Yvette’s guidebook
Neighborhood Restaurants
Casual or fancy, walking distance, short cab ride, or day trip - these are some of our favorites.
Great Breakfast or Lunch, New Orleans home cooking. Head down Esplanade, on your way to the Quarter.
201 locals recommend
Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
1500 Esplanade AveGreat Breakfast or Lunch, New Orleans home cooking. Head down Esplanade, on your way to the Quarter.
Walk to Esplanade, sit outside and watch the world go by. Mexican, with an emphasis on seafood.
164 locals recommend
Santa Fe
3201 Esplanade AveWalk to Esplanade, sit outside and watch the world go by. Mexican, with an emphasis on seafood.
Wonderful little French Cafe within walking distance. Try a pineau des charentes with french onion soup for an afternoon aperitif and light bite, or grab a Groupon coupon and treat yourself to a French feast.
314 locals recommend
Cafe Degas
3127 Esplanade AveWonderful little French Cafe within walking distance. Try a pineau des charentes with french onion soup for an afternoon aperitif and light bite, or grab a Groupon coupon and treat yourself to a French feast.
Walking distance Spanish restaurant. The paellas are tasty, or share a bunch of appetizers - it's all good. Break your keto diet and try the fresh bread with garlic aioli.
257 locals recommend
Lola's
3312 Esplanade AveWalking distance Spanish restaurant. The paellas are tasty, or share a bunch of appetizers - it's all good. Break your keto diet and try the fresh bread with garlic aioli.
Po-Boys - get the shrimp. Or the roast beef. And an Abita beer. Finest kind.
681 locals recommend
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan AvePo-Boys - get the shrimp. Or the roast beef. And an Abita beer. Finest kind.
If you're sampling wines at Swirl, you can buy a bottle, order from 1000 Figs right next door and they'll deliver - tasty and reasonable middle eastern cooking.
237 locals recommend
1000 Figs
3141 Ponce De Leon StIf you're sampling wines at Swirl, you can buy a bottle, order from 1000 Figs right next door and they'll deliver - tasty and reasonable middle eastern cooking.
The charcuterie plate is amazing, and the bar boasts some fun mixologists. If you're a meat person, this is definitely worth a trip.
158 locals recommend
Toups Meatery
845 N Carrollton AveThe charcuterie plate is amazing, and the bar boasts some fun mixologists. If you're a meat person, this is definitely worth a trip.
Liuzza's by the Track
1518 N Lopez StBarbeque Shrimp po-boy. Trust me, just get one.
Long walk or short drive, brunch, lunch or dinner - the homecooking version of Susan Spicer's genius - get the special, whatever it is.
Rosedale Restaurant
Long walk or short drive, brunch, lunch or dinner - the homecooking version of Susan Spicer's genius - get the special, whatever it is.
Bars, Distilleries, Breweries, etc
Want to sample local beers, or just sample the neighborhood, here's a list to get you started.
This is our Cheers, just around the corner and between the house and Bayou St. John - great way to begin or end a walk on the Bayou. Many nights also have a pop-up food vendor if you want to just hang out in the hood.
223 locals recommend
Pal's Lounge
949 N RendonThis is our Cheers, just around the corner and between the house and Bayou St. John - great way to begin or end a walk on the Bayou. Many nights also have a pop-up food vendor if you want to just hang out in the hood.
Walking distance free wine tasting every Friday from 5:30-7:30, and welcoming any other day of the week. Have a glass of wine (or several), or buy a bottle and sit at one of the tables indoor or out and enjoy the 'hood.
156 locals recommend
Swirl Wine Bar & Market
3143 Ponce De Leon StWalking distance free wine tasting every Friday from 5:30-7:30, and welcoming any other day of the week. Have a glass of wine (or several), or buy a bottle and sit at one of the tables indoor or out and enjoy the 'hood.
On the site of the less famous Black Storyville - take a tasting tour and get some local history as well.
14 locals recommend
Seven Three Distilling Co.
301 N Claiborne AveOn the site of the less famous Black Storyville - take a tasting tour and get some local history as well.
Another fine tasting spot, with some excellent local Rums.
13 locals recommend
Old New Orleans Rum Distillery
2815 Frenchmen StAnother fine tasting spot, with some excellent local Rums.
Second Line Brewing
433 N Bernadotte StBike ride along the Greenway to this local brewery.
Walk or bike to this indoor-outdoor pub on the Greenway.
