Erica's New Orleans Guidebook
Food Scene
Incredible little coffee shop with a full sandwich menu. Walking distance of the rental. Friendly staff and a great place to meet people!
33 locals recommend
Laurel Street Bakery
2701 S Broad StIncredible little coffee shop with a full sandwich menu. Walking distance of the rental. Friendly staff and a great place to meet people!
A great spot for lunch or dinner. Daily specials and a staff dedicated to good, fresh, creative food. Close to the rental on Broad Street.
49 locals recommend
Marjie's Grill
320 S Broad StA great spot for lunch or dinner. Daily specials and a staff dedicated to good, fresh, creative food. Close to the rental on Broad Street.
The food here is creative and always satisfies. Although the area is often overlooked, this is a local's favorite. Plus, every now and then there will be a Prince party here that's off the chain.
57 locals recommend
TRÈO
3835 Tulane AveThe food here is creative and always satisfies. Although the area is often overlooked, this is a local's favorite. Plus, every now and then there will be a Prince party here that's off the chain.
If you're coming to New Orleans for food, do not overlook Coquette. It's expensive but worth every cent. Chef Kristen Essig is incredible and winning a lot of awards for her talents.
195 locals recommend
Coquette
2800 Magazine StIf you're coming to New Orleans for food, do not overlook Coquette. It's expensive but worth every cent. Chef Kristen Essig is incredible and winning a lot of awards for her talents.
A low key place for brunch, coffee, juice or baked goods, Satsuma never disappoints!
83 locals recommend
Satsuma Café
1320 Magazine StA low key place for brunch, coffee, juice or baked goods, Satsuma never disappoints!
If you're here for food, go visit the iconic Ms. Joann who runs Upperline. The food here is unbeatable and high value for the money, and her charm earned her a James Beard restaurateur of the year award.
73 locals recommend
Upperline
1413 Upperline StIf you're here for food, go visit the iconic Ms. Joann who runs Upperline. The food here is unbeatable and high value for the money, and her charm earned her a James Beard restaurateur of the year award.
Happy Hour Special: 1/2 off oysters, wine, beer, and premium drinks. Pro tip, oyster chips are bought at the bar, so go there first then everything is hand shucked right in front of you. Tell Thomas (aka Uptown T) and Roddy that Erica sent ya!
97 locals recommend
Pascal's Manale
1838 Napoleon AveHappy Hour Special: 1/2 off oysters, wine, beer, and premium drinks. Pro tip, oyster chips are bought at the bar, so go there first then everything is hand shucked right in front of you. Tell Thomas (aka Uptown T) and Roddy that Erica sent ya!
If you have a car this is one of my favorite places to go for po boys and all your other seafood needs. A real lunch counter type of place with a lot of options and a fast kitchen. While the price is a little high, the quality never disappoints.
70 locals recommend
Bevi Seafood Co.
236 N Carrollton AveIf you have a car this is one of my favorite places to go for po boys and all your other seafood needs. A real lunch counter type of place with a lot of options and a fast kitchen. While the price is a little high, the quality never disappoints.
Old school, locally owned icecream shop. Tons of flavors, all exceptionally good. CASH ONLY
142 locals recommend
Creole Creamery
4924 Prytania StOld school, locally owned icecream shop. Tons of flavors, all exceptionally good. CASH ONLY
So many first dates happening in this old school cafe/dessert shop. Gelato, fancy coffees, spumoni and lots of cookies and cakes!
256 locals recommend
Angelo Brocato
214 N Carrollton AveSo many first dates happening in this old school cafe/dessert shop. Gelato, fancy coffees, spumoni and lots of cookies and cakes!
Cajun food; super fun (near Maple Leaf Bar that usually has good live music). Located about 5-10 minutes away from the rental. I recommend the aligator cheesecake and the bacon wrapped quail!
406 locals recommend
Jacques-Imo's
8324 Oak StCajun food; super fun (near Maple Leaf Bar that usually has good live music). Located about 5-10 minutes away from the rental. I recommend the aligator cheesecake and the bacon wrapped quail!
