Food

Savouring New Orleans: The Essentials Dining Guide

Rich in culinary history yet ever-evolving, New Orleans is home to one of the most exciting dining scenes in the US. Here are 10 must-savour spots that prove it

By Cristina Alonso

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There are countless reasons to love New Orleans: the architecture, the music, the history. But it’s really the food that keeps many NOLA fans coming back over and over. Eating in New Orleans means diving into the region’s fascinating blend of cultures, a place where African-American, Spanish and French influences coexist with eclectic and thrilling results. This city will give you a taste of traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine, along with fresh seafood and some of the most innovative dishes in the country. To crown the experience, New Orleans is home to a spectacular cocktail culture, as the birthplace of classics like the Sazerac and the French 75.

For Gourmet Gastronomy: Galatoire’s

In the heart of Bourbon Street, Galatoire’s gorgeous dining room beckons with the promise of classic French-Creole fare, the result of a culinary tradition brought to New Orleans by Jean Galatoire from the French village of Pardies in the early 20th century. Today, the fifth-generation Galatoires keep history alive, doling out fantastic creations like escargots in garlic-herb butter, bouillabaisse, shrimp etouffée and premium meat cuts in classic sauces like hollandaise and Béarnaise. The impressive wine list, featuring labels from Europe and the United States, will make any wine lover’s eyes sparkle.

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For Honest Eats: Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar

A bona fide local legend, Domilise’s opened its doors in 1918. What started out as a neighbourhood bar, run by Peter and Sophie Domilise, eventually became a local culinary jewel, as Sophie started to cook lunch for riverfront workers. Today, the eatery runs under the watchful and loving eye of the third and fourth generation of owners, having only closed its doors once – for a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Domilise’s is the kind of place where you can see yourself becoming a regular: unpretentious, laid-back and oh-so-delicious. Top po’ boys – a particular kind of Louisiana-born sandwich – include coastal delights like shrimp, fresh catfish and oyster, all of them fried in crispy batter and tucked between two slices of fresh Leidenheimer bread. Build the ultimate NOLA combo meal with a local beer like Abita and a package of extremely addictive Zapp’s crisps.

For Stunning Views: Hot Tin

Countless surprises await when exploring New Orleans, and Hot Tin is definitely one of them. Sitting on the Pontchartrain Hotel’s rooftop, this bar will welcome you with sweeping views of the Mississippi River and Downtown New Orleans, proving especially breathtaking during sunset or at night, when the city lights twinkle below. Yet as gorgeous as the view is, there’s plenty to love inside, too. This former penthouse boasts 1940s-inspired decor, featuring quirky knick-knacks and a beautiful bar. Sip on house creations like the aptly named Festin’ on the Roof (Cathead honeysuckle vodka, strawberry, mint and lemon) or the potent Sugarcane Old Fashioned (Knob Creek bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, sugarcane syrup and bitters).

For Local Flavours: Dooky Chase’s

Stepping into this Tremé icon means diving into New Orleans history. The elegant dining room, the art on the walls, the lively atmosphere – it all immediately announces that you’re about to taste some of the best Creole food in town. A fascinating cuisine that blends West African, Spanish, French, Southern and Native American flavours and traditions, Creole food is a reflection of Louisiana’s rich, complex and intricate culture. Don’t miss the Creole gumbo, the crawfish etoufée or the chicken à la Dooky – and save room for the peach cobbler!

Born as a sandwich and lottery ticket shop in 1939, Dooky Chase’s slowly but surely evolved into a beloved restaurant, as well as a meeting point for cultural icons and civil rights activists in the city. Its strong ties to New Orleans’ soul, not to mention its fantastic food, have earned this family-owned spot legendary status, attracting diners like Quincy Jones and Barack Obama over the years.

