Just a few steps away from Cafe Degas on a stunning stretch of Esplanade Avenue, Santa Fe offers Southwestern fare in a relaxed but lively patio setting. The margaritas are always made from fresh juice, the ceviche is superb and tacos, nachos, and quesadillas will satisfy the craving. Don’t expect a cheap Tex-Mex fix here — two fish tacos are $17 — but portions are large and very shareable, and there’s often live music to accompany dinner. Anybody remember when SF was in the Marigny?

Lola’s paellas and fideuàs (same idea but with angel-hair pasta) are legend in these parts. The tiny dining room is a sweet backdrop for Spanish peasant fare that includes stewed meats, fresh seafood, herb-driven pastas and salads and lots and lots of olive oil and garlic. Housemade sangria and charming sidewalk seating is a bonus.

Swirl Wine Bar in Bayou St. John has long been a go-to for interesting wine, but they do good eats, in partnership with 1000 Figs next door. Get a falafel sandwich or the smoked chicken salad on on semolino. Or nosh on cheese and veggie plates perfect for sharing at tables out front or at the handful of bar seats.

When a pecan tree is growing through the romantic dining room and quail, escargot, and ethereal Iles Flotantes (floating islands) are on the menu, Francophiles who lean towards the rustic will be over the moon. Cafe Degas serves irst-rate French fare includes specialties like steak frites au poivre, mussels with fennel and crispy frites and a bracing salad of crab, grapefruit and mint.

This neighborhood joint, ground zero for bloody marys come Jazz Fest, dishes some of the best gumbo in town. Always an eclectic scene, Liuzza’s by the Track (no relation to the other one) is just as famous for its Worcestershire-fueled barbecue shrimp po’ boy slathered between a hot pistolette. Oh, and the deep-fried garlic oysters are legend.

While the 7th Ward gets to claim this quick-serve gem on Broad, it’s close enough to the neighborhood to serve as its essential fried chicken destination. That fried chicken is some of New Orleans’s finest: peppery, rich, and full of flavor. The sides are just as good as the chicken, especially the fried okra, rice and beans, and mac and cheese. Affordable and always busy.

Love the twisted Cheers scene at Pal’s, so friendly and welcoming to all. A dive bar and proud of it, Pal’s consistently hosts some of the best food pop ups in town, with regular appearances from Useful Arts Sausage Co, Tacos Para La Vida, and Daddy Hot Bird. This women-owned neighborhood gem is an integral part of Bayou St.John.

Situated just outside off Broad Street on Bayou Road restaurant is this 7th ward institution, serving heaping plates of Jamaican comfort food at reasonable prices. The jerk chicken is glorious, unsurprisingly, as is the goat and snapper; all come in platters for less than $15. Daily specials and a handful of tables out front make this a popular neighborhood lunch destination.

Mayhew is Bayou St. John’s newest bakery, a neighborhood spot through and through from former Brennan’s baker Kelly Mayhew. His creations are endless — sweets like lemon cream cheese brioche, sweet potato cream cheese bars, and pumpkin muffins; breads, croissants, breakfast and baguette sandwiches, German pretzels, and pizza for savory options, including French bread pizza, Detroit-style, round, NY-style pies, and most recently Sicilian.

Parkway has defined po’ boys in New Orleans for the better part of a century and no wonder. Every flavor is savory bliss, but the juicy roast beef is at least a four-napkin meal, dressed of course with lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickle. Thank goodness Jay Nix reopened the place in 2003 after a decade of darkness when the original owners closed up shop. Thanks Jay and pass the napkins.

Sweet Soulfood helped kick off the vegan soul food movement in the city, doing a public service with its menu of New Orleans comfort dishes done vegan. A changing weekly menu features the likes of gumbo and red beans, stuffed bell peppers greens and mac and cheese, nacho salad, cornbread, and bread pudding. Yes, all of it vegan.

What began as a butcher shop and sandwich spot has grown into a full-service restaurant and bar emphasizing steak, sides, and cocktails. Still, it’s retained its original charm — slightly edgy and earnest, but coursing with creativity — take the beef fat candles that are part of the new dinner service, served with grilled bread. A gorgeous bar and small dining room is complemented by nice patio seating, which is first-come, first-serve.

Chef/proprietor Tanya Dubuclet serves New Orleans homestyle cooking at Neyow’s Creole Cafe, something that isn’t as easy to find in restaurants as it used to be. Her file gumbo is a perfect place to start, prepared with shrimp, crabs, smoked sausage, ham, and seasoning and served over white rice.