The Perfect Getaway: A foodie tour of New Orleans
Head to the Big Easy to sample some of its world-famous cuisines. Follow our guide to discover New Orleans’ famous dining rooms.
By Paul Oswell | January 11, 2023 (Updated: June 30, 2025)
Paul Oswell
Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guidebooks/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California, and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.
New Orleans is home to the world’s largest annual free party, but beyond Mardi Gras, the Big Easy is also a year-round destination for people who are serious about their food. Steeped in centuries-old culinary traditions, with both Cajun and Creole influences at many of the city’s best restaurants, New Orleans has much to offer foodies. In recent years, there has been an explosion of flavors from around the globe within the city's restaurants, especially from New Orleans’ large Vietnamese population. Add fresh seafood, historical restaurants, and that famed Southern hospitality, and you have a gastronomic landscape that’s ripe for exploration.
FRIDAY
Morning
Set yourself up with some classic New Orleans’ fare as soon as you arrive in the city’s historic French Quarter, the ideal base for your weekend’s culinary exploration. Kick off your mouth-watering tour with breakfast at the award-winning Dickie Brennan’s Palace Cafe on Canal Street. Sit out on the terrace for prime people-watching as you fuel up on Gulf shrimp n’ grits or their famous duck hash. Add a frozen bananas Foster cocktail if you’re feeling festive.
One block from the French Quarter, you can drop your bags at The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and walk to Jackson Square to see St. Louis Cathedral, the Spanish colonial architecture of the Cabildo Museum, tarot card readers, and local artists selling their paintings. A quick way to get your bearings and learn some history is to take a mule-drawn carriage ride — the drivers are all qualified tour guides and have great stories to share.
Afternoon
When you’re ready for lunch, visit the 200-year-old Napoleon House on Chartres Street. Step back in time as you enter the dining room, and request a table in the peaceful courtyard.
Napoleon House
Originally the home of Nicholas Girod, the mayor of New Orleans from 1812 to 1815, this storied landmark was transformed into a restaurant in 1914. For lunch, try its famous Italian muffuletta sandwich, with cured meats and cheese and tangy olive salad dressing. Made fresh daily in house, the Creole jambalaya is a local favorite, served with Leidenheimer French bread and butter. Toast to the vibrant city with a Pimm's Cup — one of the most popular cocktails in town.
A post-lunch walk is always a good idea, so head to the greenery of nearby City Park, where you’ll also find the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the Louisiana Children’s Museum. If the weather cooperates, then the newly expanded Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a delight, with striking works of art in beautifully landscaped surroundings.
Evening
After freshening up at your hotel, stay in and enjoy an authentic Italian dinner with a modern twist at Domenica Restaurant. With a menu rooted in tradition and elevated Italian ingredients mixed with classic flavors, you can enjoy fresh pasta (made by hand daily), Napolitano-style pizzas prepared in a wood oven, and more. Pair your meal with custom-brewed beers, craft cocktails, or a glass of wine from an Italian-focused wine list. For a nightcap, head to The Sazerac Bar, also located in the hotel, and savor the official cocktail of the Big Easy — the Sazerac.
SATURDAY
Morning
Start your day with a delicious taste of a local favorite: Eating beignets with a café au lait at 160-year-old Cafe du Monde on Decatur Street.
Cafe du Monde
Dining at Cafe du Monde is a quintessential New Orleans experience. Be forewarned, however, this famed eatery has earned its reputation. The crowds start early, so head over before 9 a.m. to beat the lines. It's open 24 hours, seven days a week, so the famous beignets — served in orders of three — are always hot and ready when you are.
Once you’ve had your morning fill of coffee and beignet, walk along the Mississippi River and see the steamboats, before making your way to the neighboring Central Business District. Julia Street is where most of the city’s independent art galleries are, or head to the World War II Museum, one of New Orleans’ many world-class attractions. Oh, and if you happen to be back in this area around happy hour, make sure to stop in at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant at Hilton New Orleans Riverside for some of its famed charbroiled oysters.
Afternoon
Donald Link is one of the region’s most admired chefs, and Cochon is one of his signature restaurants. For lunch, try Cajun delicacies from boudin or andouille to alligator, oysters or rabbit, and dumplings — not to worry, they also have tempting vegetarian options.
From here, it’s only a short walk to the streetcar line. Streetcars are one of New Orleans’ most recognizable features, and you can ride uptown for just $1.25. It’s secretly one of the best tours in the city, and you can sit back and see the beautiful mansions and university campuses go past as you ride up and down St. Charles Avenue. Hop off to browse the galleries and boutiques on Magazine Street for an added dose of culture.
Evening
While you’re uptown, stop for dinner at Mukbang Seafood, a seafood restaurant that has incredible crab and shellfish with a Vietnamese-Cajun twist. Here, diners don bibs and grab paper towels as they dive into succulent crab, crawfish and lobster platters. Mukbang’s po’boys and catfish offerings showcase classic New Orleans flavors. Nearby Cure is regarded as one of the hottest craft cocktail spots, so drop in for another local classic, a dessert-like Ramos gin fizz, before heading back downtown for the night.
SUNDAY
Morning
Before heading to the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, which are both close to the French Quarter and have plenty of culinary spots well-worth exploring, grab breakfast at Teddy’s Cafe in your hotel’s Grand Lobby.
Teddy’s Cafe
Start your day with a hot cup of coffee (and a beignet, or two) at Teddy’s Cafe at The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The cafe also serves another sweet treat you don’t want to miss: the signature Waldorf Astoria red velvet cake, so be sure to save room for a slice. Invented by a chef at Waldorf Astoria New York in the 1930s, the Waldorf Astoria red velvet cake is the epitome of artful baking. With its vibrant color, full flavor, and rich past, there’s no finer indulgence.
Next, pick up some New Orleans’ jazz on vinyl from Euclid Records before strolling along the river through Crescent Park, a 1.4-mile (2.2-kilometer), 20-acre (8-hectare) urban linear park that runs along the Mississippi. It’ll take you back to the French Quarter, where you can scour the antique stores on Royal Street or head to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, found downtown.
Afternoon
For lunch, hop in a cab and try one of the city’s best-known dining institutions, Commander’s Palace.
Commander’s Palace
This upscale eatery has been open since 1893 and is famed for its gourmet Creole dishes. Specialties include turtle soup, pecan-crusted fish and a rich Creole bread pudding soufflé. If you still haven't had your gumbo fill during your visit, don’t miss the Commander's Creole Gumbo. Set aside at least a couple of hours here as you’ll want to savor every course. Oh, and dress up a little — it’s a refined affair.
Evening
You might want to keep things low key after a sophisticated afternoon, so wander back downtown for Margot’s on Frenchmen Street. This pizza spot on the Marigny serves some of the best pies in town. It’s a lovely, casual last meal and you’ll likely make friends with the locals as you chow down.
Afterward, walk down Frenchmen Street and see if any of the jazz clubs pique your interest — the Spotted Cat Music Club and Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro usually have great line-ups. If you’re walking back to the hotel, a great stop is Bar Tonique on Rampart Street. It has the feel of a neighborhood bar but has a top-shelf craft cocktail menu and makes for a great spot to digest the memories as you toast to your last night in New Orleans.
Find your stay
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
An unforgettable experience awaits you in our New Orleans hotel, open since 1893 and once home to Louisiana’s legendary governor, Huey P. Long. Explore the French Quarter one block from our doors. Take in city views from our rooftop pool and discover authentic New Orleans flavors at our hotel restaurants.
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