A self-guided New Orleans Foodie Tour is the best way to enjoy a weekend trip in this incredible city. Don’t miss out on a sampling of all the fantastic flavors of Nola. An abundance of Cajun/Creole and fusion cuisine continuously caters to the millions of visitors that visit each year. Just to give you an idea of the unique dishes you have to try during your New Orleans weekend, here is a short list.
- Shrimp Etouffee
- Po Boy Sandwiches
- Oyster Rockefeller
- Muffuletta sandwich
- Crawfish or Seafood Boil
- Seafood Gumbo
- Jambalaya
- Hurricane Cocktail
I’ve also compiled a quick self-guided list of must-try eateries you have to visit in New Orleans for their unique food and memorable locations. By no means should you skip these spots if you want to experience the authenticity of New Orleans dining.
If you’re looking for sight-seeing things to do in New Orleans besides eating your way to oblivion, make sure to check out my New Orleans 3 Day Weekend Guide! It’s full of unique and historical sites to visit in the Big Easy! Plus, if you’re looking for the most gorgeous places to stay while in New Orleans, make sure you hop on over to my New Orleans AirBNB list.
Due to the 2020 Covid-19 restrictions, some locations’ status may vary. Closures and hours of operation may be different from their regular schedule. Please check websites for any of the listed locations for the most up-to-date information. Stay safe, healthy and Happy Travels!
Unique Food and Bars in New Orleans
Try the Famous Beignets at Cafe du Monde
This is a given. Beignets are a staple of New Orleans. Essentially they’re fried puffy square donuts drenched in white powder sugar. And Cafe du Monde is THE MOST popular location for Beignets. It’s basically a tourist attraction. It can get very crowded and it’s hard to find tables unless you have an eagle eye and you prowl the cafe diligently. It took a small group of us about 10-minutes to grab a small table to seat 4. New Orleans Beignets are served at most cafes so you can pretty much order them anywhere. But Cafe du Monde is the must-try spot for the ultimate tourist experience. An order will serve up about 4-5 pieces. And pair with a hot cup of French pressed chicory roasted coffee. Everything should cost less than $10 and it’s perfect for sharing.
Here’s my ultimate tip for eating a Beignet. Wear all black like I did. Bite into the Beignet and let all the white powder sugar fall onto to your black clothes. It was so worth it. Also, don’t take home the leftovers unless you intend on eating it within a couple of hours. Otherwise, it just turns into a soggy oily mess of fried dough.
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Dinner at the Commander’s Palace
Located directly across the street from the Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the Garden District, this historical Victorian building houses the famous Commander’s Palace restaurant. This location is a legend of New Orleans dining experience. It’s located about 10-15 minutes away from the French Quarter but a quick Streetcar ride will get you there with no problems. The building is painted a bright robin’s egg blue so you can’t miss it. It specializes in an abundance of gourmet Cajun, Creole and French fine dining cuisine, so make sure you add the Commander’s Palace to your New Orleans Foodie Tour. And don’t forget to make your reservations in advance! They book up fairly quickly! Please also note that they have a strict dress code.
DON’T MISS THE COMMANDER’S PALACE DINNER MENU
Lunch Time at the Royal House Oyster Bar
I’m a sucker for raw oysters. {Pun intended.} I know it’s an acquired taste but if you’re an oyster lover, then I highly suggest NOT missing out a chance to dine at the Royal House Oyster Bar. Its centralized location in the French Quarter makes it a perfect stop on your New Orleans Foodie Tour. If you’re not a fan of oysters, never fear, their menu is fully stocked with a wide range of seafood fare and authentic New Orleans dishes.
CHECK OUT THE EXTENSIVE ROYAL HOUSE SEAFOOD MENU
Visit the Oldest Bar in New Orleans
The Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is known as the oldest surviving and standing building in New Orleans. Personally, I’m not sure how it is still standing because it looks like the roof is about to cave in. I’m also 100% sure it’s haunted. The structure was built some time in the 1720s and was once a Blacksmith shop. It is entrenched with rich and dark history that involved legends, contraband, spies, and pirates. It is open to the public, serving drinks and snacks so it is for sure a unique place to visit during your New Orleans weekend. I didn’t step foot into it though because it gave me the heebie-jeebies! I stood across the street with the nice horse who wanted her photo taken.
Dine at the Auction House Market
The beautiful Auction House Market is a new and modern twist on New Orlean’s old-fashioned Southern dining experience. With their bright and vibrant aesthetics, the large open space is home to almost 10 different food vendors that range from Coffee Houses, Bakeries to Japanese or Cajun cuisine. It is essentially a food hall with a modern twist. Their vendors are some of the best New Orleans has to offer. A quick stop at the Auction House will provide all you need to satiate your taste buds.
LIST OF FOOD VENDORS AT THE AUCTION HOUSE FOOD HALL
Looking to spice up your home with authentic Cajun cooking when you return from your New Orleans trip? Or simply want to experience Cajun dishes without traveling, then this CrateJoy Cajun Crate subscription box is ideal for your tastebuds! They make great gifts too!
Must-Try Banana Fosters at Brennan’s
Brennan’s is an essential eatery in New Orleans. With its spacious interior and cute pink and green facade, it’s a picture-perfect dining experience for many tourists. Many instagrammers flock to the exterior of the building which is painted a lovely pink with a decorative green stripped awning. Besides having a great look, the restaurant is famous for their Banana Fosters dessert. It is one of their most popular dishes on their menu. I have yet to try it but I have heard friends never-ending raves about it.
