Girl Gang Guide To: New Orleans
Laissez les bon temps rouler! There is absolutely no other city like New Orleans - the food, the culture, and the energy is unmatched. Skylar Beasley of Tasting Champagne put together the ultimate travel guide to make you feel like a true New Orleanian in the Big Easy. Be sure to check out Skylar’s blog here and Instagram here.
BRUNCH IT UP
There’s brunch, then there’s New Orleans brunch. From an overstuffed bloody mary to shrimp and grits mixed with jazz music from start to finish, New Orleans brunch is on another level. Be prepared to get horizontal after this meal. Here are a few of my favorite spots in the city:
SHOP
It’s not a vacation without a shopping trip!
The Elizabeth Chronicles- Have champagne taste on a lemonade wage? This shop is for you. Everything at The Elizabeth Chronicles is under $100 & extraordinarily chic.
KREWE Eyewear- KREWE is an independent eyewear brand that calls New Orleans home. Each frame is culturally inspired by the city and boasts flair and style. Stop in to find your new favorite pair of sunnies and enjoy a complimentary glass of frose!
Saint Claude Social Club- Saint Claude Social Club is the ultimate stop for your girl gang. Each unique piece you’ll find is made by independent female designers from around the world. Now that’s something we should all get behind!
DNO- If you’re searching for a souvenir that doesn’t make you scream “tourist,” look no further. A local favorite, DNO is known for it’s vintage New Orleans t-shirts that are anything but tacky.
COFFEE
DRINK BEAUTY - Super instagrammable!
French Truck - The coffee + yellow cups are an instant mood booster.
CC’s Coffee- Something about this iced coffee is just so special. My order: Iced Coffee with Sugar-Free Caramel and soy.
HiVolt- Grab a cookie while you’re here!
Mojo Coffee- A local favorite.
QUICK BITES
So much to do, so little time. Sometimes you just need a quick bite without all of the formalities, especially while travelling. NOLA has perfected delivering serious flavor quickly (and without breaking the bank).
Parkway Bakery & Tavern- If you went to New Orleans and didn’t eat a poboy, did you even go? Parkway Tavern serves up the best poboys in the state hands down. Regardless of which poboy you choose, enjoying it with Zapp’s potato chips and a soda is non-negotiable.
Turkey and The Wolf- Turkey and The Wolf is a quirky, nostalgic sandwich shop loved not only by New Orleanians, but by the entirety of America. Expect your sandwich to be served on mismatched china or a Disney collectible plate. Vegetarian or not, I recommend the Collard Green Melt. I guarantee it will be the best meatless sandwich you will ever eat. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Dat Dog- Dat Dog will change any preconceptions you had about hot dogs. Like everything in New Orleans, Dat Dog has turned hot dogs from ballpark food into true cuisine. Choose your sausage and add your favorite toppings. Don’t like decision making? Same. Choose a house-special dog or opt into the “chef’s choice” to have the chef choose your toppings for you!
Auction House Market- If you’re travelling in a group or just love having options, be sure to visit Auction House Market. This instagrammable food court is bound to make every belly happy.
Stein’s Deli- Need a quality sandwich with no nonsense stat? Stein’s Deli is for you. Blake Lively’s go to Stein’s order is “the Rachael--extra crispy;” a hot pastrami sandwich with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on Rye bread. Not a fan of sauerkraut? Try the Turkey Panini, my personal favorite.
Lilly’s Cafe- Some of the best Vietnamese cuisine can be found in New Orleans. Lilly’s Cafe is a local favorite, serving up bahn mi, vermicelli bowls, and pho. My go-to: chicken pho with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee.
DRINK
An unsurprising statistic: New Orleans has more bars per capita than any other major city. Strap in, because these bars are a guaranteed good time. And of course, don’t forget to grab a to-go cup for that drink!
Bar Marilou- Bar Marilou is a new favorite in the New Orleans bar scene. This swanky, French-style saloon will have you convinced you’re in Paris.
Hot Tin- Located on the rooftop of the Pontchartrain Hotel, Hot Tin boasts the best panoramic views of the city along with impressive cocktails. Pro tip: this bar fills up quickly so plan to stop here early in your night.
Pat O’ Brian’s Piano Bar- Pat O’ Brian’s is responsible for creating the world famous hurricane. Enjoy a drink in the dueling piano lounge or in the courtyard with the flaming fountain.
Carousel Bar- A carousel AND a bar - what’s more fun than that?! Located in the Monteleone Hotel, the revolving Carousel Bar is an experience unlike any other.
Dinner
Treat yourself! Something about spoiling yourself on vacation is just extra special. These restaurants are the perfect places to treat yourself while in NOLA. P.S. Did I mention they’re insta-worthy?
Justine- Justine is the newest hot spot to enter New Orleans’ restaurant scene. With its stylish decor and impressive menu, you’ll leave this French Braissier with a new favorite restaurant and the perfect pic for the ‘Gram.
Jack Rose- Located in the Pontchartrain Hotel, Jack Rose delivers a dining experience that’s both elegant and fun. Begin dinner with celebratory chambongs and finish with the Mile High Pie.
Cavan- Cavan serves up Southern cuisine inside a picturesque mansion located in the Garden District. Something about dining in a mansion is just so dreamy, you know?
La Petite Grocery- With it’s elegant decor and cozy atmosphere, you’d never guess that this stop was once an operating grocery store. Now, La Petite Grocery offers modern, Louisianan cuisine praised by locals and tourists alike.
SWEET TREATS
You’ll want to save room for dessert for these picks!
Cafe Du Monde- A New Orleans staple, Cafe du Monde is home to the best beignets and cafe au lait you can find. Struggling seem to fit it in your itinerary? Don’t worry: they’re open 24/7.
District Donuts- There are donuts, and then there are District Donuts. Each morning, District Donuts has new gourmet donut offerings on the menu that are on another level. Trust me, you’ll want to go back a second (and maybe even a third) time.
Bakery Bar- Bakery Bar is a cozy spot known for two of the best things: cocktails and dessert. Stop by for happy hour or just for a sweet treat. I suggest trying a slice of Rainbow Cake-- a local favorite that is so pretty you’ll want to post it to your feed. #phoneeatsfirst
THERE YOU HAVE IT, LADIES
That concludes the ultimate travel guide to New Orleans. My challenge for you: when in NOLA, use the streetcar as your main source of transportation. It’s way cheaper than an Uber and 10x more fun!
