where to eat in new orleans {part 1}

A few weeks ago, we took an amazing vacay with The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. We packed our bags and the kiddos and headed to New Orleans. It was a one of a kind family trip filled with memories to last a lifetime. We were thrilled to bring you an intro to this series last week, with a sneak peek of all the fun things that we experienced. And now we’re diving in with where to eat in New Orleans {Part 1}!

Where to eat in New Orleans

There’s a reason New Orleans is known for their food and culture… it’s kind of incredible. The restaurants themselves, alone are a destination, and when we walked away from each meal, we felt like we learned something about their food as well as their city. This is definitely what makes New Orleans so unique. And each meal should definitely be savored.

So today, here’s the first little snippet on our favorite spots to try, and why!

Where to eat in New Orleans – things to remember: 

• We asked the good people at each restaurant what they liked, recommended, and what they were known for. We loved trying their unique items on their menu. So here, you’ll see a few of their specialties.

• We had three picky eaters in tow. That means we made them try all the things. They could order something they liked from the menu, but they also had to sample what mom and dad were having. We even kept a tab going for each child, so it became a game for them {and us – because some of their faces were worth the photo ops}. It was part of the deal with dining in New Orleans. Since we’ve gotten back, they’ve kept it going, which may sound silly to some but for us, it was LEAPS and BOUNDS of progress for them. So we’ll keep you posted on each thing we tried if it was totally different or new.

• It’s really hard for us to relive these posts through photos, because we want to do it all again. ;} Note to self: do not write when hungry.

Where to eat in New Orleans – Joey K’s • 3001 Magazine Street 

This was our first meal, and the perfect pick for such. Jamin and I said that if we lived nearby, this would be the place we would eat at, regularly. What we loved about Joey K’s was that it seemed like a nice, casual spot for locals. This sweet little set up consisted of a relaxed, diner-like atmosphere, perfect for kids and adults alike.

We have a soft spot for restaurants that write out their specials on a chalkboard, after all. It seriously just might be one of our favorite things.

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Joey K’s is a quaint local establishment that offers some of the best Creole and local fare in town. Located in the heart of the Garden District, Joey K’s features daily plate specials, fried seafood plates, po boys, fried chicken and so much more.

What we tried:

Like any good meal, it all started with cornbread. Cornbread is a weak word for this stuff, as it was more like cake. Melt -in-your-mouth, buttery goodness corn cake. Cornbread is one of my all time favorite foods, especially when done right.

We started with their Creole Tomato Salad, which is a seasonal option. Those tomatoes were as big as my head, and absolutely mouth wateringly amazing when paired with their special dressing.

I had the Grilled Salmon, and it was absolutely perfect. Jamin had the Shrimp Magazine and this was also crazy good. The entire trip, we kept shuffling plates, and trying things off of each others’ orders.

The kids tried our tomato + fish – which was a big step for them. Just wait… we get a little crazier.

And they clearly loved that corn bread.

Malone especially. {He’s the youngest in the background :D} I’m not sure he came up for air.

Let it also be noted that they’re known for their homemade sangrias. I tried a handmade peach sangria that was probably the best sangria I’ve ever had. Hands down. I know sangrias are originally Spanish, but I felt like using an old school southern accent whilst sipping this puppy. Perhaps that was the sangria and peach combo talking.

For you beer lovers, Jamin had the Abita Boot, a beer only available in Louisiana and the craft beer snob in him raved about it all week.

Let it also be noted that I wanted to pry off their glorious front door and take it with me. ;} The architecture was so inspiring at every turn.

The next morning, we started off right with a classic:

Where to eat in New Orleans – Café Du Monde • 800 Decatur Street 

I’m pretty sure one does not do New Orleans without doing Café Du Monde.

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Since 1862, they’re the original French Market coffee stand, they serve cafe au lait and beignets 24 hours daily. Taste the original beignet, Louisiana state donut, coffee w/chicory and half hot milk, also known as a cafe au lait.

I must confess, I’d never tried a beignet before. So this was a first for me. For all of us, actually.

The orders actually come in plates of three, so we put some in a bag to take with us, which was perfect for our hotel, because it came with a little kitchen area. {More on how fabulous that one was, location and all, later!}

It was absolutely charming, and around the back, there are windows where you can see them actually making the beignets. The kids loved watching the process.

The streets around Café Du Monde are literally caked with their powdered sugar.

All Jamin and I could think about was the lucky/hardworking guy who started this thing, over a century ago. (Psst… did you know you can bring a little Cafe du Monde to your home? Buy here and go to their shop. We cook these all the time!)

