Where to take your visitors in New Orleans
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Brennan's has a great courtyard for when the weather is nice. Photo by Chris Granger
So, you have people coming to visit New Orleans for the weekend? We're here to help.
The big picture: Here's where we take newbies, folks looking for the hot new restaurants, and visitors with children.
- Mix and match to be the perfect host.
The fine print: New Orleans always has a festival or fun event happening.
- Check our recs of things to do each week. Plus, here's a guide of indoor options if the weather is bad.
First time in New Orleans
Eat: Wear your stretchy pants, because you need to introduce your guests to the classics.
- Beignets — Head to Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter or City Park for fried pillows of goodness, and wash them down with a cafe au lait (hot or frozen, depending on the weather).
- Oysters — Get a dozen chargrilled at Drago's or do oyster happy hour at Superior Seafood. More oyster deals.
- Poboys — Chow down on roast beef at Parkway or fried shrimp at Domilise's. See our poboy guide.
- Gumbo — Eat a bowl at Dooky Chase's, and get fried chicken on the side. More gumbo options.
- Barbecue shrimp — Pascal's Manale is credited with inventing this dish. Liuzza's by the Track makes a poboy version. More shrimp options.
- Bananas Foster — Dress up for brunch at Brennan's, and order the table-side bananas Foster at the restaurant that invented it.
- Snoballs — Cool down with a frozen treat at Hansen's or Chance in Hell Snoballs. More snoball options.
Drink: Sip on a French 75 at the Carousel Bar, and try to score a seat at the rotating bar.
- The Country Club — Drink a mimosa at a drag brunch, and then hang out in the adults-only pool afterward.
- Bacchanal — Enjoy a glass of wine and charcuterie under the trees.
Explore: Walk through the French Quarter. Enjoy the art on the gates of Jackson Square. Listen to (and tip) the musicians on Royal Street.
- Take a streetcar on St. Charles Avenue, and admire the architecture.
- Admire the live oaks in City Park or Audubon Park.
- Stroll through the sculpture garden at City Park.
- Do some retail therapy on Magazine Street. Head to the French Market if you're looking for New Orleans-themed souvenirs.
Cool new places
Eat: Dakar NOLA is on pretty much every "best of" list locally and nationally. It has a tasting menu with Senegalese food fused with south Louisiana ingredients.
- Acamaya is a new Mexican seafood restaurant from James Beard finalist Ana Castro. It's one of Eater's best new restaurants this year.
- Morrow Steak is a celebrity magnet from Larry Morrow. His Korean/soul food fusion spot, Sun Chong, is also hot, and his restaurant Monday has TikTok's favorite sweet potato beignets.
- MaMou is a French brasserie and one of the New York Times' best restaurants. More French Quarter restaurant suggestions.
- See more of the New York Times' best restaurants right now in New Orleans.
Drink: Get a cocktail at Jewel of the South, which won a James Beard Award this year and is recognized as one of the best bars in the country.
- Hungry Eyes is an '80s-themed martini bar from chef Mason Hereford. Bon Appetit says it's one of the country's best new restaurants.
- Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt, Chandelier Bar at Four Seasons and Bar Marilou are also among the best bars in the country, according to Food & Wine.
Family-friendly options
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Eat: Sit on the deck at Acorn Cafe at the Louisiana Children's Museum for a menu that'll make everyone happy. They also sell food for the turtles swimming in the adjacent pond.
- Make a pizza at Reginelli's.
- Watch the boats in the marina over a meal at Blue Crab.
- Eat pastries that look like art at La Boulangerie and Celtica. More bakery options.
- Enjoy locally made ice cream at Creole Creamery.
Explore: Check out the new Louisiana Children's Museum in City Park.
- Say hi to the animals at Audubon Zoo and the newly renovated aquarium and insectarium.
- Ride the mini train and the ladybug rollercoaster at Carousel Gardens in City Park.
- Hop on the Algiers Ferry from Canal Street for the best view of downtown. Play at Confetti Park and grab at bite at Nighthawk Napoletana or Barracuda Taco Stand.