24 Hours in the French Quarter

french quarter church

New York is not the only City That Never Sleeps, which is especially evident if you’ve ever strolled the French Quarter in the wee hours. And the bars aren’t the only establishments that stay open 24 hours, so it’s pretty easy to lose yourself in a round-the-clock itinerary. Here are just a few suggestions.

Morning

Can’t sleep? Stroll to the Riverfront on the Mississippi River to catch the sunrise and watch the boats go by. Steamboats straight out of a Mark Twain novel idle on the water, and public art dots the promenade. If you feel like a longer walk or going for a run or a bike ride, head to Crescent Park, a 20-acre, 1.4-mile urban space nearby, with bike lanes and a dog run.

Next, grab a quick breakfast at the French Quarter Inn’s PJ’s Coffee shop, or savor it at any number of the French Quarter coffee shops and patisseries. We always recommend one of our favorites, Croissant d’Or.

Are you all fueled up? We hope you’re wearing comfortable shoes and ready to do some sightseeing!

There are numerous options, from free walking tours with one of the park rangers at the French Quarter Visitor Center to culinary tours and everything in between. Do you feel like squeezing in some exercise while you learn about the history of the French Quarter? Consider doing some sightseeing on the bike.

Not into organized tours? Just take a stroll through Jackson Square and explore the St. Louis Cathedral, or admire the wrought-iron balconies while walking down Royal Street (and do some window-shopping as it packs many unique antique and vintage stores). Just walking around in this historic neighborhood is a history lesson in itself.

Afternoon

Are you hungry yet? Lunch at Galatoire’s  is a time-honored tradition in Crescent City. Many generations of New Orleanians packed its tiled dining room for some boisterous merriment, and you’re in for a treat. (Just make sure to follow the dress code.)

Not into fine dining? No problem. It’s easy to eat well in the French Quarter on a budget, and we also hope you take advantage of the abundance of spots that serve excellent seafood nearby.

After lunch, why not go shopping? There are two malls nearby, one outlet and another upscale, plus Jax Brewery with several stories worth of shops, and Chartres Street with all its boutiques and local gift shops. You can get all the souvenirs and gifts (edible and otherwise) to take home at the French Market or along the bustling Decatur Street.

Not in the mood for shopping? Hit a casino right across Canal Street from the Quarter, or one of the many museums within walking distance from the hotel. Both the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Insectarium are close by, and are a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Evening

Time for happy hour! The Bombay Club has a really good one, with many types of martinis and other classics, and a tasty bar menu. For dinner options, we don’t even know where to begin as there’s a myriad of options. For ideas, check out this dining guide, but, really, the world is your oyster when it comes to eating in the French Quarter. From the Creole grand dames to the James Beard luminaries to the cheap eats on the go, you’re in the right place.

Night

Want to cross Bourbon Street off your list? Don’t forget to grab a hurricane from Pat O’Brien’s while you do. As you make your way down Bourbon toward Esplanade Avenue, check out the historic Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. It’s the longest operating bar in America, and privateer Jean Lafitte was said to once have held court there.

How about some live music next? As you continue across Esplanade, you’re leaving the French Quarter and entering Faubourg Marigny, so keep going till you hit Frenchmen Street. Even if you don’t enter any bars or clubs there, we guarantee there will be decent music even just on the street corners (a brass band here, Dixieland there), but you should really check out what’s playing at the Blue Nile or Spotted Cat or the d.b.a.

Depending on how much energy you have left, you can hit the dance floor at Santos, which is open till 5 a.m., or have some beignets at Cafe du Monde (open 24/7). By then, you’ve truly had an epic 24 hours in the French Quarter and nearby!

Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

5 Dinner Dishes That Define New Orleans Cuisine

Image courtesy of Mr. B’s Bistro on Facebook

You can easily find delicious renditions of the New Orleans and southern staples that make the food-bucket lists for very good reasons in many restaurants in the French Quarter, from the ambitious newcomers to the old-world landmarks. Here are our five top picks of the dinner dishes that define New Orleans and where to try them in the French Quarter.

1. Crawfish Étouffée

This spicy seafood stew, made with shrimp or crawfish, is a traditional Creole/Cajun favorite (the French word étouffée, pronounced “eh-too-fey,” means “smothered”). The iconic Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon St.) serves a classic shrimp étouffée over rice as an entree and, like many other restaurants, also offers it as an add-on topping over fish. For a more casual dining option, head to Deanie’s Seafood (841 Bienville St.).

2. Gumbo

One of Louisiana’s most famous dishes, excellent gumbo is easy to find anywhere in New Orleans, it just depends on whether you like your gumbo with darker or lighter roux, and with meat or seafood (or both).

Appropriately, the French Quarter restaurant that includes the dish in its name is a great place to try several of its varieties. Gumbo Shop (630 St. Peter St.) serves seafood and okra gumbo that is thick with shrimp and crabmeat, a smoky chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, and even gumbo z’herbes, a rarely-seen vegetarian gumbo made with greens.

Gumbo Ya-Ya, a house specialty at Mr. B’s Bistro (201 Royal St), is a Cajun country-style gumbo made with a dark roux, lots of Creole spices, chicken, and Andouille sausage.

