Shopping for Discovery and Surprise
Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans
In the battle against strip malls and generic chain operations, it seems like the merchants of New Orleans’ French Quarter can claim victory. Personality and individuality prevail here, and diverse, often family-owned and operated retail establishments line the neighborhood streets, allowing for a shopping experience that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Raucous Variety
In the Quarter you’ll find an exhaustive wealth of American and European antique and contemporary furniture; paintings, sculpture, drawings, and every other artistic medium imaginable; local and regional crafts; and clothing galore, including custom-designed gowns, off-the-rack designer numbers, vintage couture, decadent lingerie, custom millinery, and hip, trendy, street-wear.
All manner of new, used and rare books and music are offered in shops ranging from the expansive to the closet-esque. Cooks can placate their passions at century-old grocery stores cum delicatessens, comprehensive kitchen shops and general stores offering hard-to-find regional foodstuffs.
The six-by-twelve block space that is the French Quarter is the special soil that generates this unique retail environment. Plan at least one full day of leisurely browsing and digging when shopping in the Quarter. A comfortable pair of shoes, an open mind and an open schedule will be of great benefit. While a large sum of cash is also nice to have, window shoppers and curiosity seekers will not be disappointed either.
Photo by Trevor Mark
Of Ports and Pedigrees
New Orleans’ age, distinct European heritage, and status as a major port city have made it a favorite destination for collectors. The concentration of elegant antique shops lining Royal Street is highly reputable establishments often run by third- and fourth-generation family members who are eager to educate on the pedigree and history of their goods. The life span of the establishments is reflected in the exceptional range of their international stock of fine objects d’art, jewels and antiquities. The sheer number of shops also translates into bargaining power for the consumer.
Two blocks from Royal Street, Decatur Street, by comparison, is at once both trendy and bohemian. Its boutiques sell unique costumes as well as vintage clothing and accessories befitting screen queens.
Literally and figuratively, Chartres Street is somewhere in between. Chic, locally-owned shoe and clothing boutiques and shops offering custom-designed jewelry coexist on the same block with contemporary art galleries, and oddities shops stocked to meet the demand for things like Civil War musket balls and fashion repurposed from cork.
The French Quarter supports numerous bookstores representing all manner of interests with a strong bent toward local and regional writers, both modern and classic. Like other retail establishments in the neighborhood, the majority of the bookshops offering used, rare and collectible books are independently owned.
Back of the Quarter
The French Market at the back of the Quarter is a fun place to shop for a dinner party, peruse local cookbooks, or dig for bargains from all corners of the world. A collection of small shops extends from the front of the complex at Decatur and St. Ann Streets back to Ursuline Street.
Until the late 19th century Choctaw vendors sold herbs and medicinal plants at the site of the French Market, which extends from Ursuline Street back to Governor Nicholls Street. The Spanish erected the first enclosed market here in 1782, where fresh meat, poultry, produce, game, seafood, baked goods, spices, seasonings, fruit, and live plants are now sold.
The flea market is part of the French Market. It extends from Governor Nicholls Street back to Barracks Street. Some vendors hustle here every day, but weekends are particularly lively, and anything you can imagine can be bought here, from notable local artists and jewelry designers to importers of fine international crafts to folks selling the contents of their grandmother’s attic (as well as mass-produced junk). These independent vendors expect you to bargain for their “best” deal. Sometimes you get it. Sometimes you don’t. Usually, you leave feeling amused.
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!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
French Quarter Shopping: One-of-a-Kind Stores
French Market. Photo by Selena N.B.H. on Flickr
Shopping in the French Quarter runs a long gamut of opportunities: from high-end chain retail at Canal Place to magical-spell components at a voodoo-for-tourists shop located down a small back alleyway. You’ll find just about every version of retail therapy in the Quarter, but the options are fairly tremendous, and it helps to be able to narrow the clutter of choices down. One bonus: Staying in a French Quarter hotel, which gives you pedestrian access for all your shopping needs.
Boutique du Vampyre
709 St. Ann Street
Hey — vampires gotta shop too, right? And when they do, they come to Boutique du Vampyre, which bills itself as the only vampire shop in the country. Whether that’s true or not, this shop is a unique experience unto itself, run by the city’s six-foot queen of vampires, the German-born Marita Jaeger. What does a vampire buy? Well, there are capes and cloaks, but there’s also Transylvanian hot sauce (hmmm), books on vampirism and general goth-y gift stuff.
Chiwawagaga
511 Dumaine Street
When we say there’s a store for every need in the French Quarter of New Orleans, we’re not kidding, and no shop in the city exemplifies this truth like Chiwawagaga, a self-proclaimed “small store for dinky dogs.” You read that right: This shop is dedicated to small-breed dogs (and their owners), and is stocked with costumes that will fit perfectly on your pet chihuahua, Maltese, terrier, etc. Ever wanted to see a dachshund in a hot dog outfit? This is the place. As one might guess, this store is all the rage in the weeks leading up to Barkus, the carnival pet parade.
Crescent City Books
124 Baronne Street
Our other favorite spot in the Quarter for the written word, Crescent City Books feels like the sort of shop a kid walks into before being transported to some magical world. It’s dusty, but it’s the best kind of dusty — the dusty of a used bookstore where every title is well beloved, carefully curated and waiting to be discovered by a lucky customer, which we’re hoping is you.
Faulkner House Books
624 Pirate’s Alley
There is no shortage of fantastic independent bookstores in New Orleans; it pains us that we only have room for two of them here. Faulkner House, a cozy book of a bookshop (isn’t that always the best kind?) is a beloved institution, located in a building where its namesake once rented rooms back in 1925. The shop is stuffed with literature representing a wide swath of genres, and it becomes a major focal point for visitors who are in town for the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival.
Fifi Mahony’s
934 Royal Street
You’re in New Orleans. You need a costume. You have to look fabulous. This isn’t Kansas, Dorothy — no “Thing 1” or “I’m a Nurse” or “John’s Crazy Bachelor Party” t-shirt is going to cut it. So do as the locals do and get a real wig and some off-the-wall accoutrement to accompany it at Fifi’s. Let’s be very clear, though: Don’t come here expecting to get away with some lame feather boa and cheap wig combo. This is the shop of choice for many of the area’s most creative costumers, drag queens, theater professionals, makeup artists, etc. You’ll get a fitted artifact of awesome fashion expression at Fifi’s, and you will rock it.
