New Orleans first hooked us during a family trip guided by a true local: my mother-in-law, who was born and raised in the city and came armed with more restaurant recommendations than we could possibly get through. My most recent visit, while presenting at the National Charter Schools Conference, gave me the perfect excuse to keep working through the list. This time, I focused on meals across four distinct areas: the French Quarter, Central Business District, Garden District, and Uptown. Between the music spilling out onto the streets, the history around every corner, and restaurants that fully live up to the city’s world-class reputation, New Orleans is the kind of place that makes a short stay feel full, flavorful, and not nearly long enough!

Where to eat: Central Business District (CBD)

Two stellar choices: breakfast at All Good in the Barnett Hotel (try the fabulous avocado toast) or Bearcat Cafe for a down home comfort food meal.

Brisket, grits, scrambled eggs, and crispy onions at Bearcat Cafe

Have a perfect southern seafood lunch at Peche, a place many locals referred us to where each dish was delicious - crudo with crispy rice, fried oysters, and catfish with collards were all wonderful..

Delicious fried oysters with pickled papaya

Have drinks and apps at Jolie just a few blocks down from Peche.

Deviled eggs with smoked trout roe and chili crisp

For dinner check out Maria’s Oyster Bar - super friendly service at the bar and an inviting menu beyond the oysters. Note that if you are using the In-Kind app, as we did, you’ll earn 20% back at Maria’s, Jolie, Le Moyne Bistro, Willie Mae’s, Gris Gris, and a variety of other restaurants in New Orleans - dine one place and then spend your earned cash at the next!

Oysters shucked at the bar in front of you a Maria’s Oyster Bar

Where to eat: French Quarter

‍ For a classic New Orleans meal, have breakfast at Cafe du Monde and order the beignets with your coffee. A container of coffee from here also makes a great souvenir gift.

Beignet’s and coffee at Cafe du Monde (with a band playing five feet away!)

Sticking with classic dishes, try one at lunch in the inner courtyard seating area at Napoleon House.

Adjacent to Jackson Square, find Fives, a bar with standout appetizers and oysters - along with Peche this is a favorite of ours and it also participates in In-Kind.

There are a number of classic fine dining establishments with traditional food to choose from, including Antoine’s and Arnaud’s in the French Quarter, Commander’s Palace in the Garden District, and Clancy’s in uptown. Galatoire’s is in this category as well and this French Quarter restaurant is also recommended in the Michelin guide. Remember a coat, long pants, and proper shoes if you go this route.

Galatoire’s - one of the classic New Orleans restaurants in the French Quarter

Where to eat: Garden District and Uptown

Breakfast at Molly’s Rise and Shine is unparalleled.

Chicken biscuit, collards, cheesy grits, bacon and fresh squeezed orange juice at Molly’s

A favorite place for lunch on the patio is Gris Gris.

Swordfish (the daily gulf catch) at Gris Gris

Oyster “BLT” - one of Gris Gris’s popular dishes

We’ve had great dinners at Lilette, Patois, and La Petite Grocery - all recommended, though we were too busy eating to take photos.

Places to stay

In the CBD, stay at the Hotel Perle, especially if you have a larger group, and walk almost everywhere from this well-located hotel featuring multi-bedroom suites. The Garden District, the French Quarter, and the Riverwalk are all an easy walk from here (the street car also stops directly in front of the hotel.) There’s a great rooftop pool and bar and, though we didn’t try it this trip, we are excited to return to the ground level restaurant, Charles and Julia.

Living area in one of Hotel Perle’s spacious suites

In the French Quarter, the Ritz Carlton has a quiet interior courtyard, great spa facilities, a lounge with extensive food and beverage offerings, and sunset views.

View of the French Quarter from the Ritz Carlton

If you prefer the quiet of the Garden District, the Hotel Tonnelle is a good option and right on the St. Charles street car line. For an alternative and more eclectic and quaint Garden District option, try Hotel Chloe.

Things to do

See panoramic views of the city at Vue Orleans on the top floors of the Four Seasons.

Tour the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and participate in a cooking demonstration with Deelightful Roux School of Cooking.

Cruise the Mississippi River on a short boat tour on the Natchez Steam Boat.

Go to the World War II Museum and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art behind the Civil War Museum

Take a tour of the Hermann-Grima and Gallier historic homes in the French Quarter and other historic buildings, including the St. Louis Cathedral .

Walk around the French Quarter and stop when you see a live music performance.

Next time

On our next trip, we’re excited to try:

Restaurants: Dakar NOLA for Senegalese seafood tasting menu, the Mosquito Supper Club for a shared family style dining experience featured on Getting Lost With Erin French, Willie Mae’s for famous fried chicken, Compère Lapin by Top Chef’s Nina Compton, Jewel of the South, one of the world’s 50 best bars, and Domilise’s for po’ boys.

Hotels: The Columns and Hotel Henrietta

Sights: The New Orleans Museum of Art and the walking trails at Audubon Park.

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