Coffee
French Truck Coffee
1200 Magazine StGreat coffee close to the house
Mojo Coffee House
1500 Magazine StCherry Espresso Bar
4877 Laurel StIf you find yourself in the Marigny, our all-time favorite is Flora Gallery & Coffee Shop (2600 Royal Street), although it’s hardly worth it to go across town just for coffee.
53 locals recommend
Flora Gallery & Coffee Shop
2600 Royal StIf you find yourself in the Marigny, our all-time favorite is Flora Gallery & Coffee Shop (2600 Royal Street), although it’s hardly worth it to go across town just for coffee.
Breakfast
Toast on Laurel (5433 Laurel Street) is probably best known for its Aebelskivers (puffed pancakes with powered sugar that you dip in sauce), but it also has oversized toast (surprise) with various toppings, crepes, other breakfast entrees, and even a kids menu.
179 locals recommend
Toast
1845 Gentilly BoulevardToast on Laurel (5433 Laurel Street) is probably best known for its Aebelskivers (puffed pancakes with powered sugar that you dip in sauce), but it also has oversized toast (surprise) with various toppings, crepes, other breakfast entrees, and even a kids menu.
Surrey's Uptown
4807 Magazine StUptown breakfast café
The Ruby Slipper Cafe
200 Magazine StreetUptown breakfast café
Live Oak Cafe
8140 Oak StBreakfast diner on Oak Street
Slim Goodies Diner
3322 Magazine StGreasy spoon
World famous classic diner with the best omelets on the planet
189 locals recommend
The Camellia Grill
626 S Carrollton AveWorld famous classic diner with the best omelets on the planet
Satsuma Café
1320 Magazine StHealthy breakfast option without sacrificing taste
Menu is fun in that they divide their menu into healthier options (Good Cat) and the kind of options you want to eat when you are on vacation (Bad Cat).
85 locals recommend
BEARCAT CAFE UPTOWN
2521 Jena StMenu is fun in that they divide their menu into healthier options (Good Cat) and the kind of options you want to eat when you are on vacation (Bad Cat).
La Boulangerie
4600 Magazine StFrench bakery and café
Humble Bagel
4716 Freret StBest bagel in town
If you want a beignet you can go to the French Quarter and stand in a block long line to eat at Café Du Monde (800 Decatur Street) or you can walk about a block to New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co. (4141 St. Charles Avenue).
17 locals recommend
New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co
4141 St Charles AveIf you want a beignet you can go to the French Quarter and stand in a block long line to eat at Café Du Monde (800 Decatur Street) or you can walk about a block to New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co. (4141 St. Charles Avenue).
If you insist on getting your beignets in the Quarter, but don’t want to fight a crowd
39 locals recommend
Cafe Bienville
334 Royal StIf you insist on getting your beignets in the Quarter, but don’t want to fight a crowd
Huge delicious “craft” donuts. This isn’t the kind of place where you order a dozen. You’ll be lucky to get two down. They have two Uptown locations pretty much equidistant to the house (2209 Magazine Street and 5637 Magazine Street), but the 5637 location in the Lower Garden District has ample seating. The other one is more like a grab and go kind of place.
266 locals recommend
District Donuts Sliders Brew
2209 Magazine StHuge delicious “craft” donuts. This isn’t the kind of place where you order a dozen. You’ll be lucky to get two down. They have two Uptown locations pretty much equidistant to the house (2209 Magazine Street and 5637 Magazine Street), but the 5637 location in the Lower Garden District has ample seating. The other one is more like a grab and go kind of place.
Southern breakfast/brunch pastry restaurant in the Central Business District
94 locals recommend
Willa Jean
611 O'Keefe AveSouthern breakfast/brunch pastry restaurant in the Central Business District
Fine dining restaurant where breakfast and brunch are a classic New Orleans experience. The ambiance can’t be beat – it is quintessentially New Orleans in the best way.
136 locals recommend
Brennan's
417 Royal StFine dining restaurant where breakfast and brunch are a classic New Orleans experience. The ambiance can’t be beat – it is quintessentially New Orleans in the best way.
A perfectly good place to go for dinner, but this Creole restaurant set in a charming Creole cottage in the Irish Channel, really shines at weekend brunch featuring live music.
222 locals recommend
Atchafalaya
901 Louisiana AveA perfectly good place to go for dinner, but this Creole restaurant set in a charming Creole cottage in the Irish Channel, really shines at weekend brunch featuring live music.
