Music, food, parties and culture are just a few words to explain the eccentric city of New Orleans. NOLA has soul and it’s contagious. You can feel the passion in everything the city immerses itself in, whether it’s parading at Jazz Fest to cooking up red beans and rice every Monday. They do it with love. This place is filled with so much character. One minute you’re strolling the historic Bourbon Street, hopefully with a drink in hand, next you’re visiting eerie cemeteries. Expect the unexpected, even in the kitchen! I tried my first alligator here, and it was delicious!
If you’re hungry, this list will make you hungrier. If you’re wondering what kind of fun you can get yourself into while eating and exploring a town where French, African and American cultures come alive together, keep reading.
Acme Oyster House
Millions of oysters have been shucked here. It’s a popular spot in the French Quarter for locals and visitors, so expect a line out the door. I highly recommend trying this place at least once. It’s great for parties and sharing. Trust me, their fish is delish. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Some of my suggestions are…
Soup of the Day: Get a cup to start your meal off. If it’s the corn chowder, definitely go for it!
Chargrilled Oysters: Sizzling, chargrilled oysters saturated in an herb butter sauce, topped with a special blend of cheese. My personal fave.
Fried Shrimp Platter: All fried platters have a generous amount of seafood which include French fries and a choice of: coleslaw, hush puppies or potato salad.
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Directly across the street from Acme Oyster House. This joint is a solid option. Stumbled upon their oyster bar when I didn’t feel like waiting in line at Acme. It’s cozy and has more of a diner feel. The line is significantly shorter, but that doesn’t mean they lack in the oyster department. I would come back for their chargrilled oysters, but most importantly the…
Buffalo Oysters: Fried oysters covered in buffalo sauce and bleu cheese crumble.
Oceana Grill
The menu here gives a definite taste of New Orleans, the classic options are endless. You’ll just have to try it all.
Oceana’s Famous Oysters: Chargrilled and smothered with their zesty garlic + creamy herb cajun sauce, and a blend of parmesan and romano cheese.
Louisiana Crabmeat Cakes: Their most popular appetizer. Served with crawfish and mushroom cream sauce.
Fried Shrimp Platter: Served with french fries, cole slaw, jalapeño hushpuppies, cocktail and tartar sauce.
Cajun Jambalaya Pasta: A traditional deep south recipe that includes shrimp, alligator and sausage mixed with onions, bell peppers and creole sauce with Fettuccine pasta.
Café Du Monde
Home of the famous coffee and scrumptious beignets since 1862. I could start my day here with beignets and a coffee and end that same day with more beignets and hot chocolate. Wait in line or grab to-go.
Carousel Bar
Inside Hotel Monteleonee lies New Orleans’ first and only revolving bar. It’s decked out in a classic merry-go-round theme. If sitting at a slow spinning bar while sipping on a cocktail is your thing, check this attraction out.
New Orleans Pelicans Game
If it’s basketball season, why not! The Smoothie King Center is a great destination to switch things up with the local community. Thrive off the energy on the court and in the crowd. Also, during games they have interactive activities with the audience and dance breaks.
Central Grocery & Deli
Better known as the Home of the Original Muffuletta. Located in the middle of New Orleans’ French Quarter, a Sicilian immigrant famous for creating the muffuletta founded this old-fashioned grocery store on Decatur Street. Inside you’ll find the muffuletta — in-house sliced deli meat, cheese and handmade bread topped with a fresh olive salad.
The Voodoo Bone Lady Voodoo Shop
A small, beautifully curated shop tucked in the midst of other shops in the French Quarter. Upon arrival, you can put your name down for an affordable palm reading, ranging anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes. The reading happens upstairs the shop, afterwards, there are mystic items like oils and dolls for purchase. Book a tour with the bone lady herself. She guides you around town while walking around the haunted parts of the French Quarter.
Pat O’Brien’s
A great effing time! An indoor and outdoor bar perfect for drinking and hanging out in large crowds, any time of the day. The later in the day it gets, the crazier and louder people get. This is a New Orleans institution and they’re famous for their drink, the Hurricane.
