New Orleans Eats -- Where Should I Go, What Shouldn't I Miss?

By Laurie

So I need your help again, gentle Food Lush readers. You all were so helpful when I went to Houston in the fall, and while I sadly didn't get a chance to eat at any of the places you recommended because of limited time and several social obligations, I have the list ready for when I go back. 

This time I'm headed to New Orleans. I'm part of a panel at the Mom 2.0 conference this week, and will be spending quite a bit of time on that great event. However, as you may know if you've been to NOLa, one must always make time for play -- much of it involving food and drink. 

I've been to the city several times, and have never left deprived of at least a few good meals. My budget doesn't really allow for fancy,  but thanks to my mother I've been able to have brunch at Commander's Palace. 

Left to my own devices, I love street food and snacks, muffulettas and po' boys. On a trip last year, I went to my hotel long enough to drop my bags, then headed out for Mother's, where I got a debris (what they call the tasty odds and ends of the roast beef, basically) po'boy and the best bread pudding I've ever had in my life.

Then I went back to my hotel and slept straight through until morning, but that's another story. 

I love Voodoo BBQ on St. Charles Avenue (the corn pudding is addictive) and beers at the Bulldog on Magazine Street. I've eaten multiple times in one trip at the Bourbon House raw bar (milk punch, oh dear, yes.) and had a great meal I waited hours for at Jacques-Imo's in the Garden District. Beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde are required each time I go, and a muffuletta at Central Grocery when I remember they're closed on Mondays. 

This time I want to try some new things, though. Acme Oyster House is on my list, but I'm not sure what else. Caveat: I'm staying in the Quarter, have to stick pretty close to the conference site, and won't have a car.

So where should I go in the city? 

Comments

[Andrea]

Go to Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal. The courtyard patio is great if the weather is nice, and the food is delicious. They are closed on Mondays and I hear they have very good Sunday brunch, but you might need to make a reservation.

[Jen L.]

Bistro at Maison de Ville (Toulouse Street in the Maison de Ville hotel). The BLT Salad will change your life. Their food is classic Creole rather than extra-spicy Cajun. It's fantastic.
Laissez les bon temps roulez! (I grew up in south Louisiana!)

[Ambry]

My must-haves in NOLA are bbq fried oysters at Red Fish, Sunday jazz brunch at Muriels[aligator hash omgosh], and if you want to splurge, everything I've had at Bayona has been devine. Enjoy!

[Lindsay]

Go to Butcher. It is where Chef Donald Link does his meats -- amazing. They do sandwiches and things that you can take out with you. When I lived in New Orleans, it was a regular lunch spot. It is in the Warehouse/Central Business District, very close to the Quarter.

And you should get a sno-ball at Hansen's on Tchoupitoulas.

If you get out of the Quarter, Mat & Naddy's, at Riverbend, is great. Parkway Tavern in MidCity has the best poboys.

[Courtney]

Jacques-Imo's!

[smart aleck]

Milk Bar on Prytania, across from Touro Infirmary. Incredible sandwiches and milkshakes. And the owner Kevin is from Australia and calls you Ace.

Take the St Charles streetcar til you get to the Foucher St stop, it's about a block from Chase.

[flutter]

you HAVE to go to Cafe Amelie

[Wastetimewithme]

I was just there this past weekend. I had a nice dinner at Muriel's at Jackson Square. Gorgonzola crepes with crawfish and a nice list of wines by the glass. Also, the Pimm's Cups at Napoleon House were good and the atmosphere is dark and lovely but the food was just "eh."

[A'Dell]

Tried to hit Cafe Amelie on a random Tuesday afternoon and there was a huge crowd. Make a reservation, but the courtyard looked divine when I was there in January.

We also had a FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC meal at Brigtsen's one night, but you will have to take a cab and then call to have one take you home, it's across town. Really, it was amazing though.

Also did Emeril's NOLA, which I have been to a few times and I liked it, but Brigtsen's was just really authentic to me and NOLA much more flashy. Yummy, but flashy.

Also loved Camellia Grill (there's a new location in the quarter) for breakfast. They do an omelet with pancake batter and it sounds weird but it was LIFE CHANGING.

I never blogged about that trip (um, need to do that), but the pictures have detailed captions and we went there with the sole purpose of stuffing our faces with food so...mission accomplished.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adell/sets/72157625817048349/

[regan]

I've been craving a burger and Port of Call is the only place in the city that can fulfill that craving. So damn good.

Somewhere a tad nicer is Mr. B's Bistro. Shrimp and grits! Seriously, if I ever have to pick my last meal on death row it will be their shrimp and grits.

I'm the only NOLA gal that doesn't like oysters but everyone else raves about Acme's menu. If raw oysters are your thing, then they are the place to have them.

Cafe Maspero is good for a quick meal of poboys and some red beans.

All of these recs have been near the hotel but if you find someone with a car (me!) I can suggest places that are in uptown or the Garden District.

[Jo]

If you want to eat where the locals do, go to Coop's Place on Decatur. They have a supreme jamabalaya that is amazing; sausage, rabbit, crawfish, and tasso (Cajun spiced ham). There is simply nothing like it, anywhere.

[Jamie]

If you can make it to Uptown, Dick and Jenny's has the best fried oysters ever!