Best eats in NOLA?

[clover_cruiser]

My hubby and I will be staying in NO one night prior to our cruise departure. We'll be staying on Magazine Street, not too far from Bourbon.

 

Can anyone recommend a great place to eat nearby? We are looking for some traditional NO favourites and cajun fare. Middle-road, nothing too expensive.

 

I'm totally new to NO. Would it be safe to walk from Bourbon back to Magazine (via Canal) at night. We were thinking of checking out Bourbon during the day and eating somewhere closer to the hotel at night.

 

Thanks for you help!

[jgmpuma]

This is a personal favorite: excellent food, generous portions, and reasonably priced. Entrees run $18 to $25 or so. They are big enough to split, depending on how hungry you are. Probably four or five blocks away from where you are staying.

 

http://www.tommyscuisine.com

 

Use a little caution, but there are always lots of people around that area, so a safe walk.

[clover_cruiser]

Thanks so much!

[GORDONCHICK]

We loved Mother's on Poydras, but I don't know where that is in relation to where you're staying.

[BrendaB1]

www.gumboshop.com 1/2 block off Jackson Square. Always good food & reasonable prices.

[clover_cruiser]

Okay...so I'm reading the menus for all these places and I'm positively drooling! Thanks folks; it will be a tough pick.

[UPCrawfish]

http://www.muriels.com/html/home.html

 

Very nice place for lunch or dinner on Jackson Square....

[packard89]

Be sure and go to Pat O'Briens and get a hurricane before you leave New Orleans!!

[NSBFloridaRetiree]

This is a personal favorite: excellent food, generous portions, and reasonably priced. Entrees run $18 to $25 or so. They are big enough to split, depending on how hungry you are. Probably four or five blocks away from where you are staying.

 

www.tommyscuisine.com

 

Use a little caution, but there are always lots of people around that area, so a safe walk.

 

Never mind....I see the prices.

[LadyGator97]

I second the Gumbo Shop. YUMMY!!! Can't get more traditional than that...then you can stroll across Jackson Square to Cafe DuMonde for benigets. I'm going for work in a month and can't wait. It will be my 10th time. Oh yeah, and definitely have a Hurricane for me at Pat O's. Or a Horny Gator at Chris Owen's, or 3 for 1 at Cats Meow or a Hand Grenade at Tropical Isle.....I'll stop now.

[inurdreams2379]

go for the hand gernade at tropical isle. they are awesome! then go to cafe du monde, lol. you'll need it after the hand grenade! my fh and i are staying at the omni hotel in the french quarter. we are sailing out on october 24th.

[map70065]

My hubby and I will be staying in NO one night prior to our cruise departure. We'll be staying on Magazine Street, not too far from Bourbon.

 

Can anyone recommend a great place to eat nearby? We are looking for some traditional NO favourites and cajun fare. Middle-road, nothing too expensive.

 

I'm totally new to NO. Would it be safe to walk from Bourbon back to Magazine (via Canal) at night. We were thinking of checking out Bourbon during the day and eating somewhere closer to the hotel at night.

 

Thanks for you help!

It depends on where on Magazine - and if you're looking for Cajun, Creole or just good seafood.

 

If you're looking for Cajun, then Mulate's on Convention Center Blvd - is great - good food, Cajun music at night, dancing, etc. If you want Creole then others have mentioned good places in the Quarter. You should be safe on Canal between Bourbon and Magazine. You won't be far from the river, casino and Quarter so you should be able to walk anywhere you want to go. Bourbon during the day isn't much to see - more known for it's nightlife.

[TNT123]

Our group of six went there our first night of New Orleans. There was a line, but later found out there usually is. It moved pretty quickly, though, with the help of an officer at the front door only allowing so many people in at a time. Don't get the wrong idea, it is in a good area of town, I think it's just because there are so many crowds, it makes things a lot easier to control the number of people in the restaurant at one time.

 

The Famous po'boy (can't remember the exact name) was wonderful with roast beef, ham and debris. My DH, a devout foodie, thought it was fantastic. My daughter and I split the shrimp po'boy and it was excellent - the shrimp were lightly coated and not heavily fried and oily. There were also several on the sandwich. We chose the small sides so we could share and sample several. The red beans and rice were really good, the jambalaya was excellent and the first side dish to go, and even the boiled cabbage was yummy. Another lady in our group had the ham po'boy and raved about it.

 

It was moderate in price - say $12-15 per person for a sandwich and side, but it was a great atmosphere as you took in the photos of all the famous people who ate there and the friendly staff.

 

Our two teens traveling with us loved the food so much that they insisted we go back there the last day we had in NOLA. Hope you get a chance to go Mother's. Enjoy!

[disneyaholicraquel]

Does anyone have information on Willie Mae's??? I seen it on the travel channel and would like to go before our cruise in Sept.. Is it in a safe area for 4 women who has never been to NO? We are staying at the Doubletree across from Harrah's Casino and will not have a car. Can we take a taxi to/from the restaurant?

[big green]

Does anyone have information on Willie Mae's??? I seen it on the travel channel and would like to go before our cruise in Sept.. Is it in a safe area for 4 women who has never been to NO? We are staying at the Doubletree across from Harrah's Casino and will not have a car. Can we take a taxi to/from the restaurant?

