Your insider guide to the best food in New Orleans, featuring 26 iconic dishes and where to find them
In a city where every corner seems to tell a story through food, separating the exceptional from the merely excellent is no easy task. So we turned to the people who live and breathe New Orleans’ dining scene to do the choosing for us. From James Beard honourees and Michelin-starred veterans to lifelong diners who have logged thousands of meals and countless hours at the table, these contributors know exactly what makes a dish unforgettable. The result is this curated edit of 26 must-try dishes—an insider’s guide to the city’s most compelling flavours and the plates no visitor should leave without experiencing.
1. Whole Fried Snapper from Addis Nola – At Addis Nola, the whole fried snapper is a masterclass in balance and boldness. Seasoned with fragrant Ethiopian spices, it arrives golden and impeccably crisp, giving way to tender, juicy flesh beneath. Paired with fluffy rice and a rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce, the dish is at once comforting, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.
2. Gnocchi with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat from Saint Claire – At Saint Claire, the gnocchi with jumbo lump crab is quietly magnificent—one of those dishes that lingers long after the last bite. Feather-light pillows of pasta are coated in a luminous lemon beurre, its brightness and richness perfectly calibrated to complement the natural sweetness of the Gulf crab, resulting in a plate that feels both indulgent and exquisitely restrained.
3. BBQ Shrimp Pie from Gabrielle Restaurant- At Gabrielle Restaurant, the New Orleans–style Barbecue Shrimp Pie—best enjoyed alongside the house salad topped with crisp fried oysters—offers a deeply nostalgic, flavour-packed expression of the city’s culinary soul, delivering comfort, character, and indulgence in every bite.
4. Sloppy Joe from Avegno – At Avegno, the late-night Sloppy Joe is pure comfort—rich, nostalgic, and endlessly satisfying. Best paired with their deeply flavoured French onion soup, it captures the easy charm of this hidden neighbourhood gem and makes every visit feel like a local secret well worth discovering.
5. Trinidadian Doubles from Queen Trini Lisa – At Queen Trini Lisa, the vegan Trinidadian doubles, layered with vibrant Caribbean flavours, are a must-eat for 2026. Freshly fried dough wraps around perfectly seasoned chickpeas, capturing the cultural fusion that earned New Orleans its reputation as the “northernmost point in the Caribbean.”
6. Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake from Jacques-Imo’s – At Jacques-Imo’s, the alligator cheesecake is a distinctly New Orleans appetiser—fluffy, boldly flavoured, and unapologetically savoury—making it an essential must-try.
7. Ban Cuon Thit Nuong from Ba Mien – At Ba Mien, the Bánh Cuốn Thịt Nướng—delicate steamed rice rolls filled with grilled pork—is a must-try for its fresh, supple texture, balanced by smoky char and bright notes of fresh cilantro.
8. Hamachi Crudo from Acamaya – At Acamaya, the hamachi crudo, crafted by Ana Castro, stands out as a refined 2026 must-try—an elegant showcase of freshness, precision, and modern coastal flavour.
9. Oysters Mosca from Mosca’s Restaurant – New Orleans is known for their cooked oyster dishes, and Oysters Mosca at this Creole‑Italian roadhouse is an absolute must-try. New Orleans is celebrated for its cooked oyster traditions, and the legendary Oysters Mosca at Mosca’s Restaurant remain an absolute must-try—rich, garlicky, and deeply rooted in the city’s Creole-Italian heritage.
10. Not Yo Mama’s Corn Cakes from Who Dat Coffee Café – At Who Dat Coffee Café, the quirky and decadent “Not Ya Mama’s Corn Cakes” pairs two homemade corn cakes with candied bacon and warm Steen’s cane syrup, creating a playful, indulgent Southern classic.
11. Shrimp Po-Boy from Guy’s Po-Boys – At Guy’s Po-Boys, the shrimp po’-boy is quintessentially New Orleans—a crisp, generously filled classic that stands as a true culinary landmark of the city.
