Where to Eat in New Orleans
Where every meal comes with a story
New Orleans doesn't do trends — it does tradition. Gumbo recipes passed down for generations. Po'boys from shops that haven't changed since 1920. Crawfish boils that turn strangers into family. This is America's most food-obsessed city, and it's not even close.
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Start Planning Your New Orleans Food Trip →Neighborhoods to Know
French Quarter
Vibe: Historic, touristy, still has gems
Best for: Classic Creole, beignets, late-night stumbles
Garden District
Vibe: Elegant, oak-lined, upscale casual
Best for: Brunch, Commander's Palace territory
Bywater
Vibe: Artsy, local, up-and-coming
Best for: Creative food, hip cafes, neighborhood bars
Mid-City
Vibe: Residential, diverse, local favorites
Best for: Vietnamese food, neighborhood joints
Frenchmen Street
Vibe: Music-forward, local alternative to Bourbon
Best for: Live jazz with food, late-night snacks
What to Eat
Gumbo & Creole
The roux-based, holy trinity foundation of everything. African, French, Spanish, all in one pot.
Must try: Seafood gumbo with a scoop of potato salad on top (trust me)
Po'boys
Fried shrimp, oysters, or roast beef on French bread. "Dressed" means lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles.
Must try: Shrimp po'boy dressed, from a place with a line out the door
Crawfish
Seasonal (spring). Boiled with corn and potatoes. Messy. Communal. Essential.
Must try: A crawfish boil with friends, newspaper on the table, beer in hand
Beignets
Fried dough buried in powdered sugar. The ultimate 2am decision.
Must try: Hot, fresh, covered in sugar. Accept that you'll wear some home.
Local Tips
- →Café Du Monde is touristy but the beignets are still perfect. Go at 2am to avoid lines.
- →Vietnamese food here is incredible — the community has been here since the 70s.
- →Crawfish season is roughly Feb-May. Outside that, skip it.
- →Commander's Palace lunch is the move — same food, half the price of dinner.
- →Bourbon Street is for drinking. For food, go literally anywhere else.
When to Eat
Breakfast
8-10am
Beignets and chicory coffee, or a proper brunch
Lunch
11:30am-2pm
Po'boys, lunch specials at upscale spots
Dinner
6-9pm
Reserve for popular spots, especially weekends
Late night
11pm-3am
Beignets, po'boys, and bad decisions
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