Raise your hand if you love good music, festivals, art, and food! Same. In fact, I love it so much that I decided to stay in New Orleans after moving here for seminary about five years ago. Native to West Tennessee, I thought New Orleans was sure to throw me for a loop. I wasn’t sure I would like it. To be honest, I thought I would hate it.
Now, I love it.
I met my neighbors. I visited local shops. I ate and ate … and ate. I listened to music in the French Quarter. I went to the parks. I sat by the water. I heard stories from men and women who have persevered. I learned local slang.
I met New Orleans.
What an honor it is to write about a city I have come to know and love as an invitation to come to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the Glory Event with Jackie Hill Perry on Friday, March 10, and Saturday, March 11, 2023.
Nothing can beat a weekend with friends enjoying time learning from God’s Word, eating the yummiest of foods, and simply enjoying one of the best cities out there while doing it. Come early and stay late and get to know the city that changes you.
Without further ado, I would like to offer some places to eat, eat, and eat again! And, if you still have time after breaking bread with your friends, check out some places you can explore below.
PLACES TO EAT
*distance from Franklin Ave Baptist Church
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Bearcat CBD: (14.6 mi)* THE BEST FOOD. Their menu features a Good Cat section, which offers lighter fare, and a Bad Cat section which features heartier dishes. They offer a variety of Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo, and Gluten-Free choices among our selections. Nice modern location.
Toast in Gentilly (7.2 mi)* Here you can enjoy the classic breakfast. Toast offers all the bread, biscuits, jams, and custards. It is a smaller but cute location.
District Donuts (7.0 mi)* Everything is made from scratch, even the sprinkles! They offer six rotating donuts every week, and all of them are so yummy! They offer great coffee and tasty breakfast items. I highly recommend the hot honey butter chicken biscuit. This location is cute and comfortable with a few shopping options close by!
Camellia Grille (14.0 mi)* A charming breakfast place with a classic diner fare. Take a streetcar and enjoy this incredible location. Its history is rich and the food is too!
Court of Two Sisters (8.5 mi)* Located in the historic French Quarter, this place is famous for its daily jazz brunch! Breakfast classics and New Orleans favorites are on the menu.
I highly recommend the Le Parisien or the Quiche Florentine with a drip coffee.
LUNCH
Liuzza’s by the Track (8.1 mi)* This small and quaint restaurant serves New Orleans staples. Order the Gumbo and po’boy meal and you will not be disappointed! Fun fact: The building is a historic landmark, dating back to the 1930s!
District Donuts (7.0 mi)* Not only do they serve a yummy breakfast, but they also offer the best cheese fries. They also have a secret soda on their menu—how fun!
Shaya (12.0 mi)* Fried. Chicken. Hummus. This Magazine Street restaurant is an incredible experience. This space offers Israeli staples with southern flavors.
St. Roch Market (7.2 mi)* St. Roch Market is a food hall featuring a ton of yummy options. This could be a great option for a larger group. Free parking and multiple food options will never lead you wrong!
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (11.3 mi)* This restaurant has a beautiful location on the water. If you haven’t tried oysters, you should do it here!
DINNER
District All Day Delicious (14.6 mi)* See a theme? I really like District Donuts! 🙂 This is the dinner location. Their brussels sprouts are something special.
The Velvet Cactus (10 mi)* A great place for outdoor dining! I will warn you and say this is not your typical Mexican restaurant (they have warm salsa). However, it is yummy, and the service is great. One of my favorite things to order is the crawfish queso.
Dat Dog (9.3 mi)* Head on over to Magazine Street and enjoy a hot dog or chicken! This restaurant offers over thirty toppings, which makes it fun!
Joey K’s (16.1 mi)* Another Magazine Street treasure. Get the classics such as gumbo, red beans and rice, and po’boys!
New Orleans Food and Spirits (11.3 mi)* A crowd favorite. This is a finer dining experience with some of the best food New Orleans has to offer. Please order the swamp pasta for me!
DESSERT
Morning Call (10.0 mi)* Beignets and more beignets! There are several debates over who has the best beignets. My vote would definitely go to Morning Call. Hint: order them to go. They will give them to you in a bag. Enjoy!
Cafe Du Monde (9.1 mi)* Try the City Park location. This is a quiet and fun experience. This location is beautiful and perfect for larger groups.
Creole Creamery (6.8 mi)* THE. BEST. ICE CREAM. Ice cream is ice cream, right? From local favorites to the classics, you will not be disappointed.
Angelo Brocato (9.1 mi)* This gem offers classic Italian gelato and so much more!
Sucre (16.2 mi)* Hands down, this restaurant has the most picturesque location. This is another Magazine Street favorite. They have sparkly cupcakes. Actually, most of their desserts have sparkles!
THINGS TO DO
New Orleans Museum of Art: A City Park treasure. If art is your thing, this is the place for you!
The National WWII Museum: This is a must! This museum is an all-weather option with great history and yummy food options.
JAMNOLA: Do you love Instagram? If yes, this is the place for you! You can pose in a crawfish boil pot! Who doesn’t have that on their bucket list?
Jackson Square: A fun and free experience. Head on down to the French Quarter and enjoy the art, music, and more!
Audubon Aquarium and Zoo: If you are needing to cool off from the NOLA heat, head over to see the penguins, sharks, and jellyfish! Or, if you love the heat like me, head out to see the lions!
City Park: Ride bikes, take a walk, or snack on beignets! City Park is the perfect oasis.
Crescent City Park: A park with a view! Pick up a snowball and head over with a group of friends. This park is a perfect place to take a walk or sit and enjoy the beauty around you!
Seriously, we can’t wait to have you here in NOLA! Also, be sure to register for the Glory Event with your group so you can explore New Orleans together. See you soon!
Cortney Bruketta is an alumna of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is most passionate about working with women and teaching God’s Word. She attends Harvest Church in the Tremé neighborhood and works full-time at the seminary as a New Student Coordinator. Cortney is married to her college best friend, Zach. They enjoy the city and love making new friends, so reach out or show up at Harvest Church on a Sunday! Connect with Cortney at CortneyBruketta@gmail.com
