When you step into the French Quarter in New Orleans, you’re stepping into a neighborhood where food is more than just sustenance—it’s culture, history, and art on a plate. From Creole classics to Cajun comfort food, from hidden gems to world-famous institutions, the French Quarter is the heart of the city’s culinary soul. Whether you’re planning your first trip to New Orleans or you’re a returning visitor with an appetite for adventure, knowing what to eat in the French Quarter will turn your trip into an unforgettable feast.
In this guide, we’ll walk through iconic dishes, must-try restaurants, sweet treats, and local tips to make sure your food journey through the French Quarter is as authentic and delicious as possible.
1. Start with Beignets at Café du Monde
No trip to the French Quarter is complete without a stop at Café du Monde. Established in 1862, this open-air coffee stand has become an institution. Their beignets, square-shaped deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar, are the ultimate New Orleans breakfast or late-night snack. Pair them with a steaming cup of café au lait, made with chicory coffee, and you’ve officially started your French Quarter food tour the right way.
👉 Pro tip: The lines can be long, especially during peak tourist hours. If you want a quieter experience, go early in the morning or late at night.
2. Indulge in Gumbo
When people ask, “What should I eat in New Orleans?” the answer almost always includes gumbo. This rich, hearty stew is a Creole classic, blending African, French, and Native American influences. The French Quarter restaurants each have their own take, but most versions feature a dark roux, local spices, seafood, chicken, sausage, or a mix of all three.
For some of the best gumbo in the French Quarter, head to Gumbo Shop on Saint Peter Street. Their seafood okra gumbo and chicken and andouille sausage gumbo are legendary.
3. Try Jambalaya
Another dish you simply can’t miss is jambalaya, a Creole rice dish bursting with flavor. Similar to Spanish paella, jambalaya typically includes sausage, chicken, shrimp, and lots of spices, all cooked together in one pot. The result is a filling, savory meal that tastes like New Orleans in every bite.
If you’re wandering down Decatur Street, stop by Coop’s Place for one of the best jambalayas in town. Their rabbit and sausage jambalaya is a French Quarter favorite.
4. Feast on Po’boys
The po’boy sandwich is the French Quarter’s answer to comfort food on the go. Traditionally served on French bread with roast beef or fried seafood, po’boys come “dressed” (with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo) or plain.
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Johnny’s Po-Boys, open since 1950, is one of the oldest po’boy shops in the French Quarter. Their fried shrimp po’boy is a classic.
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If you want to taste an oyster po’boy, Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a solid choice.
5. Oysters on the Half Shell
Speaking of oysters, the French Quarter is famous for them. Whether you like them raw, chargrilled, or fried, you’ll find plenty of options.
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Acme Oyster House is a must for first-timers. Their chargrilled oysters topped with butter, garlic, and cheese are unforgettable.
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For a more upscale vibe, try Royal House Oyster Bar and enjoy oysters with a view of Royal Street.
6. Savor Crawfish Étouffée
If you’re visiting New Orleans during crawfish season (spring), you’re in for a treat. But even year-round, you can find crawfish étouffée in the French Quarter. This dish features crawfish tails smothered in a rich, buttery sauce made with the Cajun “holy trinity” of onions, bell peppers, and celery, served over rice.
Head to Chartres House or Oceana Grill for a satisfying plate of crawfish étouffée.
7. Red Beans and Rice Mondays
In New Orleans tradition, red beans and rice has been a Monday staple since the 19th century. Families would simmer red beans with ham or sausage while doing laundry, and it remains a beloved comfort food.
Try it at Napoleon House, where you can enjoy a plate of red beans and rice with sausage in a historic 200-year-old building.
8. Don’t Skip the Muffuletta
The muffuletta sandwich is a New Orleans original, created by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s. It’s made with round sesame bread, layers of ham, salami, mortadella, cheese, and topped with a tangy olive salad.
The Central Grocery & Deli on Decatur Street is the birthplace of the muffuletta and still serves one of the best in town.
9. Sweet Treats: Pralines and More
Finish your French Quarter food tour on a sweet note with pralines, a sugary, pecan-filled candy that melts in your mouth. Stop by Southern Candymakers or Loretta’s Authentic Pralines for traditional flavors or modern twists like chocolate and rum pralines.
If you’re craving something cold, grab a scoop of creamy pecan ice cream from New Orleans Ice Cream Company.
10. A Sip of Local Flavor
Food in the French Quarter isn’t complete without drinks. Try a Hurricane cocktail at Pat O’Brien’s, or sip a Sazerac, one of America’s first cocktails, at the historic Carousel Bar & Lounge in the Hotel Monteleone.
FAQs About What to Eat in the French Quarter, New Orleans
1. What food is the French Quarter famous for?
The French Quarter is famous for beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, oysters, muffulettas, and pralines. Each dish represents a mix of Creole and Cajun traditions that define New Orleans cuisine.
2. Where is the best place to eat beignets in New Orleans?
Café du Monde is the most iconic spot for beignets, but Café Beignet also offers delicious alternatives with shorter lines.
3. What’s the difference between Cajun and Creole food in New Orleans?
Creole food is city-style, with European and African influences, rich sauces, and seafood. Cajun food is country-style, hearty, and rooted in French Acadian traditions, often featuring sausage, game, and rice-based dishes.
4. What is the most authentic food to eat in the French Quarter?
Dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, and po’boys are considered the most authentic French Quarter foods.
5. Is the French Quarter expensive for dining?
Dining options in the French Quarter range from affordable eats like po’boys and pralines to upscale experiences like fine-dining Creole restaurants. Travelers can find meals for every budget.
6. Can I find vegetarian or vegan food in the French Quarter?
Yes! Many restaurants now offer vegetarian gumbo, vegan po’boys, and plant-based versions of classic New Orleans dishes, though traditional cuisine is heavily meat- and seafood-based.
Final Bite
From powdered sugar-dusted beignets to savory bowls of gumbo and the satisfying crunch of a fried shrimp po’boy, the French Quarter offers a feast you won’t forget. Knowing what to eat in New Orleans’ French Quarter transforms your trip into more than sightseeing—it’s a culinary adventure steeped in history, culture, and flavor.
So bring your appetite, walk down Bourbon and Royal Streets, and let the flavors of the French Quarter lead the way.