3. Jambalaya

This flavorful one-pot, rice-based dish is right up there with gumbo when it comes to well-deserved international fame. This staple traditionally incorporates stock, meat, seafood, long-grain rice, and vegetables (like the “holy trinity” also used in gumbo — bell pepper, onion and celery). The main distinction is that the Creole version has tomatoes and the Cajun recipe does not.

You can find one of the best versions of jambalaya at the casual Coop’s Place (1109 Decatur St.). Coop’s rabbit and sausage jambalaya can be upgraded to “supreme” by adding shrimp and tasso, a spicy Cajun ham smoked on premises.

If you just want a taste, the spicy jambalaya at Napoleon House (500 Chartres St.) comes with chicken and sausage and could be ordered as an appetizer or as a side. And the New Orleans Creole Cookery (508 Toulouse St.) has a vegetarian version, not something many restaurants offer.

4. Po-Boys

A po-boy is a sandwich (just please don’t call it that) that comes in as many versions as there are ingredients to stuff inside a loaf of French bread. Some of the classics are fried seafood, like oysters or shrimp, but the ingredients vary all the way up to French fries. Ask for your po-boy “dressed,” so it will come with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise.

Johnny’s Po-Boys (511 St. Louis St.) has been dishing them out since 1950, and Killer Poboys (219 Dauphine St.) plays around with the non-traditional ingredients.

5. Red Beans and Rice

In the past, Monday was traditionally laundry day in New Orleans, and also the day for having red beans and rice. Our laundry schedules aren’t that rigid anymore, but you can still find a delicious plate of beans and rice around town, usually accompanied by a hunk of smoked sausage.

While many restaurants still feature it as a Monday special, you can still find beans and rice on many menus on any day of the week. A particularly delicious version is served daily at Original Pierre Maspero’s (440 Chartres St.), located in a historic 1788 building: slow-cooked red beans served with white rice and topped with Andouille and alligator sausage. (You can also get it as part of the sampler.)

All of these restaurants are in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, short blocks from French Market Inn. Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

Best Muffulettas in the French Quarter and Nearby

Image courtesy Jasoneats via Central Grocery on Facebook

One of New Orleans’ most celebrated creations is a tall, bready Sicilian-Cajun invention that reflects the city’s diverse cultural and culinary heritage. The muffuletta goes back to the 19th century, when the French Quarter was sometimes referred to as “Little Palermo,” and its Sicilian working-class population consisted of laborers, dockworkers, fishermen, and farmers. A few of the immigrants opened grocery stores and bakeries and catered to the Sicilians who lived and worked in the Quarter and parts of Treme.

What’s in a muffuletta?

“Muffuletta” (pronounced “muffuLOTta” and sometimes also spelled as “muffaletta”) comes from the bread known in Sicily under that name. Traditionally, the sandwich is made with the sesame-crusted wheel of bread, Italian salami and ham, cheese (usually provolone and Swiss), and olive salad. Known as giardiniera, the olive salad consists of finely chopped green and black olives, celery, cauliflower, carrots, sweet peppers, pepperoncini, onions, capers, vinegar, and garlic. Spices and herbs are also added (parsley, oregano, etc.).

Where does the muffuletta come from?

The invention of this oversized sandwich is credited to Salvatore Lupo, the proprietor of Central Grocery on Decatur Street in the French Quarter. The “Home of the Original Muffuletta” opened in 1906 and has been selling the sandwich for over a century. Legend has it that the Italian farmers and laborers would buy what became the ingredients for the muffuletta for lunch from Lupo’s store (and other vendors in the French Quarter), and eat them separately. Lupo decided to assemble them into a sandwich, tweaked a few components — and muffuletta was born.

The variations outside tradition

Like with most signature New Orleans creations, opinions run strong when it comes to any deviation from the tradition. Some maintain that muffuletta is a cold-cut sandwich, period. Others had been serving it warm straight out of the oven, like the James Beard Award-winning chef Donald Link, owner of Cochon Butcher. Yet others offer it hot AND cold (Verti Marte). And Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar on Canal Street serves its fine muffuletta pressed to melt the cheese.

Liuzza’s Restaurant & Bar in Mid-City also popularized the “Frenchuletta,” a muffuletta version served on French bread. PIZZA domenica, the Uptown spin-off of Domenica’s downtown location, has muffuletta pizza with provolone, cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, and garlic aioli.

There are seafood versions, like the one sold at Parran’s Po-Boys & Restaurant, which has locations in Metairie and Kenner. Parran’s “Original Seafood Muffuletta” comes with fried oysters, shrimp and catfish, and is dressed with housemade Cajun mayo.

Who makes the best muffuletta?

Central Grocery

The original cold-cut version.

Central Grocery’s made-to-order muffulettas have the visitors and the locals lining up ever since Salvatore Lupo stuffed his first sandwich. Today’s muffuletta at Central Grocery keeps it traditional: Genoa salami, Holland ham, mortadella (bologna), the secret-recipe olive salad, and Swiss and provolone cheese — served on an 8-inch round bread.

