Authentic New Orleans Experiences: My Favorite Things to Do as a Local

New Orleans Cemetery

Sharing my experiences and interests of New Orleans is something I realized years ago I needed to do. My knowledge is vast, and I love that there's always room to grow. The city is dynamic in many ways, and while many things stay comfortable and the same, there are so many new and exciting things that happen all the time. Staying abreast of this information is important to me, and sharing them is even more important. You'll see the things I recommend here. And remember, this is a guide, not a dictation, of what to do when you visit New Orleans. You're not getting a "visit Bourbon Street" style blog here, so let's see what I have in store for you.

Off the beaten path is the way to go, in my opinion. No matter where you are visiting, if you are the type of person who wants a local feel, you want to get off the touristy grid. Part of the authentic New Orleans experiences that I love recommending to visitors and locals alike is trying something a little less assuming than the usual suspects of eateries.

Sure, Commander’s Palace in the Garden District and Antoine’s in the French Quarter are staples, but have you been to Dakar? What about Cafe Degas? Rosedale is wildly delicious and tucked away in a neighborhood. Addis Nola is perfect for the vegetarian palate as it’s Ethiopian and has many options. Clancy’s is an all-time favorite for an upscale meal, and if I were doing it up one night I would go there over any other restaurant in the city for a meal and service that will knock your socks off. My point is: check around, ask me, ask another local where to go. We have such good food and we know just where to tell you to go.

Outside of what I mentioned above regarding eating in New Orleans, there are so many places you can dine, and I'm going to let you into my little secret club of places I enjoy the most. New Orleans is very much a foodie town, so this is going to be your favorite section if food is at the top of your list of things to enjoy. I cannot blame you - there are so many amazing places.

Bywater/Marigny

N7

Cozy French restaurant located near Bywater neighborhood.

Sneaky Pickle/Bar Brine

A local favorite in Bywater neighborhood for casual eats and drinks.

Paladar 511

Always a good meal when you go here. Located in the Marigny, it has something for everyone.

French Quarter

Doris Metropolitan

Not only a phenomenal steakhouse, they have good vegetarian options as well. They are located in the heart of the French Quarter.

Italian Barrel

If you want fantastic Italian food while you're in New Orleans, make a reservation here.

CBD/Warehouse District

Junebug

Casual and easy, Junebug has mostly small plates. It's a nice place to eat at the bar.

Pluck Wine Bar

Pluck is on my list of the best bars in New Orleans for a reason. Their food is outstanding, and their wine selection might be the best in the city. The staff recommends budget-friendly options and makes you feel like you belong.

Garden District (ish)

Tito's Ceviche & Pisco

Tito's has been a favorite for years. Everything there is good. It's Peruvian and fresh as can be.

The Bower

They lean into the farmers market ingredients. I enjoy the atmosphere and sitting outside on a nice evening.

Mid City

Katie's

Katie's is in the midst of Mid City and a local favorite for very New Orleans fare. Go hungry, leave stuffed.

Queen Trini Lisa

I'm just going to take the perfect description from their website: Award-winning Trinbagonian Island Soul Food by Queen Trini Lisa — blending Caribbean, African, East Indian & Asian flavors to bring the vibrant taste of Trinidad & Tobago to New Orleans.

Uptown

Casamento's

One of my favorite places to get oysters is at Casamento's. They shuck them in front of you. The rest of their menu is delicious too.

St. James Cheese

A fantastic lunch spot, I often get a turkey sandwich or grilled cheese and a glass of wine and sit on the front porch of their restaurant. Or outside in the patio on a nice day.

Miss Shirley's

Looking for great Chinese food? Some of the best in the city is Miss Shirley's!

The Rum House

I've eaten so many loaded nacho plates at The Rum House. It's a great casual lunch or dinner spot. Sit inside or outside.

Domilise's

For one of the best poboy places in New Orleans, hit Domilise's. It's one of a few places I'll go to eat one.

Avegno

I really loved my meal at Avegno. They have creative items on the menu like their black truffle dip I can't get out of my head, and a great drink list. Eating at the bar was perfect.

Trumpet and Drum - a Favorite!

Having authentic New Orleans experiences includes hitting coffee shops and savoring the morning or afternoon. We absolutely love our coffee shops and they are woven into our culture and our neighborhoods. To go to local coffee shops in New Orleans is to be part of our community. We meet there for work, for pleasure, and on our own to relax. Sipping delicious coffee is as important as sipping a cocktail in our city - both are of essence as a New Orleanian. Here is a list of my favorite coffee shops around the city. If you can’t make one of the ones on my list, you’ll surely find another around you that is equally as good and communal. Sip sip!

Magpie Vintage

There’s a good bit of shopping in New Orleans. Some is good, some is hokey and touristy. Magazine Street is a great place to pick up some great items, and that is often where you’ll find me if I’m shopping in real life (not online), at actual stores. It's is definitely for locals and tourists alike, which is why I have added it to authentic New Orleans experiences. I also have my favorites, and I discover new places all the time.

Alice and Amelia is a great place for New Orleans style items like tea towels and door hangers. Magpie, which is near, is great for pre-owned and vintage clothing and jewelry. Many an item have been bought and sold there by moi. With our French connection, hit Aux Belles Choses and pick up linens or soaps. For some locally made products, try  Home Malone. Everything she carries is made within a relatively small region of the southeast. Zèle is also a great one for local products. You've got so many options.

