Best Spots to Eat & Drink at for the Krewe du Vieux Parade
The Krewe du Vieux parade route will travel through the French Quarter, a hub for great food and classic New Orleans drinks.
Wherever parade-goers stand for viewing the parade on January 31, some of the city's best bars and restaurants are only a few minutes from the Krewe du Vieux action. Take a look at our take on the best nearby establishments to enhance your parade experience.
1. SukhoThai
2200 Royal St., 504-948-9309
SukhoThai is located on Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter and at the center of the parade route. Step into this classic Thai establishment for a break from the commotion of the parade on the corner of Royal Street and Elysian Fields Avenue.
From their red curry to drunken fried rice, guests cannot go wrong with closing their parade experience with a bite from SukhoThai.
2. Royal Street Inn & R Bar
1431 Royal St., 504-948-7499
Royal Street Inn and R Bar is perfectly situated on the parade route at the corner of Royal Street and Kerlerec Street. There, parade-goers can take their excitement into the R Bar for a night of specialty drinks including a Basil Lemon Collins, Cucumber and the City, and extensive beer options.
Open from 12 p.m. to "whenever" on Saturdays, get a drink before, during, or after Krewe du Vieux.
3. Bennachin
1212 Royal St., 504-522-1230
Bennachin is a local speciality on Royal Street that serves authentic West African cuisine. Also located along the parade route, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Take a break from collecting throws and try Bennachin's black-eyed pea fritters or honey glazed chicken paired with African herbal tea or red zinger to provide sustenance for your later parading.
4. Café Amelie
900 Royal St., 504-412-8065
cafeamelie.com
Open 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. for dinner, Café Amelie is a classic location for dishes made up of fresh and local ingredients. If you are interested is classy Louisiana fare, order one of Café Amelie's various seafood dishes or their Cajun poutine.
The restaurant also offers unique signature cocktails such as The Amelie—a mixture of vodka, fresh mint, cane sugar, and lime. Situate yourself for the parade on the corner of Royal Street and Dumaine Street, right in front of the café, for when you are in need of a break for dinner or a cocktail.
5. New Orleans Vampire Café
801 Royal St., 504-581-0801
If you would prefer a establishment with an especially unique ambience, go no further than New Orleans Vampire Café. Located along the route where floats turn on the corner of Royal Street and Saint Ann Street, parade-goers can easily access this gothic dining experience.
Menu favorites include the brisket and beef Dracula Burger, as well as the fried deviled eggs. Vampire-inspired wines are also available such as Fangria and Trueblood Cabernet.
6. Good Friends Bar
740 Dauphine St., 504-566-7191
Located on the corner of the parade route where Dauphine Street meets Saint Ann Street, the Good Friends Bar is a great venue for parade-goers. Visitors can take their Mardi Gras spirit and continue the celebration with an indoor or balcony bar experience, with parade visibility from above.
Have your choice of well drinks, beer, or wine to commemorate Krewe du Vieux and the Carnival season.
7. Port of Call
838 Esplanade Ave., 504-523-0120
Located on the corner of Dauphine Street and Esplanade Avenue, Port of Call is a great restaurant off of the parade route for the warmth of a delicious burger, baked potatoes, and refreshing drinks. Bottled beers are available to pair with a hearty filet or New York strip.
Port of Call is open from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays, perfect for a pre-parade meal or late-night snack after a night of parading and celebration.
8. Dat Dog
601 Frenchmen St., 504-309-3362
One block before the parade's end point, grab a hot dog at Dat Dog while waiting in anticipation for floats and throws. Snack on their signature Sea Dog Special or sip on a draft beer.
Whether listening to music on Frenchmen Street, stopping for a meal at Dat Dog, or collecting beads, Krewe du Vieux's route provides parade-goers with a well-rounded experience.
9. Mélange on Frenchmen
516 Frenchmen St.
Also located on Frenchmen Street is a unique speakeasy-style bar. Mélange is open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturdays and is located above Bamboula's with an entrance on the left side and a carriage way entrance to upstairs. Their drink menu creates the speakeasy experience all without alcohol offering by mocktails and THC beverages.
Mélange is a unique way to end your parade-going as a late-night drinking option on Frenchmen.
10. The Maison
508 Frenchmen St., 504-371-5543
The Maison is a Frenchman Street classic with live jazz and reservations available on Saturday, January 31. Located at the end of the parade route, reserve a table for a post-Krewe du Vieux bar and jazz experience.
If you are looking for an exclusive activity, look no further than the entertainment provided by the Maison.
Don't Miss Krewe du Vieux!
Not only can parade-goers revel in the excitement of Mardi Gras, but they can also appreciate the culinary establishments that contribute to the ambience of New Orleans. On Saturday, January 31 at 6:30 p.m., do not miss out on the seasonal experience of the city's Carnival with the Krewe du Vieux parade, food, and drinks!