12. BBQ Shrimp from Mr B’s – Bold, buttery, and irresistibly flavourful, the barbecued shrimp at Mr B’s Bistro is a quintessential New Orleans classic—one indulgent, finger-licking dish you simply cannot miss.
13. Khao Soi Noodle Soup from Budsi’s Authentic Thai – At Budsi’s Authentic Thai, the khao soi noodle soup with chicken delivers pure comfort—its chilli oil heat balanced by a creamy coconut base, crisp noodles, and fresh greens for a deeply satisfying bowl.
14. The Bandeja Paisa from El Caimán Gordo in St. Roch Tavern – At El Caimán Gordo at St. Roch Tavern, the bandeja paisa—created by Colombian pop-up chef Marc Bruckel—is a glorious celebration of tradition, loaded with your choice of meat alongside chicharrón, sausage, patacones, arepas, rice, beans, avocado, salad, and a fried egg. Generous, satisfying, and remarkably affordable, it’s a shareable feast that comfortably feeds two to three people.
15. Confit Duck Leg from The Kingsway – At The Kingsway, the confit duck leg arrives with perfectly crisp skin, set atop silky kabocha squash purée and finished with a sour cherry gastrique that cuts beautifully through the richness.
16. Seared Scallops with Cacio e Pepe Beans from Zasu + Catfish Po-Boy from North Broad Seafood – At Zasu, the seared scallop with cacio e pepe beans, blistered tomatoes, and preserved lemon is a food lover’s dream—precise, vibrant, and deeply satisfying. Meanwhile, the catfish po’-boy at North Broad Seafood, affectionately known as “The Blue Store,” remains a local favourite for crawfish and classic po’-boys.
17. Corn & Crabmeat Bisque and Shrimp Fettuccine from Vincent’s Italian Cuisine –At Vincent’s Italian Cuisine on St. Charles Avenue, the intimate, old-world setting provides the perfect backdrop for a comforting corn and crabmeat bisque served in a bread bowl, alongside their richly flavoured shrimp tagliatelle pasta.
18. Bread Pudding Soufflé from Commander’s Palace – At Commander’s Palace, the Creole bread pudding soufflé is a New Orleans icon—feather-light in texture, deeply flavoured, and finished with a lavish pour of rich whiskey sauce.
19. The Specials Menu at Peche – At Peche, the ever-evolving specials menu showcases culinary excellence, highlighting vibrant Filipino influences and standout dishes like their irresistibly rich crab rice.
20. Chicken & Sausage Gumbo from Chef Donald Link – Chef Donald Link’s chicken and sausage gumbo, rooted in family tradition, is a soulful must-try—whether enjoyed at La Boulangerie de Uptown or Herbsaint.
21. Le Pig Mac from Cochon Butcher – At Cochon Butcher, the cult-favourite Le Pig Mac is an absolute must-try, while the house-made meats, terrines, and sausages are equally irresistible.
22. Duck Leg Confit with Dirty Rice from Herbsaint – At Herbsaint, this duck leg confit—featuring perfectly crisp skin and fall-off-the-bone meat—rests on dirty rice and is finished with a sweet citrus gastrique, standing as a heartfelt tribute to hearty, Southern, home-style cooking.
23. Omakase at Shogun – Chef Atsushi Morishita’s Shogun sushi bar shines for its customisable omakase rolls and impeccably prepared sashimi platters.
24. Floribbean Fish Chowder at Hot & Soul – At Hot & Soul, the Floribbean fish chowder by Chefs Christy Samoy and Mike Hampton showcases local drum—one of the Gulf’s great bounties—layered with habanero, tomato, and allspice for a bold, soulful finish.
25. Fried Chicken from Hot Stuff – At Hot Stuff, the fried chicken is pure comfort—crisp, juicy, and deeply satisfying, with every bite reflecting the care and craft behind the recipe.
26. Tom Kha Coconut Milk Soup with Chicken and Crispy Pork from Budsi’s Authentic Thai – At Budsi’s Authentic Thai in the Marigny, the tom kha coconut milk soup with chicken and crispy pork is an absolute must-try—fragrant, comforting, and among the city’s most irresistible bowls.
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