Planning a trip to New Orleans requires experiencing the city’s world-class music and food scene. But why choose between the live bands and the cuisine when you can have both.
In a city that has mastered the art of uproarious celebration, where a parade can pop up on any street corner, New Orleans takes its fun and food very seriously. Between the drinks enjoyed all over the city and the jazz music heard wafting from every corridor, there’s something for everyone
Diners flock to the Big Easy to enjoy the culinary offerings by the spoonful. After all, in a city of life and entertainment, the cuisine is also its own main character. From iconic dishes such as gumbo, etouffee, and jambalaya, to quick and easy po’ boys and Creole spiced crawfish, find plenty to eat while packing in the sounds of the Crescent City. With that in mind, here are the top spots that bring together your tastebuds and earbuds in perfect harmony.
Live Music With Your Brunch
Jazz Breakfast at Arnaud’s
Arnaud’s is a lively French Quarter mainstay, and the weekly, three-course prix fixe jazz brunch on Sunday is a quintessential New Orleans experience. The three-course prix fixe begins with classic Creole options such as example, turtle soup, two gumbo preparations, and Gulf shrimp marinated in a tangy Creole remoulade sauce. Entrees feature delicate poached eggs and omelets, a signature Louisiana crabmeat cheesecake, and Gulf fish topped in Arnaud’s famous meunière sauce. Decadent desserts include bananas Foster for two, flambéed tableside, or bread pudding drizzled with whiskey sauce.
While you dine expect a visit from the Dixieland jazz trio, which pops up tableside throughout service. Afterwards, take a trip upstairs to the Mardi Gras Museum and view Mardi Gras ball gowns throughout history. Jazz brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m. on Sunday., and costs approximately $39 to $49 per person. 813 Bienville St., New Orleans, arnaudsrestaurant.com
An Epic Breakfast Spread at Court of Two Sisters
Live music and brunch buffet favorites are offered everyday within the Court of Two Sisters, a historic, expansive, and picturesque courtyard complete with climbing vines. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, enjoy a leisurely classic breakfast spread (adults $36 and children $14).
Included you’ll find a specialty omelet station, New Orleans lunch staples like chicken and sausage gumbo, red beans and rice, turtle soup au sherry, and shrimp étouffée, and a hearty salad bar. Of course dessert also wows, especially in tandem with the traditional jazz band playing live as you dine. Brunch is offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m daily. 615 Royal St., New Orleans, courtoftwosisters.com
Enjoy Food and Music All Day Long
Iconic Bites and Coffee at Café Du Monde
Prepare for a dusting of powdered sugar on your lap when you bite into New Orleans’ famous beignets from Café Du Monde, a staple in the area since 1862. The lively coffee shop resides in the heart of the French Quarter, a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River and Jackson Square. Servers in white uniforms, white paper hats and green bow ties swiftly take orders of the traditional fried squares ($4.53 for three to an order), along with its famous coffee that can be made with chicory, or in an au lait preparation.
But where is the live music you may wonder. Almost like clockwork, big bands and street buskers make their way to the street in front of the storied shop, so don’t sit near the edge if you’re looking for a semi-quiet breakfast. As these skilled musicians play impromptu short concerts for diners sitting at the covered patio, you can truly melt into the soundtrack of the city., long after the sugar has been wiped away.
Open from 7:15 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 7:15 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. 800 Decatur St., New Orleans, shop.cafedumonde.com
Water Side Dining at Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Overlooking Lake Pontchartrain, the Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood serves Louisiana seafood in traditional preparations. Choose from raw and chargrilled oysters, Seafood Gumbo ($7.95/$12/50), and Blue Crab Pasta ($25.50). The extravagant signature platter ($40.95) has a little bit of everything including fried shrimp, oysters, catfish, fried crab claws, and a fried stuffed crab.
Once you have your meal, stay for live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as local musicians belt out their Louisiana versions of cover songs. The stage is located right on the water, which gives the experience even more of that Southern charm.
Restaurant hours run 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday. Live music is at 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 7900 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, thebluecrabnola.com
Daily Vibes at Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant
Since 1939, Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant has been a quintessential New Orleans neighborhood bar on a bustling corner. The back room features live music seven days a week, where local artists play everything from ragtime and traditional jazz to Cajun to rock to country. There’s even some original tunes thrown in there from time to time.
Enjoy their full menu while you listen, with dishes you won’t find anywhere else. For example, deep fried alligator meatballs with a spicy crawfish cream sauce, a redfish po’ boy, and award-winning bratwurst jambalaya. Ticket prices for shows cost about $10 per person, and the fee goes directly to the performers. Buffa’s is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. everyday. Live music times vary. 1001 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, buffasbar.com
Cruising With the Band at Steamboat Natchez
Cruise down the Mississippi River for a jazz cruise serving dinner, lunch, or brunch aboard the iconic Steamboat Natchez paddle boat. Guests on the three-hour cruise ($60 to $107 per adult, $33 to $53 per child) enjoy views of the historic French Quarter, entertainment by a local jazz trio, and a freshly-prepared buffet.
The food centers on New Orleans and Southern-inspired classics such as Bayou seafood pasta, crawfish etouffee and gumbo, and angus beef round carved to order for dinner. Lunch features a zesty cornmeal-crusted Gulf catfish and red beans and rice. But on the brunch menu you can try the shrimp and grits and smoked salmon. Guests are welcome to explore the multi-level decks before and after the meal and choose between indoor or outdoor seating.
