Ultimate 2024 New Orleans Travel Guide

- Amy Davis
Girl in white outfit standing in front of green wall that says with love from nola

New Orleans, Louisiana. One of the best cities in the world! And I’m lucky to call it home. It’s rich in history, has an incredible culture, and just so much life. Whether you come for the music, food, or people-watching, the Big Easy offers a unique and enjoyable experience to anyone and everyone. In this ultimate New Orleans travel guide, I will share my top recommendations for the best places to eat, drink, play, and stay, doing my absolute best to make sure that your visit to New Orleans is one to remember!

Where to Eat in New Orleans

Where to get Breakfast & Brunch in New Orleans

  • Willa Jean
  • Bearcat
  • Elizabeth’s Breakfast 
  • The Country Club – drag brunch on Sundays! 
  • Molly’s Rise and Shine 
  • Atchafalaya 
  • Tartine – everything from scratch French food 
  • District Donuts

Healthy Options in New Orleans

  • The Green Fork 
  • 1000 Figs – Mediterranean 
  • The Daily Beet – toasts and bowls 
  • Satsuma Cafe
  • Raw Republic – juices and lite bites
  • Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar

Casual Places to Eat in New Orleans

  • Parkway Poboys 
  • Mahoney’s Poboys 
  • Central Grocery (original muffuletta) 
  • Stein’s Deli – sandwiches
  • Juan’s Flying Burrito – causal Mexican 
  • St. James Cheese Company – amazing cheeses, sandwiches, salads
  • Zee’s Pizza
  • Pizza Delicious 
  • Barracuda – best tacos in town, near Tipitina’s 
  • Company Burger – best burgers in the city AND they have onion rings
  • Mopho

The Best Restaurants in New Orleans

  • The Chloe 
  • Seaworthy – for the oyster lovers
  • Paladar 511
  • Commander’s Palace – a classic in the Garden District!
  • Coquette 
  • Maypop 
  • Peche – one of my favorite places for modern seafood
  • Herbsaint
  • Miss River – in the new Four Seasons
  • Josephine Estelle – Italian in the Ace Hotel
  • Brennan’s 
  • Ralph’s on the Park – overlooks City Park!
  • Saffron – upscale Indian
  • Saba – best hummus you’ll ever eat
  • Brightsten’s – old school NOLA food and atmosphere; in an old house uptown
  • Avo – delicious Italian
  • Doris Metropolitan – have waygu steak! vibey!
  • Le Petit Grocery 
  • Mosquito Supper Club – tasting menu only, very cool experience, delicious local food
  • Osteria Lupo – a new favorite for Italian
  • GW Fins – seafood delivered daily; all sauces made from scratch
  • Lilette – amazing French food

Where to Get Sweets in New Orleans

  • Bakery Bar 
  • Hansen’s Snoballs 
  • Angelo Brocato
  • Haydel’s Bake Shop 
  • Sucre
  • Creole Creamery
  • Gracious Bakery 
  • La Boulangerie 
  • Haydel’s Bakery 
  • Levee Baking Co.

Where to Drink in New Orleans

Best Coffee in New Orleans

  • The French Truck – several locations, all delicious coffee
  • Cafe Du Monde – touristy but fun 
  • Cafe Beignet – hidden gem on Royal St
  • The French Truck – incredible cold brew, several locations
  • CR Coffee Shop 
  • Mojo Coffee 
  • Mammoth Espresso
  • The Bean Gallery – good spot near City Park
  • Church Alley Coffee

Best Bars in New Orleans

  • The Columns – fav espresso martini in the city 
  • Hotel St. Vincent 
  • The Sazarac Bar in The Roosevelt Hotel
  • Hot Tin – rooftop in Pontchartrain Hotel 
  • Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons 
  • Ace Hotel – lobby is great, also has rooftop 
  • Peacock Room 
  • Bar Merilou – speakeasy vibes
  • Monkey board – rooftop
  • Curio
  • Carousel Bar – yes, it spins like a Carousel
  • Pat O’s Patio & Piano Bar – you can’t visit New Orleans and not go here
  • Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop – been serving drinks since the 1700s
  • Bacchanal Wine – cheese boards, wine, great patio, live music
  • Wrong Iron – large beer garden in Mid-City
  • Cure – amazing cocktails
  • W.I.N.O – great for tasting lots of different wines
  • The Vintage – cute spot on Magazine St
  • Erin Rose – frozen coffee in the quarter

Late-Night Dive Bars in New Orleans

  • Le Bon Temps Roule -open 24 hrs
  • Mrs. Mae’s – also open 24 hrs
  • Tracey’s
  • The Saint
  • The Goldmine – no AC, amazing music for dancing
  • The District 
  • Vick’s – they serve pizza!
  • Igor’s

Where to Play

Things to Do in New Orleans

  • City Park Sculpture Garden
  • New Orleans Museum of Art 
  • Audubon Park & Zoo
  • See a concert at Tipitina’s
  • Do a ghost tour!
  • Go Shopping on Magazine Street 
  • Architecture Tour of the Garden District 
  • Julia Row – art shops on Julia St. 
  • Walk down Royal St. to window shop antiques and jewelry 
  • Get a signature perfume at Bourbon French Parfums 
  • Shop at the French Market 
  • Visit Jackson Square 
  • Bar hop on Frenchman Street 
  • Go to a festival! Jazzfest, French Quarter Fest, Poboy Fest, Tomato Fest are my favorites

Where to Shop in New Orleans

  • Home Malone 
  • Lionheart Prints
  • Lucy Rose 
  • Hemline
  • The Shops at Canal Place – Saks and other designer stores
  • The Good Shop
  • Octavia Books

Where to Workout in New Orleans

  • Spyre Center
  • SWOOT
  • Romney Studios
  • Body Shoppe 
  • Cycle Bar 
  • Free to Be Yoga
  • Zone Fit NOLA
  • F45
  • Nola Vibe Yoga

Where to Stay in New Orleans

  • The Virgin Hotel – Fun vibe! Has a great rooftop and bar downstairs
  • Ace Hotel 
  • The NOPSI
  • Pontchartrain Hotel 
  • Eliza Jane Hotel 
  • St. Vincent Hotel – boutique hotel converted from an orphanage
  • The Roosevelt Hotel 
  • The Ritz Carlton 
  • Four Seasons 
  • Old Hotel 77
  • Note if staying in the Garden District/Uptown – lots of Airbnbs 
  • If staying in the French Quarter – must stay in hotel (no Airbnbs allowed) 

Hopefully, this guide has given you everything you need to know to have the trip of a lifetime in New Orleans! Laissez les bon temps rouler!