A great spot for lunch or brunch, Mr. B's Bistro is a Brennan's restaurant across the street from the historic Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter. Check out their BBQ shrimp - their gumbo is also incredible.
83 locals recommend
Mr. B's Bistro
201 Royal StreetA great spot for lunch or brunch, Mr. B's Bistro is a Brennan's restaurant across the street from the historic Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter. Check out their BBQ shrimp - their gumbo is also incredible.
Oysters, oysters, oysters! The best lunch counter (not open for dinner) and CASH ONLY. Featured in the movie "Burnt" right at the very beginning. Fresh oysters shucked right at the counter and an oyster loaf that will knock your socks off!
107 locals recommend
Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine StOysters, oysters, oysters! The best lunch counter (not open for dinner) and CASH ONLY. Featured in the movie "Burnt" right at the very beginning. Fresh oysters shucked right at the counter and an oyster loaf that will knock your socks off!
Of course I have to send you here for world famous beignets. It's touristy, sure, but they're open 24 hours and right across the street from Jackson square. It's a great place to people watch while you're in the quarter. If there's a long line, just come back later - don't wait.
703 locals recommend
Cafe Du Monde French Market
800 Decatur StOf course I have to send you here for world famous beignets. It's touristy, sure, but they're open 24 hours and right across the street from Jackson square. It's a great place to people watch while you're in the quarter. If there's a long line, just come back later - don't wait.
People love this spot for lunch, I'm not always sure why- but it stands as a NOLA institution. You can learn a lot about our lunch counter culture here. Cafeteria style, the crawfish etouffe is amazing, and they are famous for debris sandwich. Best to go off hours otherwise the line can be quite a wait.
100 locals recommend
Mother's Restaurant
401 Poydras StPeople love this spot for lunch, I'm not always sure why- but it stands as a NOLA institution. You can learn a lot about our lunch counter culture here. Cafeteria style, the crawfish etouffe is amazing, and they are famous for debris sandwich. Best to go off hours otherwise the line can be quite a wait.
You will be in the know if you come here on your visit. Amazing and unique sandwiches and cocktails (but their salad may be the hidden gem!). Was voted as the best new restaurant in the country last year by notable food magazine. Go early to avoid lines. They move people through quickly. The fried baloney sandwich is their claim to fame (and it is SO good!)
126 locals recommend
Turkey and the Wolf
739 Jackson AvenueYou will be in the know if you come here on your visit. Amazing and unique sandwiches and cocktails (but their salad may be the hidden gem!). Was voted as the best new restaurant in the country last year by notable food magazine. Go early to avoid lines. They move people through quickly. The fried baloney sandwich is their claim to fame (and it is SO good!)
This place is a great little cafe that has amazing coffees and baked goods. It's really close to the rental and a great little hang out place to make a plan for the day.
183 locals recommend
French Truck Coffee
1200 Magazine StThis place is a great little cafe that has amazing coffees and baked goods. It's really close to the rental and a great little hang out place to make a plan for the day.
Did someone say Pecan Crusted Bacon? This is a perfect brunch spot famous for its outrageous fair and amazing bloody marys.
442 locals recommend
Elizabeth's
601 Gallier StDid someone say Pecan Crusted Bacon? This is a perfect brunch spot famous for its outrageous fair and amazing bloody marys.
This place is the SPOT. Down in the bywater, it takes a little patience to get to it, but once you're there you're golden. They recently aquired a new chef and redid the restaurant and it's classy. Out back you can pay $15 each to hang out at the amazing pool all day - and they have a sauna and showers for day use. The bar and wine list are also top notch.
451 locals recommend
The Country Club
634 Louisa StreetThis place is the SPOT. Down in the bywater, it takes a little patience to get to it, but once you're there you're golden. They recently aquired a new chef and redid the restaurant and it's classy. Out back you can pay $15 each to hang out at the amazing pool all day - and they have a sauna and showers for day use. The bar and wine list are also top notch.
Drinks & Nightlife
Incredible happy hour menu, this is an anchor on Freret Street, a trendy neighborhood about a mile away from the rental. The ambiance makes it perfect as a place to meet up with friends and their wonderful cocktail menu makes it the place for a delicious night cap.
