Leah Chase in front of Dooky Chase Restaurant; (c) Soul Of America
New Orleans Restaurants
Native Americans, Africans, Spaniards, French and Italians each speak truth about their contribution to this fusion of gastronomic delight. Everything began with a group of Native Americans who welcomed French explorers shortly after 1700. Spaniards brought Islenos Africans from the Canary Islands. Other African slaves arrived who refined okra, kale, rice, sugar and peanut growing methods on nearby plantations. Some became slave cooks. Some male cooks earned their freedom to become independent caterers. This activity led to Gumbo and Jambalaya, among others. When the French returned to control the land from 1800-03, they reasserted a preference for aristocratic presentation of fine food and desserts. Those delightful pralines sure taste like an African cook’s response to a French sweet tooth.
Many free African cooks lived in the backyards of French Quarter homeowners, while slave cooks and independent caterers tended to Garden District aristocrats of the 1800s and early 1900s. Italians arrived in the 1890s, bringing their gastronomic culture and imported sausage, fruit & vegetables to the mix. The tasty Muffaletta cold-cut sandwich of lettuce, tomato, sausage and spices is a welcome result. As the African American presence grew in the 1900s, their influence played a larger role in Creole cuisine and the emerging hybrid known today as Creole-Soul Food.
Dooky Chase
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; Since 1941, this New Orleans tradition has offered the finest cuisine prepared and inspired by Chef Leah Chase. This historic restaurant has hosted leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and the leading lack artists of several generations, when it had the only Black art gallery in town. The service is excellent. Longer take-out hours are available, but dining hours and parking is limited.
CUISINE: Creole; There are no specialties since practically everything on the menu is very good to great.
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Fri 11a-3p; plus longer take-out hours
ADDRESS: 2301 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: none
PHONE: 504-821-0535
WEBSITE: https://www.dookychaserestaurants.com
Lil’ Dizzyโs Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; A multi-decade Baquet Family tradition with great recipes to shared with each patron order. We can vouch that some dishes are so good you’ll want to cheer.
CUISINE: Creole & Seafood; You will love the salad bar and if there for brunch, try the Jambalaya Omelet.
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-3p, Sund 11a-3p
ADDRESS: 1500 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: none
PHONE: 504-766-8687
WEBSITE: https://lildizzyscafe.net
Twisted Waffles
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; Breakfast is Served All Day; Its part of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute.
CUISINE: Chicken & Waffles is standard fare here, the real finds choosing personal mix of waffle bowls. The only limits are your imagination and wallet. The sweet potato waffle topped with caramelized pecans, whipped cream, and marshmallow drizzle might be slap yo mama good!
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 8a-2p
ADDRESS: 725 Howard Avenue, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: St. Charles Streetcar
PHONE: 504-635-0033
WEBSITE: https://www.twistedwaffles.com
Jewel of the South
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; Loretta manufactures their own pralines on-site. There’s a touch of heaven in each bite and Loretta’s gourmet pralines are the perfect edible memento of New Orleans. Loretta’s bakery-warehouse-restaurant is also pleasant venue for visitors and the aroma will embed in your memory taste buds.
CUISINE: Risp Tripe, Smoked Tuna, Fpie Gras Parfait and Smoked Wagyu tongue are specialties, but you should experiment with the new age menu
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$$$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Mon 5p-11p
ADDRESS: 1026 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: Rampart-St Claude Streetcar
PHONE: 504-265-8816
WEBSITE: https://www.jewelnola.com
Morrow’s
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; Loretta manufactures their own pralines on-site. There’s a touch of heaven in each bite and Loretta’s gourmet pralines are the perfect edible memento of New Orleans. Loretta’s bakery-warehouse-restaurant is also pleasant venue for visitors and the aroma will embed in your memory taste buds.
CUISINE: Creole with Southern Flair and the Gumbo Ramen is inspired. There are typically menu specials on Tuesday and Thursday. The desserts will have you begging for more.
