A Dog-Friendly Guide to the New Orleans French Quarter and the Arts District
New Orleans is a city that loves dogs, so you don’t have to leave your precious four-legged friend behind when you visit. There are a few hotels and bed-and-breakfasts that can accommodate your pet (most would ask for a pet deposit), and there are dog-friendly parks and runs throughout the city.
Many local eating and drinking establishments also welcome pets with open arms and a bowl of water — just please ask first to make sure it’s OK to bring your pet inside. There’s a dog-and-beer-centric fundraiser festival in New Orleans, typically held in March in Lafreniere Park in Metairie, and there’s even a Mardi Gras parade for dogs (more on that later).
Here’s a list of places in the French Quarter and the Arts District (and immediately nearby) that your pet can tag along to, to help you two share the best moments of your trip and create some memories.
Restaurants and Cafes – French Quarter
Cafe Amelie
900 Royal St.
The lovely Cafe Amelie is a great choice for gourmet sandwiches (cochon de lait is a specialty), gumbo, seasonal salads, and other locally sourced fare. It has one of the most beautiful courtyards in the French Quarter, which is saying a lot.
Cafe Beignet
311 Bourbon St., the Musical Legends Park
While we don’t recommend taking your dog for a stroll on Bourbon Street after dark (it’s just too chaotic and crowded), the Musical Legends Park has plenty of tables and space, where you and your dog should be comfortable. Enjoy live jazz, have an order or two of the famous French doughnut, and take some pics with the nearly-life-size bronze statues of New Orleans’ own musical legends like Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Allen Toussaint, and Irma Thomas.
Cafe Du Monde
800 Decatur St.
We doubt this iconic 24/7 establishment needs an introduction, but did you know you can experience this New Orleans rite of passage without leaving your dog at the hotel? Although dogs are not allowed in the covered seating area, there are tables where you can sit with your pup along the side, just outside the fence. While the crowds and the line can be a bit overwhelming, the chicory coffee and beignets are consistently excellent, the service is efficient, and you will find yourself surrounded by live music.
Cafe Envie & Espresso Bar
1241 Decatur St.
This airy coffeehouse has comfortable sidewalk seating with excellent people-watching opportunities. Popular with the locals, it features a full bar and a big breakfast menu, plus small plates and excellent coffee.
Croissant D’Or Patisserie
617 Ursulines St.
Tucked away between Royal and Chartres on Ursulines and steeped in old-world charm, this Parisian-style patisserie has some of the best baked goods in the city. Made daily and served fresh from the bakery, Croissant D’Or’s croissants come plain, sweet and savory, stuffed with things like chocolate and ham and cheese. Everything you’ll find displayed in the gleaming glass case is a must-try, from tiramisu to the tarts and the tortes. The owners welcome pets in their sunny courtyard.
Restaurants and Cafes – The Arts District
Carmo
527 Julia St.
The “tropical” enclave of Carmo, nestled among the galleries of Julia Street in the Warehouse District, features vegan beans and rice among its mainstays, along with the daily curry, seviche, poke, and a plethora of interesting salads (many dishes are vegan). If it’s not too busy your pup will be welcome for sure.
Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Ave.
You’re in for a treat in Chef Donald Link’s flagship restaurant, which serves some of the best Creole and Cajun food in the city. Herbsaint also has plentiful sidewalk seating sheltered by the balcony overhang, so you can fine-dine with your dog even in inclement weather. Just please make sure to request a table outdoors when you make a reservation.
Bars – French Quarter
Black Penny
700 N. Rampart St.
You’ll find this bar at the edge of the Quarter, right across from Armstrong Park. The space is both weathered and welcoming, featuring a refurbished bar, exposed brick and beams, and long booths. Friendly service, good prices, several pages’ worth of craft beer on the menu (most come in a can), and the all-inclusivity (that means dogs, too) make this dive a popular spot.
Cosimo’s
1201 Burgundy St.
This neighborhood bar is beloved for its pet-welcoming policy (the place is often teeming with dogs, both inside and out), a lovely back room with the pool table and comfy seating, and seriously delicious bar snacks (Cosimo’s boudin balls are the best, we promise). The bar also hosts live-music nights, and crawfish boils when the mudbugs are in season.
Erin Rose
811 Conti St.
This quintessential Irish pub welcomes dogs, so stop by for an excellent Irish coffee, Guinness on tap, and soul-warming po-boys (offered in the back of the bar by Killer Poboys).
Harry’s Corner
900 Chartres St.
This no-frills dive with inexpensive drinks is an excellent spot to while the afternoon away if you’re day-drinking. It also happens to be a haven for all kinds of well-behaved dogs.
The Jimani
141 Chartres St.
This late-night haunt (open till 4 a.m. every night) has been a popular sports bar since the early 70s. The bar menu is a medley of New Orleans fare like po-boys, and the all-American nachos, pizza, and Chicago-style hot dogs. It’s also supposedly one of the most haunted places in the Quarter. Dogs are welcome.
Three Legged Dog
400 Burgundy St.
The 24-hour dive is dog-friendly and has weekly crawfish boils when in season (sometimes as late as midnight) plus classic pub grub.
Bars – The Arts District
Lucy’s Retired Surfer’s Bar & Restaurant
701 Tchoupitoulas St.
The Warehouse District’s surfer chain, Lucy’s welcomes dogs, inside, outside, and on the patio. Just how welcoming is Lucy’s? It has its own “sur-fur” dog menu that comes with a bowl of crushed-ice water. It’s also a late-night haunt with great drinks and tacos, and is on the route of many Mardi Gras parades.
The Rusty Nail
1100 Constance St.
Another Warehouse District dog-friendly spot, The Rusty Nail has massive outdoor space that can accommodate your dog, plus a vast selection of scotch, live music, a popular happy hour, and trivia nights.
W.I.N.O.
610 Tchoupitoulas St.
This is a cutting-edge, self-service bar with over a hundred wines on tap (the name stands for the Wine Institute of New Orleans), where you can drink by bottle, glass, or choose a flight. Small plates like hummus and cheese plates complement the wine, and, yes, you can bring your dog.
Shops
Chiwawagaga
511 Dumaine St.
Self-described as a “Small Store for Dinky Dogs” Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga targets small pets specifically. The focus is on clothing, accessories and costumes in particular, and there’s a chance that the fanciest costumes the smaller pooches are strutting around in at the Barkus parade came from this store.
Southern Paws
633 Toulouse St.
This should be your pit stop if you’re looking for the New Orleans-inspired toys and treats, and Mardi Gras costumes.
Parks and Activities
The Algiers Point-Canal Street Ferry
Board at the terminal at the foot of Canal St. by the Audubon Aquarium/Insectarium
The Mississippi River cruises don’t allow dogs, but you can still enjoy some time on the river and take in the scenery by riding a no-frills Canal Street commuter ferry, which takes passengers across the Mississippi to Algiers Point. The ferry runs every 15 minutes and will set you back $2. Dogs don’t need to be in a carrier, just on the leash.
Crescent Park
Mandeville St. Wharf
Part of the French Market District, Crescent Park is a 1.4-mile, 20-acre urban park that also features a dog run and bike paths. Just take the Moonwalk eastward till the end, then N. Peter St. until you cross into the Marigny, and take the staircase or the elevator to access the park. The dog run is at the opposite end of the entrance.
Jackson Square
701 Decatur St.
This timeless landmark is located in the heart of the French Quarter. Known since the 18th century as Place d’Armes, it was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson following the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Jackson’s bronze statue is the focal point of the square, surrounded by lavish flora and facing the Mississippi River. Jackson Square is also a host to the open-air artist market and performance space, with local art displayed along the fence. You can have your sketch done, dance to a brass band, or have your fortune told. No dogs are allowed inside the gated area, but the outer part is all yours and your dog’s.
Louis Armstrong Park
701 N. Rampart St.
Located just north of the French Quarter, this historic park is a quiet sanctuary when it’s not hosting a festival. Walk the grassy slopes, feed the ducks, watch the birds and the turtles, and enjoy this welcoming green space with your dog.
The Riverfront
Along the Mississippi River in the French Quarter
The almost four-mile stretch along the Mississippi River features public art, scenic views of the boats, excellent people-watching, street performers, and the dog-friendly Woldenberg Park.
Walking Tours
Throughout the French Quarter
Many walking tours (history, ghost, culinary, music, etc.) that cover the French Quarter and the adjacent Marigny and Tremé would allow dogs to tag along, just ask for permission when you book.
