Mark’s guidebook
Food scene in the Quarter
Here are some of my favorites for "fine dining" - these are on the pricier side but you're in New Orleans so you gotta eat good, right, cher?
My favorite restaurant in all of New Orleans. Susan Spicer and Eason Barksdale create fresh takes on Louisiana cooking with influences from all over the world.
60 locals recommend
Bayona
430 Dauphine StMy favorite restaurant in all of New Orleans. Susan Spicer and Eason Barksdale create fresh takes on Louisiana cooking with influences from all over the world.
The Queen of New Orleans cuisine. Galatoire's does not take reservations for the downstairs dining room, which is where you want to be - a classic scene of tile and crystal, noisy and fun. Gentlemen must wear a jacket (they have some at the door if you didn't bring one). The kitchen turns out classic Creole cooking; it's impossible to find a bad waiter here.
167 locals recommend
Galatoires
209 Bourbon StThe Queen of New Orleans cuisine. Galatoire's does not take reservations for the downstairs dining room, which is where you want to be - a classic scene of tile and crystal, noisy and fun. Gentlemen must wear a jacket (they have some at the door if you didn't bring one). The kitchen turns out classic Creole cooking; it's impossible to find a bad waiter here.
The best place in the central Quarter for terrific breakfast, brunch, and lunch
67 locals recommend
Stanley Restaurant
547 St Ann StThe best place in the central Quarter for terrific breakfast, brunch, and lunch
A New Orleans perennial which was reinvented a few years ago and is now on the cutting edge of fine dining in NOLA. The famous brunch is rich and delicious but lunch and dinner here are also spectacular - the chef has great ideas and executes flawlessly. $$$$ but worth it.
136 locals recommend
Brennan's
417 Royal StA New Orleans perennial which was reinvented a few years ago and is now on the cutting edge of fine dining in NOLA. The famous brunch is rich and delicious but lunch and dinner here are also spectacular - the chef has great ideas and executes flawlessly. $$$$ but worth it.
The same kitchen as the classic Antoine's restaurant, served in the bar at lower prices. A local's secret, revealed!
12 locals recommend
Hermes Bar at Antoine's
725 St Louis StThe same kitchen as the classic Antoine's restaurant, served in the bar at lower prices. A local's secret, revealed!
Fried seafood abounds at Deanie's, and nobody does it better. But their other offerings are terrific too, including a couple of unbeatable gumbos. Out-of-towners love this place.
128 locals recommend
Deanie's Seafood Restaurant in the French Quarter
841 Iberville StFried seafood abounds at Deanie's, and nobody does it better. But their other offerings are terrific too, including a couple of unbeatable gumbos. Out-of-towners love this place.
All the restaurants at the Royal Sonesta are good, including Mr. B.'s bistro, Desire Oyster Bar, and the fancy (and oddly named) Restaurant R'evolution. Small plates are fantastic here. A pricey option but again, worth the fare.
59 locals recommend
Restaurant R'evolution
777 Bienville StAll the restaurants at the Royal Sonesta are good, including Mr. B.'s bistro, Desire Oyster Bar, and the fancy (and oddly named) Restaurant R'evolution. Small plates are fantastic here. A pricey option but again, worth the fare.
Many tourists go for Acme Oyster Bar, but I tend to go a few steps away to Felix's. No line, old-fashioned friendly service, and the freshest oysters anywhere.
98 locals recommend
Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar
7400 Lakeshore DrMany tourists go for Acme Oyster Bar, but I tend to go a few steps away to Felix's. No line, old-fashioned friendly service, and the freshest oysters anywhere.
One of the hardest tables to book in New Orleans, this wildly popular "fancy seafood" place tends toward memorably rich dishes, friendly service, and a big price tag.
114 locals recommend
GW Fins
808 Bienville StOne of the hardest tables to book in New Orleans, this wildly popular "fancy seafood" place tends toward memorably rich dishes, friendly service, and a big price tag.
Cheap eats
24/7/365, a classic diner with friendly servers and a great jukebox. Burgers cooked under hubcaps! Tater Tots! Easy to get in except at Mardi Gras and super-busy times
89 locals recommend
Clover Grill
900 Bourbon St24/7/365, a classic diner with friendly servers and a great jukebox. Burgers cooked under hubcaps! Tater Tots! Easy to get in except at Mardi Gras and super-busy times
Good food, amazing atmosphere. Napoleon almost hung out here! Muffuletta is great.
112 locals recommend
Napoleon House
500 Chartres StGood food, amazing atmosphere. Napoleon almost hung out here! Muffuletta is great.
A true Italian deli with some of the city's best muffulettas
128 locals recommend
Central Grocery & Deli
923 Decatur StA true Italian deli with some of the city's best muffulettas
Pro tip: Don't get the fried chicken from the buffet. Order it and wait. It's worth the wait, best dang fried chicken in town
250 locals recommend
Dooky Chase Restaurant
2301 Orleans AvePro tip: Don't get the fried chicken from the buffet. Order it and wait. It's worth the wait, best dang fried chicken in town
Great takeout, breakfast lunch dinner and sandwiches - and they deliver! Eccentric and fun staff here.
10 locals recommend
Quartermaster Deli
1100 Bourbon StGreat takeout, breakfast lunch dinner and sandwiches - and they deliver! Eccentric and fun staff here.
Very good inexpensive sandwiches and breakfast - lines can be long because it's a great value
37 locals recommend
Johnny's Po-Boys
511 St Louis StVery good inexpensive sandwiches and breakfast - lines can be long because it's a great value
There's always a line. Get in it and wait. Order the homemade bao. Heaven!
20 locals recommend
Dian Xin
1218 Decatur StThere's always a line. Get in it and wait. Order the homemade bao. Heaven!
Sightseeing
Many visitors never make it to our wonderful City Park, which has the first-rate New Orleans Museum of Art (great sculpture garden) and many attractions, including a fantastic new Children's Museum
1516 locals recommend
City Park
1 Palm DrMany visitors never make it to our wonderful City Park, which has the first-rate New Orleans Museum of Art (great sculpture garden) and many attractions, including a fantastic new Children's Museum
Gorgeous park, amazing ancient live oaks, broad green spaces, lovely biking/walking loop
21 locals recommend
Audubon Park
6500 Magazine StreetGorgeous park, amazing ancient live oaks, broad green spaces, lovely biking/walking loop
If you don't feel like riding on a real paddlewheel steamer, you can enjoy their daily calliope concerts from your courtyard
147 locals recommend
Steamboat Natchez
400 Toulouse StIf you don't feel like riding on a real paddlewheel steamer, you can enjoy their daily calliope concerts from your courtyard
City advice
Don't miss
Frenchmen Street has the best lineup of music clubs
Just walk up and down the street with your drink, check out the sounds coming out of the clubs, pick one and go listen
Customs and culture
Act like a local! Or not!
Everybody calls each other "baby" or "honey" or "darlin" or something like that, even if they don't know you. Don't take offense, it's a term of endearment!
Useful phrases
"Tchoupitoulas Street" is pronounced "chop uh TOOL us"
Burgundy is pronounced "Bur GUN dee"
Everything in New Orleans is different from everywhere else. That's why you're here!
Travelling with kids
Amazing Children's Museum in City Park
Don't miss it - and then after the museum, there's Funland and a ride on a real kid-sized train.