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Lanelas Bridge in City Park, New Orleans.

Where to Eat in and Around New Orleans’s City Park

All that fresh air can work up an appetite

by Beth D'Addono Jun 27, 2023, 2:30pm CDT

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Lanelas Bridge in City Park, New Orleans.

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by Beth D'Addono Jun 27, 2023, 2:30pm CDT

For locals who don’t have lots of personal green space, City Park is an extended backyard, a place to picnic and barbecue, bike, and fritter away an afternoon. The 1300-acre Eden known for its stands of live oak trees and outdoor recreation includes a manmade lake with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rent, the New Orleans Museum of Art, with its two free outdoor sculpture gardens, City Bark for dogs, multiple golf courses, and a fun play area for kids that includes an antique carousel. It’s a magical place.

All that fresh air can work up an appetite. Although the many restaurants in Bayou St. John are close to City Park, that neighborhood has its own vibe (and dining guide). This lineup of restaurants and cafes in and around the park are all less than two miles away from the entrance facing NOMA. Another reason to get those steps in.

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Morning Call Coffee Stand

After a forced 2019 closing at its original spot in City Park, the circa 1870 coffee and beignet shop reopened to a new home across from the streetcar terminal at Canal. Sharing a covered porch with neighbor Bud’s Broiler, the new place has room for 200 and was built to suit. Although beignets and coffee are its calling card, Morning Call also dishes New Orleans comfort food, from mini muffulettas and creamy red beans and rice to jambalaya until midnight.

5101 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

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Bud's Broiler

This no-frills local chain founded in 1952 is much loved for its menu of affordable, charcoal-broiled burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Although there are options like the chicken nugget sandwich, hotdog, or a smoked sausage po’ boy, why? Get the hickory-smoked sauce on a dressed cheddar burger and be happy.

5115 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

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Also featured in:

Café Navarre

This cozy cafe flies under the radar, but really is so worth discovering. Third-generation restaurant owner Heather Riccobono puts out a warm welcome for two and four-legged customers. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner inside and out on patio, choices range from specialty pizzas to paninis to breakfast tacos. Great family vibe.

800 Navarre Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

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A post shared by Café Navarre (@cafenavarre_nola)

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Second Line Brewing

Second Line Brewing, not far from Delgado, is a kid and dog-friendly hang with great beer and a revolving array of food trucks and pop-up vendors in the Beer Garden. Pair an icy pilsner, IPA, or ale with smashed burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, or Vietnamese tacos; even Polish comfort food shows up on occasion. For what’s dishing now, check out their social media or event page.

433 N Bernadotte St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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MoPho

Michael Gulotta opened MoPho, his first restaurant, in 2014 just a stroll away from City Park. Combining Louisiana influences with Southeast Asian flavors, Gulotta’s passion for exotic flavors dates back to when he was obsessed with ’80s cooking show Yan Can Cook as a kid. His Monday version of red beans and rice with pork katsu is ridiculously good.

514 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Inside MoPho.

Also featured in:

Monday | Restaurant + Bar

One of the restaurants in the ever-expanding Morrow family portfolio, Monday offers an all-day happy hour on Monday, a day when many restaurants close — its day to shut down is Tuesday. The menu ranges from oysters and pizza to wings and fried seafood. There’s lots of outdoor space and TVs for game day.

4327 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Also featured in:

Clesi’s Seafood

This family-run seafooder is well known for its seasonal crab, crawfish, and shrimp boils. But Clesi’s also serves chargrilled oysters, jambalaya, po’boys, and fried seafood, all in a lively, kid-friendly setting with a great patio.

Open in Google Maps

4323 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Ralph's on the Park

Easily the crowned jewel of City Park restaurants, Ralph’s on the Park invites verdant live oak views into its elegant circa 1860s dining room. Love a seat at the cozy bar too, perfect for ordering the three appetizers and a glass of wine for $38 special or just waiting for a table. Good news, the Shrimp Skully and the debris tartine are both options. Executive chef Knut Mjelde brings a modern global sensibility to deeply comforting Southern flavors.

