How to Spend 4 Days Eating in New Orleans

New Orleans is the kind of place that does everything big—and one thing is for sure; you won’t leave the Big Easy hungry! Where do you even begin in a city that boasts 1,800+ restaurants? With a cuisine influenced by French, African, Native American and other cultures, the dishes are as unique as they are flavorful.

During a 4-day mother/daughter trip, we did our best to sample the local cuisine, trying everything from spicy boiled crawfish and chargrilled oysters, to po’ boys, bread pudding, and of course, the iconic beignet!

(Originally published 2018)

Having a local family member guide our restaurant choices on that first visit was a big help. He knew where to go for the best oysters, crawfish, and more. Flash forward a few years, a few more trips to New Orleans, and another family member who temporarily called New Orleans home with time to experience everything from walking in a Mardi Gras parade and attending festivals to eating around the city.

This gave us more opportunities to enjoy a few new restaurants and return to some favorites. Keep reading for recommendations on how to spend 4 days eating in New Orleans for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beyond!

With a thriving restaurant scene all over town, you might wonder whether you need a car in New Orleans. Most visitors will find it easy to walk, use public transportation like the streetcar, or a ride share to get around. We have enjoyed stays at the French Market Inn on Decatur Street, the Hotel Indigo in the Garden District, and a rental in the Warehouse District, and each time had no issues without a car.

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Breakfast Recommendations in New Orleans

The Ruby Slipper Cafe. With 6 locations around the city, including the French Quarter and Uptown, it’s easy to find your way to a Ruby Slipper Cafe, a popular breakfast spot. Don’t miss the Bananas Foster French Toast, a tasty version with bananas and raisins, or the Pig-Candy Bacon Bites. The menu also has a variety of delicious Eggs Benedict offerings!

Are you hungry yet? We visited several of the locations over the years, most of which are walking distance or reachable using the streetcar. Use the call-ahead option to reserve a place in line before you head over!

District: Donuts. Sliders.Brew. This place was so good we went twice for breakfast, and my daughter went back recently. As much as I wanted one of the giant-sized donuts on our first visit, the Croque Madame was calling our name, along with a Kolache filled with smoked salmon, green tabasco cream cheese, red onions and capers, and topped with “everything” seasoning. Both were a wonderful way to start the day, along with a large cup of coffee!

On our 2nd visit to District, which happened to be a crowded Sunday morning, we tried the Coconut Mango donut (the donut menu varies). Do not miss this place for breakfast, and return for lunch or dinner! Take the St. Charles Streetcar to Jackson Street and walk a few blocks to Magazine Street. There are 5 locations in the area.

If location is important, consider Monty’s on the Square for a filling breakfast. After you eat, you are just steps away from browsing the art and other goods from the street vendors that surround Jackson Square. Daisy Dukes and Cafe Fleur De Lis are two other breakfast options but expect a line!

And for a Southern-Creole brunch, consider Atchafalaya, another restaurant with a historic past and delicious food. Their food comes from local farmers and fishermen and other local sources. Be sure to plan ahead and make a reservation.

Lunch Recommendations in New Orleans

Central Grocery & Deli. Head to Decatur Street in the French Quarter for lunch at Central Grocery & Deli. This colorful Italian market, founded in 1906 by a Sicilian immigrant, Salvatore Lupo, finally reopened after extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. Don’t be surprised by the urge to buy all the classic Italian goodies like fresh cheese and imported pasta.

There’s only one real choice here for lunch – the iconic Muffuletta! It’s ham, salami and provolone combined with their famous marinated olive salad on a round sesame loaf. The long counter in the back has limited seating, but we were able to find a seat on a Thursday. Find Central Grocery on Decatur Street across from the French Market. Plan to split this massive sandwich among two or more family/friends.

Cochon Butcher. Located in the New Orleans Warehouse District, the locals know this is the place to go for lunch or a casual dinner! It’s what happens when Cajun food meets butcher shop, with a variety of cured meats and sausages. The seating area is lively and you’ll probably share a long table with strangers.

Try the Gambino with the marinated brussel sprouts! Surprisingly, the Key Lime Pie is a popular dessert, and we definitely finished that off no problem. Find Cochon Butcher on Tchoupitoulas Street. It’s a perfect stop for food after a visit to the National WWII Museum.

Mahoney’s Po Boys & Seafood. Head uptown for a New Orleans classic – a “dressed” Po Boy. Choose from meats like roast beef or alligator sausage, or my favorite seafood Po Boy with fried oysters. Order a side of thin cut onion rings or fries.

