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Matthew and Ginger

Our NOLA Recs

Posted on January 23, 2016November 12, 2022

NOLA, Big Easy, Who-Dat Nation, Cajun Country

Here are many of our recommendations for NOLA. We created shorter version of the path we most often take down Bourbon Street if we just want to stroll and enjoy or have limited time just in the French Quarter. You can find that tour HERE. (We do not recommend walking Bourbon Street with children.)

A few other things to note:

  • New Orleans food is not healthy food. If that’s what you’re looking for…you’ll have to stick with grilled shrimp or shrimp cocktail!
  • If you are there January to February (and sometimes March) you’ll likely run into Mardi Gras celebrations and more crowds. Just beware!
  • If you are in town on a Monday, check to make sure things are open before you head that way. Lots of places are closed. Monday was historically Wash Day which  is also where Red Beans and Rice started – a pot of beans could sit on the stove and simmer while people were busy scrubbing their clothes.
  • You can walk around NOLA with a drink so get a “go cup” and take it with you. However, some music places won’t let you in with other drinks, so you may have to stand outside a bit and finish.
  • Obviously there are TONS more places to go and things to do but these are our favs. 

(Here’s a Google Map that includes all of these places, address and descriptions.)

 


DON’T MISS

If you have limited time, there are our two MUSTS! If we’re just driving through on the way to family and can’t stay, these are our two stops!

Central Grocery

Best Muffuletta. Ever. Really. Ever. This is a hole in the wall whose secret has gotten out so it’s more crowded now than it used to be!  (The lines moves fast.) Weave through the groceries to the sandwich counter and order a Muffuletta then sit back and enjoy a piece of Heaven!  (A Muffuletta is a Sicilian sandwich that consists of a round loaf of bread filled with Italian salami, olive salad, cheese, Italian ham, and freshly minced garlic.)

**Often closed on Monday so call to be sure!**

Map

Website

Café du Monde

Beignets and Cafe Au Lait – French style donuts and coffee mixed half and half with milk. (You can also get it iced in the summer.)  If you don’t like coffee, the chocolate milk is amazing! Or maybe it’s just a sentimental thing for me!  They are open 24 hours a day except for Christmas. Don’t worry if there’s a line, it moves fast. And don’t wear black…you’ll get powdered sugar ALL OVER.

Map

Website


RESTAURANTS

Kingfish

This is an easy restaurant to get to in the Quarter and they have a great Happy Hour usually with lots of open bar seats. A great spot to fuel up before cruising Bourbon Street.

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Website

Mother’s Restaurant

Po-Boys and Pecan Pie and they’re famous for their baked ham. Very casual NOLA style.

Map

Website

Arnaud’s Restaurant

Has it all! A fabulous restaurant – you have to get Souffle Potatoes and Bananas foster!! Plus there’s a Jazz Bistro where you can eat and listen to jazz for $4 or there’s the French 75 Bar where you can have appetizers, spirits and cigars!

Map

Website

Deanie’s Seafood

FRIED SHRIMP!!  Fried anything, really. Been going to this place since I was born! Very casual.

Map

Website

Mulate’s the Original Cajun Restaurant

Best CAJUN food! Eggplant Pirogue! And Cajun music and dancing too!  I’ve danced many a jig through the kitchen.

Map

Website

Napoleon House Bar & Cafe

Pimm’s Cup!!  The Cafe and Bar are open. (Some say the muffuletta is the best…NOPE…still Central Grocery for that!  But the food is great!)

Map

Website

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Oyster Bar! TURTLE soup! And FRIED FOOD!  And TV’s for watching the Saints game!

Map

Website

The Ruby Slipper Cafe

Breakfast spot and Brunch on the weekend. Eggs Cochon!!

Map

Website

Ye Olde College Inn

Fried Bread Pudding Poboy and the Fried Oyster, Bacon and Havarti Poboy.  Heartburn just reading it, right?!?  (Not in the French Quarter but worth the drive or Lyft ride.)

Map

Website

Commander’s Palace

THE Bread Pudding Soufflé with warm whiskey cream.  I strive to make it like this! Very nice restaurant…recommend reservations. You’ll need to take an Uber.

Map

Website

Restaurant August

Best Fine Dining…so pretty expensive!

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Website

Brennan’s

Well-known and often recommended.  Famous for their brunch and table-side Bananas Foster…it’s delicious.  Also famous for Eggs Hussarde…you have to try it once! 

