in the wall, best picks. On my next trip to JazzFest I will check out No. 1,2,3,5. No. 4 is my wake up call, a NOLA must for that chicory coffee.
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Delicious! Spend a week there and come home ready to buy a new larger sized wardrobe.
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The picture of Manchu must have been taken the second it opened! That place is sardine-packed all the time! The fried chicken is the best, and cheap too!
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