Where to Eat in New Orleans, LA
Figuring out where to eat in New Orleans is a huge challenge because there are few cities that offer the quantity and quality of deliciousness the Big Easy does. It can all feel pretty overwhelming when you’re planning a trip, but luckily we did the research to help you navigate the rich culinary scene of New Orleans.
Keep in mind this list is more about classics and local favorites than fine dining. We still fantasize about the meals we ate there on a regular basis and eating at a few of these places is reason enough for us to visit again. These were some favorites of ours, hopefully, this post gives you a few ideas. Bon appétit!
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Domilise’s Po-boys
domilisespoboys.com
5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA
Where Do Locals Go for Po-boys in New Orleans?
The best po-boy places are always up for debate amongst locals. Some will say Parkway while many others will say Domilise’s. The Manning family (NFL) lived in the neighborhood and grew up coming here, you can tell by all of the signed sports memorabilia on the walls.
The friendly man behind the counter told us that Drew Brees would also come in occasionally for a sandwich and we can see why.
We tried the shrimp and the catfish and they were both excellent. The shop’s been there for 100 years, stop by, they’re a pleasant bunch. Have a Barq’s root beer in a glass bottle with your lunch. Oh and send us a sandwich in the mail too!
Jacques-Imo’s Cafe – Real Nawlins Food
jacques-imos.com
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Where Do Locals Go to Eat in New Orleans?
They go to Jacques-Imo’s Cafe. Their phrase, “Real Nawlins Food” sums this place up well. We got recommendations to go here from our Uber and Lyft drivers, Airbnb hosts, and countless others. Anthony Bourdain also visited this spot on his “A Cook’s Tour” TV show back in the day.
Expect to find excellent fish dishes, boudin balls, stuffed shrimp, fried chicken, and more! Located next door to the Maple Leaf Bar in the Carrollton neighborhood. Eat dinner here and head next door for live music. This place is dress-down casual with a funky laid-back vibe.
Felix’s for Seafood Platters/Raw Oysters
felixs.com
739 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130
This place was recommended to us by a friend from Louisiana. It’s located right off of Bourbon Street, but don’t let that put you off. Their fried seafood platters are wonderful, the cornmeal batter is excellent and we loved their oysters on the half shell too. Squeeze some lemon on em and slurp em down!
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Willie Mae’s Scotch House
williemaesnola.com
2401 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Willie Mae’s is the perfect place to get some good ol’ Southern soul food. The seasoned fried chicken is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside and easily the best we’ve ever had! Pairs perfectly with a side of creamy butter beans.
Expect long waits on the weekends. We stood in line for 1-1.5 hrs in the shade (it was still very hot) and then waited again once we got inside. Don’t expect fast service here. We’d recommend arriving by 10:30 am on a weekday so you’re there thirty minutes before they open. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
Bistreaux in the Maison Dupuy Hotel
bistreaux
1001 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
We stayed at this hotel for a few nights, and whether you do the same or not, they have a wonderful breakfast menu and happy hour with very reasonable prices. Happy hour is from 3-6pm daily. Grab a Pimm’s Cup and order the pork belly/fried oyster sliders!
Try their phenomenal Croque monsieur with gruyère cheese and wash it all down with a bloody mary made from vegetable-infused vodka, containing all the garnishes your heart desires.
The interior walls are decorated with colorful recreations of French classical paintings. The most noteworthy being At the Moulin Rouge, the Dance painted by French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1890.
Deanie’s Seafood
deanies.com
841 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
This was the first place we went to when we arrived. Nice fried seafood, po-boys, stuffed catfish, and oysters. It’s a family-friendly restaurant in the French Quarter. Grab a table or a seat at the bar and cool off with a bite and a beverage on those warm humid Louisiana afternoons.
Hansen’s Sno Bliz
snobliz.com
4801 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Next on the list of where to eat in New Orleans is a NOLA institution. In business now for 80 years, this charming family-owned shop in Uptown is the best place to visit on a hot day. Expect a wait, but once you get inside you’ll find yourself hard-pressed to choose from over 100 flavors of delicious shaved ice.
Ashley Hansen is a truly lovely person and she does a great job of carrying on her grandparents’ local legacy. We got stuck in the shop on a rainy day and had the opportunity to speak with her for about an hour. Her grandfather was a machinist and he made the first shaved ice machine back in 1939.
They originally sold their concoctions for .02 cents each and her grandmother knew they were onto something when they made $20 one day! Try one of their cream flavors or go for a really unique one like cardamom or cucumber lime.
Gene’s Po-boys – Permanently Closed
This is a no-frills po-boy spot. It was featured on the Simpsons once, and New Orleans legend Fats Domino used to eat here. Located on the corner of Elysian Fields & St. Claude this is a local classic, not a touristy place at all.
Try the hot sausage or roast beef po-boy with American cheese. It comes in a brown bag, just like your school lunch used to, and is around $13 for a full sandwich. Open 24 hours!
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Central Grocery & Deli
centralgrocery.com
923 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Where to get a muffuletta in New Orleans? Central Grocery is a small authentic Italian grocery and deli that opened in 1906. The founder, Salvatore Lupo, was a Sicilian immigrant and the originator of the muffuletta sandwich. It may cost you $20, but it’s a huge sandwich featuring a stack of salami, mortadella, cheese, and fresh olive salad.
These sandwiches keep well too. Order a full one, eat the first half, and then save the rest for later. Once the olive oil has seeped into the bread it’s really something special. They also sell the ingredients if you want to try making one at home.
Others say the muffuletta is even better at Cochon Butcher, try both and decide for yourself.
Tee-Eva’s Pralines & Pies
A trip to New Orleans must include sampling PRALINES. How you say it doesn’t matter (pray-leens or praw-leens) as long as you get to try em. Ooooh lord! French croquette women brought them over in order to appease young settlers they were trying to marry. These tasty sugary treats have been a part of the culture ever since.
Sadly Tee Eva affectionately known as the “Praline Queen” in New Orleans passed away, but her granddaughter has taken on the role of carrying on her tradition. They no longer have a storefront, but they’re still worth seeking out.
The Camellia Grill
camelliagrill
626 S Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118
An iconic and affordable greasy spoon diner located in the Uptown neighborhood. The servers wear bow ties and greet you with a smile. It has a rich history in the community! It’s mostly counter seating so you’ll be rubbing elbows with the locals.
Their burgers are juicy and oozing with cheese, and they serve breakfast all day. This is a fantastic place to eat when you’re hungover after a night out in the city. Try the chocolate freeze or chocolate pecan pie for dessert. Both are seriously out of this world!
Cafe Beignet
334 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
When thinking about where to eat in New Orleans no visit would be complete without having these powdered French nuggets of goodness. It seems obvious, so we won’t go on and on about them, but ya gotta get some. If you want to avoid the long waits at Cafe Du Monde try Cafe Beignet instead. And be sure to order a chicory coffee to go with it!
New Orleans Top Rated Food Tours
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What would you add to this list of where to eat in New Orleans? Holler in the comments…
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