Experience New Orleans One Dish at at Time
Looking for a great food destination? Then look no further than a foodie visit to New Orleans ideas! This city is renowned for its incredible cuisine, and there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for some Authentic Louisiana Crawfish or some traditional Creole dishes, you’ll be able to find it all in New Orleans. And of course, no trip to this city would be complete without trying some of the famous local desserts like Beignets and King Cake. So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets and get ready for a delicious foodie visit to New Orleans!
Places to Eat That Will Satisfy Anyone on their Foodie Visit to New Orleans
Looking for the best places to eat for your foodie’s visit to New Orleans? You’re in luck – the city is known for its amazing food scene. From Creole and Cajun cuisine to fresh seafood, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while visiting the Big Easy. New Orleans has so many great restaurants that you could spend weeks trying out all of their amazing options.
For a first timer’s visit, I suggest you try out some of the older classic restaurants to not only experience incredible food but to also experience some of the cities’ history as well. The history of fine dining in New Orleans stretches back to 1840 with the opening of Antoine’s, which you can still eat at today. Many great dishes and traditions were started here as well, from Oysters Rockefeller to Brunch – all started in New Orleans!
Can’t Miss Restaurants in New Orleans
Brennan’s Restaurant – Brennan’s is a New Orleans institution, known for their incredible breakfast menu. Be sure to try their famous Eggs Benedict as well as their delicious Brandy Milk Punch. We loved the ambiance and service here as well, a particularly great place to start your day off!
Commander’s Palace – Located in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace is one of the most popular restaurants in New Orleans. The menu features classic Louisiana dishes with a modern twist. The pork chop and bread pudding souffle are especially delicious and should be on your must try list! However, they do have a dress code, but totally worth it to experience the amazing cuisine and ultimate classic upscale dining experience.
Jack Rose – Located in the Pontchartrain Hotel, the ambiance is eclectic and rich, with a 1920’s décor, it is amazing to go here just to sit and have a meal. The food and drinks here are also fantastic, I recommend the cracked potatoes and the Chocolatey. After dinner, enjoy some drinks at the rooftop bar, it’s an incredible way to spend an evening!
Café Du Monde – I’ll admit that this isn’t really a food lover’s paradise, but there was something about eating beignets and sipping café au lait in the morning while listening to great jazz that was quintessentially New Orleans.
We did it on our first day here, and my musician husband was somewhat teary; it was what he thought of when we decided to come. The food is decent, but come here to see the history and New Orleans atmosphere. We went to the location in Jackson Square and be sure to remember that they only take cash.
Antoine’s – Located in the French Quarter, this is the oldest family run restaurant in America and Oysters Rockefeller and Eggs Sardou were invented here.
The menu is influenced by French and Creole cuisine and there is a business casual dress code at the restaurant. Go for the Jazz Brunch and get the Eggs Sardou and don’t forget to order a Baked Alaska to finish off your meal.
Things to Do While in New Orleans
There’s no denying that food is a big part of the New Orleans culture, that’s what makes it such a great foodie’s visit. From beignets and gumbo to po’boys and jambalaya, the city is full of delicious dishes to try.
If you’re looking to get a taste of the local cuisine, there are plenty of food-focused activities to enjoy. Here are some great activities for your foodie visit to New Orleans.
Walking Food Tour of the City
Take a culinary walking tour of the French Quarter. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll wander the streets sampling some of the best food New Orleans has to offer. We enjoyed taking the walking food tour conducted through Destination Kitchen. Our guide, Kristie, was great, she not only told us about the food, but pointed out historical buildings on walk as well as the history surrounding the dished we got to try.
Cooking Class
Take a cooking class with a local chef. You’ll learn how to cook traditional dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, and you’ll also get tips on how to recreate them at home. The class offered by the New Orleans School of Cooking, New Orleans Hands-On Cooking Class & Meal, has you cook up a four course classic New Orleans meal that you can enjoy after preparing. It has a small class size, up to 10 and it comes with a cookbook to take home.
Sazerac House
New Orleans is a city with a rich history, and its unique culture can be experienced in many ways. One of the best ways to get a taste of the city is to sample its distinctive drinks. From the original Sazerac to the frozen daiquiri, there are plenty of classic New Orleans beverages to choose from.
One way to experience the history of classic New Orleans cocktails and also sample some is to sign up for a tour at the Sazerac House. The tours are free and since they are self paced, you can take your time learning about the history behind the Sazerac drink as well as taste some of their products. This was one of my favorite stops in New Orleans because it was a relaxing tour after a few days of constant on the go fun.
Places to Stay in New Orleans
When planning a trip to New Orleans, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is where to stay. The city is divided into several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor. If you’re looking for the best place to stay in New Orleans, here are a few of the top options to consider.
The French Quarter
The French Quarter is the most popular tourist destination in the city, and for good reason. It’s home to iconic attractions like Bourbon Street and Jackson Square, not to mention some of the best restaurants and bars in town. If you want to be in the heart of the action, this is the place to stay. Just be aware that it can be noisy and crowded, especially during peak tourist season. A great option is the Hotel Provincial, a boutique hotel with a beautiful courtyard and pool.
The Garden District
If you’re looking for a more laid-back atmosphere, consider staying in the Garden District. This historic neighborhood is just a few blocks from the French Quarter but feels worlds away. Stroll through beautiful gardens, enjoy brunch at one of the many cafes, and shop for antiques on Magazine Street. A great option that we chose near the Garden District was the Pontchartrain Hotel. We loved the rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city and the 1920’s vibe in all of the rooms.
Faubourg Marigny
For a truly unique experience, head to Faubourg Marigny just outside of the French Quarter. This funky neighborhood is known for its music scene and nightlife. Consider staying at the Hotel Peter and Paul, a historic church and school converted into boutique hotel with each room uniquely designed. They have a bar and a small batch ice cream shop on site.
As you can see, New Orleans has a ton of amazing food focused options to experience for any pallet. The city is full of amazing history, exciting flavor combinations and old world charm. We’ve put together a great guide to help you plan your foodie visit to New Orleans. However, if you need more ideas or just want someone else to handle the planning for you, contact me. My goal is to make sure you have a stress-free vacation.
Where are some of your favorite spots in New Orleans? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to check them out!
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