Food Scene
Sucre craving? This is THE neighborhood place to go. Savory, and sweet offerings, the quiche, biscuits and gravy are also more hearty options to fill your stomach for the day till the late afternoon. If you're low on funds, the day old fresh basket on the counter for $1.50 each is your go to for pastries. Open W-Sun, 7am-3pm.
93 locals recommend
Shake Sugary
3304 St Claude AveSucre craving? This is THE neighborhood place to go. Savory, and sweet offerings, the quiche, biscuits and gravy are also more hearty options to fill your stomach for the day till the late afternoon. If you're low on funds, the day old fresh basket on the counter for $1.50 each is your go to for pastries. Open W-Sun, 7am-3pm.
The Joint
701 Mazant StBBQ. Smoky, messy, delicious BBQ and cole slaw with BEER!
They try to be "hip" and "fresh" and honestly, they are. The food is ridiculously good with a constantly changing menu according to what's in season and locally available. The way food should be.
86 locals recommend
Suis Generis
3219 Burgundy StThey try to be "hip" and "fresh" and honestly, they are. The food is ridiculously good with a constantly changing menu according to what's in season and locally available. The way food should be.
It's voted number 1 in the city. Not a deep dish place, but I have to say it is good.
460 locals recommend
Pizza Delicious
617 Piety StIt's voted number 1 in the city. Not a deep dish place, but I have to say it is good.
Another pizza, sammich, and pasta place that was the first in the Bywater w damn good food and beer. Steven and Shannon worked hard to convert the lovely house into a cozy place to eat and their backyard seating is luxurious. If the watermelon daiquiri machine is churning, get you some. The owners used to play movies in the backyard and the fountain is soothing.
61 locals recommend
Sugar Park
3054 Saint Claude AvenueAnother pizza, sammich, and pasta place that was the first in the Bywater w damn good food and beer. Steven and Shannon worked hard to convert the lovely house into a cozy place to eat and their backyard seating is luxurious. If the watermelon daiquiri machine is churning, get you some. The owners used to play movies in the backyard and the fountain is soothing.
Coffee is not fantastic, but ok, and open till midnight. The breakfast burrito and lunch plates are the best bang for your buck and a not too faux-hemian crowd and if you're lucky, friendly dogs outside. A nice place to sit, and take a break on your walk down to the quarter, or camp out w laptop to be studious.
53 locals recommend
Flora Gallery & Coffee Shop
2600 Royal StCoffee is not fantastic, but ok, and open till midnight. The breakfast burrito and lunch plates are the best bang for your buck and a not too faux-hemian crowd and if you're lucky, friendly dogs outside. A nice place to sit, and take a break on your walk down to the quarter, or camp out w laptop to be studious.
Cru by Chef Marlon Alexander at Feelings Cafe
535 Franklin AveCourtyard is chez romantique.
Corner shop fixture of the hood. Their egg and sausage breakfast poboy or a roast beef sloppy poboy is my hangover helper. The fried oyster poboy and a beer, walk over to Markey Park and dine on the bench. Then go to Markey's or the Country Club for more beer and a swim.
81 locals recommend
Frady's One Stop Food Store
3231 Dauphine StCorner shop fixture of the hood. Their egg and sausage breakfast poboy or a roast beef sloppy poboy is my hangover helper. The fried oyster poboy and a beer, walk over to Markey Park and dine on the bench. Then go to Markey's or the Country Club for more beer and a swim.
The tiled interior is beautiful and the ham and cheese croissant is to yum!
102 locals recommend
Croissant D'Or Patisserie
617 Ursulines AveThe tiled interior is beautiful and the ham and cheese croissant is to yum!
I recommend this to everyone for real Louisiana food. Definitely order the Jambalaya Supreme with an Amber Ale of your choice. Vegetarians, beware, this is not the place for you. Also, not a typical culinary selection that is native to Louisiana, I highly recommend the spicy and sweet smoked duck quesadilla with mango salsa off the appetizer menu to accompany the jambalaya. For me, so very yum.
163 locals recommend
Coop's Place
1109 Decatur StI recommend this to everyone for real Louisiana food. Definitely order the Jambalaya Supreme with an Amber Ale of your choice. Vegetarians, beware, this is not the place for you. Also, not a typical culinary selection that is native to Louisiana, I highly recommend the spicy and sweet smoked duck quesadilla with mango salsa off the appetizer menu to accompany the jambalaya. For me, so very yum.
