Best Restaurants in New Orleans French Quarter: A Real Taste of the City
If you’re strolling through the French Quarter in New Orleans, prepare yourself to have the best food experience of your life. This neighborhood isn’t just famous for its colorful streets and music, it’s a treasure trove of incredible food.
We’re talking about restaurants where history and flavor mix in ways you won’t forget. These six best restaurants in New Orleans French Quarter are where you really get the heart of New Orleans on a plate.
Tujague’s: History Served with Every Dish
When you step into Tujague’s, it’s like stepping back in time. This isn’t just any restaurant, it’s the second oldest in the whole city.
Believe it or not, this place also claims to be the birthplace of brunch and boasts the oldest stand-up bar in America. To top all the records and titles it holds, Tujague’s feels like home.
When you sit down here, expect dishes bursting with Creole soul. The chef’s picks on the weekend 11 a.m. tours give you a real sense of New Orleans’ rich culinary roots. The flavors are bold but comforting, like a warm hug from the city itself.
New Orleans Creole Cookery: Classic Recipes, Fresh Energy
There’s something special about New Orleans Creole Cookery, you’ll know it from the very first bite. Run by A.J. and Anna Tusa, part of a famous New Orleans family, this place mixes tradition with a bit of fresh zest.
The vibe is lively and inviting, the kind of spot among restaurants in New Orleans French Quarter where locals and visitors feel equally welcome. Every spoonful tells a story full of spices that hit just right, flavors that linger, and a warmth that stays with you long after you leave.
Laura’s Candies: Sweet Treats with a Story
Got a sweet tooth? Laura’s is your go-to. Nestled right in the French Quarter’s oldest part, this candy shop makes its pralines fresh every day. And the recipes? They’ve been handed down for centuries. In New Orleans, the place was established in 1913, making it the city’s oldest candy shop.
These pralines aren’t just candy; they’re a piece of history, creamy and rich with just the right amount of caramel sweetness. The hand-dipped chocolates are a nice bonus too. It’s no wonder this place keeps folks coming back for more smiles and sweets.
Court of Two Sisters: Jazz, Courtyards, and Good Food
Imagine eating your brunch under a flowering wisteria, with soft jazz floating in the air and the gentle trickle of fountains nearby. That’s Court of Two Sisters for you, a charming place that’s been around for over two hundred years and is one of the top restaurants in New Orleans French Quarter.
Their daily jazz brunch is a crowd favorite. And if you want something savory afterward, the New Orleans muffuletta at their po-boy tavern hits the spot. Its elegance, music, and food all rolled into one unforgettable experience.
NOLA Poboys: The Sandwich Everyone’s Talking About
When you want something simple but unforgettable, NOLA Poboys delivers. Right in the heart of the Quarter, they serve piled-high sandwiches packed with fried seafood or other fillings. Fresh, crispy, and just dressed the way New Orleans likes.
The “fully dressed” po-boy sandwich filled with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and that signature Creole mayo is the perfect grab-and-go taste of local flavor. No frills, just delicious, hearty food that leaves you satisfied, making it a must visit among the other restaurants in New Orleans French Quarter.
Cornet Restaurant: Where Jazz and Cajun Flavors Meet
At Bourbon and St. Peters, Cornet Restaurant stands as a tribute to New Orleans’ great loves—jazz and food. It was founded by the family who gave Louis Armstrong his first horn, so you can feel the music in the air as you dine.
Their balcony, the largest on Bourbon Street, lets you watch the lively scene below. But the real star is the food, authentic Cajun and Creole dishes, especially the spicy jambalaya. Each bite feels like a celebration of New Orleans’ fiery soul.
Why These Places Are the Heart of the French Quarter
These six best restaurants in New Orleans French Quarter don’t just feed you, they tell you the story of New Orleans. Tujague’s with its historic charm, New Orleans Creole Cookery’s fresh spirit, Laura’s sweet nostalgia, Court of Two Sisters’ graceful jazz brunch, NOLA Poboys’ down-to-earth sandwiches, and Cornet’s musical soul all come together to give you a true taste of the city.
Each one offers a piece of the puzzle that makes the French Quarter’s food scene so special. They connect past and present, comfort and excitement, tradition and new energy.
Tips for Exploring These Culinary Treasures
If you’re looking at getting the most out of these places, definitely book a guided New Orleans food tour. It’s an easy, fun way to taste a variety of flavors while hearing stories that bring the food and the city to life.
These tours give you enough tasting to count as a full meal, so you get a little bit of everything without having to plan it all yourself. Plus, the guides know their stuff and add context so you don’t just eat the food, you understand its origins and relish it.
Final Thoughts
The French Quarter’s best restaurants offer more than food, they offer memories of a lifetime. Whether you’re a history buff, a music lover, or just someone who appreciates good eating, these six places have something to share.
Tujague’s, New Orleans Creole Cookery, Laura’s Pralines and Candies, Court of Two Sisters, NOLA Poboys, and Cornet Restaurant aren’t just stops on a map. They’re experiences. So go ahead, taste, listen, and soak it all in. The French Quarter is waiting.
There’s no better way to have the best experience of the French Quarter’s food scene than through the top food tours in New Orleans from the reliable food tour operator, Tastebud Tours.