Let the Big Easy's cultural tastemakers shape your itinerary of where to eat and drink.
Music metropolis, party city and glorious culinary jumble – New Orleans has a lot to offer its visitors. Here, streets throng with the energy of a city that's lived many lives.
Set on the winding waterways of the Mississippi river, the city's food culture is rooted in the blend of Spanish, French, West African and Caribbean influences that make up its most well-known cuisine, Creole, and its most famous dishes: po-boys, hearty gumbo, jambalaya and sugar-dusted beignets.
Louisiana produce is often the star of the show, with crawfish, shrimp, okra, red beans and tomatoes wrangled into dishes in a huge variety of styles.
Local crawfish forms the basis of many Nola classics, including étouffée
Over time, other communities have left their mark on Nola, creating nooks of creative cooking that have made dishes from Southeast Asia, Italy and Mexico an important part of the culinary scene.
While it's clear there's plenty of good food to be discovered, New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras celebrations and reputation as a city that never sleeps means visitors flock to Bourbon Street and the French Quarter for their slice of the party year-round, making it difficult to find the true food and drink gems that'll add genuine sparkle to your travels.
So, in a city with art, food, music and culture in its DNA, why not put your trust in the hands of the city's artists, chefs, musicians and writers? From the deli sandwich shop that'll save your life at 3am and a Black-owned bakehouse serving some of the city's most creative pastries to Nola bucket-list classics, here is the insider guide to New Orleans you should be bookmarking.
Serigne Myabe, chef-owner of Dakar Nola
The restaurant no-one should leave New Orleans without trying? Commander's Palace and Dooky Chase are iconic restaurants that are a must-visit. Both are steeped in community and family operation. Their hospitality is outstanding. They make you feel like family even if you have never met them before.
Where's the best cup of coffee in the city? Lagniappe Bakehouse has some fun pastries. Their grain of paradise bun is so unique and delicious. My go-to coffee there is the Africano, which is like a cappuccino with West African spices.
The pastries at Lagniappe Bakehouse celebrate the South through local ingredients and a sense of community
The hidden gem you wish more people knew about? Bistro Daisy is a great Creole-American restaurant uptown. There is something for everyone. Duck, Gulf fish, chicken, beef – you name it, and it is all well prepared. You could call it a great neighbourhood gem.
Trixie Minx, burlesque dancer
The restaurant you're a regular at? I'm at Budsi's at least once a week. The khao soi noodle soup heals your soul.
The best late-night bite? Verti Marte will save your life at three in the morning.
Verti Marte is known for 24/7 sandwiches and a local feel
The best music experience in the city – bonus points for great food and drink? This is a trick question in a city that has music literally everywhere. However, if you're looking for a specific address, I suggest The Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta and the Mahogany Jazz Hall. Both happen to have burlesque shows on Fridays too...
Terrance Osborne, artist and gallery owner
Your unexpected favourite Nola dish? Bread pudding with rum sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's nostalgic for me. My mum used to make bread pudding all the time – it was the best – but never with ice cream. As an adult I had it with ice cream and I didn't think it could get better – don't tell my mum! My favourite bread pudding is at GW Fins in the French Quarter. Everything there is delicious, but especially the bread pudding.
Chef Tenney Flynn creates one of the city's most indulgent bread puddings at GW Fins
The best bar for cocktails, and a great atmosphere, during Mardi Gras? I'd say The Vintage on Magazine Street.
Who makes the best gumbo? I do! I hold a record in my family for the best gumbo. My sister would disagree because she thinks she makes the best gumbo.
Chris Hannah, beverage director at Jewel of the South
The New Orleans staple everyone has to try? Mosquito Supper Club – what's not to miss are the communal dining tables true to Acadiana family-style.
Where's best for off-the beaten track dining? Atchafalaya has excellent Creole and Cajun food.
What about cocktail culture? The Sazerac Bar or Arnaud's French 75 Bar.
What better place to sip on a sazerac than The Roosevelt Hotel's aptly named bar?
Where's the best spot to appreciate some local music (with great food and drink)? Bachannal still has the best music with good food, and don't forget Sunday jazz brunch at Arnaud's.
Virginia Saussy, theme and float chairwoman of The Krewe of Muses
Who mixes the best sazerac? The best sazerac in town is at the Sazerac Lounge in the Roosevelt Hotel. But the bar that makes another great one, and a great place for all the local cocktails, is Napoleon House – they make an excellent Pimm's Cup. It is the perfect summer refresher when crawling through the French Quarter on a humid afternoon.
An unexpected New Orleans favourite? I love the passion fruit martini (also known as the porn star martini) at Avegno Lounge, a hidden gem on Soniat Street next to Gautreau's. Soon Enough on Milan Street is an adorable neighbourhood cocktail stop before going out to dinner. And I like to head towards the river to La Petit Grocery for the best hamburger in New Orleans. Or I grab dinner at Charlie's Steakhouse on Dryades Street, just sitting at the bar.
The LPG cheeseburger comes with house pickles and oozy melted gruyère
The best late-night bite? There is one precious spot in New Orleans where you can grab a burger, have a bloody mary, play pool and do laundry, all at 5am. Igor's on St. Charles is a local spot where you are likely to run into foreign visitors staying at the nearby youth hostel, or perhaps a celebrity.
Where are you eating and drinking during Mardi Gras? If you are not fortunate enough to be invited to an open house for Mardi Gras parades, the best local secret is the schools along the uptown parade route. St. Stephens school on Napoleon and Chestnut serves up an array of grilled cheeseburgers and chilli dogs, jambalaya, red beans and rice at amazingly low prices, all benefitting the school. Sophie Wright school, just a few blocks down Napoleon on Prytania offers a fried fish platter with baked mac and cheese.
Ian McNulty, food writer
A real Nola hidden gem? Pal's Lounge, near Bayou St. John. It is a bar and the perfect modern New Orleans neighborhood joint, with pop-ups for food and every walk of local life contributing to its character. The cocktails are great and done with zero pretense.
Experience Nola cocktail culture with a community feel at Pal's Lounge
Who makes the best gumbo in the city? The gumbo that has newly shot to the top of my list is at Vaucresson Creole Cafe. It is a textbook Creole gumbo with immensely deep flavour.
Who is the best new kid on the block? Chef Adolfo Garcia Junior, of the Korean fried chicken and beer joint Chi Chi's and his newer Basque restaurant Dolfy's. He has a great sense of taste and style and is one to watch.
The Brass-A-Holics, funk performers
Who mixes the best sazerac? Every Thursday evening, Jamie at The Jazz Playhouse supplies the band with sazeracs that give us an edge to perform and get the vibe started for our show.
A sazerac at The Jazz Playhouse is the best accompaniment to a funky session by the Brass-A-Holics
What about café culture? In terms of the finest coffee in town, we highly recommend Saint Noir Café.
Is there a stand-out gumbo that's better than the rest? It's got to be the seafood gumbo at Desire Oyster Bar.
The North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list will be unveiled on 28 May in New Orleans.
