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49 Best Places to Eat in New Orleans Food Bucket List

My, oh my, crawfish pie. New Orleans is a city that beats to its own mighty drum. This list of best places to eat in New Orleans celebrates that get down music. Did I just hear a ‘who dat?

N’awlins is a land of lagniappe, and you will find it first and foremost in the food. Poboys, rum, oysters, beignets, crawfish, the Sazerac, chicory coffee, pralines, creole cream cheese, chochon de lait.

The Ultimate NOLA Food Bucket List - 49 Best Places to Eat in New Orleans Louisiana - from new award winning restaurants to old legendary ones // localadventurer.com

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Last Updated: July 24, 2023

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49 Best Places to Eat in New Orleans Food Bucket List

New Orleans was in my backyard growing up and I had the chance to live there as a young adult working at my first bread-baking job. Every time I go back for visits to the city, she seeps into my veins a little more each time feeling like an echo that reverberates in my body long after I come back to Asheville.

We also got a little help from our friend Kelly Fields of the famed Willa Jean Bakery to bring you a list of the best places to eat in New Orleans. It includes both new and legendary spots to fill you up.

Bywater

  1. Bacchanal Wine (Bywater, Beer/Wine Bars, 💰💰) Eat Crispy Pork Shoulder and Patatas Bravas in the perfect backyard with live music and an entire room of choice wine by the bottle or classic cocktails.
  2. The Joint (Bywater, BBQ/Southern, 💰) Delicious BBQ.
  3. Elizabeth’s Restaurant (Bywater, Southern, 💰💰)

See More: 101 Things to do in New Orleans Bucket List

Red's Chinese + Your Essential Guide on Where to Eat in New Orleans Louisiana // localadventurer.com

Central Business District

  1. Domenica (CBD, Italian/Pizza, 💰💰) Inside the Roosevelt Hotel, the pies here are thin, blistered, and full of flavor. My favorites? The clam and prosciutto pies. For your veggies, order the roasted cauliflower with whipped feta.
  2. Lüke (CBD, French/German/Cajun/Creole, 💰💰) Open wide as you can for the burger here, piled with Benton’s bacon, caramelized onions, and Emmenthaler cheese.

French Quarter

  1. Bayona (French Quarter, New American/Mediterranean, 💰💰💰) Grilled Shrimp and Smoked Duck PB&J sandwich.  Also, sweetbreads that will change your life or at least my brothers.
  2. Cafe Du Monde (French Quarter, Donuts/Coffee/Tea, 💰) A cornerstone of the Quarter, cafe’ au lait, beignets and excellent people watching not to be missed.
  3. Cane and Table (French Quarter, Cocktail Bars, 💰💰) Beautiful bar and interior, cocktails.
  4. Doris Metropolitan (French Quarter, New American/Steakhouses, 💰💰) Amazing steaks.
  5. GW Fins (Seafood, 💰💰💰) Wonderful spot for a fancy dinner out! We enjoyed all the dishes we had and saw others celebrating special occasions.
  6. Killer Poboys (French Quarter, Sandwiches, 💰💰) A small storefront with a big appetite. The shrimp bahn mi with a cold beer alongside it hit the spot.
  7. Bourbon House (French Quarter + Multiple Locations, Desserts/Chocolatiers, 💰💰) On Eater’s Essential French Quarter Dining Guide. Known for its seafood tower.
  8. Sylvain (French Quarter, American (New)/ Gastropubs, 💰💰) Chilled shrimp salad that was PERFECT! Unfortunately, our bartender/waitress woke up that morning and served us with an attitude enough to ruin our experience.

See More: 25 Free Things to do in New Orleans

Killer PoBoys + Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Food in New Orleans, Louisiana // localadventurer.com

Garden District

  1. Casamento’s (Garden District, Seafood, 💰💰) There are raw oysters and an oyster loaf amidst gleaming white floor to ceiling white tile. Make sure you walk thru the kitchen on your way to the bathroom; the ladies cooking are not to be missed.
  2. Joey K’s (Garden District, Southern, 💰💰) This is the place for homestyle Creole eats, big ol’ po’boys, and fried green tomatoes. Be sure to try their fried chicken, too! Locals love it for being a lively hot spot with a homey feel.
  3. Commander’s Palace (Garden District, Cajun/Creole/American, 💰💰💰) I have memories of the turtle soup from when I was a kid, finished tableside with sherry. For lunch, .25 cent martini’s (limit 3). Who dat?
  4. Coquette (Garden District, New American, 💰💰) Try the fried chicken and duck.
  5. Parasol’s Bar and Restaurant (Garden District, Bars/Southern, 💰) Step up to the takeout window and order a roast beef Po’ Boy made to drip down to your elbows.
  6. Stein’s Market and Deli (Garden District, Deli/Sandwiches, 💰💰) Walk in, stand in line, and order a Rachel. You will be handed an overstuffed sandwich and a bad attitude, but you will somehow walk out smiling and loving life.
  7. Turkey and the Wolf (Lower Garden District, Sandwiches/Cocktails, 💰💰) Bon Appetit’s #1 Best New Restaurant in 2017
  8. The Delachaise (Garden District/Touro, New American, 💰) Wine plus tapas. Yes please.

