New Orleans

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New Orleans is one of America's finest gastronomic cities. Most people know New Orleans for its cuisine, and with over 1,400 restaurants to choose from, it's easy to see why. Restaurants in the Big Easy mix traditional fares with twists so unique, you'll never want to eat anywhere else.

New Orleans is one of America's finest gastronomic cities. Most people know New Orleans for its cuisine, and with over 1,400 restaurants to choose from, it's easy to see why. Restaurants in the Big Easy mix traditional fares with twists so unique, you'll never want to eat anywhere else. Classic dishes such as jambalaya and po' boys, fried alligator and more are commonplace. And Creole, Cajun, French, and African flavors abound to enlighten your palettes. Understandably, it's hard to pick just 10 of the best restaurants in New Orleans. But in the NOLA spirit, we're sure gonna do it anyway.
<h2>1. Harbor Seafood and Oyster Bar</h2>
New Orleanians flock to this low-key neighborhood seafood spot and its unique raw oyster bar. This slender restaurant and its faux-wood panel decor is a hit with tourists and locals alike. Using fish freshly caught from the Gulf, the Harbor Seafood &amp; Oyster bar's signature dish of crawfish is a must-taste for bon temps. If you love seafood, po'boys, and maybe even fried alligator tail, why not swing by?

[caption id="attachment_1426" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1426" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/GettyImages-949477534-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Jenniveve84 / Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" /> Jenniveve84 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Toups Meatery</h2>
Chef Isaac Toups' rustic Mid-City charcuterie delivers incredible food on top of an incredible atmosphere. Toups Meatery is the premier place to eat your weight in meat. Carnivore-friendly Cajun dishes and regional Southern cuisine are Toups' specialty. Their cocktail pitchers are also divine. Enjoy your traditional New Orleans fare from the patio while listening to some of the best music in town. Try the candied pork belly, and you'll ask to move in.

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<h2>3. Ba Mien</h2>
Hidden away in the New Orleans East strip mall is Ba Mien. This small, family-run restaurant close to the Vietnamese neighborhood provides traditional Vietnamese dishes with a good ol' New Orleans flare. Its owner, Mai Nguyen, came to the US after the Vietnam war and, since 2001, has been satisfying locals' stomachs. For excellent food at bargain prices, Ba Mien is the crème de la crème. In particular, nor can its shrimp vermicelli and spring rolls.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/805427558-1024x683.jpg" alt="805427558" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">4kodiak / Getty Images</span>
<h2>4. Neyow's Creole Café</h2>
Customers come from across the globe for this Creole café that prides itself on tasting like home. People who love off-the-beaten-track eateries will be in their element at Neyow's. Local flavors and authentic Creole cuisine, the roots of the cooking runs as deep as NOLA itself. The incredibly rare New Orleans home-style cooking they provide to customers makes you feel like you're dining at home. With its chef in full display of everyone in the dining room and a roaring spirit exclusive to NOLA, Neyow's is one of the best. Don't forget to try the garlic chargrilled oysters.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/868971034-1024x684.jpg" alt="868971034" width="1024" height="684" /><span class="image-caption">f11photo / Getty Images</span>
<h2>5. Café Degas</h2>
French artist Edgar Degas hit the banks of New Orleans in the fall of 1872. Indeed, New Orleans was once home to the impressionist painter whose house you can also visit, to this day. He's also the namesake for Café Degas; a charmingly intimate French bistro in the Creole district. In the center of NOLA's most artistic neighborhood, Café Degas comes to life around a tree that's growing through the dining room. Affordable prices and incredible decor also make this an ideal spot for a first date. Its vegetarian options are numerous, and its sauteed veg and fried eggplant could turn the most carnivorous of foodies.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/985417258-1024x661.jpg" alt="985417258" width="1024" height="661" /><span class="image-caption">Lisa5201 / Getty Images</span>
<h2>6. Beraca</h2>
You'll never go hungry when dining at Baraca. New Orleans' best Latin restaurant offers fresh and tasty Hispanic food, due to the city's increasing Honduran population. Beraca is the only place in NOLA to get authentic Honduran cuisine, and its plantains are also the best in the area.  Unpretentious surrounding and amazing prices make Beraca one of New Orleans' best-kept secrets.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/673657836-1024x765.jpg" alt="673657836" width="1024" height="765" /><span class="image-caption">Olga Mendenhall / Getty Images</span>
<h2>7. Arnaud's</h2>
Arnaud's is a New Orleans institution. Defining New Orleans fine dining for a century, this upscale restaurant and lounge will certainly instill you with the NOLA spirit. Conveniently located just off of Bourbon Street, Arnaud's has the classic, French Quarter ambiance and the best in Creole cuisine. Arnaud's is also the largest restaurant in town, and if you're looking for a culinary spot that encompasses the NOLA spirit, this is it. Dixieland jazz, cocktails, and more; if you go to one restaurant in NOLA, let it be Arnaud's.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/527758081-1024x694.jpg" alt="527758081" width="1024" height="694" /><span class="image-caption">toddtaulman / Getty Images</span>
<h2>8. Compère Lapin</h2>
Innovative chef and Top Chef runner-up, Nina Compton's Compère Lapin, is unlike any restaurant around. This sophisticated eatery set in the Warehouse District takes Caribbean and European dishes, enhancing them with NOLA flavors. Compère Lapin is definitely a place for groups to eat due to the big tables, diverse menus, and seemingly endless wine options. If you're lucky, you also might even spot a celebrity. Compère Lapin is, with its spicy pigs' ears and curried goat, probably one of the best restaurants in America.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/655786046-1024x683.jpg" alt="655786046" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">igor_kell / Getty Images</span>
<h2>9. Ralph's On The Park</h2>
Set in a 19th century home, Ralph's also overlooks the towering moss-draped oak trees of City Park. With breathtaking balcony views and elegantly eclectic decor, Ralph's On The Park is romantic to its very core. Its cuisine uses locally-sourced seafood, meats, and vegetables, giving its diners a farm-to-table culinary experience they'll certainly never forget. Most importantly, Ralph's has the best cocktails in the whole of New Orleans. According to, well, just about everybody.