Drinks & Nightlife
Wineshop with live music in a cozy courtyard. The courtyard is pretty wonderful in the evening with live music, and a cozy all wood interior upstairs bar and seating if the weather is disagreeable. No reservations as it's more of a bring yourself, serve yourself type of backyard party. If you can make it Monday nights to see the stellar Helen Gillet on cello, I urge you, make it one of your music night objectives. She usually starts around 7 pm, call ahead to confirm, and bring US dollars to tip her or buy her album. Open 7 nights a week.
838 locals recommend
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland AveWineshop with live music in a cozy courtyard. The courtyard is pretty wonderful in the evening with live music, and a cozy all wood interior upstairs bar and seating if the weather is disagreeable. No reservations as it's more of a bring yourself, serve yourself type of backyard party. If you can make it Monday nights to see the stellar Helen Gillet on cello, I urge you, make it one of your music night objectives. She usually starts around 7 pm, call ahead to confirm, and bring US dollars to tip her or buy her album. Open 7 nights a week.
Mimi's In the Marigny
2600 Chartres StreetTapas upstairs till 3 am. Yum.
Divey dive bar. Last real dirty dive in the hood. Part of the Barmuda triangle. Good juke box and pool.
151 locals recommend
B J's Lounge
4301 Burgundy StDivey dive bar. Last real dirty dive in the hood. Part of the Barmuda triangle. Good juke box and pool.
Music every Thursday night. Anderson Cooper broadcasted from there during the CNN Katrina show, and as the sign inside says, "NO WHITES ALLOWED".
221 locals recommend
Vaughan's Lounge
4229 Dauphine StMusic every Thursday night. Anderson Cooper broadcasted from there during the CNN Katrina show, and as the sign inside says, "NO WHITES ALLOWED".
This is my "local" not because I like sports but due to the proximity to my house. If you like beer and bar food, this is your place, because there are TV's everywhere. WARNING: TV's everywhere. When it's too much I just sit outside at one of the tables.
392 locals recommend
Surrey's Café & Juice Bar
1418 Magazine StreetThis is my "local" not because I like sports but due to the proximity to my house. If you like beer and bar food, this is your place, because there are TV's everywhere. WARNING: TV's everywhere. When it's too much I just sit outside at one of the tables.
All the cool kids go here. Hipster and "artiste" mating ground, second to Bud Rip's Bar in the Bywater.
61 locals recommend
Ace Hotel New Orleans
600 Carondelet StAll the cool kids go here. Hipster and "artiste" mating ground, second to Bud Rip's Bar in the Bywater.
Various acts play here 7 days a week. Sometimes metal, Monday night Burlesque and comedy shows, sometimes folk, everything. Check schedule for acts. And the food in the back of the bar, a hole in the wall, KUKHNYA, a Slavic-Soul food mecca run by a fellow native Chicagoan, is the BEST in the city, in my humble opinion. The Russian Bleu Burger or Pastrami Reuben will fill you up for a night of fun.
238 locals recommend
Siberia Lounge
2227 St Claude AveVarious acts play here 7 days a week. Sometimes metal, Monday night Burlesque and comedy shows, sometimes folk, everything. Check schedule for acts. And the food in the back of the bar, a hole in the wall, KUKHNYA, a Slavic-Soul food mecca run by a fellow native Chicagoan, is the BEST in the city, in my humble opinion. The Russian Bleu Burger or Pastrami Reuben will fill you up for a night of fun.
Essentials
Corner shop anchor, beer, smokes, dranks, chips, food counter, poboys, hotbox corndogs, eggrolls, baleadas, and catfish. Egg sammich and a coffee for $5
17 locals recommend
Jimmy's Grocery
4201 Dauphine StreetCorner shop anchor, beer, smokes, dranks, chips, food counter, poboys, hotbox corndogs, eggrolls, baleadas, and catfish. Egg sammich and a coffee for $5
Everything organic and kind you can find there. Some things can be a little expensive but it's all GMO and petro-chemical free. Great hours, open 7am-10pm
195 locals recommend
New Orleans Food Co-Op
2372 St Claude AveEverything organic and kind you can find there. Some things can be a little expensive but it's all GMO and petro-chemical free. Great hours, open 7am-10pm
Overpriced grocery store. The owner is an Israeli nationalist pig and once referred to Palestinians as "those animals". Do not spend your money there. If you need something after ten pm, walk to Hank's Liquor Store or Wagner's, both on St. Claude Ave.