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For An Iconic Experience: Pascal’s Manale

The first clue that you’re in for a unique treat at this restaurant is the logo itself: a cute little shrimp playing the accordion, helping you figure out your order from the moment you arrive. The second is the bib that you’re most likely to wear when you order the star item on the menu: the BBQ shrimp. Yes, this meal is going to be a bit messy, but you’ll have the best time eating it. Bathed in a spicy sauce, these shrimp demand to be savoured with the house bread, so you can soak every last drop of delicious juice. Other specialties on the Italian-Creole menu include veal Parmigiana, fried oysters, and pasta with meatballs.

To elevate your meal, we suggest you arrive about a half hour before your reservation and make a pit stop at the oyster bar. With a drink in hand, watch oyster master Thomas – better known as Uptown T– shuck the freshest bivalves and hand them right to you.

For A Sweet Treat: Café du Monde

‘Short and sweet’ might be the best way to describe the menu at Café du Monde, which consists only of beignets, coffee, milk and juice. But this place is huge in so many other ways. Originally opened as a stand in the city’s French Market in 1862, this is a pilgrimage destination for anyone looking for a taste of New Orleans history in its sweetest form: beignets. These square doughnuts, deep-fried and generously covered with powdered sugar, feel like a hug in each bite. The perfect match is the house chicory coffee – another NOLA specialty, a reflection of the city’s French influence – served with hot milk.

While Café du Monde now boasts 10 locations (even one at the airport), nothing beats the original French Market site, where views of the Mississippi and the sound of live street musicians add an extra touch of magic.

For Local Libations: Erin Rose

While its location near Bourbon Street may spark suspicions of questionable cocktails or tourist trap vibes, nothing could be further from the truth when describing Erin Rose. A healthy mix of locals and visitors hang happily around the bar from day to night, sharing a pint of Guinness, a rejuvenating Bloody Mary or the crown jewel: a Frozen Irish coffee. This creamy, chilly delight also has its hot counterpart, but steamy New Orleans days usually call for chillier swill. On the food front, find a selection of Killer Poboys, including an excellent Seared Gulf Shrimp and Dark & Stormy Pork Belly, better when paired with – you guessed it – Zapp’s crisps.

For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience: Turkey & the Wolf

How exciting can sandwiches really be? If you have to ask, you’ve never been to Turkey & the Wolf. The fun begins the minute you walk up to the restaurant, a red brick building with a colourful mural. Inside, you’ll find salt and pepper shakers gliding on toy cars; your sandwich may come in a Ronald McDonald plastic plate, while your drink may be poured in a Snoopy glass. But the true joy is the food. Under the vision of Chef Mason Hereford, Turkey & the Wolf serves pure creativity between slices of bread. Not to be missed: the collard green melt (with Swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing and coleslaw) or the fried bologna sandwich (with hot mustard, potato crisps, mayo, shredded lettuce and American cheese).

For Farm-To-Table Fare: Cochon

Blending rustic charm with contemporary cool, Cochon is the place to go for a taste of Cajun cuisine. Led by Chef Donald Link and Chef and co-owner Stephen Stryjewski, the team here works with locally sourced produce, seafood and pork, resulting in dishes that are bursting with freshness and flavour, all served with charming Southern hospitality. Sharing is the name of the game, ensuring you try as many creations as possible. Among the many highlights, don’t skip the wood-fired oysters with chilli-garlic butter, the fried boudin, or the Louisiana cochon with creamy grits.

For A Night Cap: Carousel Bar

It’s hard to think of a more festive theme for a bar than a carousel, and the bright, shiny centrepiece at the Hotel Monteleone’s iconic rotating bar is only one of the many reasons to crown – or start – your night here. Open since 1949, the bar is buzzing with the melody of conversations and clinking glasses from the early evening until closing time. Between Thursday and Saturday, live music adds a layer of cheer.

Toast with a local classic like the Sazerac (Sazerac rye, Peychaud’s bitters and simple syrup) or a house creation like the Oaxacan Midnight (Dos Hombres mezcal, crème de violet, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon juice and agave nectar). Should you crave a little something to eat, try the blue crab and corn beignets, or the deviled eggs with pancetta and caviar.

[Header image courtesy of Cochon Restaurant]