Guidebook for New Orleans

Vesta
Guidebook for New Orleans

Food Scene

This is a cute little Italian bakery that has become a staple. They’re best known for their fabulous cannoli.
214 N Carrollton Ave
214 North Carrollton Avenue
This is a cute little Italian bakery that has become a staple. They’re best known for their fabulous cannoli.
I’m not a big fan of ice cream, but the gelato here is incomparable and untraditional – think strawberries with balsamic vinegar, or dark chocolate with cayenne.
3005 Magazine St
3005 Magazine Street
I’m not a big fan of ice cream, but the gelato here is incomparable and untraditional – think strawberries with balsamic vinegar, or dark chocolate with cayenne.
This is the most divine bakery in the city. It’s French and can make even non-sweet-tooth me drool. My favorite there is the chocolate almond croissant, but everything’s fantastic.
4526 Magazine St
4526 Magazine Street
This is the most divine bakery in the city. It’s French and can make even non-sweet-tooth me drool. My favorite there is the chocolate almond croissant, but everything’s fantastic.
Beignets may be tried and true, but no New Orleans trip is complete without an order of beignets with a café au lait.
703 locals recommend
Cafe Du Monde French Market
800 Decatur St
703 locals recommend
Beignets may be tried and true, but no New Orleans trip is complete without an order of beignets with a café au lait.
Maple Bacon Longjohn is a must. Get there before noon though, since quantities are limited.
33 locals recommend
Blue Dot Donuts
4301 Canal St
33 locals recommend
Maple Bacon Longjohn is a must. Get there before noon though, since quantities are limited.
Incredible Cajun/Creole brunch - live band, white glove service, and the Bloody Marys are the best in the city. Wander into the Lafayette Cemetery right across the street afterward.
574 locals recommend
Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Ave
574 locals recommend
Incredible Cajun/Creole brunch - live band, white glove service, and the Bloody Marys are the best in the city. Wander into the Lafayette Cemetery right across the street afterward.
More of a standard diner than a breakfast place - a great late-night option. My favorite is a cheese burger dressed with grilled onions, and a slice of apple pie, warmed up on the grill.
189 locals recommend
The Camellia Grill
626 S Carrollton Ave
189 locals recommend
More of a standard diner than a breakfast place - a great late-night option. My favorite is a cheese burger dressed with grilled onions, and a slice of apple pie, warmed up on the grill.
I love having brunch here, but it’s a suitable place for any time of the day. Hearty Irish food, great beer, and a very friendly atmosphere.
18 locals recommend
The Irish House
1432 Saint Charles Avenue
18 locals recommend
I love having brunch here, but it’s a suitable place for any time of the day. Hearty Irish food, great beer, and a very friendly atmosphere.
A hole-in-the-wall in Treme, an absolute must for sampling real local food. The fried chicken's incomparable, crabs protrude from the gumbo, and the bread pudding is worth dying for.
201 locals recommend
Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
1500 Esplanade Ave
201 locals recommend
A hole-in-the-wall in Treme, an absolute must for sampling real local food. The fried chicken's incomparable, crabs protrude from the gumbo, and the bread pudding is worth dying for.
Upscale French fare with lovelies like rabbit sandwiches and sweetbreads.
184 locals recommend
La Petite Grocery
4238 Magazine St
184 locals recommend
Upscale French fare with lovelies like rabbit sandwiches and sweetbreads.
