Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Boudin is the Cajun rice-and-pork sausage you eat link by link: a pliable casing of pork shoulder, liver, rice, holy trinity and Cajun seasoning, steamed and served from butcher-shop counters.
Boudin came to South Louisiana with French Acadian (Cajun) settlers in the 18th century, and the rice-bound version (as distinct from the smooth French boudin blanc) is the unique Cajun adaptation. The boucherie tradition (community pig-butchering and sausage-making) anchored Cajun food culture across the prairie parishes through the 20th century. Cochon Butcher (Donald Link's Warehouse District butcher counter) brought the dish onto New Orleans menus from 2010; Cochon Restaurant and Mosquito Supper Club both run their own house links. The Boudin Trail along Highway 90 west of the city is the canonical pilgrimage; New Orleans counters now match the prairie versions in quality.
3 editor picks for Boudin in New Orleans, ranked by editorial score. All New Orleans signature dishes · Boudin across every city.
Mosquito Supper Club in New Orleans is Melissa Martin's Uptown communal-table Cajun room in an 1898 cottage on Dryades Street, with a single fixed Cajun menu.
OrderThe crab stew and shrimp boulettes; the menu is fixed and arrives in courses.
TipReservations open the first of the month for the next month. Book the moment they appear.
Cochon Butcher in New Orleans is the Donald Link sandwich counter and butcher case beside Cochon, with a muffuletta and Le Pig Mac that have outsold.
OrderThe muffuletta with the house olive salad. Add the Le Pig Mac.
TipLunchtime is queued; come at 11:00 or after 14:00. Same kitchen as Cochon, faster turn.
Cochon in New Orleans is Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski's James Beard winning Cajun room on Tchoupitoulas, an ode to whole-hog cookery in a converted.
OrderThe cochon with turnips and cracklins. Then the rabbit and dumplings.
TipCochon Butcher around the corner sells the same charcuterie at a counter; cheaper and equally good for lunch.
Boudin makes more sense with someone from New Orleans explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Join a guided walking tour of the French Quarter of New Orleans and visit 5 distinct eateries to discover its diverse cuisine. Taste up to 9 different food samples and...
Guided tour · 3 hours
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Guided tour · 3 hours
Experience the flavors of New Orleans on this 3-hour walking food tour in the French Quarter. Savor local delicacies, explore historic eateries, and immerse yourself i...