244 locals recommend
Cure
4905 Freret StIncredible happy hour menu, this is an anchor on Freret Street, a trendy neighborhood about a mile away from the rental. The ambiance makes it perfect as a place to meet up with friends and their wonderful cocktail menu makes it the place for a delicious night cap.
A staple of the uptown New Orleans scene, The Maple Leaf is historic live music club with shows every night. Covers are always in cash, and you need to be 21 to enter. Very laid back.
384 locals recommend
Maple Leaf Bar
8316 Oak StA staple of the uptown New Orleans scene, The Maple Leaf is historic live music club with shows every night. Covers are always in cash, and you need to be 21 to enter. Very laid back.
An incredible modern jazz joint with a special back listening room. Also serve great burgers, seafood and steak in a seperate bistro. Book tickets in advance because they sell out, especially on weekends - $15-35 tickets, well worth it on a non-touristy part of Frenchmen Street and they pay the musicians well!
273 locals recommend
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
626 Frenchmen StAn incredible modern jazz joint with a special back listening room. Also serve great burgers, seafood and steak in a seperate bistro. Book tickets in advance because they sell out, especially on weekends - $15-35 tickets, well worth it on a non-touristy part of Frenchmen Street and they pay the musicians well!
It's a cute little locals bar that's highly recommended. They serve great food and there's nothing better than a nice night outside there watching the streetcar.
188 locals recommend
The Delachaise
3442 St Charles AveIt's a cute little locals bar that's highly recommended. They serve great food and there's nothing better than a nice night outside there watching the streetcar.
One of the best views in the city, this is right on St. Charles and they have a wonderful atmosphere and amazing cocktails. They have a 360 view of the city, so come here at night if you want the full effect!
137 locals recommend
Hot Tin
2031 St Charles AveOne of the best views in the city, this is right on St. Charles and they have a wonderful atmosphere and amazing cocktails. They have a 360 view of the city, so come here at night if you want the full effect!
More of a place to go day drinking - serves the city's best sazeracs and Pimm’s. Also a restaurant but the drinks are what make this place.
112 locals recommend
Napoleon House
500 Chartres StMore of a place to go day drinking - serves the city's best sazeracs and Pimm’s. Also a restaurant but the drinks are what make this place.
One of the oldest bars in NOLA (and I think the entire US) not really great drinks, but great history and atmosphere. You want to stop in here and take it all in - the candle lit piano bar in the back is so wonderful and during the winter they light the fire places and it makes it nice and cozy (they also feature the eggnog daq around Christmas...YUM!)
294 locals recommend
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar
941 Bourbon StOne of the oldest bars in NOLA (and I think the entire US) not really great drinks, but great history and atmosphere. You want to stop in here and take it all in - the candle lit piano bar in the back is so wonderful and during the winter they light the fire places and it makes it nice and cozy (they also feature the eggnog daq around Christmas...YUM!)
Casual wine/food in a backyard setting with live music. It's not a winery, but it's close! Have to Uber it to this place which is in Bywater area quite far out from the French quarter but really fun experience. The food here is great. Get a cheese plate and drink some wine. Don't walk around this area at night.
839 locals recommend
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland AveCasual wine/food in a backyard setting with live music. It's not a winery, but it's close! Have to Uber it to this place which is in Bywater area quite far out from the French quarter but really fun experience. The food here is great. Get a cheese plate and drink some wine. Don't walk around this area at night.
famous for bloody marys and a bar that spins on a carousel (also on Royal St. where there are lots of nice antique shops and galleries). Perfect place to kill a few hours and they have live music at night.
251 locals recommend
Carousel Bar
214 Royal Stfamous for bloody marys and a bar that spins on a carousel (also on Royal St. where there are lots of nice antique shops and galleries). Perfect place to kill a few hours and they have live music at night.
This is an incredible music venue about 5-10 min away from the rental. Their capacity is about 800 but it doesn't ever feel that full. Great acts and a great place to hang with access to a lot of bars within walking distance.
