Going on a food-tasting excursion is essential in New Orleans because of its unique fusion of Cajun and Creole cuisines.
We joined Urban Adventure's “French Quarter Food Tour” and absolutely loved it. The diverse food choices offered an excellent representation of New Orleans' signature Cajun and Creole flavors.
Interesting Fact: Many bars in New Orleans offer to-go cups for cocktails, and you can even grab a daiquiri from a drive-through!
Our guide, Butch, was incredibly knowledgeable about NOLA culture and history. He kept us entertained throughout the tour, and by the end, we were stuffed. Some of the standout dishes we tried were alligator sausages, muffuletta sandwiches, pralines, and of course, beignets.
Book your New Orleans Tour here.
Exploring on our own led us to try many more restaurants and bars. However, we skipped Café Du Monde due to the long lines, even though it's a top recommendation on every tourist’s list.
Check out the unique New Orleans dishes described later in this article!
Read the full New Orleans Guide here.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks
Evan’s Creole Candy Factory
Located at the entrance of the French Market, this charming shop makes all of its sweets and pastries on-site. We enjoyed watching how their pralines were made and sampled multiple varieties. My personal favorite was the Rum Praline cookie. If you’re not keen on standing in line, you can also get the famous Café Du Monde beignets here.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that French nuns brought the original praline recipe to New Orleans? They had to adjust it to New World ingredients like pecans.
Breakfast Spots
Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I always seek out good cafés. While wandering through the French Quarter, I discovered Café Fleur De Lis, Brennan’s, and Envie Espresso Bar & Café. Café Du Monde is another option if you’re up for braving the crowds.
I recommend local chains like PJ's Coffee or CC’s Coffee House if you're just after a hot drink and pastry.
Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
This French Market stand offers a variety of pralines, but the highlight for us was their praline-stuffed beignets. These were extra delicious, and we avoided the Café Du Monde lines!
Travel Tip: The best way to eat a beignet is while standing, slightly bent forward, and with the wind behind you. This way, the powdered sugar doesn’t blow all over you!
Frank’s Restaurant
This Italian restaurant on Decatur Street serves fantastic muffuletta sandwiches. The Central Grocery next door may have invented the sandwich, but Frank’s is a great alternative with a second-floor dining area that offers a wonderful view of the French Market and the statue of Joan of Arc.
The muffuletta sandwich is made on Italian loaf bread with layers of olive salad, salami, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, and mortadella. It’s usually served warm – absolutely delicious!
801 Royal
We stopped by this small pub on Royal and St Anne’s streets for a snack. The alligator sausages, Creole mustard, and gumbo made for a great mid-day meal.
Dinner
The French Quarter offers a wide range of dining options, so we embarked on a mini food safari to try a bit of everything.
Antoine’s Restaurant
This renowned establishment is one of the oldest in New Orleans. Antoine’s offers an elegant dining experience with impeccable service and excellent wine. We enjoyed Fried Louisiana Oysters, crawfish bisque, lamb chops, and grilled chicken breast. For dessert, we indulged in the restaurant's signature dish—omelet Alaska Antoine.
Book your New Orleans Tour here.
Travel Tip: Antoine's can be expensive, so be prepared to spend around $100 per person for a full meal. Also, reservations and formal attire are a must!
Muriel’s Bistro
This restaurant’s atmosphere and outstanding views of Jackson Square, especially from the balcony, drew us in. We began our meal with seafood gumbo and followed up with pecan-crusted baby drum and Cajun Demi-Poulet. For dessert, we shared bread pudding and vanilla bean crème brûlée.
The experience was top-notch – excellent food and great service. Highly recommended for a special night out.
Uniquely New Orleans
When visiting New Orleans, there are some iconic local foods you simply must try. Here’s a rundown of some of the dishes that define the city.
Travel Tip: Did you know that despite its reputation for Cajun food, New Orleans is primarily known for its Creole cuisine?
Beignets: Fried dough covered in powdered sugar – a New Orleans staple. Variations include praline-filled beignets at select locations.
Pralines: Sweet discs made with sugar, butter, cream, and locally sourced pecans.
Po’ boy: A massive sandwich filled with fried shrimp, roast beef, or crawfish.
King Cake: A large, colorful Danish ring popular during Mardi Gras season.
The Hurricane: A rum-based drink served in a large glass, often shared between two people.
Gumbo: A flavorful stew with okra, chicken, seafood, and sausage, typically served over rice.
Muffuletta: A hearty sandwich made with Italian loaf bread, olive salad, and layers of meats and cheeses.
Jambalaya: A spicy rice dish loaded with sausage, chicken, and seafood.
Interesting Fact: New Orleans is home to PJs and CC's coffee houses, and you'll rarely see a Starbucks!