Where Locals Eat In & Around Frenchmen Street

New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so music is in the city’s DNA. However, the Big Easy is as famous for its incredible cuisine as it is for its vibrant live music scene. Frenchmen Street is where you can enjoy a combo of both!
While you’ll have to wait until evening to enjoy most of the music in Frenchmen Street, you can indulge in a great representation of the city’s melting pot of cuisines throughout the day.
Traversing near the French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods before running into Gentilly, Frenchmen Street was designated as an official arts and entertainment district during the recovery period after Hurricane Katrina. The street is famous for clubs, which you’ll find in between Decatur and Royal streets in the Marigny neighborhood, as well as restaurants, cafes, and some of the finest examples of New Orleans architecture. Check out the best places to eat in and around Frenchmen Street.

Tip: Finding the best places to eat in and around Frenchmen Street is an excellent reason to book our free to join jazz tour of Frenchman Street.

Colonized by France and ruled by Spain before becoming part of the United States, New Orleans has one of the most distinctive regional cuisines in the country. Its cuisine is influenced by Creole and Cajun cuisine, soul food, and the cuisines of Italian, Sicilian, German, and other immigrants.
Creole cuisine fuses French, Spanish, Native American, and West African cuisines, featuring Sicilian, Italian, and German influences. Onions, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, okra, and rich sauces often feature in Creole dishes.

French cuisine is also one of the building blocks of Cajun cuisine, which is the Acadian food of the bayous west of New Orleans. The British deported the Acadians from Canada to Louisiana during the 18th century, and their descendants continued many of their cooking traditions. Cajun cooking tends to be more rustic, heartier, and less complex than Creole cuisine. It also features many local ingredients, such as the Holy Trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers.

Soul food originated among the African-American descendants of slaves. While you can’t separate it from the food of the Southern United States, its origins are in faraway West Africa. It’s known for being made with economical ingredients and for being hearty and flavorful.
Whether you eat Creole, Cajun, or soul food, certain ingredients are the undisputed stars of the show. In addition to the ‘Trinity’ mentioned above, these include seafood, chicken, and pork.

Hungry yet? You should be! Let’s delve into where to eat on and around Frenchmen Street.

The best restaurants on and near Frenchmen Street serve up old and new favorites. At many of these establishments, you can satisfy your hunger, quench your thirst, and get your toes tapping to live music.

Tip: Traveling with kids? A great tip to remember is that any restaurant with live music is suitable for all ages.

Local music, cocktails, and comfort food are the order of the day at Three Muses. This cozy jazz club is perfect for enjoying live music while sampling a variety of delicious small plates and innovative cocktails. You’ll find typical New Orleans flavors as well as an array of Asian dishes on the menu.

What to order: Korean Fried Chicken, Ms. Moon’s Bulgogi Rice Bowl, and Shrimp Fettuccine Jolie.

Thanks to the many cultural influences that came together in this unique city, no one does breads, pastries, and other baked goods quite like the bakers of New Orleans. Feast on local and far-flung flavors at Ayu Bakehouse, a modern bakery with an open kitchen that showcases the production processes that usually take place behind closed doors. Ayu Bakehouse’s menu features bread, savory pastry, sweet pastry, cookies and bars, breakfast, lunch, hot drinks, and cold drinks. This is a great spot for breakfast if you’re staying near Frenchmen Street.

What to order: Muffaletta Breadstick, Chocolate Babka Knot, Cro’ Madame, and the Frenchmen Sandwich.

Dat Dog has come a long way since it began life as a single hot dog stand in 2011. What’s now a critically acclaimed institution bursts with offbeat vibes, has a devoted following, is home to one of the best balconies in the city, and has taken the humble hot dog to new heights.
You can choose from gourmet sausages and unique toppings, award-winning fries, and a drinks menu featuring local craft beers, daiquiris, premium spirits, and much more.

What to order: The Crawfish Special, Vegan Banger, and Rougarou.

If you’re looking for superb live jazz and amazing Creole cuisine, head to Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. For more than 30 years, this NOLA institution, located in a renovated 1800s Faubourg Marigny storefront just outside the French Quarter, has been the go-to venue for fans of the authentic sights, sounds, and flavors of the city.

