Perhaps more than anywhere else, New Orleans is a city filled with iconic dishes. Po’ boys, jambalaya, gumbo, beignets — these dishes define the city’s cuisine and culture to the outside world. Many also serve as part of a restaurant’s identity and history, like the gumbo z’herbes at Dooky Chase, or turtle soup at Commander’s.
The below guide outlines where to find the city’s most iconic food, in some cases because it’s their birthplace — like bananas Foster at and oysters Rockefeller — and other instances because it’s simply one of the best versions to be had. For specific iconic New Orleans dishes, see Eater’s guides to the city’s essential spots for po’ boys, muffulettas, gumbo, beignets, and sno-balls.
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