French Market
1235 N. Peters Street
The French Market is as much a tourist attraction as it is a shopping destination, but you can certainly buy stuff here. What that “stuff” is depends on your taste — there are plenty of tatty souvenir trinkets, belts with big fleur-de lis-buckles, cheap sunglasses and fake gator heads, but you can also find African prints, handcrafted art objects and local crafts. We’re not passing judgment on any of the above — the point is, walking around the Market is fun, and as much of a travel experience as buying something here.
Lejardin
612 Royal Street
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to art galleries on Royal Street (let alone the French Quarter), and while we don’t have time to explore every individual art gallery in this piece, we do want to highlight Lejardin, which is an excellent storefront that gathers locally made arts, crafts, picture frames, jewelry, and other goodies. Besides boasting a plum location, the shop also has a gorgeous courtyard, stuffed with a nicely curated selection of local art. A perfect shop for a New Orleans-made souvenir.
Louisiana Music Factory
421 Frenchmen Street
We’re cheating a little bit here, as the Music Factory is technically in Faubourg Marigny, just outside of the French Quarter. But whatever — if you’re in town looking for local music to take home, it is imperative you stop by LMF, which boasts an inordinately large selection of CDs, albums and concert ephemera from one of the most musically important states in the country.
Lucullus Antiques
610 Chartres Street
You can’t walk without tripping over an antique store in the French Quarter; what sets Lucullus apart is its selection of culinary antiques, ranging from dishes to flatware to copper pots and pans that seem to have emerged from the mists of time. There are plenty of other antiques for sale as well, but we have a lot of love for Lucullus’ focus on selling the sort of goods that are intimately associated with our city’s rich culinary heritage.
Santa’s Quarters
1025 Decatur Street
We’re not trying to sound like Grinches here, but it’s a little baffling how Santa’s Quarters stays in business for 11 months out of the year. Because when you come in here, it is all Christmas, all the time. OK, let’s be fair: There’s actually a fair amount of Carnival accoutrement as well, plus some odd artifacts from Cajun country, but look, when you name your store “Santa’s Quarters,” there’s an ideal you’re living up to, and this spot does not disappoint. There are nutcrackers, Santa statues, bits of tinsel, ornaments, and every accent and oddity one associates with the holiday season in this store. And, even in the sweltering heat of a New Orleans summer, they’re playing Christmas carols in here without fail.
The Quarter Stitch
629 Chartres Street
A lot of people pass The Quarter Stitch without a second look, but there’s a certain kind of person who enters this store and basically loses their mind. The Stitch is made by and for those who are obsessed with knitting (on that note, if you read the name of the place and laughed, you’re likely one of those folks who would lose their minds in here). Also a great spot for almost any kind of art and crafting supplies, and meeting the sort of locals who will sink a lot of time into both creating a new hat and a cool DIY Mardi Gras costume.
Voodoo Authentica
612 Dumaine Street
For what it’s worth, we need to point out that voodoo is a real religion in New Orleans, and its practitioners are no more scary or outlandish than the worshippers of any other faith. Most of those who hew to voodoo celebrate the “magic” side of the religion with the occasional lit candle and prayer. With that said, most people in the city understand there is a “marketable” side of voodoo that appeals to tourists, and Voodoo Authentica does a good job of selling this sort of “commercial voodoo” while also being run by friendly folk who are happy to tell you about how the religion functions. We also give this shop credit for being a cool combo of clean, cozy and extremely colorful. They also give local artists and practitioners a presence by selling their art and crafts and offering readings.
Happy shopping!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Jewelry Stores in the French Quarter and Nearby
Photo courtesy of Wellington & Company Fine Jewelry on Facebook
Whether you’re looking for a gift or to treat yourself to a new piece of jewelry New Orleans is a good choice for jewelry shopping. It has some of the best antique stores in the world, stocked with exquisite luxury items, plus lots of funky wearable art in the local boutiques that carry local artists and emerging brands. Here are our top 10 suggestions for where you can find the perfect souvenir or gift for your special someone in the French Quarter and nearby areas.
Adler’s
722 Canal Street
A New Orleans landmark that is over a century old, Adler’s has been family-run ever since Coleman E. Adler opened its original location on Royal Street in the French Quarter in 1898. Adler’s eventually outgrew its Royal Street space and expanded to its present location on Canal Street. In addition to high-end jewelry Adler’s also carries specialty gifts and home accessories, including watches and crystal. It’s well-known for its New Orleans-specific pieces, like Mardi Gras ornaments and water meter cufflinks.
Bijounola
635 St. Peter Street
Bijou NOLA carries unique jewelry designed by local and international artists. Owner Maria Cottrell hails from New York and has been in New Orleans since the late 70s. Bijou NOLA is not just a store but also a gallery, showcasing elegant and eclectic collections. Some are NOLA-centric, others stand apart because of their global flair, but all are one of a kind. One of the artists represented by Bijou NOLA is Tomasz Prlodowski, a Polish engineer and artist with an eye for contemporary architecture.
Couronne Jewels & Watches
301 Royal Street
This elegant French Quarter store on the corner of Royal and Bienville streets is aptly named for the word “crown” in French. It carries antique jewelry, fine art and antiques, including classic watches and rings. Couronne Jewels & Watches will also repair your broken watch or a piece of jewelry.
Earth Odyssey
306 Chartres Street
This unique French Quarter store specializes in “spiritually focused” jewelry, gemstone beads, and rocks and minerals. You’ll find crystals, fossils, sterling silver jewelry, and aromatherapy items. Earth Odyssey also offers psychic readings and holistic services. Most jewelry pieces are under $100.
French Quarter Gem & Lapidary
527 St. Philip Street
Locally owned and operated, the welcoming French Quarter Gem & Lapidary specializes in minerals, semi-precious and precious stones, and jewelry. The stock appeals to all ages and falls across different price ranges, and you can find gifts for all occasions. French Quarter Gem & Lapidary also repairs sterling and gold jewelry.