Two Annual Events That Are All About Dogs
Krewe of Barkus
Starts and ends in Armstrong Park; rolls in the French Quarter
New Orleans’ only parade dedicated to dogs, this Mardi Gras walking parade features a massive procession of costume-clad dogs accompanied by their human friends. Parade throws include dog treats, themes change every year, and the king and queen are always canine.
NOLA on Tap
Lafreniere Park, Metairie
This is the largest fundraiser for the Louisiana SPCA and the largest beer fest in the area, with more than 400 beer offerings from local and national breweries and homebrewers. Dogs and kids are welcome.
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! We hope you and your dog enjoy your visit!
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Best Kept Secrets for Eating Cheap and Eating Well in the French Quarter
New Orleans is known for its food, and the French Quarter, in particular, has long been home to many of the city’s finest and most high-end eateries. You can experience quintessential New Orleans fare at places like Antoine’s, Brennan’s, Galatoire’s and others, and every trip to the city should include visits to these emporiums of great dining.
But when you just want a quick, inexpensive meal — maybe one with a little local color thrown in — ask the locals and follow the Quarter workers, the service industry folks, the bartenders, and the servers, to places where good eating can be cheap eating.
Some spots are open 24 hours, some deliver. Some are at their best in the middle of the night. For our purposes, “cheap” is defined as breakfast under $20, and lunch or dinner for around $30 per person, more or less.
You won’t find haute cuisine or, for that matter, haute society either, at places like the Quartermaster Deli or Deja Vu. But you will find New Orleans culture out the wazoo, soulful and satisfying sustenance and a few more reasons, as if you needed any, to eat out in the Big Easy.
Bennachin
1212 Royal St.
At the small and cozy Bennachin, you can sample flavorful African dishes with origins from Gambia and Cameroon. The restaurant was also one of the first places in New Orleans to feature vegan items on its menu.
Cafe Maspero
601 Decatur St.
If it’s classic New Orleans fare you are looking for with a price that won’t blow your travel budget, this is the place for you. With a wide variety of seafood platters, crawfish (when in season), muffulettas, and traditional po-boys all tastes are sure to be satisfied. And did we mention its perfect location? Cafe Maspero is right in the middle of all of the French Quarter action, near the river and Jackson Square. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day in an open and friendly atmosphere.
Central Grocery & Deli
923 Decatur St.
A sprawling old-fashioned grocery store on a buzzing block of Decatur Street, Central Grocery is not called “Home of the Original Muffuletta” for nothing. Its founder, a Sicilian immigrant named Salvatore Lupo, is credited for creating the famous sandwich. The store is still lovingly run by the same family, and is packed full of imported Italian delicacies, including the famous olive salad by the jar. Central Grocery is worth a look for that reason alone, but it’s the made-to-order muffulettas that have the visitors and the locals flocking there since 1906. You can eat at one of the few tables in the back, or take your muffuletta to go.
Clover Grill
900 Bourbon St.
The Clover is one of our favorite 24-hour diners in New Orleans (on a side note, there aren’t a ton of 24-hour diners in this city, which is a shame). The food is great, but we really come for the atmosphere, which is a lively mix of drag queens, off-work servers, bartenders, hotel staff, tourists, and musicians all hunkering down for burgers and scrambled eggs at three in the morning. Clover Grill’s motto is “We Love to Fry and it Shows.”
Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur St.
Tourists wander into Coop’s but locals are the mainstay of this raucous bar/restaurant close to the French Market. Loud and lively, it’s the kind of place you’d probably expect to offer a limited menu, maybe fried cheese sticks and out-of-a-freezer-bag of buffalo wings, because it could get away with that. Instead, expect appetizers like the local crab claws and a delicious smoked duck quesadilla, a complex flavor surprise made even better with Coop’s outstanding house-made salsa.
Coop’s takes its food as seriously as its mixology. You’d be hard-pressed to find better fried chicken anywhere in town; served with the creamy, house-made coleslaw, it’s a plate of pure plump-you-up pleasure. Regulars rave about the rabbit and sausage jambalaya, especially when made “Supreme” with the addition of spicy tasso ham and shrimp. Alert: You must be 21 and over to enter only. Also, it could get crazy busy.
Croissant D’Or Patisserie
617 Ursulines St.
Please don’t miss this Parisian-style patisserie, tucked away between Royal and Chartres streets on Ursulines. Steeped in old-world charm, Croissant D’Or some of the best baked goods in the city. The sweet and savory croissants, and everything else you’ll find displayed in the gleaming glass case — the tarts and the tortes and the quiches — is delicious and served fresh daily from the bakery.
Deja Vu Restaurant & Bar
400 Dauphine St.
This 24-hour full-service restaurant and bar in the French Quarter is always available and ready to accommodate. You will find a wide variety of options on the menu ranging from traditional New Orleans fare to downhome comfort food, all reasonably priced. Deja Vu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long and is available for dine-in, carry out or delivery.
Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe
1241 Decatur St.
We also recommend this airy coffeehouse with comfortable sidewalk seating, popular with the locals. It has a full bar and a big breakfast menu, plus small plates — all of which will go easy on your budget.
Lucky Dog
Various street corners in the French Quarter
The popular hot dogs and iconic weenie-in-bun-shaped carts have been part of the late-night Quarter scene for years; the company website claims over 21 million hot dogs have been sold in the past half-century. Lucky Dog makes a pretty good weenie, perfect for slowing your roll when you’ve had one too many Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s. Look for the iconic cart on Bourbon Street and Jackson Square.
Mona Lisa
1212 Royal St.
Right next to Bennachin is another comfy, cozy spot, the Mona Lisa, decked in the namesake’s-centric art floor to ceiling, and serving some of the best (and most inexpensive) pizza in the Quarter.
Quartermaster Deli
1100 Bourbon St.
Also known as the Nellie Deli, this French Quarter institution is open 7 days a week, 24 hours. Space is cramped because so much is packed into a tiny footprint — groceries, liquor, sundries, and the focal point, the old-style deli case crammed with goodness — bowls and bowls of made-in-house sides, veggies and more. Don’t expect to eat there — there are no tables and there’s no room — but you can order at the deli case, or call your order in ahead of time for pickup. There’s free delivery, too. You don’t even have to leave your hotel room!
The Quarter Master cooks serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner, late-night munchies, and even offer two specials a day — which seem almost superfluous considering the comprehensive menu in this teensy space. Among the favorites: homemade mac-and-cheese, 1/2 pound choice burgers, overstuffed po-boys (especially the roast beef and the hot sausage), entrees like barbecue chicken, New Orleans meatloaf, and hamburger steak. Good food, friendly staff, local color, and great prices.
Verti Marte
1201 Royal St.
Verti Marte is open seven days a week from noon till midnight, and delivery is available. Like the Quartermaster Deli a couple of blocks away, it’s strictly a to-go operation, serving a heavily local clientele and offering a mind-bogglingly extensive menu of breakfast specialties, sandwiches and po-boys, entrees, and even desserts.
You’ll see the Quarter workers stopping in for fried shrimp po-boys, BLTs, and roast beef sandwiches. You also can’t go wrong with the other epic specialty sandwiches like the vegetarian Green Giant and the mountainous All That Jazz — with grilled ham, turkey and shrimp, plus two cheeses, grilled veggies, and the special “wow” sauce.
Lagniappe
In New Orleans, “lagniappe” (pronounced lan-yap) means “something extra,” and that’s what we’re giving you. Here are a couple more places to eat for less outside the Quarter (but close): Buffa’s, right outside the Quarter on Esplanade Avenue, and Dat Dog, located on the music club-heavy Frenchmen Street in the Marigny.
Not only Dat Dog’s dogs and sausages are pretty amazing but there’s balcony seating overlooking Frenchmen, and the second floor is filled with decorations culled from the Krewe of Chewbacchus (the city’s science fiction/fantasy-themed Mardi Gras krewe). Buffa’s has live music nightly in its dining room, and the extensive menu is a heady mix of New Orleans staples and all-time classics like burgers and wings.
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!
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Best Brunch in the French Quarter
Photo courtesy of Muriel’s Jackson Square on Facebook
First named in print in an 1895 newspaper, brunch is thought to have originated with English hunt meals. But although New Orleans didn’t invent brunch, it did invent two things that elevated the mid-morning extravaganza to its highest form: cocktails and jazz. What would brunch be without bloody Marys, mimosas and Irish coffee? And how much less festive would it feel without trumpet flares and piano riffs mingling with the sounds of laughter and clinking champagne flutes?