107 locals recommend
Wrong Iron On The Greenway
3532 Toulouse StWalk or bike to this indoor-outdoor pub on the Greenway.
Dixie used to be the ubiquitous local beer. Went out of biz, recently restored to life by the owner of the New Orleans Saints. Worth a trip east, if you have a car.
11 locals recommend
Dixie Brewery
3501 Jourdan RdDixie used to be the ubiquitous local beer. Went out of biz, recently restored to life by the owner of the New Orleans Saints. Worth a trip east, if you have a car.
Zony Mash Beer Project
3940 Thalia StreetMusic and beer - what's not to love?
Take the free tasting tour - NOLA cafe, coffee house, bar history with tastings of bitters, rums, sazeracs.
100 locals recommend
The Sazerac House
101 Magazine StTake the free tasting tour - NOLA cafe, coffee house, bar history with tastings of bitters, rums, sazeracs.
Coffee shops
You can make coffee here, but if you want something fancier than just brewed, try one of these coffeeshops, all walkable or a short drive.
Hang out on the Avenue with local coffee brewed plain or fancy, hot or cold or frozen. Breakfast bites as well.
166 locals recommend
CC's Coffee House
701 Metairie RdHang out on the Avenue with local coffee brewed plain or fancy, hot or cold or frozen. Breakfast bites as well.
The Bean Gallery
637 N Carrollton AveA short drive to Carrollton Ave.
Flour Moon Bagels
457 North Dorgenois StreetBagels and coffee! Along the Greenway
Breakfast
Even breakfast is an event around here, and there are lots of places nearby to start your day off right. Check times - opening varies.
Open early, and tons of options! Might be a bit of a wait on weekends if you're not early.
226 locals recommend
Ruby Slipper Cafe
315 S Broad StOpen early, and tons of options! Might be a bit of a wait on weekends if you're not early.
Great Breakfast or Lunch, New Orleans home cooking. Head down Esplanade, on your way to the Quarter.
201 locals recommend
Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
1500 Esplanade AveGreat Breakfast or Lunch, New Orleans home cooking. Head down Esplanade, on your way to the Quarter.
Breakfast or lunch in the Quarter. The savory crepes are divine and the little Abelskivers (a puffed pancake pastry with a choice of sauces) is a perfect dessert. Open 8 - 3.
16 locals recommend
French Toast
1035 Decatur StBreakfast or lunch in the Quarter. The savory crepes are divine and the little Abelskivers (a puffed pancake pastry with a choice of sauces) is a perfect dessert. Open 8 - 3.
Long walk or short drive, brunch, lunch or dinner - the homecooking version of Susan Spicer's genius - get the special, whatever it is.
Rosedale Restaurant
Long walk or short drive, brunch, lunch or dinner - the homecooking version of Susan Spicer's genius - get the special, whatever it is.
Grocery Stores/ Pharmacy
Where to stock up on sundries
Canseco's Esplanade Market
3135 Esplanade AveWalk or drive, neighborhood supermarket.
Closest pharmacy, and right next door to the local supermarket Rouse's, if you need supplies for the drive home.
67 locals recommend
CVS
500 N Carrollton AveClosest pharmacy, and right next door to the local supermarket Rouse's, if you need supplies for the drive home.
Very local walking-distance market. Their butcher is the best. If you drove to NOLA, get a cooler and take some italian sausage or stuffed porkchops home with you.
88 locals recommend
Terranovas Supermarket
3308 Esplanade AveVery local walking-distance market. Their butcher is the best. If you drove to NOLA, get a cooler and take some italian sausage or stuffed porkchops home with you.
Favorite "Fancy" Restaurants
Dress up a little and enjoy NOLA fine dining with some of our favorite chefs and their version of fine art! Many of these places offer lunch specials and summer time "Coolinary" specials, check online.
Go for lunch during a weekday. The lunch prices are more affordable, the martini's are .25 (yes, a quarter!), and the service at this flagship Brennan establishment cannot be beat.
574 locals recommend
Commander's Palace
1403 Washington AveGo for lunch during a weekday. The lunch prices are more affordable, the martini's are .25 (yes, a quarter!), and the service at this flagship Brennan establishment cannot be beat.
