Why Magazine Street has the best food in New Orleans

Food and DrinkNew OrleansNorth AmericaTravel Tips

Forget Bourbon Street. If you’re looking for an authentic New Orleans experience, go where the locals go—Magazine Street. This busy thoroughfare stretches six miles from the Garden District to Uptown, and houses distinct boutiques, funky vendors and a wide selection of delectable food and drink. There are so many options, deciding where to go can be tough. Try these five eats to make the most of your time—and tastebuds—on Magazine Street.

1. Tacos at The Rum House

New Orleans, Magazine Street Eats: Rum House Tacos

Source: Amy Shutt, courtesy of The Rum House

3128 Magazine Street

No matter when you visit The Rum House, it’s always island time inside. This Caribbean-inspired taqueria has been a Magazine Street staple since 2009 and is known for its laid-back vibe and inventive tacos. For a quintessential experience, order a Two Dat combo: two tacos paired with two house-made sides.

Take your pick of 15 taco types, including the popular Creole Rub—featuring pulled rib simmered in spicy, creole BBQ sauce topped with roasted poblano pepper—and the Fried Oyster,—a cornmeal-dusted Louisiana oyster taco covered in caper relish and spicy remoulade. And expect The Rum House to earn its name; their mega list of rums includes round-the-world offerings from Brazil to Barbados and beyond.

 

2. Croquenuts and coffee at District Donuts Sliders Brew

New Orleans, Magazine Street Eats: District Croquenuts

Source: Courtesy of District Donuts. Sliders. Brews

2209 Magazine Street

Start your day with a from-scratch donut from this local favorite in an array of ever-changing, unusual flavors like Limoncello Poppyseed, Strawberry Basil and New Orleans-centric Red Beans and Rice. Balance your sugar craving with a strong, cold nitro brew coffee served on draft.

This Magazine Street location is the flagship of District’s growing donut empire—and where the first croquenut was served. What’s a croquenut? It’s a sinfully delicious, freshly griddled donut sandwich. The Monte Cristo variety is topped with raspberry preserves and powdered sugar stacked high with smoked ham, Havarti and dijon—with a taste you have to try to believe.

 

3. Crawfish étouffée fries and alligator sausage at Dat Dog

New Orleans, Magazine Street Eats: Dat Dog

Source: Flickr

3336 Magazine Street

Fill up on an affordable American hot dog at this colorful, casual eatery specializing in high-quality buns filled with tasty tubed meats. Step up to the colorful counter and order standard sausages like smoked bratwurst or Polish Kielbasa with your choice of more than 30 toppings and sauces, or take a chance on Louisiana alligator, crawfish sausage and other local delicacies.

Taste the Bayou and partner your Dat Dog with an order of cheesy, seafood-topped crawfish étouffée fries. Enjoy it all at reclaimed wood tables under bright umbrellas on their sunny outdoor patio year-round.

 

4. Po-boys at Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop

New Orleans, Magazine Street Eats: Mahony's Po Boy Shop

Source: Flickr

3454 Magazine Street

Don’t leave New Orleans without tasting an authentic po-boy at Mahony’s, a compact shop housed in a converted Magazine Street home. This quintessential Louisiana sandwich was first born in the Bayou and is traditionally made with toasty French bread stuffed with meat or seafood. Keep it classic with the fried shrimp or catfish, or upgrade to premium po-boys filled with fried local oysters or slow cooked lamb.

Make it a combo to experience some true Cajun appetizers: fried dill pickles with Creole Ranch dressing and cornmeal-crusted green tomatoes. Wash it all down with an ice cold draft of Louisiana’s Abita Amber beer.

 

5. Crudo and tapas at Baru Bistro and Tapas

New Orleans, Magazine Street Eats: Baru Bistro

Source: Courtesy of Baru Bistro

3700 Magazine Street

If you’re keen on sharing, stop by the cozy, two-story purple house in Uptown for a Latin take on tapas inspired by South America’s caribbean coast. Start with the Guacabello, a portabello mushroom-avocado blend served with crispy tortilla chips. Add empanadas stuffed with black beans and kale, and grilled skirt steak skewers with fresh chimichurri sauce.

Or head upstairs and outside to the bright balcony to enjoy Baru’s Crudo + Bar. Finish the night here with crafted rum and tequila concoctions paired with inventive, raw crudo bites like Yellowfin tuna covered with mango and guacamole and refreshing shrimp in cucumber-jalapeño water.

Ready to eat some of the tastiest foods in New Orleans? Explore hotels now. Or, find other trip ideas for your New Orleans vacation.

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