I believe this is open 24 hours and is cash-only. This is also as hole-in-the-wall as you can get - a "deli" of sorts. Be prepared for a food coma!
173 locals recommend
Verti Marte
1201 Royal St
173 locals recommend
I believe this is open 24 hours and is cash-only. This is also as hole-in-the-wall as you can get - a "deli" of sorts. Be prepared for a food coma!
Jewish deli with divine sandwiches.
216 locals recommend
Stein's Market and Deli
2207 Magazine St
216 locals recommend
Jewish deli with divine sandwiches.
Standard tex-mex, but a great place to immerse yourself in a pitcher of margaritas while munching on chips n’ guac and drifting away to loud 80’s music.
198 locals recommend
Juan's Flying Burrito - LGD
2018 Magazine St
198 locals recommend
Standard tex-mex, but a great place to immerse yourself in a pitcher of margaritas while munching on chips n’ guac and drifting away to loud 80’s music.
They are absolutely obsessed with cheese. Fantastic selection and all of the fine local restaurants purchase from them.
88 locals recommend
St. James Cheese Company - Uptown
5004 Prytania St
88 locals recommend
They are absolutely obsessed with cheese. Fantastic selection and all of the fine local restaurants purchase from them.
Best sushi restaurant in the city.
23 locals recommend
Kyoto
4920 Prytania Street
23 locals recommend
Best sushi restaurant in the city.
Pretty much as hole-in-the-wall as you can get, but the absolutely best po-boys in the city (and I’m not usually a poboy fan). My favorite is the duck poboy with a side of fried green tomatoes.
37 locals recommend
Crabby Jack's
428 Jefferson Hwy
37 locals recommend
Pretty much as hole-in-the-wall as you can get, but the absolutely best po-boys in the city (and I’m not usually a poboy fan). My favorite is the duck poboy with a side of fried green tomatoes.
A fun hotdog joint with mostly outdoor seating. They have pretty much any hot dog you can imagine, from alligator to Guinness, on a delicious bun. Cash only.
359 locals recommend
Dat Dog
5030 Freret St
359 locals recommend
A fun hotdog joint with mostly outdoor seating. They have pretty much any hot dog you can imagine, from alligator to Guinness, on a delicious bun. Cash only.
John Besh’s more casual restaurant – the pizzas are amazing and everything else is wonderful. My favorite is squid-ink pasta with blue crab. It's inside of the Roosevelt Hotel, which is gorgeous.
112 locals recommend
Domenica
123 Baronne St
112 locals recommend
John Besh’s more casual restaurant – the pizzas are amazing and everything else is wonderful. My favorite is squid-ink pasta with blue crab. It's inside of the Roosevelt Hotel, which is gorgeous.
John Besh’s upscale restaurant, and probably the only pricey New Orleans restaurant that is truly worthwhile. Reservations are required, and prefixed menus with wine pairings are absolutely stellar.
79 locals recommend
August
301 Tchoupitoulas St
79 locals recommend
John Besh’s upscale restaurant, and probably the only pricey New Orleans restaurant that is truly worthwhile. Reservations are required, and prefixed menus with wine pairings are absolutely stellar.
Super romantic French-Caribbean restaurant. Fabulous food and a lovely atmosphere, especially in the courtyard on a balmy night.
8 locals recommend
Martinique Bistro
5908 Magazine St
8 locals recommend
Super romantic French-Caribbean restaurant. Fabulous food and a lovely atmosphere, especially in the courtyard on a balmy night.
Adorable little French restaurant known for a sexy atmosphere and all sorts of crepes. My favorite is the sweet breads appetizer.
99 locals recommend
La Crepe Nanou
1410 Robert St
99 locals recommend