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite spots to enjoy brunch, ranging from down-home hearty joints to refined, white-tablecloth versions.
Antoine’s
713 St. Louis St.
The country’s oldest family-run restaurant (since 1840), Antoine’s is a go-to for a lingering jazz brunch on Sunday. This Creole grand dame serves up its signature Oysters Rockefeller, rich omelets, decadent Creole mains, and dessert classics to the sounds of live jazz. This is fine dining at its best.
Arnaud’s
813 Bienville St.
For a Dixieland jazz brunch, Arnaud’s can’t be beat. The three-course prix fixe Sunday brunch menu is mouth-watering. Try the traditional Creole breakfast starter, Creole Cream Cheese Evangeline, or shrimp bisque. Eggs Fauteaux, poached eggs with smoked pompano from the Gulf, are also popular. The restaurant’s signature dish, Shrimp Arnaud, is Gulf shrimp marinated in a house-made Creole remoulade. The ambiance is old-world elegant, yet exuberant, and a business casual dress code is observed.
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 weekend menu would pair well with Amelie’s seasonally inspired cocktails, and the locally sourced ingredients speak for themselves, but the signature cochon de lait sandwich will render you speechless. Another beloved signature dish to try is shrimp and grits, served with corn and Andouille maque choux.
Café Conti
830 Conti St.
Looking for lighter fare? This hidden gem specializes in simple but beautifully executed French and Creole-tinged breakfast staples. There’s a parfait bowl brimming with fresh fruit and house-made granola, as toasts with plenty of healthy sides. For something more substantial, grab a loaded grits bowl or a breakfast sandwich. Order at the counter, take a seat in the intimate, chandelier-hung space, and savor the ambiance.
Croissant D’Or Patisserie
617 Ursulines St.
Tucked away between Royal and Chartres streets on Ursulines and steeped in old-world charm, this Parisian-style patisserie has some of the best baked goods in town — and the bar is high in New Orleans. Made daily and served fresh from the bakery, Croissant D’Or’s croissants come plain, sweet and savory, stuffed with things like chocolate and ham and cheese. Everything you’ll find displayed in the gleaming glass case is a must-try, from the quiches and tiramisu to the tarts and the tortes. The sandwiches and the omelets are also delicious. House specials include a bechamel croissant, crepes, and French onion soup. Please note that there’s no alcohol, and the place closes at 3 p.m. on the weekends and 1 p.m. on weekdays.
Muriel’s Jackson Square
801 Chartres St.
If there’s a better place to enjoy brunch than on Muriel’s balcony overlooking Jackson Square on a Saturday or Sunday morning or an early afternoon, we haven’t found it. Sit inside to enjoy a live jazz trio during the Sunday brunch. The menu is extensive and classic Creole elegance. It includes a three-course special if you would prefer not to order a la carte. Also, take note: Muriel’s turtle soup is legendary.
Ruby Slipper
204 Decatur St.
Launched from a lovely Mid-City cottage in 2008, Ruby Slipper has grown into a beloved family-owned chain with nearly 30 locations scattered from New Orleans to Florida, the Carolinas, and so on. It’s easy to see the appeal: local specialties like biscuits and gravy and shrimp and grits meet mainstays like classic buttermilk pancakes and Spanish omelets. And, of course, there are those mimosas and bloody Marys — because as the menu reminds diners, “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning.”
Stanley
547 St. Ann St.
Stanley has a lot going for it: The airy, sunny, inviting dining rooms; prime location (it overlooks Jackson Square); a nod to Tennessee Williams in its name; and all-day breakfast that emphasizes regional cooking and local ingredients. Owner and chef Scott Boswell serves classic New Orleans comfort food with an upscale twist. Yet it’s affordable and the portions are very generous. Try the signature Bananas Foster French toast, or Eggs Stanley: cornmeal-crusted oysters, poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and Creole hollandaise on a toasted English muffin. Eggs Benedict get a po-boy treatment by being served on toasted French bread. Or, if you can handle it, get them as part of a breakfast seafood platter, with soft-shell crab, oysters and shrimp. Wash it down with a Mega (double) Bloody Mary or a milkshake punch while you people-watch.
The Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal St.
The historic courtyard at this restaurant is so great they named the restaurant after it, and its Creole menu and the jazz brunch are staples of the local culinary scene. The brunch buffet’s selections change seasonally, but you can count on eggs any style, made-to-order omelets, Eggs Benedict, and turtle soup to be served. Also, take note: Court of Two Sisters made the traditional version of Bananas Foster part of its dinner and jazz brunch menus. The dessert fits right in with the restaurant’s luscious Creole and Cajun cuisine like jambalaya and gumbo, and is served with brandy and banana liquor over French vanilla ice cream.
Toast
1035 Decatur St.
From the owners of Tartine, this is the latest of the three New Orleans locations of a laid-back neighborhood bakery. You can both linger with an omelet sipping a cafe au lait or grab a latte and a pastry to go — either way, expect excellent, French-leaning food. All breads, jams, custards, and curds are made in-house daily. Fittingly, there are three French toast options on the menu, including the king cake version filled with cinnamon cream cheese, with Mardi Gras sprinkles on top. Another standout is Toast’s signature aebleskiver, a puffy Danish-style pancake ball, served with lemon curd, jam, maple syrup, and caramel (or other sauces) for dipping
Don’t miss out on all the excitement the French Quarter has to offer all year round, round the clock! Book your room at any of these historic hotels today.
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Best Food on Bourbon Street
Photo courtesy of Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak on Facebook
The 13-block strip of Bourbon Street is not all neon hustle and gigantic drinks in souvenir cups. It’s actually home to some of the most vibrant restaurants in the city — high and low, round-the-clock, world-famous — and just interesting. Here’s a quick rundown of the best food you could find on this most-visited street in the French Quarter, starting with Upper Bourbon on Canal Street and walking towards Esplanade Avenue.
Red Fish Grill
115 Bourbon Street
Ralph Brennan’s Red Fish Grill has been around for more than 20 years, offering a child-friendly respite in the middle of the Bourbon Street chaos. It’s known for its seafood-heavy menu and good happy hour deals on the drinks and the oysters. Try some of the signature dishes like BBQ oysters and double-chocolate bread pudding.
Bourbon House
144 Bourbon Street
An old-school seafood restaurant run by the Brennan family with a raw oyster bar and Creole fare like blackened Gulf fish and bourbon shrimp and grits. Bourbon House also lives up to its name with a selection of small-batch and single-barrel bourbons.
Galatoire’s
209 Bourbon Street
Galatoire’s should be on everyone’s New Orleans bucket list, and it’s likely to deliver a day-long eating and drinking extravaganza you won’t soon forget. Founded in 1905, the restaurant has become a fine dining institution beloved by the generations of New Orleanians. The decadent classics like crab Maison, duck crepes, foie gras, and turtle soup have been served there for over a century. Jackets required.
Olde Nola Cookery
205 Bourbon Street
Colorful and friendly, this Bourbon Street spot is no tourist trap as its menu is full of reliably local, traditional Cajun and Creole fare like BBQ shrimp, gator tail bites, po-boys, gumbo, seafood platters, and more. A Taste of New Orleans sampler will get you gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and red beans and rice with smoked sausage. Two big advantages the restaurant has are that it’s open till 1 a.m. nightly and has a balcony.
Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak
215 Bourbon Street
Galatoire’s added a steakhouse to its family of restaurants in 2013, right next door to the original. Galatoire’s 33 is named after a post marker found inside the historic building during the renovation. It serves the Galatoire’s full menu in its dining room.
Desire Oyster Bar
300 Bourbon Street
The elegant hotel restaurant has a Broadway-style marquis sign, huge windows, a tin ceiling, and black-and-white checkered floors. Besides oysters, the menu emphasizes Gulf seafood and features New Orleans favorites like gumbo, po-boys, biscuits and gravy, shrimp remoulade, and more.
