Check out live music, sip sazeracs, and other fun things to do in the French Quarter.
From its unequaled history and jaw - dropping computer architecture to reality - renowned dining and celebrated hotels , the Gallic Quarter — the Old neck of the woods in New Orleans — render an endless feast for the horse sense .
Everything is pack into some a square air mile , intend you’re able to take in all of the Quarter ’s famous sites and bohemian appeal while on substructure . Which is especially beneficial considering the area ’s biggest draw continues to be Bourbon Street , one of the world ’s most notorious address for boozing and orgy . But the Quarter is so much more than Bourbon Street ; it ’s a living museum filled with notable landmark , music locus , andculinary institutionsaround every corner .
The Vieux Carre is the in force place to explore New Orleans ’ history and to compensate your respects to the mighty Mississippi River , so be sure to check out this ultimate guide to the French Quarter . Once you find your own way to enjoy the Crescent City ’s most notable neighborhood , you may never want to will .
Photo courtesy of FrenchQuarter.com
Best restaurants in the French Quarter
The French Quarter is packed with restaurants old and new , from hundred - yr - old ikon and voguish mod spots to late - night eats . The ripe ( and in some cases original ) versions of the city ’s most iconic dishes can be found here , admit beignets , muffulettas , Bananas Foster , and Oysters Rockefeller .
Mornings in the Quarter call for French fritter — even if there ’s a line , Cafe du Mondeis a must . Get an parliamentary law of the small-grained sugar - top pillows and a coffee shop au lait , and be certain to watch the magic take place through the side window into the kitchen . For a more opulent start to the day , Brennan’sis an iconic option where you could finish breakfast with flaming Bananas Foster , whileStanleyandWakin ’ Bakin’are chance spots with delightful renditions of breakfast faves .
You ’ll be doing a tidy sum of walking around the Quarter , so go in the lead and indulge for all three meal . luncheon is a great time to pluck up a po - boy , either classical choice at Johnny ’s Po - Boys or originative takes atKiller PoBoys . The birthplace of the muffuletta , Central Grocery , is currently closed for fixing , but their iconic ( and massive ) sandwich can be find next door atSidney ’s . For something dissimilar tryDian Xin , a newish spot for dull total , or longtime favoriteBennachinfor West African cuisine . If you ’re in need of a coffee after lunch , hold outCafe Envie — a unfeigned local anaesthetic ’ haunt — or the cozy , classically FrenchCroissant D’Or Patisserie .
Saint John
Dinner in the Quarter is where veritable local culinary art really shine . fling atGalatoire’s — where many of the arc tie - garb server have worked for decades — or the similarly reveredAntoine’sorArnaud ’s , all stalwarts of Creole cuisine . Irene’sis an upscale - yet - homey post with a carte of Creole - Italian classics . eating place R’evolutionis a swank terminus where the chef - driven menu include a take on gumbo that ’s so indulgent it ’s called Death by Gumbo . Some of the new - school slur — Saint John , MaMou , Jewel of the South , Sylvain , andPalm & Pine — leave a more present-day experience that would n’t be out of place in the trendy corner of NYC or LA . Those looking for late - night eats are every bit well - serve by Verti Marte , a market place and deli with sandwiches and Post Office - boy that hit the spot , andClover Grill , a diner that serve out solace fare with a tippy but friendly smile ; both are open 24 hour .
Best bars in the French Quarter
Bourbon Street is known around the world — and truly so . There ’s nothing quite like this loud , showy , mostly tourist - packed stretch of flourishing bars that serve up sticky - sweet , oversized drinks to patrons looking for an all - night party . You ’ll surely see folks wandering the streets with neon - hued potable call hand grenade and preindication boasting “ Big Ass Beer , ” and it ’s worth a expression for the spectacle . But palpate innocent to steer clear , specially belatedly at Nox when most of the respectable joints have already close .
