Chill Spots in New Orleans

I spent a week in the city for a wedding, and slowly found its rhythm and my favorite “soulful hideaways”—here are my top picks! ⬇️ ☕️ Forth Wall Anyone who’s been to the US knows good Italian-style coffee is hard to come by—but you can tell this spot nails it just by looking at their latte art (smooth, perfectly blended)! Their pastries are all delicious too, and you have to try their house hot sauce—it’s super spicy, and I was lucky enough to grab the last bottle to take home 🌶️! Sitting outside with the sun on my face, sipping coffee—total relaxation. French Quarter The famous French Quarter is perfect for a casual daytime wander! There are bookstores, free exhibitions everywhere, and you can pop into any café or bar for a local beer. But a heads-up: skip dining here—way too easy to hit a bad spot 🥤. Magazine Street This street is such a gem! It’s packed with vintage clothing stores, old furniture shops, and boutiques selling quirky trinkets and vinyl records—all with great taste 🎶. There are also tons of free exhibitions to check out—no need to spend a dime to have fun. 🍴 Pêche Let’s highlight this restaurant—it’s French for “fish”—and easily the best meal of my trip! ❗️ They serve the freshest fish, grilled whole and paired with South American parsley sauce. Every side dish and small plate is equally amazing. It’s on the pricier side, but way more cost-effective than those overhyped French Quarter restaurants (total value for money)! City Park Filled with art installations, cute animals, and lush greenery—it’s ideal for a post-dinner stroll 🐿️. Wander around, soak up the fresh air, and let the calm vibe sink in. Bayou Road New Orleans’ oldest street! Stop by Le Musee de fpc (a residential museum—book in advance!) to learn about the history of free people of color and dive deeper into the city’s cultural roots 📜. After the museum, grab a coffee at the nearby café, and don’t miss the Jamaican restaurant across the street—their jerk chicken rice bowl is incredible 🍛! Gretna (Small Town Day Trip) Rent an e-bike, take a ferry across the Mississippi River (it’s just 5 minutes!), and you’ll land in Gretna—a whole different city! Ride along a quiet, long road, and you’ll smell freshly roasted coffee—it’s Cherry Coffee, a local bean factory. I stopped for a rich espresso, then right as I was about to head back, it poured rain ☔️. I ducked into a little spot called Cafe Zen—turns out it’s an authentic Japanese restaurant! I sipped a warm glass of sake, and instantly felt cozy all over 🍶. Lafayette Square Locals love bringing the whole family (and their dogs 🐶!) here—spread out a picnic blanket, set up folding chairs, and relax on the lawn. We got super lucky: we visited on a Wednesday and stumbled on a local music festival, where we heard some amazing homegrown bands 🎵. A Few Food Tips Use the Resy app or website to book great restaurants—it works all over the US, and helps you avoid so many bad meals! P.S. Crawfish here isn’t as good as the Chinese-style preparations back home 🦞, but do not skip the raw oysters—they’re fresh and delicious 🦪! #NewOrleans #SlowLifeGuide #AmericanLifestyle