In New Orleans, it is not unusual to walk into a restaurant that has been operating for more than 100 years in a building that has been there 150 years or more. That kind of long-term success is built on good taste, good service, and a good reputation in a city known for its unique flavors and famous chefs.
Here are some travel tips for those who want to get a taste of NOLA. Put these six stops on your itinerary:
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1. Antoines: For a restaurant to have been around since 1840, it has to be good. Antoine’s French-Creole cuisine is still cooked up by relatives of the original owner — five generations later. For a simply irresistible New Orleans food experience try their Sunday Jazz brunch and sip mimosas while enjoying that meal too late for breakfast and too early for lunch.
2. Elizabeth’s Restaurant: With a tag line of "Real food, done real good," Elizabeth’s is a local favorite that has grown a national reputation. Try the restaurant’s signature "praline bacon" is a combination of brown sugar, pralines, and pork that make this neighborhood dive a must-stop for foodies.
Expect a casual atmosphere, many New Orleans dishes like panned rabbit, blackened shrimp, and marinated catfish. To take advantage of these travel tips, the visitor has to travel a bit off the usual tourist path to the Bywater neighborhood on the eastern side of New Orleans. It is worth the trip.
3. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: This place defined soul food. Chef Leah Chase has a story so interesting it was the inspiration for a Disney movie. The restaurant, which started as a sandwich stand, has fed an impressive list of national leaders and political figures.
It serves up creole standards like red beans and rice or gumbo, but don’t miss their fried chicken, and be sure to stop a moment to appreciate the art collection on the walls.
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4. Galatoire’s Restaurant: This New Orleans favorite consistently makes the list of America's 101 best restaurants. The Bourbon Street staple features a traditional New Orleans-style creole menu. Tips for this restaurant: Expect to need a jacket for dinner.
5. Commanders Palace: In the Garden District, this restaurant will make you glad to have a reason to leave the French Quarter. This is where Emeril Lagasse was chef before becoming the TV personality he is today (he now owns three other restaurants in New Orleans). The current chef, Tory McPahil, specializes in "haute Creole" creations that are locally sourced.
6. Café Du Monde: No food trip to New Orleans would be complete without the taste of beignets from Café Du Monde. While there are other places to get this powdered sugar-covered, deep-fried doughnut delight, many people say no other compares to Café Du Monde. Its French Market location gives the authentic New Orleans experience.
Open 24 hours a day every day of the year except Christmas, plan to go, grab a table in the café, and order your favorite cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea. Then and do a little people watching — served up on the side, any time of day, to make your New Orleans experience complete.
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