BRENNAN’S MENU FOR A VARIETY OF DELICIOUSNESS
Have a Drink at the Carousel Bar
One of the most brilliant and luxurious bars to check out is at Hotel Monteleone. The beautiful Carousel Bar is a functioning rotating carousel that serves as a full bar. Its picturesque carousel motif is a delight but the bar gets fairly crowded fast. If you wish to purchase a drink and sit at the bar, arrive very early right when they open. Or you can simply do a walk-through to take a photo of the bar without having a drink. Which is what my friends and I did.
Don’t Miss the Hurricanes at Pat O’Briens
The most popular cocktail to quench your thirst during your New Orleans Foodie Tour is the famous Hurricane. Since you all know by now, I don’t drink. So I really can’t tell you what’s so tasty about this popular cocktail. I do know it’s sweet and it’s dangerous because you can drink a lot of it without realizing and then you’re sloshed!
This tourist favorite was created during World War II right here at Pat O’Brien’s. The recipe calls for rum, passion fruit juice and orange juice. Plus a bunch of other ingredients and garnished with a big cherry on top. And of course, serve it in a tall glass that resembles a hurricane lamp, and you’ve got yourself the Hurricane Cocktail!
You can find this drink elsewhere in the French Quarter, make sure to try the frozen variety at the many daiquiri stands during your New Orleans Foodie Tour.
Eat at the Glamorous Josephine Estelle
I just can’t get enough of this glamorous and amazing restaurant. I’m a sucker for gorgeous places. Josephine Estelle reminds me of what it would look like if modern day meets the 1930s. Something about that velvety green in the furnishing and decor just has me swooning.
But hey, don’t forget, we’re here to talk about the food right? Josephine Estelle is located within the Ace Hotel in the French Quarter. It was brought to life by two James Beard Award winning chefs. And named after their two individual daughters with their spouses. Isn’t that the sweetest thing? Their specialty is Italian food married with a Southern twist.
They are open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, plus Happy Hour. Make sure to try their awesome BBQ Shrimp & Grits from their Brunch Menu. And their incredible Soft-Shell Crab from their Dinner Menu. I am literally drooling now just thinking about it.
TAKE A LOOK AT JOSEPHINE ESTELLE’S DINNER MENU AND PREPARE TO BE HUNGRY!
Add Muriel’s to your New Orleans Foodie Tour!
Muriel’s is an attraction in itself. Not only is it an incredible restaurant, bar and lounge, it also holds a lot of history within the walls of the historical Jackson Square building. And you guessed it, it is reported to be very haunted. Like so haunted that they have held multiple ghost investigations on the property. AND it has its own Seance Lounge! Say What?! So yes, when I say you NEED to add Muriel’s to your New Orleans Foodie Tour, you really, really need to. Especially when you want to experience that authentic Nola vibe that most tourists crave. In addition, Muriel’s also hosts special events in two different available spaces, and has its own wine room.
MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT MURIEL’S FULL MENU
Looking to spice up your home with authentic Cajun cooking when you return from your New Orleans trip? Or simply want to experience Cajun dishes without traveling, then this CrateJoy Cajun Crate subscription box is ideal for your tastebuds! They make great gifts too!
My stomach has been seriously grumbling this whole time when I put together this New Orleans Foodie Tour guide. I’m gonna end up putting myself into a virtual food coma! I hope you get to visit some of these amazing restaurants in New Orleans during your visit.
For a list of the best New Orleans sites to visit during your trip, don’t miss my Best Weekend Guide for New Orleans!
If you’re looking for a perfect place to stay during your New Orleans stay, then head on over to my list of the most Gorgeous New Orleans AirBNB Stays!
I haven’t been to New Orleans in over 30 years, yet that first food list woke up my tastebuds. I love creole cooking and hadn’t realized how much I miss it. Interestingly, I have had, multiple times, Beignet at Cafe du Monde and a Hurricane at O’Brien’s, even the glass didn’t change. Thanks for a fun trip down memory lane.
OMG EVERYTHING LOOKS SOOO YUM!! I just wish New Orleans food were actually a thing where I’m from, the food looks SPECTACULAR!
I’ve never been to New Orleans but it’s on my list of places I’d love to visit someday! I wanna try the beignets! (will be sure to wear black, ahaha.)
Oh you have to visit New Orleans at least once in your life time.
I wish I’d had your guide when I went to New Orleans, you have highlighted so many awesome places. I really love creole cooking and I hope I can get to taste it again soon. x
I was supposed to be in New Orleans this year so this is really getting me excited about rebooking my trip when I can travel. While I am not a seafood fan, I would be all about the beignets and cocktails. All this food looks heavenly though, what a great city to explore
Yummy, yummy, yummy … my kind of blog! Loved your beignet tip. so funny. I remember when I went there the one time I was in New Orleans, the floor was SOOOOOOO sticky. I feel sorry for whoever has to mop the floor when they close. I don’t like oysters, so I would pass on that. the seafood combos looked fantastic. I heard the eggs benedict at Brennan’s is fantastic. never had their banana foster. All great tips. Pinned for reference for when I get back there.
Argh Patti! This is such a dangerous post to read when you’re feeling peckish! All these dishes look so, so good!
I especially love the look of Josephine Estelle, but it would be very cool to attempt to see the ghost at Muriel’s ! 😉
Omg, they all look so good! If I lived close by, for sure I’d try them all