A 5-Day Foodie's Guide to New Orleans

Kick off your New Orleans trip with some quintessential French-Creole dining at Antoine’s and a cocktail history tour, followed by exploring the city’s vibrant food and jazz scene.

• 1:00 PM - Lunch at Antoine’s: Start your trip with a true New Orleans institution. Antoine’s has been serving French-Creole cuisine since 1840. You’ll want to try their famous Oysters Rockefeller. Tip: Dress up a bit; it’s an upscale restaurant with a casual elegant dress code.

• 3:15 PM - Sazerac House Free Tour: Learn about the history of the Sazerac cocktail and New Orleans’ deep connection to spirits at the Sazerac House, plus enjoy tastings.

• Dinner - Po'boys at Mother’s or Mr. Ed’s: Head to Mother’s Restaurant for their famed roast beef po'boys or grab a seafood po'boy at Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar. Both are quintessential NOLA eats.

• Late Night - Consider catching some jazz at The Jazz Playhouse for an intimate musical experience.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast, followed by classic French Quarter experiences, from beignets to muffuletta, and close it with live music and cocktails.

• Breakfast: Start your day at Bearcat CBD for a more modern twist on breakfast or try The Ruby Slipper Café for Southern comfort dishes.

• Café du Monde & Jackson Square: Grab some iconic beignets and chicory coffee at Café du Monde, then walk over to Jackson Square for prime people-watching. Pro Tip: For a quieter break, grab coffee upstairs at Muriel’s Jackson Square and enjoy the view.

• Lunch at French Market: Wander through the French Market and stopping into Central Grocery for the original muffaletta, another New Orleans staple.

• Afternoon at Napoleon House or Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar: Cool down with a Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House or visit the historic Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar for a cocktail in a storied setting.

• Dinner in the French Quarter: Dine in the heart of the French Quarter at a spot like Muriel’s for upscale Creole fare. Enjoy jazz at Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub or hop around Frenchmen Street for more eclectic live performances.

Brunch in a picturesque courtyard, and the day opens up for cultural exploration, followed by New Orleans’ best fried chicken or po'boys.

• Brunch: Enjoy a relaxing brunch at Café Amelie in one of the French Quarter’s most beautiful courtyards.

• Morning Activity: Depending on your interests, you could visit St. Louis Cathedral or take a Garden District walking tour to see iconic architecture and beautiful gardens. Pro Tip: If the famous St. Louis Cemetery #1 is on your bucket list, the only way to explore it is through an official tour.

• Lunch at Domilise's or Willie Mae's: For a true taste of New Orleans, enjoy a po'boy at Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar or try the famous fried chicken at Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Pro Tip: Willie Mae’s fried chicken is legendary, so get there early if possible, to avoid long waits.

• Dinner: Viet-Cajun cuisine in New Orleans emerged from the blending of traditional Vietnamese flavors with the bold, spicy elements of Cajun and Creole cooking. The fusion reflects the broader cultural and immigrant history of New Orleans, especially the significant Vietnamese population that settled in the Gulf Coast region after the Vietnam War. End your day with some unique Viet-Cajun flavors at MoPho or another fusion spot.

Explore the city’s unique attractions, dine at a beloved wine bar and take a ghost tour through New Orleans’ haunted streets.

• Morning/Afternoon Activity: Explore New Orleans further, perhaps with a visit to the New Orleans Museum of Art or take a Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi for some scenic views.

• Dinner at Bacchanal Wine: Experience a laid-back evening at Bacchanal Wine, where you can pair wines with cheese and small plates while listening to live jazz in their outdoor courtyard.

• Evening Ghost Tour: Finish your night with a Ghost Tour and hear chilling tales of haunted mansions, voodoo queens, and mysterious happenings around the French Quarter.

Take a break from the city’s hustle with a peaceful swamp tour and enjoy dinner at one of New Orleans’ premier African-inspired restaurants.

• Morning Swamp Tour: Venture outside the city for a swamp tour to see the unique wildlife and lush landscapes of Louisiana’s bayous.

• Afternoon: Visit the New Orleans Jazz Museum to learn more about the city's rich jazz history, then take a leisurely stroll through City Park, which is home to beautiful gardens and picturesque walking paths.

• Dinner at Dakar Nola: Dine at Dakar Nola, a popular spot for West African-inspired dishes that bring a new twist to the New Orleans dining scene.

• Evening at Preservation Hall: After dinner, consider visiting Preservation Hall to experience live, traditional New Orleans jazz.