Mignon Faget
333 Canal Street, Level 1
The store is the namesake of its owner, a local artist and jewelry designer best known for its elegant takes on New Orleans nature and architecture. Her handcrafted jewelry reflects the city’s environments and is a perfect gift for someone who loves New Orleans, as well as a great souvenir for someone who wants to commemorate a trip to New Orleans with a wearable piece of art. Faget has been designing since the late 1960s and uses skilled artisans and high-quality gold, silver, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. Collections include such ubiquitous local elements as fleur-de-lis and crescents. Many pieces are inspired by the flora and fauna of the Gulf, and what represents Louisiana (for example, pelicans, crawfish and oysters).
M.S. Rau
630 Royal Street
This New Orleans institution has been a French Quarter landmark for over 100 years (since 1912) and had been voted the “Best Antique Store in New Orleans” numerous times. You can get lost in its 30,000 sq. ft. museum-like space overflowing with one of the best collections of 18th-and 19th-century antiques, fine art and jewelry in the country. M.S. Rau remains a favorite among serious and novice antique collectors worldwide. You’ll find important pieces by Renoir and Brueghel alongside pieces by Faberge, Chanel, van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany & Co., next to the rare colored diamonds and sapphires of Kashmir. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for chances are M.S. Rau could try to find it for you through their network of contacts around the world.
Porter Lyons
623 Royal Street
Porter Lyons was founded by designer Ashley Porter. The brand began as a collection of exotic skin belts before venturing into fine necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. Each collection is inspired by a specific culture, with a portion of sales benefiting an organization working to preserve the richness of that place. Combined with a unique take on stud earrings for women and other 14K gold jewelry, Porter Lyons puts a signature New Orleans aesthetic on every piece. The store also offers ear piercing.
Valobra Jewelry
333 Royal Street
Valobra Jewelry Atelier has been designing and creating jewelry for world-renowned jewelry houses since 1905. It was the official jeweler to the Italian royal family at some point, and had been commissioned by the House of Savoy to create a number of pieces including royal medals and matrimonial tiaras. The Valobra family expanded the company from its original location in Torino, Italy, to its first U.S. gallery in the French Quarter in New Orleans in 1982. The Valobra creations had been featured in worldwide in fashion magazines like Vogue and W, and had been commissioned and worn by movie stars to the Emmys and the Academy Awards. The Royal Street space is a store but also an impossibly elegant gallery that showcases exquisite antique and estate jewelry, including antique brooches and cufflinks, and Art Deco rings.
Wellington & Co.
505 Royal Street
This alluring French Quarter fixture is owned by Tom and Brandy Whisnant and has a distinctly Parisian vibe. It specializes in fine antique jewelry including engagement, bridal, and estate pieces. You can also find Honora pearls and fleur-de-lis charms and necklaces, vintage cufflinks, and the extensive Tacori collection, among other items.
If you’re planning a stay in New Orleans, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Hat Shopping in the French Quarter and Nearby
Photo courtesy of Fleur de Paris on Facebook
Themed weddings. Mardi Gras balls. Thanksgiving at the racetrack. Afternoon tea. New Orleans offers no shortage of opportunities to don your finest hat — and thanks to its costume culture and over-the-top reputation, you can be sure that there’s no such thing as too bold when it comes to toppers. Whether you’re looking for a huge, feather-trimmed hat to wear to the racetrack or an understated, sparkling fascinator to complement a slinky cocktail dress, these milliners have you covered.
Fleur de Paris
532 Royal Street
When it comes to hats, the bigger, brighter and bolder the better. And by these criteria, Fleur de Paris makes the best hats in the business. From candy-egg-hued, ostrich feather-trimmed Easter hats to smart, elegant chapeaus, every hat is made to order in-house and ideally suited to that customer’s face shape, coloring and aesthetic. Hand-dyed silks, purses and dresses round out the merchandise at Fleur de Paris, which is said to be the largest millinery shop in the U.S. Worried that a hat with a pizza-sized brim is too much of a statement piece? Don’t be. It’s New Orleans, after all.
Goorin Bros. Hat Shop
709 Royal Street
You wouldn’t guess Goorin Brothers is a national hat chain — it feels like the kind of bespoke, handed-down-through-the-generations gem that you’d stumble upon tucked away on a quiet city street. And the quality of the hats upholds that impression, thanks to the Goorin family’s 120 years of devotion to hat-making techniques. Launched in Pittsburg in 1895 with a single horse-drawn buggy, the fourth-generation business now boasts 30 shops across the U.S. and Canada.
You’ll find toppers for men (rugged leather wide-brimmed, snazzy plaid flatcaps) and women (elegant cloches, floppy straw hats), as well as accessories. Hat addict? You wouldn’t limit yourself to just one pair of shoes — why not create an equally impressive hat wardrobe?
Meyer The Hatter
120 St. Charles Avenue
If your tastes run to the classic, conservative side, you’ll feel right at home in one of New Orleans’ multigenerational family businesses. It’s the oldest family-owned hat store in America. This long, narrow, fifth-generation enterprise has earned the loyalty and business of New Orleans’ most prominent families over the last 129 years. Meyer the Hatter counts Kermit Ruffins, Susan Sarandon, Eric Clapton, Sylvester Stallone, Elvis Costello, the Backstreet Boys, and many other celebrities as customers.
However, the hats don’t come with A-list price tags: many cost less than $100. Today, you’ll find Stetson hats, Kangol caps, jazz band hats, wool pork pie hats, Maysor fedoras, and more inside the store, which hasn’t changed much since the 1890s — though it has moved its location a few times, it’s never left the block. Some things never change… and with the help of the three generations working at this hat shop, hopefully, neither will Meyer’s. It’s the perfect place to pop in and grab a souvenir you’ll enjoy every day.
Trashy Diva
537 Royal Street, 2048 Magazine Street
Founder Candice Gwinn launched Trashy Diva as a vintage clothing shop in the 1990s. Today, she sells her original vintage-inspired designs, as well as lingerie, jewelry and hats galore at the boutique, a cult favorite for retro lovers worldwide. Lids include cloches, fedoras, berets, fascinators, pillboxes, and cocktail hats. Though they’re specially chosen to complement Trashy Diva’s array of 1920s, ‘30s, ’40s, and ’50s style dresses, these ladylike hats go with almost any ensemble.
