1 Day in New Orleans: A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Places to Eat
The Big Easy… One of the best foodie destinations in the United States. Heavy influences of Creole cuisine, Cajun cuisine, and soul food make for a masterful menagerie of delicious food. There is no other city in the U.S. that I’ve been more eager to visit time and time again to simply indulge in the pleasure of eating good food. Even if you only have 1 day in New Orleans, you should absolutely make an attempt to try some of the best foodie spots in this wonderful city.
Whether savory or sweet, you are sure to find something to love in this fabulous southern gem of a place. Some popular New Orleans staples include gumbo, po-boys, muffulettas, beignets, bananas foster, king cakes, and so much more. That’s part of the reason New Orleans is amongst the top destinations for food lovers around the world–the diversity and variety of great options is outrageously awesome!
Over the course of the last few years visiting New Orleans, I’ve eaten at some incredible spots and tried some of the best food in the business. The following restaurants and eateries are among the best in the city, and deserve a visit during your next trip to the Big Easy. Of course, there are more than just three spots to visit in New Orleans. However, these are three of my favorites and can all easily be visited during even the shortest trip to the Big Easy (if only visiting for a day, think: breakfast, lunch, and dinner)!
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Where to Eat Breakfast in New Orleans?
Cafe Beignet or Cafe Du Monde
Looking for a sweet breakfast treat or even a midday snack? Some of the best beignets I’ve ever had can be found in New Orleans’ French Quarter at Cafe Beignet. For another classic beignet spot, check out Cafe Du Monde. These iconic cafes serve up fresh beignets all day long (Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street is open 24-hours a day!).
>> Wondering which beignet spot is better? Check out my blog post describing my experience at both Cafe Beignet and Cafe Du Monde here.
Cafe Beignet has four separate locations throughout the city: one on Bourbon Street, one on Decatur Street, one on Canal Street, and the original location on Royal Street.
Cafe Du Monde has ten Coffee Stands throughout the New Orleans area. You read that right–ten locations in the New Orleans area! Click here to see a description of all Cafe Du Monde locations.
To get detailed information about hours and locations, visit the official websites of both restaurants: Cafe Beignet and Cafe Du Monde.
Where to Eat Lunch in New Orleans?
Gumbo Shop
Gumbo Shop was a pleasant surprise for me when I recently ate here for the first time. I heard great things about the gumbo and bread pudding, so I just had to see for myself if it lives up to its reputation. Needless to say, it ended up becoming one of my favorite New Orleans restaurants!
As you can probably guess, Gumbo Shop serves gumbo and flavorful Creole cuisine. When I visited, there were two different gumbos to choose from: seafood okra gumbo and chicken andouille gumbo. I opted for the chicken andouille gumbo, and it was out of this world. Truly. I can’t recommend it enough. The restaurant is in the heart of the French Quarter near Jackson Square, and it’s a must-visit for your foodie adventure in New Orleans.
The bread pudding with whiskey sauce was also to die for. Even if you fill up on gumbo, the bread pudding is worth getting “to-go” to enjoy in your hotel room or even along the Riverfront on a nice day.
Check out their official website for more details about their menu, catering services, and hours of operation.
Address: 630 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116
Where to Eat Dinner in New Orleans?
Jacques-Imo’s Cafe
Arguably the best dinner spot in all of New Orleans? Jacques-Imo’s. This spot in Uptown New Orleans is loved by locals and tourists alike. Opened in 1996, this NOLA staple has been serving up flavorful bites and good times ever since.
Even if you only have 1 day in New Orleans, this restaurant is only a quick Uber or Lyft ride away from the French Quarter… and it’s worth visiting!
Some notable dishes to try include the Shrimp & Alligator Sausage Cheesecake, Crawfish Etouffee, and Austin Leslie’s Fried Chicken. The cornbread (brought out as you are seated) is straight from a dream. My favorite things to order when I eat here include the following: Jacques Duck & Andouille Gumbo as an appetizer, and for my entree I love Austin Leslie’s Fried Chicken with Sauteed Green Beans and Red Beans and Rice as the sides. But really, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Visit their official website to check out their current menu, contact information, and learn more about the history of the restaurant.
Address: 8324 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA, 70118
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While you’re here, you might also enjoy some of my other blog posts. Check them out and let me know what you think!
Have you ever tried any of these iconic New Orleans eateries? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments, or shoot me an email at sydney@sydneybrowntravels.com. I would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences. I’m also always looking for an excuse to try more incredible food in NOLA!
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The spots listed above are three of my favorites in all of New Orleans, but they’re not the only spots worth visiting. I love trying new foods by way of food tours when visiting new destinations, and I highly recommend you try one out during your next trip to NOLA! Some fun food tours through Viator include:
I’ll have to remember the Gumbo Shop for next time I’m in NOLA. If you haven’t been there yet, next time you visit check out Mother’s! It’s a long line typically but well-worth the wait!
Paul–sounds great! I will definitely check out Mother’s!