Marigny

  1. Paladar 511 (Marigny, Pizza/New American, 💰) Pizza, sautéed artichokes, best crudo we had in town, along with some of the friendliest service in the city.
  2. St. Roch Market (Marigny, New American/Salad/Seafood, 💰💰) It was built in 1838 as an open-air market, but you can still camp out here for hours and choose from a dozen different purveyors of food and libation. Don’t miss the simple and addictive avocado toast, and wash it down with a Mr. Pickle’s Old Fashioned.
  3. Willie Mae’s Scotch House (Marigny (Treme) + Multiple Locations, Southern/Comfort Food, 💰💰) Think you’ve already tried the best fried chicken of your life? Think again. (temporarily closed)

Mid-City

  1. Oceana Grill (Mid-City, Seafood/Cajun, 💰💰)
  2. Marjie’s Grill (Mid-City, Southern/Asian Fusion, 💰💰) One of Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants in 2017
  3. MoPho (Mid-City, Vietnamese/Asian Fusion/Cocktails, 💰💰) Som Tam salad and crispy chicken wings.
  4. Parkway Bakery & Tavern (Mid City, Seafood/Bakery/Dessert, 💰💰) Skip breakfast and then order the side by side fried shrimp and catfish po’boy.

See More: How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in New Orleans (Free Itinerary)

best po boys in new orleansPin

Riverbend

  1. Brigtsen’s (Riverbend, Cajun/Creole/Southern, 💰💰) Broiled Gulf Fish
  2. Camelia Grill (Riverbend, American (Traditional)/Burger, 💰) Get the cheeseburger late-night.
  3. Maple Street Cafe (New American, Cafe, 💰💰) Don’t sleep on their bread pudding!
  4. Jacques-Imo’s Cafe (Riverbend, Cajun/Creole, 💰💰) Snag the 2 top in the back of the run-down truck parked on the curb covered in street art and order the Eggplant Jacques-Imo.

Uptown

  1. Baru Bistro and Tapas (Uptown, Latin American/Small Plates, 💰💰) Ceviche and Pescado Frito (whole fried fish), this spot is like walking into a house party on the weekends.
  2. Creole Creamery (Uptown, Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt, 💰) Try a big ole scoop of creole cream cheese ice cream and salty smoky chocolate almond.
  3. Clancy’s (Uptown, Seafood/Cajun/Creole, 💰💰💰) On Eater’s list of 38 places to eat in the US in 2016.
  4. Boucherie (Uptown, BBQ, Southern, 💰💰) Try the wagyu hanger steak.
  5. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz (Uptown, Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Shaved Ice, 💰) New Orleans’ and world famous snowballs. My favorite? The tart satsuma. If you visit and it’s hot out, expect a line!
  6. La Crepe Nanou (Uptown, French/Creperie/Seafood, 💰💰) Adorable from first sight, the building looks like an old train depot, feels like Paris inside. The mussels and frites, whole fish, and avocado vinaigrette are stand-outs.
  7. La Petite Grocery (Uptown, French/Southern/Brunch, 💰💰💰) One of Eater America’s Top 38 Essential Restaurants in 2017. Blue crab beignets and fried gulf oysters.
  8. Lilette (Uptown, French, 💰💰💰) Hanger steak was on point, Manhattan and Old Fashioned were perfect, and our waitress/bartender was friendly and genuinely answered our questions.
  9. Restaurant Patois (Uptown, Seafood/Brunch/French, 💰💰💰) Try the fried rabbit on a biscuit.
  10. Shaya (Uptown, Middle Eastern/Mediterranean/Desserts, 💰💰) Spectacular outdoor patio, baba ganoush, falafel, and wood-fired pita. Go spend a perfect afternoon here.
  11. Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar (Uptown, Seafood, 💰💰) Fresh oysters and delicious seafood.

Warehouse District

  1. Cochon Butcher (Warehouse District, Sandwiches/Butcher, 💰💰) On the Yelp 100 List in 2016. Get the BBQ Pork ‘Carolina Style’ sandwich.
  2. Compère Lapin (Warehouse District, Caribbean/American, 💰💰💰) One of Eater America’s Top 38 Essential Restaurants in 2017.
  3. Herbsaint (Warehouse District, French, 💰💰💰) Banana brown butter tart with fleur de sel caramel.
  4. Peche Seafood Grill (Warehouse District, Seafood, 💰💰💰💰) Smoked tuna dip, raw oysters, and skirt steak.  Eat at one of the 2 bars and you will not be disappointed.
  5. Seaworthy (Warehouse District, Cocktail Bars/Seafood, 💰💰) – For happy hour, oysters on the half and a glass of rose’.
  6. Willa Jean (Warehouse District, Bakery/American (New)/Breakfast/Brunch, 💰💰) Biscuits with strawberry jam, charcuterie plate with homemade crackers and pickles, avocado toast.

Closed

  • Central Grocery & Deli
  • Oxalis
  • Primitivo
  • Red’s Chinese
  • Surrey’s Uptown

Map of the Best Places to Eat in New Orleans

Best Places to Stay in New Orleans

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See something that makes you hungry? Any others you would add for the best places to eat in New Orleans?

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Caroline + Erin

They are freelance web designers and photographers who love finding adventure, both big and small. The two make a daily practice of sharing vulnerabilities, truth telling, and side splitting laughter. They’ve honed the art of traveling fast and doing all of the things that an adventurer can do in a day or two. The couple lives in Asheville and loves spending their time in the mountains.

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Christopher

    Hey there. Was wondering if you could tell me which restaurant it was, where there is a picture of a po boy and a man in a plaid. Thanks!

    1. jacob

      That was taken at Seaworthy!

  2. paul reed

    Hi. I Just moved to Nola and had the idea to make videos of me reviewing local restaurants. After doing some research, I found your list, which I love! I was wondering if I can use your list as a guide to help get my youtube channel started.

    1. Esther JuLee

      Thanks, Paul. Sure be my guest. Would love to see the videos when you have them up :)

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