If you’re looking to create a show-stopping head-to-toe look, make a beeline for Trashy Diva and its impeccably dressed shop girls, who double as wardrobe stylists. They’ll zip you into an uber-flattering dress and guide you to the hat that perfectly frames your face and tops off the ensemble. Best of all? These classic styles don’t go out of style, and they’re so well-made that you might just be able to hand them down to your grandchildren.
Yvonne LaFleur
8131 Hampson Street
Yvonne LaFleur, the woman behind this eponymous boutique, is known for her custom millinery (and she is rarely sighted outside without a hat topping her signature chignon). Bring in an outfit or let one of the shop girls outfit you in the latest styles, and LaFleur will create a custom hat on the spot. It’s a not-to-be-missed experience and a rite of passage for the generations of New Orleanians who have visited the romantic boutique for everything from fall wardrobes, jewelry and debutante gowns to bridal dresses, handbags and lingerie. Sequined dresses and mink furs hang from the ceiling, and the overall vibe resembles that of a bygone era. Yes, Yvonne LaFleur is in Riverbend, and yes, it’s worth the scenic ride on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar.
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!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
The Best Vegan & Gluten-Free Dishes to Look for in the French Quarter (and Nearby)
Photo courtesy of Sweet Soulfood on Facebook
New Orleans is a culinary mecca, but one admittedly laden with meat and seafood and swimming in cream and butter. It hasn’t been an easy ride for vegetarians and vegans, especially in the past decade, though this is changing. With the proliferation of exclusively plant-based and gluten-free, vegan-friendly offerings around town the vegetarian culture is thriving, and the vegan scene is getting there.
In other words, it is not a bad time to be vegan in New Orleans, and it’s much easier these days to find glorious vegan fare that goes way beyond the bland afterthought of the years past. Here are our top recommendations for the best vegan and gluten-free dishes, with emphasis on the local cuisine but also spanning the globe, that you can find in the French Quarter and nearby.
Breakfast
Where to get it: Meals From the Heart Cafe (French Market; 1100 N. Peters St., #13, French Quarter), The Daily Beet (1000 Girod St., CBD; has another location Uptown, 3300 Magazine St.)
The French Market gem Meals From the Heart Cafe earns its stripes with the vegan versions of a burger and hard-to-find gumbo, but don’t overlook its gluten-free and vegan pancakes and vegan apple patties. In a city where breakfast is often a decadent, eggs-and-meat-heavy affair, this is a treat.
The feel-good menu at The Daily Beet, which started in St. Roch Market and has since expanded to the CBD and Uptown, has all the makings of a healthy, satisfying breakfast, including smoothies, juices, avocado toast, and quinoa bowls. The Magazine Street location is also offering vegan buckwheat sweet potato pancakes for brunch.
Burgers
Where to get it: Meals From the Heart Cafe
Meals’ popular Beyond Burger is both vegan and gluten-free. The restaurant’s M.O. is “A Healthier Take on New Orleans’ Famous Cuisine,” and it riffs off the New Orleans staples like gumbo with its health-conscious versions. There are also breakfast items like vegan pancakes and apple patties. Delivery available.
Cheesesteaks
Where to get it: Trilly Cheesesteaks (3735 Ulloa St., Mid-City)
Trilly has a whopping five kinds of vegan cheesesteaks on its menu, from the traditional Philly version to chicken, buffalo chicken and Far East (with ginger soy sauce) to BBQ chicken. All are made with steak or chicken seitan and served on an Amoroso’s roll. There are also vegan sides like cheese fries and poutine.
Crepes
Where to get it: Crêpes à la Cart (1039 Broadway St., Uptown; has event popups throughout the city)
This popular creperie doles out classic, vegan and gluten-free crepes in flavors ranging from sweet to savory. Try the hummus crepe, made with gluten-free vegan batter.
Dessert
Where to get it: Sweet Soulfood (1016 N. Broad St., Tremé/Lafitte), Carmo (527 Julia St., Warehouse District), Breads on Oak (222 Carondelet St., CBD; 8640 Oak St., Suite A, Uptown)
You’ll find all-vegan versions of some of New Orleans’ and Southern traditional desserts like pralines and bread pudding, plus cornbread with rum sauce, and even ice cream at Sweet Soulfood. The tropical-themed Carmo in the Arts District has a whole menu of vegan desserts, including Caribbean banana cake, zucchini chocolate chip cake, house-made cookies, Kahlua chocolate pecan cake, gateau, and more. Breads on Oak offers brioche donuts, cookies, biscuits, seasonal cakes, and more. It’s also a good spot for an all-day breakfast.
Gumbo
Where to get it: Meals From the Heart, Sweet Soulfood
The back-alley French Market Meals From the Heart Cafe is worth the trip for its hard-to-find vegan okra gumbo alone, but its health-conscious menu is full of vegan and gluten-free riffs on other New Orleans classics that usually come only in meat and seafood versions, like the popular Beyond Burger (also soy-free), and the vegan crabcake. Sweet Soulfood also serves a vegan version of okra gumbo.
King Cake
Where to get it: Breads on Oak
Around Mardi Gras, you can score a vegan king cake from Breads on Oak, with or without filling. The traditional version is made with cinnamon, and the fillings include almond cream, cream cheese, pecan praline, tiramisu, and more. Breads on Oak also ships in season.
Hot Dogs/Sausage
Where to get it: Dat Dog (601 Frenchmen St., Marigny; plus two more locations Uptown)
Yes, the menu is full of meat, from duck to alligator, but there are at least four vegan offerings too, including the Italian “dog” made with eggplant, and bratwurst (pea and rice protein, and fava beans). Quite a few among the 30 toppings are also vegan-friendly.
Jambalaya
Where to get it: Sweet Soulfood
Sweet Soulfood is a cafeteria-style vegan haven that is on the border of the Tremé/Lafitte and Bayou St. John neighborhoods of New Orleans. Their jambalaya is served along with many other rotating all-vegan takes on Southern staples.
Where to get it: Blaze Pizza (611 O’Keefe Ave., Downtown; 5001 Freret St., Uptown), Pizza Delicious (617 Piety St., Bywater)
Blaze’s Veg Out pizza comes with either keto or cauliflower crust (both gluten-free), topped with zucchini, red onion, mushrooms, and red sauce. Vegan cheese is optional. There’s also a vegan pizza with vegan regular dough, vegan chorizo, and a slew of veggie toppings. Pizza Delicious’s vegan roasted cauliflower comes with marinara and balsamic red onion. You can add vegan Daiya cheese for an additional price.
