You’re in New Orleans for DrupalCon 2016. Here are 25 of the best places to eat, drink, tour, and tarry in the Big Easy; as told to me by true locals.
Food
- Shaya — modern Israeli cuisine. In the city’s Garden District, Shaya head chef Alon Shaya just won a James Beard award, again. Go here. Eat food. Be happy.
www.shayarestaurant.com
4213 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115 Cane & Table — craft cocktails and “rustic colonial” fare. I’m not sure what “rustic colonial” means, but there’s something about a tiki bar in New Orleans that feels so very…very. It’s a bit above the rest of our suggestions in terms of price, but, love, if the company’s paying, then we might as well have two!
caneandtablenola.com
1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116- Mimi’s — small plates and booze. This neighborhood bar has tapas, drinks, and dancing with a relaxed “house party” vibe. Suitable for carnivores and vegetarians, alike.
- Lilly’s Café — Vietnamese food at its best. According to my good friend Ali, Vietnamese food is to New Orleans as Tex-Mex is to Austin. The Big Easy is filled with delicious options, but Lilly’s is her pick above the rest— have the vegan egg-rolls!
- Coop’s Place — Cajun grub and fried chicken. A no-frills bar in the French Quarter, with, apparently, the “best goddamn fried chicken ever,” according to my cousin Marie.
Parkway Bakery and Tavern — po’boys. You’re in Louisiana, love, get a po’boy and a beer. Bayou St. John is a block away and Parkway would be a perfect place to cap your afternoon kayaking (see below).www.parkwaypoorboys.com
538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Coffee and Dessert
- Sólo — espresso bar. This is where you go to get your caffeine, says my dear friend Alex. Trust Alex, go here.
www.soloespressobar.com
1301 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 - Angelo Brocato’s — gelato and pastries. This place has been a local favorite for over a century now, and while it might not be what you’d expect, it’s definitely what you want.
www.angelobrocatoicecream.com
214 N. Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA, 70119 - Hansen’s Sno-Bliz — family owned and operated sno-ball house. You’re in the gulf south, you can’t leave before you’ve had a sno-ball— like a sno-cone, but with soft shaved iced and homemade craft syrups—and New Orleans is home to the best around. Actually, a sno-ball is as much like a sno-cone as silk is to sandpaper; shaved ice is the only way to go.
- Café du Monde — iconic. Do not miss. The beignets and café au lait are famous for a reason. Go really early in the morning when it’s not crazy crowded and you can watch the sun rise in the Quarter over Jackson Square.
Adventurous Afternoons and Notable Nights
- City Park — botanical gardens, public art, and the world’s largest collection of live oaks. City Park is the prime example of what an urban park should be. There’s so much to do, you could spend your whole week there!
- Kayaking/canoeing on Bayou St. John — rent a boat and paddle through history. There are more than a few options for daily and hourly canoe or kayak rentals. Guided tours and self-determined exploration. Take your pick and bring your camera.
- Magazine Street — shopping. One of the great high streets in the world, filled with local shops beyond the cheesy t-shirts and keychains. Definitely stop by H Rault, the oldest locksmith in the South, for all kinds of jewelry and housewares made out of old keys and lock parts.
- The New Movement — comedy theater. A live comedy shop offering a mix of improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy. Laugh your DrupalCon cares away before you head out to the bars.
newmovementtheater.com
2706 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 - Ghost City Tours — haunted history. The Killers & Thrillers tour is the way to go: an adults-only night-time tour of the French Quarter, focused on New Orleans’ famous murders and the spirits they’ve left behind.
ghostcitytours.com
643 Magazine St #304, New Orleans, LA 70130 - Southern Food & Beverage Museum — food, drink, and culture. The site’s description says it all: “a nonprofit living history organization dedicated to the discovery, understanding and celebration of the food, drink and the related culture of the South.”
natfab.org
1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113 - New Orleans Pharmacy Museum — bloodletting, medicinal herbs, and gris-gris. In a city that’s simply dripping with museums, the Pharmacy Museum is another one you don’t want to miss. You’ll get a glimpse into the history of medicine, potions, prescriptions, and everything else we’ve used to cure what ails us (well, almost everything…).
www.pharmacymuseum.org
514 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Alcohol
And then there’s drinks, love. From wine to cocktails to hooch, you’ll find it all in New Orleans.
- Bacchanal — wine bar with a huge back yard.
www.bacchanalwine.com
600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 - Carousel Bar — a revolving circular bar at Hotel Monteleone.
- The Country Club — bar/restaurant/pool in the Bywater; no membership needed.
www.thecountryclubneworleans.com
634 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117 - Café Lafitte in Exile — the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States.
- Kermit’s Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge — a genuine local lounge and music venue.
- Pal’s Lounge — a neighborhood bar on the bayou.
- The Sazerac Bar — cocktails and class. The Sazerac is a New Orleans landmark, inside the Roosevelt Hotel, and namesake of the drink.
therooseveltneworleans.com
130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112 - Oz — the best gay dance club in the South; open 24/7. I can personally vouch for Oz. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.
Stay safe, drink in moderation (well, a little moderation), respect this beautiful and historic city, and you’ll feel like a local in no time… but please, for everyone’s sake, don’t call anyone cher!
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