New Orleans
Food/drinks
Café du Monde - beignets and chicory coffee, 24 hours. Best in town — check out the behind-the-scenes in the back, where they pitch the dough into the oil and cover it with powdered sugar.
Central Grocery & Deli - world-famous muffuletta
Acme Oyster House - 724 Iberville St
Antoine’s - touristy but great. Sunday brunch, with a three-piece jazz group serenading through the tabletops — a local singer who was dining got up and belted out a few songs.
Arnaud’s - puffy potatoes, French 75, and bananas foster. Featured in the movie JFK.
Bayona - 430 Dauphine St
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar - shrimp po-boy, dressed. “My grandma used to go here in the ’40s…and it’s still amazing.” —Laurel
Napoleon House - 500 Chartres St, muffuletta
NOLA Restaurant - shrimp and grits
Gumbo Shop - gumbo, obviously, and the shrimp étouffée
Muriel’s Jackson Square - pecan-crusted puppy drum
Court of Two Sisters - for the jazz brunch
Stanley - good for lunch
Clover Grill - dive diner, 24 hours, great diner scene. Lenny Kravitz is a regular.
PJ’s Coffee - on Magazine St
Abita Beer - a must
Zapp’s - potato chips
Community Coffee - on Royal Street
Bars
Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone - it spins around
French 75 Bar - super old, awesome. Get a sazerac or another classic cocktail that was created in New Orleans.
Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel
Pirate’s Alley Café - the only bar of a Catholic Church. 622 Pirates’ Alley, between St. Peter and St. Ann off Royal.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar - no electricity
Pat O’Brien’s - hurricanes
Music/Venues
Tipitina’s - a fun venue, all proceeds go to children’s music education. Random local musicians.
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro - live music, and the surrounding bars
Louisiana Music Factory - live music sometimes
Museums/Art
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
Neighborhoods & Shopping
Magazine Street - shopping
French Market - weekends. Local artists market off Decatur — our friend James Jensen shows his vinyl jewelry there.
Tours
Gray Line - haunted walking tour
Getting around
Streetcars (RTA) - great to just ride around and check out the neighborhoods
Places to stay
Place d’Armes Hotel - in the Quarter on St. Ann near Jackson Square. Lovely courtyard, and near Café du Monde.
French Quarter Boutique Hotel - boutique hotel in the Tremé neighborhood
Other Links
15 Things To Do In New Orleans Whether It’s Your First Or Fifth Visit