 

This site will give great info on Willie Mae's, The area is suspect-- but it is only opened during the day Mon thru Fri 11:00am to 3:00pm--take a taxi to the front door and have them call a taxi to take you back to where you are staying or the french quarter..

 

http://www.hollyeats.com/WillieMaes.htm

 

 

 

enjoy

 

Big green

[NolaZach]

The best resturant in New Orleans is Commander's Palace hands down. That is were Paul Prudhomme (the Magic seasonings guy) and Emiril Lagasee got their starts from. It is not as pricey as you would think and the service is top notch. If you have ten people at a table all ten have their plates hit the table at the exact same time. The menu features 100% local items and bottom line it is just great.

Also they have 25 cent martinis during lunch and the entrees are only $12-20. Dinner the single most expensive item is $42. Not bad for a five star resturant.

As a local it is my favorite place to bring out of towners.

That said I second Muriel's which is owned by the same family (The Brennan's) and really any of their resturants are great.

Also Emeril's Del Monico which isn't far from the cruise terminal and for a cheaper option Mother's Po-Boys can't be beat.

 

Just stay away from tourist traps such as Bubba Gumps, or Maespero's. Actually most places on Decateur are sub-par and cater to tourists primarily. Trust me you want the food the locals want.

[Two from Virginia]

The best resturant in New Orleans is Commander's Palace hands down. That is were Paul Prudhomme (the Magic seasonings guy) and Emiril Lagasee got their starts from. It is not as pricey as you would think and the service is top notch. If you have ten people at a table all ten have their plates hit the table at the exact same time. The menu features 100% local items and bottom line it is just great.

Also they have 25 cent martinis during lunch and the entrees are only $12-20. Dinner the single most expensive item is $42. Not bad for a five star resturant.

As a local it is my favorite place to bring out of towners.

That said I second Muriel's which is owned by the same family (The Brennan's) and really any of their resturants are great.

Also Emeril's Del Monico which isn't far from the cruise terminal and for a cheaper option Mother's Po-Boys can't be beat.

 

Just stay away from tourist traps such as Bubba Gumps, or Maespero's. Actually most places on Decateur are sub-par and cater to tourists primarily. Trust me you want the food the locals want.

 

 

I totally agree. When we were in NO, this was my favorite eating place. Check out this link: http://www.commanderspalace.com/new_orleans/menu_detail.php?menu=15

We went there for lunch and it was superb. FYI: No shorts allowed so be sure everyone in your party has long pants or a dress/skirt.

[map70065]

Recommending a restaurant is probably one of the hardest things for someone in New Orleans to do. There are just so many good ones - and you never know just what kind of meal the person is looking for. If you're looking for a true dining experience, then Commander's Palace is it. Great food, great service, a real gem. But you have to have the time and money to spend to enjoy it (brunch or lunch is less expensive than dinner). You don't want to be on a tight schedule and try to rush a meal at Commander's. There are numerous other places (some mentioned here) that have good food, but again it depends on what you're looking for - Cajun, Creole, boiled seafood, foodie experience, soul food (not to mention other ethnic foods).

[disneyaholicraquel]

Thanks, for the info....but, I think we will skip this one!

 

This site will give great info on Willie Mae's, The area is suspect-- but it is only opened during the day Mon thru Fri 11:00am to 3:00pm--take a taxi to the front door and have them call a taxi to take you back to where you are staying or the french quarter..

 

http://www.hollyeats.com/WillieMaes.htm

 

 

 

enjoy

 

Big green

[nocruiser66]

For some reason the national food writers have over-hyped Willie Mae's. Its been there for years and never got any attention before Katrina. I don't understand why anybody would come to New Orleans, go into a suspect area, and eat fried chicken. There's lots better food available in much nicer surroundings.

[nocruiser66]

Not that it matters all that much but I don't think that Muriels is owned by the Brennan clan. Their current chef was formerly at Ralph's on the Park which is a Brennan place. That being said, Muriels is very good, but Commanders is probably one of the absolute best places in town. Be sure to call for a reservation.

[map70065]

Not that it matters all that much but I don't think that Muriels is owned by the Brennan clan. Their current chef was formerly at Ralph's on the Park which is a Brennan place. That being said, Muriels is very good, but Commanders is probably one of the absolute best places in town. Be sure to call for a reservation.

No, Muriels isn't a Brennan restaurant, but it's a good one. If you dine there be sure to ask about the ghost table.

[anniversarycruisin']

"Mother's" was a fave of mine and my hubby! Priced right, good food, cool location.

[Norwaylin]

When in New Orleans, Café Du Monde is a MUST! There was also a small sit-down café inside the mall next to the cruise port. The mall (River Walk?) is the former site of the World's Fair. I was there on the Carnival Inspiration in 2003 so I don't know if it is still there. Anyone been there recently? The beignets are wonderful -- and also their coffee.

[chance7832]

Luke --a John Besh Restaurant. Drago's actually located at the Hilton on the Riverfront..outstanding grilled oysters. In the Quarter try The Bourbon House or even Dickie Brennan's Steak House. You won't find bad food anywhere in town....some is more pricey than others, but you should definitely try the Oysters at Drago's or any order of BBQ shrimp.