211 locals recommend
Mardi Gras Zone Supermarket
2706 Royal StOverpriced grocery store. The owner is an Israeli nationalist pig and once referred to Palestinians as "those animals". Do not spend your money there. If you need something after ten pm, walk to Hank's Liquor Store or Wagner's, both on St. Claude Ave.
Shopping
Bargain Center
3200 Dauphine StJunk shop and vendors
If you like weird things, stop in to Funrockin'. They also have a shop in the French Quarter.
396 locals recommend
Magazine Street
Magazine StreetIf you like weird things, stop in to Funrockin'. They also have a shop in the French Quarter.
Parks & Nature
City Park is one of my favorite places to get away from the urban life of this swamp city. Spend a day there. Although New Orleans Art Museum and the Sculpture Garden is the star of the promenade there is a little known hiking path called Couterie Forest. It's best to rent a bike or car to get there as it's in the middle of the park. Grab a coffee and beignet at Morning Call adjacent to the Sculpture Garden to give you a little energy before your hike. If you don't feel that inspired, or are too hungover, take a slow drive through the labyrinth of the enormous area. It's easy to get lost and there is a lot to explore so bring a map if you don't have GPS.
1516 locals recommend
City Park
1 Palm DrCity Park is one of my favorite places to get away from the urban life of this swamp city. Spend a day there. Although New Orleans Art Museum and the Sculpture Garden is the star of the promenade there is a little known hiking path called Couterie Forest. It's best to rent a bike or car to get there as it's in the middle of the park. Grab a coffee and beignet at Morning Call adjacent to the Sculpture Garden to give you a little energy before your hike. If you don't feel that inspired, or are too hungover, take a slow drive through the labyrinth of the enormous area. It's easy to get lost and there is a lot to explore so bring a map if you don't have GPS.
Arts & Culture
A small museum is located there, but the real treat is a FREE walking tour with a US National Park Service Ranger guiding you through the rich history of the Vieux Carré. From the website: "Tuesday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m., rangers lead riverfront history walks to the Mississippi River, just over the levee from the visitor center, to share the story of how the city began and grew. 25 free tickets for that day's tour are given out beginning at 9:00 a.m. Walks last about an hour. First-come, first-served; each person wanting a ticket must pick up their own ticket. No reservations." https://www.nps.gov/jela/french-quarter-site.htm
31 locals recommend
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve French Quarter Visitor Center
419 Decatur StA small museum is located there, but the real treat is a FREE walking tour with a US National Park Service Ranger guiding you through the rich history of the Vieux Carré. From the website: "Tuesday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m., rangers lead riverfront history walks to the Mississippi River, just over the levee from the visitor center, to share the story of how the city began and grew. 25 free tickets for that day's tour are given out beginning at 9:00 a.m. Walks last about an hour. First-come, first-served; each person wanting a ticket must pick up their own ticket. No reservations." https://www.nps.gov/jela/french-quarter-site.htm
There are the Thursdays at Twilight performances but it's best to just go during the day. $6 admission but if you like plants and flowers remotely, this is worth it. Don't sniff the carnivorous death plant, because it really does smell like death.
http://neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden
161 locals recommend
Sculpture Garden
1 Collins Diboll CirThere are the Thursdays at Twilight performances but it's best to just go during the day. $6 admission but if you like plants and flowers remotely, this is worth it. Don't sniff the carnivorous death plant, because it really does smell like death.
http://neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden
Everything Else
Bicycling is really the best way to see the city. Rentals range about $15-$20 for 24 hours and from October till April, the weather is almost perfect for this! Download a bike lane map here: http://bikeeasy.org/blog/archives/1229/
There is also a bus system, it's functional, but don't expect to be anywhere in the city quickly, connected to the world's FIRST streetcar line, with a bus stop on Royal St just a few blocks away. Map of bus and street car lines here: http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules.aspx
10 locals recommend
Bike Rental
818 Royal StBicycling is really the best way to see the city. Rentals range about $15-$20 for 24 hours and from October till April, the weather is almost perfect for this! Download a bike lane map here: http://bikeeasy.org/blog/archives/1229/
There is also a bus system, it's functional, but don't expect to be anywhere in the city quickly, connected to the world's FIRST streetcar line, with a bus stop on Royal St just a few blocks away. Map of bus and street car lines here: http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules.aspx