Adorable little French restaurant known for a sexy atmosphere and all sorts of crepes. My favorite is the sweet breads appetizer.
For the green foodie – everything on the menu is fantastic, though I’m not a huge fan of their cocktails. This is also a great vegetarian option.
50 locals recommend
Green Goddess
307 Exchange Pl
50 locals recommend
For the green foodie – everything on the menu is fantastic, though I’m not a huge fan of their cocktails. This is also a great vegetarian option.
A recently discovered French, locally-sourced yummy with a lovely atmosphere.
195 locals recommend
Coquette
2800 Magazine St
195 locals recommend
A recently discovered French, locally-sourced yummy with a lovely atmosphere.
Adorable little restaurant with locally inspired goodies… boudin balls… mmmm.
119 locals recommend
Boucherie
8115 Jeannette St
119 locals recommend
Adorable little restaurant with locally inspired goodies… boudin balls… mmmm.
The most incredible pizza I have ever tasted, super friendly staff, and very reasonable prices. The Maria is a killer pizza and the Negroni is my favorite drink.
72 locals recommend
Ancora Pizzeria
4508 Freret St
72 locals recommend
The most incredible pizza I have ever tasted, super friendly staff, and very reasonable prices. The Maria is a killer pizza and the Negroni is my favorite drink.
Just wonderful.
83 locals recommend
Mr. B's Bistro
201 Royal Street
83 locals recommend
Just wonderful.
Steps away, offering delightful fresh-squeezed juices and breakfast goodies, as well as plenty of vegetarian fare. Cash only.
97 locals recommend
Surrey's Uptown
4807 Magazine St
97 locals recommend
Steps away, offering delightful fresh-squeezed juices and breakfast goodies, as well as plenty of vegetarian fare. Cash only.
The kind of espresso you savor in sips.
52 locals recommend
HEY! Café & Coffee Roastery
4303 Magazine St
52 locals recommend
The kind of espresso you savor in sips.
Kid and wallet friendly.
24 locals recommend
Taqueria Corona
5932 Magazine St
24 locals recommend
Kid and wallet friendly.
Wonderful bakery/cafe/take-home salad and soup location, especially for those eating gluten free!
4838 Magazine St
4838 Magazine Street
Wonderful bakery/cafe/take-home salad and soup location, especially for those eating gluten free!
Mmm… pork very nearby!
19 locals recommend
McClure's Barbecue
3001 Tchoupitoulas St
19 locals recommend
Mmm… pork very nearby!
Juice and other yummies nearby
17 locals recommend
Superfood Bar
4113 Magazine St
17 locals recommend
Juice and other yummies nearby
The absolute best juice in the city, and open very early (6/7 AM!)
24 locals recommend
The Green Fork
1400 Prytania St
24 locals recommend
The absolute best juice in the city, and open very early (6/7 AM!)
Wonderful little place in a cool community - open late!
83 locals recommend
Booty's Street Food
800 Louisa Street
83 locals recommend
Wonderful little place in a cool community - open late!
Soooo good. Colombian.
69 locals recommend
Maïs Arepas
1200 Carondelet St
69 locals recommend
Soooo good. Colombian.
Wonderful breakfast and juice location
376 locals recommend
Satsuma Cafe
3218 Dauphine St
376 locals recommend
Wonderful breakfast and juice location
Authentic Chinese
10 locals recommend
Jung's Golden Dragon II
3009 Magazine St
10 locals recommend
Authentic Chinese
Best Vietnamese
40 locals recommend
Magasin Vietnamese Cafe
4226 Magazine St
40 locals recommend
Best Vietnamese
Newest it-restaurant and located across the street! Kid friendly, you can order pickup online, and they have fabulous lemoncello.
4933 Magazine St
4933 Magazine Street
Newest it-restaurant and located across the street! Kid friendly, you can order pickup online, and they have fabulous lemoncello.

