Things To Do
French Quarter Festival
French Quarter Fest will be going on throughout the wedding weekend! More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international. Check out the recently released line up here: https://frenchquarterfest.org/music-lineup-2022/ French Quarter Festival has been consistently voted “favorite festival”, “favorite food festival”, and “favorite event open to the public” by locals. Enjoy!
Galatoire's
Very old school French Quarter restaurant on Bourbon Street, and the "who's who" of New Orleans are often sitting downstairs in the main room. You can get very classic elevated creole dishes like crabmeat Maison, shrimp remoulade, Trout or goldfish topped with crawfish and/or fresh crabmeat with brown butter. This is one of the best dining experiences in America - the dining room is beautiful and classic and the waiters all extremely professional and have been doing this for several years, by choice not out of necessity. You do need a suit jacket for men.
Saint-Germain
This is the spot where Melissa and Chris had their first date! Perfect for an authentic New Orleans experience. Like many smaller restaurants in residential spots in New Orleans, Saint-Germain feels like a friend’s house. Inside the double-shotgun building, a long wine bar leads out to a casual courtyard and a dining room that seats about 16, a nod to the bistro side of the business. The ethos here is to bring good wine to a neighborhood crowd in an accessible way.
Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar
Domilise’s has the best po-boy in the city! Domilise's has been here for 100 years. The roast beef is excellent, ask for extra mustard. French ramp is delicious. Some of the best French fries in the country. Extremely cold beer and/or root beer at the bar served in a frozen mug - yum!
Turkey and the Wolf
This hipster sandwich shop was ranked best new restaurant a few years ago by Bon Apetit magazine. The head chef used to be in fine dining and moved over to a sandwich space. Everything is artisan and also very over the top. The collard greens sandwich which is vegetarian is Chris' favorite thing on the menu. Don't miss the soft serve ice cream, which is very delicious (especially if you get the chips on top).
Marjie's Grill
This is a favorite for Chris and Melissa - we eat here regularly. It is a funky spot - new American/Southern cuisine with Asian influence in a random part of the city off a main road. It is worth coming here if you are on the more adventurous side of things. The menu rotates (and has great veg and non-veg options), but expect fried brussel sprouts with fish sauce and chilies, coal roasted shrimp, BBQ pork steak and brisket with greens and potatoes. Don't miss the fried thin cut catfish in a cornmeal batter with homemade ranch (it is insane), and always order a side of roasted sweet potatoes (best Chris has had to date). The buttered cornbread is delicious, the greens are tasty. Local spot for sure, and is never on the tourist radar.
Pat O'Brien's
Pat O’Brien’s is a personal favorite! While known as the home of the Hurricane drink, our favorite part about Pat O's is the dueling piano bar! Grab a napkin, write down your favorite songs on it and pass it up with a dollar or two - the talented pianists will play your requests and you can belt them out with the rest of your newfound friends around the bar! Very lively and fun!
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
Bacchanal is one of the best spots in the city to grab a glass of wine! Walk into Bacchanal's corner wine shop, grab a bottle of wine and some glasses and head into the backyard - you'll feel like you are sitting on the back porch of a friend's house, enjoying a beverage and chatting with buddies. They often have a live jazz or blue trio playing in the back too - it's all a quintessential New Orleans experience!
Cafe Du Monde French Market
A classic Nola experience - you must get beignets when you are here! Local tip: there is a "secret" window around the back if you don't want to wait - you can pick up your beignets and coffee and walk 30 seconds to Jackson Square and eat your treats. Otherwise, don't worry - the line moves pretty quickly and there are always live jazz musicians playing right outside for you to enjoy!
French Truck Coffee
There are many French Truck locations around the city and it is the best coffee here without question. All of the beans are roasted in NOLA - they have a dark and chocolate/nutty flavor profile, as opposed to fruitier/citrusy-forward coffee from SF or NYC. Price is what you would expect for major US city artisan coffee. Iced Chicory is a highlight if it is hot outside!
More Food in the French Quarter!
$-$$: Cafe Maspero - for classic Louisiana dishes! ACME Oyster House - for chargrilled oysters! Felix's Restaurant - for chargrilled oysters! Ruby Slipper - for breakfast! House of Blues - for the gospel brunch! Dian Xin - for a break from Louisiana food! $$-$$$: Mr. B's Bistro - for Louisiana specialties! Red Fish Grill - for amazing seafood! Arnaud's - for the soufflé potatoes! Brennan's - for upscale Creole fare! Broussard's - for the courtyard!
More Great Spots for Drinks!
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar Often said to be the oldest bar in New Orleans - it is in an old blacksmith shop. Get the "purple drink"! Parleaux Beer Lab Best craft beer place in the city, in the funky Marigny Bywater neighborhood. If you like specialty beer, go here! Sazerac Bar In the Roosevelt Hotel, golden light, very aristocratic feeling. Many local celebrities can be found here having a drink! It definitely has the feeling of a place where "deals happen" in local politics. It is a classic spot - get the Sazerac!
More Fun Things To Do!
Wander in the French Quarter (our wedding weekend will coincide with French Quarter Festival!) - Jackson Square is always lively, Royal Street has countless art galleries and antique shops and Bourbon Street needs no introduction... you will never have a dull moment in the Quarter! Stroll the shops along Magazine Street - lots of cute boutiques and fun bars/restaurants. The WW2 Museum is outstanding - probably one of the best war museums in the world. Perfect on a really hot day. Take the streetcar up St. Charles Avenue and marvel at the houses and oak trees - keep your eyes peeled for lots of beads in the trees from Mardi Gras past! Take a walk around Audubon Park - there is a mile long trail around the park that you run, walk or bike on! Explore the Audubon Zoo or Audubon Aquarium - both are world-class. Rent a kayak and explore Bayou St. John. Enjoy one of our many local breweries - we love Urban South, Miel, Port Orleans and Nola Brewery.