Crescent City Pizza Works
407 Bourbon Street
A late-night pizzeria at Conti Street, with pies that have telling names like the Big Cheesy and Chicken Bacon Krunch. The BBQ pork pizza will chase your hangover away with pulled pork, two types of cheese, and a generous serving of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. The ever-popular Chizzaburger combines Angus beef, onions, mozzarella, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. The place is open till 2 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pier 424 Seafood Market Restaurant
424 Bourbon Street
A seafood-focused casual eatery with balcony dining and a large oyster bar. Try the sauteed crab claws or bayou frog legs (battered and served with buffalo sauce), or an alligator po-boy. The Taste of New Orleans platter is a local feast of crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice, chicken and Andouille jambalaya, and gumbo with chicken and Andouille (you can pick three out of four, or go for all four).
Le Bayou Restaurant & Oyster Bar
503 Bourbon Street
You might like this place for its high ceilings, marble-topped bar, and balcony seating. Housed in a historic building, Le Bayou serves casual Creole and Cajun staples like oysters, gumbo, Gulf seafood, and all kinds of traditional specialties. Open till 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cornet
700 Bourbon Street
Cornet, on the corner of St. Peter and Bourbon, serves traditional Cajun and Creole dishes like shrimp Creole, fried gator, po-boys, seafood platters, pasta, and staples like crawfish etouffee. Try the Satchmo sampler, a local trifecta of gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans. Balcony seating is available — a big draw if you want to people-watch. The restaurant was founded by the family who gave Louis Armstrong his first horn, a cornet — hence its name.
Clover Grill
900 Bourbon Street
A retro-classic, 24-hour diner in a city that sorely lacks them, Clover Grill “loves to fry and it shows” (as the menu states). The food is a reliable greasy-spoon fare, but you’ll be coming in at 4 a.m. as much for the scrambled eggs as the vibrant mix of its French Quarter crowd. The restaurant’s interesting existence is reflected in its no-nonsense menu, which is peppered with requests like: “We don’t eat in your bed, so please don’t sleep at our table” and “Dancing in the aisles only, please keep off the tables.”
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!
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Bourbon Street Bucket List
Bourbon Street tile by Cheryl Gerber
The 13-block of Bourbon Street stretches from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue and is packed with bars, clubs and restaurants. There’s more to the most visited street in the French Quarter than neon signs and brightly colored drinks in gigantic souvenir cups.
Bourbon Street is home to some of the oldest bars and best restaurants in New Orleans. And after the 2019 renovation of the eight blocks of the Upper Bourbon (from Canal St. to Dumaine St.), it is shinier and more walkable than ever. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, here are some suggestions for your bucket list.
Photo courtesy of Bourbon House on Facebook
EATING
Oysters and Other Gulf Seafood
Bourbon Street’s culinary offerings are a mix of high and low, with some local flair thrown in. The two seafood restaurants run by the Brennan family that are located on Bourbon Street would be solid choices for all things Gulf seafood and oysters in particular.
Red Fish Grill on the first block off Canal Street offers good happy hour deals and is child-friendly. Signature dishes include BBQ oysters, alligator sausage and seafood gumbo; and double chocolate bread pudding. Bourbon House (on the same block) has an oyster bar and a large selection of small-batch and single-barrel bourbons.
Want more oysters? The stylish Desire Oyster Bar inside The Royal Sonesta (300 Bourbon Street) has an oyster bar and the classic New Orleans menu of po-boys, gumbo, and fresh seafood from the Gulf.
24/7 Breakfast
For the pub grub and fast food, anything on the breakfast menu plus those famous little square burgers on steamed buns at the fast-food chain Krystal (116 Bourbon Street) would serve you well. The retro diner Clover Grill (900 Bourbon Street) has a huge breakfast menu and only-in-the-Quarter ambiance. Both are open 24/7.
French Quarter Balcony Dining
For balcony dining with a view of the French Quarter, head to Cornet (700 Bourbon Street) or Pier 424 Seafood Market Restaurant (424 Bourbon Street). Both restaurants serve traditional Cajun and Creole fare and have samplers that include gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and other local favorites.
Galatoire’s: Old-World Upscale Creole
If you’re going to try just one restaurant on Bourbon Street, make it Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon Street). This fine-dining institution should be on everyone’s New Orleans bucket list. Since its opening in 1905 generations of New Orleanians have been lining up for the Creole classics like crab Maison, duck crepes, foie gras, and turtle soup. Galatoire’s old-world, decadent ambiance is something to experience.
Tropical Isle by Cheryl Gerber
DRINKING
Absinthe
The Old Absinthe House (240 Bourbon Street) dates to 1807 and has hosted its share of famous patrons, including Oscar Wilde and Franklin Roosevelt. Sidle up to the classic copper bar and have one of the potent signature absinthe cocktails. Enjoy the old-fashioned yet quirky saloon ambiance.
Hurricane and Hand Grenade
Having one of those is pretty much a must if you’re hanging out on Bourbon Street, so do it right by going to the source. Sip your Hurricane in Pat O’Brien’s courtyard (624 Bourbon Street), and make sure your Hand Grenade comes from one of the Tropical Isle locations on Bourbon Street (435, 600, 610, 721, 727 Bourbon Street). The Bourbon & Orleans location has one of the largest balconies with a view of St. Louis Cathedral (you may have seen it on TV because it’s often used for live broadcasts).
One of the Oldest Bars in America
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon Street) is a must-stop, period. Housed in a Creole cottage on the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip streets, it was built between 1722 and 1732, making it one of the oldest structures used as a bar in the U.S. Legends swirled for centuries that this location was used by the infamous Lafitte Brothers, Jean and Pierre, as a base for their privateer operation in Barataria. The bar has a unique ambiance and is popular with locals and visitors alike. If you’re feeling brave, try the signature drink called Purple Drank, a frozen daiquiri concoction.
The Jazz Playhouse by Cheryl Gerber
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Jazz
If you want straight-up jazz, The Jazz Playhouse at 300 Bourbon Street (inside The Royal Sonesta) is a reliable choice. Musical Legends Park (311 Bourbon Street) also hosts live music shows among its life-size bronze statues of local musical legends like Louis Prima, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, and others. While you’re at it, have some beignets and cafe au lait at the outside seating at Cafe Beignet inside the park.
Maison Bourbon (641 Bourbon Street) is an old-school jazz club “dedicated to the preservation of jazz” (the outdoor sign says). Take in the gleaming bar, the brick walls and beamed ceilings. It also has a courtyard and a big balcony.
Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub (733 Bourbon Street) is another great spot for live jazz and Dixieland. It’s been around since 1969, as reflected in the memorabilia and the black-and-white photos lining the walls. Seating is limited because the space is intimate, but there’s more seating outside in the back where you won’t be able to see the action but still hear it pretty well. Fritzel’s has both day and night shows. Day shows seem to be less packed.
The Bourbon Pub & Parade Disco by Cheryl Gerber
LGBTQIA+
Once you walk past St. Ann Street you’ll start seeing the rainbow flags. The LGBTQIA+ section of Bourbon Street has two popular dance clubs across from one another, Oz (800 Bourbon Street) and Bourbon Pub Parade (801 Bourbon Street). Both are open late, with several dance floors, drag shows, DJs, and wraparound balconies for people-watching. The Pub serves as the annual headquarters of Southern Decadence.
Just down the block, Lafitte’s (901 Bourbon Street) is open 24/7 and hosts disco parties and karaoke nights. It’s been around since the 50s, which makes it one of the oldest continuously operating gay bars in the country.
Cat’s Meow by Cheryl Gerber
Karaoke and Riding the Bull
Speaking of karaoke, The World Famous Cat’s Meow (701 Bourbon Street) is the karaoke spot to be if you must indulge and don’t mind the rowdy crowd. The party atmosphere is helped by drink specials. Riding the mechanical bull is another one of the favorite pastimes on Bourbon Street, and you can try your luck at Boot Scootin Rodeo (522 Bourbon Street). Need liquid courage? The signature drink, called Boot, is full of spiked sweet tea.
Psychic Readings
See what the stars have in store for you at Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo (628 Bourbon Street). Psychic and spiritual readings are available daily starting at noon.
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!
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Where to Get the Best Gumbo in the French Quarter
Photo courtesy of Antoine’s Restaurant on Facebook
When it comes to gumbo, surely you’ve heard, “First, you make a roux” as a conversation starter. Roux is a traditional base for gumbo — flour and fat, browned together with seasonings. Just like gumbo is a blend of cultures and influences, including French, African, Caribbean, and Native American, the word “gumbo” comes from the Choctaw Indian “kombo” — filé, or powdered sassafras — and the African word “kingumbo,” which means okra. Both filé and okra are used as thickeners in gumbo.
