NOLA Eats – Swah’s Best Places to Eat in New Orleans

Oh New Orleans, how I love you. They say every heart holds onto a little piece of New Orleans, and I have to agree. From the friendly locals and stunning architecture to the turbulent history and amazing creole cuisine, NOLA is a fascinating place to visit. You could spend days stumbling around the French Quarter, but don’t forget to wander around the Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery. The nightlife is wild, but stay clear of Bourbon St for the most part (ok, walk down it once). Where should you go instead? Frenchman St is known for it’s fantastic live music and local restaurants and was my favourite place to discover more of New Orleans.

Now, on to the eating:

♥ Cafe Du Monde – 500 Port of New Orleans #27

Yes it’s a bit touristy, but you can’t visit New Orleans without a stop at Cafe Du Monde for beignet (donuts!!) These babies are deep fried and covered in loads of powdered sugar. You’ll get it everywhere, but that’s part of the experience.

♥ Camellia Grill – 626 S Carrollton Ave

We had breakfast at this old fashioned diner and the omelettes were divine (and huge). My Mexican omelette came with potato hash, toast AND grits (triple carbs!) and we were given generous portions of coffee and milkshake samples. Loved it.

♥ Yo Mamas Bar and Grill – 727 St. Peter St

Did someone say burger topped with bacon & peanut butter!? We tried it, and it was AMAZING! We also tried NOLA staples such as alligator sausage and gumbo.

♥ Cake Cafe & Bakery – 2440 Chartres St

After several days of heavy, delicious fried foods I went in search of something a little healthier. Cake Cafe delivered the goods and I had a vege juice, omelette with fresh spinach and goats cheese and a biscuit. Ok so the biscuit probably wasn’t healthy, but it tasted amazing.

♥ Coop’s Place – 1109 Decatur St

There was a queue snaking out the door of Coop’s Place, and with good reason. The fried chicken here is brilliant, it’s so crunchy and not greasy at all. I had sides of homemade coleslaw and jambalaya which were both sensational too! Oh and they make a mean mint julep. Hic.

♥ Green Goddess – 307 Exchange Pl

This out of the way cafe tucked in a little alleyway serves up a great array of vegetarian food (rare in this city) and arguably the best biscuits in New Orleans. They also have great cocktails.

♥ Elizabeth’s – 601 Gallier St

The brunch at this Cajun diner is hands down one of the best in the city. They are known for their praline bacon (as good as it sounds), a great selection of egg dishes and the biscuits and gravy are divine.

♥ Willie Mae’s Scotchhouse – 2401 St Ann St

Sensational fried chicken and soul food can be found at Willie Mae’s! It’s best to get a taxi there and back as it’s in a somewhat dodgy part of town. It’s worth it.

Want a drink? Try a voodoo daiquiri at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, sit at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone (it revolves!) or order a classic sazerac or ramos gin fizz at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt.

Have you been to New Orleans? If not, do you want to go now? (that answer is yes)