The sprawling, old-fashioned grocery store is still run by the same Lupo family, selling imported Italian delicacies and the housemade olive salad by the jar. You can eat in at the counter, or take your muffuletta to go (Woldenberg Park by the river is a great spot for a picnic). The visitors of the city have been known to pack their muffulettas for a flight or a drive home, but you don’t have to — Central Grocery now ships nationwide.

Cochon Butcher

Melted cheese, the meats are cured in-house

Another New Orleans joint that serves its muffulettas hot (unless you request yours cold) is Cochon Butcher in the Warehouse District, chef Donald Link’s companion to Cochon. The much-praised Cochon muffuletta comes on a Sicilian roll, with housemade giardiniera. All the meats are cured in-house.

Frank’s Restaurant

Baked, with melted cheese and toasted bread

“The home of the other muffuletta,” Frank’s has been around for over 50 years, serving a different kind of muffuletta to scores of its loyal fans just down the block from Central Grocery. The crucial difference is that Frank’s “World Famous Original Muffuletta” is baked and served with toasted bread and melted cheese. Frank’s is also known for its po-boys and classic Italian fare. The downstairs looks like a deli with a to-go counter, but the second-floor dining room is spacious and has balcony seating if you want to dine in with a view of the French Quarter.

Napoleon House

Big enough to share, house specialty

Muffuletta is one of the specialties at Napoleon House, which is housed in a historic landmark on Chartres Street that dates back to the 1700s and has the unique ambiance of old-world New Orleans. The traditional muffuletta is served warm and is big enough for two people (you can also get it in half and quarter sizes). Wash it down with the restaurant’s signature drink, the Pimm’s Cup.

Verti Marte

Overstuffed, generous on meat, served cold or hot

The tiny, beloved Verti Marte on Royal Street is open 24/7 for takeout or delivery (cash only). Verti Marte gets a lot of love for its long breakfast menu and epic po-boys, but don’t discount the “Mighty Muffuletta.” It’s overstuffed with ham, salami and cheese, but — here’s the catch — it could be served hot or cold. So if you’re not from the cold-cut purist camp and won’t mind your cheese melty and your meat warm, this is one of the best places to try the hot version.

All of these muffuletta destinations are located either in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter or nearby, blocks from French Market Inn. Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

5 Desserts Nearby

Bananas Foster at Brennan’s Restaurant. Image courtesy of Brennan’s Restaurant on Facebook

Is there a better place to indulge your sweet tooth than New Orleans? We think not. With its French (and Spanish) roots and its rich Creole and Cajun cuisines the Crescent City is not the place to count calories. From pralines to Doberge cake to beignets to Bananas Foster there is an abundance of confections that will satisfy even the most discerning dessert lover. Here are our five picks for the best dessert and where to get it in the French Quarter.

1. Bananas Foster

Bananas Foster was made famous by way of New Orleans. Today, this decadent dessert remains a staple, impressively served flambéed tableside as it was intended, or in many delicious variations (as a pie, ice cream, or French toast) in some of the best restaurants in the city.

Its creation in 1951 is credited to Paul Blangé, a Brennan’s Restaurant chef. Chef Blangé came up with sautéing the bananas in butter, sugar and cinnamon, and then adding rum and igniting the concoction. The dessert was named after Richard Foster, a friend of Owen Brennan and the chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission.

To this day, the original-recipe Bananas Foster at Brennan’s Restaurant (417 Royal St.) is its most-ordered item. The restaurant reportedly flames 35,000 pounds of bananas for the famous dessert.

2. Beignets

Those little deep-fried pockets of doughy goodness dusted with powdered sugar are one of the city’s most iconic culinary treats. The beignet is honored with its own festival and is beloved unconditionally. Getting an order of beignets with a cup of café au lait at the 24/7 Café du Monde (800 Decatur St.) is one of the most classic New Orleans experiences you can have, as is getting that pesky powdered sugar all over yourself.

3. Bread Pudding

A mainstay finale at many a storied Creole restaurant in the city, the bread pudding rules here. Its roots go back centuries and way beyond stale bread. The Southern-style bread pudding is typically made with French bread and served warm, usually covered in rich, boozy sauce and topped with pecans, walnuts or raisins.

You can get variations of the dessert ranging from traditional to new interpretations all over the French Quarter, but we especially recommend Antoine’s pecan bread pudding (713 St. Louis St.). The oldest continuing operating family-owned restaurant in New Orleans, Antoine’s Restaurant has been setting standards for elevated Creole cuisine. Antoine’s bread pudding is a delicious concoction of Leidenheimer French bread laced with cinnamon, golden raisins, and slathered with a hot buttered rum sauce.

4. Grasshopper

This sweet liquid offering celebrated 100 years back in 2018. The one-time owner of the Tujague’s (823 Decatur St.) restaurant, Philibert Guichet, invented the drink for a 1918 cocktail competition in New York City. The combination of equal parts crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream known as the Grasshopper sports an unmistakable green color and packs a sugary punch. It became so popular it now holds a permanent spot on the restaurant’s cocktail menu. The Bombay Club (830 Conti St.) also makes a solid version, and you can sip to live jazz.

