This New Orleans East bar and restaurant is on the newer side, but has already become a cozy and fun neighborhood destination for good music, fish plates, stuffed bell peppers, and birria taco Tuesdays. Soul food Sunday is a great day to visit, as is Saints game day.

Chef Derek Robinson Jr. is building his culinary empire with a line of seasonings called Chef Gone Mad, but it started with his wildly popular restaurant at Miracle Plaza, Madchef at 59th. His talent is clear in everything he serves, from high-end lobster and steak platters to the wings, tacos, and burgers.

This spot calls itself the “healthiest feast in New Orleans East,” offering a daily menu of salads, turkey burgers, wraps, stuffed baked potatoes, and more, with favorites like the smoked turkey breast hoagie, blackened fish sandwich, and the Witch Doctor wrap with grilled chicken and shrimp. Hours are somewhat limited, but it’s reliably open for lunch during the week.

This sprawling hub of entertainment in Gentilly is the latest from the owners of Mid City’s Bar Culture, cousins Nick Reed and Nathaniel Wilcox. Culture Park is meant for a party — the expansive outdoor space is decked out with tables, couches, swings, and a stage, hosting live DJs, numerous food vendors, and experiences like Champagne Classics and Wine at the Park. No children allowed, and prepare for parking; it gets packed on weekends.

Elray Holmes’s Ray’s on the Ave is a local institution (even after it moved away from its original Avenue) in large part due to Holmes himself. He’s active in the community, holding frequent meal giveaways, and cooks some of the best traditional Creole food in the city. Go for the food, Saints games, happy hour, or live music, it’s always a good visit.

Don Villavaso on the Bayou is a perfect hangout, situated right off tree-lined Esplanade Avenue in the heart of Bayou St. John. The large, comfortable patio and cigar area makes for a great post-dinner visit, but it’s also a destination for food — most popular are the charbroiled oysters and steaks, as well as crawfish Sundays and Friday fish fries. Can’t beat the ladies night happy hour, Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.

Sweet Soulfood is a boon for the New Orleans vegan community, a Treme eatery where a changing menu usually includes stuffed bell peppers greens, mac and cheese, chicken fried cauliflower, eggplant lasagna, and jambalaya, served cafeteria-style.

This Mid City newcomer originally operated as a coffee brand, created during the pandemic. Now up and running and a breakfast and brunch spot, it serves New Orleans-style breakfasts ranging from shrimp or catfish and grits, crawfish omelettes, beignets, and classics like eggs and bacon. 

The incredibly talented 22 year-old owner of NOLA Sips Snobar and Bistro, Stricen Carter, started out with a stand specializing in designer sno-balls before expanding with a boozy version on St. Claude Avenue. The bright, festive spot serves customizable alcoholic sno-balls (and other boozy drinks) as well as traditional sno-ball stand bites like nachos, wings, burgers, tacos, and more.

This small and lively bar was once an old Mid City gas station — its owners were seeking a location to create an out-of-town feel with New Orleans flavor. The result is one of the neighborhood’s favorite nightlife venues, where you can also catch *fully loaded* chargrilled oysters, crawfish boils, and other New Orleans specialties.

Tiger Watson runs this Treme gem, and the New Orleans native has created a lively — and delicious — destination for the neighborhood in the eight or so years he’s been open. You may end up here for the strong drinks and good vibe, but it serves some of the freshest comfort food in town — perfectly-fried catfish and shrimp, crawfish pies, wings infused with Hennessey, two kinds of yak-a-mein, and the catfish Reagan are all highlights.

“Where good times meet good people,” says the Good Bar, an easy-to-miss spot in a not-so-hidden area of the city, the French Quarters. After a visit to the adjacent French Market, stop here for a friendly vibe, oysters, cocktails, and hookah. It’s also surprisingly good for breakfast — build your own omelette (or try the Cajun version) or go with the French toast.

This Uptown hideout serves wine by the glass in addition to a selection of 100 bottles, but crafty bartenders and their creations are not to be overlooked. With a clean and crisp atmosphere, Oak offers an intimate setting for live jazz, rhythm and blues, and soul music. Visit on Wednesday for half-price bottles (under $70).

With the help of his Aunt Ruby, Michael Southall, owner of Ice Cream 504, has been churning ice cream since he was a kid in Napoleonville, Louisiana. His Jena Street shop, near Freret Street, is known for simple, fresh flavors like strawberry cheesecake, peach sorbet, fruit cake, and pistachio layered with caramel and dark chocolate. The patio makes an ideal setting to enjoy some scoops.

The talented chef and owner of Baru Edgar Caro opened this seafood restaurant for lighter versions of Louisiana dishes in 2016, offering a nice courtyard along a busy stretch of Magazine Street. It blends in so well it’s easy to forget about the 50 cent raw oyster Mondays, weekday happy hour, and bottomless mimosas on weekends — it’s also known for it’s great blue crab beignets, a local favorite. 

For traditional West Indian Creole food on the Westbank, look no further than Island Paradise, a hidden gem in Gretna serving dishes influenced by African, East Indian, and Asian flavors. Of the menu’s many highlights, don’t miss the doubles to start, or the Trini callaloo, or the stewed oxtails. Also the curried goat...and the tacos are surprisingly good, too.

This sweet shop recently opened in Terrytown on the Westbank, specializing in over the top milkshakes — try to the strawberry wedding cake flavor — and custom cupcakes, wedding cake, and birthday cakes. If you’re looking to drop by, there’s usually banana pudding, pound cake, or other treats in the case.

Family-owned and offering a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, Food Symphony on Lapalco Blvd. is the spot for delicious Louisiana specialties like Cajun pasta and shrimp Creole, as well as great ribs, crab cakes, and any variation of wings on offer. Catch a boozy happy hour — with strong drinks and discounted appetizers — Monday through Friday, 5 to 8 p.m.