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<h2>10. Dooky Chase's Restaurant</h2>
Anyone who dreams of visiting NOLA dreams of eating at Dooky Chase's. Dooky Chase's is a 1940s Treme classic. It's an institution. TV personality, Creole chef, and master of Soul Food Leah Chase runs the Orleans Ave joint to this day. She also sometimes still cooks there. Dooky Chase's is a local staple that shows no signs of disappearing any time soon, and we're extremely happy about that. Its menu offers Creole classics like baked mac and cheese and delicious pecan pie, as well as the best shrimp Creole in the whole of NOLA. New Orleans dining is nothing if it isn't Dooky Chase's and eating there will make you fall in love with NOLA even more.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/165857377-1024x768.jpg" alt="165857377" width="1024" height="768" /><span class="image-caption">LauriPatterson / Getty Images</span>

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10 of the Best Restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun and vibrant city with ample activities to suit everyone. The weather in the Big Easy is usually nice, but the summers are hot and humid. When you are planning what you're going to do, make sure you allow time to get out of the sun.

New Orleans is a fun and vibrant city with ample activities to suit everyone. The weather in the Big Easy is usually nice, but the summers are hot and humid. When you are planning what you're going to do, make sure you allow time to get out of the sun. Many of the things you will find to do here have cultural appeal. Even walking around or taking the streetcar from one place to another can be entertaining if you take your time.
<h2>1. French Quarter</h2>
Colorful buildings, cast iron balconies and an upbeat vibe lure people to the French Quarter. You can find a host of things to do here. It spans six blocks over which you will find a host of offerings from fresh seafood to souvenirs. Much of the open air market is covered, so you can take a break from being in the sun while you peruse the wares of local merchants.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/476702684-1024x683.jpg" alt="visiting New Orleans" width="1024" height="683" /> S. Greg Panosian / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. New Orleans Musical Legends Park</h2>
Grab a bite to eat a local eatery and head over to New Orleans Musical Legends Park to catch a show from a local jazz musician. The park is out in the open and is marked with statues of some of the city’s musical legends. During the winter months, the air might be slightly nippy, but a bowl of gumbo can help to keep you warm. If you need a snack, Café Beignet is right there with sweet offerings.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1009953 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/shutterstock_1135836935-11.jpg" alt="jazz New Orleans" width="1100" height="730" />


<h2>3. Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve</h2>
Located in the Louisiana swamplands, the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve gives you a glimpse into the natural beauty of the area. There are free tours of the park that provide you with an in-depth look at the area. Ideally, you will visit this area in the spring or fall months when the weather is a bit mild. The tour guides will usually offer personal stories and antidotes if you opt for one of the many swamp tours that are offered outside of those hosted by the rangers.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1009954 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/shutterstock_589208402.jpg" alt="historic park New Orleans" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Cafe du Monde</h2>
Chicory coffee and beignets (puffy pastries covered with powdered sugar) are the traditional fare at Café du Monde. You can get your goodies to-go and enjoy them while you walk around. There is also open-air seating at the café. Nearby, you can find benches along the Mississippi River where you can sit and watch river traffic.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/71710610-1024x672.jpg" alt="cafes New Orleans" width="1024" height="672" /> Justin Sullivan / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Jackson Square</h2>
Jackson Square is an open area where you can see some Civil War weaponry, including cannons. Lush greenery surrounds the square. From within you can see the St. Louis Cathedral and the open air market of the French Quarter. You may want to walk across the street to the cathedral to take a tour of it or just to admire the architecture. Street performers, including musicians and artists, surround the square. You can find some unique souvenirs as you check out those performers.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/948138626-1024x665.jpg" alt="visiting New Orleans " width="1024" height="665" /> Mario Tama / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Preservation Hall</h2>
Preservation Hall is open 360 nights a year with live music. You can visit it in the afternoons and nights during the week, but on Friday and Saturday, it is only open at night. The intimate setting often has standing room only. If you need seating, you need to plan ahead and reserve your seats. Be prepared with cash because the venue doesn’t take any other forms of payment.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1009955 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/shutterstock_3138834621.jpg" alt="preservation hall New Orleans" width="1100" height="733" />