5. Pralines

This classic southern confection makes for a great edible souvenir to take home and is pretty easy to find in the French Quarter. Southern Candymakers (334 Decatur St.) makes small batches daily. You can also find fresh and delicious pralines at Loretta’s location at the French Market.

All of these restaurants are in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, short blocks from French Market Inn. Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

Kid-Friendly Fun In and Around the Quarter

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

New Orleans has its share of X-rated attractions, most of them clustered on Bourbon St. But it’s also one of the kid-friendliest cities in the country. You’ll find a wealth of G-rated fun for the whole family in and around the Quarter during your stay at the French Market Inn. Here’s a guide to some of the best.

French Quarter Kids Tour (Book online in advance)

Get to know the neighborhood with teacher-led tours for kids. Younger kids can go ghost-hunting on the popular Spooky Tour, where mischievous spirits come out to play, while their bolder older siblings can take a chilling Twilight Tour or learn about old New Orleans on the Creole Kids Living History Tour. Group tours ($24 per person) include two designed for teens and run for 1.5 hours. Families can also book a customized private tour ($250 for up to 12 people).

Preservation Hall (726 St. Peters St.)

Dedicated to preserving traditional New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall is no museum. It’s a lively all-ages venue where master New Orleans musicians make a joyful noise and raise the roof at several nightly shows, which start at 5 p.m. (There are earlier, afternoon shows on some days.) Come early to grab a good seat on the benches (though many kids prefer the floor). And be sure to feed your brood first; there’s no food or beverage service. ($25 general admission).

Jackson Square (Decatur St. in front of St. Louis Cathedral)

Sidewalk artists. Street performers. A passing parade of colorful characters. Jackson Square, in the heart of the Quarter, is a hub of only-in-New-Orleans sights and sounds. Directly across Decatur St., steps leading up to the Mississippi Riverwalk serve as an ad hoc stage for clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and other crowd-pleasing artists, whose antics are sure to delight the kids.

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen (Departs from Poydras Dock at Spanish Plaza)

All aboard! No trip to New Orleans is complete without a cruise on the Mississippi River, and it doesn’t get more authentic than the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. Two daily Historic River Cruises in the morning and afternoon revisit New Orleans history with a stop at the Chalmette Battlefield, where the pirate Jean Lafitte helped defeat the British. Fare ($39/adults, $15/kids 6-12) includes a narrated cruise and land tour. Full Creole buffet available on board ($59/adults, $24/kids 6-12, $10 kids 0-5).

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

Kids love to bug out at the Insectarium, the largest museum in the country devoted to nature’s vast kingdom of insects. Walk through a flutter of iridescent wings in the enchanting butterfly garden, get to know the locals at Boudreaux’s bait shop, and crunch down on some tasty bugs in the cafeteria. Highlights include Awards Night, a hi-def film starring superstar bugs voiced by Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, and other celebs.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (1 Canal St.)

Reach out and touch a sting ray (yikes!). Watch penguins and sea otters at play. Get up close and personal with magical jellyfish. These are just a few of the wonders that enthrall kids and grownups alike at the Audubon Aquarium, which boasts a massive 400,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit. Families can also try to Escape Extinction by predatory sharks in an interactive experience presented by Escape My Room.

(Please note that the Insectarium and the Aquarium are currently closed while the Insectarium is moving to the Aquarium site. Both are slated to reopen in the summer of 2023. We’ll update the admission prices then.)

Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

 

 

 

 

Romantic Things to Do in the French Quarter

The Bombay Club, French Quarter, New Orleans

New Orleans is one of the most romantic cities in the world. And you’ve got a head start on a dreamy vacation if you’re staying in the French Market Inn, where brocade curtains frame the windows of charming rooms decorated in classic Quarter style.

While it may be tempting to ensconce yourselves amid the cushions on your comfy bed, a whole world of romance beckons from the streets just outside your door. The best part? You still have that lovely room to come back to when you’re ready to hit the hay.

Slurp Oysters at the Bourbon House Bar  (144 Bourbon St.)

You know what they say about oysters, right? Jumpstart your romantic evening with a dozen or two freshly shucked oysters. You’ll find them all over the Quarter, but the Bourbon House deserves a special mention for serving the mollusks with local caviar, and for its couples-friendly bar, which mixes classic cocktails like the Bourbon Sidecar.

Take a Jazz Cruise on the Creole Queen

Cruising the Mississippi at night is about as romantic as it gets, and the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen takes you back to the glamorous riverboat days, when high-rolling gamblers courted saloon girls. Take a spin on the parquet dance floor to hot live jazz, then stroll the decks and enjoy the skyline view under the stars. Choose the dinner option if you want to feast on a bounteous Creole buffet in the softly-lit dining room.

(Departs from Poydras Dock at Spanish Plaza; book in advance online)

Take a Carriage Ride Through the Quarter

Many a marriage proposal has been made, and accepted, on a leisurely ride through the streets of the Quarter in a mule-drawn carriage. Royal Carriages offers several different tours in carriages steered by savvy tour guides. But if you’re looking to pop the question, book a private tour with your very own personal guide. Your driver can even help you find the perfect Quarter backdrop for your proposal.