From Morning Call

Did someone say sugar, baby? Outside of my personal addiction to sugar, locals very much love beignets and consider eating them part of our authentic New Orleans experiences. We have our favorites, and since this is my blog, I get to share mine. Morning Call will always be my favorite place to get beignets and cafe au lait because I grew up with them. Although they moved locations from what I was used to, I still love them the most.

My second favorite is The Vintage. Sometimes they have the s’mores beignet that I devour in seconds. You may think I haven’t eaten in days, but it’s not that. The beignet is just that good. Another perk is they sell one at a time, so you’re not stuck eating three (because that’s how most people sell them, in quantities of three). Because beignets at Cafe du Monde is conveniently located in City Park, I also will go there, but that’s third on my list. Some other places of interest are Cafe Beignet, which has several locations, and Loretta’s. You can’t go wrong, really!

City Park on a Beautiful Day

If you want to feel serenity and peace, go for a walk at either City Park or Audubon Park. Me, I go to both. I love Audubon Park because it has a large two mile loop so I know I can get a really good walk in by going once around the loop. There are also a bunch of birds that hang out around the lake at one part of the loop that I absolutely love listening to when I pass. You can get to the Audubon Park loop on St. Charles Avenue or Magazine Street.

As a New Orleanian, I consider this under the category of authentic New Orleans experiences. City Park is overall magical on its own. Frankly, most of my time spent there is at the Sunday farmers market that I won’t miss unless I’m out of town. Walking around the Big Lake and the Sculpture Garden are two of my other favorite things to do in City Park. On a beautiful day, they are the places to be.

Even the Street Signs are Art

Since we have all become photographers with our smart phones, I would also encourage a walkabout in any one of our beautiful neighborhoods. Our architecture and quirky features of the city area such a great place to hone the skills of your picture-taking. One of the things I do is update the photos I sell on my website as well as plan for my next round of photos for my notecard sets, so I am always snapping photos wherever I go. Whether it’s with my iPhone or my actual camera (yes, they do still exist) I never get tired of walking around one of my favorite cities in the world.

Be what the French call a flâneur and walk around with no purpose, only to enjoy yourself. Trust me, it’s the best way because you never know what you will stumble upon, and that is most of the enjoyment in having authentic New Orleans experiences.

A Perfect Cocktail

Would it be New Orleans if you didn’t have some kind of a tail? Since drinking less has been on the rise, I could be talking to you cocktail or mocktail lovers. I am in both camps, as I frequently go extended times without drinking booze. Our city has made it much friendlier to not feel like a weirdo for not drinking, and I so appreciate that. Socially there can be a pressure to drinking, so it’s important to feel comfortable.

Anyway, bellying up to a nice bar and having a drink and some light bites is one of my favorite things to do alone or with friends. New Orleans is one of the easiest cities to be alone because most people are so friendly. Most restaurants have great bars - you can also check out my favorites here, so pick one from my list or find one that you’ve been wanting to go to and have yourself one of the best authentic New Orleans experiences in the books. And tip your bartender.

As well all know, hidden gems are somewhat a thing of the past because of the internet and social media. Places go viral, it's kind of a nightmare for everyone because of long lines, and then a new place comes on the scene. I'm just going to share things I like to do and if they are "hidden" then so be it. You know about it and I know about it, and that's good enough. We don't need the whole world knowing.

Bayou St. John

A lovely walk along the bayou near City Park. One of my favorite places to take photos and relax.

Swirl Wine Bar

Truly a hidden gem (and not far from Bayou St. John), grab a glass or bottle of wine from Swirl.

Audubon Park Walking/Biking Loop

I go here regularly to unwind and walk around the loop. The birds at the lagoon are worth a visit.

St. Germain (Restaurant)

A perfect prix fixe menu, go here if you want an amazing culinary experience.

Storyville Museum

Some of my favorite New Orleans history is in the Storyville Museum. If you like gritty, this is a good place for you. A good read about a madame in New Orleans is The Last Madam, which gives insight to the Storyville scene.

The BK House

A preserved 19th-century home and museum known for its architecture, literary history, and lovely courtyard garden tucked away in the middle of the French Quarter.

Yes, New Orleans is worth visiting. Whether you're with a large group, a friend, a partner, or solo, we have something for you. This is a city that offers fun, history, art, and so much more. You can also come and be yourself and relax. We take you as and meet you where you are. This is a place where you might feel immensely at home, like so many others who visit feel. Give us a shot - we can't wait to welcome you.

It’s really cool to be from such a rad city. Growing up in New Orleans, we didn’t think a thing of it. Being friendly, talking to strangers that quickly become friends, it’s all in our DNA and how we have authentic New Orleans experiences ourselves. We also have the best food arguably in the whole world, and you can get it at any corner. Come with an open mind, heart, and empty stomach to get the most out of your visit. Enjoy every second. Say hi to people on the street. And you’ll leave happy. We can’t wait to see you here.

If you liked this blog, you might also like the one I wrote about what to wear in New Orleans or the best coffee shops.

When you're ready to book your hotel, see my guide for where to stay in New Orleans to walk everywhere.

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