A Beer (and Food!) Lover's Guide to New Orleans

Here is a guide to some of the top breweries to visit in New Orleans. Whether you're visiting during festival season, the hot, humid summer, or on a beautiful fall day, these breweries offer a diverse range of beer styles and experiences to suit every taste.

NOLA Brewing Company - A local favorite that specializes in traditional styles like pale ales, stouts, and IPAs. They've also got NOLA Pizza Company right there in the taproom.

Urban South Brewery - This brewery offers a wide range of beer styles, including IPAs, lagers, and sours, along with a lively taproom with picnic tables and tours.

Port Orleans Brewing Company - This brewery offers a rotating selection of beer, as well as live music, food on-site, and more. One of the owners is former New Orleans Saint Zach Strief!

Miel Brewery and Taproom - Offers a variety of beer styles, including IPAs, sours, and pilsners, in a cozy taproom with outdoor seating.

Parleaux Beer Lab - A destination neighborhood taproom and brewery located in the Bywater. They offer a rotating choice of small-batch beers served in an offbeat, industrial-chic bar with outdoor seats.

Courtyard Brewery - Known for its rotating tap list and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a beer with friends.

Second Line Brewing - This brewery focuses on traditional styles, like pilsners and stouts, but also offers seasonal and experimental brews.

Brieux Carré Brewing Company - This brewery specializes in traditional European styles, like Saisons, farmhousesand wild ales.

Faubourg Brewing Company - This massive brewery is also New Orleans' oldest that's currently operating. Enjoy delicious beers, lots to eat, plenty of live music and a large outdoor space with plenty of activities.

Best Breweries near New Orleans

If you're looking for more beer options, get out of the city and check out some other great Louisiana breweries.

Northshore - Hit the best-known Louisiana brewery, Abita Brewing. While across Lake Pontchartrain, make sure to also check out Chafunkta Brewing and head over to Hammond to visit Gnarly Barley and Low Road.

Baton Rouge - A trip to Louisiana's capital city can provide plenty of beer options. Tin Roof Brewing has been around the longest, but make sure to also check out some new options like Cypress Coast Brewing, Rally Cap Brewing and Agile Brewing. A little outside of Baton Rouge you can also find, Gilla Brewing, Le Chien Brewing and Istrouma Beer.

Acadiana - If you feel like getting a true Cajun experience, you'll want to journey all the way over to Lafayette. Around that part of Louisiana you'll find the iconic Parish Brewing Company with its famous IPAs and Double IPAs, and Bayou Teche Brewing, which has one of the best taproom experiences in the state.

Here are some of my top picks for restaurants in New Orleans that are worth checking out beyond some of the icons or a casual poboy, which you should eat often. These restaurants offer a unique and diverse range of dining experiences that showcase the vibrant food culture of New Orleans.

Satsuma Café - This vegetarian café serves up delicious breakfast and lunch dishes, including their famous sweet potato hash.

Mopho - A Vietnamese-style restaurant that serves a variety of dishes like pho, banh mi and rice bowls with creative flair from Chef Michael Gullota.

Marjie's Grill - This eatery serves up traditional New Orleans-style dishes, like gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish étouffée.

Baru Bistro & Tapas - A tapas bar that offers a variety of small plates, like paella, patatas bravas and grilled octopus.

Saba - This contemporary Israeli restaurant from Chef Alon Shaya serves a variety of dishes, including hummus, pita and slow-roasted meats.

Lilette - This upscale bistro offers French-style cuisine, including escargots, coq au vin and bouillabaisse.

La Petite Grocery - This casual bistro serves up classic New Orleans dishes, like gumbo, jambalaya, and po'boys.

Casamento's Restaurant - A seafood restaurant that serves up classic dishes, like oysters Rockefeller, shrimp remoulade, and crab cakes.

Killer Poboys - If you must venture to the French Quarter on your stay, grab a frozen Irish coffee at the Erin Rose bar and don't pass on Killer Poboys in the back.

Compere Lapin - Top Chef Nina Compton and her husband Larry own this spot in the Old No 77 hotel, and it's a gem. Grab a table and enjoy where the Caribbean meets the Gulf!

Specifically for beer selections, check out Avenue Pub, The Bulldog, Ale on Oak, Tchoup Yard, or Wrong Iron.