NINI'S NEW ORLEANS RECOMMENDATIONS
From hidden gems to iconic destinations, I’m sharing my top recommendations for where to eat, drink, and explore in New Orleans. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these are the places I love that make this city so special.
RESTAURANTS: Places I Eat At Regularly
Acamaya // modern Mexican seafood restaurant by Chef Ana Castro and Lydia Castro. Just order the entire menu.
Addis NOLA // Ethiopian food everything is soooo good and flavorful
Paladar 511 // Modern Italian - My fav restaurant in NOLA
Clancy’s // Old school NOLA joint but my absolute fav
Dakar // modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant
Maïs Arepas // Arepas
Flour Moon Bagels // Get the BLUEBIRD or really anything
Chicken’s Kitchen // Great plate lunch spot
Stein’s Deli // Great Jewish deli ( I get The Rachel)
Café Reconcile // Great Southern food
Adam’s Street Grocery // My fav shrimp po’boy but it is in a dingy corner store
Alma Cafe // Honduran breakfast spot
Cochon Restuarant // Cajun. Get chargrilled oysters. This is a big restaurant group but everything they make is fantastic
Pêche // Seafood - Cochon’s sister restaurant that serves all things seafood
Turkey and the Wolf // Sandwiches. Very popular and delicious place for sandwiches. Get the pot pie, collard green melt, Bologna sandwich and cabbage salad
Molly’s Rise and Shine // Breakfast. I love the biscuit sandwiches and the rice salad oh and caesar salad too
Hungry Eyes // Cocktail bar and food. Get martinis, crudo and grilled artichokes
Saint-Germain // Modern French inspired. Great wine list too but my go to for drinks and snacks instead of tasting menu
Budsi’s Authentic Thai // Thai. Great spot for flavorful food
Fritai // Haitian Cocktails are A+
Sukeban // Hand roll bar w/ super delicious Japanese food
Sneaky Pickle or Bar Brine // Haven’t had a bad meal
Hot Stuff // Meat and 3 spot uptown. If the meatloaf is on the menu, get it!
Herbsaint // I love their chicken & andouille gumbo. It's not always on the menu, but order it if it's there. The housemade spaghetti with guancialle is also really good.
Pluck // Wine bar with amazing food. Kitchen closes the same time the bar closes. Rare in the city!
LOUISIANA STAPLES
Mosquito Supper Club // Cajun supper club that is really cool
Commander’s Palace // Traditional New Orleans - Iconic spot. Go for lunch, and the get 25¢ martinis. They do cap you after the third martini.
Galatoire’s // Traditional New Orleans - Great place but men will need to wear jackets
GW Fins // Seafood - A little outdated but very good
Café du Monde // Beignets. A must go
For po’boys - Parkway Tavern, Liuzza’s by the Track, and Domilise's
VIETNAMESE CLASSICS
Dong Phuong Restaurant & Bakery // If dining in, get Bún bò Huế. Get Bánh mì thịt nướng (grilled pork) and Pâté chaud. You will thank me for this meal lol
Tân Định // Get the fish sauce chicken wings, crispy sticky rice, egg rolls, Korean ribs and anything that sounds good.
9 Roses Restaurant // Family style Vietnamese food, best with a large group
BARS
Cure // Best cocktail bar
The Tell Me Bar // Natural wine bar
Bar Métier // Swanky and great cocktails formerly known as Bar Marilou
Bacchanal // amazing outdoor space and retail wine shop
Cane and Table // Tiki bar with great snacks
Jewel of the South // Great drinks and you can have dinner there
Bar Tonique // Dive bar with great cocktails
Bouligny Tavern // Swanky bar with great snacks
Barrel Proof // Service industry bar
Fives // Located in the heart of the French Quarter, serves up great cocktails and is a beloved spot among locals.
HOTEL BARS I LOVE
Hotel St Vincent
The Chloe
Chemin à la Mer at Four Seasons
The Elysian Bar at Hotel Peter & Paul