 

Where to eat in New Orleans – Red Fish Grill • 115 Bourbon Street 

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Red Fish Grill is an award-winning casual New Orleans seafood restaurant located at the gateway to the French Quarter at 115 Bourbon Street, just one block off of Canal Street. The 19th Century building that houses Red Fish Grill has been praised as one of the finest renovations in the French Quarter’s history!

I’ll start with our after picture… let’s just say we were so glad that we had some walking to do! – Note: That tarp /street cover thingy isn’t usually there – they were doing some street work out front, and it will be completed soon – we had to have our pic-infront-of-the-sign, op.

This restaurant was quite the treat – if by ambience alone. But the food was equally amazing! The kids were pleased that they were able to walk through a little bit of Bourbon Street. {During the day – I’m sure they’ll be telling their friends this later, even though they really have no idea what all the fuss is about when it comes to Bourbon Street.}

What we tried:

Y’all. Don’t leave without trying their BBQ Oysters. As our waiter described them, they’re like candy oysters. Per their menu: Our signature! flash fried oysters, Crystal BBQ sauce, housemade blue cheese dressing.

I had no idea oysters could taste so good. And thus began my downfall into oysters. No really. I only let the kids try these because I’m a nice person.

For another starter, we also tried Alligator Boudin Balls – Abita Andygator 3 mustard sauce, peach pepper jelly. These were equally fantastic. If you’ve never had alligator before, this is where to start since it’s mixed in so nicely with all the other amazingly yummy things.  

This is Malone’s face upon first trying the alligator. He later told us he liked it…

But I think he’s more of a hamburger man.

Jamin ordered the Gulf Shrimp and Pimento Cheese Panini – and I could have grabbed it off his plate it was so good. I tried the Wood Grilled Redfish & Louisiana Lump Crabmeat – another signature. I don’t think I’ve ever had redfish before and it was delicious without being too heavy… especially after the appetizers. We loved everything that we tried.

I just can’t get past the adorable oyster plate. And suddenly, I can’t have enough seafood in my life.

And for dessert: We tried the Double Chocolate Bread Pudding.

I think Emerson’s face says it all. {The kids promptly fought each other off for tastes}

Where to eat in New Orleans – Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant • 201 Julia Street

If Mulates could be described in one phrase, it would be: Treat yoself.

Per The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Mulate’s is known as the original Cajun restaurant, famous for preserving and celebrating the food, music and culture found in the small towns and along the bayous of south Louisiana. But the restaurant that prides itself on being true to its roots would never have opened its doors if owner Kerry Boutte hadn’t ventured out of Cajun Country and into restaurants and dance halls of New Orleans, Houston, and even Europe. There is a lot to learn about us, so just stop in and experience the original Cajun restaurant.

We were immediately charmed by the family friendly, adorable dance hall feel. They had a local band and the entire place just had one great energy. We arrived early but it soon became packed with visitors and locals alike. I was pretty sure one older couple came there pretty regularly to dance – they were impressive to watch all on their own!

The atmosphere was just… wow.

But the food. Even better.

What we tried:

For appetizers, we tried Catfish Bites, Cajun Smoked Oysters, and a little of their amazing Gumbo.
Jamin ordered the Snapper {blackened} and I had the Crab Au Gratin  – along with their Cole Slaw and Au Gratin Potatoes.

To say all of this was amazing would be an understatement – we were amazed by the food. 

Mama was happy with her Lime Colada –  one of their specialties – it was a dessert in a cup. I mean who wouldn’t have fun drinking out of one of these cups?

Jamin discovered they had the Abita Boot beer, guess what he had? After all it is only available in Louisiana!

 

And the desserts didn’t last long!

I’m pretty sure they were talking about how good it was or maybe it was pretty much a feeding frenzy with the two eldest.

And that wraps up our first installment of where to eat in New Orleans!

Are you hungry yet? Seriously though, this food.

Because this is a lot of info at once, this officially wraps up part one of our where to eat in New Orleans! Stay tuned because next up we have what to see – part 1! This vacay was go go go in a good way, enriched with fun and culture for all of us… we really had no idea that New Orleans could be so amazing for families.

Stay tuned – we can’t wait to share more!

 

Check out the entire series:

Lovely
A Trip to New Orleans:
What to Do Part 1:
Where to Eat Part 2:
What to Do Part 2:
Perfect Itinerary:

{We partnered with the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau to highlight some of the great aspects of this city. For more on our partnerships please visit here.)