New Orleans. Mardi Gras notwithstanding, this city in southeastern Louisiana remains an evergreen destination because of its history, melting pot of French, Spanish, African and Caribbean cultures, architecture– and of course, FOOD!
It was my first time in the”Big Easy” and on this very quick trip, I made it my mission to try the classic institutions, as this is one of the best ways to immerse oneself into the city’s long-celebrated food culture, see how they began and stood the test of time. Beignets, fried chicken, Creole food and sazeracs were on the top of my list and I’d like to share with you my top picks. If you have even just a weekend to spare– go! It’ll be super worth it! xx
1) CAFE DU MONDE
1862. That was the year Cafe du Monde was born, and today– a century later– no visit to New Orleans is complete without stopping by this often-crowded, iconic institution. Open 24 hours, they are known for two things: beignets (French-style fritters) and coffee and chicory served au lait (mixed half and half with hot milk). Just don’t wear black– you’ll most likely end up covered in powdered sugar!
800 Decatur St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Phone +1 504 525 4544 or visit <cafedumonde.com>
2) WILLIE MAE’S
Crispy, tender, juicy fried chicken greatly embodies southern food. Not a few– Thrillist, Eater, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, the James Beard Foundation– have named Willie Mae’s fried chicken one of the– if not, THE BEST– fried chicken in New Orleans– (and even in the United States of America), and we dare not disagree! When she opened in 1952, Willie Mae’s was known for her wet-battered fried chicken, a recipe she kept tightly guarded. (Before she died at age 99 in 2015, she passed it down to her great-granddaughter Kerry Seaton, who now runs the restaurant). A favorite of former President Barack Obama, Willie Mae’s was named an America’s Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2005. PS Make plans for brunch, lunch or daytime dining as they close at 5PM!
2401 St. Ann Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Phone +1 504 822 9503 or visit <williemaesnola.com>
3) ACME OYSTER BAR
For sure the best place for oysters in New Orleans! Opened in 1910, Acme Oyster Bar shucks over 3 million oysters a year— its specialty (at least in our humble opinion) being the chargrilled oysters. Buttery, garlicky, cheesy… wow, they absolutely blew us away! We went to their French Quarter location (they have two others in the city) at an off-hour at 4:30-5PM but when we walked out by 6 PM, the queue was outrageous– and that was off-season!
724 Iberville St., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Phone +1 504 5225973 or visit <acmeoyster.com>
4) COMMANDER’S PALACE
Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans fine-dining institution since 1880. Apart from the interiors, the quintessential Creole dishes (gumbo, turtle soup), their Creole bread pudding souffle has been a favorite of both locals and tourists since time immemorial. Light, warm and airy yet decadent at the same time, not to mention beautifully puffed up (apparently New Orleans French bread is the secret) and warm, the whiskey cream sauce is served tableside, and many New Orleanians declare it the best in the city.
1403 Washington Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Phone +1 504 899 8221 or visit <commanderspalace.com>
5) SAZERAC BAR
The sazerac, New Orlean’s version of the whiskey cocktail (Sazerac rye whiskey, sugar, bitters and Herbsaint– an anise-flavored liquor used as a substitute for absinthe), often dubbed as America’s first cocktail, was born in the middle of the 19th century– specifically at the Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel. Here’s the brief history according to New Orleans Online: “Back in 1838, Antoine Peychaud created the drink in a French Quarter bar and named it for his favorite French brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et fils. In 1873, the drink was changed when American Rye whiskey was substituted for cognac, and a dash of absinthe was added by bartender Leon Lamothe, and today he is now regarded as the Father of the Sazerac. In 1912, absinthe was banned, so Peychaud substituted his special bitters in its place.” Today, the dimly-lit art deco bar is one of the best places for a nightcap in the city (hello, date night!)– and surprise, surprise– as “fancy” as the hotel may seem, you’ll also find quite a number of patrons (tourists, of course) in shorts!
130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans,. Louisiana, USA. Phone +1 504-648-1200 or +1 800 925 3673 or visit <therooseveltneworleans.com>
