Famous Streets of the French Quarter
Royal Street by Trevor Mark
When French cartographer Adrien de Pauger laid out the Vieux Carre’s orderly grid in 1721, he envisioned the St. Louis Cathedral as the city’s center. While its Jackson Square location does remain a hub of activity, a modern 21st-century visitor would be hard-pressed to define the Quarter’s center: is it the St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street, bustling Canal Street, or somewhere else? Regardless, we think de Pauger would be proud to see New Orleans thriving over the centuries. Here are a few renowned streets in the French Quarter and what you’ll find there.
Royal Street Between St. Louis and Conti streets. Photo courtesy of Ken Lund
Royal Street
Art galleries, antique shops, fine dining, and fantastic live music — that’s what you’ll encounter on this charming thoroughfare, which runs parallel to Bourbon Street but feels light years away. Some sections are fenced off to form pedestrian malls (don’t bike through these areas — you will be ticketed). Must-stops include the George Rodrigue Studios, dining at Brennan’s, and antiquing at M.S. Rau. Read our block-by-by guide to Royal Street for more spots for sightseeing, dining, drinking, and more.
Bourbon Street
No, it’s not named after booze — though you wouldn’t be the first person to assume so. Pauger actually named Bourbon Street for the French ruling family of the time, the House of Bourbon. Today, Bourbon is the site of a 24/7 party that must be witnessed to be believed. Don’t miss an elegant show at The Jazz Playhouse, a decadent meal at Galatoire’s, and a stiff drink at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. For many more recommendations, read our block-by-block guide to Bourbon Street, the Bourbon Street Bucket List, and the Best Food on Bourbon Street.
Photo courtesy of Tujague’s Restaurant on Facebook
Decatur Street
Decatur Street is a little more locals-friendly, a little more down-to-earth, and in its lower (nearer to Esplanade Avenue) blocks, more laid back than the rest of the Quarter. It borders Jackson Square and Café Du Monde, but if you continue past the iconic beignet destination, you’ll find Tujague’s, the second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans. A little further down, you’ll find Café Envie, a delightful, breezy coffee shop with sidewalk seating. Follow Decatur past Esplanade to land smack dab in the middle of the Marigny Triangle, surrounded by the city’s best music venues and bars. Read our block-by-block guide to Decatur Street for our top recommendations on what to see, do, and eat and drink on Decatur Street.
Chartres Street by Trevor Mark
Chartres Street
This pleasant street is lined with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and souvenir shops, and cuts right through Jackson Square. Visit these must-see museums — the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère. In the mood for shopping? Browse Crescent City Books, Shoe Be Do, Hemline, and UAL. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a meal at Muriel’s Jackson Square, Sylvain, Kingfish, and loads more renowned dining destinations. Read our Chartres Street, a Block-by-Block Guide for more inspiration.
Photo courtesy of Satsuma Cafe on Facebook
Dauphine Street
Named for a dauphine, the wife of a French royal heir titled a dauphin, this regal street hosts plenty of great bars and clubs, especially if you follow it a few miles downstream into Bywater. There, you’ll find the lovely breakfast and lunch destination, Satsuma, a music hub and dive bar extraordinaire, Vaughan’s Lounge, and more to explore. Read our Dauphine Street, a Block-by-Block-Guide for much more.
Armstrong Park by Nigel Burgher on Flickr
North Rampart Street
The western border of the French Quarter, Rampart Street is named for the barricades that guarded the former French colony. Today, it features numerous bars and restaurants (don’t miss the Black Penny and Bar Tonique for cocktails). It also hosts an entrance to Armstrong Park, a leafy, fountain-filled tribute to Satchmo himself, which is also the site of the Mahalia Jackson Theater and the historic Congo Square. Recently, a streetcar line was reinstalled on Rampart Street, which runs all the way from Canal Street to Elysian Fields. Read our North Rampart Street, a Block-by-Block Guide for more fun details.
Crescent Park, Bywater. Photo courtesy of Bridget Coila on Flickr
North Peters Street
Need a breath of air? Walk along North Peters Street, which borders the Mississippi River and its Moonwalk. At the very edge of the Quarter, near North Peters and Elysian Fields, you’ll find a staircase and elevator leading to Crescent Park. The 1.4-mile linear park boasts running trails, gardens, and the best view of the river and downtown skyline you’ll find anywhere.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Burgundy Street
Nowhere is it easier to remember that the Vieux Carre is a living, breathing neighborhood than on Burgundy Street. Unlike Bourbon Street, with its daiquiri bars and strip clubs, or Royal Street, with its antiques shops and boutiques, Burgundy Street is lined with the down-home essentials that make the French Quarter livable. From parks to bars, Burgundy Street is the place to go if you want to “live like a local.”
First off, some of our favorite hangs are located on Burgundy. The two standouts are Fahy’s Irish Pub and Cosimo’s. Fahy’s is a decidedly local scene, especially after restaurants and other bars begin ending their shifts for the night. The popular drink at Fahy’s is a local version of the “mind eraser,” a sweet vodka concoction served in a pint glass and slurped quickly by two or more people simultaneously through straws in a race to the bottom.
This dim, dog-friendly neighborhood hang Cosimo’s is just the place when you’re in the mood for a pint and conversation in a laid-back environment. The bar serves top-notch pub grub year-round. It’s a great place to take in a New Orleans Saints game, too. Plus, there are pool tables and pizza — what more could you need?
The Quarter Grocery & Deli is an unassuming convenience store with sandwiches and po-boys, along with sundries and alcohol. How great is that? Especially since the French Quarter isn’t exactly teeming with convenience and grocery stores.
Got young kids or dogs? The fenced Cabrini Playground, which backs up to Burgundy Street with an official address of 1219 Dauphine Street, is a great place to let little ones burn off excess energy. Slides, climbing equipment, jungle gyms, grassy fields, and more are all available at this neighborhood park. You can also walk your dog there as long as your furry companion is on the leash. To get more details on what you can find on Burgundy Street, check out our Burgundy Street, a Block-by-Block Guide.
So, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