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 11a-10p, 11a-11p, Sun 11a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 2438 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: none
PHONE: 504-581-8900
WEBSITE: https://morrowsnola.com
Loretta’s Pralines
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; Loretta manufactures their own pralines on-site. There’s a touch of heaven in each bite and Loretta’s gourmet pralines are the perfect edible memento of New Orleans. Loretta’s bakery-warehouse-restaurant is also pleasant venue for visitors and the aroma will embed in your memory taste buds.
CUISINE: Pralines
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 11a-10p, Fri-Sat 11aโ11p, Sun 10:30a-6p
ADDRESS: 2101 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: Rampart-St Claude Streetcar
PHONE: 504-944-7068
WEBSITE: https://lorettaspralines.com
Mr Bโs Bistro
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; Mr. Bโs Bistro is a less formal spin-off of the fantastic Brennans Restaurant in the French Quarter. The food and service are just as good. Bring your appetite early. You will not be disappointed.
CUISINE: Creole
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: MonโSat 11:30aโ9p; Sunday Jazz Brunch 10:30aโ2p
ADDRESS: 201 Royal Street, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: garage nearby
TRANSIT: Canal Streetcar
PHONE: 504-523-2078
WEBSITE: https://www.mrbsbistro.com
Tipitina’s
DESCRIPTION: Nightclub; Tipitina’s features an uneven performance schedule, but it is nonetheless a premier jazz venue in the Big Easy. Order your tickets in advance when headliners perform here.
CUISINE: Creole light fare
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
PRICING: $$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Sat 5p-until; shows at 8p & 10p
ADDRESS: 501 Napoleon Avenue, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: French Quarter garages
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar
PHONE: 504-895-8477
WEBSITE: https://tipitinas.com
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
DESCRIPTION: Nightclub; New Orleans premier jazz club and one of the gem musical venues of our nation. Every jazz lover should include the Harbor on their must visit list. It was established to showcase the established and the best upcoming artists to perform in the โsnugโ club where space is a premium. The architecture is tasteful and you will like the way music reverbs off the narrow walls to makes the sound special. Dinner can be ordered with show seating, but don’t get set your taste expectations too high relative to other New Orleans restaurants — its first priority is to be a great jazz club.
CUISINE: Creole & Seafood light fare
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: yes
PRICING: $$
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: daily at 5p; shows at 9p & 11p
ADDRESS: 628 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: Faubourg Marigny streets
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar
PHONE: 504-949-0696
WEBSITE: https://snugjazz.comArnaud’sย
Babs
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; An upscale eatery featuring a range of inventive appetizers.
CUISINE: Continental using local ingredients; Menu specialties include Wagyu Beef Lasagna, Fontina Fonduta, and Semolina Gnocchi a la Nona.
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 5:30p-10p
ADDRESS: 2900 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar
PHONE: 504-605-3827
WEBSITE: https://babs-nola.com
Baackatown Coffee Parlour
DESCRIPTION: Coffeehouse with a chill modern setting in Iberville district
CUISINE: Gourmet coffees, teas, sandwiches, yogurt, well-seasoned desserts and more
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 8a-3p
ADDRESS: 301 Basin Street, Suite 1, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: Canal Streetcar
PHONE: 504-372-4442
WEBSITE: https://backatownnola.com
Neyoow’s Creole Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; An upscale eatery featuring a range of inventive appetizers.
CUISINE: Creole; Menu entree specialties include Southern Fried Chicken, Pork Chops Plate, Ribeye, Crawfish Balls, and if you still haven’t decided, try shrimp and crawfish sautรฉed in Neyow’s own rich creamy sauces, served over penne pasta.
CREDIT CARDS: yes
PRICING: $$
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 11a-9p, Fri-Sat 11a-11 p
ADDRESS: 3332 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LAย MAP
PARKING: on-street
TRANSIT: Canal Streetcar
PHONE: 504-827-5474
WEBSITE: https://babs-nola.com
