New Orleans Food

Creole and Cajun Cuisine: Not the same thing, but plenty delicious 

Both Creole and Cajun cuisine are popular types food that can be found all over New Orleans. While Creole is generally native to Southeastern Louisiana and Cajun is more local to the Southwestern region, these two styles have been used to cook numerous Louisiana dishes. 

With French, Spanish, Portuguese, and other European touches, the ingredients in both Creole and Cajun foods include peppers, celery, onions, while roux serves as the base of the dish. Tomatoes, rice, and beans also make appearances in Creole and Cajun cooking.  

The difference between Creole and Cajun food is the cultures and people behind them, along with their tastes. Cajun cooking tends to have a stronger, spicier taste, while Creole dishes are on the subtle and milder side.

Some well-liked Creole and Cajun dishes include jambalaya and gumbo. Both styles of jambalaya and gumbo are made with vegetables and can be served with rice along with a type of protein like chicken, sausage, or seafood. The main differences between the two styles are the methods by which they are made and the Cajun dishes are more pungent than the others. K-Joes Restaurant on St. Louis Street in New Orleans serves both Cajon and Creole dishes, making it very popular among those who looking for some good New Orleans food. 

Local Louisiana Seafood: Freshly caught, cooked with soul

With Louisiana being so close to the water, Seafood is in abundance throughout the year. To ensure the freshest catch, many restaurants in New Orleans won’t include specific types of seafood on their menu if it’s not in season. Served boiled, broiled, or fried—local favorites include a variety of fish, oysters, and crawfish. Many New Orleans eateries put their own Creole or Cajun twist on the seafood plates, making them as spicy or mild as one pleases.

If you enjoy oysters as much as the rest of the New Orleans population, then Acme Oyster House—which sits right in the French Quarter on Iberville Street—is the place for you. This location along with its four others throughout Louisiana and Florida altogether serve over 10,000 oysters a day. Served raw, chargrilled, and fried, those who order these infamous oyster are sure to not be disappointed. Other seafood plates on the Acme Oyster House’s menu include Seafood Gumbo, Seafood Étouffée, as well as Fried Shrim, Catfish, and Crab Platters. 

New Orleans Sandwiches

Another type of New Orleans food that is both well known and well liked are the Po’ boy and muffuletta sandwiches. Both of these New Orleans signiture sandwiches originated in the great state of Louisiana and are frequently ordered for any meal throughout the day. Besides what is put on these sandwiches, the main difference between the two is the type of bread used to make them. 

• The Po’ boy is served on French bread, similar to that of a baguette. Most Po’ boys are served warm and are packed with fried shrimp, oysters, crab, crawfish, hot sausage, or roast beef and gravy.  
• The muffuletta sandwich is made on muffuletta bread, which is a type of sesame bread. The bread is then coated with olive salad, followed by layers of capicola, salami, pepperoni, emmentaler, ham, and provolone cheese.

To enjoy either the Po’ boy or Muffuletta, or both, make your way to Napoleon House in the French Quarter on Chartres Street. They offer a variety of Po’ boys for your choosing and their own signiture Muffuletta is made with a homemade italian olive salad.

New Orleans French Cuisine

When French colonists came to Louisiana where sugar cane and pecan trees were bountiful, they brought with them their knowledge of how to make delicious pralines. After altering the orignial recipe by using almonds instead of pecans and adding a bit of cream, it didn’t take long for pralines to become some of the most desired New Orleans food. When in the mood for a sweet, delectible candy, make your way to Laura’s Candies on Chartres Street where fresh pralines, along with other chocolate treats, are made daily. 

Now that you know what food to expect in New Orleans, scope out some of the best restaurants in New Orleans.