From roux, dozens of variations of gumbo could spring: with smoked meats like duck, rabbit, and Andouille sausage in a darker roux; with tomato or no tomato; with okra or without; with lighter roux; and with seafood like shrimp and crabmeat. Often the “holy trinity” of local cooking is used too: bell pepper, celery and onion. Gumbo z’herbes (“green gumbo”) may or may not come with meat, but its vegetarian version, though not found often in New Orleans restaurants, holds its own with various greens like collards, mustard or turnip greens, spinach, chard, and kale.
A bowl of steaming gumbo served over rice is perfection anytime, but the fall, in particular, belongs to gumbo, when okra is in season and the heat lets up. In New Orleans, excellent gumbo is easy to find. The chefs tend not to deviate too much from the classic Cajun and Creole recipes. The difference is whether you like your gumbo laden with meat or seafood; with dark roux or a lighter roux; with an Abita draft or a crafted cocktail; and among chandeliers and gilded mirrors or in a dive bar.
Most restaurants include at least two versions on the menu, the meat and the seafood. You can get a cup alone, or a cup with half of a po-boy, if you don’t want to commit to a bowl. With our picks for the French Quarter you would want to, though. From fine dining to casual, these restaurants feature different kinds of gumbo, at different price points. Most have gumbo recipes on their websites, so you can try to recreate your own.
Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville St.
This popular chain often has a line out the door at its Iberville St. location, but that’s because Acme’s Creole/Cajun classic menu of oysters, po-boys and gumbo is that good. Try a cup of the seafood gumbo with shrimp and crab, or the chicken and Andouille version. Or get the New Orleans Medley, to sample gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and grilled smoked sausage all at once. Acme also serves up half of po-boy and a cup of gumbo combos. Chase yours with an oyster shooter of vodka or an oyster-topped Bloody Mary.
Antoine’s
713 St. Louis St.
You can’t go wrong with a classic Creole seafood gumbo served on the dinner and Sunday jazz brunch menus at this legendary restaurant. Try it with Oysters Rockefeller, Antoine’s signature dish created in 1889. Established in 1840, Antoine’s is the country’s oldest family-run restaurant, with 14 dining rooms, some of which bear names of Carnival krewes, and a who’s who roster of distinguished guests.
Arnaud’s
813 Bienville St.
Staying true to the classic Creole cuisine since its inception in 1918, Arnaud’s offers two gumbos (with chicken and Andouille sausage, or seafood) on both its dinner and jazz brunch menus. You can eat in one of the elegant dining rooms, or dine in the Jazz Bistro while you listen to live Dixieland jazz presented by The Gumbo Trio (Thursday through Saturday evenings and at the jazz brunch on Sunday).
Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur St.
If you want a quick, inexpensive meal with some local color thrown in, Coop’s Place is unbeatable. Located on the always-busy stretch of Decatur Street, Coop’s is a no-frills bar and restaurant with a surprisingly extensive menu. One of the standouts is the dark-roux seafood gumbo. It comes with Coop’s own dark roux, okra, filé powder, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws. (You can ask for extra seafood.) Follow the gumbo with Coop’s excellent rabbit and sausage jambalaya. 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.
Galatoire’s
209 Bourbon St.
This beloved institution serves two classic Creole gumbos for under $15 per bowl. The seafood okra gumbo is packed with shrimp and oysters plus okra, made with shellfish stock and light roux. The shredded duck and Andouille sausage gumbo is made with a dark roux, duck stock, and the “trinity” — celery, bell pepper and onion.
Gumbo Shop
630 St. Peter St.
It wouldn’t be right not to include Gumbo Shop. After all, the name says it all. Gumbo Shop serves up two gumbos: seafood okra, and chicken and Andouille. Sadly, its gumbo z’herbes is no longer on the menu. Gumbo z’herbes isn’t a common sight on the New Orleans restaurant menus anyway. It’s made with green stock and is laden with various greens, such as mustard or collard, turnips, and spinach. Not to worry, Gumbo Shop offers lots of other Creole and Cajun staples and has a lovely courtyard.
Kingfish
337 Chartres St.
Kingfish pays tribute to the Huey P. Long era with a contemporary spin on the Southern classics and signature cocktails. The restaurant’s gumbo is made with duck and Andouille sausage and is served with steamed white rice. Pair it with a Sazerac or Pimm’s Cup during Governor Hours (happy hour).
Mr. B’s Bistro
201 Royal St.
The award-winning Mr. B’s Bistro is the city’s mainstay for high-end Creole dining, run by the Brennan family. There are two gumbos on Mr. B’s lunch, jazz brunch, and dinner menus. The seafood gumbo is a classic with shrimp, crabmeat and okra. Gumbo Ya-Ya, a house specialty, is a Cajun country-style gumbo made with dark roux, lots of Creole spices, chicken, and Andouille sausage.
Restaurant R’evolution
777 Bienville S.
R’evolution’s seafood gumbo, made with scallion rice, is a solid choice, but it’s “Death by Gumbo” you’ll want. And, at $22, it’s totally worth it. This dish is much talked about and documented on social media, and it keeps receiving accolades from national food and travel magazines and websites. Death by Gumbo is Cajun style, with a dark roux, presented with a whole semi-boneless quail set in the middle of the bowl, plus Andouille sausage, filé, rice, and poached oysters.
Vacherie
827 Toulouse St.
We recommend Vacherie’s chicken and Andouille gumbo, served with grilled French bread with an option to add boudin balls or potato salad. Vacherie Restaurant & Bar is located inside Hotel St. Marie and focuses on homestyle Cajun and regional fare using local ingredients.
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!
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Best Muffulettas in the French Quarter and Nearby
One of New Orleans’ most celebrated creations is a tall, bready Sicilian-Cajun invention that reflects the city’s diverse cultural and culinary heritage. The muffuletta goes back to the 19th century, when the French Quarter was sometimes referred to as “Little Palermo,” and its Sicilian working-class population consisted of laborers, dockworkers, fishermen, and farmers. A few of the immigrants opened grocery stores and bakeries and catered to the Sicilians who lived and worked in the Quarter and parts of Treme.
What’s in a muffuletta?
“Muffuletta” (pronounced “muffuLOTta” and sometimes also spelled as “muffaletta”) comes from the bread known in Sicily under that name. Traditionally, the sandwich is made with the sesame-crusted wheel of bread, Italian salami and ham, cheese (usually provolone and Swiss), and olive salad. The olive salad consists of finely chopped green and black olives, celery, cauliflower, carrots, sweet peppers, pepperoncini, onions, capers, vinegar, and garlic. Spices and herbs are also added (parsley, oregano, etc.).
Where does it come from?
The invention of this oversized sandwich is credited to Salvatore Lupo, the proprietor of Central Grocery & Deli on Decatur Street in the French Quarter. The “Home of the Original Muffuletta” opened in 1906 and has been selling the sandwich for over a century. Legend has it that the Italian farmers and laborers would buy what became the ingredients for the muffuletta for lunch from Lupo’s store (and other vendors in the French Quarter), and eat them separately. Lupo decided to assemble them into a sandwich, tweaked a few components — and muffuletta was born.
The variations outside tradition
Like with most signature New Orleans creations, opinions run strong when it comes to any deviation from the tradition. Some maintain that muffuletta is a cold-cut sandwich, period. Others had been serving it hot, like the James Beard Award-winning chef Donald Link, owner of Cochon Butcher. Yet others offer it hot and cold (Verti Marte).
Liuzza’s Restaurant & Bar in Mid-City also popularized the “Frenchuletta,” a muffuletta version served on French bread. PIZZA domenica, with three locations in New Orleans, used to offer muffuletta pizza with provolone, cured meats and olive salad (we hope it comes back).
There are seafood versions, like the one that was at some point offered at Parran’s Po-Boys & Restaurant, which has locations in Metairie and Kenner. Parran’s original seafood muffuletta comes with fried oysters, shrimp and catfish, dressed with housemade Cajun mayo. Then there was the muffuletta King Cake from Cartozzo’s Bakery in Kenner, with grated Romano cheese dyed in Mardi Gras colors and sprinkled on top of the savory King Cake ring.
Some call the non-traditional versions blasphemy; others say they’re not muffulettas but “something else.”
Who does it best?
Central Grocery
The original cold-cut version.
