New Orleans | What to Eat in the Big Easy

Just got back from NOLA, and we spent all our time wandering around the city—no swamp tour, no oak plantation. I don’t have much to share about sightseeing, but when it comes to food? I’ve got you covered! 🥞 BRUNCH SPOTS 1️⃣ BEARCAT CBD No need to go out of your way for this one, but if you do visit, arrive early! We got there at 9 AM and waited about 10 minutes—but the food took forever to come out 😩. The bummer: We couldn’t try the “Lobster Daddy” (everyone raves about it on Xiaohongshu) because they said they ran out of lobster… at 9 in the morning! Our order: The crab scramble was just “meh”—tasted like something I could make at home. The surprise star? The fried potatoes (perfect for my Sichuanese taste buds—salty, crispy, and a little spicy 🌶️)! Drink recs: Rose Water Latte is a must-try. If you like herbal, medicinal vibes, give the Lavender Honey Latte a shot (it’s an acquired taste!). 2️⃣ Elizabeth‘s It’s not in the downtown area, so you’ll need a car to get there—but it’s worth the drive! Standout dishes: I devoured two orders of the Crab Cake Benedict (the crab cakes were packed with meat, no filler!). The Banana Foster French Toast was also amazing—fluffy, sweet, and oozing with banana caramel 🍌. The smoked salmon sandwich was fresh and flavorful too! Only downside: The coffee was as weak as water, and they only had whole milk (no oat/almond milk options)—a letdown for coffee lovers ☕❌. 3️⃣ Ruby Slipper A local chain that’s consistently above average—reliable, but not mind-blowing. Their Eggs Benedict can be split into two flavors (great for indecisive eaters!), but it’s just “fine” (nothing to write home about). The real highlight? A nearby bakery (we stumbled on it after brunch) with the best chocolate roll I’ve had in ages—rich, fudgy, and not too sweet 🥐. 🦞 SEAFOOD SPOTS 1️⃣ Acme Seafood House We went during off-peak hours, so no wait—total win! Oysters: Fresh, plump, and not fishy at all—some of the best we had in the city 🦪. Must-try: The crawfish rice bowl was delicious (I even wanted an extra bowl of rice to soak up the sauce!). We added a side of fried crawfish, and it was crispy perfection. Dessert: The Bread Pudding was a nice surprise—warm, moist, and not overly sweet (no sugar crash here 🍮). 2️⃣ Boil Seafood House We originally planned to go to Big Ez (thanks to Xiaohongshu hype) but missed it—so we ended up here, and it worked out! It had been ages since we had Cajun-style seafood, so we polished off our order in 10 minutes flat 😂. Top picks: Snow crab legs (meaty and sweet) and mussels (juicy, in a garlicky broth) were the stars. The crawfish were smaller than the ones in China, but still tasty. Price: Around $50 per person—reasonable for the portion size. 🍦 DESSERT SPOTS I’m the kind of person who can’t go a day without ice cream—and NOLA did not disappoint! 1️⃣ Sweet Saint Highly rated on Google, and located in the French Quarter. I got the Lavender Ice Cream—the lavender flavor was subtle at first, then lingered nicely. I’d give it a 9/10… if they hadn’t added cream cheese (it got too rich halfway through 🧀❌). 2️⃣ The Creole Creamery A local chain that’s a hidden gem! Bittersweet Chocolate Ice Cream was so good, I wanted to take a whole bucket back to my small town (creamy, intense, and not too bitter). Their two coffee-flavored options were also fantastic—strong coffee taste, no artificial aftertaste ☕🍦. ✨ Final Happy Memory The best moment? Sitting with friends by the Mississippi River, eating freshly made beignets, and sipping Hurricane cocktails (they hit hard—physically “tipsy” within minutes 😂). Nothing beats that laid-back NOLA vibe! #NewOrleansFood #NOLA #NewOrleansTravel