Cafe Du Monde City Park
56 Dreyfous DrBeignets in City Park right next to the playground.
Cafe Du Monde French Market
800 Decatur StThe best beignets, but block long lines.
Salads and Sandwiches
Yes, they sell cheese. When often go here to put together meat and cheese plates for parties. But they are also our go to spot for salads and have delicious sandwiches. For a light lunch it’s hard to beat.
88 locals recommend
St. James Cheese Company - Uptown
5004 Prytania StYes, they sell cheese. When often go here to put together meat and cheese plates for parties. But they are also our go to spot for salads and have delicious sandwiches. For a light lunch it’s hard to beat.
An authentic Jewish-Italian deli and market owned and run by a grumpy Philadelphia native. New Orleanians regularly pass up po-boys to grab a sandwich at Stein’s. The man usually running the register is so beloved that they named a festival after him. They also have a great beer selection and small indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
216 locals recommend
Stein's Market and Deli
2207 Magazine StAn authentic Jewish-Italian deli and market owned and run by a grumpy Philadelphia native. New Orleanians regularly pass up po-boys to grab a sandwich at Stein’s. The man usually running the register is so beloved that they named a festival after him. They also have a great beer selection and small indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
Another great option for salads (and sandwiches). They are a “healthy rotisserie chicken joint serving salads, sandwiches, and wraps using fresh, local ingredients.” What that means is that they make delicious rotisserie chicken and then chop it up and put it in salads and sandwiches offer other healthier options.
11 locals recommend
Good Bird
5041 Freret StAnother great option for salads (and sandwiches). They are a “healthy rotisserie chicken joint serving salads, sandwiches, and wraps using fresh, local ingredients.” What that means is that they make delicious rotisserie chicken and then chop it up and put it in salads and sandwiches offer other healthier options.
Considered by many locals to have the best burger in New Orleans
130 locals recommend
The Company Burger
4600 Freret StConsidered by many locals to have the best burger in New Orleans
One of your best options if it’s 3 in the morning and you are in the French Quarter needing something to eat. Verti Marte is a deli open 24 hours, but one with amazing sandwiches, like the All That Jazz, “A medley of Grilled Ham, Turkey & Shrimp, Swiss & American Cheese accompanied by grilled mushrooms tomatoes on grilled French Bread with” their “’Wow Sauce’.” Verti Marte is take out, but usually very busy so the best play there is to call it in, wait twenty minutes, and then go pick it up, especially at 3 a.m. It may be open 24 hours, but it’s good anytime – even for lunch or dinner.
172 locals recommend
Verti Marte
1201 Royal StOne of your best options if it’s 3 in the morning and you are in the French Quarter needing something to eat. Verti Marte is a deli open 24 hours, but one with amazing sandwiches, like the All That Jazz, “A medley of Grilled Ham, Turkey & Shrimp, Swiss & American Cheese accompanied by grilled mushrooms tomatoes on grilled French Bread with” their “’Wow Sauce’.” Verti Marte is take out, but usually very busy so the best play there is to call it in, wait twenty minutes, and then go pick it up, especially at 3 a.m. It may be open 24 hours, but it’s good anytime – even for lunch or dinner.
Your other best option if it’s 3 in the morning and you are in the French Quarter needing something to eat. A greasy spoon diner open 24 hours. Be prepared to wait (yes at 3 a.m.) for a table, but if you are out in the Quarter at that time you are probably in the condition to wait.
89 locals recommend
Clover Grill
900 Bourbon StYour other best option if it’s 3 in the morning and you are in the French Quarter needing something to eat. A greasy spoon diner open 24 hours. Be prepared to wait (yes at 3 a.m.) for a table, but if you are out in the Quarter at that time you are probably in the condition to wait.
Ask 10 New Orleanians what their favorite po-boy shop is and you’ll get 10 different answers. But for us the choice is easy: Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar (5240 Annunciation Street). We recommend the fried shrimp and the hot sausage, both “dressed”, with a side of fries and washed down with a cold Barq’s root beer or frosted mug of beer.
113 locals recommend
Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar
5240 Annunciation StAsk 10 New Orleanians what their favorite po-boy shop is and you’ll get 10 different answers. But for us the choice is easy: Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar (5240 Annunciation Street). We recommend the fried shrimp and the hot sausage, both “dressed”, with a side of fries and washed down with a cold Barq’s root beer or frosted mug of beer.
