Welcome to What to Eat, our newest blog series covering the authentic cuisines of our favorite cities around the world! Click here to read our must-eat meals in Rome, and keep an eye out for a new post next month.
New Orleans cuisine is some of the most well-recognized regional fare in the entire United States, and it’s your turn to try it out! A mixture of Creole dishes, Cajun cooking, and soul food, the Big Easy’s delectable grub is as diverse and flavorful as the music, the people, and the sights of the area.
Here’s a list of must-trys to eat before you leave, just in time for Mardi Gras.
Gumbo
What’s a trip to Louisiana without trying the official state cuisine? Gumbo is a thick stew, usually served over rice, with a variety of vegetables (think onions, peppers, and okra), seafood, and chicken or sausage on top. It’s a hearty meal, so consider this dish for dinner so you can sleep it off!
Po-Boys
A po-boy can come in all shapes and sizes, but it boils down to a French bread sandwich stuffed with whatever you’d like — shrimp, oysters, and crab are quite popular — plus some lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Think of it as New Orleans’ response to the classic BLT.
Jambalaya
With roots tracing back to Spanish paella, jambalaya is another culturally-blended dish up for interpretation. It almost always includes rice, peppers, onions, and spices, but diners can usually choose between poultry, seafood, or sausage additions.
Bananas Foster
New Orleans was once a major port of entry for bananas coming from South America, and local chefs were tasked with creating a dessert that would incorporate the tropical fruit. Paul Blange, from the Crescent City’s iconic Brennan’s Restaurant, sautéed bananas in butter, sugar, and cinnamon, then flambéed the fruit with rum (don’t worry, it cooks off!) and topped it all with vanilla ice cream — thus, Bananas Foster was born.
Muffaletta
In 1906, Lupo Salvadore (a Sicilian immigrant who had recently relocated to New Orleans) invented the muffaletta sandwich at his French Quarter grocery. A round sesame roll topped with cured meats, cheese, and an olive relish, this time-honored sammy is a must-try next time you’re in the Big Easy.
Beignets
No New Orleans trip is complete without a heaping plate of powdered sugar-covered beignets! Satisfy your sweet tooth with these deep-fried, doughnut-like treats and grab some coffee while you’re at it — New Orleans-style coffee contains roasted chicory root, an addition that creates a deeper flavor without adding extra caffeine.
Bonus: King Cake
From early January through Mardi Gras in late February, it’s nearly impossible to walk around New Orleans without spying a purple, yellow, and green-sprinkled king cake. Named after the three kings who brought gifts to baby Jesus, this fruit and cream cheese-filled dessert has a special surprise hidden inside: a tiny plastic baby. Whoever finds the baby has to purchase or make the next king cake — good luck!
Hungry yet? Delve into Creole and Cajun culture (and try these classic NOLA foods!) on our 4-5 day New Orleans tour with an optional Make a Difference extension.