- Cafe Du Monde – the classic New Orleans pit stop in the morning or after a night of drinking. The beignets are always fresh and the service fast.
- St. Roch Market- this multi vendor market is a bit farther from the action downtown but it has some amazing food with a calm cool crisp and clean atmosphere
- Alto at the Ace Hotel – This rooftop terrace complete with a bar and a pool is the perfect place to spend a sweltering afternoon. Beware of the $20 cover charge on weekend nights
- French Market – The goods aren’t particularly original but the food is delicious and the atmosphere is buzzing
- Auction House Market food hall – this market boasts ten vendors and is a brand new stylish space in the warehouse district
- Cafe Beignet – the competitor of Cafe Du Monde, this smaller beignet shop is situated on antique row and is much calmer than its counterpart
- Peche – a popular seafood powerhouse in the warehouse and arts district that serves up seriously tasty dishes in the most perfect setting
- note: try the whole fried redfish
- Urban South Brewery – the perfect place to get out of the heat and hang out with new and old friends over some seriously delicious beers
- NOLA Brewing Co – this is the most popular brewery downtown and even restaurants cook with their beer
- ACME – the raw oysters here are the best in town and the service is even better
- note: learn how to shuck an oyster properly and skip the line if you sit at the bar
- Dragos – at the bottom of the Hilton downtown, this is the orgin of the charbroiled oysters, a must try delicacy
- St Louis Cemetery – see Nicholas Cage’s tomb as well as the mother of voodoo, Marie Catherine Laveau and many others
- note: you can only enter cemeteries with a guide these days and they are usually only open until sunset
- Streetcar on St Charles Ave – the perfect reprieve from a long day of walking. Look out the window to see some of the most beautiful houses in the nation along with Tulane and Loyola Universities
- Lafayette Cemetery #1 – probably the most visited cemetery, it is open until 4PM
- Manolito’s – this brand new tiny and cute Cuban cafe has some seriously tasty dishes and drinks that will make you feel like you’re in Havana
- note: try the croquetas and arepas
- Frenchman’s Street – the local’s equivalent to Bourbon Street. This is where you go to hear some serious jazz, get away from the tourists traps, and enjoy the historic feel of the city
- Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights – If you pay attention, you’ll see these brass lamps hanging in almost every storefront, they are a New Orleans staple and the workshop lets you sit and watch their work
The Kat Chase 