If I spend a significant time in one place, I always put together a “guide” to that city filled with my personal recommendations of things to eat, and the occasional activity. Mostly eating. I have loved passing along to friends for their travels, and these guides have been so well received that I decided to do a series and share with you all!
Our first stop is New Orleans. I spent about a year working in the Bayou for a client right after college, and flew from DC and back weekly. It was definitely a “work hard, eat well” project! I dedicate this post to my wonderful teammates who traveled with m!. I will forever look fondly on this year and everything we ate!
Top 3 Favorite All Time Restaurants:
1. Emerils (Warehouse District) $$$ - Restaurant eponymous for the famous chef. Every time we went, I claimed it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I LOVED their peanut butter pie. One team member would order the pork shoulder and his own banana cream pie (see below) every single time.
2. Bacchanal Wine (9th Ward) $ - It may look like a run-down house in a not-so-very nice part of NOLA from the outside, but they transform the backyard into a wonderful setting with live music and great food every night. They serve fantastic cheese plates and they have a full wine cellar. Come with a big group for a great, off-the-Bourbon-path evening!
3. Coquette (Uptown) $$$ - The food here is perfect, and it is an absolutely beautiful restaurant. I always enjoyed some version of scallops! And as a non-donut fan, I can attest that their homemade sourcream blueberry donuts to share for dessert blew my mind.
Scallop art at Coquette
Other great dinner spots:
1. Herbsaint (Central Business District) $$$ - Modern Creole cuisine - just fantastic food all around. Never disappoints. and right by Jackson Square!
2. Melange (Frenchman Street) $$ - Traditional Creole with a fun local vibe and live music every night.
3. Stella! (French Quarter) $$$$ - {NOW CLOSED} This place is NOT cheap but probably one of the best meals I’ve ever had. in. my. life. A total splurge, but completely worth it. Prix fixe five course meal which you won’t be the same after.
4. Jacques-Imos (Uptown) $$ - Located in a super funky New Orleans house uptown. Serves standard Creole fare. Great live music next door, and a great local vibe.
5. La Petite Grocery (Uptown) $$ $ - Beautiful little spot all the way up Magazine. Excellent Modern French/Creole cuisine.
Brunch locations:
1. Muriel’s (French Quarter) $$ - Classic New Orleans Sunday Jazz brunch. I love this place, it’s so beautiful! Such a must-do.
2. Ruby Slipper (Central Business District) $ - Only serves breakfast/brunch. Best omelet I’ve ever had. They also serve crazy sweet brunch items like “King Cake French Toast”.
Dranks:
1. The Bulldog (Uptown) - Great outdoor patio, and free take-home glass mugs on certain days!
2. Pat O’Briens (Bourbon) - The famous dueling piano bar never disappoints
3. The Spotted Cat (Frenchman) - Great live music and fun, local bar.
4. The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone (French Quarter) - inside this lovely hotel is an actual carousel that has been transplanted indoors and turned into a bar! It actually moves in circles like an actual bar!
So there you have it! Happy eating in The Big Easy!
Thanks for stopping by! 
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