Po’boys, gumbo, jambalaya and the list goes on. With countless delectable options, it is impossible to know just where to start when eating through New Orleans. After four days in The Big Easy, here’s what to get from these NOLA institutions and eateries.
Chicken St. Charles with lightly battered fried chicken, doughy biscuits, cheesy sauce and eggs. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
For a traditional southern breakfast, all readers need to do is click their heels three times and say “There’s no place like New Orleans.” The Ruby Slipper is located just outside of the French Quarter and scattered all around the city. This diner style restaurant is famous for their biscuits that are made fresh all throughout the day. Where it’s the vessel to soak up that last dab of sausage gravy or the doughy goodness in one of their many benedicts, customers will leave satisfied.
The iconic Beignets from Cafe du Monde are covered in powdered sugar. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Since this is New Orleans after all, another common breakfast option is beignets. While there are countless places to choose from, Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet are anyone’s best options. Cafe Du Monde has been open since 1862, making it the oldest coffee shop in the city and a Big Easy staple. Having been around for more than 60 years, they know a thing or two or three about frying up a stellar doughnut.
Cafe Beignet, on the other hand, is the new kid on the block, comparatively speaking. Although it opened in 1990, it has become a huge hit with locals and tourists alike; it was even featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate.” These beignets are pillowy pockets of sweet dough that will put a powdered sugar smile on everyone’s face.
The collard green melt sandwich features toasted bread, spicy mayo, sweet chili-coated collards, creamy cabbage slaw and rich cheese, combining bold flavors and textures. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
For any visitors in search of a non-touristy lunch option, Turkey and The Wolf is worth the trip. Nestled into a neighborhood near the Lower Garden District, this local joint serves up sandwiches like no other. Specializing in vegetarian options makes their food standout in a sea of seafood. The revolving menu features items such as sweet and spicy collard green melts, vegan fried chicken sandwiches and hogshead cheese tacos. While Turkey and The Wolf is definitely not for everyone, more adventurous eaters will love taking a bite out of this place.
Inside this Bourbon Street facing Po Boy joint hides one of the city's best po'boy sandwiches. Served with spice levels of either "yankee," "spicy" or "cursing murray in the morning," these sandwiches will not disappoint. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
More on the traditional lunch menu is NOLA Po’boys. Found on Bourbon Street, this little shop of southern comfort has quite the expansive menu. From gumbo to muffulettas to alligator balls, customers name it, they got it. However, the main attraction has to be their namesake, the po’boy. It doesn’t matter if it’s BBQ shrimp, fried catfish or roast beef, each bite will have diners going back for seconds. Word to the wise for any tourists, get the po’boy “spicy” or the staff will write “Yankee” on the sandwich.
The many plates at Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar will leave you full and satisfied beyond measure. Be sure to try the freshly prepared oysters. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
After two heavy meals, and maybe a few bites of beignet throughout the day, there is no better way to end the day than with a light meal of oysters from Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar. They offer five different options so it is worth getting a couple of different orders. While the classic oysters on a half-shell with some tabasco and cocktail sauce are never a bad option, the Oysters Rockefeller and Char-Grilled are the standouts. The Rockefeller comes topped with creamed spinach, parmesan cheese and bacon flavored anisette liquor. All of these ingredients make the oysters taste like the most delectable spinach and artichoke dip. The Char-Grilled are more simple but equally flavorful. Layered with parmesan breadcrumbs and butter, these oysters have a fantastic texture for anyone against a traditional “slimy” oyster.
A dollop of whipped cream sits atop the decadent chocolate mousse with Oreo crust, which features a rich and smooth chocolate filling. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A lighter dinner means there is room for dessert, if there wasn’t any already. Even though it is definitely on the touristy side, Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar isn’t something visitors should skip. Their strawberry Shortcake is a fluffy cloud of dessert heaven. The strawberry preserves are tart and compliment the sweet cake and whipped cream frosting magnificently. The chocolate mousse is another option customers cannot go wrong with. A light but decadent mousse is layered onto an Oreo crust for a one two punch of any chocolate-lover’s fantasy.
The Chicken Andouille Gumbo is the main attraction, and for good reason. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
If anyone is searching for a filling dinner of delicious portions, Gumbo Shop is the place. As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in gumbo, and award winning gumbo at that. On top of the traditional Chicken Andouille Gumbo, they also serve a seafood and okra gumbo and a vegetarian style called Gumbo Z’Herbes. The broth is a viscus tomato based sauce brimming with deep southern flavor and Creole cooking traditions that will wow any visitor to The Big Easy.
New Orleans is one of the great culinary cities in America, if not the world. As such, it would have been impossible to recommend every beignet shop and sandwich stand. These are but a few of the best dishes from some of New Orleans’ iconic restaurants.