Po-boys
Where to get it: Small Mart Cafe (2700 Chartres St., French Quarter)
Small Mart is revered for its wide selection of New York City-style bagels, but its specialties also include vegan po-boys plus Indian and Pakistani street-food fare like the daily curry and vegetarian samosas.
Red Beans & Rice
Where to get it: Meals From the Heart Cafe, Sweet Soulfood, Carmo
The Meals’ version is solid (get the vegan gumbo to go with too), or check out the gluten-free vegan version at Sweet Soulfood. And the “tropical” enclave of Carmo, nestled among the galleries of Julia Street, features vegan beans and rice among its mainstays, along with the daily curry and a plethora of interesting, all-vegan desserts.
Spanning the Globe
Where to get it: Carmo
The health- and sustainability-conscious Carmo in the Arts District features vegan versions of such local specialties as beans and rice, but the menu expands from the Gulf South to the Caribbean, West African and Southeast Asia influences with vegan seviche, curry, house-made Armenian breads, and bright and beautiful salads with mouth-watering toppings.
We’re also excited to share our favorite vegetarian destinations in the French Quarter, so read on!
Not sure where to stay? We got you covered! Check out our top recommendations for hotels in the French Quarter.
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Where to Score the Best Crawfish in New Orleans
Spring means crawfish season in New Orleans, and that means picking the best spot to enjoy an old-fashioned boil. This list is far from exhaustive — in fact, it’s more like a drop in the bucket — and that’s a good thing. We’re lucky to live in a place where boils happen in bars, restaurants and backyards every day this time of year.
Cajun Seafood
1479 N. Claiborne Ave.
Cajun Seafood opened its original location on S. Broad Street in 1995 and remains, in the words of many locals, “The best smelling corner in the city” (as the company’s website reminds us). Since then, Cajun expanded to three more locations (each family-owned and operated), and the one on N. Claiborne is located in Tremé. The counter service spot usually has a wait, sometimes trailing around the outside of the building on Saturday afternoons and during second lines.
Diverse offerings include po-boys, Chinese food, boiled seafood, ya-ka-mein (also spelled as yaka mein — a magical concoction of chopped beef, noodles, green onions, hard-cooked egg, and broth), and fried chicken, as well as varying fresh seafood options. The boil is moderately spicy, with a pleasant clove and garlic flavor. It’s a middle-of-the-road crawfish — a crowd-pleaser.
Captain Sal’s Seafood & Chicken
3168 St. Claude Ave.
Located on St. Claude Avenue in the Bywater, Sal’s sells inexpensive boiled seafood, fried chicken and po-boys from an inauspicious concrete building. The crawfish are spicy, and that spice carries over into the corn and potatoes for some of the spiciest sides we’ve ever tried.
The crawfish are also buttery and garlicky; they have a particularly rich flavor. As the season progresses Sal’s offers weekly half-price deals, usually beginning around Easter. There’s plenty of space to sit inside, and there’s counter service. Don’t expect much of a wait here.
Captain Sid’s
1700 Lake Ave., Metairie
Located just down the street from Deanie’s in the heart of Bucktown, Captain Sid’s has been around since 1979. Captain Sid’s specializes in fresh and boiled seafood, plus there’s a deli with cooked items like stuffed crabs, crawfish pies, alligator sausage, the bisques, and the etouffees. The place is no frills, there are no tables, so be ready to take your order to go. The original owner, Sidney “Captain Sid” Patrick, came up with a unique seafood seasoning, and that’s what you’ll be tasting in your crawfish.
Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant
Multiple Locations
Deanie’s, around since 1961, is an institution and a recognized name in the city known for its great seafood. The original restaurant and seafood market are located in Bucktown in Metairie (1713 Lake Ave.). There are two more locations in the French Quarter and the Garden District. All three are perfect for dining in.
Mid-City Seafood and Deli
2526 St. Bernard Ave.
This Seventh Ward spot near the corner of St. Bernard Ave. and Broad St. is known for its boiled seafood and fried chicken. The boil has strong hints of clove, and deep, delicious flavor as well as a mild, lingering heat. It’s counter service only — but you come for the food, not the atmosphere. The po-boys are numerous, well-priced, and also well regarded.
Mukbang Vietnamese Street Food
8312 Oak St.
Mukbang specializes in seafood plates with with an elevated Vietnamese-Cajun twist, and offers seafood options less common in New Orleans restaurants, like clams and even all-out seafood towers. When the crawfish is in season, expect Mukbang to have it, though it’s always a good idea to call ahead and check if the restaurant is boiling.
Salvo’s Seafood
7742 Highway 23, Belle Chase
It’s a bit of a trek, but Salvo’s offers delicious boiled seafood at better prices than most restaurants in the city. Their all-you-can-eat seafood specials rotate nightly between crab, shrimp, and crawfish, but crawfish is consistently available by the pound as well during season.
The full-service restaurant has been open since 1984, and also offers sandwiches, steaks and ribs, though most people come for the boiled and fried seafood specials. The all-you-can-eat boiled seafood specials also include all-you-can-eat boiled sides.
Boils at Bars
Crawfish can be found at bars around the city in the spring. The R Bar in the Marigny often doles out crawfish, and the Maple Leaf Bar is known for its boil helmed by Jason Seither (of Seither’s Seafood), which offers a unique boil with carrots, garlic, and sweet potato, among other unusual vegetables sometimes added to the pot. The 24-hour Three Legged Dog in the French Quarter also has weekly boils, and the Mid-City’s Bayou Beer Garden throws an occasional boil on its spacious back patio, during the Saints games in particular.
Are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans this sprint? This is a great time to visit as the temps get higher and the city’s schedule is full of fun events and the annual spring festivals. To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Vegetarian Destinations in the French Quarter
Photo courtesy of Thaihey NOLA on Facebook
Crawfish boils, alligator boudin balls, deep-fried frogs’ legs — if there’s a swamp creature that swims, flies or skitters, chances are a Louisianan has turned it into something delicious. That ingenuity put New Orleans on the culinary map — but as far as the vegetarian radar goes? Not so much.