Drinks & Nightlife

The best (and best priced) selection of wine and beer, with absolutely lovely staff. They have wine tastings from 5 – 7 on Thursdays and Fridays, but prepare to consume 5 glasses of wine.
53 locals recommend
Pearl Wine Co.
3700 Orleans Ave
53 locals recommend
The best (and best priced) selection of wine and beer, with absolutely lovely staff. They have wine tastings from 5 – 7 on Thursdays and Fridays, but prepare to consume 5 glasses of wine.
My absolute favorite mixology bar. Unbeatable atmosphere, cosmopolitan vibe, and no sign (so look it up before you go, otherwise you’ll miss it. My favorite drink there is the Bandito.
244 locals recommend
Cure
4905 Freret St
244 locals recommend
My absolute favorite mixology bar. Unbeatable atmosphere, cosmopolitan vibe, and no sign (so look it up before you go, otherwise you’ll miss it. My favorite drink there is the Bandito.
Known as a wine bar, they have the best alcohol selection I’ve seen in the city, a fun atmosphere in a New Orleans shotgun, and goose-fat fries.
188 locals recommend
The Delachaise
3442 St Charles Ave
188 locals recommend
Known as a wine bar, they have the best alcohol selection I’ve seen in the city, a fun atmosphere in a New Orleans shotgun, and goose-fat fries.
It’s a moving carousel, that's a bar, inside of a classic New Orleans hotel. Enough said.
25 locals recommend
Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal St
25 locals recommend
It’s a moving carousel, that's a bar, inside of a classic New Orleans hotel. Enough said.
Fantastic tapas, great drinks, and an array of musicians. Sometimes a French cellist name Helen Gillet plays there – not something you’d want to miss.
673 locals recommend
Mimi's In the Marigny
2600 Chartres Street
673 locals recommend
Fantastic tapas, great drinks, and an array of musicians. Sometimes a French cellist name Helen Gillet plays there – not something you’d want to miss.
Also a great alcohol selection, especially scotches. They have fabulous blues and jazz musicians, my favorite of which is Little Freddie King. DON’T miss him if he’s playing.
387 locals recommend
d.b.a.
618 Frenchmen St
387 locals recommend
Also a great alcohol selection, especially scotches. They have fabulous blues and jazz musicians, my favorite of which is Little Freddie King. DON’T miss him if he’s playing.
Best night to go is Thurs, after 11 PM. It’s 80s night, and you don’t have to remember the 80s to get nostalgic and spend hours unabashedly belting Depeche Mode.
82 locals recommend
One Eyed Jacks
82 locals recommend
Best night to go is Thurs, after 11 PM. It’s 80s night, and you don’t have to remember the 80s to get nostalgic and spend hours unabashedly belting Depeche Mode.
Known as a LGBT artsy joint, they often have really offbeat performances, especially burlesque shows that are likely technically illegal. Not for the easily offended.
264 locals recommend
Allways Lounge and Theater
2240 St Claude Ave
264 locals recommend
Known as a LGBT artsy joint, they often have really offbeat performances, especially burlesque shows that are likely technically illegal. Not for the easily offended.
Blueberry mojitos and a cozy atmosphere.
60 locals recommend
St. Joe's Bar
5535 Magazine St
60 locals recommend
Blueberry mojitos and a cozy atmosphere.
Fab drinks nearby
124 locals recommend
Bouligny Tavern
3641 Magazine St
124 locals recommend
Fab drinks nearby
A major LGBT hub with great food. Be warned, only 21+ allowed, plus a nude pool.
451 locals recommend
The Country Club
634 Louisa Street
451 locals recommend
A major LGBT hub with great food. Be warned, only 21+ allowed, plus a nude pool.
Lovely music offerings, great wine, yummy food, and a sexy atmosphere.
839 locals recommend
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland Ave
839 locals recommend
Lovely music offerings, great wine, yummy food, and a sexy atmosphere.
The best dive bar, especially on Tuesday nights when Kermit Ruffins plays and they serve chargrilled oysters and BBQ. Seedy neighborhood, but not something to miss.
30 locals recommend
Bullet's Sports Bar
2441 A P Tureaud Ave
30 locals recommend
The best dive bar, especially on Tuesday nights when Kermit Ruffins plays and they serve chargrilled oysters and BBQ. Seedy neighborhood, but not something to miss.
Seedy, divvy, cheap, 24 hour
111 locals recommend
The Club Ms Maes
4336 Magazine St
111 locals recommend
Seedy, divvy, cheap, 24 hour
Cigar bar nearby
52 locals recommend
Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar
5535 Tchoupitoulas St
52 locals recommend
Cigar bar nearby

Essentials

Soooo close!
736 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
300 N Broad St
736 locals recommend
Soooo close!
Local New Orleans grocery chain.
1002 locals recommend
Rouses Market
400 N Carrollton Ave
1002 locals recommend
Local New Orleans grocery chain.
Fantastic boiled seafood to enjoy in the yard
32 locals recommend
Big Fisherman Seafood
3301 Magazine St
32 locals recommend
Fantastic boiled seafood to enjoy in the yard

