Cafe$$
Algiers Point cafe-roaster on Pelican Ave from Eliot Guthrie (2015); seasonal single-origins, year-round blends, breakfast pastries Thursday to Monday.
Why locals love it: The Algiers Point cafe ten minutes across the river by ferry from Jackson Square, with single-origin pour-overs and a quiet patio that almost no tourist crosses to reach.
Tip: Take the Algiers Ferry from Canal Street; ten minutes across and Congregation is two blocks from the dock.
N7 ★ 4.4
Wine bar$$Mon-Thu 17:30-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:30-23:00
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 love it: The 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.
Tip: Look for the unsigned wooden fence on Montegut between Royal and Dauphine; the garden seats open at 17:00.
French fine dining$$
French Quarter patisserie on Ursulines in the historic Brocato ice-cream parlour; from-scratch viennoiseries with sweet, savory and Creole sausage fillings.
Why locals love it: The French Quarter patisserie courtyard most tourists walk past on the way to Cafe du Monde, a 1913 Brocato's space with classic French pastry and a hidden Old World garden.
Tip: Walk through the front cafe to the back courtyard, the prettiest seat in the Quarter for a pastry and espresso.
Mediterranean$$Tue-Sat 11:00-21:00
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 love it: The 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.
Tip: The falafel plate and the seasonal mezze board are the canonical orders; cash and card both accepted, no reservations.
Cocktail bar$$
Twelve Mile Limit (Cocktail bar) in New Orleans: The backyard barbecue smoker runs Thursday to Sunday; ask the bar what's plated on the smoker that night.
Why locals love it: The Mid-City corner cocktail bar on South Telemachus, named for Prohibition-era rum running, with a serious cocktail list and a backyard smoker that locals know and tourists miss.
Tip: The backyard barbecue smoker runs Thursday to Sunday; ask the bar what's plated on the smoker that night.
Belgian$$
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 love it: The 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.
Tip: Dogs are welcome on the back patio; the pizza pop-up runs Friday and Saturday evenings most weeks.