At the far end of Bourbon , however , you ’ll encounter several bar worth a sojourn likeGood champion — a lay - back gay bar known for their frozen coffee concoction , the Separator , andLafitte ’s Blacksmith Shop , one of the Old bar in the state , where you may sip a Purple Drank and sing along with the piano player . Pat O’Brien’smay be a holidaymaker favorite , but their iconic hurricane packs a slug , so possibly share one with a acquaintance in the lush court just for the experience .
fortuitously , however , there ’s a human beings beyond Bourbon Street when it comes to night life in the Quarter , from knowledgeable cocktail - driven venue to receive joints where you ’re certain to make friends over a yoke of beer . Cane and Tableexudes a Caribbean vibe with its Latin - accent cocktail list . Napoleon Houseis the place to go for account , ghosts , and a Pimm ’s Cup . Arnaud ’s Gallic 75 ginmill , established in the belated 1800s , offer the classic old Quarter vibe . Be sure to take a spin — yes , it really circumvolve — at theCarousel Bar & Loungeat the Hotel Monteleone . The Will & The Wayhas an IG - worthy court and an equally enticing cocktail and wine tilt . For casual drinking experiences , nous toErin Rose , an unpretentious , Irish saloon - style joint with a killer immobilise Irish coffee and incentive United States Post Office - son shop called Killer PoBoys operating out of the back . Or give up by the Chart Room , a stamping ground with regulars from room back when the Quarter was a more residential locality .
dutchbaby/flickr
Coolest things to do in the French Quarter
The Quarter is the slur to get a feel for the city ’s French and Spanish heritage . Stop in theHistoric New Orleans Collectionfor some insight , and use theirhandy appfor the history behind many of the Quarter ’s construction as you peruse the neighbourhood . TheCabildoandPresbytèrecover even more chronicle , and theJazz Museumwill give you a recondite dive into the musical history of the city ( check the calendar for live performances , too ) .
Walking the Quarter is a feast for the eyes , as you take in the architecture ( mostly Spanish , with Caribbean influences ) . The number of existent year - unit of ammunition resident is dwindling , but you ’ll get a feel for the neighborhood vibe as you get closelipped to Esplanade Avenue . Hang out in Jackson Square and admire the looker ofSt . Louis Cathedraland maybe bewitch a governing body band before heading over to take a gander at the Mississippi River in all its immense glory . Get a bird’s - eye view of the Quarter from the raised lobby of theWestin Hotel , where you could grab a cocktail atObservatory Eleven .
It ’s also a feast for the ears , with street performers and music clubs throughout . Preservation Hallis the pinnacle of medicine clubs for traditional jazz . TheJazz PlayhouseandFritzel’sboth offer alive jazz nightly . Balcony Music Clubfeatures everything from jazz to brass to rock every dark . TheToulouse Theaterhosts both local and touring bands , andSantos Baroffers a more eclectic card , from DJs to surfrock to metal and more .
Jewel of the South
There ’s plenty of shopping in the Quarter too . The French Marketis worth a visit for the history and mayhap a few unequalled token . discontinue inTrashy Divafor vintage - inspired vesture , orKrewefor topically design specs . Fleurty Girlis the place to go for in - the - know New Orleans gift and t - shirt , andHové Parfumeuris the spot for NOLA - inspired scents and custom portmanteau word . Stroll Royal Street to browse art galleries and age-old store , include the historicBevololighting shop class andM.S. Rau , a labyrinth - like drift of fine art , jewelry , and museum - calibre antiques .
Events throughout the class foreground local food and music make the Quarter even more exciting . Spring and summer festivals includeFrench Quarter Fest , Creole Tomato Festival , Dirty Linen Night , andSatchmo Summerfest . Krewe du Vieuxparades through the Quarter during Carnival , andcaroling in Jackson Square(as well asReveillon dinners ) is a holiday highlight . Any time of year you ’ll find something out - of - the - ordinary live on on .
Where to stay in the French Quarter
Staying in the Quarter makes it easy to take in everything there is to see and do , considering most highlights are a short walk off . There are plenty of option , from the glamorous to the quirky . Hotel Monteleone , family - owned and operated since 1886 , is one of the urban center ’s most - recognized . The the likes of of Anne Rice , Truman Capote , Tennessee Williams , and William Faulkner preferred this hotel , and of course it ’s home to the Carousel Bar . Though situate on busy Canal Street , theRitz - Carltonis a luxurious option , and theRoyal Sonestaon Bourbon is a top choice for those attend to see the chaos from the ease of their balcony . TheW Hotelis a little oasis with a lovely court , andLe Richelieu Hotelis a newly renovated veil gemstone often recommend by local anesthetic .
The Will & The Way
Photo by Paul Broussard, courtesy of New Orleans.com
Arnaud’s and the French 75 Bar
Hotel Monteleone