429 locals recommend
Tipitina's
501 Napoleon AveThis is an incredible music venue about 5-10 min away from the rental. Their capacity is about 800 but it doesn't ever feel that full. Great acts and a great place to hang with access to a lot of bars within walking distance.
This is more than a bar, it's a lifestyle. Located near the warehouse district of New Orleans, it's a fun place to hang out for a few hours and they have great BBQ. A local's hang for sure!
85 locals recommend
The Tchoup Yard
405 Third StThis is more than a bar, it's a lifestyle. Located near the warehouse district of New Orleans, it's a fun place to hang out for a few hours and they have great BBQ. A local's hang for sure!
This is a great place to come with friends. They have a huge patio that is never too full. Open late night and have tons of drinks to choose from. SO many TVS to watch the game, but I wouldn't say it's just a sports bar. They just added on in the back a Bayou Wine Garden where you can get a bottle and chill.
356 locals recommend
Bayou Beer Garden
326 N Norman C Francis ParkwayThis is a great place to come with friends. They have a huge patio that is never too full. Open late night and have tons of drinks to choose from. SO many TVS to watch the game, but I wouldn't say it's just a sports bar. They just added on in the back a Bayou Wine Garden where you can get a bottle and chill.
Really close to the rental there is Freret Street. If you don't feel like going downtown and don't know where to go, start at Cure or Dat Dog for a cocktail or beer and walk around. They have a few little divey bars that have great music. The whole street is a lot of fun.
35 locals recommend
Freret Street
Freret StreetReally close to the rental there is Freret Street. If you don't feel like going downtown and don't know where to go, start at Cure or Dat Dog for a cocktail or beer and walk around. They have a few little divey bars that have great music. The whole street is a lot of fun.
Parks & Nature
A great park to walk, run or bicycle a track. For a runner, from my house it is about 5 miles to run to audubon, around the loop and back. Nice place to spend a weekend.
344 locals recommend
Audubon Park station
A great park to walk, run or bicycle a track. For a runner, from my house it is about 5 miles to run to audubon, around the loop and back. Nice place to spend a weekend.
This is where the locals go when they want to get away. Whether with your friends or alone with a book, The Fly is so relaxing - an epic place to people watch.
16 locals recommend
The Fly
This is where the locals go when they want to get away. Whether with your friends or alone with a book, The Fly is so relaxing - an epic place to people watch.
Essentials
It's one of the Whole Foods community stores, perhaps its flagship. They have a test kitchen in the front and share the building with several nonprofits.
736 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
300 N Broad StIt's one of the Whole Foods community stores, perhaps its flagship. They have a test kitchen in the front and share the building with several nonprofits.
Entertainment & Activities
A cool new theatre. They serve booze and cheap snacks. It's independently owned, but has both popular and indi movies.
155 locals recommend
The Broad Theater
636 N Broad StA cool new theatre. They serve booze and cheap snacks. It's independently owned, but has both popular and indi movies.
Arts & Culture
A great selection with amazing curated shows. On Thursday evenings they have Ogden After Hours which pairs music with art. Whatever time you go it is a fun place to explore the rich history of our region's visual art.
315 locals recommend
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp StA great selection with amazing curated shows. On Thursday evenings they have Ogden After Hours which pairs music with art. Whatever time you go it is a fun place to explore the rich history of our region's visual art.
The Historic New Orleans Collection
410 Chartres Stya gotta go.
An incredible collection and sculpture garden. A great way to enjoy a day in New Orleans!
782 locals recommend
New Orleans Museum of Art
1 Collins Diboll CirAn incredible collection and sculpture garden. A great way to enjoy a day in New Orleans!
I cannot say enough about this museum. Make sure you have several hours to go and please be mindful that they do sell out during peak seasons. I think you can purchase your tickets online ahead of time to avoid a long wait. They have different experiences, but the main museum drag is lifechanging and there is truly something for everyone!
804 locals recommend
The National WWII Museum
945 Magazine StI cannot say enough about this museum. Make sure you have several hours to go and please be mindful that they do sell out during peak seasons. I think you can purchase your tickets online ahead of time to avoid a long wait. They have different experiences, but the main museum drag is lifechanging and there is truly something for everyone!