Central Grocery’s made-to-order muffulettas have the visitors and the locals lining up ever since Salvatore Lupo stuffed his first sandwich. Today’s muffuletta at Central Grocery keeps it traditional: Genoa salami, Holland ham, mortadella (bologna), the secret-recipe olive salad, and Swiss and provolone cheese — served on an 8-inch round bread.
The sprawling, old-fashioned grocery store is still run by the same Lupo family, selling imported Italian delicacies and the housemade olive salad by the jar. You can eat in at the counter, or take your muffuletta to go (the Woldenberg Park by the river is a great spot for a picnic). The visitors of the city have been known to pack their muffulettas for a flight or a drive home, but you don’t have to — Central Grocery ships nationwide.
Cochon Butcher
Melted cheese, meats are cured in-house.
Another New Orleans joint that serves its muffulettas hot (unless you request yours cold) is Cochon Butcher in the Warehouse District, chef Donald Link’s companion to Cochon. The much-praised Cochon muffuletta comes on a Sicilian roll, with housemade giardiniera. All the meats are cured in-house.
Frank’s Restaurant
Baked, with melted cheese and toasted bread.
“The home of the other muffuletta,” Frank’s has been around for over 50 years, serving a different kind of muffuletta to scores of its loyal fans just down the block from Central Grocery. The crucial difference is that Frank’s “World Famous Original Muffuletta” is baked and served with toasted bread and melted cheese. Frank’s is also known for its po-boys and classic Italian fare. The downstairs looks like a deli with a to-go counter, but the second-floor dining room is spacious and has balcony seating if you want to dine in with a view of the French Quarter.
Napoleon House
Big enough to share, house specialty.
Muffuletta is one of the specialties at Napoleon House, which is housed in a historic landmark on Chartres Street that dates back to the 1700s and has the unique ambiance of old-world New Orleans. The traditional muffuletta is served warm, and is big enough for two people (you can also get it in half and quarter sizes). Wash it down with the restaurant’s signature drink, the Pimm’s Cup.
Verti Marte
Overstuffed, generous on meat, served in the original and the spicier version.
The tiny, beloved Verti Marte on Royal Street is open 24/7 for takeout or delivery. Verti Marte gets a lot of love for its long breakfast menu and epic po-boys, but don’t discount its much-praised specialty muffuletta (offered as a half) and the spicy muffuletta, “The Bam-Bam (also sold in half). It’s the same as the original, but with added spices, and also served on Verti Marte’s specialty sesame seed bread.
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!
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French Quarter Tours du Jour
While the French Quarter is a fascinating place to simply sit and watch the world go by, it becomes ever more so when you learn a bit about its history, quirks, and secrets. Dozens of guided tours are available to address all manner of subjects specific to the French Quarter and a knowledgeable, enthusiastic tour guide can peel back the wrappings and allow you to see what’s really inside. French Quarter tours are quick crash courses that take the form of everything from polite, informative walking tours to pub crawls, paddlewheeler sojourns, horse-drawn carriage rides, and nocturnal romps in search of ghosts and vampires.
Some tour guides work independently and offer their services almost as a “friend in New Orleans” — for hire. Some of them are highly specialized and offer a microscopic look at one area of interest. Others touch on a little bit of everything, like City Sightseeing New Orleans — New Orleans’ Hop-On Hop-Off tour that traverses four distinct neighborhoods in classic red open-top double-decker buses.
At the other end of the spectrum is Gray Line Tours, a comprehensive one-stop shopping service on the tourism front with numerous tour options available. The company offers investigative tours of the French Quarter and Garden District as well as a sweeping look at the entire city. Specialty tours include cocktail tours, swamp and bayou tours, plantation tours, seasonal tours (Thanksgiving, Christmas), and ghosts and spirits tours.
Highlighted below are a few of the many tours available. Some are noted for their outstanding reputations, and others for the unique nature of their offerings.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
For French Quarter tours and beyond, a tour that offers a few days of sightseeing is a great option for exploring. City Sightseeing New Orleans is New Orleans’ most flexible tour, with options for one-day, two-day, and three-day unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing. Visitors can view New Orleans from a red, open-top double-decker bus while enjoying live narration from a guide. These tours also include walking tours throughout the city for those who want to Hop-Off and enjoy its many attractions.
Walking Tours
This is the very best way to familiarize yourself with the French Quarter. Get a comfortable pair of shoes, some sunscreen, and a hat for the walk.
Friends of the Cabildo French Quarter Walking Tours — Two hours long and led by highly trained volunteers with the Louisiana State Museum system who educate on architecture and historical facts. The tour visits the 1850 House Museum.
NOLA Tour Guy — Offers a free “pay what you feel” tour experience of the French Quarter, the cemeteries, and the Garden District. There are also voodoo and ghost tours available, plus cocktail and jazz tours. NOLA Tour Guy is well-known and respected by both locals and repeat visitors to the city and has been in operation since 2012.
City Sightseeing New Orleans — The company boasts several walking tours along its route. Learn about the French Quarter’s history and see some of its most popular attractions, then hop back on the tour bus to explore beyond the French Quarter!
Gray Line French Quarter Walking Tours — These tours include food and drinks tours and haunted city and cemetery tours. There are also specialty holiday tours like the Christmas Eve bonfire tour.
This is just the tip of the iceberg! For all walking tours New Orleans has to offer please check out this guide from the New Orleans Tourism Office.
Carriage Tours
Every day from about 8 a.m. to midnight, mule-drawn carriages line up on Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square. These tours are a staple in New Orleans tourism. Some carriages hold four people, others hold six. They roll through the French Quarter, rain or shine, pointing out all of the expected sites. For something more substantial than the standard nickel tour, carriage drivers can be engaged for private tours of the city.
Riverboat Tours
See the city from the body of water that made it all possible.
Steamboat Natchez Cruises — Riding the last steamboat on the Mississippi River recalls an era when steamboats were the main source of transportation, communication, and commerce. It cruises downriver to Chalmette (7.5 miles) and back twice daily, and once in the evening for a Dinner Jazz Cruise. During the day there is live jazz and optional food and beverage in addition to the historic and port narration. Special seasonal tours are also available, like Sailing With Santa and Christmas Eve cruise.
Creole Queen Cruises — This beautiful paddlewheeler straight out of Mark Twain’s era offers jazz dinner cruises, historical and weekend jazz brunch tours, plus a slew of specialty holiday tours: Thanksgiving cruise with a traditional feast, Cajun Holiday Tea With Papa Noel, Christmas and New Year’s Eve tours, and more.
Cemetery, Voodoo, Vampire, and Haunted Places Tours
These tours range from highly educational and informative, such as those offered by the reputable Save our Cemeteries, to absolutely ridiculous to the point of insult. Due to their popularity, there are so many vampire, voodoo and whatnot tours currently available that over-competitive guides have been known to engage in battle over customers in Jackson Square. Note that due to vandalism issues, only approved docents who are registered with the Archdiocese of New Orleans can lead tours into St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Gray Line Ghost & Spirits Walking Tour — This tour includes several ghost tour operators, which means no two tours are exactly alike. While the sites you visit will vary, expect to take in destinations including haunted hotels.
Voodoo/Treme/Storyville Walking Tour — The guides at the Historic New Orleans Walking Tours have a talent for sprinkling just enough intrigue and mystery over the facts to keep them compelling.
Save Our Cemeteries — This outstanding non-profit group works to preserve the city’s fragile, crumbling burial places. The tours are led by Save Our Cemeteries-trained volunteers who unveil the mysteries of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (temporarily closed for maintenance and repairs) in the Garden District as well as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is adjacent to the French Quarter. The folks at Save Our Cemeteries are wise to the reality that these places are compelling enough without the mythical embellishments some others place on the Cities of the Dead.
Bike Tours
Flat, warm New Orleans is a perfect city for casual cycling.
Confederacy of Cruisers — The original godfathers of the local cycling tour scene, the folks at Confederacy Cruisers offer several wryly funny tours of the city’s iconic neighborhoods (including the Quarter). Some rides take in the city’s distinctive architecture, and some focus on Creole culture – any way you slice it, you’ll bike away happy.
FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours & Rentals — Established in 2010 and highly rated since, FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours & Rentals is a veteran- and family-owned company that specializes in guided and self-guided bike tours. It also does electric and pedal bike, and scooter rentals.
Music Tours
Learn serious facts about the history of jazz or bang your head at a nightclub. The offerings are diverse.