Turkey And The Wolf
It’s colorful and hipster. Inside you’ll stumble upon inventive sandwiches and cocktails. My food was served on old school McDonald’s plates — very nostalgic. FYI: Their menu changes but they’re known for the…
Collard Green Melt: Slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. (Pleasantly surprised with how good this is).
Lafayette Cemetery No.1
If you didn’t visit a cemetery, did you even visit New Orleans? Founded in 1832, you can find this cemetery in the Garden District. Book a tour, or just walk in and explore the burial site with an estimate of 1,000 tombs and 7,000 people.
MOPHO
If you need a change of scenery from all the fried shrimp and oysters, give this trendy Vietnamese place a visit. I was mind blown by the flavors and creole influence these dishes had.
Crispy Fried Chicken: Crisped to perfection and served with lemongrass, ginger and chili
Crispy Vindaloo Bites: A curry dish made fried served with coconut ranch (personal fave)
MOPHO Drumsticks: Nuoc mam caramel, lemongrass, ginger, Thai chili
Hand Rolled Fresh Spring Rolls: Refreshing flavors of mint, cucumber and cilantro served with housemade peanut sauce.
Slow Roast Lamb In Green Curry: Smoked tofu, roasted beet, toasted cashew, warm roti bread (hell to the yes!)
The Spotted Cat Music Club
A quintessential jazz venue when visiting Frenchman St. There’s live music seven days a week, a small stage and a standing-room crowd. The bands either freestyle or play covers of songs. The energy and drinks are always great here.
Red Grill
Come here for the Po’Boy! I repeat, COME HERE FOR THE PO’BOY! I’ve had a number of Po’Boys in NOLA, but this by far is the best IMO. Everything from the bread to the sauce, and everything in between. FYI: It’s available only on their lunch menu.
Fried Shrimp Po’Boy: Crispy fried Gulf Shrimp, romaine, sliced tomatoes, Creole mustard tartar sauce, with Creole potato salad
Creole Jambalaya Risotto: Gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, grilled chicken, “holy trinity,” roasted tomatoes
Side of Mashed Potatoes: Creamy with cheese and garlic
New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tours
Swamptours.com gives you a front row seat to diverse plant life, stunning views and meeting alligators up close and personal. Explore the swampy territories of this city while your tour guide will fill you in on the history. Booking a small airboat is ideal and intimate for a party of 6-8. This is a unique activity. The chances of seeing an alligator is higher during warm seasons.
Peaches Records
A family-owned record store filled with thousands of vinyls, books, art, Lil Wayne candles, hilarious greeting cards and so much more. If you’re a music lover this shop on Magazine St. is great for browsing and shopping some of your favorite artists and bands.
SHAYA
A stylish and flavorful restaurant that takes an innovative twist on Israeli Cuisine. SHAYA has found the right balance between traditional and modern. It’s a James Beard Award Winning restaurant and has also been featured on Someone Feed Phil. I ordered almost the entire menu, and it did not disappoint.
Baba Ganoush: Creamy eggplant, charred green onion, olive oil
Labneh: Pressed yogurt, castelvetrano olive relish
Couscous Salad: Couscous, celery, red onion, fennel, sumac, creole mustard vinaigrette
Roasted Cauliflower: Whole roasted cauliflower, olive oil, sea salt
Lamb Ragu: Classic hummus, lamb ragú, crispy chickpeas
Tahini: Classic hummus, tahini, aleppo pepper, parsley, extra virgin olive oil
Shrimp Chermoula: Wild Gulf shrimp, onions, lemon, cilantro, olive oil
Warm Chocolate Babka: Dark chocolate, toasted meringue, chocolate tahini, sweet cream gelato, sesame seed brittle
Milk & Honey: Labneh cheesecake, mixed nut granola, pomegranate caramel, burnt honey gelato
That’s it! Four days well spent. New Orleans is the perfect town to get lost in and discover gems. However, if you need some recommendations, pull up this go-to-guide. Share any additional recommendations, tips and tricks with us. Until then, cheers!
Check out the behind the scenes of all my adventures and meals on both my Instagram highlights: @shabbysmalls & @shotbysmalls.