The places in New Orleans the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.

Off the beaten plate

Saturday Vietnamese Market at Mary Queen of Vietnam ★ 4.7

$$ Vietnamese

Open-air Saturday market in New Orleans East beside Mary Queen of Vietnam church and Ly's Supermarket; Vietnamese elders sell garden herbs from 5am to 9am.

Why locals goThe 06:00-09:00 Saturday-only Vietnamese church-parking-lot market in New Orleans East that locals know and most tourists miss because it ends before brunch.

TipBring cash in small bills and arrive before 08:00; vendors pack up at 09:00 sharp.

Congregation Coffee Roasters ★ 4.5

$$ Cafe

Algiers Point cafe-roaster on Pelican Ave from Eliot Guthrie (2015); seasonal single-origins, year-round blends, breakfast pastries Thursday to Monday.

Why locals goThe Algiers Point cafe ten minutes across the river by ferry from Jackson Square, with single-origin pour-overs and a quiet patio that almost no tourist crosses to reach.

TipTake the Algiers Ferry from Canal Street; ten minutes across and Congregation is two blocks from the dock.

N7 ★ 4.4

$$ Wine bar

N7 is a wine bar room in New Orleans. Look for the unsigned wooden fence on Montegut between Royal and Dauphine; the garden seats open at 17:00.

Why locals goThe unmarked French wine bar in a Bywater garden on Montegut Street, behind a tall fence with no street sign; you walk past the front three times before you see it.

TipLook for the unsigned wooden fence on Montegut between Royal and Dauphine; the garden seats open at 17:00.

Croissant D'Or Patisserie ★ 4.2

$$ French fine dining

French Quarter patisserie on Ursulines in the historic Brocato ice-cream parlour; from-scratch viennoiseries with sweet, savory and Creole sausage fillings.

Why locals goThe French Quarter patisserie courtyard most tourists walk past on the way to Cafe du Monde, a 1913 Brocato's space with classic French pastry and a hidden Old World garden.

TipWalk through the front cafe to the back courtyard, the prettiest seat in the Quarter for a pastry and espresso.

1000 Figs ★ 4.6

$$ Mediterranean

Bayou St John Mediterranean kitchen on Ponce de Leon, spun out of the Fat Falafel truck; Israeli-leaning falafel, hummus and kebabs Monday to Saturday.

Why locals goThe Esplanade Ridge Mediterranean room on Ponce de Leon behind the Fair Grounds, with falafel and a daily-changing mezze plate locals know but tourists rarely find.

TipThe falafel plate and the seasonal mezze board are the canonical orders; cash and card both accepted, no reservations.

Twelve Mile Limit ★ 4.3

$$ Cocktail bar

Twelve Mile Limit (Cocktail bar) in New Orleans: The backyard barbecue smoker runs Thursday to Sunday; ask the bar what's plated on the smoker that night.

Why locals goThe Mid-City corner cocktail bar on South Telemachus, named for Prohibition-era rum running, with a serious cocktail list and a backyard smoker that locals know and tourists miss.

TipThe backyard barbecue smoker runs Thursday to Sunday; ask the bar what's plated on the smoker that night.

Parleaux Beer Lab ★ 4.1

$$ Belgian

Parleaux Beer Lab is a belgian room in New Orleans. Dogs are welcome on the back patio; the pizza pop-up runs Friday and Saturday evenings most weeks.

Why locals goThe Bywater nano-brewery on Lesseps Street with Belgian ales and a dog-friendly back garden, off most tourist itineraries because it sits past the main Bywater food row.

TipDogs are welcome on the back patio; the pizza pop-up runs Friday and Saturday evenings most weeks.

Levee Baking Co ★ 4.8

$$ Bakery

Magazine Street bakery from Christina Balzebre (2017): sourdough from locally milled grain plus pastries with local eggs and dairy, Thursday to Sunday morn.

Why locals goThe Uptown levain bakery just off Magazine Street at 9th, with sourdough loaves, kouign-amann and a Cuban pastelito programme that runs off the main Magazine browse path.

TipBread sells out by 11:00 Saturday; pastries hold longer. Cash discount at the register.

Pagoda Cafe ★ 4.0

$$ Brunch

Pagoda Cafe is a brunch room in New Orleans. Outdoor counter and walk-up window only; the breakfast tortilla with house granola is the cult order.

Why locals goThe Seventh Ward breakfast and lunch boutique on N Dorgenois near Bayou Road, in a small pagoda-roof building locals love and visitors south of Esplanade rarely reach.

TipOutdoor counter and walk-up window only; the breakfast tortilla with house granola is the cult order.

Hidden gems: tours, tastings and classes in New Orleans

See all 280 bookable experiences in New Orleans

← Back to New Orleans food guide