<h2>7. Bourbon Street</h2>
When the sun sets, Bourbon Street comes to life. It is 13 blocks long and runs from Esplanade Avenue to Canal Street. Bars and clubs, many of which are open around the clock, dot both sides of the street. This is a destination that is best for adult only trips as some of the sights you will see along this street are for mature audiences only. This is especially true during the Mardi Gras season when the revelers are out partying.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/186815974-1024x693.jpg" alt="bourbon New Orleans" width="1024" height="693" /> Kameleon007 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. New Orleans Rum Distillery</h2>
You can take a tour through the New Orleans Rum Distillery, but it is only available to adults. There is a tasting of Gris Gris and other products at the end of the tour. The company offers a free shuttle from the French Quarter’s stall 27, the Organic Banana Daiquiri Stand and Juice Bar. While you might be able to jump on the shuttle when it stops, it is best to make online reservations to ensure you have a tour space saved for you.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1009957 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/shutterstock_5382514751.jpg" alt="rum distillery New Orleans" width="1100" height="733" />


<h2>9. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World</h2>
Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World gives you an intimate look into how the intricate floats for parades are made. It is open at 9:00 every morning except Mardi Gras, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The tours start 30 minutes later. You can call the office to arrange for a free shuttle the building if you are going to take a tour. The behind-the-scenes lets you see just how much work goes into each detail of every float the company puts out on the parade routes.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1009958 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/shutterstock_3790145831.jpg" alt="New Orleans mardi gras" width="1100" height="733" />


<h2>10. Audubon Zoo and Aquarium of the Americas</h2>
The Audubon Zoo and Aquarium of the Americas are two distinct attractions that complement each other. You should plan a full day at each location so you can fully enjoy them. Near the site of the aquarium is the space that hosted that World’s Fair in 1984. You can take the St. Charles Streetcar to get close to the campus. While the aquarium is indoors and ideal for hot or rainy days, the zoo is fully outdoors.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1009960 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/02/shutterstock_1094853608.jpg" alt="new Orleans " width="1000" height="475" />

10 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans

New Orleans is a mix of magic, mystery, and romance. NOLA is a diverse city full of culture which combines the histories of the French, Spanish, and Caribbean people who made the Crescent City the gem she is today. There's something for everyone in New Orleans.

New Orleans is a mix of magic, mystery, and romance. NOLA is a diverse city full of culture which combines the histories of the French, Spanish, and Caribbean people who made the Crescent City the gem she is today. There's something for everyone in New Orleans, including ornate architecture, rowdy Bourbon Street, and the ghosts and ghouls roaming the Mississippi Riverfront. If you haven't been down to New Orleans, then your life isn't complete. The Spanish Moss hanging from centuries-old trees, the friendly smiles of locals, and exquisite restaurants will ignite your imagination and nourish your soul.
<h2>1. The French Quarter or Vieux Carre</h2>
The Vieux Carre is a historic district in New Orleans and is the oldest part of the city. The French Quarter was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The old square stretches across 85 square blocks that extend from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue. The French Market began in 1781 and is still in business today. The outdoor mall is the oldest in the United States which provides mouth-watering restaurants, unique shops, and live music. Bourbon Street is infamous for it's year-round Mardi Gras atmosphere year-round. You'll find massive to-go adult refreshments that you can sip on as you walk through the charm of the old quarter.

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<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/500613744-1024x683.jpg" alt="500613744" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">picturist / Getty Images</span>
<h2>2. Boutique du Vampyre</h2>
In the French Quarter, you'll find touristy souvenir shops, bars pumping out bass-heavy tunes, and pretty girls trying to lure unsuspecting visitors into 'live performances.' Unique shopping requires a visitor to venture beyond the worn path and explore the darker parts of the Vieux Carre. Here you'll find the Boutique du Vampyre. It's served mortal and vampires alike since 2003. You can even get a bespoke set of fangs made just for your teeth.

