Where to Eat in New Orleans
Hi there!
Wondering Where to Eat in New Orleans? NOLA has quickly become a favorite late fall/winter/early spring destination. Not only is the warm weather a draw but the oh-so-good food certainly is as well. With over 1,000 restaurants, the possibilities are endless! Here are my recommendations for Where to Eat in New Orleans. If you’ve read this post or this one, some of these may be familiar. (There are some amazing additions so keep reading!)
Where to Eat in New Orleans: DINNER/LUNCH
Josephine Estelle– Named after the daughters of the James Beard Award- nominated chefs, this was my favorite, favorite place to eat. The interior design is spot on, and the food is top notch. We had actually wandered in a little over a year ago and ended up having dessert and coffee in their outside seating area. For this trip, I was determined to have a full dining experience in this trendy and lovely setting. Josephine Estelle’s menu boasts a somewhat unlikely but extraordinary combination of Italian and Southern cuisine.
Herb Saint– Another amazing restaurant with a history of James Beard Award chefs, this cozy spot is a perfect place to relax over a glass of wine and order their local, seasonal fare with a French-Southern twist.
Luke- Luke also has a history of a James Beard award and features Creole-inspired dishes. The brasserie has a classic 1920s vibe with beautiful hutches, a tiled entrance, and wood flooring throughout.
Public Service– With it’s high ceilings, intricate lighting, and cozy seating, this restaurant has a fancy-without-being-haughty sort of vibe. And the burgers are the best we have had in a while. The tables can also be pushed together to accommodate large groups, so this is a good option if you are traveling/eating with a number of people.
Kingfish– Located in the French Quarter, this restaurant blends contemporary with the old and serves some of the best food (in our opinion) in town. This restaurant also has several awards under its belt.
New Orleans Creole Cookery– This is a great place to stop in for lunch if you are wandering around the French Quarter. The tunnel leading out to the quiet courtyard and the professional waiters create a relaxed and refreshing place to eat traditional Creole food and take a break from the business of the French Quarter.
Where to Eat in New Orleans: DRINKS
CellarDoor– We loved this spot so much that we went back twice in a 3-day trip. Located in the oldest remaining house in downtown New Orleans and rumored to have ghosts (naturally), this restaurant is a great place to stop in for a cocktail. It blends rustic, glitzy, and comfortable decor in the most brilliant way!
The Carousel Bar & Lounge– You would be remiss not to pop in to this 65-year old, 25-seat bar that actually goes around (at a snail’s pace so the likelihood of getting dizzy from the motion shouldn’t be an issue). The Carousel Bar & Lounge is located within the historic Hotel Monteleone, which is an official literary landmark and has hosted guests such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and Tennessee Williams.
Where to Eat in New Orleans: BEIGNETS
Cafe DuMonde– Cafe DuMonde is known as the “original French Market coffee stand since 1862”. The line is long most days but it is worth it to indulge in the sugary beignets and a cafe au lait in this famous coffee stand.
Cafe Beignet– If you are in the French Quarter and feel like waiting in a line, typically not as long as Cafe DuMonde’s, Cafe Beignet on Royal Street is a great option. Cafe Beignet has cute and limited seating inside as well as seating in a quaint courtyard outside. Their menu is a bit more expansive than that at Cafe DuMonde.
The Vintage– I cannot say enough good things about this vogue restaurant on Magazine Street in the Garden District. I loved everything about the interior design and couldn’t stop taking photos. It is just.so.stylish. And the beignets were amazing pillows of pure deliciousness.
Where to Eat in New Orleans: COFFEE
The Vintage– Admittedly, we didn’t get coffee here because we had just come from brunch (funny how that didn’t stop us from getting beignets- haha!). They claim to be serious about coffee. And, frankly, I believe them.
Merchant– While I lean more toward vintage (see above- ha!) when dining out, I couldn’t help but be drawn to this modern interior. The straight lines and repetition were both mesmerizing and calming. Do the apples in this photo remind anyone else of Rene Magritte’s Son of Man painting? Moving on… the vanilla latte I ordered was very good. The menu looked sooo good, too, with crepes, healthy options, and more traditional (-ish) fare. (There just isn’t enough time in NOLA for all of the incredible food.)
Drip Affogato– Great coffee, welcoming service, and a light airy atmosphere are fabulous hallmarks of Drip Affogato. The open, clean, and clutter free setting is perfect to inspire even more #kondo goals. What’s more, they also serve ice cream! Coffee and Ice Cream… one of life’s great combos!
I’d love to hear your favorite places in NOLA in the comments below. Does anyone else choose restaurants based on interior design? Here is a pin for your next trip.