Map

Website

Creole House

A great restaurant next door to the NOLA Marriott. Fabulous food and cocktails. And they have an upper floor that can be rented for events. 

Map

Website

Rock ‘N Bowl

Bowling alley with cajun food, live music and a dance floor. It’s not in the Quarter but it’s an easy Lyft ride.

Map

Website

Erin Rose

Irish pub with Killer Po-Boys in the back room. Plus they have a morning Happy Hour from 10am-2pm for mimosas, bloody mary’s, etc.

Map

Website

Willie Mae’s Scotch House

An iconic spot with fabulous soul food

Map

Website


BARS

Bourbon House

Obviously all kinds of bourbon, but you have to try the Bourbon Milk Punch. Trust me. Okay, get two. If you want food, there’s often a long line for the restaurant but you can find space in the bar usually and you can order some food there. 

Map

Website

Pat O’Brien’s Bar

Famous Hurricane and Balcony overlooking Bourbon Street.  There’s a debate whether this is the best Hurricane but you won’t know until you try one here first. It’s a tradition!

Map

Website

Molly’s At the Market

Total DIVE Bar…but the BEST Hot Buttered Rum (if you’re there in the winter) and famous for Frozen Irish Coffee.  Opens at 10am.

Map

Website

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

Oldest Bar in the country, built in the 1720’s. Try the Hurricane and Voodoo Daiquiri.  Compare the Hurricane to Pat O’Brien’s and start the debate. If you go during high tourist season, it will be crowded, but stick it out! Push your way to the back, sit around the piano, and sing along with the Piano Man! Most drinks come in a souvenir cup!

Map

Website

The Bombay Club

This is inside the Prince Conti Hotel but is a great upscale martini bar. It’s off of Bourbon by a block so it’s a little quieter and better for relaxed conversations. (Unless it’s Mardi Gras!)

Map

Website

Ryan’s Irish Pub

A great laid-back bar

Map

St. Joe’s Bar

Blueberry Mojito!! ‘Nuff said.  (Joe’s isn’t in the French Quarter but if you’re in the area, you have to stop.)

Map

Website

The Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone

Many always talk about the infamous Carousel Bar, but unless you are there off-season or happen to have a bit of good luck on your arrival, it’s almost impossible to get an actual seat at the bar. If you do, it’s a fun experience to slowly turn as you drink, but from our experience the drinks aren’t all that great. So this one is up to you!

Map

Website

The Lobby or Restaurant Bar at The Ace Hotel 

Great craft cocktails, a bit out of the way so not super crowded with a cool ambience. Plus there’s a concert room in the back where artists often perform. 

Map

Website

Daiquiri Bars

You will pass a million Daiquiri bars, so stop in and grab one for the walk down Bourbon Street. Be careful . . . they can be POTENT! 

 


MUSIC

Just walk anywhere in the Quarter and you’ll hear music coming from just about every place you pass (!), so if you don’t want to figure out what you want to hear, just walk, find a place with music you like, stop and enjoy! But if you want to be a little more organized or go to the traditional spots, check the schedule on these below and pick a place!

Preservation Hall 

Best and oldest Jazz Bar.  TRUE JAZZ!  $12 per person. Open 8pm-11pm. If you don’t want to stand in line, you can buy a more expensive HOT SHOT ticket to bypass the line and guarantee a spot in the room. Fantastic!  You’ve probably heard this jazz coming out of my home or office!

Map

Website

Maison Bourbon Jazz Club

Where many New Orleans musicians including Harry Connick, Jr. served their apprenticeships. Famous jazz and Dixieland tradition, The balcony is a fine spot top for an overview of the action, and at the back is a courtyard with access to the bar. You’ll hear local talent here!

Map

Website

Fritzel’s

German-style beer hall with lots of live Dixieland jazz! My favorite for jazz. It’ll be crowded, but the hostess will seat you and someone will come by for drinks soon. And if you can keep moving up to the front as people leave, you’ll have a super spot! 

Map

Website

The Famous Door

This is a great late-night stop-in with great cover bands and dancing. If you need some good ole sing-alongs and a place to have a drink, dance a bit or just watch the crazy people of NOLA, this is it!
 
Map

No Website

 

The Spotted Cat

This is a further walk from the quarter, but The Spotted Cat is always crowded with blues, gypsy swing and traditional jazz. And even more crowded now that it’s been highlighted on the Treme show.
 