900 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ralphsonthepark (@ralphsonthepark)

Also featured in:

Toups Meatery

One look at chef Isaac Toups’ menu and it’s easy to see that Cajun culinary traditions are alive and well in New Orleans. The chef’s eponymous meatery in Mid City never fails to impress with meat specialties, like the famous lamb neck, the double cut pork chop, and a killer chef’s lunch (boudin, burger, and a beer). It’s also open for lunch and dinner everyday (and brunch on weekends), so you can plan this City Park + Meatery visit any day of the week.

845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Pandora's Snowballs

Visiting City Park in the warmer months? Then a stop at this Mid City favorite is a must. Pandora’s goes heavy on the syrup and flavors range from the tame, like wild cherry, to the funky, like the creamy Tootsie Roll. There are ample shady, picturesque spots to enjoy a sno-ball. There’s also hot tamales for sale, a classic combo.

901 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pandora's Snowballs (@pandorassnowballs)

Acorn

It may be set in the Louisiana Children’s Museum in the heart of the park, but there are plenty of options for grown-ups at Dickie Brennan’s light-filled Acorn Cafe. Beyond pizza, there are tasty bowls and salads and a dynamite breakfast menu. Come for 9 a.m. before the museum is even open, and munch on a breakfast burrito or avocado toast on the patio overlooking the lagoon.

15 Henry Thomas Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Acorn Café (@acornnola)

Also featured in:

Blue Oak BBQ

It’s less than a 15-minute walk from the park to Blue Oak BBQ, the smoked meat emporium that goes beyond the usual with dishes like the Blubano — a pulled pork Cuban, barbecue nachos, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. Get the garlic mac and cheese for a side.

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

A tin platter covered with pink paper holds ribs, a sausage, a chicken leg, saltine crackers, bunny bread, and pickles.

Also featured in:

Cafe NOMA

Ralph Brennan is behind Cafe NOMA, the airy cafe inside NOMA. Chef Chris Montero dishes fab butternut squash soup, a Waldorf salad with chicken and blue cheese, Buffalo chicken flatbread and a bacon cheddar grilled cheese on brioche. There are pastries and sweets too.

1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Filmore in the Oaks

Golfers and non-putters alike flock to Filmore in the Oaks, a clubhouse cafe and bar at the edge of the park’s Bayou Oaks North Course. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and drinks, the menu of egg specials, sandwiches, and salads is best enjoyed on the porch overlooking the greens. The weekday 2 to 5:30 p.m. happy hour includes $5 bites like coconut shrimp and meat pies.

Open in Google Maps

1040 Filmore Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Deutsches Haus

Although most known for its annual Oktoberfest, Deutsches Haus serves German-accented food six days a week. Have a brat, with or without sauerkraut; a flammkuchen, German-style pizza with white cream sauce and sausage, and of course pretzels.

1700 Moss St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

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Morning Call Coffee Stand

5101 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

After a forced 2019 closing at its original spot in City Park, the circa 1870 coffee and beignet shop reopened to a new home across from the streetcar terminal at Canal. Sharing a covered porch with neighbor Bud’s Broiler, the new place has room for 200 and was built to suit. Although beignets and coffee are its calling card, Morning Call also dishes New Orleans comfort food, from mini muffulettas and creamy red beans and rice to jambalaya until midnight.

5101 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Bud's Broiler

5115 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

This no-frills local chain founded in 1952 is much loved for its menu of affordable, charcoal-broiled burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Although there are options like the chicken nugget sandwich, hotdog, or a smoked sausage po’ boy, why? Get the hickory-smoked sauce on a dressed cheddar burger and be happy.

5115 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Café Navarre

800 Navarre Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

This cozy cafe flies under the radar, but really is so worth discovering. Third-generation restaurant owner Heather Riccobono puts out a warm welcome for two and four-legged customers. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner inside and out on patio, choices range from specialty pizzas to paninis to breakfast tacos. Great family vibe.

800 Navarre Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Café Navarre (@cafenavarre_nola)

Second Line Brewing

433 N Bernadotte St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Second Line Brewing, not far from Delgado, is a kid and dog-friendly hang with great beer and a revolving array of food trucks and pop-up vendors in the Beer Garden. Pair an icy pilsner, IPA, or ale with smashed burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, or Vietnamese tacos; even Polish comfort food shows up on occasion. For what’s dishing now, check out their social media or event page.