(700 Decatur St.; book in advance online)

Have a Candlelit Dinner in a Romantic Restaurant

For old-school Creole elegance, book a table for two at Antoine’s (713 St. Louis St.) or Arnaud’s (813 Bienville). Both restaurants are housed in historic buildings in the heart of the Quarter, and serve classic French dishes like Chateaubriand and Frog Legs Provencal. More in the mood for nouveau cuisine? Head for Bayona (430 Dauphine St.), chef Susan Spicer’s flagship restaurant, which serves beautifully plated dishes like Fennel Pepper-Crusted Lamb Loin in a lovely atmospheric setting.

Catch Live Jazz at The Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

It doesn’t get more romantic than the swanky curtained private booths at The Bombay Club, where you can sip Bombay’s signature martinis or other classic cocktails while listening to the cool jazz stylings of some of the city’s top artists. Even the bar food here is elegant.

Get Your Fortunes Read in Jackson Square

Is this really the one? Will your love last forever? Tempt fate and get some answers from one of the colorfully-garbed soothsayers who ply their trade in Jackson Square. Crystal ball gazers, palmists, tarot card readers, and other diviners all set up shop here and will look into your future if you cross their palms with silver.

(Decatur St. in front of St. Louis Cathedral)

Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

 

Late Night Eats in the French Quarter

 

The French Quarter knows no meaning of last call, being open for business 24/7, and that means that a few restaurants are also open late. Here are a few of our favorite spots where you can eat after 9 p.m. in the French Quarter.

Buffa’s

1001 Esplanade Ave.

Around since 1939, the iconic Buffa’s is perched just outside of the French Quarter on Esplanade Avenue. It’s beloved by locals, has live music in the back room seven days a week, and excellent burgers. You can also get your New Orleans staples on like red beans and rice and blackened Gulf fish. One of Buffa’s signature dishes is bratwurst jambalaya — beer-soaked bratwurst added to a “super secret award-winning jambalaya recipe.”

Open 11-4 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11-2 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Café du Monde

800 Decatur St. (French Market)

This mainstay needs no introduction and will eagerly satisfy your cravings with delicious beignets and a cup of cafe au lait, around the clock.

Open 24 hours.

Cane & Table

1113 Decatur St.

Cane & Table made a name for itself with its potent rum-based cocktails and eclectic, Caribbean-influenced small and large plates in the elegant space that evokes Old Havana. Park yourself in the gorgeous courtyard while you try some small plates or braised ribs. (The menu changes depending on the season.)

Last seating at 10 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday (closed on Monday and Tuesday).

Clover Grill

900 Bourbon St.

The tile-and-chrome diner has been representing what’s weird and wonderful about the Quarter since 1939. The no-frills food comes under the motto, “We love to fry, and it shows,” but it’s the scene you might want to come for, both inside and outside the diner.

Open 24 hours.

Coop’s Place

1109 Decatur St.

If you want a quick, inexpensive meal, with some local color thrown in, Coop’s Place is unbeatable. Located on the always-busy stretch of Decatur Street, Coop’s is both a divey bar and restaurant with a surprisingly extensive menu. One of the standouts is the seafood gumbo. It comes with Coop’s own dark roux, okra, filé powder, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws. (You can ask for extra seafood.) Follow the gumbo with Coop’s excellent rabbit and sausage jambalaya. Note: No one under 21 is allowed.

Open on Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday – Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cosimo’s

1201 Burgundy St.

This cozy, dog-friendly neighborhood bar mixes up a huge mahogany bar, colorful locals, a pool table in the back room, darts, and seriously good bar food like boudin balls and pizza. There are also taco Tuesdays and crawfish when in season. Trust us, this one is a gem.

Open 4 p.m. – Monday through Thursday; 2 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. – 5 a.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Cuñada

833 Conti St.

Cuñada (“sister-in-law” in Spanish) is a tiny family-owned Mexican spot with tacos, carnitas, and other specialties plus agave-based margaritas, and a wide variety of Mexican beer.

Open till midnight seven days a week.

Déjà Vu Restaurant and Bar

400 Dauphine St.

Déjà Vu serves up New Orleans staples like biscuits and gravy, po-boys, burgers, and seafood plates. Breakfast is served all day, too, plus there are poker machines, a jukebox, big-screen TVs, and plenty of people-watching.

Open 9 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. daily.

Effervescence

1036 N. Rampart St.

Effervescence opened its tall doors on N. Rampart St. in March of 2017 and has become the destination for high-to-low sparkling wines from all over the world, champagnes, small plates, and live music. The setting is modern and polished, and there’s ample outdoor seating. There’s also a full bar, and dozens of still wines by the glass and bottle. The small plates are meant to be shared — like the Gulf seafood plate or crispy Brussels sprouts (the menu changes, this is just an example). Effervescence is also a good spot to try caviar, from the prized osetra to the local (and more affordable) bowfin.

Open 4-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Erin Rose 

811 Conti St.

Erin Rose is a low-key watering hole favored by the locals, located just a few doors away from Bourbon Street. Check the memorabilia galore and try the bar’s excellent frozen Irish coffee or a Bloody Mary (made with the house secret recipe). Of course, there’s Guinness on tap plus a selection of local brews. The bar is home to the popular Killer Poboys (look for the takeout window in the back). Everything on the small but mighty menu is delicious.

