Fabulous food is the rule, not the exception in New Orleans. Dine at these local favorites for the best meals in the city, and perhaps the most delicious food in the world.
When you're visiting New Orleans, you'll walk everywhere. That takes energy. It's smart to start the day with a hearty breakfast.
BRENNAN'S
Locals and visitors alike have made "Breakfast at Brennan's" a tradition for over 50 years. Everyone should enjoy the luxury of a Brennan's breakfast at least once.
Brennan's is located at 417 Royal Street, one block from Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. Brennan's occupies the 1795 mansion that was built by French artist Edgar Degas' great-great grandfather; ask for a table in their famous courtyard if you can.
Guests may order a la carte at Brennan's but the locals know save money by ordering a complete meal. Even if you're not very hungry in the morning, the restaurant's aromas will make you eager for food.
Soup for breakfast? You'll be pleasantly surprised by how well a fresh soup starts your day. New Orleans is almost synonymous with great gumbo, and Brennan's offers several kinds from seafood gumbo to red bean. Each of them is fresh and light enough for breakfast or brunch.
If you're more daring, you'll be even more delighted with their refreshing Oyster Soup.
But, I recommend Brennan's sweet, thick Creole Onion Soup. It's the perfect compliment for any meal, even breakfast.
Next, choose an entree to give you energy for a full day of touring the Crescent City. Brennan's breakfasts are hearty without leaving you "too full."
Every one of Brennan's omelets will delight you, but locals favor their Crabmeat Omelette. The eggs are fluffy, the crabmeat is refreshing, and the accent of hollandaise sauce brings out the best flavors of both.
For an unforgettably rich breakfast, order Brennan's famous Eggs Portuguese. Their chef starts with fluffy, freshly baked pastry shells. They are topped with a flavorful beef stock with tomato paste and Italian ingredients. The next layer is a perfectly poached egg. On top of that, rich, classic hollandaise sauce brings the flavors together. The combination is so delicious, you'll want to lick the plate.
But, if you're new to Southern cooking, try Brennan's Grillades and Grits. The chef selects thin veal escalopes, seasons them with a memorable grillade sauce, and adds a dollop of grits so perfectly cooked, they'll seem like a delicacy.
Finish your fantasy breakfast with Bananas Foster, cooked at your table. Invented at Brennan's chef Paul Blange, this famous dessert celebrates an era when New Orleans was the major port of entry for bananas from Central and South America. This dessert is cooked en flambe; the alcohol in the rum and the banana liqueur nearly vanishes before it is poured over the bananas and vanilla ice cream.
It's no surprise that Brennan's was named the "Best Restaurant in New Orleans" by Food and Wine Magazine, and earned Southern Living Magazine's "Readers Choice Award."
Reservations are recommended. Brennan's is one of the French Quarter's most popular restaurants among locals and visitors alike. It opens for breakfast at 8 a.m.
By late afternoon, you'll want to sit and enjoy another meal. Eat well, since you'll probably stay late at Bourbon Street's famous clubs and bars that never close.
ARNAUD'S
Arnaud's Restaurant has provided legendary meals in the French Quarter since 1918. They also offer some of the best live Dixieland jazz music in New Orleans.
Arnaud's occupies a series of buildings--once twelve individual homes--at the corner of Bourbon Street and Bienville. Locals, visitors, and celebrities all enjoy Arnaud's famous Creole cuisine at lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
Are you adventurous? Start with an appetizer of Alligator Sausage for something to tell your friends about. Follow it with Speckled Trout Amandine, or the best Filet you'll ever taste, stuffed with fried oysters. For variety, Arnaud's famous Remoulade Sauce turns fresh shrimp into an unforgettable delight. And, be sure to try their astonishingly light and puffy Souffle Potatoes.
Creme Brulee is Arnaud's most famous dessert, and they also offer a dramatic version of Bananas Foster. And, whether or not dessert is prepared at your table while you watch, you will be delighted with the attentive service of their staff.
When you're at Arnaud's, be sure to visit their unique Mardi Gras Museum featuring jeweled ball gowns and hauntingly beautiful photos from past celebrations. Ask about their upstairs ghosts, too.
Arnaud's is also legendary for their whimsical and intimate cigar bar, the French 75 Bar. You'll feel as if you're on a lighthearted safari as soon as you enter the room.
But if all this seems a little overwhelming, or you'd prefer a more casual meal, visit Arnaud's Remoulade. This fun and festive eatery features Arnaud's famous seafood, but you can also savor salads, burgers, pizza, and hot dogs cooked to perfection. You can order your meal take-out, but it's even more fun to choose a table by the back of the restaurant, where huge a huge glass window provides a fascinating view of the kitchen.
OTHER LOCAL FAVORITES
Before leaving New Orleans, every visitor should try some beignets (pronounced "benn-YAYZ"). These are fried dough dredged in powdered sugar. When eating these, you'll be tempted to shake off the excess sugar. Don't pretend that this is a healthy snack; it isn't. Enjoy the sugar! And, after a few bites, you'll soon be adding more from the shakers provided by most restaurants. These are fabulously delicious gourmet indulgences.
Locals buy their beignets at two popular eateries: The Cafe du Monde on Decatur Street at Jackson Square is open 24 hours a day, so that you can satisfy a beignet craving at any time.
Or, choose the quieter Cafe Beignet on Royal Street, where locals read their morning papers while savoring cafe au lait and a small mountain of beignets.
If you'd like an upscale meal with a household name, reserve a table at K-Paul's. It may be a tourist favorite thanks to the fame of Chef Paul Prudhomme, but plenty of locals enjoy this Chartres Street restaurant, too. The food is always fresh and the menu changes often. Make your reservations early for an upstairs room, and expect a large crowd.
For a good laugh and delicious food, locals recommend the Clover Grill at 900 Bourbon Street. From their outrageous claims such as the "World's Most Delicious Burgers" to their wacky retro decor, this is a loud, fun place for a quick meal or some time off your feet in the middle of the day. This eatery is definitely gay-friendly and remains open 24 hours a day.
Vegetarians will enjoy the Old Dog New Trick Cafe on Frenchmen Street in the French Quarter. If you're vegan, be sure to ask which dishes include eggs, cheese or seafood. This restaurant is known for the best vegetarian dining in town.
Delicious food is the rule, not the exception in New Orleans' French Quarter. Day and night, that's where the locals congregate to savor meals made with the freshest ingredients and a Creole flair. Plan to eat well when you visit New Orleans, and take home cookbooks and spices to make these same meals at home. Dining is one of the best parts of any visit to the Mardi Gras city.
