One of the things that New Orleans is best known for is their food; that's not for no good reason. Walk anywhere and there are countless restaurants to choose from, all filled with lots of flavor and savory goodness. So when you have that many options, how do you know what to pick? And what about those hole-in-the-wall places? Are they any good? (Answer is yes to that one by the way.) From po-boys to upscale dining, listed below are some places for you to consider checking out when visiting New Orleans.
1. Parasol's Bar and Restaurant
Oh, what I would do for a po-boy right now. Yes, po-boy. Some of you may call them hoagies, subs, grinders, or something else. This type of sandwich has so many names. The thing with New Orleans is you have to know your places. All the good places to eat aren't going to look all glammed up with sparkling lights that tell you, "Hey, awesome food here!" You just have to know. But honestly, it's New Orleans. Odds are the place is going to have good food.
2. Mother's Restaurant
Make sure to look out for the sign or you just might pass it right up. And also don't be fooled by the sign; they don't just sell baked ham -- even if it's the world's best. The restaurant has also been around for an incredibly long time, so that in itself is a great reason to check it out.
3. Port of Call
One of my personal favorites. You would never guess the treasure that lies beyond when looking at this restaurant from the outside. But once you enter, you won't regret it. Order yourself a burger and fully-loaded baked potato and you'll find yourself desperate to come back again soon. You also get to keep the cups, so that's an added bonus.
4. Taqueria Corona
Step 1: Order the fish tacos. Step 2: Order the rest of the menu because you're going to want to. Have you ever had a bite of something and just wanted to pause the moment and savor it forever? Because this will be you once you take a bite.
5. Deanie's Seafood
Now if you were to ask me where to get seafood, I would recommend the city itself because, honestly, there's so many great seafood restaurants. I mean, we're right by the river for goodness sake. You know it's all fresh. But for some really good seafood, I recommend this restaurant.
6. Camellia Grill
This place is set up like an old -tyle diner, so there's limited seating, but it is so worth the wait. It is a must go-to restaurant, and they even cook the meal right in front of you. To top your meal off, try a 'freeze.'
7. Betsy's Pancake House
If you're in the mood for a nice home-cooked breakfast, then this is the place for you. They also serve lunch, but the breakfast takes the spotlight.
8. Antoine's Restaurant
If you're in the mood for some fine quality dining with French cuisine, then this is the place you need to be. The food here is delicious, but there's more to the place than the food. Fun fact: it is the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States, celebrating 176 years of service.
You can request a private tour through the restaurant's 14 dining areas, each room filled with its own unique piece of history. It's an unforgettable experience and I highly recommend it.
9. Brennan's Restaurant
More fancy French cuisine, but who's complaining? Prepare to eat delicious food while admiring your aesthetic surroundings. Make sure you get the Banana Foster or else you're missing out.
10. Commander's Palace
Serious quality food and an elegant dining experience... as if you couldn't tell from just looking at the exterior of the restaurant. It's on the expensive side, but if you have the money for it then by all means, go dine like a Queen/King.
If your mouth isn't watering by now, then you didn't read the article right. And yes, I'm completely starved and homesick after writing this. Now, I'm absolutely sure I left out tons of spectacular restaurants, but we'd be here all day if I were to truly list them all out. Hope some of these places end up on your food bucket list if you haven't tried them already or are planning a trip to NOLA soon.
