16 Must-Visit Spots in New Orleans
Photo: Courtesy of The National WWII Museum1/16More than almost any other American city, New Orleans is a place that clings to its roots. So it’s not surprising that many of the restaurants, clubs, and landmarks described in Walker Percy’s 1961 novel The Moviegoer still exist. But in the decade since Katrina, and especially in the past few years, the city has witnessed an influx of new restaurants, shops, and more. As Mardi Gras season begins, here’s a look at the must-visit destinations that are making the Big Easy more vibrant, more fun, and more chic than ever.
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing CenterThe tallest building on the World War II Museum campus, the the US Freedom Pavilion has interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what America was like as it geared up for war. The impressive 30,000-square-foot space, designed by Voorsanger Architects with Mathes Brierre Architects, anchors the museum and features artifacts key to the Allied victory, including a restored Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress. 945 Magazine Street; nationalww2museum.org
Photo: Courtesy Krewe du Optic2/16Krewe du Optic
The French Quarter flagship of hot eyewear brand Krewe du Optic, whose shades can often be spotted on Gigi Hadid, is more than just a neighborhood shop. Stirling Barrett, the brand’s founder and a native New Orleanian, set out to create an experience where shoppers could try on frames and enjoy coffee at the same time. The space combines old and new—showing off the 19th-century charm of the building while keeping the lines simple and chic. The 900-foot shop was designed by Benjamin Bullins. 809 Royal Street; kreweduoptic.com
Photo: Frank Aymami3/16The Stacks
French transplant Émilie Lamy saw a void in New Orleans—a city filled with interesting bookshops but still missing one that specialized in art and design. The Stacks is Lamy’s independent bookstore based in the Contemporary Arts Center. There, she’s curated a selection of 1,000 international publications on architecture, art, design, photography, and more. 900 Camp Street; thestacks-books.org
Photo: Courtesy of the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market4/16PHNOJM
In February 2015, the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market debuted as a new performing arts venue designed by Kronberg Wall of Atlanta. The cultural center offers music education programs and houses an archive of New Orleans jazz music. PHNOJM also hosts tributes to jazz legends as well as performances by talents such as Irvin Mayfield and NOJO. 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard; phnojm.org
Photo: Courtesy of Shaya5/16Shaya
New Orleans is known for its Creole and Cajun classics, but Alon Shaya launched his own delicious revolution in 2015 by opening an uptown restaurant celebrating modern Israeli cuisine. Critically acclaimed and a new local favorite, Shaya has people clamoring for more house-made pita, tabbouleh, and lamb. 4213 Magazine Street; shayarestaurant.com
Photo: Rush Jagoe6/16Kenton’s
Whiskey has always been a tipple of choice in the Big Easy, but New York restaurateurs Sean Josephs and his wife, Mani Dawes, recently brought the spirit to a whole new level with the opening of Kenton’s. The uptown hot spot designed by Bradley Horn and Maria Berman of Manhattan’s Berman Horn Studio—brings a New York polish to New Orleans cuisine, along with an extensive menu of over 150 domestic ryes, bourbons, and whiskeys. 5757 Magazine Street; kentonsrestaurant.com
Photo: Courtesy of The Orpheum Theater7/16The Orpheum Theater
The 1,500-seat auditorium, which had been closed since Hurricane Katrina, reopened in April after a $13 million renovation. The 1918 building designed by architect Gustave Albert Lansburgh was restored by hand to reflect its original color palette and dazzling plasterwork with renovations by local architecture firm Eskew+Dumez+Ripple. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra now calls the space home. 129 Roosevelt Way; orpheumnola.com
Photo: Courtesy of St. Roch Market8/16St. Roch Market
After staying empty for a decade after flooding, St. Roch Market, founded in 1875, reopened in April with 13 specialty food shops. Visitors can sample a wide array of local delicacies old and new, such as raw oysters, gumbo, and Korean fried chicken, while stocking up on gourmet groceries. 2381 St. Claude Avenue; strochmarket.com
Photo: J. Stephen Young9/16Barrel Proof and Little Bird
This whiskey-centric bar in a rustic space on the edge of uptown and down offers impressive snacks courtesy of the Little Bird pop-up from the chefs of Meauxbar and Coquette. 1201 Magazine Street; barrelproofnola.com
Photo: Rush Jagoe10/16Willa Jean
Designed by Curtis Herring, this inviting new restaurant and bakery downtown has a nostalgic vibe while still feeling completely current. Get there early before they run out of biscuits! 611 O’Keefe Avenue; willajean.com
Photo: Courtesy of Keife & Co.11/16Keife & Co.
This fabulous shop offers an exceptional selection of wines and specialty food. Its knowledgeable staff doles out expert advice on everything from Champagne to tequila and imported dry pasta to chocolate truffles. The walls are lined with library-style shelving stocked with independent wine producers, hard-to-find spirits, and top-notch gourmet goods. 801 Howard Avenue; keifeandco.com
Photo: Paul Broussard12/16Oak and Ale
This pair of bars is just one indicator of the revitalization of Oak Street uptown. Oak offers a wide selection of wines by the glass in an airy, chic space, along with live music and a snack menu. Ale, its beer-centered neighbor, has an outdoor courtyard with big-screen televisions, ideal for watching the game while choosing from a long list of local beers. 8118 Oak Street, oaknola.com; 8124 Oak Street, aleonoak.com
Photo: Courtesy of Pêche13/16Pêche
With two 2014 James Beard Foundation honors to its name—Best New Restaurant and Best Chef: South—Pêche may be a few years old, but it’s as exciting and delicious as ever. The seafood-driven menu showcases the best the Gulf of Mexico has to offer with flavors that highlight the ingenuity of Cajun culture. Whole fish are prepared over hardwood coals, and glorious platters of raw oysters, boiled shrimp, and smoked fish dip are what Instagram was made for. 800 Magazine Street; pecherestaurant.com
Photo: Courtesy of Cochon Butcher14/16Cochon Butcher
Bigger and better than ever, this Warehouse District restaurant and gourmet butcher shop recently expanded to fulfill the insane demand for its legendary muffuletta, Cubano, and Le Pig Mac sandwiches. The Cajun Pork Dogs take hot dogs to a whole new level; buy a pack of them and bring them home on the plane. 930 Tchoupitoulas Street; cochonbutcher.com
Photo: Kevin O'Mara15/16Cane & Table
Not your average French Quarter joint—Cane & Table is a proto–tiki bar with fun snacks like pupu platters and fried cracklings. The space was lovingly restored, keeping peeling plaster walls and an enormous old wood bar intact. The courtyard is the perfect place for an afternoon snack and a glass of one of the daily specialty punches. 1113 Decatur Street; caneandtablenola.com
Photo: Courtesy of Brennan’s16/16Brennan’s
This grande dame of the French Quarter just got a major face-lift with the help of AD100 designer Richard Keith Langham. The restaurant, always a brunch go-to, now features the celebrated cooking of noted chef Slade Rushing. 417 Royal Street; brennansneworleans.com