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[caption id="attachment_2122" align="alignnone" width="708"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2122" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/GettyImages-475615271-1.jpg" alt="Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images" width="708" height="1000" /> Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Cities of the Dead</h2>
New Orleans is a unique environment. The city was built entirely on swampland, which complicates how people bury their dead. The inability to bury people in the ground has created some of the most magnificent and beautiful cemeteries in the world. St. Louis No. 1 is a short stroll from the French Quarter and is the resting place of Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. Legend states that if you bring Queen Laveau an offering, like a candle, a piece of fruit, or candy and mark three X's on her grave, then she may help you manifest your deepest desires. Be careful in the cemeteries of New Orleans; the ghosts won't bother you, but criminals may be hunting for a lone traveler transfixed by the cemetery's allure which makes it easy for them to relieve you of your valuables.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/683325954-1024x683.jpg" alt="683325954" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Gargolas / Getty Images</span>
<h2>4. The Mississippi Waterfront</h2>
Throughout the majority of New Orlean's history, the riverfront was inaccessible to residents due to the industrial nature of the area and busy wharf. Recently, the industrial section was razed to make way for Woldenberg Park. Woldenberg Park honors the memory of a local philanthropist. The park helps attract almost ten million visitors every year. The riverfront is an excellent place to grab a Po' Boy and explore the sights and sounds of New Orleans at leisure.

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<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/601002880-1024x576.jpg" alt="601002880" width="1024" height="576" /><span class="image-caption">CrackerClips / Getty Images</span>
<h2>5. Be a Witness to the Damage Done by Hurricane Katrina</h2>
America's worst natural disaster occurred in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the southeast United States. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced, many lost their lives, and our government shamed itself with a less than efficient response to such a horrible crisis. There are many different types of tours to account for the horrors of Katrina. See where the levee broke which caused chaos and tragedy. Familiarize yourself and your family with the link between dwindling wetlands, levee reinforcement, gas and oil pipelines, and hurricane destruction. Examine for yourself the hard-hit neighborhoods of the Ninth Ward, St. Bernard, and Gentilly. It's vital to remember these catastrophes to prevent them.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/485738544-1024x618.jpg" alt="485738544" width="1024" height="618" /><span class="image-caption">Mario Tama / Getty Images</span>
<h2>6. St. Louis Cathedral</h2>
The St. Louis Cathedral proudly overlooks Jackson Square. The cathedral is the oldest, functioning parish of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Construction began in 1724, but the cathedral's undergone two significant restorations, including after a fire and following Hurrican Katrina. The church dedication occurred in 1794.  The parish is a functioning cathedral and visiting the church is possible during periods without regular religious services.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/83997489-1024x683.jpg" alt="83997489" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Chris Graythen / Getty Images</span>
<h2>7. Take a Ride on Steamboat Natchez</h2>
The Mississippi riverfront is an exciting place with lots of things to do to stimulate all your senses and is a great place to cool off from the humidity of a Big Easy summer. The mile-long riverfront hosts an annual, 'French Quarter Festival' that draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy the Crescent City. The Steamboat Natchez sails three times every day with a dinner service included in the evening.  Park in the city and take an iconic, red streetcar to the boat. The steamship will transport you to another time when these vessels brought cotton, gambling, and jazz up and down the mighty Mississippi.

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<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/516745602-1024x681.jpg" alt="516745602" width="1024" height="681" /><span class="image-caption">Skip Bolen / Getty Images</span>
<h2>8. Jean Lafitte National Historic Park</h2>
The Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve along with the Laura C. Hudson Visitor Center provide extensive exhibits about many of the oldest protected historic districts in the nation. Ask about the swamp tours to see reptiles in their natural elements. The visitor center is east of the French Quarter. Exhibitions mean to educate visitors on how New Orleans was shaped by cultural, environmental, and sociological aspects that still impact residents today.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/646481488-1024x683.jpg" alt="646481488" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Erika Goldring / Getty Images</span>
<h2>9. The Voodoo Museum</h2>
Since the 18th century, Voodoo and New Orleans remain connected to one another. The Voodoo Museum attempts to unravel the mysteries and magic of the culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. The museum provides an extraordinary perspective on the history of the Big Easy with entertaining and educational exhibits. They can also help book ghost tours and other hunts for paranormal creatures.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/591358937-1024x684.jpg" alt="591358937" width="1024" height="684" /><span class="image-caption">Tim Graham / Getty Images</span>
<h2>10. Beignets and Cafe Au Lait</h2>
There are two iconic coffee shops in New Orleans which have operated since the mid-1860's: Cafe du Monde and Morning Call. Locals tend to split into Morning Call devotees, or they're loyal Cafe du Monde customers. Both shops are open around-the-clock and offer delicious chickory coffee with traditional, French doughnuts covered in powdered sugar which are known as beignets. Go ahead, dig in!

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/55959006-1024x720.jpg" alt="55959006" width="1024" height="720" /><span class="image-caption">Chris Graythen / Getty Images</span>

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