Best of New Orleans – Restaurants, Bars and Attractions
In a city known for grand parties and creole creations, it is a wonder how anyone can get work done! With your next trade show bringing you to the Big Easy, we want to make sure you can enjoy all the city has to offer in your stay. Enjoy exploring our Best of New Orleans list – a compilation of our local staff’s favorite restaurants, bars, attractions and so much more.
Quick Bites
Price Range: $-$$
For those looking for a bit of adventure paired with a Cajun-creole menu, Chef Jacques Leonardi has created a restaurant beloved by locals and tourists alike. While many restaurants want to hide what goes on in the kitchen, Jacques-Imo’s entrance brings you straight through the sights and smells the chefs are cooking up that night. After getting settled into the eclectic atmosphere, be sure to order up a slice of shrimp and Alligator sausage cheesecake or shrimp Etouffee. Pro Tip: With wait times sometimes reaching well over 2 hours, be sure to call ahead for large parties!
Price Range: $-$$
In a city known for beignets, gumbo and po’ boys, finding a meal on the lighter side can seem impossible. However, City Greens comes to the rescue with their menu boasting locally sourced produce and natural ingredients meant to keep you healthy and happy. From their Ahi Tuna Drizzle salad to their 24 Carrot Gold pressed raw juice, this is an amazing change of pace for anyone looking to keep it simple.
Wine and Dine
Price Range: $$
The Toups family has been in Louisiana for over 300 years and their food brings to life the tradition and close relationship they feel for the land. Their selection of cured or slow cooked meats, cocktails by the pitcher and expertise in Cajun cuisine have us all wishing we could join the family. Celebrate your next successful meeting by sinking your teeth into their mouth-watering Wagyu Terres Major.
Price Range: $$-$$$
With a menu dedicated to French cuisine and an atmosphere that channels the soul of classic New Orleans, it’s no wonder Lilette has been named the “Sexiest Dining Room In New Orleans.” This intimate and memorable dining experience should be at the top of every foodie’s agenda. Perfect for lunch, dinner or anyone looking for a splendid glass of wine.
Don’t Forget Your To-Go Cup
Although we don’t encourage anyone to spend a night on the town the night before work, we do encourage everyone to enjoy all that New Orleans offers, including their To-Go cup policies in every bar.
Price Range: $$
Nested in the base of the Hotel Monteleone, the Carousel Bar & Lounge has been serving New Orleans for over 65 years. The prestige surrounding this bar is mounts after earning a place on Vogue Living’s “Top 20 Bars in the World” and boasting the title of New Orleans’ only revolving bar. Take a spin on the carousel, bask in the whimsical atmosphere and enjoy one of their handcrafted cocktails.
Price Range: $$
Modern atmosphere, unique cocktails and southern hospitality leave Cure a cut above the rest. Featured as one of “Best Bars in America” by Playboy Magazine, listed as one of “The South’s Best Bars” by Southern Living and said to have “raised the bar” by the New York Times, Cure continues to impress us all. Order up a Promises, Promises or Little Boots and enjoy a bar that is serving up creative style in every glass.
Sweet Tooth
Price Range: $-$$
Even though you are in the city of jazz and creole food, don’t forget to enjoy the sweeter things in life at Sucre. With their wide array of macaroons and assortment of pastry masterpieces, your mouth will be watering before even opening the front door. Pair your King Cake Bread Pudding Tart with a café latte and feel the stress of the trade show floor melt away.
Price Range: $
In 1939, Ernest and Mary Hansen invented the first ice shaving machine,created their own flavored syrups and opened Hansen’s Sno-Bliz. With Ernest and Mary’s granddaughter, Ashley, now running the show, New Orleans continues to be proudly served by the original ice shaving machine. Pro Tip: There is nothing better than escaping the southern heat with their honey-lavender cones!
Explore
Price Range: $-$$
After enjoying your meal at Jacques-Imo, stroll a couple doors down to the Maple Leaf Bar. This jazz bar has been sharing the soul of New Orleans with patrons since 1974 and inspiring artists, poets and even Beyoncé ever since. Maple Leaf Bar was used as the filming location for Beyoncé’s music video Déjà vu and has been the inspirational location in dozens of books and poems, even boasting the longest running poetry reading night in North America. This is a mecca for those looking for creative inspiration or anyone wanting to feel the beat of the city.
Price Range: $-$$
If you find yourself in New Orleans on the weekend, take a leisurely stroll through the Frenchman Art Market and view the art works presented by local and regional artisans. This marketplace is amazing for anyone hunting for the perfect gift for those at home. Pro Tip: Celebrity sightings are regular here, so be sure to keep an eye out for your favorite A-listers!
Want to see where all these places are located? Check out our interactive map of our local’s favorites to better plan your next New Orleans visit!
Now you are ready to explore the Big Easy like never before! Thank you again to our TS Crew New Orleans team for their insight on their home turf.
At TS Crew, we specialize in I & D labor plus supplemental exhibit rentals and ancillary trade show services. To learn about how we can partner, please email info@tscrew.com.
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