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8 Spots Serving Food 24 Hours in New Orleans

Sometimes the midnight meal is the most important of the day

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Even kitchens that stay open late eventually close. That’s when it’s critical to know where the 24/7 eateries lurk, the places that can satisfy hunger at even the most inopportune times. This list is essential for industry shift workers and anybody looking for a place to soak up a long evening of cocktailing.

Is this the best food in New Orleans? Unlikely, as these anti-trend dive bars don’t promise fancy. But they do dish rib-sticking eats to satisfy hungry customers around the clock, and that’s a beautiful thing.

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Tic-Toc Café

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This brightly-painted, 24-hour Metairie diner has long been known for a range of affordable, solid breakfasts under $10 or so, like biscuits and sausage gravy for around $5. There are also burgers, sandwiches, and a few classic diner plates, like a Cajun-smothered pork chop, if you’re looking for a meal other than breakfast. Bring a sense of humor, and check the ever-changing sign out front.

Melba's Poboys

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“Eat Pray Love” proclaims a sign outside of this neighborhood staple on busy Claiborne Avenue. As in “Eat at Melba’s, Pray before meals, and Love New Orleans.” If that’s not enough to get you in the door, consider the long list of frozen daiquiris, every possible kind of over-stuffed po’ boy, and the shrimp and grits, all perfect any time of day. There just happens to be a laundromat next door that offers free dryers after midnight, in case you need to do a few loads while you munch.

Verti Marte

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This cash-only, round-the-clock deli and convenience store really does have something for everybody. The menu goes on and on, beyond po-boys to grilled chicken salad and a handful of vegetarian items. Then there’s the meat and two sides, comfort fare including Grandma’s boarding house meatloaf and shrimp Creole. One can get breakfast whenever, best enjoyed standing at one of the tall tables that are sometimes by the door or on the stoop across the street, where stray picnickers always congregate.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Turtle Bay

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Open 24 hours — daily — Turtle Bay is well known for its 20-ounce rib eye served with potato skins and garlic bread, big enough for two to share and still under $20. The thin crust pizza is the cheesiest, with the cheeseburger and Hawaiian pies leading as customer favorites. Nachos and hot wings are good, there is boiled crawfish when it’s in season, and the bartender pours a strong drink — all in all, one of the best 24-hour food options in town.

Clover Grill

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So they make their burgers under a grease splattered hub cap and yes, they are good. The staff is a hoot, always talking some kind of smack, i.e. “We may not be pretty, but we think we are.” It doesn't get any more local than this. Great place for a snack after a night in the bars. Sit at the counter for best view of the shenanigans and order breakfast anytime at this old-school divey diner.

The famous Clover Grill on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana Shutterstock

Three Legged Dog

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The Three Legged Dog Tavern is an under-the-radar locals dive in the heart of the Quarter, known for daily crawfish boils and piping hot bar food served into the wee hours. Yes, it is fairly grungy, but friendly staff and patrons balance it out.

Mediterranean food nearly 24 hours a day (it closes at 5 a.m.) gives night owls a downright healthy option in the CBD. Enjoy the likes of hummus, falafel, labneh, shawarma, lamb, and grilled pita at Cleo’s on the edge of the French Quarter. There’s a vast and quirky soda selection, too. The second, French Quarter location is a sit-down version, open until 10 p.m.

Igor’s Bar & Grill

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Igor’s is the St. Charles Avenue barroom and pool lounge with a laundromat in the back, the oldest and possibly most iconic of the 24/7 watering holes founded by proprietor Igor Margan, who died a few years ago. A short menu sticks to what it’s always done best — burgers — and rounds it out with a fried chicken sandwich, hot sausage sandwich, and even a vegetarian sandwich option.

Tic-Toc Café

This brightly-painted, 24-hour Metairie diner has long been known for a range of affordable, solid breakfasts under $10 or so, like biscuits and sausage gravy for around $5. There are also burgers, sandwiches, and a few classic diner plates, like a Cajun-smothered pork chop, if you’re looking for a meal other than breakfast. Bring a sense of humor, and check the ever-changing sign out front.

Melba's Poboys

“Eat Pray Love” proclaims a sign outside of this neighborhood staple on busy Claiborne Avenue. As in “Eat at Melba’s, Pray before meals, and Love New Orleans.” If that’s not enough to get you in the door, consider the long list of frozen daiquiris, every possible kind of over-stuffed po’ boy, and the shrimp and grits, all perfect any time of day. There just happens to be a laundromat next door that offers free dryers after midnight, in case you need to do a few loads while you munch.

Verti Marte

This cash-only, round-the-clock deli and convenience store really does have something for everybody. The menu goes on and on, beyond po-boys to grilled chicken salad and a handful of vegetarian items. Then there’s the meat and two sides, comfort fare including Grandma’s boarding house meatloaf and shrimp Creole. One can get breakfast whenever, best enjoyed standing at one of the tall tables that are sometimes by the door or on the stoop across the street, where stray picnickers always congregate.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Turtle Bay

Open 24 hours — daily — Turtle Bay is well known for its 20-ounce rib eye served with potato skins and garlic bread, big enough for two to share and still under $20. The thin crust pizza is the cheesiest, with the cheeseburger and Hawaiian pies leading as customer favorites. Nachos and hot wings are good, there is boiled crawfish when it’s in season, and the bartender pours a strong drink — all in all, one of the best 24-hour food options in town.

Clover Grill

So they make their burgers under a grease splattered hub cap and yes, they are good. The staff is a hoot, always talking some kind of smack, i.e. “We may not be pretty, but we think we are.” It doesn't get any more local than this. Great place for a snack after a night in the bars. Sit at the counter for best view of the shenanigans and order breakfast anytime at this old-school divey diner.

The famous Clover Grill on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana Shutterstock

Three Legged Dog

The Three Legged Dog Tavern is an under-the-radar locals dive in the heart of the Quarter, known for daily crawfish boils and piping hot bar food served into the wee hours. Yes, it is fairly grungy, but friendly staff and patrons balance it out.

Cleo's

Mediterranean food nearly 24 hours a day (it closes at 5 a.m.) gives night owls a downright healthy option in the CBD. Enjoy the likes of hummus, falafel, labneh, shawarma, lamb, and grilled pita at Cleo’s on the edge of the French Quarter. There’s a vast and quirky soda selection, too. The second, French Quarter location is a sit-down version, open until 10 p.m.

Igor’s Bar & Grill

Igor’s is the St. Charles Avenue barroom and pool lounge with a laundromat in the back, the oldest and possibly most iconic of the 24/7 watering holes founded by proprietor Igor Margan, who died a few years ago. A short menu sticks to what it’s always done best — burgers — and rounds it out with a fried chicken sandwich, hot sausage sandwich, and even a vegetarian sandwich option.

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