Open till 7 a.m. seven days a week.

Justine

225 Chartres St.

This stylish and popular brasserie is one of the latest additions to the French Quarter dining scene, opened by husband-and-wife team Justin and Mia Devillier. The high-end late-night menu changes, but typically includes French-centric delights like escargots and mussels, plus premium steak and pan-roasted fish.

Open 5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; till 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Quarter Master Deli

1100 Bourbon St.

This takeout/delivery 24-hour institution is also known as the Nellie Deli. Quartermaster’s menu is full of burgers, overstuffed po-boys, house-made salads, and other New Orleans-style Southern fare like BBQ chicken and ribs. There are also hearty breakfast and late-night menus.

Open 24 hours.

Palm & Pine

308 N. Rampart St.

The late-night menu offers delicious cocktails like smoky paloma and caipirinha; the food menu offers elevated versions of things like burgers and chicken sandwiches.

Late-night menu is served on Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Bombay Club

830 Conti St.

Located in the elegant Prince Conti Hotel, the Bombay Club offers some of the most refined food you’ll find in the French Quarter after 9 p.m., served among polished wood and high-end cocktails. Small bites include such classics as meat pies and gumbo plus European nods like ploughman’s board. The sheer number of martinis on the menu alone will blow you away, and there’s live music too.

Bar is open till midnight Wednesday through Sunday.

Verti Marte

1201 Royal St.

If it’s late at night and you “need” a po-boy, head on down to this tiny 24-hour takeout-only deli on Royal St. with a loyal following. There’s plenty to love on the menu of this bastion of calories, but you can’t go wrong with the epic specialty sandwiches like the vegetarian Green Giant and the mountainous All That Jazz — with grilled ham, turkey and shrimp, plus two kinds of cheese, grilled veggies, and the special “wow” sauce on grilled French bread. Free delivery to the French Quarter, the Marigny, and the CBD; cash only.

Open 24 hours.

Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

Best Pizza in the French Quarter

Photo by Saundarya Srinivasan on Unsplash

Good pizza isn’t hard to find in New Orleans, although it’s not one of the city’s signature offerings, like gumbo or a po-boy. There’s no loyalty to any specific style (deep dish vs. thin crust, for instance), and the pizzerias run the gamut of high-end to classic parlors to casual neighborhood spots to the late-night after-party soakers.

The French Quarter has its share of restaurants that serve decent to excellent pizza, with a wide variety of vegetarian options and specialty pies that highlight the local ingredients and take advantage of the abundance of Gulf seafood, Cajun meats, and other culinary staples New Orleans is known for. Here are several options in the French Quarter we recommend.

Crescent Pizza Works

407 Bourbon St. (at Conti)

This is another late-night Bourbon pizzeria, where pies have names like Big Cheesy and Chicken Bacon Krunch. The BBQ pork pizza will chase your hangover away with pulled pork, two types of cheese, cinnamon apples, and a generous serving of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. The ever-popular Chizzaburger combines Angus beef, onions, mozzarella, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.

Fat Boy’s Pizza

714 St. Peter (by Preservation Hall)

Fat Boy’s is a chain with many locations in Louisiana and the neighboring states. Its claim to fame is serving humongous slices. Fat Boy’s pies measure 30 inches across, so if that doesn’t soak up all those Hurricanes nothing will. That said, there are veggie pies on the menu plus the seafood option with Gulf shrimp.

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

95 French Market Pl. (by the French Market)

Each location of this local chain is owned and operated separately, and this Louisiana Pizza Kitchen fires its gourmet pizzas in a wood-burning stove. Many ingredients are locally sourced, all the meats are organic and free-range, and a whole-wheat crust is available. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list and a selection of specialty beers from local microbreweries. Besides pizza, the restaurant has a whole menu of sandwiches, salads, pasta, and so on.

Specialty pizzas showcase the local cuisine with their takes on staples like jambalaya and Gulf seafood. The standouts are a fried oyster pizza, topped with P&J oysters, artichokes, and grilled eggplant; and a smoked salmon pizza that inventively combines tomatoes, capers, caviar, red onions, and cream cheese.

Mona Lisa

1212 Royal St. (between Barracks & Gov. Nicholls)

This is a great dine-in option if you want romantic and laid-back with some New Orleans flair. The building that houses the restaurant has undergone many reincarnations, housing a machine works business and a cigar shop at one time. It still retains its charm and historic elements. The restaurant’s walls are adorned with dozens of paintings and drawings of the Mona Lisa, some of which came from the patrons. Mona Lisa has been in the neighborhood for several decades, earning a loyal local following with its simple and solid Italian fare.

There are four vegetarian pizza options, plus the seafood one with tilapia, shrimp and baby clams. The Mona Lisa Special is a meat-lover’s bliss — with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, and loaded with vegetables. Another popular specialty pizza is the Da Vinci, with Italian sausage, bacon, artichoke, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Vieux Carre Pizza

733 Saint Louis St. (at Bourbon St.)

The hole-in-the-wall Vieux Carre Pizza uses housemade dough and its own marinara sauce. Besides pizza, it has an affordable menu of pasta, po-boys, fried or baked chicken wings, salads, and more. One of the most popular specialty pies, the Bourbon Special, is loaded with chicken, feta cheese, spinach, and pesto. The Vieux Carre also has basic specialties like vegetarian and Hawaiian pizzas. It’s open late (3 a.m. Mon.-Thu. and Sun; 4:30 a.m. Fri.-Sat.). Delivery and online ordering are also available.

