New Orleans Cuisine
With all the great aspects of Essence Fest like concerts, seminars, shopping, partying, etc. we still cannot forget about discussing the outstanding food. However, this is not just any regular food it’s New Orleans cuisine. If you just thought you would just being eating at somewhere like Friday’s or Applebee’s then adjust your taste buds. New Orleans provides a great dining experience so please step outside of the chain establishments found in your home city and enjoy the hometown food.
New Orleans cuisine is acclaimed because it’s a unique combination of seafood, soul food and a heavy Creole influence. The combination really provides a great taste and numerous dishes you do not find in other areas around the country. In general, the product is outstanding so that natural leads to having an abundance of restaurants that embody New Orleans cuisine.
For those that have never had New Orleans’s cuisine be prepared for some spicy dishes. The more authentic establishment you attend likely the spiciness will increase. It’s extremely flavorful but for those that can’t handle much spice, be prepared. For everyone else your taste buds should already begin watering.
If you don’t like or are allergic to seafood, be warned that many New Orleans restaurants are based heavily in seafood. The restaurants tend to have extensive menus so you should be able to find something to eat but it’s probably won’t be the showcase dish. For those that love seafood, New Orleans will automatically become one of your favorite places. With the Gulf being close by there’s an abundance of fresh seafood in all types of varieties.
Please be aware of the portions given in many of these establishments. They tend to provide a lot of food, especially when ordering an entree so it’s probably a good idea to ask your server how big a serving will be. There are no microwaves in many hotels so instead of having a “doggy bag” you might want to consider sharing if you are not a big eater or not that hungry.
New Orleans brings so many elements to the table as a city full of culture, history and uniqueness. The food is certainly one of the key ways New Orleans shares their culture with tourists. There are plenty of outstanding restaurants to dine at so it’s hard for patrons to make a bad choice. You can’t help but run into a few quality restaurants over your stay, below are our favorites. However, keep in mind that New Orleans has so many tremendous places to eat that I’m sure we missed some great ones. In addition, these are establishments in just the French Quarter so if you expand outside of that there will be even more great places.
Here are our favorites:
Acme Oyster And Seafood House
724 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-5973
Menu: http://www.acmeoyster.com/images/pdfs/09_019_frenchquarter.pdf
Price Range: Sandwiches $10-$15, Platters $15-$20
Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
429 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-5800
Menu: http://www.bubbagump.com/menus/
Price Range: Sandwiches around $10, Platters $15-$20
Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Cafe Du Monde
800 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 581-2914
www.cafedumonde.com
Price Range: Under $10
Cuisine Type(s): Beignets, Coffee
Deanie’s Seafood
841 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 581-1316
Menu: http://www.deanies.com/restaurants/dinner-menu/
Price Range: Sandwiches $8-14, Platters $13-$20 Cuisine Type(s): American, Seafood
Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse
716 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-2467
Menu: http://www.dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com/menus.html
Price Range: Entrees $24 plus
Cuisine Type(s): American, Steakhouses
Landry’s Seafood House
400 N. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 558-0038 (800) 526-3797
Menu: http://www.landrysseafood.com/images/LSH-Menu.pdf
Price Range: Entrees/Platters $15-$25
Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
401 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 523-9656
Menu: http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/mothers_menu.html
Price Range: Entrees/Platters $15-$25
Cuisine Type(s): Seafood, Soul food
Oceana Grill
739 Conti St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 525-6002
Menu: http://www.oceanagrill.com/menu/dinner-menu/
Price Range: Sandwiches $12, Platters/Entrees $15-$27
Cuisine Type(s): Cajun, Seafood
Ralph & Kacoo’s
519 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-5226 Menu: http://www.ralphandkacoos.com/media/Dinner20Menu.pdf Price Range: Platters/Entrees $15-$25
Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Red Fish Grill
115 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 598-1200
Menu: http://www.neworleans-food.com/menu_pdf/dinner_box_32911.pdf
Price Range: $17-$34
Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Please refer to this New Orleans Cuisine link for more French Quarter dining choices.
