2020-08-04 17:28:14
New Orleans’ cosmopolitan vibe is alive at dining destinations throughout the city, and its cultural influences are evident in every bite. CREOLE Creole cuisine is part of the rich cultural legacy of the French, Spanish, German, African and Native American peoples who have lived in southeastern Louisiana for many generations. The French Quarter has the city’s highest concentration of Creole restaurants. Some of the most noteworthy include old-school favorites Arnaud’s, Court of Two Sisters, Galatoire’s, Muriel’s and Broussard’s, and newer additions such as Dickie Brennan’s Tableau and Sylvain. Beyond the Quarter, look for outstanding Creole restaurants Commander’s Palace, Restaurant August, Brigtsen’s, Emeril’s Delmonico and Jacques-Imo’s. CAJUN Cajun food is most associated with the southern Louisiana coast and swamp regions. The culinary tradition comes from the French-speaking Acadians who migrated from present-day Canada in the 1700s. Think of Creole and Cajun cuisine as cousins — you’ll find gumbo, jambalaya and étouffée on both menus — though Cajun dishes traditionally incorporate more locally sourced meats, fish and vegetables. Cajun culture is alive and well at restaurants like the Gumbo Shop, Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, Cochon, Mulate’s, and James Beard Award finalist Isaac Toups’ restaurant, Toups’ Meatery. SOUTHERN/SOUL FOOD The Deep South is famous for its long list of comfort foods. Sure, you could find fried chicken, collard greens and maybe even grits on menus outside of the region, but down here, those foods just seem to be made better. Get your soul food fix at legendary Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Café Reconcile and Brown Butter Southern Kitchen are just a few of the many soul food restaurants worth checking out. ITALIAN New Orleans’ Italian roots run deep. One example: the muffuletta, a Sicilian-style sandwich that’s become one of New Orleans’ quintessential local delicacies. Central Grocery (founded in 1906) is where the muffuletta was conceived, and nearby Napoleon House also serves delicious ones. You’ll find more Italian fare at Domenica, Tommy’s Cuisine, Avo and Josephine Estelle. You can also get a taste of Italy in Metairie at Andrea’s Restaurant. FRENCH French Quarter, French Market, Frenchmen Street — New Orleans’ ties to France (of which it was once a part) is evident everywhere. Including its dining scene. Top picks include Antoine’s, Café Degas, La Petite Grocery, Lilette, Herbsaint and Gautreau’s. BOTTOMS UP! New Orleans’ cocktail culture is alive and thriving — learn more at neworleans.com/drink. Cheers! Beyond THE DINNER TABLE Make the most of your meals by getting to know a little about their history and how they’re made. Dylan O’Donnell, aka Dr. Gumbo, specializes in walking tours of restaurants and bars in the French Quarter. New Orleans Secrets specializes in small-group culinary tours. New Orleans Culinary History Tours takes visitors to two of the city’s oldest restaurants. Destination Kitchen serves up beignets and café au lait to start its two-hour French Quarter tours, and Tastebud Food Tours and Events shows off the savory side of the city with stops at five locations. Learn how to cook up a taste of New Orleans at home with a cooking class. NOCHI, The Mardi Gras School of Cooking and New Orleans School of Cooking welcome visitors and locals to their culinary workshops. For the ultimate lesson in the South’s culinary culture, take a tour of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum. Visit NewOrleans.com for more information on these businesses and their current post-Covid19 status.
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