I figured many Cuse fans going to Death Valley will be getting there via New Orleans and will therefore be looking to grab a quick NOLA experience Friday night and Saturday morning before heading out to Cajun country. To that end, I thought I’d provide a slimmed down version of a recommendation post centered around the French Quarter.
But first, let’s get the obvious out of the way: Bourbon Street. If this is your goal for Friday night (and that’s perfectly OK!), don’t overthink it. Start by getting a Hand Grenade from Tropical Island and walk down Bourbon taking in the sights and sounds. Next, get to Pat O’Brien’s, get a Hurricane, and enjoy the patio. This is also a dueling piano bar, if that’s your thing. After soaking up Pat O’s, venture back out, reload with more booze (another Hand Grenade perhaps?) and continue down river (East for you non-New Orleanians) until you eventually come to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Here you find a divey, but lively bar that signals the end of the Bourbon Street crawl (Bourbon becomes largely residential further down river from this point). For food, avoid almost all of Bourbon at all costs aside from: Clover Grill (diner food near Lafitte’s) and Galatoire’s (expensive and dressy, but legendary). The good news is that there is plenty of good French Quarter food options very close to Bourbon Street (see below).
Now, if you are looking for something besides the Bourbon Street experience, let’s discuss.
French Quarter Drinking (Non-Bourbon Street Division)
Classy and Classy-ish Drinking
Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone
Bar Tonique
Cane And Table (also a good food spot)
Davenport Lounge
Sazerac Bar (technically across Canal Street from the French Quarter)
Herme’s Bar
Casual and Easy
Molly’s on The Market
The Chart Room
Erin Rose
Crescent City Brewhouse
Mississippi River Bottom
Saint Lawrence
French Quarter Eating
Classy and Classy-ish Dining
Galatoire’s
Cane And Table
Irene’s
Antoine’s
Mr. B’s Bistro
GW Fins
Palace Café
Restaurant R’evolution
Domenica (technically across Canal Street from the FQ)
Casual
Coop’s Place
Green Goddess
Meauxbar
Acme Oyster House
Napolean House
Johnny’s Po-Boys
Killer Po-Boys
Port of Call
Café Maspero
Felipe’s Taqueria
The Ruby Slipper Café
Bennachin
Café Du Monde (24 hours!)
Café Beignet
Verti Marte (24 hours!)
Frenchman Street and The Marigny
Looking for something near the FQ that isn’t the FQ? Looking for some live music that isn’t bad karaoke or a cover band? This is the area for you. Multiple music venues, bars, and decent food options. And it’s all within a 10 minute walk from the heart of the FQ.
Instead of listing the clubs, I’ll just say walk up and down Frenchman Street and pause outside each club. Look at the bands set to play or listen for what’s going on inside. Between all the clubs on the street you will find jazz, rock, reggae, blues, and hip-hop at a minimum.
Drink
Besides the clubs, which all have booze, give these a look-see:
13
Brieux Carre Brewing
R Bar (slightly off Frenchman, but I count it as a Frenchman spot)
The John
Food
Dat Dog
Three Muses
Mona’s
Praline Connection
Adolfo’s
Marigny Brasserie
The Marigny (beyond Frenchman Street)
Mimi’s in the Marigny (club, bar, food)
Hi-Ho Lounge (club)
The Franklin (bar, food)
The New Feelings Marigny Café (bar, food)
St Roch Market (food hall)
Sukho Thai (food)
Breakfast
You need something to eat Saturday morning before heading to Baton Rouge? Give one of these a try (I’m not specifying by neighborhood here as walkability probably isn’t as important for this meal):
Elizabeth’s (full brunch)
Satsuma (full brunch, multiple locations)
The Ruby Slipper (full brunch, multiple locations)
Luke (full brunch)
Stanley (full brunch)
Surrey’s (full brunch, multiple locations)
Eat New Orleans (full brunch)
The Camellia Grill (diner)
Dot’s Diner (diner, multiple locations)
La Boulangerie (bakery)
Haydel's (bakery)
Café Beignet (café/beignets)
Café Du Monde (beignets, multiple locations) – NOTE: There is a Cade Du Monde in Metairie which is technically on the way to Baton Rouge off I-10
Morning Call (beignets) – NOTE: This is in Metairie and not too far off I-10 as an en route to Baton Rouge option.
And that's it! I figure if you are in NOLA it's just for a short while before getting yourself to Baton Rouge for tailgating and the game, so I didn't got too deep or nerdy with this guide. If you have any NOLA specific questions, I'm happy to give it my best shot at answering. If you are curious about a specific type of cuisine, specific part of town, or specific drinking atmosphere please ask in the comments!
GO ORANGE!!!
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