New Orleans Bucket List for Foodies

Want to know what to eat in New Orleans? The best restaurants in New Orleans? The New Orleans foodie favorites? The hidden gems with awesome food? The must-do New Orleans food tours? Then this New Orleans Bucket List for Foodies is for you!

Known for its Creole cuisine, Cajun cuisines, and soul food, as much as for its Mardi Gras parades, jazz music, and voodoo, New Orleans, Louisiana ranks as one of the best foodie destinations in the United States! Right up there with some of the powerhouses like San Francisco. And it even beats out New York City and some of our personal favorites like, Charleston, Boulder, CO and Portland, OR.

But, like many of the top foodie cities, the best New Orleans foods are not always the famous dishes, from famous chefs, at famous restaurants. Sure, NOLA has plenty of that, but this city has humble origins and some best kept secrets you won’t want to miss. This New Orleans food bucket list is a combination of the 2.

New Orleans Bucket List Foods

Each one of these NOLA bucket list foods deserves a try. Some, of these amazing dishes are specific to a particular restaurant and in those case, I have specified where to find it. Some of the famous New Orleans specialties will be found at countless eateries across the city, and for those, I’ve given you some excellent options, but they certainly aren’t the only good ones. Also see the list of restaurants below for additional information and more recommendations for places to eat in New Orleans.

New Orleans Crawfish Boil

What is New Orleans famous for? Crawfish, of course! One of NOLA’s nicknames is even “Crawfish Town!” So, it’s a no-brainer that eating crawfish is on your New Orleans to do list!

I remember my first New Orleans Crawfish Boil—“I ate the tails and sucked the head!” I became an instant fan of crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, or whatever you want to call them—they’re the same thing.

Steamed with New Orleans spices, potatoes, and some corn on the cob, Crawfish Boils, are my favorite way to enjoy boiled crawfish, but you can get them by themselves too. Both boiled crawfish and Crawfish Boils will only be served during crawfish season, January through July.

New Orleans restaurants for Crawfish Boils and boiled crawfish:

The Original French Market Restaurant and Bar, 1001 Decatur St
Three Legged Dog Tavern, 400 Burgundy St
Bevi Seafood, 236 N Carrollton Ave

New Orleans Gumbo

One of the most famous foods in New Orleans, Gumbo, is a thick stew of local ingredients. It can be seafood, chicken & sausage, or a combination. It can be thickened with a roux, okra, or filé powder. But like many dishes on this New Orleans food bucket list, the “holy trinity” of Louisiana cuisines, onions, celery, and bell peppers, will always be present.

You’ll see Creole Gumbo and Cajun Gumbo in NOLA restaurants, but the Creole version is more popular inside the city, and the Cajun has more of a presence in the outskirts. The Creole version is more red from tomatoes, and the Cajun version is more brown.

Restaurants in New Orleans for Gumbo:
Gumbo Shop, 630 Saint Peter St
Dooky Chase’s, 2301 Orleans Ave
Galatoire’s Restaurant, 209 Bourbon St

Beignets

Freshly fried dough dusted with powdered sugar, yum! As you may have guessed from neighborhood called “the French Quarter,” NOLA has many French influences, and that includes the New Orleans cuisine. One of the famous foods from France, Beignets, are now even the official doughnut of Louisiana.

But Beignets are more than just a doughnut, and eating them warm makes all the difference. With a slightly crisp outside and almost gooey dough inside, they’re a divinely unique French pastry.

In New Orleans, beignets make a delicious French-style breakfast, snack, or dessert. Get your traditional New Orleans beignets at Cafe du Monde or Cafe Beignets.

Where to eat Beignets in New Orleans:

Cafe du Monde, 800 Decatur St
Cafe Beignet, 334 Royal St

Crab Beignets

If you’re looking for a special treat, try the Crab Beignets at the New Orleans restaurant, La Petite Grocery. Absolutely the best beignets in New Orleans! We even placed a second order for them right after eating our first batch!

The best beignets in New Orleans are at: La Petite Grocery, 4238 Magazine St

New Orleans Jambalaya

No New Orleans bucket list would be complete without Jambalaya, both a Creole and a Cajun food specialty.

Traditionally made with the spicy New Orleans sausage, andouille, combined with chicken, rice, and “trinity”, and sometimes seafood. Similar to the famous dish of Valencia, Spain, Paella, Jambalaya has Spanish and French influences.

Restaurants known for the best Jamalaya in New Orleans:

Coop’s Place, 1109 Decatur St
Mother’s Restaurant, 401 Poydras St
Napoleon House, 500 Chartres St

Shrimp & Grits

One of the iconic Southern dishes, Shrimp & Grits, has a place on many New Orleans menus. Not only will they be offered at any New Orleans seafood restaurant, but pretty much any restaurant in New Orleans serving local fare, and each chef prepares it differently.

Most often, the creamy grits, a cornmeal porridge similar to polenta, sits on the bottom with saucy shrimp and smoked pork of some kind (commonly ham or bacon) on top. Pair Shrimp & Grits with the right wine and it’s the perfect NOLA dinner!

Muriel’s, 801 Chartres St
Gris Gris, 1800 Magazine St
Café Amelie, 912 Royal St

Po’ Boy

Originally called a “poor boy” sandwich, the Po’ Boy is the original New Orleans street food. Legend says in the 1920’s the Martin brothers fed these traditional sandwiches on a special local French bread to street car strikers who they dubbed “poor boys” for free.