It hasn’t always been easy to go meat-free in New Orleans, but recent years have seen an influx of vegetarian options that are more than an afterthought. The following restaurants don’t serve plant-based meals exclusively, but they all put thoughtful preparation into their meatless fare. (Which comes as quite a relief for vegetarians who have eaten one too many bland grilled vegetable platters.)
Bennachin
1212 Royal St.
You might have sampled Bennachin’s legendary mburu akara (black-eyed pea fritters and tomato stew on French bread) and jama jama ni makondo (sautéed spinach, fried plantains and coconut rice) at Jazz Fest, where the longtime spot for African fare has a perennial presence. The food tastes even better when consumed in the cozy, colorful French Quarter destination. Bonus: A BYOB policy makes Bennachin an excellent place to affordably wine and dine.
Café Amelie
900 Royal St.
How about an iconic culinary experience in one of the most gorgeous courtyards in the French Quarter (and that’s saying a lot, as the Quarter is full of tropical lushness)? Many items on the menu would pair well with Amelie’s seasonally inspired cocktails, and the locally sourced ingredients speak for themselves. You’ll see quite a few items on the menu marked with “V” for vegetarian that go beyond salads, like elevated roasted vegetables and gnocchi.
Café Cour
520 Royal St.
The Historic New Orleans Collection’s exhibition center includes a museum café. Café Cour, run by Dana and Christina Honn, who also own the excellent Carmo in the Warehouse District, is named for the famous Seignouret-Brulatour Courtyard, where the café is located. The place showcases the region’s multicultural culinary influences and offers gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options. Try the veggie muffuletta, muffulettu giardino, or black-eyed pea fritters (calas).
Crêpes à la Cart
Multiple locations
This food truck popup does have a walk-up counter Uptown, but the truck itself can pop up anywhere. There are over 50 varieties of sweet and savory options on the locally themed menu, many vegetarian or vegans. Catch if you can as it will be worth it. The popup often stays open past midnight, another plus.
Cuñada
833 Conti St.
All vegetarian and vegan dishes are marked as such on the menu, like sopa de tortilla, a fiesta vegetariana plate, and more. There’s also a daily happy hour that starts at 11 a.m. and an agave bar. Cuñada (“sister-in-law” in Spanish) is family-owned. Open til midnight every night.
Gumbo Shop
630 St. Peter St.
True to its name, Gumbo Shop serves up several types of classic gumbo laden with meat and seafood. What makes it stand apart from many other excellent restaurants in the French Quarter that serve up mouth-watering gumbo is that it also has gumbo z’herbes. Gumbo z’herbes is not easy to find on the New Orleans restaurant menus, so unless you venture out to Tremé to sample Leah Chase’s legendary version at her restaurant, Dooky Chase’s, the Gumbo Shop might be your only chance to try this veggie version within the confines of the French Quarter. And try you should, as it’s made with green stock and with various delicious greens, such as mustard or collard, turnips, and spinach.
Photo courtesy of Killer Poboys on Facebook
Killer PoBoys
219 Dauphine St.
Launched as a pop-up inside Erin Rose (the original location is still operating from the rear of that bar at 811 Conti St.), Killer PoBoys has also opened a standalone, counter-serve restaurant. The Killer PoBoys’ rotating menu represents an inventive yet respectful take on the classic New Orleans staple. The veggie versions usually include roasted sweet potato, roasted cauliflower, Thai BBQ tofu, and whatever else is seasonally and locally sourced. The decadent whiskey grilled cheese and pecan butter and jelly po-boys are among the mainstays.
Meals From the Heart Cafe
French Market; 1100 N. Peters St.
The back-alley French Market spot is worth the trip for its hard-to-find vegan okra gumbo alone, but its health-conscious menu is full of vegan and gluten-free riffs on other New Orleans classics that usually come only in meat and seafood versions, like the popular Beyond Burger (also soy-free), and the vegan crabcake and Portobello mushroom po-boys.
Thaihey NOLA
308 Decatur St.
Thaihey NOLA describes its menu as Novel Thai Cuisine. Several regions of Thailand are represented, including vegan and vegetarian dishes such as vegan boat noodle, tofu satay and pumpkin curry. In fact, the vegan menu is listed separately, that’s how serious the restaurant is about it.
The Italian Barrel
1240 Decatur St.
Intimate and candlelit, with brick walls and cozy tables, this corner restaurant with sidewalk seating provides all the romance you’d expect from an Italian spot. The tomatoes and basil bruschetta is mouth-tinglingly fresh, and a creamy truffle and porcini sauce blankets excellent, house-made ravioli, but you can’t go wrong with almost any menu option. (Reservations recommended.)
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!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
The Best Places for Oysters in the French Quarter and Nearby
Photo courtesy of Acme Oyster House – French Quarter on Facebook
New Orleans is one of the USA’s great oyster cities, and perhaps the best location for devouring those jewel-like bivalves. While other parts of the country may boast more variety of oysters — here, we generally stick to our Gulf Coast local catch — it’s hard to beat New Orleans for its sheer volume of shellfish and variety of cooking methods.
Look, we agree that an oyster is best when served raw, but nowhere else in this country — maybe the world — can beat the Crescent City when it comes to frying shellfish, and that’s to say nothing of tricks like Oysters Rockefeller, which we invented. Finally, the oyster is the supreme food of the hedonist, long believed to stoke both appetite and libido. Any food so closely linked to pleasure must subsequently be linked to the city that indulges epicureanism like no other.
Without further ado, here are some of our favorite local oyster spots.
Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville St.
Many will argue that the Acme was the original oyster house. That’s not to say it was the first restaurant to serve oysters, but the genre of the raw bar — a spot where anyone could rock up and slurp down a quick dozen on the half shell with a beer or a glass of wine — has been meticulously crafted and perfected here for over a century. Those years are a legacy, and no matter how great other oyster houses are, they simply can’t claim that kind of experience.
Antoine’s
713 St. Louis St.
Come to the oldest restaurant in the city for the Oysters Rockefeller, one of the great, decadent dishes of the 20th century, which was invented in this kitchen in 1899. In point of fact, you may not be eating the original Oysters Rockefeller here, or anywhere — rumor holds the dish’s inventor, Jules Alciatore, took the recipe to his grave. But the version here is still as close as we’ll get to fine dining at the turn of the 20th century, and besides, when have oysters with parsley, butter and breadcrumbs ever been a bad idea?