433 N Bernadotte St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

MoPho

514 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Michael Gulotta opened MoPho, his first restaurant, in 2014 just a stroll away from City Park. Combining Louisiana influences with Southeast Asian flavors, Gulotta’s passion for exotic flavors dates back to when he was obsessed with ’80s cooking show Yan Can Cook as a kid. His Monday version of red beans and rice with pork katsu is ridiculously good.

514 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Inside MoPho.

Monday | Restaurant + Bar

4327 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

One of the restaurants in the ever-expanding Morrow family portfolio, Monday offers an all-day happy hour on Monday, a day when many restaurants close — its day to shut down is Tuesday. The menu ranges from oysters and pizza to wings and fried seafood. There’s lots of outdoor space and TVs for game day.

4327 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Clesi’s Seafood

4323 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

This family-run seafooder is well known for its seasonal crab, crawfish, and shrimp boils. But Clesi’s also serves chargrilled oysters, jambalaya, po’boys, and fried seafood, all in a lively, kid-friendly setting with a great patio.

Open in Google Maps

4323 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Ralph's on the Park

900 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Easily the crowned jewel of City Park restaurants, Ralph’s on the Park invites verdant live oak views into its elegant circa 1860s dining room. Love a seat at the cozy bar too, perfect for ordering the three appetizers and a glass of wine for $38 special or just waiting for a table. Good news, the Shrimp Skully and the debris tartine are both options. Executive chef Knut Mjelde brings a modern global sensibility to deeply comforting Southern flavors.

900 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ralphsonthepark (@ralphsonthepark)

Toups Meatery

845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

One look at chef Isaac Toups’ menu and it’s easy to see that Cajun culinary traditions are alive and well in New Orleans. The chef’s eponymous meatery in Mid City never fails to impress with meat specialties, like the famous lamb neck, the double cut pork chop, and a killer chef’s lunch (boudin, burger, and a beer). It’s also open for lunch and dinner everyday (and brunch on weekends), so you can plan this City Park + Meatery visit any day of the week.

845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Pandora's Snowballs

901 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visiting City Park in the warmer months? Then a stop at this Mid City favorite is a must. Pandora’s goes heavy on the syrup and flavors range from the tame, like wild cherry, to the funky, like the creamy Tootsie Roll. There are ample shady, picturesque spots to enjoy a sno-ball. There’s also hot tamales for sale, a classic combo.

901 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pandora's Snowballs (@pandorassnowballs)

Acorn

15 Henry Thomas Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124

It may be set in the Louisiana Children’s Museum in the heart of the park, but there are plenty of options for grown-ups at Dickie Brennan’s light-filled Acorn Cafe. Beyond pizza, there are tasty bowls and salads and a dynamite breakfast menu. Come for 9 a.m. before the museum is even open, and munch on a breakfast burrito or avocado toast on the patio overlooking the lagoon.

15 Henry Thomas Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Acorn Café (@acornnola)

Blue Oak BBQ

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

It’s less than a 15-minute walk from the park to Blue Oak BBQ, the smoked meat emporium that goes beyond the usual with dishes like the Blubano — a pulled pork Cuban, barbecue nachos, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. Get the garlic mac and cheese for a side.

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

A tin platter covered with pink paper holds ribs, a sausage, a chicken leg, saltine crackers, bunny bread, and pickles.

Cafe NOMA

1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

Ralph Brennan is behind Cafe NOMA, the airy cafe inside NOMA. Chef Chris Montero dishes fab butternut squash soup, a Waldorf salad with chicken and blue cheese, Buffalo chicken flatbread and a bacon cheddar grilled cheese on brioche. There are pastries and sweets too.

1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Filmore in the Oaks

1040 Filmore Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Golfers and non-putters alike flock to Filmore in the Oaks, a clubhouse cafe and bar at the edge of the park’s Bayou Oaks North Course. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and drinks, the menu of egg specials, sandwiches, and salads is best enjoyed on the porch overlooking the greens. The weekday 2 to 5:30 p.m. happy hour includes $5 bites like coconut shrimp and meat pies.

Open in Google Maps

1040 Filmore Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Deutsches Haus

1700 Moss St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Although most known for its annual Oktoberfest, Deutsches Haus serves German-accented food six days a week. Have a brat, with or without sauerkraut; a flammkuchen, German-style pizza with white cream sauce and sausage, and of course pretzels.

1700 Moss St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

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