The Big Easy Travel Guide: 12 Ways to Stay Entertained in New Orleans
Best Foodie Spots
Casamento’s
A staple in New Orleans since 1919, Casamento’s serves up oysters on the half shell and other tasty seafood options. Located in an unassuming storefront off Magazine Street, dining at Casamento’s will transport you back in time, as many locals say it hasn’t changed since the 1950s.
You can still watch oyster shuckers take fresh batches of oyster from sacks and shuck them right in front of you. As such, the cafe often has a line of hungry neighborhood devotees waiting for their favorite meal of the day, Casamento’s famous fried oyster sandwich.
Flash fried oysters are sandwiched between two thick, buttered pieces of white bread with mayo, tomatoes and some hot sauce and served up with a chilled bottle of Dixie beer. If you want to know what New Orleans tastes like, this is it.
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
An urban culinary oasis lies in the Bywater Neighborhood off the banks of the Mississippi. Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits is more than just a place to buy booze; it’s an experience. Stop by and sip some vino during their weekly wine tastings or grab a craft cocktail during Happy Hour.
Peruse their extensive collection of wine, cheeses and cured meats, making your own charcuterie board or try something off their in-house Mediterranean-inspired menu. But best of all is the chance to sit back and enjoy your indulgent purchases on their outdoor patio as local jazz acts entertain from open to close, seven days a week.
Don't waste your time on the worst tourist traps in Europe — there are far better things to see that you don't have to fight crowds to get to.
The Country Club
If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, look no further than a converted cottage turned restaurant called The Country Club. Despite its name, The Country Club doesn’t cater to golfers or the super rich, but it does cater to local foodies and foodie tourists.
While the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, it’s the weekend brunch that really shines. Local specialties like crab cakes and egg or fried green tomatoes are favorites, enjoyed with their signature Bloody Mary (made with cucumber infused vodka). Or just stop by for dessert and treat yourself to the baked ricotta with Jack Daniel’s poached peaches.
And while no membership fee is required for entry, there is a fee to use the onsite pool. That’s right — you can dine poolside or sip cocktails in a bikini for only $15. It’s the best kept secret in New Orleans.
