7 Must-Eat Local Dishes in New Orleans

Visiting New Orleans is an experience for all the senses. You’ll see the historic streets of the French Quarter. Hear the music of local artists throughout the city. Feel the rhythm of the “Big Easy” culture. And smell and taste local cuisine that is one-of-a-kind. With menus loaded with delectable dishes, you don’t want to miss these 7 famed authentic local New Orleans dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. 

1. Gumbo– The official dish of Louisiana, gumbo is a soup-like dish that must contain a dark roux, rice, and the creole “holy trinity” (celery, onion, and bell pepper). The meat is optional although it is often andouille sausage, chicken, shellfish, or some combination of the three. If you happen to be in the Crescent City on a typical rainy day, warm your soul with a cup of gumbo, and your rainy days will never be the same. 
2. Po-boys– It’s not just a sandwich. Po-boys are perfectly crisped French bread with a specific selection of toppings that often include things like: shrimp, oysters, catfish, or alligator (all optionally fried of course). A fantastic meatless option is fried green tomato. And if you want the true New Orleanian experience, try the debris po-boy- roast beef smothered in au jus, a sandwich that’s as delicious as it is messy.
3. Jambalaya– Rice + sausage + chicken and/or shrimp + that Cajun je ne sais quois, jambalaya (jum-buh-ly-a) is a simple dish that’s spiced to perfection. No two recipes are alike, so best be safe and try a few while you’re in the Big Easy. You can even branch out and go for the pasta version of this local dish, pastalaya.
4. Red Beans & Rice– Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the name! The kidney beans were traditionally cooked all day in leftover bones or meats from Sunday while women washed clothes on Mondays, and the dish remains a city-wide Monday tradition. Enjoy this comfort meal on your trip to New Orleans, and you may find yourself with a new Monday tradition too!
5. Crawfish– No crayfish here! True southern crawfish starts with the name and ends with a belly full of spicy shellfish. There’s no wrong way to cook a crawfish, and you’ll see the proof in the dozens of ways it appears on New Orleans menus: fried in a po-boy, baked in mac and cheese, or smothered in an etouffee. If your New Orleans vacation is in the spring, look out for a local crawfish boil- a party celebrating crawfish season with music, beer, and boiled crawfish, corn, and potatoes.
6. Oysters– Slimy, yet satisfying! Enjoy them raw, fried, on a po-boy, or in the New Orleans classic oysters rockefeller. There’s no shortage of incredible restaurants to feast on local Gulf coast oysters in New Orleans.
7. Muffulettas– If Italy and New Orleans had a baby, it would be the muffuletta. With Sicilian immigrant roots, a muffuletta is a sandwich of salami, ham, mortadella, mozzarella, provolone, olive salad, and italian bread. You can visit Central Grocery in the French Quarter to try the original recipe or visit a host of restaurants serving their version of this New Orleans staple.

You may have come to New Orleans to party, but you’ll be back for the food! Be prepared to be bold and adventurous with your tasting on your New Orleans vacation as the menus throughout the city will not disappoint. And if you’re looking for more adventure, check out the most thrilling excursion in New Orleans on a zipline through the Louisiana swamp at ZipNola!