New Orleans Music Tour — Offered by NOLA Historic Tours, the New Orleans Music Tour is an all-ages daytime walking tour that will take you around the French Quarter and nearby and will cover many of the greatest musical and historical moments, from Storyville to the Old French Opera House, and much more.
New Orleans Music & Heritage Tour — Brought to you by Abel Tours and with Keith Abel as your tour guide (Abel has spent decades in the music business so you’ll be in very capable, knowledgeable hands), this walking tour begins at the Louisiana Music Factory on the cusp of the Marigny (421 Frenchmen Street) and proceeds to visit the boyhood home of Danny Barker, Preservation Jazz Hall, Bourbon Street to hear Pete Fountain, and J&M Studios. The tour also makes a stop at Armstrong Park’s legendary Congo Square, and touches upon over three centuries of music that helped share New Orleans.
Photo courtesy of Pearl River Swamp Tours on Facebook
Swamp Tours
Though there are days when the French Quarter may feel like a swamp, to really see one you have to leave the neighborhood. Several of the numerous swamp tour companies distinguish themselves for their quality while others merely ride along on bits of pseudo-Cajun folklore and pantomimed accents, which people seem to eat up.
The Louisiana bayous and swampland are stunning, majestic and mysterious. In summer, when the heat can be brutal, a morning tour is recommended. Insect repellent and sunscreen are a must. Reservations are required. These tours offer transport from many French Quarter hotels.
Pearl River Swamp Tours — While swamp tours may be numerous, this one, located 45-50 minutes from downtown New Orleans, distinguishes itself in a number of ways. The folkloric approach is avoided in favor of a learning adventure that is richly informative and exciting in its own right. The tour, which heads deep into the Honey Island Swamp, has become a favorite for its intelligent focus and quality experience. The company’s motto alone should persuade you to book a tour: “We work in the swamp, we live in the swamp, we play in the swamp… We are the swamp!
Gray Line Swamp & Bayou Tour — After a short motorcoach ride across the Mississippi River, take a fascinating boat trip into the Louisiana swamps and bayous. Experience the timeless beauty of South Louisiana in a custom-built, all-weather swamp boat. Local guides will reveal the mysteries of the swamps and bayous and the Cajun joie de vivre. Hear how the Cajuns turned soup into gumbo, the washboard into a musical instrument, and the swamps of Louisiana into a paradise. Alligators! Observe the nesting grounds of alligators, egrets, raccoons, nutria, and many species of snakes. Some wildlife are more numerous during the warmer months of the year. Also, you will be treated to a Bayou Nature Wildlife Show by a local naturalist. Snakes, alligator snapping turtles, raccoons, and nutria will be among the animal guests.
Whitney Plantation by Michael McCarthy
Plantation Tours
Gray Line’s Whitney Plantation Tour — Gray Line’s bus will provide round-trip transportation to the Whitney Plantation. The ticket price also includes an admission fee, but this is a self-guided tour. Besides being a fine example of Creole architecture, Whitney Plantation is one of the few plantation museums in the state that focuses on the history of slavery.
Laura Plantation Tour — This guided tour is unique in a way that it includes the tour of the slave cabins, and also because the plantation was owned by several generations of Creoles. The grounds have a beautiful garden, and the tour is informative and honest about presenting the stories of enslaved people in Creole Louisiana.
Are You Visiting New Orleans Soon?
We’d love for you to stay at one of our Valentino hotels! And if you do, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
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Things to Do in New Orleans This March
With March upon us, expect a good slate of early-spring activities in the Crescent City. Also, the weather is warmer — hopefully just pleasantly warmer — the kind of spring sunshine that equals t-shirts and jeans, if not shorts.
Mainly, we consider this time of year an awesome window when the Carnival wraps up (or, depending on the year, is over) and the festival season is yet to begin. This is that rare time when the city settles for a very slight breather between its biggest parties and still means there’s a ton of stuff to do. Here are the highlights.
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week
Monday-Saturday, March 9-14, 2026
The New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) kicks off six days of speeches, speaker sessions, and networking events on Monday, March 9, 2026. According to the event organizers, one of the main events is the NOEW 2026 Summit at Loyola (Thursday-Friday, March 12–13), which “packs in two days of immersive workshops, hands-on sessions, and real founder stories designed to help you start, scale — and connect.” NOEW is now in its 15th year and has attracted thousands of attendees over the years. For this year’s keynote speakers and more info, check out the event’s website.
Wednesday at the Square Concert Series
Wednesdays, March 11 through May 6, 2026
Unwind with a cold beverage on any given Wednesday at the Square, a free concert music series held in the spring in Lafayette Park (located one block off of Poydras Street, between St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street in the heart of the Central Business District) every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. From March through May (March 11 – May 7, 2026), these outdoor concerts feature a variety of jazz, rock, swamp pop, brass, Latin rhythms, and more.
Bring a chair or a blanket, or head to the front of the stage to partake in some dancing. You can bring your dog (as long as your pet is on the leash at all times), and there are vendor booths surrounding the park where you can buy food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (no outside food or beverages, please).
The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane
Thursday-Sunday, March 12-15, 2026
The New Orleans Book Festival features both fiction and non-fiction and readings, panel discussions, symposia, and keynote speeches. It also provides an opportunity for outlets, authors, and readers to interact with each other. Sunday, March 15, is Family Day, so bring your kids to the Tulane campus for some fun. Previous year’s notable authors and speakers on the impressive roster included Andy Borowitz, Richard Campanella, Maureen Dowd, and many more — so expect A-list greatness this year as well. The festival is free and open to the public.
St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
It sometimes comes as a surprise to first-time visitors to New Orleans that this city has a deep Irish heritage, which traces back to its history as a Catholic port of call that was one of the main entry points for the USA. There’s an entire neighborhood in this town called the Irish Channel, plus a plethora of fantastic pubs that eschew cheesy emerald-green Irish stereotypes for rough-hewn hospitality (Finn McCool’s and Erin Rose come to mind, plus a selection of our favorite Irish pubs in the French Quarter).
As such, there are plenty of Irish in this town, and thus, the weekend closest to St. Patrick’s Day is an important one for the city of New Orleans. Numerous parades kick off, including the massive Irish Channel parade (on Saturday, March 14, 2026), where float riders pass cabbages to the screaming crowds (among many other parade-specific throws).
The Downtown Irish Club Parade rolls on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from the Bywater to the French Quarter, making several pit stops on its way to Bourbon Street.
How much you enjoy all of the above is linked to your tolerance for public drinking and green beer. St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans is not quite as kid-friendly as the Carnival — you’ll still see families, but these parades are more aimed at adults.
Super Sunday
Sunday, March 15, 2026
The annual gathering of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes is perhaps the most open means of accessing this unique element of New Orleans backstreet culture. The tribes will be out in large numbers on Super Sunday, which usually falls on the third Sunday of March.
While the Mardi Gras Indians have their set routes and parade areas, no one event packs the tribes into one public space like Super Sunday. In this case, said public spaces are A.L. Davis Park, at the corner of Washington and LaSalle streets; and Bayou St. John in Mid-City, at the intersection of Orleans and Moss streets, on the bayou’s banks and the Orleans Street bridge. The Indian procession usually leaves the gathering spot around 1 p.m.
We can’t stress this enough: Be respectful if you go. Take pictures at a distance, and don’t get in the way of marching Indians or their friends, family, and attached bands. Super Sunday has been overrun with spectators in the past years, so please do your part to enjoy this amazing cultural event responsibly.
Some background: The Mardi Gras Indians are the most vibrant, visible, and conversely mysterious expressions of African-American New Orleans culture. To distill them into an extremely simplistic sentence: Mardi Gras Indians are African-American New Orleanians who dress up (or, in local lingo, ”mask”) as stylized Native Americans.
They take to the streets in fantastic costumes made of beads, feathers, and sequins that cost thousands of dollars, weigh hundreds of pounds, and require hundreds of days of painstaking labor; no element of costume creation is automated.
On Mardi Gras Day, Super Sunday, St. Joseph’s Day, and a select few other special occasions, the “chiefs” and their tribes parade through the city, chanting, shouting, and challenging each other to determine who is “the prettiest.”
There’s a ton more background on this fascinating subject at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the historic Tremé neighborhood.