Photo courtesy of Bourbon House on Facebook
Bourbon House
144 Bourbon St.
In the heart of one of the most neon-lit, party-heavy corners of Bourbon St, the Brennan family empire has set up one of the most brilliant seafood houses in the city. The whole vibe is classic Parisian; as far as oysters go, this means you can eat at a gorgeous bar offset by art deco art and installations.
Deanie’s Seafood
841 Iberville St.
The loyalists at Deanie’s will argue tooth and nail for their oyster house over the Acme (above). We’re not going to insert ourselves into this fight, other than to say you should definitely try both. Deanie’s is known for cooked and raw oysters; when it comes to the former, we suggest trying the charbroiled version.
Photo courtesy of Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar Inc. on Facebook
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
739 Iberville St.
Another iconic French Quarter oyster house, Felix’s is more than seven decades old and going strong. Their formula is simple and effective: fresh seafood, good times. If you’re not keen on going raw, we also recommend the Oysters Buffalo, the Oysters Bienville, and of course, chargrilled oysters.
Galatoire’s
209 Bourbon St.
One of the great grand dames of Creole cuisine, Galatoire’s is classy, but not so classy that folks don’t like coming here to polish off several bottles of vino and several platters of oysters. That said, they cook their oysters in exceptional Creole style here; as we mention above, Oysters Rockefeller are never a bad idea.
GW Fins
808 Bienville St.
Fins is one of the cream of a crop of restaurants that look to rethink the best of New Orleans seafood while paying homage to the classics. If they’re on the menu, try the cold-smoked oysters, which come out sizzling to your plate — an utterly unforgettable seafood experience.
Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House
512 Bienville St.
You can get oysters raw, charbroiled, or served as a spicy shooter here, among other methods. The menu features a half dozen ways of preparing the shellfish. The rest of the menu is rounded out by big portions of Louisiana staples like blackened redfish, jambalaya, and shrimp Creole. If you’re in the Quarter with your kids, it’s worth mentioning that the atmosphere is considerably family-friendly.
Pêche
800 Magazine St.
Head into the Warehouse District to eat at one of the country’s great restaurants, a seafood house that has claimed several James Beard awards. The raw bar here is absolutely phenomenal; chef and co-owner Ryan Prewitt takes a lot of time to source only the best bivalves from select oyster providers, which means the shells you slurp here have more flavor and character than the average Gulf Coast specimen.
Royal House
441 Royal St.
We’ve got a lot of love for the Royal House’s elegant, classical dining room, which hearkens guests to Gatsby-esque levels of indulgence. The raw bar here is a brilliant gift from the culinary gods, but you should also give the Oysters Royale (topped with seafood stuffing and baked into little dollops of awesome) a whirl.
Tableau
616 St. Peter St.
This is yet another castle in the Brennan culinary kingdom. Oysters aren’t always a regular feature on the menu, but when this kitchen decides to get creative with bivalves, the innovation they bring to Creole classic recipes is nothing short of mouth-watering. We know folks who have had oysters brochette here that have lodged in their gastronomic subconscious like a delicious fever dream.
Verti Marte
1201 Royal St.
What, you think oysters always have to be served on a plate or at a raw bar? They’re also delicious when wrapped in wax paper and served on two slices of New Orleans-style French bread. We refer, of course, to the fried oyster po’boy — and Verti Marte serves up an exemplary version.
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!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Try the Best Jambalaya in the French Quarter
Just like with gumbo, when you ask a local where the best jambalaya comes from, they’ll likely respond, “My kitchen” (or “My mama’s kitchen”). That’s not very helpful, however, when you have no access to the said kitchen. Luckily, local restaurants serve up top-notch jambalaya if you know where to look. And look you must, because tasting great jambalaya could be a transcending experience. Precede it with a cup of gumbo laced with okra (in season in the fall), and you got bliss.
Jambalaya is a New Orleans staple that has absorbed French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Legend has it that it was the result of the Spanish settlers attempting to make paella, but with tomatoes and without the hard-to-find saffron.
It’s a one-pot dish that traditionally incorporates stock, meat, seafood, long-grain rice, and vegetables (like the “holy trinity” also used in gumbo — bell pepper, onion and celery). The main distinction is that the Creole version has tomatoes and the Cajun recipe doesn’t. The frequent inclusion of Andouille sausage is the result of the French influence on this iconic dish.
Just like gumbo, good jambalaya is not that hard to find on the menus of French Quarter restaurants. Here are a few of our favorite picks.
Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur St.
We’ve already recommended this no-frills bar/restaurant for its dark-roux seafood gumbo, but it’s Coop’s Creole jambalaya that is truly outstanding. It’s packed with local seasonings and comes with boneless rabbit, smoked pork sausage, plus tomatoes and the trinity.
You can get a cup or a bowl, but we recommend the supreme version — with shrimp, crawfish and Coop’s own tasso (spicy cured pork used in Cajun cooking and often referred to simply as Cajun ham). Coop’s excellent Cajun fried chicken plate comes in a variety of pieces and is served with jambalaya and coleslaw. Pasta jambalaya also makes an appearance, with shrimp, smoked sausage and tasso.
Coop’s is popular with locals and tourists, so it can get busy and loud. Please also note that it’s 21 and older only, even the restaurant seating area, because of the video poker machines on the premises.
Gumbo Shop
630 St. Peter St.
Gumbo Shop’s award-winning gumbos take the spotlight, including the rarely-seen vegetarian version, but don’t overlook other Creole staples at this French Quarter mainstay. Gumbo Shop’s jambalaya is served as an entree and a side, but also as part of the sweeping Creole dinner package. Pair it with one of the three gumbos, and you’re set.
Evangeline
329 Decatur St.
This relative French Quarter newcomer is family-owned and features fresh, seasonal Louisiana cuisine that’s sourced locally. Evangeline’s traditional jambalaya comes with chicken and sausage cooked in a stock made in-house. There’s courtyard seating, too. And don’t stop at jambalaya either, as the menu is chockful of the iconic Creole and Cajun staples.
