New Orleans
Standing in the Claiborne area of New Orleans, a staple in Nola.
I made an executive decision to get out of the tourist traps of New Orleans, and it was the best decision ever.
I had explored New Orleans once before, but this time was different. This time, I was able to experience it solo. This time, I was on a mission to visit other areas besides the French Quarter and to try food suggested by locals. Well, I accomplished both missions, and I am happy to report that I ate myself into a food coma every day of my trip!
What I Ate:
Monday - This is where you want to go if you want good food and good vibes, especially for brunch!
Lil Dizzy’s Cafe—A haven for food lovers, offering the best local Cajun cuisine served by a warm and welcoming staff.
Loretta’s - A must-visit for the most delectable beignets, an authentic New Orleans delight that surpasses even the famous Cafe duMonde.
Gus’s World Famous Chicken - This is where you want to get some good fried chicken! However, there are many more chicken spots to try in New Orleans that locals would argue are better.
Acme - This is where you want to get your oysters! I also had oysters at Mr. Ed’s in the French Quarter, but I prefer Acme the most.
Where I Stayed:
I stayed at the Q&C Hotel and Bar New Orleans, Autograph Collection, a Marriot-brand boutique hotel outside the French Quarter. I recommend it if you are like me and don’t want to be too close to the loud music and festive partygoers in the French Quarter at night. It was clean, and the staff was excellent.
What I Did:
My favorite and only activity I decided to do on this trip was a photo walk. I booked this experience through Airbnb with a photographer named Trinity. During this visit, I intentionally sought experiences away from tourist traps. I am so grateful to have linked with Trinity for this photo walk. Her (third) eye is impeccable. The fact that she is also Indigenous to New Orleans gave me so much more insight into the land, culture, and people as she led me on a walk away from the tourist areas—a beautiful experience. Check out the result of our walk below.
I spent only three days in New Orleans during this visit, but I am returning for more. There are so many restaurants on my list that I still need to visit and more areas I want to explore.
Have you been? What are some of your favorite restaurants in New Orleans? Drop them in the comments!
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