The Big Easy! A city filled with delicious eats, great music and loving people. Photo by Photo by William Recinos via Unplash.
The vibrant city of New Orleans is rich with culture, music, and good eats! The cuisine is a fusion of soul food, Cajun and Creole flavors. The city’s vivacious energy attracts millions of tourists each year, two of New Orleans’ most popular times to visit are during the annual Mardi Gras Carnival in February and The Essence Festival in July. However, anytime is a good time to visit The Big Easy!
Breakfast/Brunch
Brennan’s Restaurant, 417 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Price: $$$
Brennan’s is a NOLA original that has been serving the city since 1946. Its menu blends the taste of the city’s French and Spanish ancestry to create mouth watering dishes. Coupled with the great eats is the ambiance of the restaurant which creates an old charm elegance that is specific only to New Orleans.
The Ruby Slipper Café, 200 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Price: $
The Ruby Slipper Café has been providing its patrons with fresh authentic New Orleans cuisine for almost a decade. All of their dishes have that New Orleans flair! If you’re not in the area, but still want to give The Ruby Slipper a taste, you still can! They’ve expanded to five locations in Louisiana and a forthcoming location in Mobile, Alabama.
Lunch
Compère Lapin, 553 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130
Price: $$$
Compère Lapin is French for “brother rabbit” and the name of a popular character in traditional Caribbean and Creole folktales. The adorably quirky name suits the restaurant helmed by St. Lucian Chef Nina Compton as its dishes are a perfectly cultivated blend of Caribbean and Creole flavors. The traditional Caribbean dish of curried goat seems to be a hit amongst patrons.
Peche Seafood Grille, 800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Price: $$$
Peche specializes in NOLA’s most popular export, seafood! The seafood dishes combine the cooking of South America, Spain, and the Gulf Coast. The fresh oysters are a menu delight!
Dinner
Coquette, 2800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Price: $$$
Coquette offers contemporary southern cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced products but with an international inspiration. The establishment is a neighborhood spot for locals and a great choice for celebrating your special occasion.
Shaya, 4213 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Price: $$
Shaya restaurant marries Israeli cuisine with the deep-rooted Southern cuisine of New Orleans to create a unique blend of flavors for each plate. Their contemporary menu also draws influence from North America, the Middle East, eastern Europe, Turkey, and Greece. Shaya serves New Orleans famous King Cake year round, although it is largely associated with Mardi Gras.
Those are my must eat restaurants when visiting NOLA, but I know there are many more. If you’ve enjoyed a meal at any of the restaurants above, or somewhere else, let me know what you deem as must have menu item!