Frady's One Stop Food Store
3231 Dauphine StThe best fried shrimp po-boy in town
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan AveLocal favorite po-boy restaurant
Oysters
I mention below that Pêche is our favorite spot to get oysters. But Pêche is a little fancier than you might be in the mood for. If you want a good old fashioned New Orleans oyster bar, head to Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (739 Iberville Street) in the French Quarter. You may notice that there is a line out the door across the street at Acme Oyster House, but that’s because Acme is more popular with tourists. They are generally the same quality of oysters, but Felix’s has a better overall menu. My order is a dozen raw, a wedge salad and some turtle soup. Also try the chargrilled oysters, which also appeal to those that can’t stomach the raw ones. Felix’s has now opened a location on Lake Pontchartrain at 7400 Lakeshore Drive, which has amazing views. But when I’m eating oysters I prefer grit over views so I head to the French Quarter spot.
98 locals recommend
Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar
7400 Lakeshore DrI mention below that Pêche is our favorite spot to get oysters. But Pêche is a little fancier than you might be in the mood for. If you want a good old fashioned New Orleans oyster bar, head to Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (739 Iberville Street) in the French Quarter. You may notice that there is a line out the door across the street at Acme Oyster House, but that’s because Acme is more popular with tourists. They are generally the same quality of oysters, but Felix’s has a better overall menu. My order is a dozen raw, a wedge salad and some turtle soup. Also try the chargrilled oysters, which also appeal to those that can’t stomach the raw ones. Felix’s has now opened a location on Lake Pontchartrain at 7400 Lakeshore Drive, which has amazing views. But when I’m eating oysters I prefer grit over views so I head to the French Quarter spot.
Fried Chicken
McKenzie's Chicken in a Box
3839 Frenchmen StMcHardy's Chicken & Fixin'
1458 N Broad StFiorella's Cafe, the Original
5325 Franklin AveCoop's Place
1109 Decatur StMy favorite fried chicken spot in New Orleans; said by many to be the best in the country.
672 locals recommend
Mimi's In the Marigny
2600 Chartres StreetMy favorite fried chicken spot in New Orleans; said by many to be the best in the country.
One of the best fried chicken restaurants in New Orleans that gets disqualified from being the best by virtue of being a chain and having a new dining room.
7 locals recommend
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
308 S Diamond StOne of the best fried chicken restaurants in New Orleans that gets disqualified from being the best by virtue of being a chain and having a new dining room.
Pizza
My favorite pizza in New Orleans. They cook authentic Neapolitan pizza from a wood-burning oven imported from Naples, Italy.
72 locals recommend
Ancora Pizzeria
4508 Freret StMy favorite pizza in New Orleans. They cook authentic Neapolitan pizza from a wood-burning oven imported from Naples, Italy.
Pizza Delicious
617 Piety StNew York style pizza worth the trip to the Bywater
We like to get the House Salad and a Pizza. They have all kinds of great pizza, but the trick is to order sides of the Creamy Italian Dressing for dipping.
40 locals recommend
Theo's Neighborhood Pizza, Magazine
4218 Magazine StWe like to get the House Salad and a Pizza. They have all kinds of great pizza, but the trick is to order sides of the Creamy Italian Dressing for dipping.
PIZZA domenica
4933 Magazine StSlice Pizzeria
1513 St Charles AveMexican Food
A taco stand with excellent drinks and backyard style seating. Know what you are going to order for your whole meal because ordering again means another round of standing in line.
38 locals recommend
Barracuda
3984 Tchoupitoulas StA taco stand with excellent drinks and backyard style seating. Know what you are going to order for your whole meal because ordering again means another round of standing in line.
People go here to drink, especially during happy hour (3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. daily), when you can order large margaritas and mixed drinks for the price of a small and bottled beers are half off.
65 locals recommend
Superior Grill
3636 St Charles AvePeople go here to drink, especially during happy hour (3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. daily), when you can order large margaritas and mixed drinks for the price of a small and bottled beers are half off.
A funky Mexican restaurant with several locations, but we prefer the one in the Lower Garden District (2018 Magazine Street).
198 locals recommend
Juan's Flying Burrito - LGD
2018 Magazine StA funky Mexican restaurant with several locations, but we prefer the one in the Lower Garden District (2018 Magazine Street).