Today, Po’ Boys are one of the popular New Orleans cheap eats and are stuffed with everything from roast beef to fried seafood.

Who makes the best Po Boy in New Orleans? It’s one of these 3:

Parkway Bar and Tavern, 538 Hagan Ave
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar, 5240 Annunciation Street
Liuzza’s by the Track, 1518 N Lopez St

Muffuletta

The other famous sandwich from New Orleans, the Muffuletta, has Italian roots. In 1906, a Sicilian immigrant, Salvatore Lupo, owner of Central Grocery Co invented Muffuletta, and that’s the best place to try it as the original deli still stands on Decatur Street.

The name Muffuletta refers to the round type of bread used, but unlike the Po’ Boy, the filling has less variation and will have cured meats, cheese, and what makes it so extraordinary, a dreamy olive salad.

There’s only one place to eat the original New Orleans Muffuletta: Central Grocery & Deli, 923 Decatur St

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice can best be sampled at any true New Orleanian’s family’s table. Traditionally, wives simmered a big pot of red beans (kidney beans), seasonings, trinity, and meats, for hours on Mondays for an easy meal while catching up on laundry. Today, many families, schools, and restaurants still adhere to the custom of eating New Orleans Red Beans and Rice on Mondays.

Although recipes for this New Orleans soul food vary by household, it typically is not a vegetarian dish, and can be made with almost any meat or sausage.

If you’re not invited into someone’s home for Red Beans and Rice, try one of these New Orleans eateries:

Willie Mae’s (vegan), 2401 St. Ann St
Joey K’s, 3001 Magazine St
Café Reconcile, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd

Fried Oyster Salad

First, I need to tell you, I am still thinking about this salad 6 months later! From my first bite, I knew I had to include it on my foodie New Orleans bucket list. Hands down one of the best things I ate in NOLA was the Fried Oyster salad at Gris Gris in the Garden District.

When we ordered it, I didn’t even think it sounded good (my husband picked it). It was incredible: Boston lettuce, blue cheese, radishes, with a sugarcane vinaigrette dressing. I would go back to the Cresent City just for this dish!

Enjoy the best Fried Oyster Salad at: Gris Gris, 1800 Magazine Street

New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Dating back to 1913, the historical restaurant, Pascal’s Manale invented Barbecue Shrimp. Today, many New Orleans restaurants claim this native dish as their specialty.

The name of this NOLA dish can be very confusing if you’re not familiar with Louisiana cuisines. BBQ Shrimp are not cooked on a barbecue, don’t have barbecue sauce, and do not taste like any kind of BBQ from any state. Considered a Creole dish, Barbecue Shrimp has a dark spicy butter sauce that is best sopped up with French bread. Sometimes I think I prefer the bread to the shrimp!

Restaurants in New Orleans famous for BBQ Shrimp:

Pascal’s Manale, 1838 Napoleon Ave
Mr. B’s Bistro, 201 Royal St
Deanie's Seafood Restaurant, 841 Iberville St

Crawfish Étouffée

A popular Cajun dish, Crawfish Étouffée is another famous New Orleans food that is traditionally accompanied by white rice.

The term étouffée, pronounced “a-to-fay” means to smother. While it sounds violent, “smothering” in cooking refers to simmering something in its own juices. The result—an intensely flavorful sauce that’s not too pretty. If you like to photo your food like me, order something else. This iconic dish is one of the least instagrammable foods in New Orleans.

Enjoy Crawfish Étouffée at one of these New Orleans Restaurants:

Felix’s, 208 Bourbon St and 739 Iberville St,
Old New Orleans Cookery, 205 Bourbon St
Galatoire’s Restaurant, 209 Bourbon St

3 famous New Orleans foods on one dish: Crawfish Étouffée, Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice

New Orleans Bucket List Restaurants

In addition to the restaurants listed above, the bucket list restaurants below each have something special to offer.

Commander’s Palace

One of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans, Commander’s Palace serves upscale Creole inspired dishes in the heart of the Garden District. A great stop for lunch after visiting the Lafayette Cemetery. Located at 1403 Washington Ave.

Compère Lapin

James Beard Award winner, Chef Nina Compton creatively blends Caribbean and Creole cuisines into delectable dishes like Shrimp Pasta with Rundown Sauce and Smoked Fish Dip (some of my favorites). The lovely atmosphere of the open, artsy space helps make a memorable meal. Located at 535 Tchoupitoulas St.

Arnaud’s

Known as a celebration restaurant in New Orleans since 1918, Arnaud’s French Quarter fine dining experiences include a jazz brunch, a 6-course tasting menu, and an elaborate French 75 menu. Located at 813 Bienville St

Court of Two Sisters

One of the best deals in Vieux Carré, brunch on the charming patio at the Court of Two Sisters will put a smile on your face. Located at 613 Royal St.

GW Fins

Known as one of the best seafood restaurants in New Orleans, GW Fins is one of the few places serving Royal Red Shrimp, the huge shrimp on my USA food bucket list that I drove to Alabama for. Located at 808 Bienville St

This post contains affiliate links, I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Best New Orleans Food Tours

New Orleans School of Cooking

I loved this demo of authentic New Orlean recipes. The instructor told humorous tales during the class and we enjoyed the delicious lunch of cajun and creole specialties (our class had Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Pralines). This was a bargain for entertainment, lunch, and recipes to take home. Take this class.

New Orleans: Afternoon Food History Tour

A great way to spend the afternoon! This guided walking tour takes you through the old French Quarter to sample the local fare of 5 different New Orleans eateries. Take this tour.