Sweet converted French Quarter house, complete with patio dining for spring and fall. Get the cream of garlic soup and whatever else strikes your fancy. Susan Spicer's flagship restaurant.
60 locals recommend
Bayona
430 Dauphine StSweet converted French Quarter house, complete with patio dining for spring and fall. Get the cream of garlic soup and whatever else strikes your fancy. Susan Spicer's flagship restaurant.
Get the tasting menu. It's a little pricey, I've only been once, but it was an amazing meal.
79 locals recommend
August
301 Tchoupitoulas StGet the tasting menu. It's a little pricey, I've only been once, but it was an amazing meal.
Right on Jackson Square, really fun interior as well as balcony dining overlooking the square. Get the crawfish and goat cheese crepe.
95 locals recommend
Muriel's Jackson Square
801 Chartres StRight on Jackson Square, really fun interior as well as balcony dining overlooking the square. Get the crawfish and goat cheese crepe.
This one's nearly walking distance, right across the street from City Park - perfect for a delicious lunch/dinner before or after going to the Museum or Sculpture Garden. Have a cocktail, then eat at the bar, which looks out on the Park.
117 locals recommend
Ralph's On The Park
900 City Park AveThis one's nearly walking distance, right across the street from City Park - perfect for a delicious lunch/dinner before or after going to the Museum or Sculpture Garden. Have a cocktail, then eat at the bar, which looks out on the Park.
Irene has been cooking for locals for 25 years. She recently moved into a more expansive location, nearer to Canal St., and caters to visitors as well. We celebrated a birthday there recently, and start to finish was lovely.
114 locals recommend
Irene's
529 Bienville StIrene has been cooking for locals for 25 years. She recently moved into a more expansive location, nearer to Canal St., and caters to visitors as well. We celebrated a birthday there recently, and start to finish was lovely.
Lovely old music store converted into a Brennan restaurant. Don't miss the crabmeat cheescake.
46 locals recommend
Palace Café
605 Canal StLovely old music store converted into a Brennan restaurant. Don't miss the crabmeat cheescake.
Places, Museums
Things to see and do, particularly the ones nearby.
Just doubled in size - an interesting cross-section of sculptures in a beautiful park setting. Only open during the day. In City Park, walking distance. Free museum docent-led tours at noon on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays.
161 locals recommend
Sculpture Garden
1 Collins Diboll CirJust doubled in size - an interesting cross-section of sculptures in a beautiful park setting. Only open during the day. In City Park, walking distance. Free museum docent-led tours at noon on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays.
Play tennis or putt-putt golf, bring the kids to Storyland, wander through the botanical gardens, have coffee and donuts at the old Casino, or just sit by the lagoon and watch for ducks, geese, swans, turtles, and alligators.
1516 locals recommend
City Park
1 Palm DrPlay tennis or putt-putt golf, bring the kids to Storyland, wander through the botanical gardens, have coffee and donuts at the old Casino, or just sit by the lagoon and watch for ducks, geese, swans, turtles, and alligators.
Even if you're not a bettor, put on a hat, walk over to the Fairgrounds, mingle with the hoi polloi, and watch magnificent thoroughbreds thunder around the course. Or weenie dogs scamper. Or turtles wander. Check the local listings for what might be happening at the Fairgrounds when the Jazz Fest isn't.
244 locals recommend
Fair Grounds Race Course
1751 Gentilly BlvdEven if you're not a bettor, put on a hat, walk over to the Fairgrounds, mingle with the hoi polloi, and watch magnificent thoroughbreds thunder around the course. Or weenie dogs scamper. Or turtles wander. Check the local listings for what might be happening at the Fairgrounds when the Jazz Fest isn't.
Where the neighbors go for the New Orleans version of "passiaggiata," a casual, social evening stroll once the sun is low enough in the sky. Walk straight up Dumaine (take a right out of the front of the house) to the slow-moving water, home to ducks and alligators. Stop at Pal's on the way back.
238 locals recommend
Bayou St John
Where the neighbors go for the New Orleans version of "passiaggiata," a casual, social evening stroll once the sun is low enough in the sky. Walk straight up Dumaine (take a right out of the front of the house) to the slow-moving water, home to ducks and alligators. Stop at Pal's on the way back.
The Broad Theater
636 N Broad StCheck for outdoor music, movies, events