Where to Stay & Eat in New Orleans
Which neighbourhood fits your trip, and where the good, honestly priced food actually is.
New Orleans’ neighbourhoods each have a distinct character, and the right base depends on what kind of trip you’re having. Here’s an honest breakdown of where to stay, and where to eat once you’re there.
Where to stay, by neighbourhood
French Quarter
The heart of the city, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street and the Mississippi riverfront all within easy walking distance. It’s the obvious first choice for sightseeing, though it runs loud, especially near Bourbon Street, worth a room on a quieter side street if noise bothers you.
Central Business District (CBD)
Modern hotels and high-rises a short walk from the French Quarter, home to the streetcar network’s hub and a genuinely good range of restaurants without Bourbon Street’s noise. A strong pick for couples or anyone wanting French Quarter proximity with a calmer night’s sleep.
Garden District
Tree-lined streets, 19th-century mansions, and a noticeably more residential feel than downtown. A 15-minute streetcar ride from the Quarter, this is the pick if you’d rather avoid the party scene entirely, particularly during Mardi Gras when it also puts you close to the parade route.
Faubourg Marigny
A bohemian, residential neighbourhood right next to the Quarter, home to Frenchmen Street’s genuine jazz scene. Considerably more local in feel than Bourbon Street, a good pick if music is the main reason for the trip.
Where to eat
The French Quarter holds the classics, Café du Monde for beignets, Pat O’Brien’s for a Hurricane, and countless spots for gumbo and jambalaya, though prices run higher right on Bourbon Street itself. Tremé and the 7th Ward offer some of the best traditional Creole and Cajun food in the city, worth the trip out if you want to eat where locals actually go.
The Garden District’s Magazine Street holds a strong, varied food scene without the tourist markup, and Commander’s Palace, right in the neighbourhood, is worth the splurge for a proper occasion. COOLinary New Orleans, running through August, offers discounted prix-fixe menus at some of the city’s best restaurants.
A note on safety
New Orleans’ main visitor areas, the French Quarter, the CBD, and the Garden District, are generally safe and well-trafficked, though standard city precautions apply, especially late at night or venturing outside these core areas. Bourbon Street gets rowdy after dark, worth a bit more alertness walking through it, particularly during Mardi Gras and other major events.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