New Orleans French Film Festival
Thursday-Tuesday, March 19-24, 2026
Per its organizers, the New Orleans French Film Festival “is one of the longest-running international language festivals in the U.S., celebrating contemporary and classic Francophone cinema.” In its 29th year in 2026, the festival runs various events, including the Prytania Theatre Uptown and other venues across the city. For this year’s lineup, schedule, and ticket info, please check the festival’s website.
Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival
Friday-Sunday, March 20-29, 2026
The Danny Barker Banjo + Guitar Festival pays homage to New Orleanian musician, writer, instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist Danny Barker. The 10-day festival features a mixture of programming, including live music performances, panel discussions and workshops, special events and outings, second lines, and more. It will be held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. There is also a Golf Tournament on Friday, March 20, which is a fundraiser to support the Daniel Moses Barker Foundation.
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
Wednesday-Sunday, March 25-29, 2026
Writers have always been drawn to New Orleans. Few cities in America (or the world, really) can match this town for its atmosphere, sense of place, or penchant for fun and pathos (all good elements of a writing life).
The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival celebrates this city’s love affair with the written word, as well as writers’ love affair with New Orleans. Notable authors will be in attendance, hosting seminars, workshops, and lectures.
Plus, this being the Tennessee Williams Festival, there is, of course, a “Stella” shouting contest, which involves folks screaming out the iconic scene from A Streetcar Named Desire to appreciative crowds on Jackson Square. The program will also include a scholar conference, walking tours, masterclasses, theater, and more.
Note that on Friday-Sunday, March 27-29, 2026, the city will also host the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, an alternative literary event that celebrates LGBTQ+ authors. The three-day festival will include panel discussions and a fair amount of networking opportunities between authors, editors, and publishers.
Congo Square Rhythms Festival
Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29, 2026
The musical heritage of New Orleans follows a line that can be traced all the way back to Africa, where the black diaspora begins. The music of that continent evolved here and in the Caribbean, influenced by Europe and indigenous music, into the forms and traditions that are the core of today’s New Orleans sound.
This vital legacy is celebrated in Armstrong Park, on the grounds of Congo Square, where local slaves were once permitted to practice the musical traditions of Africa and the Caribbean. Congo Square Rhythms Festival is a celebration of global and local music, and offers both amazing food and a fantastic lineup of music. The festival kickoff concert is typically held on Friday.
Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the festival features Mardi Gras Indians, African dance, brass bands, soul-funk, as well as indigenous music of Honduras, and highlife from West Africa. The large art market and a Soul Food Court complete the experience.
Don’t miss one of the fest’s highlights, the Mardi Gras Indian “battle” — when the tribes gather in the center of the square, plus the festival’s largest to date assemblage of New Orleans-based African dance troupes (they typically perform on Sunday). At the time of this writing, the lineup hasn’t been released.
Are you visiting New Orleans this spring?
We’d love for you to stay at one of our Valentino hotels! And if you do, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
Happy Spring!
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How to Spend St. Patrick’s Day in the Quarter
Photo courtesy of Erin Rose
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering New Orleans’ deep Irish heritage, that the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) is one of the biggest parades and party times in the city (outside of the Carnival and Halloween). The city’s connection traces back to its history as a Catholic port of call that was one of the main entry points for the country.
There’s an entire neighborhood called the Irish Channel, which, as the name implies, was originally settled largely by immigrants from Ireland in the early 19th century. To this day, many locals have roots on the Emerald Isle.
Thanks to this connection, the weekend closest to St. Patrick’s Day is filled with parades, pub crawls, and block parties. While the biggest event, the Irish Channel Parade, plus the most massive block parties, are happening Uptown, there’s plenty to see, do, and drink in the French Quarter. There are some fantastic Irish pubs we recommend, many of which will be hosting their own St. Patrick’s Day parties, plus a parade that rolls through the Quarter.
Here’s how you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — all without leaving the French Quarter.
The Parade
Downtown Irish Club Parade
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 7 p.m.
This parade rolls from the Bywater to the French Quarter, making several pit stops on its way to Bourbon Street. It begins on the corner of Burgundy and Piety streets in the Bywater, proceeds up Royal Street, across Esplanade Avenue to Decatur Street, and up Canal Street to Bourbon Street. The parade makes several stops at the various bars in the Marigny and the French Quarter on its way to Bourbon Street.
The Bars
These are all fair game during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, whether you want a relatively quiet stopover for some Guinness and a game of pool or an epic party with live music and an Irish buffet. Several of these bars serve as the stops for the parades, so we can assure you — they’ll be partying.
Erin Rose
811 Conti St.
Just a few doors away from Bourbon Street, Erin Rose is a low-key watering hole favored by the locals. On St. Patrick’s Day (or make that the weekend), you can head to Erin Rose in confidence — there’s going to be a party there. While you mingle, check the memorabilia galore and try the bar’s excellent frozen Irish coffee or a Bloody Mary (made with the house secret recipe). Of course, there’s Guinness on tap plus a selection of local brews. The bar is also home to the popular Killer Poboys (look for the takeout window in the back). Everything on the small but mighty menu is delicious.
Fahy’s Irish Pub
540 Burgundy St.
Fahy’s keeps it pretty traditional as far as Irish pubs go, with inexpensive drinks, a horseshoe-shaped bar, pool tables, darts, framed photos, and a laid-back ambiance. There are some Irish beers on tap, but you should try the bar’s specialty called Mind Eraser. It’s made with vodka and Kahlua, and it’s meant to be shared with friends by everyone sticking straws into the drink at the same time and racing to the bottom. For St. Patrick’s Day, Fahy’s has been known to put out an Irish buffet with traditional offerings like corned beef and cabbage.
Finnegan’s Easy
717 St. Peter St.
Another low-key Irish bar on the same block as the Boondock Saints, Finnegan’s Easy is long, narrow, and more crowded, but with ample capacity to handle it thanks to its spacious courtyard. You could tell it caters more to the visitors as it serves as a stop on some of the walking tours in the French Quarter. Finnegan’s features sports on TV and cheerfully serves Irish grub along with more American fare like wings. The drink menu also varies from the local beer on tap to Mai Tais and Hurricanes.
Kerry Irish Pub
331 Decatur St.
Kerry packs the house for St. Patrick’s every year with live bands performing back to back, with the doors opening as early as 8 a.m. in the years past. You may not find green beer at Kerry, but you are guaranteed a proper pint of Guinness.
Molly’s Irish Pub
732 Toulouse St.
Not to be mistaken for Molly’s at the Market, this Molly’s is close to Bourbon Street geographically but might as well be miles away for its understated charm and low-key vibe. Housed in an old Creole cottage, Molly’s is all brick and dark wood. You won’t find an epic party there (although things will definitely liven up during the St. Patrick’s weekend), but if you want a bar with Guinness on tap, a pool table and a great jukebox, this local favorite is it.
Pat O’Brien’s
718 St. Peter St.
As you might have guessed from its name, this iconic French Quarter bar was founded by an Irishman. What’s more, the invention of one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails, the Hurricane, is credited to him, too. Every year on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the bar participates in the festivities with drink and food specials and live music. Also, check out the flaming fountain on the bar’s patio (it’s a water fountain with fire emerging from its center, as crazy as it sounds).
Ryan’s Irish Pub
241 Decatur St.
Just down the street from the Kerry and next to House of Blues, Ryan’s is another stop for the St. Patrick’s Day parades/pub crawls that go through the Quarter. Cozy booths, a beautiful antique bar, and plenty of local brews on tap draw a mix of local regulars and visitors.
The Boondock Saint
731 St. Peter St.
Tucked into a brick hideaway between Royal and Bourbon streets across from Preservation Hall, this intimate Irish pub was named after a movie that runs on the loop on the TV inside the bar (don’t worry, there’s a good jukebox too). The famously friendly bartenders serve Guinness and local beer on tap, as well as Irish car bombs. The prices are very, very good — so think of Boondock Saint as your perfect getaway from the 24/7 party happening just steps away on Bourbon Street.
Balcony Viewing Parties
For some traditional French Quarter-style partying, be on the lookout for balcony bashes at the bars located all up and down Bourbon Street. A balcony bash is pretty much that — you’ll pay a cover and be allowed to plant yourself on a wrought-iron balcony overlooking the street below. Since the parade that rolls in the French Quarter hits Bourbon Street, prepare for much (green) bead tossing and catching.
Are you visiting New Orleans this spring?
We’d love for you to stay at one of our Valentino hotels! And if you do, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
