Guidebook for New Orleans
Food Scene
Not really just a coffee shop — it’s iconic in our culture - from a stop for beignets and cafe au lait after a holiday mass at the St. Louis Cathedral or a lazy weekend strolling the French Quarter, or after a late night partying with friends, New Orleans goes to Cafe du Monde.
703 locals recommend
Cafe Du Monde French Market
800 Decatur StNot really just a coffee shop — it’s iconic in our culture - from a stop for beignets and cafe au lait after a holiday mass at the St. Louis Cathedral or a lazy weekend strolling the French Quarter, or after a late night partying with friends, New Orleans goes to Cafe du Monde.
Mimi’s has bars both upstairs and downstairs. Downstairs it’s drinks and pool and a chill environment. Upstairs it’s drinks, and tapas, and some nights DJs and dancing. Special wink to DJ Soul Sister, queen of rare groove, so if she’s working her magic, it’s worth a trip.
673 locals recommend
Mimi's In the Marigny
2600 Chartres StreetMimi’s has bars both upstairs and downstairs. Downstairs it’s drinks and pool and a chill environment. Upstairs it’s drinks, and tapas, and some nights DJs and dancing. Special wink to DJ Soul Sister, queen of rare groove, so if she’s working her magic, it’s worth a trip.
Get their namesake drink. I assure you, you’ll only need one. There’s also the Monsoon, but, again, get one. At 10 dollars (except during high season when it’s a little more), the big Port of Call drink with the iconic keeper cup is a steal if you’re looking to amble around for adventure. The restaurant in general is not vegetarian friendly in a vegetarian unfriendly city. I got a grilled cheese here once but had to order it special - it’s not on the menu. That said, their burgers are as good as they get in the city. Try to go at an off hour, or you’ll be in line for a minute.
386 locals recommend
Port of Call
838 Esplanade AveGet their namesake drink. I assure you, you’ll only need one. There’s also the Monsoon, but, again, get one. At 10 dollars (except during high season when it’s a little more), the big Port of Call drink with the iconic keeper cup is a steal if you’re looking to amble around for adventure. The restaurant in general is not vegetarian friendly in a vegetarian unfriendly city. I got a grilled cheese here once but had to order it special - it’s not on the menu. That said, their burgers are as good as they get in the city. Try to go at an off hour, or you’ll be in line for a minute.
I almost did not add this to the list - in order to keep the secret! I love Cake Cafe so much. My favorite brunch restaurant - nothing fancy just amazing food and a cool laid-back New Orleans feel. You line up at the counter to order from the extensive menu, and they bring it out to your table. The gourmet cupcakes are just a dollar when ordered with a meal. It is small: indoor seating is limited but the sidewalk tables let you soak in the neighborhood.
267 locals recommend
New Orleans Cake Café & Bakery
2440 Chartres StI almost did not add this to the list - in order to keep the secret! I love Cake Cafe so much. My favorite brunch restaurant - nothing fancy just amazing food and a cool laid-back New Orleans feel. You line up at the counter to order from the extensive menu, and they bring it out to your table. The gourmet cupcakes are just a dollar when ordered with a meal. It is small: indoor seating is limited but the sidewalk tables let you soak in the neighborhood.
Take the time to check out the beautifully restored piece of history that is the St. Roch Market. St. Roch Market was originally created as a state-owned, open-air market on St. Claude Avenue in 1875. After thriving for many years and then barely surviving through the Great Depression, the historic venue evolved into a privately owned seafood market in the late 20th century. When hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the market was nearly destroyed, as the storm severely damaged both its interior and exterior structures. Today St. Roch Market has undergone complete transformation into a rejuvenated community market place and local favorite for any time of day.
466 locals recommend
St. Roch Market
2381 St Claude AveTake the time to check out the beautifully restored piece of history that is the St. Roch Market. St. Roch Market was originally created as a state-owned, open-air market on St. Claude Avenue in 1875. After thriving for many years and then barely surviving through the Great Depression, the historic venue evolved into a privately owned seafood market in the late 20th century. When hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the market was nearly destroyed, as the storm severely damaged both its interior and exterior structures. Today St. Roch Market has undergone complete transformation into a rejuvenated community market place and local favorite for any time of day.
