30,000 Steps Walked! Just to Eat My Way Through New Orleans

Here’s my second round of New Orleans food collection! I’m sharing the popular restaurants I tried—first-time visitors can follow this list to avoid misses. Once you leave this city, it’s hard to find similar flavors elsewhere (there’s only one Cajun/Creole restaurant in DC), so savor every bite while you’re here! ✨ Cochon | Recommended by Anthony Bourdain This spot is super popular—no wonder it got a shoutout from Anthony Bourdain! What We Ordered: The signature Cochon (slow-roasted pork) and Catfish Courtbouillon (catfish stew). Every table gets complimentary bread rolls, and if you sit at the kitchen bar, you even get a free appetizer 🥖! Taste Notes: The main dishes are a bit salty, but the seasoning is rich and flavorful. The catfish is fried first then stewed—hearty and perfect with rice. Pro Tip: It’s a bit far from the French Quarter, so plan your transportation accordingly! ✨ Deanie’s | Casual Seafood Feast Highly recommend this place—total comfort food vibes! Crawfish: Fresh, juicy, and every one has roe (a nice surprise!). The side dishes—potatoes, mushrooms, and smoked sausage—soak up all the flavorful sauce, making them just as tasty as the seafood 🦞. BBQ Shrimp: The amount of spices and butter here is unreal! The thick, creamy sauce is perfect for dipping bread—and I even asked for a bowl of rice to mix with the sauce (so delicious, I couldn’t get enough 😋). The shrimp are huge too—6 per serving, way more than I expected! ✨ Mother’s | Local “Cafeteria-Style” Spot This is like a neighborhood cafeteria for locals—no frills, just good food! What We Tried: The Grilled Shrimp Po’boy. It’s packed with plump, bouncy, and well-seasoned shrimp—though the bread is a little tough. Vibe: The menu is huge, with all kinds of combo meals and Po’boys. Order at the counter, then pick up your food right away—classic cafeteria efficiency 🏪. ✨ Napoleon House | Vintage, Dim-Lit Century-Old Restaurant This 100-year-old spot has such a cool retro, dim atmosphere—perfect for food and photos! What We Tried: We only snapped a pic of the Red Beans and Rice—simmered red beans with fried smoked sausage, served over rice. It’s incredibly savory and pairs so well with the grain 🍚. Their Jambalaya (spicy rice with meat/seafood) is also a signature—its salty, umami flavor is totally suited to Chinese palates. Photo Op: The vintage decor and rainforest-like courtyard are so photogenic—don’t forget to snap a few shots while you’re there 📸! ✨ Molly’s Rise and Shine | Hippie-Style Brunch Spot A fun, laid-back spot for brunch with a bohemian twist! What We Ordered: Carrot Yogurt and Chicken Biscuit. The yogurt was so refreshing—after all the heavy, rich food we’d been eating, this was like a breath of fresh air 🥕! The biscuit was okay, but a bit dense and heavy. Vibe: Hardly any tourists here—mostly local trendsetters. It’s close to Magazine Street (the “fashion street”), so you can go shopping after eating. (Side note: Does anyone know Trashy Diva? I’m obsessed with their vintage-style clothes! 🧥) #ShoutOutToLocalFood #100RestaurantsChallenge #GlobalFoodCriticContest #InternationalStudentEats #ExperienceForeignFoodTogether #NewOrleans #GlobalFoodAndTravelSquad #InDepthTravelGuide #TravelInfluencerSupportProgram