What to order: Fried Green Tomatoes and Shrimp, Fried Okra, Seafood Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice with Chicken Tenders, and Peach Cobbler.

One of Frenchmen Street’s largest restaurants and live music venues, The Maison offers dinner, dancing, early evening jazz shows, burlesque shows, drag shows, and much more. It’s the place to be if you want a big helping of entertainment and nightlife alongside iconic New Orleans dishes.

What to order: Cochon de lait po-boy, fried shrimp burger, Cajun mac ‘n Cheese, and Gumbo Fries.

Not far from the historic French Market where “Old Rose” introduced the idea of coffee shops to the world, Envie Espresso Bar and Café on Decatur Street is a top destination for locals and visitors looking for anything from a great cup of coffee and a pastry to something more substantial. This bright, airy venue looks like it could be in Paris, but take one look at the menu, and you’ll have no doubt that you’re in the heart of the Big Easy. Bursting with character, Envie is a fantastic spot for people-watching over breakfast, brunch, or lunch.

What to order: Bacon Jam Toast, Envie’s Buttermilk Waffles, Envie’s Cheese Burger, and the Mid City Bagel Stack.

Located on the corner of Frenchmen and Royal streets in the heart of the district, Favela Chic is a colorful, laid-back spot where you can find jazz and blues bands, DJs, and some of the best musicians in New Orleans. You won’t be disappointed by the food and beverage options, as the menu boasts specialty cocktails and a plethora of other drinks, as well as burgers, wings, pizza, and classic Hispanic food such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

What to order: 6” Steak and Cheese, Grilled Shrimp Salad on Bun, Jamaican Patty, and Tamales Hondureno.

A one-of-a-kind establishment, Adolfo’s Restaurant has served up Creole-Italian cuisine since 1997. This NOLA institution is one of the best places to experience the city’s unique Italian culture, which dates back to the days of the French era. It’s worth noting, however, that the majority of the city’s Italian immigrants arrived from Sicily in the 1880s and certainly made their mark on New Orleans’ cultural and culinary landscape. Get a taste of Adolfo’s unique take on Italian and Creole cuisine with a delicious dinner at this restaurant. What’s more, the restaurant’s Apple Barrel Bar offers live music seven days a week.

What to order: Eggplant Adelina with Crabmeat and Capers, Kimberly Vongole, Veal Ocean, and Chicken

If you’re looking for dining options to grab and go, you’ll find a mouth-watering range of options at Frenchmen Grocery & Deli. While you can’t enjoy sit-down dining at this store, it’s a great spot to snag an affordable bite; with offerings including Vietnamese Bánh Mì sandwiches, hot food and plates, po-boys, gourmet sandwiches, and an array of other delights. Frenchmen Grocery & Deli is a great spot to get a taste of the Vietnamese culture brought to NOLA by immigrants who escaped the incoming Communist regime by fleeing to America in the 1970s. With approximately 14,000 people, the New Orleans Vietnamese community is the largest in Louisiana. For a real treat, grab a Bahn Mi and a beer and go watch the brass bands that play on the corner of Frenchmen and Royal streets, just like the locals do.

What to order: Pork Banh Mi, Beef Brisket, Soft Shell Crab, and Pork Belly.

A few steps off Frenchmen Street, Brieux Carré Brewing Co. is a superb spot for cooling your heels with great craft beers. This craft brewery aims to embody the spirit of New Orleans in its approach to brewing, which means you can expect a selection of weird and wonderful brews. In addition to a menu of delicious snacks and small plates, this establishment sometimes also has food pop-ups offering more substantial dining options.

What to order: While not really offering much in the way of food the Craft beer on tap is not to be beat. Often there are excellent pop-ups in the back. It’s worth stopping in for a beer.

While Bourbon street has it’s time and place it is also home to tons of souvenir and trashy T-shirt shops trying their best to imitate the famous 90s Spencers, who still stock a huge range of graphic tees, if you’d like to check them out.

So get out of the French Quarter and explore one of the best places for live music in New Orleans and work up an appetite that you can satisfy at one of these great places to eat.
Would you like to immerse yourself in more New Orleans culture and history? Take a look at our Free Walking Tours.