All of these places are in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, short blocks from French Market Inn. Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

 

 

 

7 Best Museums in the French Quarter

The Cabildo, French Quarter, New Orleans

As the summer temps are starting to soar above 90F, going anywhere the air conditioning can reach you sounds appealing. However, the Louisiana heat shouldn’t deter you from making the most of exploring the French Quarter. Take it indoors with these seven museums, all within walking distance from one another, to stay cool and learn about local history at the same time.

1. The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is housed in a two-story historic building that was the site of the apothecary shop of Louis Joseph Dufilho, Jr., America’s first licensed pharmacist. The museum features a diverse and extensive collection dating back to the 19th century. The first floor contains surgical instruments, books, patent medicines, perfumes, and cosmetics, among other artifacts. The second floor showcases the pharmacist’s quarters including a physician’s study and sick room, plus a collection of spectacles and locally excavated bottles. There’s also a lovely courtyard. Guided tours are available Tuesday through Saturday ($10 admission).

2. The Cabildo

Both the Cabildo and the Presbytere, which flank the St. Louis Cathedral, are run by the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo replaced the building claimed by fire there in 1794, and served both as the seat of government during Spanish colonial rule and as the site of the signing of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Now the building houses such precious artifacts as a painting of Marie Laveau by Frank Schneider; a self-portrait by Julien Hudson, an antebellum artist and free man of color; and a rare Napoleon’s death mask ($10 admission).

3. The Presbytere

Built in 1791 in a style to match the Cabildo, the Presbytere served as a courthouse in the late 19th century and now contains several exhibits. The dazzling “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana” tells the story of Carnival traditions in Louisiana, including Cajun Courir de Mardi Gras, Zulu coconut throws, Rex ball costumes, and much more. The “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond” exhibit documents the natural disaster, its aftermath, and the ongoing recovery with interactive displays and artifacts ($7 admission).

4. Arnaud’s Restaurant Mardi Gras Museum

The Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum is named after the daughter of Count Arnaud (local and honorary title only), who was the reigning Mardi Gras Queen of more than 22 balls between 1937 and 1968. The museum is located inside Arnaud’s Restaurant and is free to the public during business hours.

Since 1983, this unique museum showcases 13 of Mrs. Wells’ Mardi Gras queen costumes, plus the family Carnival costumes dating back to 1940s, including four king costumes of her father’s. The collection also includes dozens of vintage photographs, Mardi Gras masks, and related Carnival memorabilia such as party invites and favors.

5. New Orleans Jazz Museum

Built in 1835, the Old U.S. Mint uniquely served as both a U.S. and a Confederate Mint. The building is now a museum (free to the public) and research facility. It also serves as a site for music festivals and performances. The permanent collection showcases coins and stamping presses. Upstairs, you’ll find the “New Orleans Jazz” exhibit featuring priceless pieces like Louis Armstrong’s first cornet and Fats Domino’s Steinway grand piano, plus historic recordings and rare film footage.

6. The Historic New Orleans Collection

The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) is a museum, public research center, and publishing house, spread over three campuses in a dozen of historic buildings in the French Quarter. It’s free to the public (except for the guided tours). The Royal Street campus (533 Royal St.) houses the main museum with a permanent exhibit on state history plus rotating exhibits on history and art.

The Chartres Street campus (400 and 410 Chartres St.) houses art galleries and the Williams Research Center, which holds thousands of original documents, manuscripts, photographs, and other artifacts, as well as over 35,000 library items. The THNOC also offers docent-led and free self-guided tours of historic buildings and courtyards at several locations in the French Quarter.

7. The Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans

The free Irish Cultural Museum explores the rich history of the city’s Irish residents dating back to the 1700s. The collection includes maps, photographs, genealogy resources, a documentary, and interactive kiosks. The historic building features a balcony and a courtyard. On the premises is also a coffee and whiskey bar, St. Patrick’s Coffee House.

All of these museums are in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, short blocks from French Market Inn. Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action!

Bourbon Street Bucket List

The 13-block of Bourbon Street stretches from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue and is packed with bars, clubs and restaurants. There’s more to the most visited street in the French Quarter than neon signs and brightly colored drinks in gigantic souvenir cups. Bourbon Street is home to some of the oldest bars and best restaurants in New Orleans. And after the recent renovation of the eight blocks of the Upper Bourbon (starting from Canal), it’s shinier and more walkable than ever. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, here are some suggestions for your bucket list.

EATING

Oysters and Other Gulf Seafood

Bourbon Street’s culinary offerings are a mix of high and low, with some local flair thrown in. The two seafood restaurants run by the Brennan family that are located on Bourbon Street would be solid choices for all things Gulf seafood and oysters in particular. The Red Fish Grill on the first block off Canal Street offers good happy deals and is child-friendly. Signature dishes include Shrimp Creole and double chocolate bread pudding. Brennan’s Bourbon House (on the same block) has an oyster bar and a large selection of small-batch and single-barrel bourbons.