Drinks & Nightlife
Frenchman Street is a live music buffet. This isn’t Bourbon. It is about the music. You can drink, of course. Start at Spotted Cat, get a drink, listen to some great New Orleans old school jazz and work your way down the street. Clubs up and down the street offer live music seven days a week. You can go down early and eat and hang out, but things really don’t get going until after 9:30 or so usually. Places like Bamboula’s, d.b.a., Cafe Negril, Snug Harbor, Blue Nile, Maison, Vaso, Rare Form are some of what you’ll find wandering down the street with your drinks in go cups. You might even see my cousin playing trumpet. Usually a brass band playing on the street as well.
521 locals recommend
The Spotted Cat Music Club
623 Frenchmen StFrenchman Street is a live music buffet. This isn’t Bourbon. It is about the music. You can drink, of course. Start at Spotted Cat, get a drink, listen to some great New Orleans old school jazz and work your way down the street. Clubs up and down the street offer live music seven days a week. You can go down early and eat and hang out, but things really don’t get going until after 9:30 or so usually. Places like Bamboula’s, d.b.a., Cafe Negril, Snug Harbor, Blue Nile, Maison, Vaso, Rare Form are some of what you’ll find wandering down the street with your drinks in go cups. You might even see my cousin playing trumpet. Usually a brass band playing on the street as well.
Smooth offshoot of an NYC pub pours craft beer & hosts an eclectic lineup of nightly live music. Check their website for live music schedule.
387 locals recommend
d.b.a.
618 Frenchmen StSmooth offshoot of an NYC pub pours craft beer & hosts an eclectic lineup of nightly live music. Check their website for live music schedule.
Want to dance on Saturday night? DJ Soul Sister brings her mix of “underground disco, rare groove, old school funk, boogie, true school hip hop, fusion jazz movers and groovers”. Always a good time.
297 locals recommend
Hi-Ho Lounge
2239 St Claude AveWant to dance on Saturday night? DJ Soul Sister brings her mix of “underground disco, rare groove, old school funk, boogie, true school hip hop, fusion jazz movers and groovers”. Always a good time.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Arguably the oldest bar in New Orleans, this building dates back to 1772, making it one of the few French-built buildings that survived the great fires of 1788 and 1794. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop was reputedly one of the gathering places for pirates such as the Lafitte brothers and Dominique Youx, when they came up to the city from Barataria Bay. Today, the bar is a regular stop on French Quarter walking tours. Whether you’re on a guided tour or just wandering the Quarter on your own, come down to Bourbon and St. Phillip streets for a taste of pirates, scoundrels, and adventure!
294 locals recommend
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar
941 Bourbon StLafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Arguably the oldest bar in New Orleans, this building dates back to 1772, making it one of the few French-built buildings that survived the great fires of 1788 and 1794. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop was reputedly one of the gathering places for pirates such as the Lafitte brothers and Dominique Youx, when they came up to the city from Barataria Bay. Today, the bar is a regular stop on French Quarter walking tours. Whether you’re on a guided tour or just wandering the Quarter on your own, come down to Bourbon and St. Phillip streets for a taste of pirates, scoundrels, and adventure!
Sightseeing
Every street in the French Quarter has something to offer from classic restaurants, music venues, street entertainment, boutique shopping to voodoo temples. Some of the most popular areas include: Jackson Square, Royal Street, Chartres Street and Bourbon Street and don’t forget to make a trip to the historic French Market for souvenirs.
790 locals recommend
French Quarter
Every street in the French Quarter has something to offer from classic restaurants, music venues, street entertainment, boutique shopping to voodoo temples. Some of the most popular areas include: Jackson Square, Royal Street, Chartres Street and Bourbon Street and don’t forget to make a trip to the historic French Market for souvenirs.