Lunch and dinner jazz cruises depart Monday through Saturday. Lunch seatings are at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Dinner seatings are at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Jazz brunch departs on Sundays and boards at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All cruises depart from 400 Toulouse Street, behind Jax Brewery, in the heart of the French Quarter. steamboatnatchez.com
Hotels With Great Eats and Live Tunes
Thursday Tunes at Chandelier Bar
Experience the musical stylings of Preservation Hall trumpet player Branden Lewis on Thursday evenings inside the glamorous lobby-level Chandelier Bar. As the music plays take in the stunning waterfall chandelier and sample bites from renowned chef Alon Shaya.
All this takes place inside the newly-opened Four Seasons Hotel near the French Quarter. The elevated bar menu features elegant caviar service, pickled crab claws, a blue crab roll, and butter-fried beignets. The bar has already racked up national accolades as best martini bar and best hotel bar in the country, though we also know the sounds of live music helps whet the appetite.
Food service is offered from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and music is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The Four Seasons Hotel, 2 Canal St., New Orleans, fourseasons.com/neworleans
Jeremy Davenport Lounge and M Bistro
Nestled inside The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, find solid Louisiana fare including the Taste of New Orleans ($41), a platter laden with Cajun crab cakes, boudin balls, and oysters Rockefeller. Or, go for the Cajun crab dip ($25). Both and more and be had while taking in the sounds of famed trumpeter Jeremy Davenport and his traditional jazz stylings. In fact, the lounge inside the elegant French Quarter hotel is named after him.
Diners at both the lounge or the adjacent M Bistro, have a great vantage point for enjoying Davenport’s performances. If dining at M Bistro enjoy plates of blue crab beignets ($26) and red fish ($41) while listening to the show.
Davenport and his house band play from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. M Bistro is open from 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily. The Davenport Lounge is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal St., New Orleans, ritzcarlton.com
Symphony of Oysters at The Jazz Playhouse
Step into vintage glamour at this authentic New Orleans jazz club in the heart of the French Quarter. Here you’ll find a rotating list of jazz performances and a menu of New Orleans culinary delights. Start the adventure with oysters three ways: raw, chargrilled, or fried with Herbsaint aioli.
Other hot ticket items include a large and shareable plate of crawfish étouffée fries and Cajun-fried alligator with a pepper jelly drizzle. The sweets menu beckons for an after-dinner treat, with bread pudding and a Southern banana cream pie topped with chocolate shavings.
Don’t skip out on the craft cocktails either. Each is jazz inspired, for example, the Three Cool Cats ($15) made with Patron Reposado, a smooth, sweet and smoky tequila. Tickets to the speakeasy show start at $25, and food and drink are separate. Performances are held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
The restaurant is open from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. The Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., New Orleans, thejazzplayhouse.com
Elevated Bites at Bayou Bar
Inside a swanky and vibrant hotel in uptown New Orleans, diners can enjoy a rotating list of local performers, table service, and elevated bar bites. Bands span many genres, from a five-piece band playing psychedelic soul to a bossa nova jazz bass ensemble. Enjoy duck and andouille gumbo with popcorn rice ($12), hot honey wings ($14), or the grilled chicken Cuban ($16) while you listen.
On Wednesday through Saturday the more expansive Jack Rose restaurant menu is available for showgoers. It includes fish prepared with crab boil butter and served with fingerling potatoes ($36), and scallop fettuccine Nero ($43). Before or after the show, check out the Hot Tin rooftop bar with unparalleled views of the New Orleans skyline.
Performances are held Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Bayou Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. The Ponchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, bayoubarneworleans.com
Dinner and a Show
Eating and Listening Alfresco at Bacchanal
This beloved backyard restaurant and bar in the artistic and funky Bywater neighborhood is like going to the home of your most Bohemian friend. That is, if your friend has enough room outside to host nearly 100 people at various sized tables, a stage, and twinkle lights strung through the trees. The seating is first come, first served, and works like one big community table.
Before settling in for live music from the various New Orleans and Louisiana-based musicians, choose from the 100-plus wines and build your own charcuterie board. The board can be layered with cheeses, olives, pickles, toasted bread, chutney, and mostarda. There’s also a limited hot items menu featuring steak with chimichurri ($30), mushroom orecchiette pasta with smoked trout roe ($22), steamed mussels ($18), whole grilled fish ($42), and garlicky Gulf shrimp gambas in a sherry sauce with crostini for dipping ($14).
Restaurant hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 12 to 11 p.m. There’s a full bar in the upstairs “treehouse.” Live music is held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday. 600 Poland Ave., New Orleans, bacchanalwine.com
New Orleans Music at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
A well-known venue along a stretch of bustling Frenchmen Street, Snug Harbor offers a one-stop shop for music and dining. Each night there’s two shows, and the food accompanying them is worth the visit. Dive into baked oysters topped with parmesan cheese ($17), or shrimp stuffed with crab meat dressing and a pepper jelly glaze ($15).
Then grab a cocktail and buy a ticket (prices vary) to see the nightly show in the Music Room. Choose from the intimate downstairs seating or head to the upstairs mezzanine, overlooking the stage. Performers vary, with trios, quartets and ensembles celebrated for their jazz, blues and soulful arrangements.
Restaurant hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Shows are held at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. nightly. 626 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, snugjazz.com