24/7 Breakfast

For the pub grub and fast food, anything on the breakfast menu plus those famous little square burgers on steamed buns at the fast-food chain Krystal (116 Bourbon St.) would serve you well. The retro diner Clover Grill (900 Bourbon St.) has a huge breakfast menu and only-in-the-Quarter ambiance. Both are 24/7.

Balcony Dining

For balcony dining with a view of the French Quarter, head to Cornet (700 Bourbon St.) or Pier 424 Seafood Market Restaurant (424 Bourbon St.). Both restaurants serve traditional Cajun and Creole fare like gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and other local favorites. Pier 424 also has oysters, blackened specialties, boiled seafood, and plenty of po-boys on its menu (this might be your chance to try an alligator po-boy).

Galatoire’s: Old-World Upscale Creole

If you’re going to try just one restaurant on Bourbon St., make it Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon St.). This fine-dining institution should be on everyone’s New Orleans bucket list. Since its opening in 1905 generations of New Orleanians had been lining up for the Creole classics like crab maison, duck crepes, foie gras, and turtle soup. Galatoire’s old-world, decadent ambiance is something to experience.

DRINKING

Absinthe

The Old Absinthe House (240 Bourbon Street) dates to 1806 and has hosted its share of famous patrons, including Oscar Wilde and Franklin Roosevelt. Sidle up to the classic copper bar and have one of the potent signature absinthe cocktails. Enjoy the old-fashioned yet quirky saloon ambiance.

Hurricane and Hand Grenade

Having one of those is pretty much a must if you’re hanging out on Bourbon Street, so do it right by going to the source. Sip your Hurricane in Pat O’Brien’s courtyard (624 Bourbon St.), and make sure your Hand Grenade comes from one of the Tropical Isle locations on Bourbon St. (435, 600, 610, 721, 727 Bourbon St.). The Bourbon and Orleans location has one of the largest balconies with a view of St. Louis Cathedral (you may have seen it on TV because it’s often used for live broadcasts).

One of the Oldest Bars in America

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon St.) is a must-stop, period. Housed in a crumbling Creole cottage on the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip streets, it was built between 1722 and 1732, making it one of the oldest structures used as a bar in the U.S. Legends swirled for centuries that this location was used by the infamous Lafitte Brothers, Jean and Pierre, as a base for their privateer operation in Barataria. The bar has a unique ambiance and is popular with locals and visitors alike. If you’re feeling brave try the signature drink called Purple Drank, a frozen daiquiri concoction.

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Jazz

If you want straight-up jazz, the Jazz Playhouse (inside Royal Sonesta at 300 Bourbon St.) is a reliable choice. It’s located on the lobby level of the hotel and serves craft cocktails.

The Musical Legends Park (311 Bourbon St.) also hosts live music shows among its life-size bronze statues of local musical legends like Louis Prima, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, and others. While you’re at it, have some beignets and cafe au lait at the outside seating at Cafe Beignet inside the park.

Maison Bourbon (641 Bourbon St.) is an old-school jazz club “dedicated to the preservation of jazz” (the outdoor sign says). Take in the gleaming bar, the brick walls and the beamed ceilings. It also has a courtyard and a big balcony.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Club (733 Bourbon St.) is another great spot for live jazz and Dixieland. It’s been around since 1969, and it’s reflected in the memorabilia and the black-and-white photos lining the walls. Seating is limited because the space is intimate, but there’s more seating outside in the back where you won’t be able to see the action but still hear it pretty well. Nightly shows start at 8 p.m. on Sunday through Tuesday and 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. There are afternoon shows as well and they tend to be less crowded.

LGBTQIA+

Once you walk past St. Ann St. you’ll start seeing the rainbow flags. The LGBTQIA+ section of Bourbon St. has two popular dance clubs across from one another, Oz (800 Bourbon St.) and Bourbon Pub & Parade (801 Bourbon St.). Both have several dance floors, drag shows, DJs, and wraparound balconies for people-watching. The Pub serves as the annual headquarters of Southern Decadence. Just down the block, Cafe Lafitte in Exile (901 Bourbon St.) is open 24/7 and hosts disco parties and karaoke nights. It’s been around since the 50s, which makes it one of the oldest gay bars in the country.

Karaoke and Riding the Bull

Speaking of karaoke, The World Famous Cat’s Meow (701 Bourbon St.) is THE karaoke spot to be if you must indulge and don’t mind the rowdy crowd. The party atmosphere is helped by drink specials. Riding the mechanical bull is another one of the favorite pastimes on Bourbon St., and you can try your luck at Boot Scootin Rodeo (522 Bourbon St.). The honky tonk also has a large dance floor.

Psychic Readings

See what the stars have in store for you at Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo (739 Bourbon St.). Psychic and spiritual readings are available daily starting at noon. In addition to the city and ghost tours, the Bloody Mary’s Tours office (941 Bourbon St.) also offers psychic readings.

Book a stay at our historic French Quarter boutique hotel, right in the epicenter of all of the action and blocks away from Bourbon Street!