We were tempted to try the fries with debris gravy but needed to save room for dessert! The restaurant reopened in 2024 under new management, and I don’t see Mahoney’s Original Bread Pudding on the menu anymore, but I’m sure their other desserts are just as tasty. Find Mahoney’s at 3454 Magazine Street.

For a unique lunch experience, sign up for a demonstration cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. We had a blast listening to our chef/host entertain us with history and stories while teaching us the art of making a good roux and classic Crawfish Etouffee. Find the school in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Louis Street, with a fun store for picking up spices and dish towels (my favorite souvenir!).

Dat Dog. Perfect for lunch or a mid-afternoon snack, don’t miss a stop at the colorful Dat Dog on Frenchmen Street, one of three locations in the city. So many classics, like the Étouffée Special or the Bacon Werewolf Dog. When you see the colorful blue building you will know you have arrived!

And if you need to fuel up while out on Bourbon Street, NOLA Poyboys is there for you. Round out your foodie list with all the favorites from Eater New Orleans.

Dinner Recommendations in New Orleans

I’m embarrassed to admit that I still haven’t been to some of the classics like Commander’s Palace, Brennan’s, or Antoine’s, or tried the down home cooking at Olde NOLA Cookery. But over the last 6 or 7 years, our family has had the opportunity to enjoy dinner at a few other great restaurants around town. Here’s a few that stand out.

Luke. This gem is located in the Central Business District and described as a “Creole-inspired Brassiere” with French and German influence. I enjoyed the Fried Oyster Salad and the delicious pate appetizer on our most recent visit to New Orleans. For something lighter, try the Fried Oyster Salad! Be sure to book a table in advance.

Mambo’s Cajun & Creole. Located in the heart of Bourbon Street, the Fried Oyster Platter hit the spot for an authentic taste of New Orleans. They boast having the only rooftop bar on Bourbon Street in case you want to take in the craziness from above.

Muriel’s Jackson Square. We enjoyed an anniversary dinner with family at this centrally located restaurant. The place has quite a history that began in 1718, and like many ghost stories, includes fire and a tragic death. Muriel’s is home to the Seance Lounge and has been the site of paranormal investigations over the years. Be sure to have a drink on the veranda while you are there. I still remember the delicious Pain Perdu Bread Pudding we had to top off our fabulous meal!

Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar. An uptown gem, Superior Seafood is definitely worth a visit. Take the St. Charles streetcar line to stop 24 to try the chargrilled oysters, crawfish mac and cheese, or the Pasta Vieux Carre, with grilled shrimp, andouille sausage and crawfish.

For the flavors of Mexico, head to Superior Grill, owned by the same restaurant group. Two local favorites are the Sashimi Salad and the Superior Baja Tacos. The restaurant can also be reached via the St. Charles streetcar.

The Original French Market Restaurant and Bar. Another restaurant with a legacy that started with Sicilian immigrants, the Original French Market Restaurant and Bar sits on Decatur Street with an extensive menu of Creole and Cajun classics. If you love seafood, it’s a great spot to dive into a big boat of spicy boiled crawfish or to try a traditional dish like Crawfish Etouffee or Jambalaya. Tables are first-come, first-served.

Cafe du Monde vs. Cafe Beignet

When you tell people you are heading to New Orleans, the first thing most people say is go to Cafe du Monde for a beignet and coffee. They don’t tell you that the line is typically quite long, and the popular French Market location is busy all day and until they close at night.

On our first trip, we stopped in around 10:30 on a Saturday night and surprisingly were able to get in pretty quickly. The beignets are light and fluffy, and I have yet to figure out how to eat them without getting covered in powdered sugar!

On our recent trip, we experienced a much faster line at the location by the water on the Riverwalk. It was convenient to our rental, and we were first in line on a Saturday morning. They also have a location in City Park, and other spots around town.

For a different vibe, stop by Cafe Beignet, located on Bourbon Street at Musical Legends Park. We stumbled upon this on our first afternoon in the city and enjoyed relaxing and listening to live jazz on the outdoor patio while having our first beignets of the trip. There is an ongoing debate about who has the best beignets in the city—you will have to visit and decide for yourself!

For a sweet treat, don’t forget to pick up some pralines during your visit. They are easy to find in the neighborhood in and around the French Market that includes Loretta’s Authentic Pralines and Leah’s Pralines.

In case you want to wash down all this great food with a classic, Pat O’Brien’s Bar has been serving their famous Hurricane since World War II. Don’t miss seeing the flaming fountain on the patio!

As you can see, even after a few visits, we have barely scratched the surface with the volume of New Orleans restaurants. What’s your favorite New Orleans dish?