Mother’s
401 Poydras St.
Although this legendary eatery is located outside of the French Quarter on Poydras Street in CBD, not including it would do a disservice. You might appreciate Mother’s casual, cafeteria-style approach, and the po-boys and jambalaya are a must. Mother’s had been around since 1938, becoming a famous hangout for the working crowd, and, during and after World War II, the U.S. Marines. For over 20 years, Mother’s also proudly employed a legendary cook, Miss Oda Mae Peters.
“Jerry’s Jambalaya” on the menu was named after one of the owners and chefs Jerry Amato, who had ruled Mother’s in the late 80s. It’s done Creole style, with tomatoes, medium spicy, and you can try it in four size options, from a cup to a heaping plate, or as part of the combo platter with seafood and sides.
Napoleon House
500 Chartres St.
At Napoleon House, the jambalaya comes with a bit of history. The restaurant is housed in a historic landmark on Chartres Street, dating back to the 1700s, with the unique ambiance of old-world New Orleans. The original owner, Nicholas Girod, who was Mayor of New Orleans from 1812 to 1815, hoped to provide refuge for the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte. The 2,300 sq. ft. worth of rooms on the second floor were designated to become Napoleon’s apartments. The unique interior is fit for the emperor indeed, and there’s a spacious courtyard for dining as well.
The spicy Creole jambalaya at Napoleon House comes with chicken and sausage and can be ordered as an appetizer or as a side. Consider pairing with the restaurant’s famous muffuletta and washing it down with its signature drink, Pimm’s Cup.
New Orleans Creole Cookery
508 Toulouse St.
This dark and lovely restaurant, located on a quiet block of Toulouse Street, has exposed brick, a patio, an oyster bar, and live jazz. The menu is classic Cajun/Creole, with lots of boiled seafood and Creole and Cajun versions of gumbo. The charbroiled oysters are some of the best in the city, and the full bar features hurricanes (listed by strength category from 1 to 5) and other signature drinks like bacon Bloody Mary. The chicken and sausage jambalaya is Cajun style (offered both as a starter and an entree). There’s also a vegetarian version, not something many restaurants offer.
The Original Pierre Maspero’s
440 Chartres St.
With its huge, always-open windows, this casual Cajun restaurant on the corner of St. Louis and Chartres Streets is a prime spot for people-watching. The building that houses the restaurant is one of the oldest in the French Quarter, dating back to 1788. Legend has it Andrew Jackson met with the Lafitte brothers here when it was a coffee house, to figure out the plan for the Battle of New Orleans. The blackened chicken and Andouille sausage jambalaya can be ordered as a standalone or part of the Crescent City Sampler. It’s prepared Cajun style and you can substitute chicken with shrimp.
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.
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
New Orleans’ Legendary Fried Chicken Joints
Photo courtesy of The Original Fiorella’s Cafe on Facebook
There’s no greater evidence of New Orleanians’ passion for fried chicken than the Fried Chicken Festival. This year, the free festival will take place on September 30-October 1, 2023, at the Lakefront. There will be music, cooking demos, eating contests, activities for kids… and, of course, delicious fried chicken from dozens of local vendors. In honor of the Fried Chicken Festival, here is our shortlist of just a few of the best New Orleans chicken joints.
Brothers Food Mart
Citywide
Gas-station fried chicken is a thing, and Brothers does it really, really well. While the company has many locations across New Orleans, its 148 Carondelet St. location is said to have the best fried chicken. It’s crispy, it’s not greasy, and it’s super crunchy.
Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur St.
One of the French Quarter’s bright stars and mainstays is the always bustling Coop’s, a no-frills bar and restaurant with an extensive and excellent menu that goes way beyond bar-food grub. The hands-down standout is Cajun fried chicken, made with Coop’s own seasoning blend. Pair it with Coop’s famous seafood gumbo, or rabbit and sausage jambalaya, and you’ll understand what we’re talking about.
Dooky Chase’s
2301 Orleans Ave.
This iconic Tremé institution is a treasure and an international destination for many reasons, including its late, great chef and owner Leah Chase’s legacy in the New Orleans culinary world, the unbelievable (and not easy to find) gumbo z’herbes, and its contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. Dooky Chase’s fried chicken is a mainstay, along with shrimp Clemenceau and po-boys, and it’s incredible.
McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’
1458 N. Broad St.
This tiny, always-bustling takeout spot efficiently churns out even huge party orders of its legendary chicken. It’s crisp, with a touch of peppery heat. Get yours with some classic Cajun/Creole sides like red beans and rice or fried okra.
McKenzie’s Chicken in a Box
3839 Frenchmen St.
McKenzie’s Chicken in a Box is grab-and-go (there are no tables) local favorite. It’s been serving delicious, crunchy fried chicken since 1952, making it a Gentilly institution. Some locals would say it has the best chicken in New Orleans.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Citywide
Come on, you can’t write an homage to New Orleans’ fried chicken without including the locally founded chain that put this meal on the map. Launched in Arabi in 1972 by the larger-than-life late restaurateur Al Copeland, Popeyes took off when it launched its signature spicy seasoning blend. Now, the multinational chain boasts over 2,600 locations across 30 countries, and its red beans and rice, coleslaw, and biscuits are almost as famous as its chicken. Popeyes is a taste of home, no matter where you are — but it somehow doesn’t taste as spicy at locations outside Louisiana.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Citywide
Is it the soft Texas toast that comes with every order? The slightly pinkish Cane’s Sauce? The tart lemonade? Or the hefty, made-to-order chicken fingers? Nobody knows for sure, but something on the menu of this Baton Rouge-born fast-food chain has won over millions of “Caniacs.” The fast-growing Raising Cane’s is also one of the Fried Chicken Festival sponsors — which means that you can get a taste of the famous Cane’s fare if you’re attending this year.
The Original Fiorella’s Cafe
5325 Franklin St.
The Original Fiorella’s reopened its doors in 2016, after a 17-year absence from the New Orleans dining scene — and it did so with a bang. Hot and tender, with a golden exterior, Fiorella’s signature fried chicken hasn’t changed. Past Fried Chicken Festival winner Fiorella’s is back at the fest this year — so you can taste its gem of a recipe and judge for yourself.
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.