Everything Else

For an impeccable mani-pedi.
Magazine at Milan station
For an impeccable mani-pedi.
Gorgeous place for a jog or bike ride.
396 locals recommend
Magazine Street
Magazine Street
396 locals recommend
Gorgeous place for a jog or bike ride.
Workout - for a great burn
7 locals recommend
Pure Barre
4712 Magazine St
7 locals recommend
Workout - for a great burn
Workout - a burn nearby!
6 locals recommend
barre3
5235 Magazine St
6 locals recommend
Workout - a burn nearby!
Workout - the best hot yoga
Bikram Yoga New Orleans
Workout - the best hot yoga
The closest vet, doggie daycare, grooming, etc.
Dog Day Afternoon
831 Bordeaux St
The closest vet, doggie daycare, grooming, etc.
My favorite old New Orleans cemetery
22 locals recommend
Save Our Cemeteries
22 locals recommend
My favorite old New Orleans cemetery
Lovely in the spring
1516 locals recommend
City Park
1 Palm Dr
1516 locals recommend
Lovely in the spring
Nearest yoga
16 locals recommend
Wild Lotus Yoga - Uptown
4842 Perrier St
16 locals recommend
Nearest yoga
Nearest streetcar stop
St Charles at Napoleon station
Nearest streetcar stop
Nearest ER
31 locals recommend
Touro Infirmary LCMC Health
1401 Foucher St
31 locals recommend
Nearest ER
Nearest Urgent Care
15 locals recommend
Ochsner Urgent Care - Uptown CLOSED 7/12 THRU 7/14
4605 Magazine St
15 locals recommend
Nearest Urgent Care

Entertainment & Activities

Sweet ice cream joint. Cash only.
142 locals recommend
Creole Creamery
4924 Prytania St
142 locals recommend
Sweet ice cream joint. Cash only.
Lovely zoo full of activities for kids.
893 locals recommend
Audubon Park
6500 Magazine St
893 locals recommend
Lovely zoo full of activities for kids.
Closest public pool, but open only during the summer.
Audubon Park Whitney Young Swimming Pool
6500 Magazine St
Closest public pool, but open only during the summer.
Indoor playground
The Monkey Room
1501 Religious St
Indoor playground
Lovely park with playgrounds
1516 locals recommend
City Park
1 Palm Dr
1516 locals recommend
Lovely park with playgrounds
Essential place to take a kid to
190 locals recommend
Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
1 Canal St
190 locals recommend
Essential place to take a kid to
Another kid - must
138 locals recommend
Louisiana Children's Museum
15 Henry Thomas Dr
138 locals recommend
Another kid - must
Kid amusement park
56 locals recommend
Storyland
5 Victory Ave
56 locals recommend
Kid amusement park
Nearest playground
9 locals recommend
Wisner Playground
4877 Laurel St
9 locals recommend
Nearest playground
Children's emergency room
11 locals recommend
Children's Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Ave
11 locals recommend
Children's emergency room
Nearby playground
7 locals recommend
Lawrence Square
900 Napoleon Ave
7 locals recommend
Nearby playground
Children's public library
913 Napoleon Ave
913 Napoleon Avenue
Children's public library
A favorite playground
8 locals recommend
Danneel Playground
8 locals recommend
A favorite playground

Arts & Culture

Great art museum with a fantastic sculpture garden
782 locals recommend
New Orleans Museum of Art
1 Collins Diboll Cir
782 locals recommend
Great art museum with a fantastic sculpture garden
Nearest movie theater, often playing classics at midnight.
125 locals recommend
Prytania Theatre
5339 Prytania St
125 locals recommend
Nearest movie theater, often playing classics at midnight.
Movie theater playing foreign and documentaries
29 locals recommend
Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
6621 St Claude Ave
29 locals recommend
Movie theater playing foreign and documentaries
The swankiest movie theater with food and alcohol served during the film. 18+
136 locals recommend
Cinebarre Theatre Regal Cinemas
333 Canal St
136 locals recommend
The swankiest movie theater with food and alcohol served during the film. 18+
Gorgeous and fascinating art museum
315 locals recommend
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp St
315 locals recommend
Gorgeous and fascinating art museum
Off-beat, with awesome exhibitions and performances.
128 locals recommend
Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St
128 locals recommend
Off-beat, with awesome exhibitions and performances.
A must for any music lover, but arrive an hour early to stand in line outside, and bring cash. I believe kids are allowed.
264 locals recommend
Preservation Hall
726 St Peter
264 locals recommend
A must for any music lover, but arrive an hour early to stand in line outside, and bring cash. I believe kids are allowed.
Essential for history buffs
24 locals recommend
Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
929 Camp St
24 locals recommend
Essential for history buffs

Shopping

Abnormally lovely Walgreens nearby.
5518 Magazine St
5518 Magazine Street
Abnormally lovely Walgreens nearby.