Map
 

Website

Honky Tonk (used to be The Funky Pirate)

The best spot for blues…but it’s on Bourbon so it can get crowded. And if you make it on a night that Mark and the Pentones or Big Al are playing…perfect! Just push your way in, find a spot and stay there. You won’t regret it! 

Map

The Blue Nile

A great spot for blues that often includes Kermit Ruffins and Trombone Shorty…some of my favorites!

Map

Website


 

SIGHTS

Mardi Gras World

A great warehouse of hundreds of Mardi Gras floats. It’s a great way to see them, especially if you’re not there during Mardi Gras. It begins with a brief overview and then a tour of the warehouses. Great photo ops! And a good tour for kids too. 

Map

Website

St. Charles Street Car

The St. Charles Street Car (the green one!)  is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, as it has been in operation since 1835. If you have a few hours and want to see some great houses and a great view of the Garden District, including Tulane, Loyola, and the Audubon, catch the St. Charles Street Car at Carondelet Street and Canal Street, at the side of Lady Footlocker. If you can’t take the whole round trip, at least take it to the Audubon Park, get off, and jump back on one going back to the Quarter. Of course, you can also, jump off, walk around a bit and catch it again. 

Map

Website

St. Louis Cemeteries

If you’re interested in seeing some of the historic New Orleans above-ground cemeteries and mausoleums, here are two to consider. Note that most cemeteries have open “business” hours so pay  attention to that. 

St. Louis Cemetery #1 is one of the oldest and most famous, but you’re required to join a tour if you want to see it. (You cannot just walk around by yourself.) It’s the closest to the Quarter so an easy walk.

#1 Map

#1 Website

St. Louis Cemetery #3 is one of the largest and allows you to walk around on your own. This one is a bit of a walk from the Quarter so you may want to consider a Lyft. 

#3 Map

#3 Website

Second Line

A Second Line is a traditional brass band that parades down the street gathering people as they go. If you see one, whether for a wedding or a funeral, don’t be afraid to join. Jump in and dance down the street. 

Jackson  Square

You will probably find yourself in Jackson Square without even trying, but just in case. Make a point to get there and walk around. (It’s across the street from Cafe Du Monde so that’s a good time to do it.) Walk around, listen to street musicians, watch street artists and soak in it. This is usually kid-friendly.

Map

St. Louis Cathedral and Jesus Shadow

And while you’re in Jackson Square, see if the St. Louis Cathedral is open and go inside, walk around quietly, and take in the beauty. They usually have mass every day at noon and sometimes you can catch an organ concert. If you’re in the area at nighttime, go around the back of the cathedral to  St. Anthony’s Garden to see the beautiful Jesus Shadow. 

Map

Website

Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel

If you’re in town during the Christmas season, you don’t want to miss the amazing lights in the Roosevelt Hotel. Just stroll through and take photos! It’s gorgeous! And one of the best Sazeracs can be found the hotel’s Sazerac Bar

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Website


HOTELS

You’ve got quite a few choices and it really depends if you want famous NOLA hotels, small boutique hotels or your typical chain hotels. Either way, there are a lot of good ones. And prices vary so much depending on your dates.

Always ask about the parking situation, since in the French Quarter, it’s tight.

Here are some of our favorites:

Le Pavillon Hotel

Iconic NOLA hotel, very beautiful and a great location.

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Website

Hotel Monteleone

Historic NOLA hotel

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Website

Royal Sonesta

This gorgeous hotel is on Bourbon street so be prepared for that. But if you want to be in the middle of the action, this is it!

Map

Website

Hotel Provincial

Smaller boutique hotel with your typical NOLA courtyard.

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Website

Prince Conti Hotel

Very small boutique hotel (small rooms) but nice and just a block off Bourbon.

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Website

 New Orleans Marriott

A good chain hotel close to the Quarter.

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Website

The Westin Canal Place

Your typical Westin but it’s in Canal Place on the river with lots of shops and restaurants.

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SHOPPING

Manny Randazzo King Cakes

KING CAKES!!  I’ve mail ordered many a king cake from here! (Not in the French Quarter) If it’s off-season, the storefront may not be open so be sure to check. Even if it is, you’ll be able to find Randazzo’s King Cakes in various stores. 

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Fleurty Girl Store

Go buy me something! Anything. My favorite store!! Great for Louisiana souvenirs. 

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Rouses Market

A great place to get NOLA groceries to take home without paying tourist prices.

Map

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines

In my opinion, THE Best Pralines!

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Website

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